UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-A
FOR REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN CLASSES OF SECURITIES
PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OMI CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
The Marshall Islands 52-2098714
(State of incorporation or organization) (IRS Employer
Identification No.)
One Station Place
Stamford, CT
Attention: Secretary 06902
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class Name of each exchange on which
to be so registered each class is to be registered
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights New York Stock Exchange
If this form relates to the registration of a class of securities pursuant to
Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and is effective pursuant to General
Instruction A.(c), check the following box. / /
If this form relates to the registration of a class of securities pursuant to
Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act and is effective pursuant to General
Instruction A.(d), check the following box. / /
Securities Act registration statement file number to which this form
relates:_________________ (if applicable)
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
(Title of Class)
<PAGE>
Item 1. Description of Securities to be Registered.
On November 19, 1998, the Board of Directors of OMI Corporation, a
corporation incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (the
"Company"), declared a dividend distribution of one Right for each outstanding
share of common stock, $0.50 par value (the "Common Stock") of the Company, to
stockholders of record at the close of business on December 1, 1998 (the "Record
Date"). Each Right entitles the record holder to purchase from the Company one
one hundred-thousandth of a share ("Preferred Stock Fraction") of the Company's
Series A Participating Preferred Stock, $1.00 par value (the "Preferred Stock")
at a price of $25 (the "Purchase Price"), subject to adjustment in certain
circumstances. Except as otherwise provided in the Rights Agreement described
below, the Purchase Price may be paid, at the election of the registered holder,
in cash or by certified bank check or money order payable to the order of the
Company. The description and terms of the Rights are set forth in a Rights
Agreement, dated as of November 19, 1998 (as it may be amended, modified or
supplemented from time to time, the "Rights Agreement"), between the Company and
ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C., as Rights Agent.
Initially, the Rights will be attached to the certificates
representing outstanding shares of Common Stock, and no Rights Certificates will
be distributed. The Rights will be separate from the Common Stock and a
"Distribution Date" will occur upon the earlier of (i) the close of business on
the tenth day after the date (the "Stock Acquisition Date") of a public
announcement that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons (an
"Acquiring Person") has acquired, or obtained the right to acquire, beneficial
ownership of 15% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, or (ii) the
close of business on the tenth Business Day (or such later date as may be
determined by the Company's Board of Directors prior to such time as any person
becomes an Acquiring Person) after the commencement of a tender offer or
exchange offer if, upon consummation thereof, the person or group making such
offer would be the beneficial owner of 15% or more of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock. Until the Distribution Date, (i) the Rights will be evidenced by
the Common Stock certificates and will be transferred with and only with such
Common Stock certificates, (ii) new Common Stock certificates issued after the
Record Date will contain a notation incorporating the Rights Agreement by
reference and (iii) the surrender for transfer of any certificates for Common
Stock outstanding will also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated
with the Common Stock represented by such certificate. As soon as practicable
following the Distribution Date, Rights Certificates will be mailed to holders
of record of the Common Stock as of the close of business on the Distribution
Date and, thereafter, such separate Rights Certificates alone will evidence the
Rights. Except in certain limited circumstances, only shares of Common Stock
issued prior to the Distribution Date will be issued with Rights.
The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date and will
expire at the close of business on November 19, 2008 unless earlier redeemed by
the Company as described below.
Except in the circumstances described below, after the Distribution
Date each Right will be exercisable into a Preferred Stock Fraction. Each
Preferred Stock Fraction carries voting and dividend rights that are intended to
produce the equivalent of one share of Common Stock. The voting and dividend
rights of the Preferred Stock are subject to adjustment in the event of
dividends, subdivisions and combinations with respect to the Common Stock of the
Company. In lieu of issuing certificates for fractions of shares of Preferred
Stock (other than fractions which are integral multiples of Preferred Stock
Fractions), the Company may pay cash in accordance with the Rights Agreement.
In the event that, at any time following the Distribution Date, a
Person becomes an Acquiring Person (other than pursuant to an offer for all
outstanding shares of Common Stock at a price and on terms which the majority of
the independent Directors as defined in the Rights Agreement determine to be
fair to, and otherwise in the best interests of, shareholders), the Rights
Agreement provides that proper provision shall be made so that each holder of a
Right will thereafter have the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof,
Common Stock (or, in certain circumstances, cash, property or other securities
of the Company) having a value equal to two (2) times the exercise price of the
Right. In lieu of requiring payment of the Purchase Price upon exercise of the
Rights following any such event, the Company may provide that each Right be
exchanged for one share of Common Stock (or cash, property or other securities,
as the case may be). The only right of a holder of Rights following the
Company's election to provide for such exchange shall be to receive the above
described securities. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, following the
occurrence of any of the events set forth in this paragraph, any Rights that
are, or (under certain circumstances specified in the Rights Agreement) were,
beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person shall immediately become null and
void.
For example, at an exercise price of $25 per Right, each Right not
owned by an Acquiring Person (or by certain related parties) following an event
set forth in the preceding paragraph would entitle its holder to purchase $50
worth of Common Stock (or other consideration, as noted above) for $25. Assuming
that the Common Stock had a per share value of $12.50 at such time, the holder
of each valid Right would be entitled to purchase four shares of Common Stock
for $25. Alternatively, the Company could permit the holder to surrender each
Right in exchange for one share of Common Stock (with a value of $12.50) without
the payment of any consideration other than the surrender of the Right.
In the event that, at any time following the Stock Acquisition Date,
(i) the Company engages in a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not
the surviving corporation, (ii) the Company engages in a merger or consolidation
with another person in which the Company is the surviving corporation, but in
which all or part of its Common Stock is changed or exchanged, or (iii) 50% or
more of the Company's assets or earning power is sold or transferred (except
with respect to clauses (i) and (ii), a merger or consolidation (a) which
follows an offer described in the second preceding paragraph and (b) in which
the amount and form of consideration is the same as was paid in such offer), the
Rights Agreement provides that proper provision shall be made so that each
holder of a Right (except Rights which previously have been voided as set forth
above) shall thereafter have the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof,
common stock of the acquiring company having a value equal to two (2) times the
exercise price of the Right. The events set forth in this paragraph and in the
second preceding paragraph are referred to as the "Triggering Events."
The Purchase Price payable, and the number of Preferred Stock
Fractions or other securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the Rights
are subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution (i) in the event
of a stock dividend on the Preferred Stock or other capital stock, or a
subdivision, combination or reclassification of the Preferred Stock, (ii) upon
the grant to holders of the Preferred Stock of certain rights or warrants to
subscribe for Preferred Stock or securities convertible into Preferred Stock at
less than the current market price of the Preferred Stock, or (iii) upon the
distribution to holders of the Preferred Stock of evidences of indebtedness or
assets (excluding regular quarterly cash dividends or dividends payable in
Preferred Stock) or of subscription rights or warrants (other than those
referred to above).
With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Purchase Price will be
required until cumulative adjustments require an adjustment of at least 1% in
such Purchase Price. No fractional shares of Preferred Stock (other than
fractions which are integral multiples of Preferred Stock Fractions) will be
issued upon exercise of the Rights and, in lieu thereof, a cash payment will be
made based on the market price of the Preferred Stock on the last trading date
prior to the date of exercise.
At any time prior to the earlier of (i) the date on which a Section
11(a)(ii) Event (as defined in the Rights Agreement) occurs and (ii) the Final
Expiration Date, the Board of Directors of the Company may redeem the Rights in
whole, but not in part, at a price of $0.001 per Right, payable in cash or
securities or both (the "Redemption Price"). Immediately upon the action of the
Board of Directors of the Company ordering redemption of the Rights, the Rights
will terminate and the only right of the holders of Rights will be to receive
the Redemption Price.
Issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of Rights is subject
to regulatory approval. Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such,
will have no rights as a shareholder of the Company, including, without
limitation, the right to vote or to receive dividends. While the distribution of
the Rights will not be taxable to shareholders or to the Company, shareholders
may, depending upon the circumstances, recognize taxable income in the event
that the Rights become exercisable for Common Stock (or other consideration) of
the Company or for common stock of the acquiring company as set forth above.
There are currently no restrictions under Marshall Islands law on the
import or export of capital or affecting the remittance of dividends or other
payments to non-Marshall Islands holders of Common Stock or Preferred Stock.
Neither Marshall Islands law, the Articles of Incorporation nor the By-laws of
the company currently imposes any restrictions or limitations on the rights of
non-Marshall Islands holders of Common Stock or Preferred Stock to hold or
exercise voting rights attached to Common Stock or Preferred Stock.
There will be no Marshall Islands tax imposed on the distribution of
the Rights. Payment of dividends to non-Marshall Islands holders, and the
transfer of Common Stock or Preferred Stock by non-Marshall Islands holders is
currently not subject to taxation in the Marshall Islands. No Marshall Islands
withholding tax is currently required on payments of dividends to any
non-Marshall Islands holders from the sale or exchange of Common Stock or
Preferred Stock and gains derived by non-Marshall Islands holders from the sale
or exchange of Common Stock or Preferred Stock is currently not subject to
Marshall Islands capital gains tax. The Marshall Islands are not a party to any
double taxation treaties with the United States.
Any of the provisions of the Rights Agreement, other than certain
provisions relating to the principal economic terms of the Rights, may be
amended by the Board of Directors of the Company prior to the Distribution Date.
Thereafter, the provisions, other than certain provisions relating to the
principal economic terms of the Rights, of the Rights Agreement may be amended
by the Board in order: to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency; to
shorten or lengthen any time period under the Rights Agreement; or in any other
respect that will not adversely affect the interests of holders of Rights
(excluding the interests of any Acquiring Person); provided that no amendment to
adjust the time period governing redemption shall be made at such time as the
Rights are not redeemable.
As of December 1, 1998 there were 43,694,713 shares of Common Stock
outstanding, including 2,076,700 shares in the treasury. Each outstanding share
of Common Stock on December 1, 1998 will receive one Right. As long as the
Rights are attached to the shares of Common Stock and in certain other limited
circumstances, the Company will issue one Right with each new shares of Common
Stock so that all such shares will have attached Rights. Four hundred and fifty
(450) shares of Preferred Stock will initially be reserved for issuance upon
exercise of the Rights.
The Rights have certain anti-takeover effects. The Rights will cause
substantial dilution to a person or group that attempts to acquire the Company
without conditioning the offer on the Rights being redeemed or a substantial
number of Rights being acquired. The Rights should not interfere with any merger
or other business combination approved by the Board of Directors of the Company.
The form of Rights Agreement between the Company and the Rights Agent
specifying the terms of the Rights, which includes as Exhibits the Certificate
of Designations, Preferences and Rights of Series A Participating Preferred
Stock (setting forth the terms of the Preferred Stock), the form of Rights
Certificate and the form of Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Stock, is
attached hereto as an Exhibit and incorporated herein by reference. The
foregoing description of the Rights is qualified in its entirety by reference to
such Exhibit.
Item 2. Exhibits.
(1) Form of Rights Agreement, dated as of November 19, 1998, between
OMI Corporation and ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C., which includes as
Exhibit A the Form of Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of
Series A Participating Preferred Stock of OMI Corporation setting forth the
terms of the Preferred Stock, as Exhibit B the Form of Rights Certificate and as
Exhibit C the Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Stock. Pursuant to the
Rights Agreement, Rights certificates will not be mailed until after the earlier
of (i) the tenth day after the Stock Acquisition Date or (ii) the tenth business
day after the date of the commencement of a tender or exchange offer by any
person or group, if, upon consummation thereof, such person or group would be
the beneficial owner of 15% or more of such outstanding Common Stock.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.
OMI CORPORATION
Date: December 14, 1998 By/s/Fredric S. London
--------------------------------
Name: Fredric S. London
Title:
================================================================================
OMI CORPORATION
and
CHASEMELLON SHAREHOLDER SERVICES, L.L.C.
as Rights Agent
-----------
Rights Agreement
Dated as of November 19, 1998
================================================================================
<PAGE>
RIGHTS AGREEMENT
RIGHTS AGREEMENT, dated as of November 19, 1998 (the "Agreement"),
between OMI Corporation, a corporation incorporated in the Republic of the
Marshall Islands (the "Company"), and ChaseMellon Shareholder Services L.L.C., a
New Jersey limited liability company (the "Rights Agent").
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, on November 19, 1998 (the "Rights Dividend Declaration
Date"), the Board of Directors of the Company authorized and declared a dividend
distribution of one Right for each share of Common Stock, $.50 (as defined in
Section 1(f) hereof) of the Company outstanding at the Close of Business on
December 1, 1998 (the "Record Date"), and has authorized the issuance of one
Right (as such number may be hereinafter adjusted pursuant to the provisions of
Section 11 hereof) for each share of Common Stock of the Company issued or
delivered (whether originally issued or delivered from treasury) between the
Record Date and the Distribution Date (as such term is hereinafter defined) and
as otherwise provided herein, each Right initially representing the right to
purchase one one hundred-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock (as
hereinafter defined) upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter
set forth (individually a "Right" and collectively the "Rights");
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
agreements herein set forth, the parties hereby agree as follows:
Section 1. Certain Definitions. For purposes of
this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings indicated:
(a) "Acquiring Person" shall mean any Person (as such term is
hereinafter defined) who or which, together with all Affiliates (as such term is
hereinafter defined) and Associates (as such term is hereinafter defined) of
such Person, shall be the Beneficial Owner (as such term is hereinafter defined)
of 15% or more of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding, but shall not
include (i) the Company, (ii) any Subsidiary of the Company, (iii) any employee
benefit plan or employee stock plan of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the
Company, (iv) any dividend reinvestment plan of the Company, (v) any Person
organized, appointed or established by the Company for or pursuant to the terms
of any such plan or (vi) any Exempt Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no
Person shall become an "Acquiring Person" as the result of an acquisition of its
own Common Stock by the Company which, by reducing the number of shares
outstanding, increases the proportionate number of shares Beneficially Owned by
such Person to 15% or more of the Common Stock of the Company then outstanding
as determined above; provided, however, that if a Person shall become the
Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of the Common Stock of the Company then
outstanding as determined above by reason of such an acquisition and shall,
after such acquisition, become the Beneficial Owner of any additional shares of
Common Stock (other than by means of any stock dividend or stock split), then
such Person shall be deemed to be an "Acquiring Person".
(b) "Affiliate" and "Associate" shall have the respective meanings
ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as in effect on the date of
this Agreement.
(c) A Person shall be deemed the "Beneficial Owner" of, and shall be
deemed to Beneficially Own, any securities:
(i) which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or
Associates, directly or indirectly, has the right or obligation to acquire
(whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of
time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or
not in writing) or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights,
other rights, warrants or options, or otherwise; provided, however, that a
person shall not be deemed the "Beneficial Owner" of, or to "Beneficially
Own," (A) securities tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made
by such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates until such
tendered securities are accepted for purchase or exchange, or (B) at any
time prior to the occurrence of a Triggering Event, securities issuable
upon exercise of the Rights or (C) from and after the occurrence of a
Triggering Event, securities issuable upon exercise of Rights which were
acquired by such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates
prior to the Distribution Date or pursuant to Section 3(a) or Section 22
hereof (the "Original Rights") or pursuant to Section 11(i) hereof in
connection with an adjustment made with respect to any Original Rights;
(ii) which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or
Associates, directly or indirectly, has the right to vote or dispose of or
has "beneficial ownership" of (as determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 of the
General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act and any successor
provision thereof), including pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or
understanding, whether or not in writing; provided, however, that a Person
shall not be deemed the "Beneficial Owner" of, or to "Beneficially Own,"
any security under this subparagraph (ii) as a result of an agreement,
arrangement or understanding to vote such security if such agreement,
arrangement or understanding: (A) arises solely from a revocable proxy
given in response to a public proxy or consent solicitation made pursuant
to, and in accordance with, the applicable provisions of the General Rules
and Regulations under the Exchange Act, and (B) is not also then reportable
by such Person on Schedule 13D or Schedule 13G under the Exchange Act (or
any comparable or successor report); or
(iii) which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any
other Person (or any Affiliate or Associate thereof) with which such Person
(or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates) has any agreement,
arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing), but excluding
customary agreements with and between underwriters and selling group
members with respect to a bona fide public offering of securities until the
expiration of forty days after the date of such acquisition, for the
purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except pursuant to a revocable proxy
as described in the proviso to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph (c)) or
disposing of any voting securities of the Company.
(d) "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or
a day on which banking institutions in the States of New York, New Jersey or
Connecticut are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
(e) "Close of Business" on any given date shall mean 5:00 P.M., New
York time, on such date; provided, however, that if such date is not a Business
Day it shall mean 5:00 P.M., New York time, on the next succeeding Business Day.
(f) "Common Stock" when used with reference to the Company shall mean
the common stock, $.50 par value of the Company, except that "Common Stock" when
used with reference to any Person other than the Company shall mean the capital
shares of such Person with the greatest voting power, or the equity securities
or other equity interest having power to control or direct the management, of
such Person.
(g) "Distribution Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
3(a) hereof.
