TJX COMPANIES INC /DE/
10-Q, 1999-06-14
FAMILY CLOTHING STORES
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<PAGE>   1
                                     PAGE 1


                                    FORM 10-Q


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549


[X]  Quarterly Report Under Section 13 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
     of 1934

                                       or

[ ]  Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d) of the Securities
     Exchange Act of 1934

                          For Quarter Ended May 1, 1999

                          Commission file number 1-4908



                             THE TJX COMPANIES, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


         DELAWARE                                              04-2207613
(State or other jurisdiction of                             (I.R.S. Employer
 incorporation or organization)                             Identification No.)


         770 Cochituate Road
     Framingham, Massachusetts                                     01701
(Address of principal executive offices)                        (Zip Code)


                                 (508)390-1000
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X]  No [ ]

The number of shares of Registrant's common stock outstanding as of May 29,
1999; 317,683,015.



<PAGE>   2
                                     PAGE 2


                          PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
              THE TJX COMPANIES, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
                              STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                   (UNAUDITED)
                  DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        Thirteen Weeks Ended
                                                      -------------------------
                                                         May 1,         May 2,
                                                         1999           1998
                                                      ----------     ----------
<S>                                                   <C>            <C>

Net sales                                             $1,952,084     $1,775,847
                                                      ----------     ----------
Cost of sales, including buying and
   occupancy costs                                     1,431,479      1,330,261
Selling, general and administrative expenses             310,676        299,835
Interest expense (income), net                              (734)           (42)
                                                      ----------     ----------
Income before income taxes                               210,663        145,793
Provision for income taxes                                83,001         58,026
                                                      ----------     ----------
Net income                                               127,662         87,767
Preferred stock dividends                                     --          1,250
                                                      ----------     ----------
Net income available to common shareholders           $  127,662     $   86,517
                                                      ==========     ==========
Earnings per share:
   Basic                                              $      .40     $      .27
   Diluted                                            $      .39     $      .26
Cash dividends per common share                       $     .035     $      .03

</TABLE>


    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.




<PAGE>   3
                                     PAGE 3


              THE TJX COMPANIES, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
                                   (UNAUDITED)
                                  IN THOUSANDS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  May 1,       January 30,       May 2,
                                                  1999            1999            1998
                                               ----------      ----------      ----------
<S>                                            <C>             <C>             <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents                   $  309,362      $  461,244      $  327,391
   Accounts receivable                             92,810          67,345          90,691
   Merchandise inventories                      1,436,641       1,186,068       1,381,321
   Prepaid expenses                                50,415          28,448          47,707
                                               ----------      ----------      ----------
     Total current assets                       1,889,228       1,743,105       1,847,110
                                               ----------      ----------      ----------
Property, at cost:
   Land and buildings                             115,512         115,485         113,099
   Leasehold costs and improvements               565,675         547,099         494,072
   Furniture, fixtures and equipment              735,428         711,320         633,526
                                               ----------      ----------      ----------
                                                1,416,615       1,373,904       1,240,697
   Less accumulated depreciation
     and amortization                             652,772         617,302         545,821
                                               ----------      ----------      ----------
                                                  763,843         756,602         694,876

Other assets                                       43,995          27,436          22,845
Deferred income taxes                              24,861          22,386              --
Goodwill and tradename,
     net of amortization                          196,918         198,317         202,785
                                               ----------      ----------      ----------
TOTAL ASSETS                                   $2,918,845      $2,747,846      $2,767,616
                                               ==========      ==========      ==========
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities:
   Short-term debt                             $   10,628      $       --      $    6,972
   Current installments of
     long-term debt                                   673             694          22,779
   Accounts payable                               771,730         617,159         739,880
   Accrued expenses and other
     current liabilities                          594,509         624,801         547,995
   Federal and state income taxes
     payable                                      103,656          64,192          85,098
                                               ----------      ----------      ----------
       Total current liabilities                1,481,196       1,306,846       1,402,724
                                               ----------      ----------      ----------
Long-term debt exclusive of
   current installments
     Promissory notes                                 372             433           1,045
     General corporate debt                       219,915         219,911         219,901
Deferred income taxes                                  --              --           2,670

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock at face value,
   authorized 5,000,000 shares, par
   value $1, issued and outstanding
   cumulative convertible stock of
     670,900 shares of 7% Series E at
     May 2, 1998                                       --              --          67,090
Common stock, authorized 600,000,000
   shares, par value $1, issued and
   outstanding 318,984,079;
   322,140,770 and 158,728,677 shares             318,984         322,141         158,729
Accumulated other comprehensive
   income (loss)                                     (933)         (1,529)           (490)
Additional paid-in capital                             --              --         109,560
Retained earnings                                 899,311         900,044         806,387
                                               ----------      ----------      ----------
     Total shareholders' equity                 1,217,362       1,220,656       1,141,276
                                               ----------      ----------      ----------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY     $2,918,845      $2,747,846      $2,767,616
                                               ==========      ==========      ==========
</TABLE>


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.



<PAGE>   4
                                     PAGE 4


              THE TJX COMPANIES, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (UNAUDITED)
                                  IN THOUSANDS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
                                                       ------------------------
                                                         May 1,         May 2,
                                                         1999           1998
                                                       ---------      ---------
<S>                                                    <C>            <C>

Cash flows from operating activities:
   Net income                                          $ 127,662      $  87,767
   Adjustments to reconcile net income
     to net cash provided by operating activities:
   Depreciation and amortization                          37,236         32,573
   Property disposals                                        558            405
   Other, net                                            (16,037)          (829)
   Changes in assets and liabilities:
     (Increase) in accounts receivable                   (25,465)       (29,956)
     (Increase) in merchandise inventories              (250,573)      (191,151)
     (Increase) in prepaid expenses                      (21,967)       (20,350)
     Increase in accounts payable                        154,571        157,089
     (Decrease) in accrued expenses
       and other current liabilities                     (30,292)        (5,648)
     Increase in income taxes payable                     39,464         27,235
     (Decrease) in deferred income taxes                  (2,475)        (1,469)
                                                       ---------      ---------
Net cash provided by operating activities                 12,682         55,666
                                                       ---------      ---------
Cash flows from investing activities:
   Property additions                                    (43,607)       (39,341)
   Proceeds from sale of other assets                         --          8,338
                                                       ---------      ---------
Net cash (used in) investing activities                  (43,607)       (31,003)
                                                       ---------      ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:
   Proceeds from borrowings of short-term debt            10,628          6,972
   Principal payments on long-term debt                      (82)          (663)
   Common stock repurchased                             (135,305)      (103,329)
   Proceeds from sale and issuance of common
     stock, net                                           14,966          6,167
   Cash dividends                                        (11,164)       (10,788)
                                                       ---------      ---------
Net cash (used in) financing activities                 (120,957)      (101,641)
                                                       ---------      ---------
Net (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents             (151,882)       (76,978)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year           461,244        404,369
                                                       ---------      ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period             $ 309,362      $ 327,391
                                                       =========      =========

</TABLE>


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.




<PAGE>   5
                                     PAGE 5


                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.   The results for the first three months are not necessarily indicative of
     results for the full fiscal year, because the Company's business, in common
     with the businesses of retailers generally, is subject to seasonal
     influences, with higher levels of sales and income generally realized in
     the second half of the year.

2.   The preceding data are unaudited and reflect all normal recurring
     adjustments, the use of retail statistics, and accruals and deferrals among
     periods required to match costs properly with the related revenue or
     activity, considered necessary by the Company for a fair presentation of
     its financial statements for the periods reported, all in accordance with
     generally accepted accounting principles and practices consistently
     applied.

3.   The Company's cash payments for interest expense and income taxes are as
     follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          Thirteen Weeks Ended
                                                          ---------------------
                                                           May 1,        May 2,
                                                           1999          1998
                                                          -------       -------
                                                              (In Thousands)
     <S>                                                  <C>           <C>
     Cash paid for:
       Interest on debt                                   $ 1,629       $ 2,699
       Income taxes                                       $34,165       $32,908

</TABLE>

4.   In October 1988, the Company completed the sale of its former Zayre Stores
     division to Ames Department Stores, Inc. ("Ames"). In April 1990, Ames
     filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the Federal Bankruptcy Code and in
     December 1992, Ames emerged from bankruptcy under a plan of reorganization.

     The Company remains contingently liable for the leases of most of the
     former Zayre stores still operated by Ames. The Company believes that the
     Company's contingent liability on these leases will not have a material
     effect on the Company's financial condition.

     The Company is also contingently liable on certain leases of its former
     warehouse club operations (BJ's Wholesale Club and HomeBase), which was
     spun off by the Company in fiscal 1990 as Waban Inc. During fiscal 1998,
     Waban Inc. was renamed HomeBase, Inc. and spun-off its BJ's Wholesale Club
     division (BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc.). HomeBase, Inc., and BJ's Wholesale
     Club, Inc. are primarily liable on their respective leases and have
     indemnified the Company for any amounts the Company may have to pay with
     respect to such leases. In addition, HomeBase, Inc., BJ's Wholesale Club,
     Inc. and the Company have entered into agreements under which BJ's
     Wholesale Club, Inc. has substantial indemnification responsibility with
     respect to such HomeBase, Inc. leases. The Company is also contingently
     liable on certain leases of BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc. for which both BJ's
     Wholesale Club, Inc. and HomeBase, Inc. remain liable. The Company believes
     that its contingent liability on the HomeBase, Inc. and BJ's Wholesale
     Club, Inc. leases will not have a material effect on the Company's
     financial condition.

     The Company is also contingently liable on approximately 50 store leases
     and the office and warehouse leases of its former Hit or Miss division
     which was sold by the Company in September 1995. During the third quarter
     ended October 31, 1998, the Company increased its reserve for its
     discontinued operations by $15 million ($9 million after tax), primarily
     for potential lease liabilities relating to


<PAGE>   6
                                     PAGE 6

     guarantees on leases of its former Hit or Miss division. The after tax cost
     of $9 million or, $.02 per diluted share, was recorded as a loss on
     disposal of discontinued operations.

5.   In June 1998, the Company distributed a two-for-one stock split which
     resulted in the issuance of 158.9 million shares of common stock and
     corresponding decreases of $96.5 million in additional paid-in capital and
     $62.4 million in retained earnings. All historical earnings per share have
     been restated to reflect the June 1998 stock split.

6.   On November 18, 1998, all outstanding shares of Series E cumulative
     convertible preferred stock were mandatorily converted into common stock in
     accordance with its terms.

7.   Other comprehensive income (loss), net of reclassification adjustments, was
     income of $596 for the thirteen weeks ended May 1, 1999 and a loss of
     $3,807 for the thirteen weeks ended May 2, 1998. The components of other
     comprehensive income (loss) for the Company generally include foreign
     currency translation adjustments of its foreign subsidiaries (including
     related hedging activity). In the prior year, other comprehensive income
     (loss) also includes activity relating to unrealized gains and losses on
     marketable securities.

8.   The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share is as follows:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 13 Weeks Ended
                                                          -----------------------------
                                                              May 1,          May 2,
                                                              1999            1998
                                                          ------------     ------------
                                                                ($'s in thousands
                                                            except per share amounts)

    <S>                                                    <C>              <C>
     Net income (Numerator in diluted calculation)        $    127,662     $     87,767
     Less preferred dividends                                       --            1,250
                                                          ------------     ------------
     Net income available to common shareholders
     (Numerator in basic calculation)                     $    127,662     $     86,517
                                                          ============     ============
     Shares for basic and diluted earnings per
       share calculations:
     Average common shares outstanding for
       basic EPS                                           321,715,541      319,333,366
     Dilutive effect of stock options and awards             3,580,604        5,537,318
     Dilutive effect of convertible
       preferred stock                                              --       15,439,662
                                                          ------------     ------------
     Average common shares outstanding
       for diluted EPS                                     325,296,145      340,310,346
                                                          ============     ============
     Basic earnings per share                             $        .40     $        .27
     Diluted earnings per share                           $        .39     $        .26

</TABLE>

9.   During October 1998, the Company completed its second $250 million stock
     repurchase program and announced its intentions to repurchase an additional
     $750 million of common stock over several years. During the first quarter
     ended May 1, 1999, the Company repurchased 4.1 million shares at a cost of
     $135.3 million. Since the inception of the $750 million stock repurchase
     program, the Company has repurchased 8.2 million shares at a cost of $230.8
     million.


