<PAGE> 1
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-A
FOR REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN CLASSES OF SECURITIES
PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
MEDEX, INC.
Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter
Ohio 31-4441680
State of incorporation or organization I.R.S. Employer Identification No.
3637 Lacon Road, Hilliard, Ohio 43026
Address of principal executive offices Zip Code
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
None
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock Purchase Rights
(Title of Class)
<PAGE> 2
Item 1. Description of Securities to be Registered.
-------------------------------------------
On October 12, 1995, the Board of Directors of Medex, Inc. (the
"Company") declared a dividend distribution of one Right ("Right") for each
outstanding share of the Company's Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the
"Common Stock"), to shareholders of record at the close of business on October
26, 1995 ("Record Date"). Each Right entitles the registered holder to
purchase from the Company one share of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share,
at a Purchase Price of $60 ("the Purchase Price"), subject to adjustment. The
Purchase Price shall be paid in cash. The description and terms of the Rights
are set forth in a Rights Agreement (the "Rights Agreement") between the
Company and Huntington National Bank, as Rights Agent.
Initially, the Rights will be attached to all Common Stock
certificates representing shares then outstanding, and no separate Rights
Certificates will be distributed. The Rights will separate from the Common
Stock and a "Distribution Date" will occur upon the earlier of (i) 10 days
following a public announcement that a person or group of affiliated or
associated persons (an "Acquiring Person") has acquired, or obtained the right
to acquire, beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock (the "Stock Acquisition Date"), or (ii) 10 business days following
the commencement of a tender offer or exchange offer that would result in a
person or group beneficially owning 20% or more of such outstanding shares of
Common Stock. Until the Distribution Date, (i) the Rights will be evidenced by
the Common Stock certificates and will be transferred with and only with such
Common Stock certificates, (ii) new Common Stock certificates issued after
October 26, 1995 will contain a notation incorporating the Rights Agreement by
reference and (iii) the surrender for transfer of any certificates for Common
Stock outstanding will also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated
with the Common Stock represented by such certificate.
The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date and
will expire at the close of business on October 26, 2005, unless earlier
redeemed by the Company as described below.
As soon as practicable after the Distribution Date, Rights
Certificates will be mailed to holders of record of the Common Stock as of the
close of business on the Distribution Date and, thereafter, the separate Rights
Certificates alone will represent the Rights. Except as otherwise determined
by the Board of Directors, only shares of Common Stock issued prior to the
Distribution Date will be issued with Rights.
In the event that, at any time following the Distribution
Date, (i) the Company is the surviving corporation in a merger with an
Acquiring Person or an associate or affiliate of an Acquiring Person and its
Common Stock is not changed or exchanged, or (ii) a person or group of
affiliated or associated persons becomes the beneficial owner of 20% or more of
the then outstanding shares of Common Stock (except pursuant to a tender offer
or exchange offer for all outstanding shares of Common Stock approved by a
majority of the Board of Directors who are not associated with an Acquiring
Person, the "Continuing Directors"), or (iii) during such time as there is an
Acquiring Person, an event occurs which results in such Acquiring Person's
ownership interest being increased by more than 1% (e.g., a reverse stock
split), or (iv) in the event of certain transactions between an Acquiring
Person or an Affiliate of an
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Acquiring Person and the Company, each holder of a Right will thereafter have
the right to receive, upon exercise, Common Stock having a value equal to two
times the exercise price of the Right (or, in certain circumstances, cash,
property or other securities of the Company) or, in certain circumstances, each
holder of a Right, for each Right held, will have the right to purchase one
share of Common Stock for a price equal to $1.00. Notwithstanding any of the
foregoing, following the occurrence of any of the events set forth in this
paragraph, all Rights that are, or (under certain circumstances specified in
the Rights Agreement) were, beneficially owned by any Acquiring Person will be
null and void. However, Rights are not exercisable following the occurrence of
any of the events set forth above until such time as the Rights are no longer
redeemable by the Company as set forth below.
For example, at an exercise price of $50 per Right, each Right
not owned by an Acquiring Person (or by certain related parties) following an
event set forth in the preceding paragraph would entitle its holder to purchase
$100 worth of Common Stock (or other consideration, as noted above) for $50.