(h) "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
(i) "Exempt Person" shall mean (i) any Person who would otherwise be
an Acquiring Person, whom the Board of Directors of the Company determines in
good faith has become such inadvertently (including, without limitation, because
(A) such Person was unaware that such Person Beneficially Owned a percentage of
the Company's Common Stock that would otherwise cause such Person to be an
Acquiring Person or (B) such Person was aware of the extent of such Person's
Beneficial Ownership but had no actual knowledge of the consequences of such
Beneficial Ownership under this Agreement), and if such Person, either prior to
or as promptly as practicable after being advised of such determination, divests
himself or itself of Beneficial Ownership of a sufficient number of shares of
Common Stock so that such Person would no longer be an Acquiring Person, in
which case such Person shall not be deemed to be or to have become an Acquiring
Person for any purposes of this Agreement; and (ii) any of The Equitable
Companies Incorporated, Alpha Assurances Vie Mutuelle, AXA Assurances I.A.R.D
Mutuelle, AXA Assurances Vie Mutuelle, AXA Courtage Assurance Mutuelle, AXA UAP
and their respective Subsidiaries, provided, that all such Persons shall
automatically cease to be considered "Exempt Persons" upon the acquisition after
the date hereof by any such Person of the Beneficial Ownership of an additional
1% or more of the Common Stock of the Company, unless the acquisition of such
additional Common Stock would not result in such Person becoming an Acquiring
Person by reason of subclause (A) or (B) above.
(j) "Expiration Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(a)
hereof.
(k) "Final Expiration Date" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 7(a) hereof.
(l) "Person" shall mean any individual, firm, corporation, limited
liability company, partnership or other entity.
(m) "Preferred Stock" shall mean shares of Series A Participating
Preferred Stock, $1.00 par value, of the Company having the rights and
preferences set forth in the form of Certificate of Designations attached to
this Agreement as Exhibit A.
(n) "Preferred Stock Fraction" shall mean one one hundred-thousandth
of a share of Preferred Stock.
(o) "Purchase Price" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(a)
hereof.
(p) "Record Date" shall have the meaning set forth in the first
Whereas clause.
(q) "Rights" shall have the meaning set forth in the first Whereas
clause.
(r) "Rights Dividend Declaration Date" shall have the meaning provided
in the first Whereas clause.
(s) "Section 11(a)(ii) Event" shall mean the event described in
Section 11(a)(ii) hereof.
(t) "Section 13 Event" shall mean any event described in clause (x),
(y) or (z) of Section 13(a) hereof.
(u) "Stock Acquisition Date" shall mean the first date of public
announcement (which, for purposes of this definition, shall include, without
limitation, a report filed pursuant to Section 13(d) under the Exchange Act) by
the Company or an Acquiring Person, that an Acquiring Person has become such.
(v) "Subsidiary" shall mean, with reference to any Person, any other
corporation or other entity of which securities or other ownership interests
having ordinary voting power, in the absence of contingencies, sufficient to
elect at least a majority of the directors or other persons performing similar
functions for such corporation or entity is Beneficially Owned, directly or
indirectly, by such Person, or which is otherwise controlled by such Person.
(w) "Triggering Event" shall mean any Section 11(a)(ii) Event or any
Section 13 Event.
Unless otherwise specified, where reference is made in this Agreement
to sections of, and the General Rules and Regulations under, the Exchange Act,
such reference shall mean such sections and rules as amended from time to time
and any successor provisions thereto.
Section 2. Appointment of Rights Agent. The Company hereby appoints
the Rights Agent to act as agent for the Company in accordance with the terms
and conditions hereof, and the Rights Agent hereby accepts such appointment. The
Company may from time to time appoint such Co-Rights Agents as it may deem
necessary or desirable.
Section 3. Issue of Rights Certificates. (a) Until Close of Business
on the earlier of (i) the tenth day after the Stock Acquisition Date (or, if the
tenth day after the Stock Acquisition Date occurs before the Record Date, the
Close of Business on the Record Date) or (ii) the tenth Business Day (or such
later date as may be determined by the Company's Board of Directors prior to
such time as any Person becomes an Acquiring Person) after the date that a
tender or exchange offer by any Person (other than the Company, any Subsidiary
of the Company, any employee benefit plan or employee stock plan of the Company
or of any Subsidiary of the Company, or any Person organized, appointed or
established by the Company for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan) is
first published or sent or given within the meaning of Rule 14d-2(a) of the
General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act, if upon consummation
thereof, such Person would be the Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of the shares
of Common Stock then outstanding (the earlier of (i) and (ii) being herein
referred to as the "Distribution Date"), (x) the Rights will be evidenced
(subject to the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section 3) by the
certificates for the Common Stock registered in the names of the holders of the
Common Stock (which certificates for Common Stock shall be deemed also to be
certificates for Rights) and not by separate certificates, and (y) the Rights
will be transferable only in connection with the transfer of the underlying
shares of Common Stock (including a transfer to the Company). As soon as
practicable after the Distribution Date, the Company will notify the Rights
Agent of the occurrence thereof and will cause the transfer agent of the Common
Stock to provide the Rights Agent with a shareholder list. As soon as
practicable following receipt of notice of the Distribution Date from the
Company and the shareholders list from the transfer agent, the Rights Agent will
send by first-class, postage prepaid mail, to each record holder of the Common
Stock as of the Close of Business on the Distribution Date, at the address of
such holder shown on the records of the Company, one or more Rights
Certificates, in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto (individually a
"Rights Certificate" and collectively the "Rights Certificates"), evidencing one
Right for each share of Common Stock so held, subject to adjustment as provided
herein. In the event that an adjustment in the number of Rights per share of
Common Stock has been made pursuant to Section 11 hereof, at the time of
distribution of the Rights Certificates, the Company shall make the necessary
and appropriate rounding adjustments (in accordance with Section 14(a) hereof)
so that Rights Certificates representing only whole numbers of Rights are
distributed and cash is paid in lieu of any fractional Rights. As of and after
the Distribution Date, the Rights will be evidenced solely by Rights
Certificates.
(b) As promptly as practicable following the Record Date, the Company
will send a copy of a Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Stock, in
substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (the "Summary of Rights"),
by first-class, postage prepaid mail, to each record holder of Common Stock as
of the Close of Business on the Record Date, at the address of such holder shown
on the records of the Company. With respect to certificates for the Common Stock
outstanding on or after the Record Date, until the Distribution Date, the Rights
will be evidenced by such certificates for the Common Stock with or without a
copy of the Summary of Rights attached thereto and the registered holders of the
Common Stock shall also be the registered holders of the associated Rights.
Until the earlier of the Distribution Date or the Expiration Date, the transfer
of any certificates representing shares of Common Stock with or without a copy
of the Summary of Rights attached thereto in respect of which Rights have been
issued shall also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with such
Common Stock.
(c) Rights shall be issued in respect of all shares of Common Stock
which are issued after the Record Date but prior to the earlier of the
Distribution Date or the Expiration Date. Certificates issued after the Record
Date, but prior to the earlier of the Distribution Date or the Expiration Date,
shall also be deemed to be Certificates for Rights and shall bear the following
legend:
This certificate also evidences and entitles the holder hereof to
certain Rights as set forth in the Rights Agreement between OMI Corporation
and ChaseMellon Shareholder Services L.L.C. dated as of November 19, 1998
(as it may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the
"Rights Agreement"), the terms of which are hereby incorporated herein by
reference and a copy of which is on file at the principal offices of OMI
Corporation Under certain circumstances, as set forth in the Rights
Agreement, such Rights will be evidenced by separate certificates and will
no longer be evidenced by this certificate. The Rights will expire on the
Close of Business on November 19, 2008 unless redeemed prior thereto. OMI
Corporation will mail to the holder of this certificate a copy of the
Rights Agreement, as in effect on the date of mailing, without charge
promptly after receipt of a written request therefor. Under certain
circumstances set forth in the Rights Agreement, Rights issued to, or held
by, any Person who is, was or becomes an Acquiring Person or any Affiliate
or Associate thereof (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement),
whether currently held by or on behalf of such person or by any subsequent
holder, may become null and void.
With respect to such certificates containing the foregoing legend, until the
earlier of (i) the Distribution Date or (ii) the Expiration Date, the Rights
associated with the Common Stock represented by such certificates shall be
evidenced by such certificates alone and registered holders of Common Stock
shall also be the registered holders of the associated Rights, and the transfer
of any of such Certificates shall also constitute the transfer of the Rights
associated with the Common Stock represented by such Certificates.
Section 4. Form of Rights Certificates. (a) The Rights Certificates
(and the forms of election to purchase and of assignment to be printed on the
reverse thereof) shall each be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit B
hereto and may have such marks of identification or designation and such
legends, summaries or endorsements printed thereon as the Company may deem
appropriate and which do not affect the duties or responsibilities of the Rights
Agent and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement, or as
may be required to comply with any applicable law or with any rule or regulation
made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange on
which the Rights may from time to time be listed, or to conform to usage.
Subject to the provisions of Section 11 and Section 22 hereof, the Rights
Certificates, whenever distributed, shall be dated as of the Record Date (or, in
the case of Rights issued with respect to Common Stock issued by the Company
after the Record Date, as of the date of issuance of such Common Stock), shall
note the date of issuance and on their face shall entitle the holders thereof to
purchase such number of Preferred Stock Fractions as shall be set forth therein
at the price set forth therein (such exercise price per Preferred Stock
Fraction, the "Purchase Price"), but the amount and type of securities
purchasable upon the exercise of each Right and the Purchase Price thereof shall
be subject to adjustment as provided herein.
(b) Provided that the Company shall have notified the Rights Agent
that this Section 4(b) applies, any Rights Certificate issued pursuant to
Section 3(a) or Section 22 hereof that represents Rights Beneficially Owned by:
(i) an Acquiring Person or any Associate or Affiliate of an Acquiring Person,
(ii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any such Associate or Affiliate)
who becomes a transferee after the Acquiring Person becomes such, or (iii) a
transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any such Associate or Affiliate) who
becomes a transferee prior to or concurrently with the Acquiring Person becoming
such and receives such Rights pursuant to either (A) a transfer (whether or not
for consideration) from the Acquiring Person to holders of equity interests in
such Acquiring Person or to any Person with whom such Acquiring Person has any
continuing plan, agreement, arrangement or understanding regarding the
transferred Rights or (B) a transfer which the Board of Directors of the Company
has determined is part of a plan, agreement, arrangement or understanding which
has as a primary purpose or effect the avoidance of Section 7(e) hereof, and any
Rights Certificate issued pursuant to Section 6 or Section 11 hereof upon
transfer, exchange, replacement or adjustment of any other Rights Certificate
referred to in this sentence, shall contain (to the extent feasible) the
following legend:
The Rights represented by this Rights Certificate are or were Beneficially
Owned by a Person who was or became an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or
Associate of an Acquiring Person (as such terms are defined in the Rights
Agreement). Accordingly, this Rights Certificate and the Rights represented
hereby may become null and void in the circumstances specified in Section
7(e) of the Rights Agreement.
The provisions of Section 7(e) of this Agreement shall be operative whether or
not the foregoing legend is contained on any such Rights Certificates. The
Company shall give notice to the Rights Agent promptly after it becomes aware of
the existence of any Acquiring Person or any Associate or Affiliate thereof.
Section 5. Countersignature and Registration. (a) The Rights
Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the
Board, its President or its Secretary, either manually or by facsimile
signature, and shall have affixed thereto the Company's seal or a facsimile
thereof. The Rights Certificates shall be countersigned manually or by facsimile
signature by the Rights Agent, and shall not be valid for any purpose unless so
countersigned. In case any officer of the Company who shall have signed any of
the Rights Certificates shall cease to be such officer of the Company before
countersignature by the Rights Agent and issuance and delivery by the Company,
such Rights Certificates, nevertheless, may be countersigned by the Rights Agent
and issued and delivered by the Company with the same force and effect as though
the person who signed such Rights Certificates had not ceased to be such officer
of the Company; and any Rights Certificate may be signed on behalf of the
Company by any person who, at the actual date of the execution of such Rights
Certificate, shall be a proper officer of the Company to sign such Rights
Certificate, although at the date of the execution of this Rights Agreement any
such person was not such an officer.
(b) Following the Distribution Date and receipt by the Rights Agent of
the list of record holders of the Rights, the Rights Agent will keep or cause to
be kept, at its principal office or offices designated as the appropriate place
for such purpose, books for registration and transfer of the Rights Certificates
issued hereunder. Such books shall show the names and addresses of the
respective holders of the Rights Certificates, the certificate number of each of
the Rights Certificates, the number of Rights evidenced on its face by each of
the Rights Certificates and the date of each of the Rights Certificates.
Section 6. Transfer, Split Up, Combination and Exchange of Rights
Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Rights Certificates. (a)
Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b), Section 7(e) and Section 14 hereof,
at any time after the Close of Business on the Distribution Date, and at or
prior to the Close of Business on the Expiration Date, any Rights Certificate or
Certificates may be transferred, split up, combined or exchanged for another
Rights Certificate or Certificates, entitling the registered holder to purchase
(or receive) a like number of Preferred Stock Fractions (or, following a
Triggering Event, Common Stock, other securities, cash or other assets, as the
case may be) as the Rights Certificate or Certificates surrendered then entitled
such holder or holders (or former holder in the case of a transfer) to purchase.
Any registered holder desiring to transfer, split up, combine or exchange any
Rights Certificate or Certificates shall make such request in writing delivered
to the Rights Agent, and shall surrender the Rights Certificate or Certificates
to be transferred, split up, combined or exchanged at the principal office or
offices of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose. Neither the Rights
Agent nor the Company shall be obligated to take any action whatsoever with
respect to the transfer of any such surrendered Rights Certificate or
Certificates until the registered holder shall have completed and signed the
certificate contained in the form of assignment set forth on the reverse side of
each such Rights Certificate and shall have provided such additional evidence of
the identity of the Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) or Affiliates
or Associates thereof as the Company shall reasonably request. Thereupon the
Rights Agent shall, subject to Section 4(b), Section 7(e) and Section 14 hereof,
countersign and deliver to the Person entitled thereto a Rights Certificate or
Rights Certificates, as the case may be, as so requested. The Company may
require payment from the holder of the Right of a sum sufficient to cover any
tax or governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any transfer,
split up, combination or exchange of Rights Certificates.
(b) Upon receipt by the Company and the Rights Agent of evidence
reasonably satisfactory to them of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of
a Rights Certificate, and, in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity
or security satisfactory to them, and reimbursement to the Company and the
Rights Agent of all reasonable expenses incidental thereto, and upon surrender
to the Rights Agent and cancellation of the Rights Certificate if mutilated, the
Company will execute and deliver a new Rights Certificate of like tenor to the
Rights Agent for countersignature and delivery to the registered owner in lieu
of the Rights Certificate so lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated.
Section 7. Exercise of Rights; Purchase Price; Expiration Date of
Rights. (a) Subject to Section 7(e) hereof, the registered holder of any Rights
Certificate may exercise the Rights evidenced thereby (except as otherwise
provided herein including, without limitation, the restrictions on
exercisability set forth in Section 9(c), Section 11(a)(iii) and Section 23(a)
hereof) in whole or in part at any time after the Distribution Date upon
surrender of the Rights Certificate, with the form of election to purchase set
forth on the reverse side thereof and the certificate contained therein duly
executed, to the Rights Agent at the principal office or offices of the Rights
Agent designated for such purpose, together with payment of the aggregate
Purchase Price (except as provided in Section 11(q)) with respect to the
surrendered Rights for the total number of the Preferred Stock Fractions (or
Common Stock, other securities, cash or other assets, as the case may be) as to
which such surrendered Rights are then exercisable, at or prior to the earlier
of (i) the Close of Business on November 19, 2008 (the "Final Expiration Date")
or (ii) the time at which the Rights are redeemed as provided in Section 23
hereof (the earlier of (i) or (ii) being herein referred to as the "Expiration
Date").
(b) The Purchase Price for each Preferred Stock Fraction pursuant to
the exercise of a Right shall initially be $25.00, and shall be subject to
adjustment from time to time as provided in Section 11 and Section 13(a) hereof
and shall be payable in accordance with paragraph (c) below.
(c) Upon receipt of a Rights Certificate representing exercisable
Rights, with the form of election to purchase set forth on the reverse side
thereof and the certificate contained therein duly executed, accompanied by
payment (except as provided in Section 11(q)), with respect to each Right so
exercised, of the Purchase Price per Preferred Stock Fraction (or Common Stock,
other securities, cash or other assets, as the case may be) to be purchased as
set forth below and an amount equal to any applicable transfer tax or
governmental charge, the Rights Agent shall, subject to Section 20(k) and
Section 14(b) hereof, thereupon promptly (i) (A) requisition from any transfer
agent of the shares of Preferred Stock (or make available, if the Rights Agent
is the transfer agent for the shares of Preferred Stock) certificates for the
total number of Preferred Stock Fractions to be purchased and the Company hereby
irrevocably authorizes its transfer agent to comply with all such requests
subject to applicable law, or (B) if the Company shall have elected to deposit
the total number of shares of Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of the
Rights hereunder with a depositary agent, requisition from the depositary agent
depositary receipts representing such number of Preferred Stock Fractions as are
to be purchased (in which case certificates for the shares of Preferred Stock
represented by such receipts shall be deposited by the transfer agent with the
depositary agent) and the Company will direct the depositary agent to comply
with such request, (ii) requisition from the Company the amount of cash, if any,
to be paid in lieu of fractional shares in accordance with Section 14 hereof,
(iii) after receipt of such certificates or depositary receipts, cause the same
to be delivered to or upon the order of the registered holder of such Rights
Certificate, registered in such name or names as may be designated by such
holder and (iv) after receipt thereof, deliver such cash, if any, to or upon the
order of the registered holder of such Rights Certificate. The payment of the
Purchase Price (as such amount may be reduced pursuant to Section 11(a)(iii)
hereof) shall be made (x) in cash or by certified bank check or money order
payable to the order of the Company, or (y) by delivery of a certificate or
certificates (with appropriate stock powers executed in blank attached thereto)
evidencing a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the then Purchase Price
divided by the current market price (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d)
hereof) per share of Common Stock on the date of such exercise. In the event
that the Company is obligated to issue other securities (including Common Stock)
of the Company, pay cash and/or distribute other property pursuant to Section
11(a) hereof, the Company will make all arrangements necessary so that such
other securities, cash and/or other property are available for distribution by
the Rights Agent, if and when appropriate.