<PAGE>   7
                                     PAGE 7


                 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS
                      OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

                        THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED MAY 1, 1999
                     VERSUS THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED MAY 2, 1998


Historical earnings per share amounts have been restated to reflect the June
1998 two-for-one stock split. All reference to earnings per share amounts are
diluted earnings per share unless otherwise indicated.

Net sales from continuing operations for the first quarter were $1,952.1
million, up 10% from $1,775.8 million last year. The increase in sales is
attributable to an increase in same store sales and new stores. Same store sales
for the thirteen weeks increased 5% at T.J. Maxx, 4% at Marshalls, 10% at
Winners, 20% at T.K. Maxx and 11% at HomeGoods.

Net income for the first quarter was $127.7 million, or $.39 per common share,
versus $87.8 million, or $.26 per common share last year.

The following table sets forth operating results expressed as a percentage of
net sales (continuing operations):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             Percentage of Net Sales
                                                                 13 Weeks Ended
                                                             -----------------------
                                                          May 1, 1999      May 2, 1998
                                                          -----------      -----------
<S>                                                          <C>              <C>

Net sales                                                    100.0%           100.0%
                                                             -----            -----
Cost of sales, including buying
   and occupancy costs                                        73.3             74.9
Selling, general and administrative expenses                  15.9             16.9
Interest expense (income), net                                  --               --
                                                             -----            -----
Income before income taxes                                    10.8%             8.2%
                                                             =====            =====
</TABLE>

Cost of sales including buying and occupancy costs as a percent of net sales
decreased from the prior year. This improvement is primarily due to improved
merchandise margins, particularly at T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, resulting from
strong inventory management. In addition, the improvement in this ratio reflects
the strong growth in sales.

Selling, general and administrative expenses, as a percentage of net sales,
decreased from the prior year. This improvement is primarily due to a reduction
in certain corporate expenses, as discussed on page 6, along with the benefit
associated with the Company's sales growth.

Interest expense (income), net, includes $5.5 million of interest income this
year versus $5.9 million last year.

The Company's effective income tax rate is 39.4% for the first quarter of fiscal
1999 versus 39.8% in the first quarter last year. This reduction primarily
reflects the benefit associated with the Company's policy of repatriating
current earnings of its Canadian subsidiary. This policy was not implemented
until the fourth quarter of fiscal 1999 and therefore, last year's first quarter
tax rate does not reflect a similar benefit.




<PAGE>   8
                                     PAGE 8


The following table sets forth the operating results of the Company's major
business segments: (unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       Thirteen Weeks Ended
                                                     --------------------------
                                                        May 1,         May 2,
                                                        1999           1998
                                                     ----------      ----------
                                                           (In Thousands)
<S>                                                  <C>             <C>

Net sales:
   Off-price family apparel stores                   $1,913,811      $1,750,465
   Off-price home fashion stores                         38,273          25,382
                                                     ----------      ----------
                                                     $1,952,084      $1,775,847
                                                     ==========      ==========
Operating income (loss):
   Off-price family apparel stores                   $  219,543      $  167,361
   Off-price home fashion stores                           (666)         (2,256)
                                                     ----------      ----------
                                                        218,877         165,105

General corporate expense                                 8,296          18,701
Goodwill amortization                                       652             653
Interest expense (income), net                             (734)            (42)
                                                     ----------      ----------
Income before income taxes                           $  210,663      $  145,793
                                                     ==========      ==========
</TABLE>

The off-price family apparel stores segment, which includes T.J. Maxx,
Marshalls, Winners, T.K. Maxx and A.J. Wright, significantly increased operating
income. These results reflect strong inventory management and the strong sales
performance on top of strong gains in the prior year. General corporate expense
decreased from the prior year as last year included a $5.5 million charge for
the write off of the Hit or Miss note receivable. In addition, last year
includes a charge of $4 million, versus $1 million this year, for charges
associated with a deferred compensation award granted to the Company's Chief
Executive Officer in the first quarter of fiscal 1998. This award, initially
denominated in shares of the Company's common stock, has now been fully
allocated to other investment options, at the election of the executive.

Stores in operation at the end of the period are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  May 1, 1999      May 2, 1998
                                                  -----------      -----------
<S>                                                    <C>            <C>

T.J. Maxx                                              613            587
Marshalls                                              480            462
Winners                                                 90             79
HomeGoods                                               38             25
T.K. Maxx                                               42             31
A.J. Wright                                             10             --

</TABLE>


<PAGE>   9
                                     PAGE 9

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Cash flows from operating activities for the three months reflect increases in
inventories and accounts payable that are primarily due to normal seasonal
requirements and are largely influenced by the change in inventory from year-end
levels. Cash generated from operations has allowed the Company to maintain a
strong cash position.

During October 1998, the Company completed its second $250 million stock
repurchase program and announced its intentions to repurchase an additional $750
million of common stock over several years. During the first quarter ended May
1, 1999, the Company repurchased 4.1 million shares at a cost of $135.3 million.
Since the inception of the $750 million stock repurchase program, the Company
has repurchased 8.2 million shares at a cost of $230.8 million.

THE YEAR 2000 ISSUE

The following paragraphs relating to the Year 2000 issue also are designated a
Year 2000 Readiness Disclosure within the meaning of the Year 2000 Information
and Readiness Disclosure Act.

The operations of the Company rely on various computer technologies which, as is
true of many companies, may be affected by what is commonly referred to as the
Year 2000 ("Y2K") issue. To address this matter, in October 1995, the Company
began to evaluate whether its computer resources would be able to recognize and
accept date sensitive information before and after the arrival of the Year 2000.
A failure of these technologies to recognize and process such information could
create an adverse impact on the operations of the Company.

In connection with its Y2K evaluation, the Company established a Company-wide
Y2K project team to review and assess the Y2K readiness of its computer
technologies in each business area, and to remediate, validate and, where
necessary, develop contingency plans to enable these technologies to effect a
smooth transition to the Year 2000 and beyond.

These efforts have focused, and will continue to focus, on: (1) the Company's
information technology systems in the form of hardware and software (so-called
"IT" systems), such as mainframes, client/server systems, personal computers,
proprietary software and software purchased or licensed from third parties, upon
which the Company relies for its retail functions, such as merchandise
procurement and distribution, point-of-sale information systems and inventory
control; (2) the Company's embedded computer technologies (so-called "non-IT"
systems), such as materials handling equipment, telephones, elevators, climate
control devices and building security systems; and (3) the IT and non-IT systems
of third parties with whom the Company has commercial relationships to support
its daily operations, such as those of banks, credit card processors, payroll
services, telecommunications services, utilities and merchandise vendors.

THE COMPANY'S STATE OF READINESS

The Company's review and assessment phase is substantially complete with respect
to its IT systems and the Company has identified and inventoried those IT
systems which are critical to its operations. The Company's effort to modify
these IT technologies to address the Y2K issue is ongoing and is expected to be
substantially completed by the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2000 with
full completion scheduled by the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2000. The
Company's mainframe operating system has already been remediated, tested and
determined to be compliant in a simulated Y2K environment. Ongoing validation
testing of this system will be performed during 1999. The Company's proprietary
software systems as well as those purchased or licensed from third parties have
been substantially remediated and ongoing validation testing will continue
during 1999.



<PAGE>   10
                                     PAGE 10


With respect to the Company's non-IT systems, the review and assessment phase is
substantially complete and the Company has identified and inventoried such
technologies. The Company has undertaken a program to modify or replace such
technologies where they are related to critical functions of the Company. The
estimated completion date for this portion of the Y2K project plan is by the end
of the third quarter of fiscal 2000.

With respect to the IT and non-IT systems of critical third party providers, the
Company has already communicated with these parties to obtain assurances
regarding their respective Y2K remediation efforts. While the Company expects
such third parties to address the Y2K issue based on the representations it has
received to date, the Company cannot guarantee that these systems will be made
Y2K compliant in a timely manner or that the Company will not experience a
material adverse effect as a result of such non-compliance.

COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH YEAR 2000 ISSUES

As of May 1, 1999, the Company has incurred approximately $10 million in costs
related to the Y2K project. The Company currently estimates that the aggregate
cost of the Y2K project will be approximately $13 million, which cost is being
expensed as incurred. The Company's Y2K costs are primarily for the cost of
internal and third-party programming for remediation and testing. All of these
costs have been or are expected to be funded through operating cash flows. The
aggregate cost estimate is based on the current assessment of the Y2K project
and is subject to change as the project progresses. The Company has not deferred
the implementation of any significant IT projects while addressing the Y2K
issue.

CONTINGENCY PLANS

The Company believes that the IT and non-IT technologies which support its
critical functions will be ready for the transition to the Year 2000. There can
be no assurance, however, that similar unresolved issues for key commercial
partners (including utilities, financial services, building services and
transportation services) will not cause an adverse effect on the Company. To
address these risks, and to address the risk that its own IT and non-IT
technologies may not perform as expected during the Y2K transition, the Company
is in the process of developing and finalizing appropriate Y2K contingency
plans, which plans will be established and then revised as necessary during the
course of 1999. Although the Company believes that its efforts to address the
Y2K issue will be sufficient to avoid a material adverse impact on the Company,
there can be no assurance that these efforts will be fully effective.




<PAGE>   11
                                     PAGE 11

PART II.    OTHER INFORMATION

Item 4      SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

            The Company held its Annual Meeting of Stockholders on June 8, 1999.
            The following were voted upon at the Annual Meeting:

            Election of Directors                For                   Withheld
            ---------------------                ---                   --------

            Phyllis B. Davis                     283,678,872           1,169,696
            Dennis F. Hightower                  283,656,664           1,191,904
            John F. O'Brien                      283,654,976           1,193,592
            Willow B. Shire                      283,651,144           1,197,424

            In addition to those elected, the following are directors whose term
            of office continued after the Annual Meeting:

            Bernard Cammarata
            Richard G. Lesser
            Arthur F. Loewy
            John M. Nelson
            Robert F. Shapiro
            Fletcher H. Wiley

            Proposal for the approval to amend Article Fourth of the Company's
            Third Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number
            of authorized shares of the Company's common stock from 600,000,000
            to 1,200,000,000.

            For                                                      248,015,819
            Against                                                   36,140,958
            Abstain                                                      691,790
            Broker non-votes                                                   1

            Proposal presented by certain shareholders regarding implementation
            of the MacBride Principles.

            For                                                       25,253,138
            Against                                                  223,988,100
            Abstain                                                   15,753,188
            Broker non-votes                                          19,854,142

Item 6(a) EXHIBITS

      3.1   Third Restated Certificate of Incorporation, and related amendments,
            are filed herewith.

Item 6(b)   REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

            The Company was not required to file a current report on Form 8-K
            during the quarter ended May 1, 1999.



<PAGE>   12
                                     PAGE 12




                                    SIGNATURE



Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.




                                        THE TJX COMPANIES, INC.
                                        -------------------------------------
                                        (Registrant)



Date: June 14, 1999



                                        /s/ Donald G. Campbell
                                        -------------------------------------
                                        Donald G. Campbell, Executive Vice
                                        President - Finance, on behalf
                                        of The TJX Companies, Inc. and as
                                        Principal Financial and Accounting
                                        Officer of The TJX Companies, Inc.




<PAGE>   1

                   THIRD RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
                                       OF
                             THE TJX COMPANIES, INC.

      (Originally incorporated on April 9, 1962 under the name Zayre Corp.)

         FIRST: The name of this corporation is

                             THE TJX COMPANIES, INC.

         SECOND: Its registered office in the State of Delaware is located at
1013 Centre Road, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle. The name and
address of its registered agent is the United States Corporation Company, 1013
Centre Road, Wilmington, Delaware 19805.

         THIRD: The nature of the business of this corporation and the objects
or purposes to be transacted, promoted and carried on by it are as follows:

         1.       To engage generally in business in the field of merchandising,
whether wholesale or retail or both.

         2.       To buy, design, develop, manufacture, produce, lease or
otherwise acquire, and to prepare, finish or otherwise process, and to own,
hold, use, store and transport, and to sell at wholesale or retail, transfer,
distribute, export, consign, lease or otherwise dispose of, and generally to
deal in and with, all kinds of merchandise, clothing, articles, equipment,
supplies, goods, wares, foods, drugs, cosmetics and other articles of whatever
nature.