Assuming that the Common Stock had a per share value of $10.00 at such time,
the holder of each valid Right would be entitled to purchase 10 shares of
Common Stock for $50. Fractional shares will not be issued. In lieu of
fractional shares of Common Stock, the Company may pay to the registered holder
of Rights Certificates at the time such Rights are exercised an amount in cash
equal to the same fraction of the current market value of one share of Common
Stock.
In the event that, at any time following the Stock Acquisition
Date, (i) the Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination
transaction in which the Company is not the surviving corporation (other than a
merger described in the second preceding paragraph), (ii) the Company is the
surviving corporation in a merger or consolidation with another person and all
or part of its Common Stock is changed or exchanged, or (iii) 50% or more of
the Company's assets or earning power is sold or transferred, each holder of a
Right (except Rights which previously have been voided as set forth above)
shall thereafter have the right to receive, upon exercise, common stock of the
acquiring company having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the
Right. The events set forth in this paragraph and in the second preceding
paragraph are referred to as the "Triggering Events."
The Purchase Price payable, and the number of shares of Common
Stock or other securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the Rights are
subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution (i) in the event of
a stock dividend on, or a subdivision, combination or reclassification of, the
Common Stock, (ii) if holders of the Common Stock are granted certain rights or
warrants to subscribe for Common Stock or convertible securities at less than
the current market price of the Common Stock, or (iii) upon the distribution to
holders of the Common Stock of evidences of indebtedness or assets (excluding
regular semiannual cash dividends) or of subscription rights or warrants (other
than those referred to above).
With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Purchase Price
will be required until cumulative adjustments amount to at least 1% of the
Purchase Price. No fractional shares will be issued and, in lieu thereof, an
adjustment in cash will be made based on the market price of the Common Stock
on the last trading date prior to the date of exercise.
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<PAGE> 4
At any time until ten (10) days following the Stock
Acquisition Date (as such period may be extended by the Company pursuant to the
Rights Agreement), the Company may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part,
at a price of $.01 per Right provided that in certain circumstances such
redemption will require the concurrence of a majority of the Continuing
Directors. After this 10-day period has expired, this right of redemption may
be reinstated if an Acquiring Person reduces his beneficial ownership to 10% or
less of the outstanding shares of Common Stock in a transaction or series of
transactions not involving the Company and there are no other Acquiring
Persons. After the above 10-day period expires and prior to the occurrence of
a Triggering Event, the Company may redeem the Rights provided that such
redemption is incidental to a merger, consolidation or other business
combination involving the Company or a reorganization or restructuring of the
Company which is approved by a majority of the Continuing Directors.
Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors ordering redemption of
the Rights, the Rights will terminate and the only right of the holders of
Rights will be to receive the $.01 redemption price.
Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will
have no rights as a shareholder of the Company, including, without limitation,
the right to vote or to receive dividends. While the distribution of the
Rights will not be taxable to shareholders or to the Company, shareholders may,
depending upon the circumstances, recognize taxable income in the event that
the Rights become exercisable for Common Stock (or other consideration) of the
Company or for common stock of the acquiring company as set forth above.
The Rights Agreement may be amended in certain instances so
long as there are Continuing Directors and a majority of such Continuing
Directors votes in favor of the proposed amendment. Other than those
provisions relating to the principal economic terms of the Rights, any of the
provisions of the Rights Agreement may be amended prior to the Distribution
Date. After the Distribution Date, the provisions of the Rights Agreement may
be amended in order to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any
provision contained in the Rights Agreement which is defective or inconsistent
with another provision therein, to make changes which do not adversely affect
the interests of holders of Rights (excluding the interests of any Acquiring
Person), or to shorten or lengthen any time period under the Rights Agreement;
provided however, that no amendment to adjust the time period governing
redemption shall be made at such time as the Rights are not redeemable and no
amendment shall be made to lengthen any other time period unless such
lengthening is for the purpose of protecting, enhancing or clarifying the
rights of, and/or the benefits to, the holders of the common equity of the
Company, including the holders of the Rights.