(d) In case the registered holder of any Rights Certificate shall
exercise less than all the Rights evidenced thereby, a new Rights Certificate
evidencing Rights equivalent to the Rights remaining unexercised shall be issued
by the Rights Agent and delivered to, or upon the order of, the registered
holder of such Rights Certificate, registered in such name or names as may be
designated by such holder, subject to the provisions of Sections 6 and 14
hereof.
(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, from
and after the first occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, any Rights
Beneficially Owned by (i) an Acquiring Person or any Associate or Affiliate of
an Acquiring Person, (ii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any such
Associate or Affiliate) who becomes a transferee after the Acquiring Person
becomes such or (iii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any such
Associate or Affiliate) who becomes a transferee prior to or concurrently with
the Acquiring Person becoming such and receives such Rights pursuant to either
(A) a transfer (whether or not for consideration) from the Acquiring Person to
holders of equity interests in such Acquiring Person or to any Person with whom
the Acquiring Person has any continuing plan, agreement, arrangement or
understanding regarding the transferred Rights or (B) a transfer which the Board
of Directors of the Company has determined is part of a plan, agreement,
arrangement or understanding which has as a primary purpose or effect the
avoidance of this Section 7(e), shall become null and void without any further
action and no holder of such Rights shall have any rights whatsoever with
respect to such Rights, whether under any provision of this Agreement or
otherwise. The Company shall notify the Rights Agent when this Section 7(e)
applies and shall use all reasonable efforts to insure that the provisions of
this Section 7(e) and Section 4(b) hereof are complied with, but shall have no
liability to any holder of Rights Certificates or other Person as a result of
its failure to make any determinations with respect to an Acquiring Person or
its Affiliates, Associates or transferees hereunder.
(f) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
neither the Rights Agent nor the Company shall be obligated to undertake any
action with respect to a registered holder upon the occurrence of any purported
exercise as set forth in this Section 7 unless such registered holder shall have
(i) completed and signed the certificate contained in the form of election to
purchase set forth on the reverse side of the Rights Certificate surrendered for
such exercise and (ii) provided such additional evidence of the identity of the
Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) or Affiliates or Associates
thereof as the Company shall reasonably request.
Section 8. Cancellation and Destruction of Rights Certificates. All
Rights Certificates surrendered for the purpose of exercise, transfer, split up,
combination or exchange shall, if surrendered to the Company or any of its
agents, be delivered to the Rights Agent for cancellation or in canceled form,
or, if surrendered to the Rights Agent, shall be canceled by it, and no Rights
Certificates shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by
any of the provisions of this Agreement. The Company shall deliver to the Rights
Agent for cancellation and retirement, and the Rights Agent shall so cancel and
retire, any other Rights Certificate purchased or acquired by the Company,
otherwise than upon the exercise thereof. The Rights Agent shall deliver all
canceled Rights Certificates to the Company, or shall, at the written request of
the Company, destroy such canceled Rights Certificates, and in such case shall
deliver a certificate of destruction thereof to the Company.
Section 9. Reservation and Availability of Capital Stock; Registration
of Securities. (a) The Company covenants and agrees that it will cause to be
reserved and kept available out of its authorized and unissued shares of
Preferred Stock (and following the occurrence of a Triggering Event, out of its
authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock and/or other securities or out of
its authorized and issued shares held in treasury) the number of shares of
Preferred Stock (and following the occurrence of a Triggering Event, Common
Stock and/or other securities) that, except as provided in this Agreement
including Section 11(a)(iii) hereof, will be sufficient to permit the exercise
in full of all outstanding Rights.
(b) So long as the shares of Preferred Stock (and following the
occurrence of a Triggering Event, Common Stock and/or other securities) issuable
and deliverable upon the exercise of the Rights may be listed on any national
securities exchange, the Company shall use its best efforts to cause, from and
after such time as the Rights become exercisable (and the Company reasonably
anticipates that a Right may be exercised), all shares (or other securities)
reserved for such issuance to be listed on such exchange upon official notice of
issuance upon such exercise.
(c) The Company shall use its best efforts to (i) file, as soon as
practicable following the earliest date after the first occurrence of a Section
11(a)(ii) Event on which the consideration to be delivered by the Company upon
exercise of the Rights has been determined pursuant to this Agreement (including
in accordance with Section 11(a)(iii) hereof), or as soon as is required by law
or regulation following the Distribution Date, as the case may be, a
registration statement or statements under the Securities Act of 1933 (the
"Securities Act"), with respect to the shares of Common Stock or other
securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights on an appropriate form or
forms, (ii) cause such registration statement or statements to become effective
as soon as practicable after such filing and (iii) cause such registration
statement or statements to remain effective (with a prospectus at all times
meeting the requirements of the Securities Act) until the earlier of (A) the
date as of which the Rights are no longer exercisable for such securities, and
(B) the date of the expiration of the Rights. The Company will also take such
action as may be appropriate under, or to ensure compliance with, the securities
or blue sky laws of the various states in connection with the exercisability of
the Rights. The Company may temporarily suspend, for a period of time not to
exceed ninety (90) days after the date set forth in clause (i) of the first
sentence of this Section 9(c), the exercisability of the Rights in order to
prepare and file such registration statement and permit it to become effective.
Upon any such suspension, the Company shall issue a public announcement stating
that the exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily suspended, as well as
a public announcement at such time as the suspension is no longer in effect. The
Company shall provide promptly a copy of all such announcements to the Rights
Agent. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the
Rights shall not be exercisable in any jurisdiction if the requisite
qualification in such jurisdiction shall not have been obtained or the exercise
thereof would be in violation of applicable law.
(d) The Company covenants and agrees that it will take all such action
as may be necessary to ensure that all Preferred Stock Fractions (and following
the occurrence of a Triggering Event, Common Stock and/or other securities)
delivered upon exercise of Rights shall, at the time of delivery of the
certificates for such shares (subject to payment of the Purchase Price), be duly
and validly authorized and issued and fully paid and nonassessable.
(e) The Company further covenants and agrees that it will pay when due
and payable any and all federal and state transfer taxes and governmental
charges which may be payable in respect of the issuance or delivery of the
Rights Certificates and of any certificates for a number of Preferred Stock
Fractions (or Common Stock and/or other securities, as the case may be) upon the
exercise of Rights. The Company shall not, however, be required to pay any
transfer tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer or delivery of
Rights Certificates to a Person other than, or the issuance or delivery of a
number of Preferred Stock Fractions (or Common Stock and/or other securities, as
the case may be) in respect of a name other than that of, the registered holder
of the Rights Certificates evidencing Rights surrendered for exercise or to
issue or deliver any certificates for a number of Preferred Stock Fractions (or
Common Stock and/or other securities, as the case may be) in a name other than
that of the registered holder upon the exercise of any Rights until such tax
shall have been paid (any such tax being payable by the holder of such Rights
Certificates at the time of surrender) or until it has been established to the
Company's satisfaction that no such tax is due.
Section 10. Capital Stock Record Date. Each Person in whose name any
certificate for a number of Preferred Stock Fractions (or Common Stock and/or
other securities, as the case may be) is issued upon the exercise of Rights
shall for all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record of such
Preferred Stock Fractions (or Common Stock and/or other securities, as the case
may be) represented thereby on, and such certificate shall be dated, the date
upon which the Rights Certificate evidencing such Rights was duly surrendered
and payment of the Purchase Price (and all applicable transfer taxes and
governmental charges) was made; provided, however, that if the date of such
surrender and payment is a date upon which the Preferred Stock Fraction (or
Common Stock and/or other securities, as the case may be) transfer books of the
Company are closed, such Person shall be deemed to have become the record holder
of such shares (fractional or otherwise) on, and such certificate shall be
dated, the next succeeding Business Day on which the Preferred Stock Fraction
(or Common Stock and/or other securities, as the case may be) transfer books of
the Company are open. Prior to the exercise of the Rights evidenced thereby, the
holder of a Rights Certificate shall not be entitled to any rights of a
stockholder of the Company with respect to shares (fractional or otherwise) for
which the Rights shall be exercisable, including, without limitation, the right
to vote, to receive dividends or other distributions or to exercise any
preemptive rights, and shall not be entitled to receive any notice of any
proceedings of the Company, except as provided herein.
Section 11. Adjustment of Purchase Price, Number and Kind of Shares or
Number of Rights. The Purchase Price, the number and kind of shares covered by
each Right and the number of Rights outstanding are subject to adjustment from
time to time as provided in this Section 11.
(a)(i) In the event the Company shall at any time after the date of
this Agreement (A) declare a dividend on the Preferred Stock payable in
shares of Preferred Stock or other capital stock, (B) subdivide the
outstanding Preferred Stock, (C) combine the outstanding Preferred Stock
into a smaller number of shares, or (D) issue any share of its capital
stock in a reclassification of the Preferred Stock (including any such
reclassification in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the
Company is the continuing or surviving corporation), except as otherwise
provided in Section 11(a)(ii) and Section 7(e) hereof, the Purchase Price
in effect at the time of the record date for such dividend or of the
effective date of such subdivision, combination or reclassification, and
the number and kind of shares of Preferred Stock or capital stock, as the
case may be, issuable on such date, shall be proportionately adjusted so
that the holder of any Right exercised after such time shall be entitled to
receive, upon payment of the Purchase Price then in effect, the aggregate
number and kind of shares of Preferred Stock or capital stock, as the case
may be, which, if such Right had been exercised immediately prior to such
date and at a time when the Preferred Stock (or other capital stock, as the
case may be) transfer books of the Company were open, he would have owned
upon such exercise and been entitled to receive by virtue of such dividend,
subdivision, combination or reclassification. If an event occurs which
would require an adjustment under both this Section 11(a)(i) and Section
11(a)(ii) hereof, the adjustment provided for in this Section 11(a)(i)
shall be in addition to, and shall be made prior to any adjustment required
pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof.
(ii) In the event any Person (other than the Company, any Subsidiary
of the Company, any employee benefit plan or employee stock plan of the
Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company, any dividend reinvestment plan
of the Company, or any Person or entity organized, appointed or established
by the Company for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan) alone or
together with its Affiliates and Associates, shall, at any time after the
date hereof, become an Acquiring Person, unless the event causing such
Person to become an Acquiring Person is a transaction set forth in Section
13(a) hereof, or is an acquisition of Common Stock pursuant to a tender
offer or exchange offer for all outstanding shares of Common Stock at a
price and on terms determined by at least a majority of the members of the
Company's Board of Directors who are not officers of the Company and who
are not representatives, nominees, Affiliates or Associates of an Acquiring
Person, after receiving advice from one or more investment banking firms,
to be (a) at a price which is fair to stockholders (taking into account all
factors which such members of the Board deem relevant including, without
limitation, the long-term prospects and value of the Company and the prices
which could reasonably be achieved if the Company or its assets were sold
on an orderly basis designed to realize maximum value) and (b) otherwise in
the best interests of (1) the Company and its stockholders (including the
possibility that these interests may best be served by the continued
independence of the Company), (2) the Company's employees, suppliers,
creditors, customers and (3) the community in which the Company operates,
then, promptly following the first occurrence of the event described in
this Section 11(a)(ii), proper provision shall be made so that each holder
of a Right (except as provided in Section 11(a)(iii), and in Section 7(e)
hereof) shall thereafter have the right to receive, upon exercise thereof
at the then current Purchase Price in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement, in lieu of a number of Preferred Stock Fractions, such number of
shares of Common Stock of the Company as shall equal the result obtained by
(x) multiplying the then current Purchase Price by the then number of
Preferred Stock Fractions for which a Right was exercisable by such holder
immediately prior to the first occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, and
(y) dividing that product (such product, following such first occurrence,
shall thereafter be referred to as the Purchase Price for each Right and
for all purposes of this Agreement) by 50% of the current market price
(determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) per share of Common Stock on
the date of such first occurrence (such number of shares of Common Stock is
herein called the "Adjustment Shares").
(iii) In the event that the number of shares of Common Stock which are
authorized but not outstanding or reserved for issuance for purposes other
than upon exercise of the Rights is not sufficient, or there shall not have
been received regulatory approvals necessary, in each case to permit the
exercise in full of the Rights in accordance with the foregoing
subparagraph (ii) of this Section 11(a), or the issuance of such shares
would violate any provision in the Company's certificate of incorporation
or by-laws, the Company shall: (A) determine the excess of (1) the value of
the Adjustment Shares issuable upon the exercise of a Right (the "Current
Value") over (2) the Purchase Price (such excess, the "Spread"), and (B)
with respect to each Right, make adequate provision to substitute for the
Adjustment Shares, upon payment of the applicable Purchase Price, (1) cash,
(2) a reduction in the Purchase Price, (3) Common Stock or other equity
securities of the Company (including, without limitation, preferred shares,
or Preferred Stock Fractions), which the Board of Directors of the Company
has deemed to have the same value as shares of Common Stock (such shares,
"common stock equivalents")), (4) debt securities of the Company, (5) other
assets or (6) any combination of the foregoing, having an aggregate value
equal to the Current Value, where such aggregate value has been determined
by the Board of Directors of the Company based upon the advice of a
nationally recognized investment banking firm selected by the Board of
Directors of the Company; provided, however, if the Company shall not have
made adequate provision to deliver value pursuant to clause (B) above
within thirty (30) days following the first occurrence of (x) a Section
11(a)(ii) Event or (y) the date on which the Company's right of redemption
pursuant to Section 23(a) expires (the later of (x) and (y) being referred
to herein as the "Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date"), then the Company shall
be obligated to deliver, upon the surrender for exercise of a Right and
without requiring payment of the Purchase Price, Common Stock (to the
extent available) and then, if necessary, cash, which shares and/or cash
have an aggregate value equal to the Spread. If the Board of Directors of
the Company shall determine in good faith that it is likely that sufficient
additional shares of Common Stock could be authorized for issuance upon
exercise in full of the Rights, the thirty (30) day period set forth above
may be extended by resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company to
the extent necessary, but not more than ninety (90) days following the
first occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date, in order that the
Company may seek stockholder approval for the authorization of such
additional shares (such period, as it may be extended, the "Substitution
Period"). To the extent that the Company determines that some action need
be taken pursuant to the first and/or second sentences of this Section
11(a)(iii), the Company (x) shall provide subject to Section 7(e) hereof,
that such action shall apply uniformly to all outstanding Rights and (y)
may suspend the exercisability of the Rights until the expiration of the
Substitution Period in order to seek any authorization of additional
shares, to take any action to obtain any required regulatory approval
and/or to decide the appropriate form of distribution to be made pursuant
to such first sentence and to determine the value thereof. In the event of
any such suspension, the Company shall issue a public announcement stating,
and notify the Rights Agent, that the exercisability of the Rights has been
temporarily suspended, as well as a public announcement and notification to
the Rights Agent at such time as the suspension is no longer in effect. For
purposes of this Section 11(a)(iii), the value of the Common Stock shall be
the current market price (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof)
per share of Common Stock on the Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date and the
value of any common stock equivalents shall be deemed to have the same
value as the Common Stock on such date.
(iv) If the rules of the national securities exchange, registered as
such pursuant to Section 6 of the Exchange Act, or of the national
securities association, registered as such pursuant to Section 15A of the
Exchange Act, on which the shares of Common Stock are principally traded
would prohibit such exchange or association from listing or continuing to
list, or from authorizing for or continuing quotation and/or transaction
reporting through an inter-dealer quotation system, the shares of Common
Stock or other equity securities of the Company if the Rights were to be
exercised for shares of Common Stock in accordance with subparagraph (ii)
of this Section 11(a) because such issuance would nullify, restrict or
disparately reduce the per share voting rights of holders of shares of
Common Stock or for any other reason, the Company shall: (A) determine the
Spread and (B) with respect to each Right, make adequate provision to
substitute for the Adjustment Shares, upon payment of the applicable
Purchase Price, (1) cash, (2) equity securities of the Company, including,
without limitation, "common stock equivalents," other than securities which
would have the effect of nullifying, restricting or disparately reducing
the per share voting rights of holders of shares of Common Stock or
otherwise cause the prohibition described above, (3) debt securities of the
Company, (4) other assets, or (5) any combination of the foregoing, having
an aggregate value equal to the Current Value, where such aggregate value
has been determined by the Board of Directors of the Company based upon the
advice of a nationally recognized investment banking firm selected by the
Board of Directors of the Company; provided, however, if the Company shall
not have made adequate provision to deliver value pursuant to clause (B)
above within thirty (30) days following the Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date,
then the Company shall be obligated to deliver, upon the surrender for
exercise of a Right and without requiring payment of the Purchase Price,
cash having an aggregate value equal to the Spread. To the extent that the
Company determines that an action needs to be taken pursuant to the first
sentence of this Section 11(a)(iv), the Company (x) shall provide, subject
to Section 7(e), that such action shall apply uniformly to all outstanding
Rights and (y) may suspend the exercisability of the Rights, but not longer
than ninety (90) days after the Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date, in order to
decide the appropriate form of distribution to be made pursuant to such
first sentence and to determine the value thereof. In the event of any such
suspension, the Company shall issue a public announcement stating that the
exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily suspended, as well as a
public announcement at such time as the suspension is no longer in effect.