         3.       To buy, construct, lease or otherwise acquire, and to own,
hold, operate, manage, lease to others, grant or take concessions for, develop,
improve, maintain and use, and to manage for others and to act as consultants
with respect to, and to sell, convey or otherwise dispose of, stores,
warehouses, shopping centers, parking lots, retail outlets and other facilities
for use in connection with wholesale and retail merchandising, and land,
buildings, facilities, equipment and all other property and assets for or
incidental to any of the foregoing.

         4.       To carry on any manufacturing, selling, management, service or
other business, operation or activity which is lawful to be carried on by a
corporation organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
as amended, whether or not similar or related or incidental to or useful or
advantageous in or in connection with the businesses, operations and activities
referred to in the foregoing paragraphs.

         5.       To manufacture, produce, buy, lease or otherwise acquire, and
to own, operate and use, and to sell, lease or otherwise dispose of, and
generally to deal with and in, machinery, appliances, equipment, tools, parts,
fixtures, facilities, motor vehicles, materials, supplies, goods, merchandise
and other articles and property of all kinds incidental to or useful



<PAGE>   2



in or in connection with any business, operation or activity in which this
corporation is engaged or is authorized to engage.

         6.       To buy, construct, lease or otherwise acquire, and to own,
hold, operate, develop, improve, maintain and use, and to sell, convey, lease or
otherwise dispose of, and to grant easements, rights or interests in, lands,
real estate, easements, leaseholds and other rights or interests in real estate,
plants, structures, building equipment and real estate improvements incidental
to or useful in or in connection with any business, operation or activity in
which this corporation is engaged or is authorized to engage.

         7.       To apply for, obtain, keep in force and comply with all
licenses and permits from governmental authorities and others which are deemed
requisite or desirable in or in connection with any business, operation or
activity in which this corporation is engaged or desires or is authorized to
engage.

         8.       To apply for, obtain, register, devise, adopt, purchase,
lease, take licenses or rights under or otherwise acquire, and to hold, own,
develop, maintain, protect, operate under, exercise and use, and to grant
licenses or rights under, sell, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of, and
generally to deal in and with, patents, trademarks, copyrights, inventions,
improvements, processes, formulae, trade names, designs and similar properties
and rights, and applications, registrations, reissues, renewals, licenses and
other rights and interests for, in, to or under the same, and franchises,
powers, rights, privileges, grants, concessions, immunities and guaranties from
public authorities or others, all in or under the laws of the United States of
America or any state or other government, country or place.

         9.       To subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire, and to hold
and own, and to sell, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of, and generally to
deal in and with, securities, and while the holder or owner thereof to have and
exercise all rights, powers and privileges of ownership, including the right to
vote or consent or give proxies or powers of attorney therefor, and to carry on
any business, operation or activity through a wholly or partly owned subsidiary.

         10.      To acquire by purchase, exchange, merger or consolidation or
otherwise all or any part of the property and assets, including the business,
good will, rights and franchises, of any corporation, association, trust, firm
or individual wherever organized, created or located, and in payment or exchange
therefor to pay cash, transfer property and issue securities to the transferor
or its security holders and to assume or become liable for any liabilities and
obligations, and to hold and operate or in any manner to dispose of all or any
part of the property and assets so acquired.

         11.      To dispose by sale, exchange, merger or consolidation or
otherwise of all or any part of the property and assets, including the business,
good will, rights and franchises of this corporation, to any corporation,
association, trust, firm or individual wherever organized, created or located,
for cash or property, including securities, or the assumption of the liabilities
and obligations of this corporation, and if desired, and subject to the rights
of

                                       -2-




<PAGE>   3



creditors and preferred stockholders, to distribute such cash, securities or
other property to the security holders of this corporation in exchange for or in
partial or complete liquidation or redemption of their securities.

         12.      To borrow money and obtain credit, and in consideration of
money borrowed or for the purpose of sale or pledge or in order to pay, evidence
or secure any liability or obligation, to execute, issue and deliver and sell,
pledge or otherwise dispose of bonds, notes, debentures or other evidences of
indebtedness, secured or unsecured, and to give security for any such bonds,
notes, debentures or other evidences of indebtedness or for any purchase price,
guaranty, line of credit, covenant, fidelity or performance bond or any other
liability or obligation and any premium, interest and other sums due thereon or
therewith and any covenants or obligations connected therewith; and for the
foregoing purposes to mortgage or pledge or execute an indenture of mortgage or
deed of trust upon or create a lien upon or other security title or security
interest in all or any part of the property and assets, real and personal, of
this corporation, then owned or thereafter acquired.

         13.      To lend money, credit or security to, and to guarantee or
assume any liabilities and obligations of, and to aid in any other manner, any
corporation, association, trust, firm or individual, wherever organized, created
or located, any of whose securities are held by this corporation or in whose
affairs or prosperity this corporation has a lawful interest, and to do all acts
and things designed to protect, improve or enhance the value of such securities
or interest.

         14.      To execute, issue and deliver and to sell or otherwise dispose
of securities of this corporation convertible into other securities, and
options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase securities of this
corporation, to issue any of such options, warrants or rights to any employees
of this corporation, and to maintain, operate and carry on for the benefit of
any employees any pension, retirement, profit-sharing, bonus, health,
disability, savings, loan, insurance, educational, social, recreational or
similar plans or arrangements.

         15.      To make contributions for charitable, scientific or
educational purposes or for the public welfare or for public purposes, including
contributions to corporations, trusts, funds or foundations organized and
operated for any such purposes, and including any such foundation organized by
this corporation or by its directors or officers, and including contributions to
governments or governmental bodies or agencies for public purposes, and any
contributions which at the time are allowed as deductions from corporate gross
income under the United States Internal Revenue Code as amended.

         16.      To do any and all acts and things in this Article Third set
forth to the same extent as an individual might or could do, as principal,
factor, consignee, agent, contractor or otherwise, and either alone or in
conjunction or jointly with any corporation, association, trust, firm or
individual, and, in general, to do any and all acts and things and to engage in
any and all businesses whatsoever, necessary, suitable, advantageous or proper
for or in connection with or incidental to the exercise, transaction, promotion,
carrying on, accomplishment or

                                       -3-




<PAGE>   4



attainment of any of the businesses, powers, purposes or objects in this Article
Third set forth, excepting in every case all acts, things and business forbidden
by law.

         17.      In this Article Third the word "securities" includes, to the
extent that the context permits, stocks, shares, bonds, notes, debentures and
other evidences of interest in or indebtedness of any corporation, association,
trust or firm wherever organized, created or located, and notes and other
evidences of indebtedness of any individual wherever located, and bonds, notes,
debentures and other evidences of indebtedness of any country, state, county,
city, town or other governmental body or agency wherever organized, created or
located.

         18.      In this certificate of incorporation, unless it is otherwise
expressly provided, the conjunctive includes the disjunctive and the singular
includes the plural, and vice versa; verbs in the present or future include both
present and future or either; the whole includes any part or parts; no mention
or inclusion of any particular example or specific enumeration shall be deemed
to limit any general meaning; the statements of the businesses, objects and
purposes of this corporation shall be construed both as objects and powers; the
enumeration of specific powers shall not be held to limit or restrict in any
manner the exercise by this corporation of the general powers conferred upon
corporations by the laws of the State of Delaware, and no statement of any
business, object or purpose shall be deemed to limit or be exclusive of any
other stated business, object or purpose, but all are separate and cumulative
and all may be transacted, promoted and carried on separately or together and at
any time and from time to time, and any business, object or purpose may be
transacted, promoted or carried on, and any property may be owned or held, in
any part of the world; and references to the certificate of incorporation mean
the provisions of the certificate of incorporation (as that term is defined in
the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware) of this corporation as
from time to time in effect, and references to the by-laws or to any requirement
or provision of law mean the by-laws of this corporation or such requirement or
provision of law as from time to time in effect.

         FOURTH: The total number of shares of capital stock of all classes
which this Corporation shall have authority to issue shall be three hundred five
million (305,000,000) shares, consisting of three hundred million (300,000,000)
shares of Common Stock of the par value of one dollar ($1.00) per share,
amounting in aggregate to three hundred million dollars ($300,000,000), and five
million (5,000,000) shares of Preferred Stock of the par value of one dollar
($1.00) per share, amounting in the aggregate to five million dollars
($5,000,000).

         The holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each
share of Common Stock registered in the name of such holder, and there shall be
no cumulative voting in elections for directors. The holders of the Common Stock
shall be entitled to such dividends as may from time to time be declared by the
Board of Directors, but only when and as declared by the Board of Directors out
of any funds legally available for declaration of dividends, and subject to any
provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation, as amended from time to time,
or of resolutions of the Board of Directors adopted pursuant to authority herein
contained, requiring that dividends be declared and/or paid upon the outstanding
shares of Preferred Stock of any series or upon the outstanding shares of any
other class of capital stock ranking senior

                                       -4-




<PAGE>   5



to the Common Stock as to dividends as a condition to the declaration and/or
payment of any dividend on the Common Stock; but no such provisions shall
restrict the declaration or payment of any dividend or distribution of the
Common Stock payable solely in shares of Common Stock. In the event of the
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the corporation, the
holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled to share pro rata in the net
assets available for distribution to holders of Common Stock after satisfaction
of the prior claims of the holders of shares of Preferred Stock of any series
and shares of any other class of capital stock ranking senior to the Common
Stock as to assets, in accordance with the provisions of this Certificate of
Incorporation, as amended from time to time, or of resolutions of the Board of
Directors adopted pursuant to authority herein contained.

         The Board of Directors is hereby authorized from time to time to
provide by resolution for the issuance of shares of Preferred Stock in one or
more series not exceeding the aggregate number of shares of Preferred Stock
authorized by this Certificate of Incorporation, as amended from time to time,
and to determine with respect to each such series, the voting powers, if any
(which voting powers if granted may be full or limited), designations,
preferences, the relative, participating, optional or other rights, and the
qualifications, limitations and restrictions appertaining thereto, including,
without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the voting rights appertaining
to shares of Preferred Stock of any series (which may be one vote per share or a
fraction of a vote per share, and which may be applicable generally or only upon
the happening and continuance of stated events or conditions), the rate of
dividend to which holders of Preferred Stock of any series may be entitled
(which may be cumulative or noncumulative), the rights of holders of Preferred
Stock of any series in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up
of the affairs of the Corporation and the rights (if any) of holders of
Preferred Stock of any series to convert or exchange such shares of Preferred
Stock of such series for shares of Common Stock or for shares of Preferred Stock
of any other series or for shares of any other class of capital stock (including
the determination of the price or prices or the rate or rates applicable to such
rights to convert or exchange and the adjustments thereof, the time or times
during which the right to convert or exchange shall be applicable and the time
or times during which a particular price or rate shall be applicable).

         Before the corporation shall issue any shares of Preferred Stock of any
series, a certificate setting forth a copy of the resolution or resolutions of
the Board of Directors fixing the voting powers, designations, preferences, the
relative, participating, optional and other rights, and the qualifications,
limitations and restrictions appertaining to the shares of Preferred Stock of
such series, and the number of shares of Preferred Stock of such series
authorized by the Board of Directors to be issued, shall be made under seal of
the corporation and signed by the president or a vice-president and by the
secretary or an assistant secretary of the corporation and acknowledged by such
president or vice-president as provided by the laws of the State of Delaware and
shall be filed and a copy thereof recorded in the manner prescribed by the laws
of the State of Delaware.

         NO PRE-EMPTIVE RIGHTS. No stockholder of this corporation shall have
any pre-emptive or preferential right to purchase or subscribe to any shares of
any class of this corporation now

                                       -5-




<PAGE>   6



or hereafter to be authorized, or any notes, debentures, bonds or other
securities convertible into, or carrying options or warrants to purchase, shares
of any class now or hereafter to be authorized, whether or not the issue of any
such shares or such notes, debentures, bonds or other securities would adversely
affect the dividend or voting rights of such stockholder, other than such
rights, if any, as the board of directors in its discretion from time to time
may grant and at such price as the board of directors in its discretion may fix;
and the board of directors may issue shares of any class of this corporation, or
any notes, debentures, bonds or other securities convertible into or carrying
options or warrants to purchase shares of any class, or options to purchase
shares of any class, without offering any such shares or securities or options,
either in whole or in part, to the existing stockholders of any class.