The Rights Agreement between the Company and the Rights Agent
specifying the term of the Rights, which includes as Exhibit A the Form of
Rights Certificate, is attached hereto as Exhibit 1 and is incorporated herein
by reference. The foregoing description of the Rights does not purport to be
complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such Exhibits.
As of September 25, 1995, there were 6,164,485 shares of
Common Stock issued and outstanding and as of June 30, 1995 2,205,958 shares of
Common Stock reserved for issuance under employee benefit plans and the
non-employee director stock option plans. Each outstanding share of Common
Stock on October 26, 1995, will receive one Right. As long as the Rights are
attached
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<PAGE> 5
to the Common Stock, the Company will issue one Right for each share of Common
Stock issued between the Record Date and the Distribution. 8,522,000 shares of
Common Stock have been reserved for issuance upon exercise of the Rights.
The Rights have certain anti-takeover effects. The Rights
will cause substantial dilution to a person or group that attempts to acquire
the Company without conditioning the offer on a substantial number of Rights
being acquired. However, the Rights should not interfere with any merger or
other business combination approved by a majority of the Continuing Directors.
Item 2. Exhibits.
---------
1. Rights Agreement, dated as of October 12, 1995,
between Medex, Inc. and Huntington National Bank,
which includes as Exhibit A thereto the Form of
Rights Certificate. Pursuant to the Rights
Agreement, the Rights Certificates will not be mailed
until after the earlier of (i) 10 days following a
public announcement that a person or group of
affiliated or associated persons has acquired, or
obtained the right to acquire, beneficial ownership
of 15% or more of the outstanding shares of Common
Stock, or (ii) 10 business days following the
commencement of a tender offer or exchange offer that
would result in a person or group beneficially owning
20% or more of such outstanding shares of Common
Stock.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly
authorized.
MEDEX, INC.
(Registrant)
By: /s/ Bradley P. Gould
--------------------
Name: Bradley P. Gould
Title: Chief Executive Officer
Dated: October 20, 1995
5
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 1
MEDEX, INC.
AND
THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK,
RIGHTS AGENT
RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Dated as of October 12, 1995
<PAGE> 2
<TABLE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<CAPTION>
SECTION PAGE
------- ----
<C> <S> <C>
1. Certain Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2. Appointment of Rights Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
3. Issue of Rights Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
4. Form of Rights Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
5. Countersignature and Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
6. Transfer, Split Up, Combination and Exchange of Rights
Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Rights
Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
7. Exercise of Rights; Purchase Price; Expiration Date of Rights . . . . . 12
8. Cancellation and Destruction of Rights Certificates . . . . . . . . . . 15
9. Reservation and Availability of Capital Stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
10. Common Stock Record Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
11. Adjustment of Purchase Price, Number and Kind of Shares or
Number of Rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
12. Certificate of Adjusted Purchase Price or Number of Shares . . . . . . . 35
13. Consolidation, Merger or Sale or Transfer of Assets or Earning
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
14. Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
15. All Rights of Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
16. Agreement of Rights Holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
17. Rights Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Shareholder . . . . . . . . . . . 43
18. Concerning the Rights Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
19. Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent . . . . . . . 44
20. Duties of Rights Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 3
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SECTION PAGE
------- ----
<C> <S> <C>
21. Change of Rights Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
22. Issuance of New Rights Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
23. Redemption and Termination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
24. Notice of Certain Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
25. Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
26. Supplements and Amendments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
27. Successors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
28. Determinations and Actions by the Board of Directors, etc . . . . . . . . 57
29. Benefits of this Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
30. Severability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
31. Governing Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
32. Counterparts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
33. Descriptive Headings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Exhibit A -- Form of Rights Certificate
Exhibit B -- Form of Summary of Rights
</TABLE>
-ii-
<PAGE> 4
RIGHTS AGREEMENT
----------------
RIGHTS AGREEMENT, dated as of October 12, 1995 (the "Agreement"), between
MEDEX, INC., an Ohio corporation (the "Company"), and The Huntington National
Bank, a national banking association (the "Rights Agent").