For purposes of this Section 11(a)(iv), the value of the Common Stock shall
be the current market price (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d)
hereof) per share of Common Stock on the Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date and
the value of any "common stock equivalent" shall be deemed to have the same
value as the Common Stock on such date. The Company shall promptly notify
the Rights Agent of any action, determinations or public announcements
under this Section 11(a)(iv).
(b) In case the Company shall fix a record date for the issuance of
rights (other than the Rights), options or warrants to all holders of Preferred
Stock entitling them to subscribe for or purchase (for a period expiring within
forty-five (45) calendar days after such record date) Preferred Stock, (or
shares having the same rights, privileges and preferences as the Preferred Stock
("equivalent Preferred Stock")) or securities convertible into Preferred Stock
or equivalent Preferred Stock at a price per share of Preferred Stock or
equivalent Preferred Stock (or having a conversion price per share, if a
security convertible into Preferred Stock or equivalent Preferred Stock) less
than the current market price (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof)
per share of Preferred Stock on such record date, the Purchase Price to be in
effect after such record date shall be determined by multiplying the Purchase
Price in effect immediately prior to such record date by a fraction, the
numerator of which shall be the number of shares of Preferred Stock outstanding
on such record date, plus the number of shares of Preferred Stock which the
aggregate offering price of the total number of shares of Preferred Stock and/or
equivalent Preferred Stock so to be offered (and/or the aggregate initial
conversion price of the convertible securities so to be offered) would purchase
at such current market price and the denominator of which shall be the number of
shares of Preferred Stock outstanding on such record date, plus the number of
additional shares of Preferred Stock and/or equivalent Preferred Stock to be
offered for subscription or purchase (or into which the convertible securities
to be offered are initially convertible). In case such subscription price may be
paid by delivery of consideration part or all of which may be in a form other
than cash, the value of such consideration shall be as determined in good faith
by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be described
in a statement filed with the Rights Agent and shall be binding on the Rights
Agent and the holders of the Rights. Preferred Stock owned by or held for the
account of the Company shall not be deemed outstanding for the purpose of any
such computation. Such adjustment shall be made successively whenever such a
record date is fixed; and in the event that such rights or warrants are not so
issued, the Purchase Price shall be adjusted to be the Purchase Price which
would then be in effect if such record date had not been fixed.
(c) In case the Company shall fix a record date for a distribution to
all holders of Preferred Stock (including any such distribution made in
connection with a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing
corporation) of evidences of indebtedness, cash (other than a regular quarterly
cash dividend paid out of the earnings or retained earnings of the Company),
assets (other than a dividend payable in Preferred Stock, but including any
dividend payable in capital stock other than Preferred Stock) or subscription
rights or warrants (excluding those referred to in Section 11(b) hereof), the
Purchase Price to be in effect after such record date shall be determined by
multiplying the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such record date
by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the current market price (as
determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) per share of Preferred Stock on
such record date, less the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the
Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be described in a
statement filed with the Rights Agent) of the portion of the cash, assets or
evidences of indebtedness to be distributed or of such subscription rights or
warrants applicable to a share of Preferred Stock and the denominator of which
shall be such current market price (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d)
hereof) per share of Preferred Stock. Such adjustments shall be made
successively whenever such a record date is fixed, and in the event that such
distribution is not made, the Purchase Price shall be adjusted to be the
Purchase Price which would have been in effect if such record date had not been
fixed.
(d)(i) For the purpose of any computation hereunder, other than
computations made pursuant to Section 11(a)(iii) hereof, the "current market
price" per share of Common Stock on any date shall be deemed to be the average
of the daily closing price per share of Common Stock for the thirty (30)
consecutive Trading Days (as such term is hereinafter defined) immediately prior
to such date, and for purposes of computations made pursuant to Section
11(a)(iii) hereof, the "current market price" per share of Common Stock on any
date shall be deemed to be the average of the daily closing price per share of
Common Stock for the ten (10) consecutive Trading Days immediately following
such date; provided, however, that in the event that the then current market
price per share of Common Stock is determined during a period following the
announcement by the issuer of such Common Stock of (i) any dividend or
distribution on such Common Stock payable in such shares of Common Stock or
securities convertible into shares of Common Stock (other than the Rights), (ii)
any subdivision, combination or reclassification of such shares of Common Stock,
and prior to the expiration of the requisite thirty (30) Trading Day or ten (10)
Trading Day period, as set forth above, after the exdividend date for such
dividend or distribution, or the record date for such subdivision, combination
or reclassification, then, in each such case, the current market price shall be
properly adjusted to take into account ex-dividend trading. The closing price
for each day shall be the last sale price, regular way, or, in case no such sale
takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices,
regular way, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated
transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to
trading on the New York Stock Exchange or, if the shares of Common Stock are not
listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange, as reported in the
principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities
listed on the principal national securities exchange on which the shares of
Common Stock are listed or admitted to trading or, if the shares of Common Stock
are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the
last quoted sale price or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low
asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System ("NASDAQ") or
such other system then in use, or, if on any such date the shares of Common
Stock are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid
and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in
the Common Stock selected by the Board of Directors of the Company. If on any
such date no market maker is making a market in the Common Stock, the fair value
of such shares on such date as determined in good faith by the Board of
Directors of the Company shall be used and shall be conclusive for all purposes.
The term "Trading Day" shall mean a day on which the principal national
securities exchange on which the shares of Common Stock are listed or admitted
to trading is open for the transaction of business or, if the shares of Common
Stock are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange,
a Business Day. If the Common Stock is not publicly held or not so listed or
traded, current market price per share shall mean the fair value per share as
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose
determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent and
shall be conclusive for all purposes.
(ii) For the purpose of any computation hereunder, the "current market
price" per share of Preferred Stock shall be determined in the same manner as
set forth above for the Common Stock in Section 11(d)(i) (other than the last
sentence thereof). If the current market price per share of Preferred Stock
cannot be determined in the manner provided above or if the Preferred Stock is
not publicly held or listed or traded in a manner described in Section 11(d)(i),
the "current market price" per share of Preferred Stock shall be conclusively
deemed to be an amount equal to 100,000 (as such number may be appropriately
adjusted for such events as stock splits, stock dividends and recapitalizations
with respect to the Common Stock occurring after the date of this Agreement)
multiplied by the current market price per share of Common Stock. If neither the
Common Stock nor the Preferred Stock is publicly held or so listed or traded,
"current market price" per share of Preferred Stock shall mean the fair value
per share as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company,
whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights
Agent and shall be conclusive for all purposes. For all purposes of this
Agreement, the "current market price" of a Preferred Stock Fraction shall be
equal to the "current market price" of one share of Preferred Stock divided by
100,000.
(e) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, no adjustment in
the Purchase Price shall be required unless such adjustment would require an
increase or decrease of at least one percent (1%) to the Purchase Price;
provided, however, that any adjustments which by reason of this Section 11(e)
are not required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in
any subsequent adjustment. All calculations under this Section 11 shall be made
to the nearest cent or to the nearest one ten-thousandth of a share of Common
Stock or other share or one one-billionth of a share of Preferred Stock, as the
case may be. Notwithstanding the first sentence of this Section 11(e), any
adjustment required by this Section 11 shall be made no later than the earlier
of (i) three (3) years from the date of the transaction which mandates such
adjustment or (ii) the Expiration Date.
(f) If as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to Section 11(a) or
Section 13(a) hereof, the holder of any Right thereafter exercised shall become
entitled to receive any capital shares other than Preferred Stock, thereafter
the number of such other shares receivable upon exercise of any Right and the
Purchase Price thereof shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in a
manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as practicable to the provisions with
respect to the Preferred Stock contained in Sections 11(a), (b), (c), (e), (g),
(h), (i), (j), (k), (m) and (q) hereof, and the provisions of Sections 7, 9, 10,
13 and 14 hereof with respect to the Preferred Stock shall apply on like terms
to any such other shares.
(g) All Rights originally issued by the Company subsequent to any
adjustment made to the Purchase Price hereunder shall evidence the right to
purchase, at the adjusted Purchase Price, the number of Preferred Stock
Fractions (or other consideration, as the case may be) purchasable from time to
time hereunder upon exercise of the Rights, all subject to further adjustment as
provided herein.
(h) Unless the Company shall have exercised its election as provided
in Section 11(i), upon each adjustment of the Purchase Price as a result of the
calculations made in Sections 11(b) and (c), each Right outstanding immediately
prior to the making of such adjustment shall thereafter evidence the right to
purchase, at the adjusted Purchase Price, that number of Preferred Stock
Fractions (calculated to the nearest one ten-thousandth) obtained by (i)
multiplying (x) the number of Preferred Stock Fractions covered by a Right
immediately prior to this adjustment, by (y) the Purchase Price in effect
immediately prior to such adjustment of the Purchase Price and (ii) dividing the
product so obtained by the Purchase Price in effect immediately after such
adjustment of the Purchase Price.
(i) The Company may elect on or after the date of any adjustment of
the Purchase Price to adjust the number of Rights, in substitution for any
adjustment in the number of Preferred Stock Fractions purchasable upon the
exercise of a Right. Each of the Rights outstanding after the adjustment in the
number of Rights shall be exercisable for the number of Preferred Stock
Fractions for which a Right was exercisable immediately prior to such
adjustment. Each Right held of record prior to such adjustment of the number of
Rights shall become that number of Rights (calculated to the nearest one
ten-thousandth) obtained by dividing the Purchase Price in effect immediately
prior to adjustment of the Purchase Price by the Purchase Price in effect
immediately after adjustment of the Purchase Price. The Company shall make a
public announcement, with notice thereof to the Rights Agent, of its election to
adjust the number of Rights, indicating the record date for the adjustment, and,
if known at the time, the amount of the adjustment to be made. This record date
may be the date on which the Purchase Price is adjusted or any day thereafter,
but, if the Rights Certificates have been issued, shall be at least ten (10)
days later than the date of the public announcement. If Rights Certificates have
been issued, upon each adjustment of the number of Rights pursuant to this
Section 11(i), the Company shall, as promptly as practicable, cause to be
distributed to holders of record of Rights Certificates on such record date
Rights Certificates evidencing, subject to Section 14 hereof, the additional
Rights to which such holders shall be entitled as a result of such adjustment,
or, at the option of the Company, shall cause to be distributed to such holders
of record in substitution and replacement for the Rights Certificates held by
such holders prior to the date of adjustment, and upon surrender thereof, if
required by the Company, new Rights Certificates evidencing all the Rights to
which such holders shall be entitled after such adjustment. Rights Certificates
so to be distributed shall be issued, executed and countersigned in the manner
provided for herein (and may bear, at the option of the Company, the adjusted
Purchase Price) and shall be registered in the names of the holders of record of
Rights Certificates on the record date specified in the public announcement.
(j) Irrespective of any adjustment or change in the Purchase Price or
the number of Preferred Stock Fractions issuable upon the exercise of the
Rights, the Rights Certificates theretofore and thereafter issued may continue
to express the Purchase Price per Preferred Stock Fraction and the number of
Preferred Stock Fractions which were expressed in the initial Rights
Certificates issued hereunder.
(k) Before taking any action that would cause an adjustment reducing
the Purchase Price below the then stated value, if any, of the number of
Preferred Stock Fractions issuable upon exercise of the Rights, the Company
shall take any corporate action which may, in the opinion of its counsel, be
necessary in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and
nonassessable Preferred Stock Fractions at such adjusted Purchase Price.
(l) In any case in which this Section 11 shall require that an
adjustment in the Purchase Price be made effective as of a record date for a
specified event, the Company may elect (and shall provide the Rights Agent with
notice of such election) to defer, until the occurrence of such event, the
issuance to the holder of any Right exercised after such record date the number
of Preferred Stock Fractions and other capital shares or securities of the
Company, if any, issuable upon such exercise over and above the number of
Preferred Stock Fractions and other capital shares and securities of the
Company, if any, issuable upon such exercise on the basis of the Purchase Price
in effect prior to such adjustment; provided, however, that the Company shall
deliver to such holder a due bill or other appropriate instrument evidencing
such holder's right to receive such additional shares (fractional or otherwise)
of Common Stock and other capital shares or securities upon the occurrence of
the event requiring such adjustment.
(m) Anything in this Section 11 to the contrary notwithstanding, the
Board of Directors shall be entitled to make such reductions in the Purchase
Price, in addition to those adjustments expressly required by this Section 11,
as and to the extent that in their good faith judgment the Board of Directors of
the Company shall determine to be advisable in order that any (i) consolidation
or subdivision of the Preferred Stock, (ii) issuance wholly for cash of shares
of Preferred Stock at less than the current market price, (iii) issuance wholly
for cash of shares of Preferred Stock or securities which by their terms are
convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Preferred Stock, (iv) stock
dividends or (v) issuance of rights, options or warrants referred to in this
Section 11, hereafter made by the Company to holders of its Preferred Stock
shall not be taxable to such stockholders.
(n) The Company covenants and agrees that it shall not, at any time
after the Distribution Date, (i) consolidate with any other Person (other than a
Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction which complies with Section 11(o)
hereof), (ii) merge with or into any other Person (other than a Subsidiary of
the Company in a transaction which complies with Section 11(o) hereof) or (iii)
sell or transfer (or permit any Subsidiary to sell or transfer), in one
transaction or a series of related transactions, assets or earning power
aggregating more than 50% of the assets or earning power of the Company and its
Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to, any other Person or Persons (other than the
Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries in one or more transactions each of which
complies with Section 11(o) hereof), if (x) at the time of or immediately after
such consolidation, merger or sale there are any rights, warrants or other
instruments or securities outstanding or agreements in effect which would
substantially diminish or otherwise eliminate the benefits intended to be
afforded by the Rights or (y) prior to, simultaneously with or immediately after
such consolidation, merger or sale, the stockholders of the Person who
constitutes, or would constitute, the "Principal Party" for purposes of Section
13(a) hereof shall have received a distribution of Rights previously owned by
such Person or any of its Affiliates and Associates.
(o) The Company covenants and agrees that, after the Distribution
Date, it will not, except as permitted by Section 23 or Section 26 hereof, take
(or permit any Subsidiary to take) any action if at the time such action is
taken it is reasonably foreseeable that such action will diminish substantially
or otherwise eliminate the benefits intended to be afforded by the Rights.
(p) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the
event that the Company shall at any time after the date of this Agreement and
prior to the Distribution Date (i) declare a dividend on the outstanding shares
of Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the
outstanding shares of Common Stock or (iii) combine the outstanding shares of
Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, the number of Rights associated
with each share of Common Stock then outstanding, or issued or delivered
thereafter but prior to the Distribution Date, shall be proportionately adjusted
so that the number of Rights thereafter associated with each share of Common
Stock following any such event shall equal the result obtained by multiplying
the number of Rights associated with each share of Common Stock immediately
prior to such event by a fraction the numerator which shall be the total number
of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the occurrence of the
event and the denominator of which shall be the total number of shares of Common
Stock outstanding immediately following the occurrence of such event.
(q) In the event that the Rights become exercisable following a
Section 11(a)(ii) Event, the Company by action of a majority of the Board of
Directors, at its option, may provide that each Right, subject to section 7(e),
shall be exchanged for one share of Common Stock (or cash or other securities or
assets to be substituted for the Adjustment Shares pursuant to subsection
11(a)(iii)) appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or
similar transaction occurring after the date hereof, in consideration of the
surrender to the Company of the Rights so exercised and without other payment of
the Purchase Price. Upon the Company's election to provide for such exchange,
the Company shall notify the Rights Agent thereof and all Rights shall be
terminated and the only right thereafter of a holder of such Rights shall be to
receive the above described securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board
of Directors shall not be empowered to effect such exchange at any time after
any Person (other than the Company, any wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company,
any employee benefit plan of the Company or any such Subsidiary, or any entity
holding shares of Common Stock for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan),
together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, becomes the
Beneficial Owner of 50% or more of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding.
Section 12.Certificate of Adjusted Purchase Price or Number of Shares.
Whenever an adjustment is made as provided in Section 11 or Section 13 hereof,
the Company shall (a) promptly prepare a certificate setting forth such
adjustment and a brief statement of the facts accounting for such adjustment,
(b) promptly file with the Rights Agent, and with each transfer agent for the
Preferred Stock and the Common Stock, a copy of such certificate and (c) mail a
brief summary thereof to each holder of a Rights Certificate (or, if prior to
the Distribution Date, to each holder of a certificate representing shares of
Common Stock) in accordance with Section 25 hereof. The Rights Agent shall be
fully protected in relying on any such certificate and on any adjustment therein
contained, and shall have no duty with respect to and shall not be deemed to
have knowledge of any adjustment unless and until it shall receive such a
certificate.