SERIES E CUMULATIVE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK. There has been created a series
of cumulative convertible Preferred Stock of the Corporation having the voting
powers, designations, preferences, the relative, participating, optional and
other rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions appertaining
thereto in addition to those set forth elsewhere in this Certificate of
Incorporation, as follows:

         1. DESIGNATION AND NUMBER. The designation of Preferred Stock shall be
Series E Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, $1.00 par value per share, of
The TJX Companies, Inc. (the "Series E Preferred Stock"), and the number of
shares constituting such series shall be 1,500,000, which number may not be
increased but may be decreased (but not below the number of shares of Series E
Preferred Stock then outstanding) from time to time by the Board of Directors.

        All shares of Series E Preferred Stock which shall have been issued and
reacquired in any manner by the Corporation (excluding, until the Corporation
elects to retire them, shares which are held as treasury shares but including
shares redeemed, shares purchased and retired, shares converted pursuant to
Section 4 hereof and shares exchanged for any other security of the Corporation)
shall not be reissued and shall, upon the making of any necessary filing with
the Secretary of State of Delaware have the status of authorized but unissued
shares of the Corporation's Preferred Stock, without designation as to series,
and thereafter may be issued, but not as shares of Series E Preferred Stock.

2. DIVIDEND RIGHTS.

         a. General. The holders of shares of Series E Preferred Stock shall be
entitled to receive, in preference to the holders of shares of Common Stock and
any other stock ranking as to dividends junior to the Series E Preferred Stock,
when and as declared by the Board of Directors, out of funds legally available
therefor, cumulative cash dividends, accruing from and after the date of
original issuance of the Series E Preferred Stock at an annual rate of $7.00 per
share, and no more, as long as shares of Series E Preferred Stock remain
outstanding. Dividends shall be payable quarterly in arrears, on January 1,
April 1, July 1 and October 1 in each year commencing on the first of such four
dates which follows the date of initial issuance of the Series E Preferred Stock
(each, a "Dividend Payment Date"). Each dividend will be

                                       -6-




<PAGE>   7



payable to holders of record as they appear on the stock register of the
Corporation on the record date therefor, not exceeding 60 days nor less than 10
days preceding the payment date thereof, as shall be fixed by the Board of
Directors. Dividends in arrears may be declared and paid at any time, without
reference to any Dividend Payment Date, to holders of record on such date, not
exceeding 60 days preceding the payment date thereof, as may be fixed by the
Board of Directors of the Corporation. Dividends payable on the Series E
Preferred Stock (i) for any period greater or less than a full dividend period,
shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day
months and (ii) for each full quarterly dividend period, shall be computed by
dividing the annual dividend rate by four. Dividends on shares of Series E
Preferred Stock shall be cumulative and shall accrue on a daily basis from the
date of original issuance thereof whether or not there shall be funds legally
available for the payment thereof and whether or not such dividends are
declared. Holders of shares of the Series E Preferred Stock shall not be
entitled to any dividend, whether payable in cash, property or stock, in excess
of Full Cumulative Dividends on such shares. No interest or sum of money in lieu
of interest shall be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments
which may be in arrears.

         b. Requirements for Dividends on Senior Preferred Stock. The
Corporation shall not (i) declare or pay or set apart for payment any dividends
or distributions on shares of Series E Preferred Stock (other than dividends
paid in shares of stock ranking junior to any series of Preferred Stock ranking
senior to the Series E Preferred Stock as to dividends) or (ii) make any
purchase or redemption of, or any sinking fund payment for the purchase or
redemption of, shares of Series E Preferred Stock (other than a purchase or
redemption made by issue or delivery of any stock ranking junior to any series
of Preferred Stock ranking senior to the Series E Preferred Stock as to
dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) unless Full Cumulative
Dividends on all outstanding shares of any series of Preferred Stock ranking
senior to Series E Preferred Stock through the most recent dividend payment date
prior to the date of payment of such dividend or distribution, or effective date
of such purchase, redemption or sinking fund payment, shall have been paid in
full or declared and a sufficient sum set apart for payment thereof.

         c. Requirements for Dividends on Parity Preferred Stock. If there shall
be outstanding shares of any other class or series of Preferred Stock ranking on
a parity with the Series E Preferred Stock as to dividends, no dividends, except
as described in the next sentence, shall be declared or paid or set apart for
payment on any such other series for any period unless Full Cumulative Dividends
on the Series E Preferred Stock through the most recent Dividend Payment Date
have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum
sufficient for the payment thereof is set apart for such payment. If dividends
on the Series E Preferred Stock and on any other series of Preferred Stock
ranking on a parity as to dividends with the Series E Preferred Stock are in
arrears, all dividends declared upon shares of the Series E Preferred Stock and
all dividends declared upon such other series shall be declared pro rata so that
the amounts of dividends per share declared on the Series E Preferred Stock and
such other series shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that Full
Cumulative

                                      -7-




<PAGE>   8



Dividends per share at the time on the shares of Series E Preferred Stock and on
such other series bear to each other.

         d. Requirements for Dividends on Junior Stock. The Corporation shall
not (i) declare or pay or set apart for payment any dividends or distributions
on any stock ranking as to dividends junior to the Series E Preferred Stock
(other than dividends paid in shares of stock ranking junior to the Series E
Preferred Stock as to dividends) or (ii) make any purchase or redemption of, or
any sinking fund payment for the purchase or redemption of, any stock ranking as
to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up junior to the Series
E Preferred Stock (other than a purchase or redemption made by issue or delivery
of any stock ranking junior to the Series E Preferred Stock as to dividends or
upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) unless Full Cumulative Dividends on
all outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock through the most recent
Dividend Payment Date prior to the date of payment of such dividend or
distribution, or effective date of such purchase, redemption or sinking fund
payment, shall have been paid in full or declared and a sufficient sum set apart
for payment thereof; provided, however, that unless prohibited by the terms of
any other outstanding series of Preferred Stock, any moneys theretofore
deposited in any sinking fund with respect to any Preferred Stock of the
Corporation in compliance with this Section 2(d) and the provisions of such
sinking fund may thereafter be applied to the purchase or redemption of such
Preferred Stock in accordance with the terms of such sinking fund regardless of
whether at the time of such application Full Cumulative Dividends on all
outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock through the most recent Dividend
Payment Date shall have been paid in full or declared and a sufficient sum set
apart for payment thereof.

3. LIQUIDATION PREFERENCES.

         a. Senior Preferred Stock. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution
or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, before any
payment or distribution of the assets of the Corporation (whether from capital
or surplus) shall be made to or set apart for the holders of the Series E
Preferred Stock upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of each
class or series of Preferred Stock ranking senior to the Series E Preferred
Stock upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up shall be entitled to receive
full payment of their liquidation preferences.

         b. Order of Payments among Parity Preferred Stock. In the event of any
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or
involuntary, before any payment or distribution of the assets of the Corporation
(whether from capital or surplus) shall be made to or set apart for the holders
of any class or series of stock of the Corporation ranking junior to the Series
E Preferred Stock upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of
the shares of Series E Preferred Stock and the holders of each other class or
series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with Series E Preferred Stock upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up shall be entitled to receive liquidation
payments according to the following priorities:

                                       -8-




<PAGE>   9



First,

         The holders of the shares of Series E Preferred Stock shall receive
$100 per share and the holders of shares of each such other class or series of
Preferred Stock shall receive the full respective liquidation preferences
(including any premiums) to which they are entitled; and

Second,

         The holders of shares of Series E Preferred Stock and the holders of
shares of each such other class or series of Preferred Stock shall each receive
an amount equal to Full Cumulative Dividends with respect to their respective
shares through and including the date of final distribution to such holders, but
such holders shall not be entitled to any further payment.

        No payment (in either of the First step or Second step provided above)
on account of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation
shall be made to holders of any such other class or series of Preferred Stock or
to the holders of Series E Preferred Stock unless there shall likewise be paid
at the same time to the holders of the Series E Preferred Stock and the holders
of each such other class or series of Preferred Stock like proportionate amounts
of the same payments (as to each of the First step or the Second step above),
such proportionate amounts to be determined ratably in proportion to the full
amounts to which the holders of all outstanding shares of Series E Preferred
Stock and the holders of all outstanding shares of each such other class or
series of Preferred Stock are respectively entitled (in either the First step or
the Second step, as the case may be) with respect to such distribution.

        For purposes of this Section 3, neither a consolidation or merger of the
Corporation with or into another corporation nor a merger of any other
corporation with or into the Corporation or a sale or transfer of all or any
part of the Corporation's assets for cash, securities or other property will be
deemed a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation.

         c. Junior Stock. After payment shall have been made in full to the
holders of Series E Preferred Stock and to the holders of each such other class
or series of Preferred Stock as provided in this Section 3 upon liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, any other series or class or
classes of stock ranking junior to the Series E Preferred Stock upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up shall, subject to the respective terms
and provisions (if any) applying thereto, be entitled to receive any and all
assets remaining to be paid or distributed upon such liquidation, dissolution or
winding up, and the holders of Series E Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to
share therein.

4. CONVERSION.

         a. Automatic Conversion. Unless earlier converted at the option of the
holder in accordance with the provisions of Section 4(b), on the Automatic
Conversion Date each outstanding share of the Series E Preferred Stock shall
convert automatically (the "Automatic Conversion") into (i) shares of Common
Stock at the Exchange Rate in effect on the Automatic

                                       -9-




<PAGE>   10



Conversion Date and (ii) the right to receive an amount in cash equal to Full
Cumulative Dividends on such share to the Automatic Conversion Date.

         b. Optional Conversion by Holder. Shares of Series E Preferred Stock
may be converted, in whole or in part, at the option of the holder thereof
("Optional Conversion"), at any time after the Initial Issuance Date and not
later than the close of business on the Business Day prior to the Automatic
Conversion Date, into shares of Common Stock at the Upper Exchange Rate.

         Optional Conversion of shares of Series E Preferred Stock may be
effected by delivering certificates evidencing such shares, together with
written notice of conversion and a proper assignment of such certificates to the
Corporation or in blank (and, if applicable, payment of an amount equal to the
dividend payable on such shares), to the office of any transfer agent for the
Series E Preferred Stock or to any other office or agency maintained by the
Corporation for that purpose and otherwise in accordance with the Optional
Conversion procedures established by the Corporation. Each Optional Conversion
shall be deemed to have been effected immediately prior to the close of business
on the date on which the foregoing requirements shall have been satisfied (the
"Optional Conversion Date").

         c. Mechanics of Conversion.

         i.       Upon surrender in accordance with the aforesaid provisions of
the certificate for any shares so converted (duly endorsed or accompanied by
appropriate instruments of transfer), the holder of record of such shares shall
be entitled to receive the applicable number of shares of Common Stock
(calculated to the nearest 1/1,000,000th of a share) (and cash representing
fractional share settlements in respect thereof) at the applicable Exchange Rate
plus Full Cumulative Dividends thereon, without interest.

         ii.      Before any holder of shares of Series E Preferred Stock shall
receive certificates for shares of Common Stock in respect of the conversion of
shares of Series E Preferred Stock (or cash representing fractional share
settlements in respect thereof) such holder shall surrender the certificate or
certificates of shares of Series E Preferred Stock duly endorsed if required by
the Corporation, at the office of the Corporation and, if certificates for
shares of Common Stock are to be received by such holder, shall state in writing
the name or names and the denominations in which such holder wishes the
certificate or certificates for the Common Stock to be issued. The Corporation
will, as soon as practicable after receipt thereof, issue and deliver to such
holder, or such holder's designee or designees, a certificate or certificates
for the number of shares of Common Stock to which such holder shall be entitled
as aforesaid, together with a certificate or certificates representing any
shares of Series E Preferred Stock which are not to be converted, but which
shall have constituted part of the certificate or certificates for shares of
Series E Preferred Stock so surrendered.

         iii.     The Corporation's obligation to deliver shares of Common Stock
and provide funds upon conversion in accordance with this Section 4 shall be
deemed fulfilled if, on or