W I T N E S S E T H
-------------------
WHEREAS, on October 12, 1995 (the "Rights Dividend Declaration Date"), the
Board of Directors of the Company authorized and declared a dividend
distribution of one Right for each share of common stock, par value $0.01 per
share, of the Company (the "Common Stock") outstanding at the close of business
on October 26, 1995 (the "Record Date"), and has authorized the issuance of one
Right (as such number may hereinafter be adjusted pursuant to the provisions of
Section 11(p) hereof) for each share of Common Stock of the Company issued
between the Record Date (whether originally issued or delivered from the
Company's treasury) and the Distribution Date, each Right initially
representing the right to purchase of one share of Common Stock of the Company,
upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth (the
"Rights");
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements
herein set forth, the parties hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Agreement, the
following terms have the meanings indicated:
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(a) "Acquiring Person" shall mean any Person who or which,
together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, shall be the
Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding,
but shall not include the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, any employee
benefit plan of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company, or any Person
or entity organized, appointed or established by the Company for or pursuant to
the terms of any such plan.
(b) "Affiliate" and "Associate" shall have the respective meanings
ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and in effect on the date of
this Agreement (the "Exchange Act").
(c) A Person shall be deemed the "Beneficial Owner" of, and shall
be deemed to "beneficially own," any securities:
(i) which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or
Associates, directly or indirectly, has the right to acquire (whether
such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of
time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether
or not in writing) or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange
rights, rights, warrants or options, or otherwise; provided, however,
that a Person shall not be deemed the "Beneficial Owner" of, or to
"beneficially own," (A) securities acquired by participation in good
faith in a firm commitment underwriting by a Person engaged in
business as an underwriter of securities until the expiration of forty
days after the date of such acquisition, (B) securities tendered
pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by such Person or any of
such Person's Affiliates or Associates until such tendered securities
are accepted for purchase or exchange, (C) securities which such
Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates may acquire,
does or do acquire or may be deemed to
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have the right to acquire, pursuant to any merger or other acquisition
agreement between the Company and such Person (or one or more of his
Affiliates or Associates) if such agreement has been approved by a majority
of the Continuing Directors of the Company prior to such Person's becoming
an Acquiring Person; (D) securities issuable upon exercise of Rights at any
time prior to the occurrence of a Triggering Event, or (E) securities
issuable upon exercise of Rights from and after the occurrence of a
Triggering Event which Rights were acquired by such Person or any of such
Person's Affiliates or Associates prior to the Distribution Date or
pursuant to Section 3(a) or Section 22 hereof (the "Original Rights") or
pursuant to Section 11(i) hereof in connection with an adjustment made with
respect to any Original Rights;
(ii) which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or
Associates, directly or indirectly, has the right to vote or dispose of or
has "beneficial ownership" of (as determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 of the
General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act), including pursuant
to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, whether or not in writing;
PROVIDED, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the "Beneficial Owner"
of, or to "beneficially own," any security under this subparagraph (ii) as a
result of an agreement, arrangement or understanding to vote such security
if such agreement, arrangement or understanding: (A) arises solely from a
revocable proxy given in response to a public proxy or consent solicitation
made pursuant to, and in accordance with, the applicable provisions of the
General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act, and (B) is not also
then reportable by such Person on Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act (or
any comparable or successor report); or
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(iii) which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by
any other Person (or any Affiliate or Associate thereof) with which
such Person (or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates) has any
agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing),
for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except pursuant to a
revocable proxy as described in the proviso to subparagraph (ii) of
this paragraph (c)) or disposing of any voting securities of the
Company.
(d) "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday,
Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the State of Ohio are
authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
(e) "Close of Business" on any given date shall mean 5:00 P.M.,
Columbus, Ohio, time, on such date; PROVIDED, however, that if such date is not
a Business Day it shall mean 5:00 P.M., Columbus, Ohio, time, on the next
succeeding Business Day.
(f) "Common Stock" shall mean the common stock, par value $0.01
per share, of the Company, except that "Common Stock" when used with reference
to any Person other than the Company shall mean the capital stock of such
Person with the greatest voting power, or the equity securities or other equity
interest having power to control or direct the management of such Person.