Section 13. Consolidation, Merger or Sale or Transfer of Assets or
Earning Power. (a) In the event that, following the Stock Acquisition Date,
directly or indirectly, (x) the Company shall consolidate with, or merge with
and into, any other Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Company in a
transaction which complies with Section 11(o) hereof), and the Company shall not
be the continuing or surviving corporation of such consolidation or merger, (y)
any Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction which
complies with Section 11(o) hereof) shall consolidate with, or merge with or
into, the Company, and the Company shall be the continuing or surviving
corporation of such consolidation or merger and, in connection with such
consolidation or merger, all or part of the outstanding shares of Common Stock
shall be changed into or exchanged for stock or other securities of any other
Person or cash or any other property, or (z) the Company shall sell or otherwise
transfer (or one or more of its Subsidiaries shall sell or otherwise transfer),
in one transaction or a series of related transactions, assets or earning power
aggregating more than 50% of the assets or earning power of the Company and its
Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any Person or Persons (other than the Company
or any Subsidiary of the Company in one or more transactions each of which
complies with Section 11(o) hereof), then, and in each such case and except as
set forth in Section 13(d) hereof, proper provision shall be made so that:
(i) each holder of a Right, except as provided in Section 7(e) hereof,
shall thereafter have the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof at
the then current Purchase Price in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement, such number of validly authorized and issued, fully paid,
nonassessable and freely tradeable shares of Common Stock of the Principal
Party (as such term is hereinafter defined), not subject to any liens,
encumbrances, rights of first refusal or other adverse claims, as shall be
equal to the result obtained by (1) multiplying the then current Purchase
Price by the number of Preferred Stock Fractions for which a Right is
exercisable by such holder immediately prior to the first occurrence of a
Section 13 Event (or, if a Section 11(a)(ii) Event has occurred prior to
the Section 13 Event, multiplying the Purchase Price in effect immediately
prior to the first occurrence of such Section 11(a)(ii) Event by the number
of Preferred Stock Fractions for which a Right was exercisable immediately
prior to such first occurrence) and dividing that product (such product,
following the first occurrence of a Section 13 Event, shall be referred to
as the "Purchase Price" for each Right and for all purposes of this
Agreement) by (2) 50% of the current market price (determined pursuant to
Section 11(d)(i) hereof with respect to the Common Stock) per share of
Common Stock of such Principal Party on the date of consummation of such
Section 13 Event;
(ii) such Principal Party shall thereafter be liable for, and shall
assume, by virtue of such Section 13 Event, all the obligations and duties
of the Company pursuant to this Agreement;
(iii)the term "Company" shall thereafter be deemed to refer to such
Principal Party, it being specifically intended that the provisions of
Section 11 hereof shall apply only to such Principal Party following the
first occurrence of a Section 13 Event;
(iv) such Principal Party shall take such steps (including, but not
limited to, the reservation of a sufficient number of shares of its Common
Stock) in connection with the consummation of any such transaction as may
be necessary to insure that the provisions hereof shall thereafter be
applicable, as nearly as reasonably may be, in relation to its Common Stock
thereafter deliverable upon the exercise of the Rights; and
(v) the provisions of Section 11(a)(ii) hereof shall be of no effect
following the first occurrence of any Section 13 Event.
(b) "Principal Party" shall mean
(i) in the case of any transaction described in clause (x) or (y) of
the first sentence of Section 13(a), the Person that is the issuer of any
securities into which shares of Common Stock of the Company are converted
in such merger or consolidation, and if no securities are so issued, the
Person that is the other party to such merger or consolidation; and
(ii) in the case of any transaction described in clause (z) of the
first sentence of Section 13(a), the Person that is the party receiving the
greatest portion of the assets or earning power transferred pursuant to
such transaction or transactions;
provided, however, that in any such case, (1) if the Common Stock of such Person
is not at such time and has not been continuously over the preceding twelve (12)
month period registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, and such Person is
a direct or indirect Subsidiary of another Person the Common Stock of which is
and has been so registered, "Principal Party" shall refer to such other Person;
(2) in case such Person is a Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, of more than
one Person, the Common Stock of two or more of which are and have been so
registered, "Principal Party" shall refer to whichever of such Persons is the
issuer of the Common Stock having the greatest aggregate market value; and (3)
in case such Person is owned, directly or indirectly, by a joint venture formed
by two or more Persons that are not owned, directly or indirectly, by the same
Person, the rules set forth in (1) and (2) above shall apply to each of the
chains of ownership having an interest in such joint venture as if such party
were a "Subsidiary" of both or all of such joint ventures and the Principal
Parties in each such chain shall bear the obligations set forth in this Section
13 in the same ratio as their direct or indirect interests in such Person bear
to the total of such interests.
(c) The Company shall not consummate any Section 13 Event unless the
Principal Party shall have a sufficient number of authorized shares of its
Common Stock which have not been issued or reserved for issuance to permit the
exercise in full of the Rights in accordance with this Section 13 and unless
prior thereto the Company and such Principal Party shall have executed and
delivered to the Rights Agent a supplemental agreement providing for the terms
set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 13 and further providing
that, as soon as practicable after the date of any such Section 13 Event, the
Principal Party at its own expense will:
(i) prepare and file a registration statement under the Securities
Act, with respect to the Rights and the securities purchasable upon
exercise of the Rights on an appropriate form, and will use its best
efforts to cause such registration statement to (A) become effective as
soon as practicable after such filing and (B) remain effective (with a
prospectus at all times meeting the requirements of the Securities Act)
until the Expiration Date;
(ii) use its best efforts to qualify or register the Rights and the
securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights under the Blue Sky laws
of such jurisdictions as may be necessary or appropriate; and
(iii)deliver to holders of the Rights historical financial statements
for the Principal Party and each of its Affiliates which comply in all
respects with the requirements for registration on Form 10 under the
Exchange Act.
The provisions of this Section 13 shall similarly apply to successive mergers or
consolidations or sales or other transfers. In the event that a Section 13 Event
shall occur at any time after the occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, the
Rights which have not theretofore been exercised shall thereafter become
exercisable in the manner described in Section 13(a).
(d) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
Section 13 shall not be applicable to a transaction described in subparagraphs
(x) and (y) of Section 13(a) if (i) such transaction is consummated with a
Person or Persons who acquired shares of Common Stock pursuant to a tender offer
or exchange offer for all outstanding shares of Common Stock that complies with
the provisions of Section 11(a)(ii) hereof (or a wholly-owned Subsidiary of any
such Person or Persons), (ii) the price per Common Share offered in such
transaction is not less than the price per share of Common Stock paid to all
holders of Common Stock whose shares were purchased pursuant to such tender
offer or exchange and (iii) the form of consideration being offered to the
remaining holders of Common Stock pursuant to such transaction is the same as
the form of consideration paid pursuant to such tender offer or exchange offer.
Upon consummation of any such transaction contemplated by this Section 13(d),
all Rights hereunder shall expire.
Section 14. Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares. (a) The Company
shall not be required to issue fractions of Rights, except prior to the
Distribution Date as provided in Section 11(p) hereof, or to distribute Rights
Certificates which evidence fractional Rights. In lieu of such fractional
Rights, there shall be paid to the registered holders of the Rights Certificates
with regard to which such fractional Rights would otherwise be issuable, an
amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of a whole
Right. For purposes of this Section 14(a), the current market value of a whole
Right shall be the closing price of the Rights for the Trading Day immediately
prior to the date on which such fractional Rights would have been otherwise
issuable. The closing price of the Rights for any day shall be the last sale
price, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the
average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as
reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect
to securities listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange or,
if the Rights are not listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock
Exchange, as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system
with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange
on which the Rights are listed or admitted to trading, or if the Rights are not
listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last
quoted price or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked
prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by NASDAQ or such other
system then in use or, if on any such date the Rights are not quoted by any such
organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a
professional market maker making a market in the Rights selected by the Board of
Directors of the Company. If on any such date no such market maker is making a
market in the Rights the fair value of the Rights on such date as determined in
good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company shall be used and shall be
conclusive for all purposes.
(b) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of shares of
Preferred Stock (other than integral multiples of Preferred Stock Fractions)
upon exercise of the Rights or to distribute certificates which evidence
fractional shares of Preferred Stock (other than integral multiples of Preferred
Stock Fractions). In lieu of fractional shares of Preferred Stock that are not
Preferred Stock Fractions or integral multiples thereof, the Company may pay to
the registered holders of Rights Certificates at the time such Rights are
exercised as herein provided an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the
current market value of a share of Preferred Stock. For purposes of this Section
14(b), the current market value of one share of Preferred Stock shall be the
closing price of a share of Preferred Stock (as determined pursuant to Section
11(d)(ii) hereof) for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of such
exercise.
(c) Following the occurrence of a Triggering Event, the Company shall
not be required to issue fractions of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of
the Rights or to distribute certificates which evidence fractional shares of
Common Stock. In lieu of fractional shares of Common Stock, the Company may pay
to the registered holders of Rights Certificates at the time such Rights are
exercised as herein provided an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the
current market value of one share of Common Stock. For purposes of this Section
14(c), the current market value of one share of Common Stock shall be the
closing price of a share of Common Stock (as determined pursuant to Section
11(d)(i) hereof) for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of such
exercise.
(d) The holder of a Right by the acceptance of the Rights expressly
waives his right to receive any fractional Rights or any fractional shares upon
exercise of a Right, except as permitted by this Section 14.
Section 15. Rights of Action. All rights of action in respect of this
Agreement, except those rights of action vested in the Rights Agent pursuant to
Sections 18 through 20 inclusive, are vested in the respective registered
holders of the Rights Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the
registered holders of the Common Stock); and any registered holder of any Rights
Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common Stock), without
the consent of the Rights Agent or of the holder of any other Rights Certificate
(or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common Stock), may, in his own
behalf and for his own benefit, enforce, and may institute and maintain any
suit, action or proceeding against the Company to enforce, or otherwise act in
respect of, his right to exercise the Rights evidenced by such Rights
Certificate in the manner provided in such Rights Certificate and in this
Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing or any remedies available to the
holders of Rights, it is specifically acknowledged that the holders of Rights
would not have an adequate remedy at law for any breach of this Agreement and
shall be entitled to specific performance of the obligations hereunder and
injunctive relief against actual or threatened violations of the obligations
hereunder of any Person subject to this Agreement. Holders of Rights shall be
entitled to recover from the Company the reasonable costs and expenses,
including attorneys' fees, incurred by them in any action to enforce the
provisions of this Agreement.
Section 16. Agreement of Rights Holders. Every holder of a Right by
accepting the same consents and agrees with the Company and the Rights Agent and
with every other holder of a Right that:
(a) prior to the Distribution Date, the Rights will be transferable
only in connection with the transfer of Common Stock;
(b) after the Distribution Date, the Rights Certificates are
transferable only on the registry books of the Rights Agent if surrendered
at the principal office or offices of the Rights Agent designated for such
purposes, duly endorsed or accompanied by a proper instrument of transfer
and with the appropriate forms and certificates fully executed;
(c) subject to Section 6(a) and Section 7(f) hereof, the Company and
the Rights Agent may deem and treat the Person in whose name a Rights
Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, the associated Common
Stock certificate) is registered as the absolute owner thereof and of the
Rights evidenced thereby (notwithstanding any notations of ownership or
writing on the Rights Certificates or the associated Common Stock
certificate made by anyone other than the Company or the Rights Agent) for
all purposes whatsoever, and neither the Company nor the Rights Agent
shall, subject to the last sentence of Section 7(e) hereof, be required to
be affected by any notice to the contrary; and
(d) notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
neither the Company nor the Rights Agent shall have any liability to any
holder of a Right or other Person as a result of its inability to perform
any of its obligations under this Agreement by reason of any preliminary or
permanent injunction or other order, judgment, decree or ruling (whether
interlocutory or final) issued by a court of competent jurisdiction or by a
governmental, regulatory or administrative agency or commission, or any
statute, rule, regulation or executive order promulgated or enacted by any
governmental authority, prohibiting or otherwise restraining performance of
such obligation; provided, however, the Company must use its best efforts
to have any such order, judgment, decree or ruling lifted or otherwise
overturned as soon as possible.
Section 17. Rights Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Stockholder. No
holder, as such, of any Rights Certificate shall be entitled to vote, receive
dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the number of Preferred
Stock Fractions or any other securities of the Company which may at any time be
issuable on the exercise of the Rights represented thereby, nor shall anything
contained herein or in any Rights Certificate be construed to confer upon the
holder of any Rights Certificate, as such, any of the rights of a stockholder of
the Company or any right to vote for the election of directors or upon any
matter submitted to stockholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold
consent to any corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or other
actions affecting stockholders (except as provided in Section 24 hereof), or to
receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise, until the Right or
Rights evidenced by such Rights Certificate shall have been exercised in
accordance with the provisions hereof.
Section 18. Concerning the Rights Agent. (a) The Company agrees to pay
to the Rights Agent reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it
hereunder and, from time to time, on demand of the Rights Agent, its reasonable
expenses and counsel fees and disbursements and other disbursements incurred in
the administration and execution of this Agreement or any amendment or
supplement hereto and the exercise and performance of its duties hereunder. The
Company also agrees to indemnify the Rights Agent for, and to hold it harmless
against, any loss, liability, or expense, incurred without gross negligence, bad
faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Rights Agent, for any action
taken, suffered or omitted by the Rights Agent in connection with the acceptance
and administration of this Agreement, including the costs and expenses of
defending against any claim of liability in the premises.
(b) The Rights Agent shall be authorized and protected and shall incur
no liability for or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in
connection with its administration of this Agreement in reliance upon any Rights
Certificate or certificate for Common Stock or for other securities of the
Company, instrument of assignment or transfer, power of attorney, endorsement,
affidavit, letter, notice, direction, consent, certificate, statement, or other
paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to be signed, executed and,
where necessary, verified or acknowledged, by the proper Person or Persons.
Section 19. Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent.
(a) Any Person into which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent may be
merged or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any
merger or consolidation to which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent
shall be a party or any Person succeeding to the stock transfer business of the
Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent, shall be the successor to the Rights
Agent under this Agreement without the execution or filing of any paper or any
further act on the part of any of the parties hereto; provided, however, that
such Person would be eligible for appointment as a successor Rights Agent under
the provisions of Section 21 hereof. In case at the time such successor Rights
Agent shall succeed to the agency created by this Agreement, any of the Rights
Certificates shall have been countersigned but not delivered, any such successor
Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature of a predecessor Rights Agent and
deliver such Rights Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time any
of the Rights Certificates shall not have been countersigned, any successor
Rights Agent may countersign such Rights Certificates either in the name of the
predecessor or in the name of the successor Rights Agent; and in all such cases
such Rights Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Rights
Certificates and in this Agreement.
(b) In case at any time the name of the Rights Agent shall be changed
and at such time any of the Rights Certificates shall have been countersigned
but not delivered, the Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature under its
prior name and deliver Rights Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that
time any of the Rights Certificates shall not have been countersigned, the
Rights Agent may countersign such Rights Certificates either in its prior name
or in its changed name; and in all such cases such Rights Certificates shall
have the full force provided in the Rights Certificates and in this Agreement.
Section 20. Duties of Rights Agent. The Rights Agent undertakes only
the duties and obligations expressly imposed by this Agreement upon the
following terms and conditions, by all of which the Company and the holders of
Rights Certificates, by their acceptance thereof, shall be bound:
(a) The Rights Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be legal
counsel for the Company), and the advice or opinion of such counsel shall
be full and complete authorization and protection to the Rights Agent as to
any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in good faith and in accordance
with such advice or opinion.
(b) Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Agreement the
Rights Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter
(including, without limitation, the identity of any Acquiring Person and
the determination of current market prices) be proved or established by the
Company prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, such
fact or matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein
specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively proved and
established by a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, the
President, any Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the
Company and delivered to the Rights Agent; and such certificate shall be
full authorization and protection to the Rights Agent for any action taken
or suffered in good faith by it under the provisions of this Agreement in
reliance upon such certificate.
(c) The Rights Agent shall be liable hereunder only for its own gross
negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. In no case, however, will the
Rights Agent be liable for special, indirect, incidental, or consequential
loss or damages of any kind whatsoever even if the Rights Agent has been
advised of the possibility of such damages.
(d) The Rights Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of any of
the statements of fact or recitals contained in this Agreement or in the
Rights Certificates or be required to verify the same (except as to its
countersignature on such Rights Certificates), but all such statements and
recitals are and shall be deemed to have been made by the Company only.