                                      -10-




<PAGE>   11



before a conversion date, the Corporation shall deposit with a bank or trust
company, or an affiliate of a bank or trust company, having an office or agency
in New York, New York and having a capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000
according to its last published statement of condition, or shall set aside or
make other reasonable provision for the issuance of, such number of shares of
Common Stock as are required to be delivered by the Corporation pursuant to this
Section 4 upon the occurrence of the related conversion of Series E Preferred
Stock and for cash required to be paid in lieu of the issuance of fractional
share amounts and Full Cumulative Dividends payable in cash on the shares of
Series E Preferred Stock to be converted as required by this Section 4, in trust
for the account of the holders of such shares of Series E Preferred Stock to be
converted (and so as to be and continue to be available therefor), with (in the
case of deposits with a bank or trust company) irrevocable instructions and
authority to such bank or trust company that such shares and funds be delivered
upon conversion of the shares of Series E Preferred Stock so to be converted. If
on the Automatic Conversion Date shares of Common Stock and funds (if any)
necessary for the conversion shall have been irrevocably either set aside by the
Company separate and apart from its other funds or assets in trust for the
account of the holders of the shares of Series E Preferred Stock to be converted
(and so as to be and continue to be available therefor) or the Company shall
have made other reasonable provision therefor, then, notwithstanding that the
certificates evidencing any shares of the Series E Preferred Stock so subject to
conversion shall not have been surrendered, the shares represented thereby shall
be deemed no longer outstanding, dividends with respect to such shares shall
cease to accrue on the date fixed for conversion (provided that holders of
shares of Series E Preferred Stock at the close of business on a record date for
any payment of dividends shall be entitled to receive Full Cumulative Dividends
payable on such shares on the corresponding Dividend Payment Date
notwithstanding the conversion of such shares following such record date and
prior to such Dividend Payment Date) and all rights with respect to such shares
shall forthwith after such date cease and terminate, except for the rights of
the holders to receive the shares of Common Stock and funds (if any) payable
pursuant to this Section 4 without interest upon surrender of their certificates
therefor. Holders of shares of Series E Preferred Stock at the close of business
on a dividend payment record date shall be entitled to receive the dividend
payable on such shares on the corresponding Dividend Payment Date
notwithstanding the Optional Conversion of such shares following such record
date and prior to such Dividend Payment Date. However, shares of Series E
Preferred Stock surrendered for Optional Conversion after the close of business
on a dividend payment record date and before the opening of business on the
corresponding Dividend Payment Date must be accompanied by payment in cash of an
amount equal to the dividend payable on such shares on such Dividend Payment
Date. A holder of shares of Series E Preferred Stock on a dividend record date
who (or whose transferee) surrenders any such shares for conversion into shares
of Common Stock on the corresponding Dividend Payment Date will receive the
dividend payable by the Corporation on such shares of Series E Preferred Stock
on such Dividend Payment Date, and the converting holder need not include
payment of the amount of such dividend upon surrender of shares of Series E
Preferred Stock for conversion. Except as provided above, upon any conversion of
shares of Series E Preferred Stock, the Corporation shall make no payment or
allowance for unpaid dividends, whether or not in arrears, on such shares of
Series

                                      -11-




<PAGE>   12



E Preferred Stock as to which conversion has been effected or for dividends or
distributions on the shares of Common Stock issued upon such conversion.

         iv.      Holders of shares of Series E Preferred Stock that are
converted shall not be entitled to receive dividends declared and paid on such
shares of Common Stock, and such shares of Common Stock shall not be entitled to
vote, until such shares of Common Stock are issued upon the surrender of the
certificates representing such shares of Series E Preferred Stock and upon such
surrender such holders shall be entitled to receive such dividends declared and
paid on such shares of Common Stock subsequent to such conversion date. Amounts
payable in cash in respect of the shares of Series E Preferred Stock or in
respect of such shares of Common Stock shall not bear interest.

         v.       Each conversion of shares of Series E Preferred Stock into
Common Stock shall be deemed to have been made as of the close of business on
the applicable conversion date, so that the rights of the holder of such shares
of Series E Preferred Stock shall, to the extent of such conversion, cease at
such time and the person or persons entitled to receive shares of the Common
Stock upon conversion of such shares shall be treated for all purposes as having
become the record holder or holders of the Common Stock at such time; provided,
however, that if an event that results in an adjustment to the Exchange Rate is
declared or occurs with respect to the shares of Common Stock, and the record
date for any such action is on or after the close of business on the date on
which notice of such conversion is given, but prior to the close of business on
the date of such conversion, then the person or persons entitled to receive
shares of the Common Stock upon conversion of shares of Series E Preferred Stock
shall be treated for purposes of such action as having become the record holder
or holders of the Common Stock at the close of business on the Trading Day next
preceding the date on which notice of such conversion is given.

         vi.      The Corporation will pay any and all taxes that may be payable
in respect of the issuance or delivery of shares of Common Stock upon conversion
of shares of Series E Preferred Stock pursuant hereto. The Corporation shall
not, however, be required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any
transfer involved in the delivery of shares registered in a name other than the
name in which such shares of Series E Preferred Stock were formerly registered,
and no such issue or delivery shall be made unless and until the person
requesting such issue or delivery has paid to the Corporation the amount of any
such tax, or has established, to the satisfaction of the Corporation, that such
tax has been paid.

         d. Adjustments to the Exchange Rate. The Exchange Rate shall be subject
to adjustment from time to time as provided below in this paragraph (d).

         (1)      If the Corporation shall pay or make a dividend or other
         distribution with respect to its Common Stock in shares of Common Stock
         (including by way of reclassification of any shares of its Common
         Stock) to all holders of Common Stock, the Exchange Rate in effect at
         the opening of business on the day following the date fixed for the
         determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or
         other

                                      -12-




<PAGE>   13



         distribution shall be increased by multiplying such Exchange Rate by a
         fraction of which the numerator shall be the sum of the number of
         shares of Common Stock outstanding at the close of business on the date
         fixed for such determination plus the total number of shares of Common
         Stock constituting such dividend or other distribution, and of which
         the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock
         outstanding at the close of business on the date fixed for such
         determination, such increase to become effective immediately after the
         opening of business on the day following the date fixed for such
         determination.

         (2)      In case outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be subdivided
         into a greater number of shares of Common Stock, the Exchange Rate in
         effect at the opening of business on the day following the day upon
         which such subdivision becomes effective shall be proportionately
         increased, and, conversely, in case outstanding shares of Common Stock
         shall be combined into a smaller number of shares of Common Stock, the
         Exchange Rate in effect at the opening of business on the day following
         the day upon which such combination becomes effective shall be
         proportionately reduced, such increases or reductions, as the case may
         be, to become effective immediately after the opening of business on
         the day following the day upon which such subdivision or combination
         becomes effective.

         (3)      If the Corporation shall, after the date hereof, issue rights
         or warrants, in each case other than the Rights, to all holders of its
         Common Stock entitling them (for a period not exceeding 45 days from
         the date of such issuance) to subscribe for or purchase shares of
         Common Stock at a price per share less than the Fair Market Value of
         the Common Stock on the record date for the determination of
         stockholders entitled to receive such rights or warrants, then in each
         case the Exchange Rate shall be adjusted by multiplying the Exchange
         Rate in effect on such record date, by a fraction of which the
         numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on
         the date of issuance of such rights or warrants, immediately prior to
         such issuance, plus the number of additional shares of Common Stock
         offered for subscription or purchase pursuant to such rights or
         warrants, and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of
         Common Stock outstanding on the date of issuance of such rights or
         warrants, immediately prior to such issuance, plus the number of shares
         of Common Stock which the aggregate offering price of the total number
         of shares of Common Stock so offered for subscription or purchase
         pursuant to such rights or warrants would purchase at such Fair Market
         Value (determined by multiplying such total number of shares by the
         exercise price of such rights or warrants and dividing the product so
         obtained by such Fair Market Value). Such adjustment shall become
         effective at the opening of business on the Business Day next following
         the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to
         receive such rights or warrants. To the extent that shares of Common
         Stock are not delivered after the expiration of such rights or
         warrants, the Exchange Rate shall be readjusted to the Exchange Rate
         which would then be in effect had the adjustments made upon the
         issuance of such rights or warrants been

                                      -13-




<PAGE>   14



         made upon the basis of the issuance of rights or warrants in respect of
         only the number of shares of Common Stock actually delivered.

         (4)      If the Corporation shall pay a dividend or make a distribution
         to all holders of its Common Stock consisting of evidences of its
         indebtedness or other assets (including shares of capital stock of the
         Corporation other than Common Stock but excluding any cash dividends or
         any dividends or other distributions referred to in clauses (i) and
         (ii) above), or shall issue to all holders of its Common Stock rights
         or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any of its securities (other
         than those referred to in clause (iii) above and other than Rights),
         then in each such case the Exchange Rate shall be adjusted by
         multiplying the Exchange Rate in effect on the record date for such
         dividend or distribution or for the determination of stockholders
         entitled to receive such rights or warrants, as the case may be, by a
         fraction of which the numerator shall be the Fair Market Value per
         share of the Common Stock on such record date, and of which the
         denominator shall be such Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock
         less the fair market value (as determined by the Board of Directors,
         whose determination shall be conclusive) as of such record date of the
         portion of the assets or evidences of indebtedness so distributed, or
         of such subscription rights or warrants, applicable to one share of
         Common Stock. Such adjustment shall become effective on the opening of
         business on the Business Day next following the record date for such
         dividend or distribution or for the determination of stockholders
         entitled to receive such rights or warrants, as the case may be.

         (5)      Any share of Common Stock issuable in payment of a dividend or
         other distribution shall be deemed to have been issued immediately
         prior to the close of business on the record date for such dividend or
         other distribution for purposes of calculating the number of
         outstanding shares of Common Stock under subparagraph (ii) above.

         (6)      Anything in this paragraph (d) notwithstanding, the
         Corporation shall be entitled to make such upward adjustments in the
         Exchange Rate, in addition to those required by this paragraph (d), as
         the Corporation in its sole discretion shall determine to be advisable,
         in order that any stock dividends, subdivision of shares, distribution
         of rights to purchase stock or securities, or distribution of
         securities convertible into or exchangeable for stock (or any
         transaction which could be treated as any of the foregoing transactions
         pursuant to Section 305 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
         amended) hereafter made by the Corporation to its stockholders shall
         not be taxable.

         (7)      In any case in which this paragraph (d) shall require that an
         adjustment as a result of any event become effective at the opening of
         business on the Business Day next following a record date and the date
         fixed for conversion pursuant to paragraph (a) occurs after such record
         date, but before the occurrence of such event, the Corporation may in
         its sole discretion elect to defer the following until after the
         occurrence of such event: (A) issuing to the holder of any shares of
         Series E Preferred Stock surrendered

                                      -14-




<PAGE>   15



         for conversion the additional shares of Common Stock issuable upon such
         conversion over the shares of Common Stock issuable before giving
         effect to such adjustment; and (B) paying to such holder any amount in
         cash in lieu of a fractional share of Common Stock pursuant to Section
         5(d).

         (8)      For purposes hereof, an "adjustment in the Exchange Rate"
         means, and shall be implemented by, an adjustment of the nature and
         amount specified, effected in the manner specified, in each of the
         Upper Exchange Rate, the Middle Exchange Rate and the Lower Exchange
         Rate. If an adjustment is made to the Exchange Rate pursuant to this
         paragraph (d), a proportionate adjustment in the same direction shall
         also be made on the Automatic Conversion Date to the Current Market
         Price solely to determine which of clauses (a), (b) or (c) of the
         definition of Exchange Rate will apply on the Automatic Conversion
         Date. Such adjustment shall be made by multiplying the Current Market
         Price by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the Exchange Rate
         immediately after such adjustment pursuant to this paragraph (d) and
         the denominator shall be the Exchange Rate immediately before such
         adjustment. All adjustments to the Exchange Rate shall be calculated to
         the nearest 1/1,000,000th of a share of Common Stock. No adjustment in
         the Exchange Rate shall be required unless such adjustment would
         require an increase or decrease of at least one percent in the Exchange
         Rate; provided, however, that any adjustments which by reason of this
         subparagraph are not required to be made shall be carried forward and
         taken into account in any subsequent adjustment. All adjustments to the
         Exchange Rate shall be made successively.