(e) The Rights Agent shall not have any liability for nor be under any
responsibility in respect of the validity of this Agreement or the
execution and delivery hereof (except the due execution and delivery hereof
by the Rights Agent) or in respect of the validity or execution of any
Rights Certificate (except its countersignature thereof); nor shall it be
responsible for any breach by the Company of any covenant or condition
contained in this Agreement or in any Rights Certificate; nor shall it be
responsible for any adjustment or change in the exercisability of Rights
(including the Rights becoming null and void) required under the provisions
of Section 11 or Section 13 hereof or responsible for the manner, method or
amount of any such adjustment or change or the ascertaining of the
existence of facts that would require any such adjustment or change (except
with respect to the exercise of Rights evidenced by Rights Certificates
after receiving actual notice of any such adjustment); nor shall it by any
act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the
authorization or reservation of any Common Stock or Preferred Stock to be
issued pursuant to this Agreement or any Rights Certificate or as to
whether any Common Stock or Preferred Stock will, when so issued, be
validly authorized and issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
(f) The Company agrees that it will perform, execute, acknowledge and
deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered all
such further and other acts, instruments and assurances as may reasonably
be required by the Rights Agent for the carrying out or performing by the
Rights Agent of the provisions of this Agreement.
(g) The Rights Agent is hereby authorized and directed to accept
instructions with respect to the performance of its duties hereunder from
any of the Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice President, the
Treasurer and the Secretary of the Company, and to apply to such officers
for advice or instructions in connection with its duties, and it shall not
be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it in
good faith in accordance with instructions of any such officer.
(h) The Rights Agent and any stockholder, affiliate, director, officer
or employee of the Rights Agent may buy, sell or deal in any of the Rights
or other securities of the Company or become pecuniarily interested in any
transaction in which the Company may be interested, or contract with or
lend money to the Company or otherwise act as fully and freely as though it
were not Rights Agent under this Agreement. Nothing herein shall preclude
the Rights Agent from acting in any other capacity for the Company or for
any other Person.
(i) The Rights Agent may execute and exercise any of the rights or
powers hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder either itself or
by or through its attorneys or agents, and the Rights Agent shall not be
answerable or accountable for any act, default, neglect or misconduct of
any such attorneys or agents or for any loss to the Company resulting from
any such act, default, neglect or misconduct; provided, however, reasonable
care was exercised in the selection and continued employment thereof.
(j) No provision of this Agreement shall require the Rights Agent to
expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in
the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of its
rights if there shall be reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of
such funds or adequate indemnification against such risk or liability is
not reasonably assured to it.
(k) If, with respect to any Rights Certificate surrendered to the
Rights Agent for exercise or transfer, the certificate contained in the
form of assignment or the form of election to purchase set forth on the
reverse thereof, as the case may be, has either not been completed or
indicates an affirmative response to clause 1 and/or 2 thereof, the Rights
Agent shall not take any further action with respect to such requested
exercise of transfer without first consulting with the Company.
Section 21. Change of Rights Agent. The Rights Agent or any successor
Rights Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties under this Agreement
upon thirty (30) days' notice in writing mailed to the Company, and to each
transfer agent of the Common Stock and Preferred Stock, by registered or
certified mail, and to the holders of the Rights Certificates by first-class
mail. The Company may remove the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent upon
thirty (30) days' notice in writing, mailed to the Rights Agent or successor
Rights Agent, as the case may be, and to each transfer agent of the Common Stock
and Preferred Stock, by registered or certified mail, and to the holders of the
Rights Certificates by first-class mail. If the Rights Agent shall resign or be
removed or shall otherwise become incapable of acting, the Company shall appoint
a successor to the Rights Agent. If the Company shall fail to make such
appointment within a period of thirty (30) days after giving notice of such
removal or after it has been notified in writing of such resignation or
incapacity by the resigning or incapacitated Rights Agent or by any registered
holder of a Rights Certificate (who shall, with such notice, submit his Rights
Certificate for inspection by the Company), then any registered holder of any
Rights Certificate may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for the
appointment of a new Rights Agent. Any successor Rights Agent, whether appointed
by the Company or by such a court, shall be (a) a Person organized, doing
business and in good standing under the laws of the United States or of the
States of New York or Delaware (or of any other state of the United States so
long as such Person is authorized to do business in the State of New York or
Delaware), having an office in the State of New York or Delaware, which is
authorized under such laws to exercise stock transfer powers and is subject to
supervision or examination by federal or state authority and which has at the
time of its appointment as Rights Agent a combined capital and surplus of at
least $50,000,000 or (b) an affiliate of any such Person described in clause (a)
above. After appointment, the successor Rights Agent shall be vested with the
same powers, rights, duties and responsibilities as if it had been originally
named as Rights Agent without further act or deed; but the predecessor Rights
Agent shall deliver and transfer to the successor Rights Agent any property at
the time held by it hereunder, and execute and deliver any further assurance,
conveyance, act or deed necessary for the purpose. Not later than the effective
date of any such appointment, the Company shall file notice thereof in writing
with the predecessor Rights Agent and each transfer agent of the Common Stock
and Preferred Stock, and mail a notice thereof in writing to the registered
holders of the Rights Certificates or, prior to the Distribution Date, the
registered holders of shares of Common Stock. Failure to give any notice
provided for in this Section 21, however, or any defect therein, shall not
affect the legality or validity of the resignation or removal of the Rights
Agent or the appointment of the successor Rights Agent, as the case may be.
Section 22. Issuance of New Rights Certificates. Notwithstanding any
of the provisions of this Agreement or of the Rights to the contrary, the
Company may, at its option, issue new Rights Certificates evidencing Rights in
such form as may be approved by its Board of Directors to reflect any adjustment
or change in the Purchase Price and the number or kind or class of shares or
other securities or property purchasable under the Rights Certificates made in
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. In addition, in connection
with the issuance or sale of Common Stock following the Distribution Date and
prior to the Expiration Date, the Company (a) shall, with respect to Common
Stock so issued or sold pursuant to the exercise of stock options or under any
employee plan or arrangement, or upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of
securities hereinafter issued by the Company, and (b) may, in any other case, if
deemed necessary or appropriate by the Board of Directors of the Company, issue
Rights Certificates representing the appropriate number of Rights in connection
with such issuance or sale; provided, however, that (i) no such Rights
Certificate shall be issued if, and to the extent that, the Company shall be
advised by counsel that such issuance would create a significant risk of
material adverse tax consequences to the Company or the Person to whom such
Rights Certificate would be issued, and (ii) no such Rights Certificate shall be
issued if, and to the extent that, appropriate adjustment shall otherwise have
been made in lieu of the issuance thereof.
Section 23. Redemption and Termination. (a) The Board of Directors of
the Company may, at its option, at any time prior to the earlier of (i) the date
on which a Section 11(a)(ii) Event occurs or (ii) the Final Expiration Date,
redeem all but not less than all the then outstanding Rights at a redemption
price of $.001 per Right, as such amount shall be appropriately adjusted to
reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after
the date hereof (such redemption price being hereinafter referred to as the
"Redemption Price"); and the Company may, at its option, pay the Redemption
Price either in cash or securities or both having a current market price, as of
a date determined by the Board of Directors, of $.001 per Right.
(b) Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the
Company ordering the redemption of the Rights, evidence of which shall have been
filed with the Rights Agent and without any further action and without any
notice, the right to exercise the Rights will terminate and the only right
thereafter of the holders of Rights shall be to receive the Redemption Price for
each Right so held. Promptly after the action of the Board of Directors ordering
the redemption of the Rights, the Company shall give notice of such redemption
to the Rights Agent and the holders of the then outstanding Rights by mailing
such notice to all such holders at each holder's last address as it appears upon
the registry books of the Rights Agent or, prior to the Distribution Date, on
the registry books of the Transfer Agent for the Common Stock. Any notice which
is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed given, whether or not
the holder receives the notice. Each such notice of redemption will state the
method by which the payment of the Redemption Price will be made.
Section 24. Notice of Certain Events. (a) In case the Company shall
propose, at any time after the Distribution Date, (i) to pay any dividend
payable in shares of any class of capital stock to the holders of Preferred
Stock or to make any other distribution to the holders of Preferred Stock (other
than a regular quarterly cash dividend paid out of earnings or retained earnings
of the Company), or (ii) to offer to the holders of Preferred Stock rights or
warrants to subscribe for or to purchase any additional shares of Preferred
Stock or shares of stock of any class or any other securities, rights or
options, or (iii) to effect any reclassification of its Preferred Stock (other
than a reclassification involving only the subdivision of outstanding shares of
Preferred Stock), or (iv) to effect any consolidation or merger into or with any
other Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction which
complies with Section 11(o) hereof) or to effect any sale or other transfer (or
to permit one or more of its Subsidiaries to effect any sale or other transfer),
in one transaction or series of related transactions, of more than 50% of the
assets or earning power of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole)
to any other Person (other than the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries in
one or more transactions each of which complies with Section 11(o) hereof), or
(v) to effect the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, then,
in each such case, the Company shall give to the Rights Agent and each holder of
a Rights Certificate, in accordance with Section 25 hereof, a notice of such
proposed action, which shall specify the record date for the purposes of such
share dividend, distribution of rights or warrants, or the date on which such
reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, liquidation,
dissolution, or winding up is to take place and the date of participation
therein by the holders of Preferred Stock, if any such date is to be fixed, and
such notice shall be so given in the case of any action covered by clause (i) or
(ii) above at least twenty (20) days prior to the record date for determining
holders of the Preferred Stock for purposes of such action, and in the case of
any such other action, at least twenty (20) days prior to the date of the taking
of such proposed action or the date of participation therein by the holders of
the Preferred Stock, whichever shall be the earlier.
(b) Upon the occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, (i) the Company
shall as soon as practicable thereafter give to the Rights Agent and each holder
of a Rights Certificate, in accordance with Section 25 hereof, a notice of the
occurrence of such event and the consequences of the event to holders of Rights
under Section 11(a)(ii) hereof and (ii) all references in the preceding
paragraph to Preferred Stock shall be deemed thereafter to refer to Common Stock
and/or, if appropriate, other securities.
Section 25. Notices. Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement
to be given or made by the Rights Agent or by the holder of any Rights
Certificate to or on the Company shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by
first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in
writing with the Rights Agent) as follows:
OMI Corporation
One Station Place
Stamford, CT 06901
Attention: Secretary
Subject to the provisions of Section 21, any notice or demand authorized by this
Agreement to be given or made by the Company or by the holder of any Rights
Certificate to or on the Rights Agent shall be sufficiently given or made if
sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is
filed in writing with the Company) as follows:
ChaseMellon Shareholder Services L.L.C.
85 Challenger Road
Ridgefield Park, New Jersey 07660-2108
Attention: General Counsel
Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the
Company or the Rights Agent to the holder of any Rights Certificate (or if prior
to the Distribution Date, to the holder of certificates representing Common
Stock) shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage
prepaid, addressed to such holder at the address of such holder as shown on the
registry books of the Company.
Section 26. Supplements and Amendments. Prior to the Distribution Date
and subject to the next to last sentence of this Section 26, the Company may, by
resolution of its Board of Directors and the Rights Agent shall, if the Company
so directs, supplement or amend any provision of this Agreement without the
approval of any holders of certificates representing Common Stock. From and
after the Distribution Date and subject to the next to last sentence of this
Section 26, the Company and the Rights Agent shall, if the Company so directs,
supplement or amend this Agreement without the approval of any holders of Rights
Certificates in order (i) to cure any ambiguity, (ii) to correct or supplement
any provision contained herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any
other provisions herein, (iii) to change or supplement the provisions hereunder
in any manner which the Company may deem necessary or desirable and which shall
not adversely affect the interests of the holders of Rights Certificates (other
than an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person),
or (iv) to shorten or lengthen any time period hereunder; provided, this
Agreement may not be supplemented or amended to lengthen, pursuant to clause
(iv) of this sentence, (A) a time period relative to when the Rights may be
redeemed at such time as the Rights are not then redeemable, or (B) any other
time period unless such lengthening is for the purpose of protecting, enhancing
or clarifying the rights of, and/or the benefits to, the holders of Rights. Upon
the delivery of a certificate from an appropriate officer of the Company which
states that the proposed supplement or amendment is in compliance with the terms
of this Section 26, the Rights Agent shall execute such supplement or amendment
Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, (a) no
supplement or amendment shall be made which changes the Redemption Price, the
Final Expiration Date, the Purchase Price, or the number of Preferred Stock
Fractions for which a Right is exercisable and (b) the Rights Agent may, but
shall not be obligated to, enter into any supplement or amendment that affects
the Rights Agent's own rights, duties, obligations or immunities under this
Agreement. Prior to the Distribution Date, the interests of the holders of
Rights shall be deemed coincident with the interests of the holders of Common
Stock.
Section 27. Successors. All the covenants and provisions of this
Agreement by or for the benefit of the Company or the Rights Agent shall bind
and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns hereunder.
Section 28. Determinations and Actions by the Board of Directors, etc.
For all purposes of this Agreement, any calculation of the number of shares of
Common Stock outstanding at any particular time, including for purposes of
determining the particular percentage of such outstanding Common Stock of which
any Person is the Beneficial Owner, shall be made in accordance with the last
sentence of Rule 13d-1(i) of the General Rules and Regulations under the
Exchange Act as in effect as of the date hereof. The Board of Directors of the
Company shall have the exclusive power and authority to administer this
Agreement and to exercise all rights and powers specifically granted to the
Board or the Company, or as may be necessary or advisable in the administration
of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the right and power to (i)
interpret the provisions of this Agreement, and (ii) make all determinations
deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of this Agreement
(including a determination to redeem or not redeem the Rights or to amend the
Agreement). All such actions, calculations, interpretations and determinations
(including, for purposes of clause (y) below, all omissions with respect to the
foregoing) which are done or made by the Board in good faith, shall (x) be
final, conclusive and binding on the Company, the Rights Agent, the holders of
the Rights and all other Persons, and (y) not subject the Board of Directors to
any liability to the holders of the Rights.
Section 29. Benefits of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement
shall be construed to give to any Person other than the Company, the Rights
Agent and the registered holders of the Rights Certificates (and, prior to the
Distribution Date, registered holders of the Common Stock) any legal or
equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement; but this Agreement shall
be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Company, the Rights Agent and the
registered holders of the Rights Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution
Date, registered holders of the Common Stock).
Section 30. Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or
restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or
other authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the
terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in
full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated;
provided, however, that notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, if any such term, provision, covenant or restriction is held by such
court or authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable and the Board of
Directors of the Company determines in its good faith judgment that severing the
invalid language from this Agreement would adversely affect the purpose or
effect of this Agreement, the right of redemption set forth in Section 23 hereof
shall be reinstated and shall not expire until the Close of Business on the
tenth day following the date of such determination by the Board of Directors.
Section 31. Governing Law. This Agreement, each Right and each Rights
Certificate issued hereunder shall be deemed to be a contract made under the
laws of the state of New York and for all purposes shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of such State applicable to contracts made
and to be performed entirely within such State.
Section 32. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number
of counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed
to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one
and the same instrument.
Section 33. Descriptive Headings. Descriptive headings of the several
sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not
control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.
* * *
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be duly executed and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed and
attested, all as of the day and year first above written.
Attest: OMI CORPORATION
By /s/ Fredric S. London By /s/ Vincent de Sostoa
---------------------- ----------------------
Title: Secretary Title: Senior Vice President
CHASEMELLON SHAREHOLDER
SERVICES, L.L.C.
Attest:
By /s/ Robert Scott, Jr. By /s/ Minnie Parker
------------------------- ----------------------
Title: Vice President Title: Assistant Vice President
<PAGE>
Exhibit A
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS,
PREFERENCES AND RIGHTS OF SERIES A
PARTICIPATING PREFERRED STOCK
of
OMI CORPORATION
Pursuant to Section 5.1 of the Associations Law of the
Republic of the Marshall Islands
We, Craig H. Stevenson, Jr., President, and Fredric S. London,
Secretary, of OMI Corporation, a corporation organized and existing under the
Associations Law of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, in accordance with the
provisions of Section 5.1 thereof, DO HEREBY CERTIFY:
That pursuant to the authority conferred upon the Board of Directors
by the Articles of Incorporation of the said Corporation, the said Board of
Directors on November 19, 1998 adopted the following resolutions creating a
series of Preferred Stock designated as Series A Participating Preferred Stock:
RESOLVED, that pursuant to the authority vested in the Board of
Directors of this Corporation in accordance with the provisions of Article 4 of
the Articles of Incorporation, a series of Preferred Stock of the Corporation be
and it hereby is created and that the designation and amount thereof and the
voting powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional, and other
special rights of the shares of such series, and the qualifications, limitations
or restrictions thereof are as follows:
Section 1. Designation and Amount. The shares of such series shall be
designated as "Series A Participating Preferred Stock" and the number of shares
constituting such series shall initially be four hundred and fifty (450), $1.00
par value, such number of shares to be subject to increase or decrease by action
of the Board of Directors as evidenced by a certificate of designations.
Section 2. Dividends and Distributions. (A) Subject to the prior and
superior rights of the holders of any shares of any series of Preferred Stock
ranking prior and superior to the shares of Series A Participating Preferred
Stock with respect to dividends, the holders of shares of Series A Participating
Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the
Board of Directors out of funds legally available for the purpose, quarterly
dividends payable in cash on the last day of March, June, September and December
in each year (each such date being referred to herein as a "Quarterly Dividend
Payment Date"), commencing on the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date after
the first issuance of a share or fraction of a share of Series A Participating
Preferred Stock, in an amount per share (rounded to the nearest cent) equal to
the greater of (a) $10.00 or (b) subject to the provision for adjustment
hereinafter set forth, 100,000 times the aggregate per share amount of all cash
dividends, and 100,000 times the aggregate per share amount (payable in kind) of
all non-cash dividends or other distributions other than a dividend payable in
shares of Common Stock or a subdivision of the outstanding shares of Common
Stock (by reclassification or otherwise), declared on the Common Stock, $.50 par
value, of the Corporation (the "Common Stock") since the immediately preceding
Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, or, with respect to the first Quarterly
Dividend Payment Date, since the first issuance of any share or fraction of a
share of Series A Participating Preferred Stock. In the event the Corporation
shall at any time after December 1, 1998 (the "Rights Declaration Date") (i)
declare any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii)
subdivide the outstanding Common Stock, or (iii) combine the outstanding Common
Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each such case the amount to
which holders of shares of Series A Participating Preferred Stock were entitled
immediately prior to such event under clause (b) of the preceding sentence shall
be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction the numerator of which is
the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event
and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were
outstanding immediately prior to such event.
(B) The Corporation shall declare a dividend or distribution on the
Series A Participating Preferred Stock as provided in paragraph (A) above
immediately after it declares a dividend or distribution on the Common Stock
(other than a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock); provided that, in the
event no dividend or distribution shall have been declared on the Common Stock
during the period between any Quarterly Dividend Payment Date and the next
subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, a dividend of $10.00 per share on
the Series A Participating Preferred Stock shall nevertheless be payable on such
subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment Date.
(C) Dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative on outstanding
shares of Series A Participating Preferred Stock from the Quarterly Dividend
Payment Date next preceding the date of issue of such shares of Series A
Participating Preferred Stock, unless the date of issue of such share is prior
to the record date for the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in which case
dividends on such shares shall begin to accrue from the date of issue of such
shares, or unless the date of issue is a Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or is a
date after the record date for the determination of holders of shares of Series
A Participating Preferred Stock entitled to receive a Quarterly Dividend and
before such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in either of which events such
dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative from such Quarterly Dividend
Payment Date. Accrued but unpaid dividends shall not bear interest. Dividends
paid on the shares of Series A Participating Preferred Stock in an amount less
than the total amount of such dividends at the time accrued and payable on such
shares shall be allocated pro rata on a share-by-share basis among all such
shares at the time outstanding. The Board of Directors may fix a record date for
the determination of holders of shares of Series A Participating Preferred Stock
entitled to receive payment of a dividend or distribution declared thereon,
which record date shall be no more than 30 days prior to the date fixed for the
payment thereof.
Section 3. Voting Rights. The holders of shares of Series A
Participating Preferred Stock shall have the following voting rights:
(A) Subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth,
each share of Series A Participating Preferred Stock shall entitle the
holder thereof to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the
stockholders of the Corporation. In the event the Corporation shall at any
time after the Rights Declaration Date (i) declare any dividend on Common
Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding
Common Stock, or (iii) combine the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller
number of shares, then in each such case the number of votes per share to
which holders of shares of Series A Participating Preferred Stock were
entitled immediately prior to such event shall be adjusted by multiplying
such number by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of shares of
Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator
of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding
immediately prior to such event.
(B) Except as otherwise provided herein or by law, the holders of
shares of Series A Participating Preferred Stock and the holders of shares
of Common Stock shall vote together as one class on all matters submitted
to a vote of stockholders of the Corporation.
(C) (i) If at any time dividends on any Series A Participating
Preferred Stock shall be in arrears in an amount equal to six (6) quarterly
dividends thereon, the occurrence of such contingency shall mark the
beginning of a period (herein called a "default period") which shall extend
until such time when all accrued and unpaid dividends for all previous
quarterly dividend periods and for the current quarterly dividend period on
all shares of Series A Participating Preferred Stock then outstanding shall
have been declared and paid or set apart for payment. During each default
period, all holders of Preferred Stock (including holders of the Series A
Participating Preferred Stock) with dividends in arrears in an amount equal
to (6) quarterly dividends thereon, voting as a class, irrespective of
series, shall have the right to elect two (2) Directors.
(ii) During any default period, such voting right of the holders of
Series A Participating Preferred Stock may be exercised initially at a
special meeting called pursuant to subparagraph (iii) of this Section 3(C)
or at any annual meeting of stockholders, and thereafter at annual meetings
of stockholders, provided that neither such voting right nor the right of
the holders of any other series of Preferred Stock, if any, to increase, in
certain cases, the authorized number of Directors shall be exercised unless
the holders of ten percent in number of shares of Preferred Stock
outstanding shall be present in person or by proxy. The absence of a quorum
of the holders of Common Stock shall not affect the exercise by the holders
of Preferred Stock of such voting right. At any meeting at which the
holders of Preferred Stock shall exercise such voting right initially
during an existing default period, they shall have the right, voting as a
class, to fill such vacancies, if any, in the Board of Directors as may
then exist up to two (2) Directors or, if such right is exercised at an
annual meeting, to elect two (2) Directors. If the number which may be so
elected at any special meeting does not amount to the required number, the
holders of the Preferred Stock shall have the right to make such increase
in the number of Directors as shall be necessary to permit the election by
them of the required number. After the holders of the Preferred Stock shall
have exercised their right to elect Directors in any default period and
during the continuance of such period, the number of Directors shall not be
increased or decreased except by vote of the holders of Preferred Stock as
herein provided or pursuant to the rights of any equity securities ranking
senior to or pari passu with the Series A Participating Preferred Stock.
(iii) Unless the holders of Preferred Stock shall, during an existing
default period, have previously exercised their right to elect Directors,
the Board of Directors may order, or any stockholder or stockholders owning
in the aggregate not less than ten percent (10%) of the total number of
shares of Preferred Stock outstanding, irrespective of series, may request,
the calling of a special meeting of the holders of Preferred Stock, which
meeting shall thereupon be called by the Chairman of the Board, the
President or the Secretary of the Corporation. Notice of such meeting and
of any annual meeting at which holders of Preferred Stock are entitled to
vote pursuant to this paragraph (C)(iii) shall be given to each holder of
record of Preferred Stock by mailing a copy of such notice to him at his
last address as the same appears on the books of the Corporation. Such
meeting shall be called for a time not earlier than 10 days and not later
than 60 days after such order or request, such meeting may be called on
similar notice by any stockholder or stockholders owning in the aggregate
not less than ten percent (10%) of the total number of shares of Preferred
Stock outstanding. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph
(C)(iii), no such special meeting shall be called during the period within
60 days immediately preceding the date fixed for the next annual meeting of
the stockholders.
(iv) In any default period, the holders of Common Stock, and other
classes of stock of the Corporation if applicable, shall continue to be
entitled to elect the whole number of Directors until the holders of
Preferred Stock shall have exercised their right to elect two (2) Directors
voting as a class, after the exercise of which right (x) the Directors so
elected by the holders of Preferred Stock shall continue in office until
their successors shall have been elected by such holders or until the
expiration of the default period, and (y) any vacancy in the Board of
Directors may (except as provided in paragraph (C)(ii) of this Section 3)
be filled by vote of a majority of the remaining Directors theretofore
elected by the holders of the class of stock which elected the Director
whose office shall have become vacant. References in this paragraph (C) to
Directors elected by the holders of a particular class of stock shall
include Directors elected by such Directors to fill vacancies as provided
in clause (y) of the foregoing sentence.
(v) Immediately upon the expiration of a default period, (x) the right
of the holders of Preferred Stock as a class to elect Directors shall
cease, (y) the term of any Directors elected by the holders of Preferred
Stock as a class shall terminate, and (z) the number of Directors shall be
such number as may be provided for in the Amended and Restated Certificate
of Incorporation or by-laws irrespective of any increase made pursuant to
the provisions of paragraph (C)(ii) of this Section 3 (such number being
subject, however, to change thereafter in any manner provided by law or in
the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or by-laws). Any
vacancies in the Board of Directors effected by the provisions of clauses
(y) and (z) in the preceding sentence may be filled by a majority of the
remaining Directors.
(D) Except as set forth herein, holders of Series A Participating
Preferred Stock shall have no special voting rights and their consent shall
not be required (except to the extent they are entitled to vote with
holders of Common Stock as set forth herein) for taking any corporate
action.
Section 4. Certain Restrictions. (A) Whenever quarterly dividends or
other dividends or distributions payable on the Series A Participating Preferred
Stock as provided in Section 2 are in arrears, thereafter and until all accrued
and unpaid dividends and distributions, whether or not declared, on shares of
Series A Participating Preferred Stock outstanding shall have been paid in full,
the Corporation shall not:
(i) declare or pay dividends on, make any other distributions on, or
redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of
stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation,
dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Participating Preferred Stock;
(ii) declare or pay dividends on or make any other distributions on
any shares of stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series A Participating
Preferred Stock, except dividends paid ratably on the Series A
Participating Preferred Stock and all such parity stock on which dividends
are payable or in arrears in proportion to the total amounts to which the
holders of all such shares are then entitled;
(iii) redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration shares
of any stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series A Participating
Preferred Stock, provided that the Corporation may at any time redeem,
purchase or otherwise acquire shares of any such parity stock in exchange
for shares of any stock of the Corporation ranking junior (either as to
dividends or upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up) to the Series A
Participating Preferred Stock; or (iv) purchase or otherwise acquire for
consideration any shares of Series A Participating Preferred Stock, or any
shares of stock ranking on a parity with the Series A Participating
Preferred Stock, except in accordance with a purchase offer made in writing
or by publication (as determined by the Board of Directors) to all holders
of such shares upon such terms as the Board of Directors, after
consideration of the respective annual dividend rates and other relative
rights and preferences of the respective series and classes, shall
determine in good faith will result in fair and equitable treatment among
the respective series or classes.
(B) The Corporation shall not permit any subsidiary of the Corporation
to purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of stock of the
Corporation unless the Corporation could, under paragraph (A) of this Section 4,
purchase or otherwise acquire such shares at such time and in such manner.
Section 5. Reacquired Shares. Any shares of Series A Participating
Preferred Stock purchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation in any manner
whatsoever shall be retired and canceled promptly after the acquisition thereof.
All such shares upon their cancellation become authorized but unissued shares of
Preferred Stock and may be reissued as part of a new series of Preferred Stock
to be created by resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors, subject to
the conditions and restrictions on issuance set forth herein.
Section 6. Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up. (A) Upon any
liquidation (voluntary or otherwise), dissolution or winding up of the
Corporation, no distribution shall be made to the holders of shares of stock
ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or
winding up) to the Series A Participating Preferred Stock unless, prior thereto,
the holders of shares of Series A Participating Preferred Stock shall have
received $100,000 per share, plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid
dividends and distributions thereon, whether or not declared, to the date of
such payment (the "Series A Liquidation Preference"). Following the payment of
the full amount of the Series A Liquidation Preference, no additional
distributions shall be made to the holders of shares of Series A Participating
Preferred Stock unless, prior thereto, the holders of shares of Common Stock
shall have received an amount per share (the "Common Adjustment") equal to the
quotient obtained by dividing (i) the Series A Liquidation Preference by (ii)
100,000 (as appropriately adjusted as set forth in subparagraph C below to
reflect such events as stock splits, stock dividends and recapitalizations with
respect to the Common Stock) (such number in clause (ii), the "Adjustment
Number"). Following the payment of the full amount of the Series A Liquidation
Preference and the Common Adjustment in respect of all outstanding shares of
Series A Participating Preferred Stock and Common Stock, respectively, holders
of Series A Participating Preferred Stock and holders of shares of Common Stock
shall receive their ratable and proportionate share of the remaining assets to
be distributed in the ratio of the Adjustment Number to 1 with respect to such
Preferred Stock and Common Stock, on a per share basis, respectively.
(B) In the event, however, that there are not sufficient assets
available to permit payment in full of the Series A Liquidation Preference and
the liquidation preferences of all other series of preferred stock, if any,
which rank on a parity with the Series A Participating Preferred Stock, then
such remaining assets shall be distributed ratably to the holders of such parity
shares in proportion to their respective liquidation preferences. In the event,
however, that there are not sufficient assets available to permit payment in
full of the Common Adjustment, then such remaining assets shall be distributed
ratably to the holders of Common Stock.
(C) In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the Rights
Declaration Date (i) declare any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of
Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock, or (iii) combine the
outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each such case
the Adjustment Number in effect immediately prior to such event shall be
adjusted by multiplying such Adjustment Number by a fraction the numerator of
which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such
event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that
were outstanding immediately prior to such event.
Section 7. Consolidation, Merger, etc. In case the Corporation shall
enter into any consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction in which
the shares of Common Stock are exchanged for or changed into other stock or
securities, cash and/or any other property, then in any such case the shares of
Series A Participating Preferred Stock shall at the same time be similarly
exchanged or changed in an amount per share (subject to the provision for
adjustment hereinafter set forth) equal to 100,000 times the aggregate amount of
stock, securities, cash and/or any other property (payable in kind), as the case
may be, into which or for which each share of Common Stock is changed or
exchanged. In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the Rights
Declaration Date (i) declare any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of
Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock, or (iii) combine the
outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each such case
the amount set forth in the preceding sentence with respect to the exchange or
change of shares of Series A Participating Preferred Stock shall be adjusted by
multiplying such amount by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of
shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the
denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were
outstanding immediately prior to such event.
Section 8. No Redemption. The shares of Series A Participating
Preferred Stock shall not be redeemable.
Section 9. Ranking. The Series A Participating Preferred Stock shall
rank junior to all other series of the Corporation's Preferred Stock as to the
payment of dividends and the distribution of assets, unless the terms of any
such series shall provide otherwise.
Section 10. Amendment. The Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of the Corporation shall not be further amended in any manner
which would materially alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights
of the Series A Participating Preferred Stock so as to affect them adversely
without the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds (2/3) or more of the
outstanding shares of Series A Participating Preferred Stock, voting separately
as a class.
Section 11. Fractional Shares. Series A Participating Preferred Stock
may be issued in fractions of a share which shall entitle the holder, in
proportion to such holder's fractional shares, to exercise voting rights,
receive dividends, participate in distributions and to have the benefit of all
other rights of holders of Series A Participating Preferred Stock.
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have executed and subscribed this Certificate
and do affirm the foregoing as true under the penalties of perjury this 19th day
of November 1998.
------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
Attest:
- --------------------------
Name:
Title:
<PAGE>
Exhibit B
[Form of Rights Certificate]
Certificate No. R- Rights
NOT EXERCISABLE AFTER THE EXPIRATION DATE (AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS
AGREEMENT REFERRED TO BELOW). THE RIGHTS ARE SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION, AT THE
OPTION OF THE COMPANY, AT [$.001] PER RIGHT ON THE TERMS SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS
AGREEMENT. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, RIGHTS BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY AN
ACQUIRING PERSON OR AN AFFILIATE OR ASSOCIATE OF AN ACQUIRING PERSON (AS SUCH
TERMS ARE DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT) AND ANY SUBSEQUENT HOLDER OF SUCH
RIGHTS MAY BECOME NULL AND VOID. [THE RIGHTS REPRESENTED BY THIS RIGHTS
CERTIFICATE ARE OR WERE BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY A PERSON WHO WAS OR BECAME AN
ACQUIRING PERSON OR AN AFFILIATE OR ASSOCIATE OF AN ACQUIRING PERSON (AS SUCH
TERMS ARE DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT). ACCORDINGLY, THIS RIGHTS CERTIFICATE
AND THE RIGHTS REPRESENTED HEREBY MAY BECOME NULL AND VOID IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES
SPECIFIED IN SECTION 7(e) OF THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT.]<F1>
<F1> The portion of the legend in brackets shall be inserted only if applicable
and shall replace the preceding sentence.
Rights Certificate
OMI CORPORATION
This certifies that , or registered assigns, is the registered holder
of the number of Rights set forth above, each of which entitles the owner
thereof, subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the Rights
Agreement, dated as of November 19, 1998 (as it may be amended, modified or
supplemented from time to time, the "Rights Agreement"), between OMI
Corporation, a Marshall Islands corporation (the "Company"), and ChaseMellon
Shareholder Services L.L.C., a New Jersey limited liability company (the "Rights
Agent"), to purchase from the Company at any time prior to 5:00 P.M. (New York
time) on the Expiration Date (as defined in the Rights Agreement), which shall
not be later than November 19, 2008 at the office or offices of the Rights Agent
designated for such purpose, or its successors as Rights Agent, one one
hundred-thousandth of a share of the Company's Series A Participating Preferred
Stock, $1.00 par value (the "Preferred Stock"), at a purchase price of $25.00
(the "Purchase Price") per one one hundred-thousandth of a Preferred Stock (such
fraction, a "Preferred Stock Fraction"), upon presentation and surrender of this
Rights Certificate with the Form of Election to Purchase set forth on the
reverse hereof and the Certificate contained therein duly executed. Except as
otherwise provided in Section 11(q) of the Rights Agreement, the Purchase Price
shall be paid at the election of the holder in cash or by certified bank check
or money order payable to the order of the Company. The number of Rights
evidenced by this Rights Certificate and the number of Preferred Stock Fractions
which may be purchased upon exercise thereof and the Purchase Price per
Preferred Stock Fraction, set forth above, are the number of Rights, number of
one Preferred Stock Fractions and Purchase Price as of _____________, 19__<F2>,
based on the Preferred Stock as constituted at such date.