         (9)      Before taking any action that would cause an adjustment
         increasing the Exchange Rate such that the conversion price (for
         purposes of this paragraph (d), an amount equal to the liquidation
         value per share of Series E Preferred Stock divided by the Upper
         Exchange Rate as in effect from time to time) would be below the then
         par value of the Common Stock, the Corporation will take any corporate
         action which may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary in order
         that the Corporation may validly and legally issue fully paid and
         nonassessable shares of Common Stock at the Upper Exchange Rate as so
         adjusted.

         e. Adjustment for Certain Consolidations or Mergers. In case of any
consolidation or merger to which the Corporation is a party (other than a merger
or consolidation in which the Corporation is the continuing corporation and in
which the Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the merger or
consolidation remains unchanged), or in case of any sale or transfer to another
corporation of the property of the Corporation as an entirety or substantially
as an entirety, or in case of any statutory exchange of securities with another
corporation (other than in connection with a merger or acquisition), proper
provision shall be made so that each share of the Series E Preferred Stock
shall, after consummation of such transaction, be subject to (i) conversion at
the option of the holder into the kind and amount of securities, cash or other
property receivable upon consummation of such transaction by a holder of the
number of shares of Common Stock into which such share of Series E Preferred
Stock would have been converted if the conversion had occurred immediately prior
to consummation of such

                                      -15-




<PAGE>   16



transaction (based on the Exchange Rate in effect immediately prior to such
consummation) and (ii) conversion on the Automatic Conversion Date into the kind
and amount of securities, cash or other property receivable upon consummation of
such transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock into which
such share of Series E Preferred Stock would have been converted if the
conversion on the Automatic Conversion Date had occurred immediately prior to
the date of consummation of such transaction (based on the Exchange Rate in
effect immediately prior to such consummation); assuming in each case that such
holder of Common Stock failed to exercise rights of election, if any, as to the
kind or amount of securities, cash or other property receivable upon
consummation of such transaction (provided that if the kind or amount of
securities, cash or other property receivable upon consummation of such
transaction is not the same for each nonelecting share, then the kind and amount
of securities, cash or other property receivable upon consummation of such
transaction for each nonelecting share shall be deemed to be the kind and amount
so receivable per share by a plurality of the nonelecting shares). The kind and
amount of securities into which the shares of the Series E Preferred Stock shall
be convertible after consummation of such transaction shall be subject to
adjustment as described in paragraph (d) following the date of consummation of
such transaction. The Corporation may not become a party to any such transaction
unless the terms thereof are consistent with the foregoing.

         f. Notice of Adjustments. Whenever the Exchange Rate is adjusted as
provided in paragraph (d), the Corporation shall:

                  (i) Forthwith compute the adjusted Exchange Rate and prepare a
         certificate signed by the Chief Financial Officer, any Vice President,
         the Treasurer or the Controller of the Corporation setting forth the
         adjusted Exchange Rate, the method of calculation thereof in reasonable
         detail and the facts requiring such adjustment and upon which such
         adjustment is based, which certificate shall be prima facie evidence of
         the correctness of the adjustment, and file such certificate forthwith
         with the Transfer Agent;

                  (ii) Make a prompt public announcement stating that the
         Exchange Rate has been adjusted and setting forth the adjusted Exchange
         Rate; and

                  (iii) Promptly mail a notice (stating that the Exchange Rate
         has been adjusted and the facts requiring such adjustment and upon
         which such adjustment is based and setting forth the adjusted Exchange
         Rate) to the holders of record of the outstanding shares of the Series
         E Preferred Stock at or prior to the time the Corporation mails an
         interim statement to its stockholders covering the fiscal quarter
         during which the facts requiring such adjustment occurred but in any
         event within 45 days of the end of such fiscal quarter.

         g. Prior Notice of Certain Events. In case:

         i.       the Corporation shall (1) declare any dividend (or any other
distribution) on its Common Stock, other than a dividend payable solely in cash
in an amount such that the

                                      -16-




<PAGE>   17



aggregate cash dividend per share of Common Stock in any fiscal quarter does not
exceed 3.75% of the Current Market Price of the Common Stock on the Trading Day
next preceding the date of declaration of such dividend, or (2) declare or
authorize a redemption or repurchase of in excess of 10% of the then outstanding
shares of Common Stock; or

        ii.       the Corporation shall authorize the granting to all holders of
Common Stock of rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of
stock of any class or of any other rights or warrants (other than Rights); or

        iii.      of any reclassification of Common Stock (other than a
subdivision or combination of the outstanding Common Stock, or a change in par
value, or from par value to no par value, or from no par value to par value), or
of any consolidation or merger to which the Corporation is a party and for which
approval of any stockholders of the Corporation shall be required, or of the
sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation or
of any compulsory share exchange where the Common Stock is converted into other
securities, cash or other property; or

        iv.       of the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Corporation;

then the Corporation shall cause to be filed with the Transfer Agent and each
office or agency maintained for conversion of shares of Series E Preferred
Stock, and shall cause to be mailed to the holders of record of the Series E
Preferred Stock, at their last addresses as they shall appear upon the stock
transfer books of the Corporation, at least 15 days prior to the applicable
record date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a
record (if any) is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution,
redemption, repurchase or granting of rights or warrants or, if a record is not
to be taken, the date as of which the holders of Common Stock of record to be
entitled to such dividend, distribution, redemption, rights or warrants are to
be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation,
merger, sale, transfer, share exchange, liquidation, dissolution or winding up
is expected to become effective, and the date as of which it is expected that
holders of Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of
Common Stock for securities or other property (including cash) deliverable upon
such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, share exchange,
liquidation, dissolution or winding up. No failure to mail such notice or any
defect therein or in the mailing thereof shall affect the validity of the
corporate action required to be specified in such notice.

        h. Dividend or Interest Reinvestment Plans; Other. Notwithstanding the
foregoing provisions, the issuance of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to any
plan providing for the reinvestment of dividends or interest payable on
securities of the Corporation and the investment of additional optional amounts
in shares of Common Stock under any such plan, and the issuance of any shares of
Common Stock or options or rights to purchase such shares pursuant to any
employee benefit plan or program of the Corporation, or pursuant to any option,
warrant, right or exercisable, exchangeable or convertible security outstanding
as of

                                      -17-




<PAGE>   18



the date the Series E Preferred Stock was first designated, shall not be deemed
to constitute an issuance of Common Stock or exercisable, exchangeable or
convertible securities by the Corporation to which any of the adjustment
provisions described above applies. There shall be no adjustment of the Exchange
Rate in case of the issuance of any stock (or securities convertible into or
exchangeable for stock) of the corporation except as described in this Section
4. Except as expressly set forth in this Section 4, if any action would require
adjustment of the Exchange Rate pursuant to more than one of the provisions
described above, only one adjustment shall be made and such adjustment shall be
the amount of adjustment which has the highest absolute value.

         i. For purposes of this Section 4, the number of shares of Common Stock
at any time outstanding shall not include any shares of Common Stock then owned
or held, directly or indirectly through a subsidiary, by or for the account of
the Corporation.

5. RESERVATION OF SHARES; LISTING OF SHARES, ETC.

         a. Reservation of Shares. The Corporation shall at all times reserve
and keep available, out of its authorized and unissued stock, solely for the
purpose of effecting the conversion of the Series E Preferred Stock, the full
number of shares of its Common Stock deliverable upon conversion of all shares
of Series E Preferred Stock not theretofore converted.

         b. Listing of Shares. If any shares of Common Stock required to be
reserved for purposes of conversion of the Series E Preferred Stock hereunder
require registration with or approval of any governmental authority under any
Federal or State law before such shares may be issued upon conversion, the
Corporation will in good faith and as expeditiously as possible endeavor to
cause such shares to be duly registered or approved, as the case may be. If the
Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange or any other national
securities exchange, the Corporation will, as expeditiously as possible, if
permitted by the rules of such exchange, cause to be listed and keep listed on
such exchange, upon official notice of issuance, all shares of Common Stock
issuable upon conversion of the Series E Preferred Stock.

         c. Shares Issued on Conversion to be Fully Paid, Etc. The shares of
Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the shares of Series E Preferred Stock,
when the same shall be issued in accordance with the terms hereof, are hereby
declared to be and shall be fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock
in the hands of the holders thereof.

         d. No Fractional Shares. No fractional shares or scrip representing
fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued upon conversion of Series E
Preferred Stock. Instead of any fractional share of Common Stock that would
otherwise be issuable upon conversion of any shares of Series E Preferred Stock,
the Corporation shall pay a cash adjustment in respect of such fractional
interest in an amount equal to the same fraction of the Closing Price of a share
of Common Stock (or, if there is no such Closing Price, the fair market value of
a share of

                                      -18-




<PAGE>   19



Common Stock, as determined or prescribed by the Board of Directors) at the
close of business on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of
conversion.

         e. Other Action. If the Corporation shall take any action affecting the
Common Stock, other than action described in Section 4, that in the opinion of
the Board of Directors would materially adversely affect the conversion rights
of the holders of the shares of Series E Preferred Stock, the Exchange Rate for
the Series E Preferred Stock may be adjusted, to the extent permitted by law, in
such manner, if any, and at such time, as the Board of Directors may determine
to be equitable in the circumstances.

6. VOTING RIGHTS. Other than as required by applicable law, the Series E
Preferred Stock shall not have any voting powers either general or special
except that:

         a. Unless a greater vote or consent shall then be required by law, the
affirmative vote or consent of two-thirds of the votes to which the holders of
the outstanding shares of the Series E Preferred Stock, and each other series of
Preferred Stock of the Corporation similarly affected, if any, voting together
as a single class, are entitled shall be necessary for authorizing, effecting or
validating the amendment, alteration or repeal of any of the provisions of the
Certificate of Incorporation (including any Certificate of Designations,
Preferences and Rights or any similar document relating to any series of
Preferred Stock) of the Corporation, including any amendment or supplement
thereto, if such would materially and adversely affect the preferences, rights,
powers or privileges, qualification, limitations and restrictions of the Series
E Preferred Stock and any such other series of Preferred Stock; provided,
however, that the creation, issuance or increase in the amount of authorized
shares of any series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with or junior to
the Series E Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends or upon liquidation,
dissolution or winding up will not be deemed to materially and adversely affect
such rights, powers or privileges, qualification, limitations and restrictions.

         b. Unless the vote or consent of the holders of a greater number of
shares shall then be required by law, the affirmative vote or consent of
two-thirds of the votes to which the holders of the outstanding shares of the
Series E Preferred Stock, and all other series of Preferred Stock of the
Corporation ranking on parity with shares of the Series E Preferred Stock
(either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) as to
which like voting rights have been conferred, voting together as a single class,
are entitled shall be necessary to create, authorize or issue, or reclassify any
authorized stock of the Corporation into, or create, authorize or issue any
obligation or security convertible into or evidencing a right to purchase, any
shares of any class or series of stock of the Corporation ranking prior to the
Series E Preferred Stock or ranking prior to any other class or series of
Preferred Stock of the Corporation which ranks on a parity with the Series E
Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

         c. Whenever, at any time or times, dividends payable on the shares of
Series E Preferred Stock shall be in arrears in an amount equal to at least six
full quarterly dividends on shares of the Series E Preferred Stock at the time
outstanding, the holders of the outstanding

                                      -19-




<PAGE>   20



shares of Series E Preferred Stock shall have the exclusive right, voting
together as a class with holders of shares of any one or more other series of
Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with the Series E Preferred Stock (either as
to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) upon which like
voting rights have been conferred and are then exercisable, to elect two (2)
directors of the Corporation for one-year terms at the Corporation's next annual
meeting of stockholders and at each subsequent annual meeting of stockholders.
If the right to elect directors shall have accrued to the holders of the Series
E Preferred Stock more than 90 days prior to the date established for the next
annual meeting of stockholders, the President of the Corporation shall, within
20 days after delivery to the Corporation at its principal office of a written
request for a special meeting signed by the holders of at least 10% of all
outstanding shares of the Series E Preferred Stock, call a special meeting of
the holders of Series E Preferred Stock to be held within 60 days after the
delivery of such request for the purpose of electing such additional directors.
Upon the vesting of such right of the holders of Series E Preferred Stock, the
maximum authorized number of members of the Board of Directors shall
automatically be increased by two and the two vacancies so created shall be
filled by vote of the holders of the outstanding shares of Series E Preferred
Stock (either alone or together with the holders of shares of any one or more
other such series of Preferred Stock entitled to vote in such election) as set
forth above. The right of the holders of Series E Preferred Stock to elect
members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation as aforesaid shall continue
until such time as all dividends in arrears on the Series E Preferred Stock
shall have been paid in full or declared and set apart for payment, at which
time such right shall terminate, except as herein or by law expressly provided,
subject to revesting in the event of each and every subsequent default of the
character above described.

         d. Upon termination of such special voting rights attributable to all
holders of the Series E Preferred Stock and any other such series of Preferred
Stock ranking on a parity with the Series E Preferred Stock as to dividends or
upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up and upon which like voting rights
have been conferred and are exercisable, the term of office of each director
elected by the holders of shares of Series E Preferred Stock and such parity
Preferred Stock (a "Preferred Stock Director") pursuant to such special voting
rights shall immediately terminate and the number of directors constituting the
entire Board of Directors shall be reduced by the number of Preferred Stock
Directors. Any Preferred Stock Director may be removed by, and shall not be
removed otherwise than by, a majority of the votes to which the holders of the
outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock and all other such series of
Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with the Series E Preferred Stock with
respect to dividends who were entitled to participate in such Preferred Stock
Directors election, voting as a single class, are entitled. If the office of any
Preferred Stock Director becomes vacant by reason of death, resignation,
retirement, disqualification, removal from office, or otherwise, the remaining
Preferred Stock Director may choose a successor who shall hold office for the
unexpired term in respect of which such vacancy occurred.

         e. In connection with any right to vote, each holder of Series E
Preferred Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share held (the holders
of shares of any other series of Preferred Stock

                                      -20-




<PAGE>   21



being entitled to such number of votes, if any, for each share of stock held as
may be granted to them).

7. RANKING. The Common Stock shall rank junior to the Series E Preferred Stock
as to dividends and upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, as described in
Sections 2 and 3. Any other class or series of stock of the Corporation shall be
deemed to rank:

         a. prior to the Series E Preferred Stock, as to dividends or upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up as described in Section 3, respectively,
if the holders of such class shall be entitled to the receipt of dividends or of
amounts distributable upon such a liquidation, dissolution or winding up, as the
case may be, in preference or priority to the holders of the Series E Preferred
Stock;

         b. on a parity with the Series E Preferred Stock, as to dividends or
upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up as described in section 3,
respectively, whether or not the dividend rates, dividend payment dates or
redemption or liquidation prices per share thereof be different from those of
the Series E Preferred Stock, if the holders of such class of stock and the
Series E Preferred Stock shall be entitled to the receipt of dividends or of
amounts distributable upon such a liquidation, dissolution or winding up, as the
case may be, in proportion to their respective amounts of accrued and unpaid
dividends per share or liquidation prices, without preference or priority one
over the other; and

         c. junior to the Series E Preferred Stock, as to dividends or upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up as described in section 3, respectively,
if the holders of Series E Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receipt of
dividends or of amounts distributable upon such a liquidation, dissolution or
winding up, as the case may be, in preference or priority to the holders of
shares of such stock.

8. DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Certificate of Designations, Preferences
and Rights of Series E Preferred Stock, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:

         a. "Automatic Conversion" is defined in Section 4(a).

         b. "Automatic Conversion Date" shall mean the third anniversary of the
Initial Issuance Date.

         c. "Base Number" shall mean the number derived from dividing $100 by
the Initial Common Stock Price.

         d. "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday, or
a day on which banking institutions in the State of New York or The Commonwealth
of Massachusetts are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close
or a day which is or is declared a national or New York or Massachusetts state
holiday.

                                      -21-




<PAGE>   22



         e. "Closing Price" with respect to any securities on any day shall mean
the closing sale price regular way on such day or, in case no such sale takes
place on such day, the average of the reported closing bid and asked prices,
regular way, in each case on the New York Stock Exchange, or, if such security
is not listed or admitted to trading on such Exchange, on the principal national
securities exchange or quotation system on which such security is quoted or
listed or admitted to trading, or, if not quoted or listed or admitted to
trading on any national securities exchange or quotation system, the average of
the closing bid and asked prices of such security on the over-the-counter market
on the day in question as reported by the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System, or a similarly generally accepted
reporting service, or if not so available, in such manner as furnished by any
New York Stock Exchange member firm selected from time to time by the Board of
Directors for that purpose.

         f. "Current Market Price" shall mean the average of the daily Closing
Prices per share of Common Stock for the ten consecutive Trading Days
immediately prior to the date in question, provided, however, that, if any event
that results in an adjustment of the Exchange Rate occurs during the period
beginning on the first day of such ten-day period and ending on the applicable
conversion date, the Current Market Price as determined pursuant to the
foregoing shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect the occurrence of such
event.

         g. The "Exchange Rate" shall be equal to (a) if the Current Market
Price on the date of determination is equal to or greater than 120% of the
Initial Common Stock Price (the "Threshold Common Stock Price"), the number of
shares of Common Stock equal to 0.83333333 of the Base Number (the "Upper
Exchange Rate"), (b) if the Current Market Price on the date of determination is
less than the Threshold Common Stock Price but greater than the Initial Common
Stock Price, the number of shares of Common Stock having a value (determined at
the Current Market Price) equal to the Initial Preferred Stock Price (the
"Middle Exchange Rate"), and (c) if the Current Market Price on the date of
determination is equal to or less than the Initial Common Stock Price, a number
of shares of Common Stock (the "Lower Exchange Rate") equal to the Base Number;
provided that for all purposes relating to optional conversion by a holder
pursuant to Section 4(b) the Exchange Rate shall be equal to the Upper Exchange
Rate. The Exchange Rate is subject to adjustment as set forth in Section 4(d).

         h. "Fair Market Value" on any day shall mean the average of the daily
Closing Prices of a share of Common Stock of the Corporation on the five (5)
consecutive Trading Days selected by the Corporation commencing not more than 20
Trading Days before, and ending not later than, the earlier of the day in
question and the day before the "ex" date with respect to the issuance or
distribution requiring such computation. The term "'ex' date", when used with
respect to any issuance or distribution, means the first day on which the Common
Stock trades regular way, without the right to receive such issuance or
distribution, on the exchange or in the market, as the case may be, used to
determine that day's Closing Price.

                                      -22-




<PAGE>   23



         i. "Full Cumulative Dividends" shall mean, with respect to the Series E
Preferred Stock, or any other capital stock of the Corporation, as of any date
the aggregate amount of all then accumulated, accrued and unpaid dividends
payable on such shares of Series E Preferred Stock, or other capital stock, as
the case may be, in cash, whether or not earned or declared and whether or not
there shall be funds legally available for the payment thereof.

         j. "Initial Common Stock Price" shall mean $15.4375 per share of Common
Stock.

         k. "Initial Issuance Date" shall mean the date on which shares of
Series E Preferred Stock are initially issued by the Company.

         l. "Initial Preferred Stock Price" shall mean $100 per share.

         m. "Lower Exchange Rate" is defined in the definition of "Exchange
Rate".

         n. "Middle Exchange Rate" is defined in the definition of "Exchange
Rate".

         o. "Optional Conversion" is defined in Section 4(b).

         p. "Optional Conversion Date" is defined in Section 4(b).

         q. "Record Date" shall mean, with respect to any dividend, distribution
or other transaction or event in which the holders of Common Stock have the
right to receive any cash, securities or other property or in which the Common
Stock (or other applicable security) is exchanged or converted into any
combination of cash, securities or other property, the date fixed for
determination of stockholders entitled to receive such cash, securities of other
property (whether such dated is fixed by the Board of Directors or by statute,
contract or otherwise), and with respect to any subdivision or combination of
the Common Stock, the effective date of such subdivision or combination.

         r. "Rights" shall mean the rights of the Corporation which are issuable
under the Rights Agreement, or rights to purchase any capital stock of the
Corporation under any successor shareholder rights plan or plan adopted in
replacement of the Rights Agreement.

         s. "Rights Agreement" shall mean any agreement similar to the
Corporation's previous Rights Agreement dated as of April 26, 1988 between the
Corporation and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Rights Agent, as the
same may be amended from time to time.

         t. [omitted].

         u. [omitted].

         v. [omitted].

                                      -23-




<PAGE>   24



         w. "Threshold Common Stock Price" is defined in the definition of
"Exchange Rate".

         x. "Trading Day" shall mean (x) if the applicable security is listed or
admitted for trading on the New York Stock Exchange or another national
securities exchange, a day on which the New York Stock Exchange or such other
national securities exchange is open for business or (y) if the applicable
security is quoted on the National Market System of the National Association of
Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System, a day on which trades may be made
on such National Market System or (z) if the applicable security is not so
listed, admitted for trading or quoted, any day other than a Saturday or Sunday
or a day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized
or obligated by law or executive order to close.

         y. "Transfer Agent" shall mean State Street Bank and Trust Company, or
any other national or state bank or trust company having combined capital and
surplus of at least $100,000,000 and designated by the Corporation as the
transfer agent and/or registrar of the Series E Preferred Stock, or if no such
designation is made, the Corporation.

         z. "Upper Exchange Rate" is defined in the definition of "Exchange
Rate".

         FIFTH: The minimum amount of capital with which this corporation will
commence business is one thousand dollars ($1,000.).

         The board of directors, without the assent of or other action by the
stockholders, may from time to time authorize the issue and sale of shares of
stock of this corporation now or hereafter authorized, for such consideration
and upon such terms as the board may determine.

         SIXTH: This corporation is to have perpetual existence.

         SEVENTH: The private property of the stockholders shall not be subject
to the payment of corporate debts.

         EIGHTH: The following provisions are inserted for the regulation and
conduct of the affairs of this corporation, and it is expressly provided that
they are intended to be in furtherance and not in limitation or exclusion of the
powers elsewhere conferred herein or in the by-laws or conferred by law:

         (a) Except as may be otherwise expressly required by law or by other
provisions of this certificate of incorporation or by the by-laws, the board of
directors shall have and may exercise, transact, manage, promote and carry on
all of the powers, authorities, businesses, objects and purposes of this
corporation.

         (b) Certain Provisions Relating to Nomination, Election and Removal of
Directors.

                                      -24-




<PAGE>   25



                  1.       ELECTION OF DIRECTORS. Elections of directors need
                           not be by written ballot unless the by-laws shall so
                           provide. No director need be a stockholder.

                  2.       NUMBER, ELECTION AND TERMS OF DIRECTORS. Except as
                           otherwise fixed pursuant to the provisions of Article
                           FOURTH hereof relating to the rights of the holders
                           of any class or series of stock having a preference
                           over the Common Stock as to dividends or upon
                           liquidation to elect additional directors under
                           specified circumstances, the number of directors of
                           the Corporation shall be fixed from time to time by
                           or pursuant to the by-laws. The directors, other than
                           those who may be elected by the holders of any class
                           or series of stock having preference over the Common
                           Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation, shall be
                           classified, with respect to the time for which they
                           severally hold office, into three classes, designated
                           Class I, Class II and Class III, as nearly equal in
                           number as possible, with the term of office of one
                           Class expiring each year. At the annual meeting of
                           stockholders in 1985, directors of Class I shall be
                           elected to hold office for a term expiring at the
                           next succeeding annual meeting, directors of Class II
                           shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring
                           at the second succeeding annual meeting, and
                           directors of Class III shall be elected to hold
                           office for a term expiring at the third succeeding
                           annual meeting, with the members of each Class to
                           hold office until their successors are elected and
                           qualified. At each subsequent annual meeting of the
                           stockholders of the Corporation, the successors to
                           the Class of directors whose term expires at such
                           meeting shall be elected to hold office for a term
                           expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders held
                           in the third year following the year of their
                           election.

                  3.       STOCKHOLDER NOMINATION OF DIRECTOR CANDIDATES.
                           Advance notice of nominations for the election of
                           directors, other than by the Board of Directors or a
                           Committee thereof, shall be given in the manner
                           provided in the by-laws.

                  4.       NEWLY CREATED DIRECTORSHIPS AND VACANCIES. Except as
                           otherwise fixed pursuant to the provisions of Article
                           FOURTH hereof relating to the rights of the holders
                           of any class or series of stock having a preference
                           over the Common Stock as to dividends or upon
                           liquidation to elect directors under specified
                           circumstances, newly created directorships resulting
                           from any increase in the number of directors and any
                           vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from
                           death, resignation, disqualification, removal or
                           other cause shall be filled solely by the affirmative
                           vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in
                           office, even though less than a quorum of the Board
                           of Directors, or by a sole

                                      -25-




<PAGE>   26



                           remaining director. Any director elected in
                           accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold
                           office for the remainder of the full term of the
                           Class of directors in which the new directorship was
                           created or the vacancy occurred and until such
                           director's successor shall have been elected and
                           qualified. No decrease in the number of directors
                           constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the
                           term of any incumbent director.

                  5.       REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS. Except as otherwise fixed
                           pursuant to the provisions of Article FOURTH hereof
                           relating to the rights of the holders of any class or
                           series of stock having a preference over the Common
                           Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation to elect
                           directors under specified circumstances, any director
                           may be removed from office without cause only by the
                           affirmative vote of the holders of 66-2/3% of the
                           combined voting power of the then outstanding shares
                           of stock entitled to vote generally in the election
                           of directors voting together as a single class.