<F2> Insert the Distribution Date.
Except as otherwise provided in the Rights Agreement, upon the
occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event (as such term is defined in the Rights
Agreement), if the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate are beneficially
owned by (i) an Acquiring Person or any Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring
Person (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement), (ii) a transferee of
any such Acquiring Person, Associate or Affiliate, or (iii) under certain
circumstances specified in the Rights Agreement, a transferee of a person who,
concurrently with or after such transfer, became an Acquiring Person, or an
Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person, such Rights shall become null and
void and no holder hereof shall have any rights with respect to such Rights from
and after the occurrence of such Section 11(a)(ii) Event.
As provided in the Rights Agreement, the Purchase Price and the number
and kind of Preferred Stock or other securities, which may be purchased upon the
exercise of the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate are subject to
modification and adjustment upon the happening of certain events, including
Triggering Events (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement).
This Rights Certificate is subject to all of the terms, provisions and
conditions of the Rights Agreement, which terms, provisions and conditions are
hereby incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof and to which
Rights Agreement reference is hereby made for a full description of the rights,
limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities hereunder of the
Rights Agent, the Company and the holder of the Rights Certificate, which
limitations of rights include the temporary suspension of the exercisability of
such Rights under the specific circumstances set forth in the Rights Agreement.
Copies of the Rights Agreement are on file at the office of the Company as set
forth in the Rights Agreement and are also available upon written request to the
Company.
This Rights Certificate, with or without other Rights Certificates,
upon surrender at the principal office or offices of the Rights Agent designated
for such purpose, may be exchanged for another Rights Certificate or Rights
Certificates of like tenor and date evidencing Rights entitling the holder to
purchase a like aggregate number of Preferred Stock Fractions as the Rights
evidenced by the Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates surrendered shall
have entitled such holder to purchase. If this Rights Certificate shall be
exercised in part, the holder shall be entitled to receive upon surrender hereof
another Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates for the number of whole Rights
not exercised.
Subject to the provisions of the Rights Agreement, the Rights
evidenced by this Certificate may be redeemed by the Board of Directors of the
Company at its option at a redemption price of $.001 per Right at any time prior
to the close of business on the earlier of (i) the date on which a Section
11(a)(ii) Event occurs and (ii) the Final Expiration Date.
No fractional shares of Preferred Stock will be issued upon the
exercise of any Right or Rights evidenced hereby (other than fractions which are
integral multiples of one one hundred-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock,
which may, at the election of the Company, be evidenced by depositary receipts),
but in lieu thereof a cash payment will be made, as provided in the Rights
Agreement.
No holder of this Rights Certificate shall be entitled to vote or
receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the shares of
Preferred Stock or of any other securities of the Company which may at any time
be issuable on the exercise hereof, nor shall anything contained in the Rights
Agreement or herein be construed to confer upon the holder hereof, as such, any
of the rights of a stockholder of the Company or any right to vote for the
election of directors or upon any matter submitted to stockholders at any
meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action, or to
receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting stockholders (except as
provided in the Rights Agreement), or to receive dividends or subscription
rights, or otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced by this Rights
Certificate shall have been exercised as provided in the Rights Agreement.
This Rights Certificate shall not be valid or obligatory for any
purpose until it shall have been countersigned by the Rights Agent.
<PAGE>
WITNESS the facsimile signature of the proper officers of the Company
and its corporate seal.
Dated as of ________________, 19__
ATTEST: OMI CORPORATION
__________________________ By____________________________
Name: Name:
Title: Title:
COUNTERSIGNED:
CHASEMELLON SHAREHOLDER SERVICES L.L.C.,
as Rights Agent
By______________________
Name:
Title:
<PAGE>
[Form of Reverse Side of Rights Certificate]
FORM OF ASSIGNMENT
(To be executed by the registered holder if such holder desires to transfer
the Rights Certificate.)
FOR VALUE RECEIVED ______________ hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto
_________________________ _________________________ (Please print name and
address of transferee)
__________________________
this Rights Certificate, together with all right, title and interest therein,
and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint ___________ Attorney, to
transfer the within Rights Certificate on the books of the within-named Company
with full power of substitution.
Dated: __________________
--------------------------
Signature
Signature Guaranteed:
Signatures must be guaranteed by a member firm of a national securities
exchange, a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., a
commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the United
States or another eligible guarantor institution (as defined pursuant to Rule
17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended).
Certificate
The undersigned hereby certifies by checking the appropriate boxes
that:
(1) this Rights Certificate [ ] is [ ] is not being sold, assigned and
transferred by or on behalf of a Person who is or was an Acquiring Person or an
Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person (as such terms are defined in the
Rights Agreement);
(2) after due inquiry and to the best knowledge of the undersigned, it
[ ] did [ ] did not acquire the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate from
any Person who is, was or subsequently became an Acquiring Person or an
Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person.
Dated: ___________ __________________Signature
Signature Guaranteed:
Signatures must be guaranteed by a member firm of a national securities
exchange, a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., a
commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the United
States or another eligible guarantor institution (as defined pursuant to Rule
17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended).
NOTICE
The signatures to the foregoing Assignment and Certificate must
correspond to the name as written upon the face of this Rights Certificate in
every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.
<PAGE>
FORM OF ELECTION TO PURCHASE
(To be executed if the registered holder desires to exercise Rights
represented by the Rights Certificate.)
To: OMI CORPORATION
The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise Rights
represented by this Rights Certificate to purchase the shares of Preferred Stock
issuable upon the exercise of the Rights (or such other securities of the
Company or of any other person which may be issuable upon the exercise of the
Rights) and requests that certificates for such shares be issued in the name of
and delivered to:
- -------------------------------------
(Please print name and address)
- -------------------------------------
Please insert social security
or other tax identifying number: _________________
If such number of Rights shall not be all the Rights evidenced by this
Rights Certificate, a new Rights Certificate for the balance of such Rights
shall be registered in the name of and delivered to:
- ------------------------------------------
(Please print name and address)
- -------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
Please insert social security
or other tax identifying number: _________________________
Dated: _________________
_______________________ Signature
Signature Guaranteed:
Certificate
-----------
The undersigned hereby certifies by checking the appropriate boxes
that:
(1) the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate [ ] are [ ] are
not being exercised by or on behalf of a Person who is or was an Acquiring
Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person (as such terms are
defined in the Rights Agreement);
(2) after due inquiry and to the best knowledge of the undersigned, it
[ ] did [ ] did not acquire the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate from
any Person who is, was or subsequently became an Acquiring Person or an
Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person.
Dated: ____________ _______________ Signature
Signature Guaranteed:
Signatures must be guaranteed by a member firm of a national securities
exchange, a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., a
commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the United
States or another eligible guarantor institution (as defined pursuant to Rule
17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended).
NOTICE
------
The signatures to the foregoing Election to Purchase and Certificate
must correspond to the name as written upon the face of this Rights Certificate
in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.
<PAGE>
Exhibit C
SUMMARY OF RIGHTS TO PURCHASE
PREFERRED STOCK
On November 19, 1998, the Board of Directors of OMI Corporation, a
Marshall Islands corporation (the "Company"), declared a dividend distribution
of one Right for each outstanding share of common stock, $0.50 par value (the
"Common Stock") of the Company, to stockholders of record at the close of
business on December 1, 1998 (the "Record Date"). Each Right entitles the record
holder to purchase from the Company one one hundred-thousandth of a share
("Preferred Stock Fraction") of the Company's Series A Participating Preferred
Stock, $1.00 par value (the "Preferred Stock") at a price of $25.00 (the
"Purchase Price"), subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. Except as
otherwise provided in the Rights Agreement, the Purchase Price may be paid, at
the election of the registered holder, in cash or by certified bank check or
money order payable to the order of the Company. The description and terms of
the Rights are set forth in a Rights Agreement, dated as of November 19, 1998
(as it may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the "Rights
Agreement"), between the Company and ChaseMellon Shareholder Services L.L.C., as
Rights Agent.
Initially, the Rights will be attached to the certificates
representing outstanding shares of Common Stock, and no Rights Certificates will
be distributed. The Rights will separate from the Common Stock and a
"Distribution Date" will occur upon the earlier of (i) the close of business on
the tenth day after the date (the "Stock Acquisition Date") of a public
announcement that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons (an
"Acquiring Person") has acquired, or obtained the right to acquire, beneficial
ownership of 15% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, or (ii) the
close of business on the tenth Business Day (or such later date as may be
determined by the Company's Board of Directors prior to such time as any person
becomes an Acquiring Person) after the commencement of a tender offer or
exchange offer if, upon consummation thereof, the person or group making such
offer would be the beneficial owner of 15% or more of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock. Until the Distribution Date, (i) the Rights will be evidenced by
the Common Stock certificates and will be transferred with and only with such
Common Stock certificates, (ii) new Common Stock certificates issued after the
Record Date will contain a notation incorporating the Rights Agreement by
reference and (iii) the surrender for transfer of any certificates for Common
Stock outstanding will also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated
with the Common Stock represented by such certificate. As soon as practicable
following the Distribution Date, Rights Certificates will be mailed to holders
of record of the Common Stock as of the close of business on the Distribution
Date and, thereafter, such separate Rights Certificates alone will evidence the
Rights. Except in certain limited circumstances, only shares of Common Stock
issued prior to the Distribution Date will be issued with Rights.
The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date and will
expire at the close of business on November 19, 2008 unless earlier redeemed by
the Company as described below.
Except in the circumstances described below, after the Distribution
Date each Right will be exercisable into a Preferred Stock Fraction. Each
Preferred Stock Fraction carries voting and dividend rights that are intended to
produce the equivalent of one share of Common Stock. The voting and dividend
rights of the Preferred Stock are subject to adjustment in the event of
dividends, subdivisions and combinations with respect to the Common Stock of the
Company. In lieu of issuing certificates for fractions of shares of Preferred
Stock (other than fractions which are integral multiples of Preferred Stock
Fractions), the Company may pay cash in accordance with the Rights Agreement.
In the event that, at any time following the Distribution Date, a
Person becomes an Acquiring Person (other than pursuant to an offer for all
outstanding shares of Common Stock at a price and on terms which the majority of
the independent Directors determine to be fair to, and otherwise in the best
interests of, stockholders), the Rights Agreement provides that proper provision
shall be made so that each holder of a Right will thereafter have the right to
receive, upon the exercise thereof, Common Stock (or, in certain circumstances,
cash, assets or other securities of the Company) having a value equal to two (2)
times the exercise price of the Right. In lieu of requiring payment of the
Purchase Price upon exercise of the Rights following any such event, the Company
may provide that each Right be exchanged for one share of Common Stock (or cash,
assets or other securities, as the case may be). The only right of a holder of
Rights following the Company's election to provide for such exchange shall be to
receive the above described securities. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing,
following the occurrence of any of the events set forth in this paragraph, any
Rights that are, or (under certain circumstances specified in the Rights
Agreement) were, beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person shall immediately
become null and void.
For example, at an exercise price of $25.00 per Right, each Right not
owned by an Acquiring Person (or by certain related parties) following an event
set forth in the preceding paragraph would entitle its holder to purchase $50.00
worth of Common Stock (or other consideration, as noted above) for $25.00.
Assuming that the Common Stock had a per share value of $12.50 at such time, the
holder of each valid Right would be entitled to purchase four shares of Common
Stock for $25.00. Alternatively, the Company could permit the holder to
surrender each Right in exchange for one share of Common Stock (with a value of
$12.50) without the payment of any consideration other than the surrender of the
Right.
In the event that, at any time following the Stock Acquisition Date,
(i) the Company engages in a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not
the surviving corporation, (ii) the Company engages in a merger or consolidation
with another person in which the Company is the surviving corporation, but in
which all or part of its Common Stock is changed or exchanged, or (iii) 50% or
more of the Company's assets or earning power is sold or transferred (except
with respect to clauses (i) and (ii), a merger or consolidation (a) which
follows an offer described in the second preceding paragraph and (b) in which
the amount and form of consideration is the same as was paid in such offer), the
Rights Agreement provides that proper provision shall be made so that each
holder of a Right (except Rights which previously have been voided as set forth
above) shall thereafter have the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof,
common stock of the acquiring company having a value equal to two (2) times the
exercise price of the Right. The events set forth in this paragraph and in the
second preceding paragraph are referred to as the "Triggering Events."
The Purchase Price payable, and the number of Preferred Stock
Fractions or other securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the Rights
are subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution (i) in the event
of a stock dividend on the Preferred Stock or other capital stock, or a
subdivision, combination or reclassification of the Preferred Stock, (ii) upon
the grant to holders of the Preferred Stock of certain rights or warrants to
subscribe for Preferred Stock or securities convertible into Preferred Stock at
less than the current market price of the Preferred Stock, or (iii) upon the
distribution to holders of the Preferred Stock of evidences of indebtedness or
assets (excluding regular quarterly cash dividends or dividends payable in
Preferred Stock) or of subscription rights or warrants (other than those
referred to above).
With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Purchase Price will be
required until cumulative adjustments require an adjustment of at least 1% in
such Purchase Price. No fractional shares of Preferred Stock (other than
fractions which are integral multiples of Preferred Stock Fractions) will be
issued upon exercise of the Rights and, in lieu thereof, a cash payment will be
made based on the market price of the Preferred Stock on the last trading date
prior to the date of exercise.
At any time prior to the close of business on the earlier of (i) the
date on which a Section 11(a)(ii) Event occurs and (ii) the Final Expiration
Date, the Board of Directors of the Company may redeem the Rights in whole, but
not in part, at a price of $.001 per Right, payable in cash or securities or
both (the "Redemption Price"). Immediately upon the action of the Board of
Directors of the Company ordering redemption of the Rights, the Rights will
terminate and the only right of the holders of Rights will be to receive the
Redemption Price.
Issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of Rights is subject
to regulatory approval. Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such,
will have no rights as a stockholder of the Company, including, without
limitation, the right to vote or to receive dividends. While the distribution of
the Rights will not be taxable to stockholders or to the Company, stockholders
may, depending upon the circumstances, recognize taxable income in the event
that the Rights become exercisable for Common Stock (or other consideration) of
the Company or for common stock of the acquiring company as set forth above.
Any of the provisions of the Rights Agreement, other than certain
provisions relating to the principal economic terms of the Rights, may be
amended by the Board of Directors of the Company prior to the Distribution Date.
Thereafter, the provisions, other than certain provisions relating to the
principal economic terms of the Rights, of the Rights Agreement may be amended
by the Board in order: to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency; to
shorten or lengthen any time period under the Rights Agreement; or in any other
respect that will not adversely affect the interests of holders of Rights
(excluding the interests of any Acquiring Person); provided that no amendment to
adjust the time period governing redemption shall be made at such time as the
Rights are not redeemable.
A copy of the Rights Agreement will be filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to a Registration Statement of the Company on
Form 8-A. A copy of the Rights Agreement is available free of charge from the
Company upon written request therefor. This summary description of the Rights
does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to
the Rights Agreement, which is incorporated herein by reference.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<CAPTION>
Page
<S> <C> <C>
Section 1. Certain Definitions...................................................................................1
Section 2. Appointment of Rights Agent...........................................................................4
Section 3. Issue of Rights Certificates..........................................................................5
Section 4. Form of Rights Certificates...........................................................................6
Section 5. Countersignature and Registration.....................................................................7
Section 6. Transfer, Split Up, Combination and Exchange of Rights Certificates;
Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Rights Certificates..............................................8
Section 7. Exercise of Rights; Purchase Price; Expiration Date of Rights........................................8
Section 8. Cancellation and Destruction of Rights Certificates..................................................10
Section 9. Reservation and Availability of Capital Stock; Registration of Securities............................11
Section 10. Capital Stock Record Date...........................................................................12
Section 11. Adjustment of Purchase Price, Number and Kind of Shares or Number of Rights.........................12
Section 12. Certificate of Adjusted Purchase Price or Number of Shares..........................................21
Section 13. Consolidation, Merger or Sale or Transfer of Assets or Earning Power................................21
Section 14. Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares.............................................................24
Section 15. Rights of Action....................................................................................25
Section 16. Agreement of Rights Holders.........................................................................26
Section 17.Rights Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Stockholder....................................................26
Section 18.Concerning the Rights Agent...........................................................................27
Section 19.Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent.............................................27
Section 20.Duties of Rights Agent................................................................................28
Section 21.Change of Rights Agent................................................................................30
Section 22.Issuance of New Rights Certificates...................................................................30
Section 23.Redemption and Termination............................................................................31
Section 24.Notice of Certain Events..............................................................................31
Section 25.Notices...............................................................................................32
Section 26.Supplements and Amendments............................................................................33
Section 27.Successors............................................................................................33
Section 28.Determinations and Actions by the Board of Directors, etc.............................................33
Section 29.Benefits of this Agreement............................................................................34
Section 30.Severability..........................................................................................34
Section 31.Governing Law.........................................................................................34
Section 32.Counterparts..........................................................................................34
Section 33.Descriptive Headings..................................................................................34
Exhibit A - Form of Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of Series A Participating
Preferred Stock
Exhibit B - Form of Rights Certificate
Exhibit C - Form of Summary of Rights
- ------------------------
</TABLE>