         (c) By-laws. The Board of Directors and the stockholders shall each
have the power to adopt, alter, amend and repeal the by-laws; and any by-laws
adopted by the directors or the stockholders under the powers conferred hereby
may be altered, amended or repealed by the directors or by the stockholders;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the by-laws shall not be altered, amended or repealed by
action of the stockholders, and no by-law shall be adopted by action of the
stockholders, without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66-2/3% of
the voting power of all the shares of the Corporation entitled to vote generally
in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

         (d) The board of directors may at any time set apart out of any of the
funds of this corporation available for dividends a reserve or reserves for any
proper purpose and may at any time reduce or abolish any such reserve. Any other
proper reserves may also be carried.

         (e) This corporation may purchase, hold, sell and transfer shares of
its own capital stock, but shall not use its funds or property for the purchase
of its own shares of capital stock when such use would cause any impairment of
the capital of this corporation, subject always to the right of this corporation
to reduce its capital or to redeem any preferred or special shares out of
capital as permitted by law. Shares of its own capital stock belonging to this
corporation shall not be voted upon directly or indirectly. The purchase,
acquisition or holding by this corporation of shares of its own capital stock
shall not be deemed to constitute the retirement of such shares or a reduction
of capital except as such shares are formally retired or the capital is formally
reduced in accordance with the provisions of law therefor.

         (f) Nothing in this certificate of incorporation shall be deemed to
prohibit the reissue of any shares of capital stock of this corporation retired
or reduced upon or in connection with any reduction of capital, but upon the
filing and recording of the certificate of reduction such

                                      -26-




<PAGE>   27



shares shall have the status of authorized and unissued shares of the class of
stock to which such shares belong, if and to the extent permitted by law. So far
as permitted by law the stockholders or board of directors authorizing or
effectuating any reduction of capital may determine the manner in which such
reduction shall be effected and the extent, if any, to which any assets shall be
distributed to stockholders, and except as and to the extent that such a
distribution is so authorized or provided for, no stockholder shall be entitled
to demand any distribution of assets in connection with or as the result of any
reduction of capital.

         (g) The board of directors may from time to time determine whether and
to what extent and at what times and places and under what conditions and
regulations the accounts and books and papers of this corporation, or any of
them, shall be open to the inspection of the stockholders, and no stockholder
shall have any right to inspect any account, book or document of this
corporation, except as and to the extent expressly provided by law with
reference to the right of stockholders to examine the original or duplicate
stock ledger, or as otherwise expressly provided by law, or except as expressly
authorized by resolution of the board of directors.

         (h) The board of directors shall have the power to fix from time to
time the compensation of its members. No person shall be disqualified from
holding any office by reason of any interest. In the absence of fraud or bad
faith, any director, officer or stockholder of this corporation individually, or
any individual having any interest in any concern which is a stockholder of this
corporation, or any concern in which any such directors, officers, stockholders
or individuals have any interest, may be a party to, or may be pecuniarily or
otherwise interested in, any contract, transaction or other act of this
corporation, and

(i)               such contract, transaction or act shall not be in any way
                  invalidated or otherwise affected by that fact;

(ii)              no such director, officer, or stockholder shall be liable to
                  account to this corporation for any profit or benefit realized
                  through any such contract, transaction or act; and

(iii)             any such director of this corporation may be counted in
                  determining the existence of a quorum at any meeting of the
                  board of directors or of any committee thereof which shall
                  authorize any such contract, transaction or act, and may vote
                  to authorize the same,

provided, however, that any contract, transaction or act in which any director
or officer of this corporation is so interested individually or as a director,
officer, trustee or member of any concern which is not a subsidiary or affiliate
of this corporation, or in which any directors or officers, respectively, are so
interested as holders, collectively, of a majority of shares of capital stock or
other beneficial interest at the time outstanding in any concern which is not a
subsidiary or affiliate of this corporation, shall be duly authorized or
ratified by a majority of

                                      -27-




<PAGE>   28



the board of directors who are not so interested and to whom the nature of such
interest has been disclosed. With respect to the matters herein contained,

(a)      the word "interest" shall include personal interest and interest as a
         director, officer, stockholder, shareholder, trustee, member or
         beneficiary of any concern;

(b)      the word "concern" shall mean any corporation, association, trust,
         partnership, firm, person or other entity other than this corporation;
         and

(c)      the phrase "subsidiary or affiliate" shall mean a concern in which a
         majority of the directors, trustees, partners or controlling persons
         are elected or appointed by the directors of this corporation, or are
         constituted of the directors or officers of this corporation.

To the extent permitted by law, the authorizing or ratifying vote of a majority
in interest of each class of the capital stock of this corporation outstanding
and entitled to vote for directors at an annual meeting or a special meeting
duly called for the purpose (whether such vote is passed before or after
judgment rendered in a suit with respect to such contract, transaction or act)
shall validate any contract, transaction or act of this corporation, or of the
board of directors or any committee thereof, with regard to all stockholders of
this corporation, whether or not of record at the time of such vote, and with
regard to all creditors and other claimants under this corporation, provided,
however, that with respect to the authorization or ratification of contracts,
transactions or acts in which any of the directors, officers or stockholders of
this corporation have an interest, the nature of such contracts, transactions or
acts and the interest of any director, officer or stockholder therein shall be
summarized in the notice of any such annual or special meeting, or in a
statement or letter accompanying such notice, and shall be fully disclosed at
any such meeting, and provided also that stockholders so interested may vote at
any such meeting, and provided further that any failure of the stockholders to
authorize or ratify such contract, transaction or act shall not be deemed in any
way to invalidate the same or to deprive this corporation, its directors,
officers or employees of its or their right to proceed with such contract,
transaction or act.

No contract, transaction or act shall be avoided by reason of any provision of
this clause (h) which would be valid but for those provisions.

         (i) The Corporation shall indemnify each person who is or was a
director or officer of this Corporation against expenses (including attorney's
fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement to the maximum extent
permitted from time to time under the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware. Such indemnification shall not be exclusive of other indemnification
rights arising under any by-law, agreement, vote of directors or stockholders or
otherwise and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs and legal representatives
of such person.

         (j) [omitted].

                                      -28-




<PAGE>   29



         (k) Stockholder Action. Any action required or permitted to be taken by
the stockholders of the Corporation, or any class or series thereof, must be
effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of such holders and may not
be effected by any consent in writing by such holders. Except as otherwise
required by law and subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series
of stock having a preference over the Common Stock as to dividends or upon
liquidation, special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may be called
only by the Chairman of the Board, the President or the Board of Directors
pursuant to a resolution approved by a majority of the entire Board of
Directors.

         (l) Certain Amendments, etc. Notwithstanding anything contained in this
Certificate of Incorporation to the contrary, the affirmative vote of the
holders of at least 66-2/3% of the voting power of all shares of the Corporation
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a
single class, shall be required to alter, amend, adopt any provision
inconsistent with, or repeal, paragraphs (b), (c), (k) or this paragraph (1) of
this Article EIGHTH or any provision hereof or thereof.

         (m) A director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the
Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary
duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director's
duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or
omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing
violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation
Law, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper
personal benefit. If the Delaware General Corporation Law is amended after
approval by the stockholders of this provision to authorize corporate action
further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the
liability of a director of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the
full extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as so amended.

         Any repeal or modification of the foregoing paragraph by the
stockholders of the Corporation shall not adversely affect any right or
protection of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal
or modification.

         NINTH: Subject to the applicable provisions (if any) of this
certificate of incorporation, this corporation reserves the right to amend,
alter, change, add to or repeal any provision contained in this certificate of
incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by law.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, The TJX Companies, Inc. has caused this certificate
to be signed by DONALD G. CAMPBELL, its EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, and its
corporate seal affixed hereto, this 4th day of September, 1997. This Restated
Certificate of Incorporation was duly adopted in accordance with the provisions
of section 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, and only
restates and integrates and does not further amend the provisions of the
Corporation's certificate of incorporation as heretofore amended or
supplemented. There is no discrepancy between the provisions of the certificate
of

                                      -29-




<PAGE>   30



incorporation as heretofore amended or supplemented and the provisions of this
restated certificate of incorporation. This certificate is to be filed with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, and recorded with the Recorder of
Deeds of New Castle County, Delaware, pursuant to Sections 103 and 245 of the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

                                    THE TJX COMPANIES, INC.


                                    By /s/ Donald G. Campbell
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Name: Donald G. Campbell
                                       Title: Executive Vice President



                                      -30-




<PAGE>   31



                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

                                       OF

                   THIRD RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

                                       OF

                             THE TJX COMPANIES, INC.

                                    * * * * *

Pursuant to Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of
the State of Delaware

         I, Donald G. Campbell, Executive Vice President-Finance and Chief
Financial Officer of The TJX Companies, Inc. (the "Corporation"), a corporation
organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, do hereby
certify under the seal of the Corporation as follows:

1.       The Third Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation is
         hereby amended by striking out the first paragraph of Article Fourth as
         it now exists and inserting a new first paragraph of Article Fourth, in
         lieu and instead thereof, to read as follows:

         "FOURTH: The total number of shares of capital stock of all classes
         which this Corporation shall have authority to issue shall be six
         hundred five million (605,000,000) shares, consisting of six hundred
         million (600,000,000) shares of Common Stock of the par value of one
         dollar ($1.00) per share, amounting in the aggregate to six hundred
         million dollars ($600,000,000), and five million (5,000,000) shares of
         Preferred Stock of the par value of one dollar ($1.00) per share,
         amounting in the aggregate to five million dollars ($5,000,000)."

2.       The Board of Directors of the Corporation at a meeting held on April 8,
         1998 unanimously recommended that the foregoing amendment be adopted by
         the stockholders and the foregoing amendment has been duly adopted by
         the vote of a majority of the shares of outstanding Common Stock of the
         Corporation entitled to vote thereon at the Annual Meeting of
         Stockholders of the Corporation held on June 2, 1998.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand and the seal of the
Corporation this 2nd day of June, 1998.


                                    /s/ Donald G. Campbell
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Donald G. Campbell
                                    Executive Vice President-Finance and
(Corporate Seal)                    Chief Financial Officer


                                      -31-




<PAGE>   32


                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

                                       OF

                   THIRD RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

                                       OF

                             THE TJX COMPANIES, INC.

                                    * * * * *

            Pursuant to Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of
                              the State of Delaware


         I, Donald G. Campbell, Executive Vice President-Finance and Chief
Financial Officer of The TJX Companies, Inc. (the "Corporation"), a corporation
organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, do hereby
certify under the seal of the Corporation as follows:

1.       The Third Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation is
         hereby amended by striking out the first paragraph of Article Fourth as
         it now exists and inserting a new first paragraph of Article Fourth, in
         lieu and instead thereof, to read as follows:

         "FOURTH: The total number of shares of capital stock of all classes
         which this Corporation shall have authority to issue shall be one
         billion two hundred and five million (1,205,000,000) shares, consisting
         of one billion two hundred million (1,200,000,000) shares of Common
         Stock of the par value of one dollar ($1.00) per share, amounting in
         the aggregate to one billion two hundred million dollars
         ($1,200,000,000), and five million (5,000,000) shares of Preferred
         Stock of the par value of one dollar ($1.00) per share, amounting in
         the aggregate to five million dollars ($5,000,000)."

2.       The Board of Directors of the Corporation at a meeting held on April
         13, 1999 unanimously recommended that the foregoing amendment be
         adopted by the stockholders and the foregoing amendment has been duly
         adopted by the vote of a majority of the shares of outstanding Common
         Stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon at the Annual Meeting
         of Stockholders of the Corporation held on June 8, 1999.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand and the seal of the
Corporation this 8th day of June, 1999.

                                    /s/ Donald G. Campbell
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Donald G. Campbell
                                    Executive Vice President-Finance and
(Corporate Seal)                    Chief Financial Officer



                                      -32-








<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE STATEMENTS OF
INCOME AND BALANCE SHEETS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-29-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-29-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-01-1999
<CASH>                                     309,362,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               92,810,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                              1,436,641,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                         1,889,228,000
<PP&E>                                   1,416,615,000
<DEPRECIATION>                             652,772,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                           2,918,845,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                    1,481,196,000
<BONDS>                                    220,287,000
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                   318,984,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 898,378,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>             2,918,845,000
<SALES>                                  1,952,084,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                         1,952,084,000
<CGS>                                    1,431,479,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                            1,431,479,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                           310,676,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           (734,000)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            210,663,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                83,001,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        127,662,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               127,662,000
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .40
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .39


</TABLE>


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