(g) "Continuing Director" shall mean (i) any member of the Board
of Directors of the Company, while such Person is a member of the Board, who is
not an Acquiring Person, or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person,
or a representative of an Acquiring Person or of any such Affiliate or
Associate, and was a member of the Board prior to the date of this Agreement,
or (ii) any Person who subsequently becomes a member of the Board, while such
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<PAGE> 8
Person is a member of the Board, who is not an Acquiring Person, or an
Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person, or a representative of an
Acquiring Person or of any such Affiliate or Associate, if such Person's
nomination for election or election to the Board is recommended or approved by
a majority of the Continuing Directors.
(h) "Person" shall mean any individual, firm, corporation,
partnership or other entity.
(i) "Section 11(a)(ii) Event" shall mean any event described in
Section 11(a)(ii) (A), (B) or (C) hereof.
(j) "Section 13 Event" shall mean any event described in clauses
(x), (y) or (z) of Section 13(a) hereof.
(k) "Stock Acquisition Date" shall mean the first date of public
announcement (which, for purposes of this definition, shall include, without
limitation, a report filed pursuant to Section 13(d) under the Exchange Act) by
the Company or an Acquiring Person that an Acquiring Person has become such.
(l) "Subsidiary" shall mean, with reference to any Person, any
corporation of which an amount of voting securities sufficient to elect at
least a majority of the directors of such corporation is beneficially owned,
directly or indirectly, by such Person, or otherwise controlled by such Person.
(m) "Triggering Event" shall mean any Section 11(a)(ii) Event or
any Section 13 Event.
SECTION 2. APPOINTMENT OF RIGHTS AGENT. The Company hereby appoints the
Rights Agent to act as agent for the Company and the holders of the Rights
(who, in accordance with Section 3 hereof, shall prior to the Distribution Date
also be the holders of the Common Stock) in accordance with the terms and
conditions hereof, and the Rights Agent hereby accepts such
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<PAGE> 9
appointment. The Company may from time to time appoint such Co-Rights Agents
as it may deem necessary or desirable.
SECTION 3. ISSUE OF RIGHTS CERTIFICATES. (a) Until the earlier of (i)
the close of business on the tenth day after the Stock Acquisition Date (or, if
the tenth day after the Stock Acquisition Date occurs before the Record Date,
the close of business on the Record Date) or (ii) the close of business on the
tenth business day after the date that a tender or exchange offer by any Person
(other than the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit
plan of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company, or any Person or
entity organized, appointed or established by the Company for or pursuant to
the terms of any such plan) is first published or sent or given within the
meaning of Rule 14d-2(a) of the General Rules and Regulations under the
Exchange Act, if upon consummation thereof, such Person would be the Beneficial
Owner of 20% or more of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding (the
earlier of (i) and (ii), as either of such periods may be extended pursuant to
the provisions of Section 26 hereof, being herein referred to as the
"Distribution Date"), (x) the Rights will be evidenced (subject to the
provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section 3) by the certificates for the
Common Stock registered in the names of the holders of the Common Stock (which
certificates for Common Stock shall be deemed also to be certificates for
Rights) and not by separate certificates, and (y) the Rights will be
transferable only in connection with the transfer of the underlying shares of
Common Stock (including a transfer to the Company). As soon as practicable
after the Distribution Date, the Rights Agent will send by first-class,
insured, postage prepaid mail, to each record holder of the Common Stock as of
the close of business on the Distribution Date, at the address of such holder
shown on the records of the Company, one or more right certificates, in
substantially the form
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of Exhibit A hereto (the "Rights Certificates"), evidencing one Right for each
share of Common Stock so held, subject to adjustment as provided herein. In
the event that an adjustment in the number of Rights per share of Common Stock
has been made pursuant to Section 11(p) hereof, at the time of distribution of
the Rights Certificates, the Company shall make the necessary and appropriate
rounding adjustments (in accordance with Section 14(a) hereof) so that Rights
Certificates representing only whole numbers of Rights are distributed and cash
is paid in lieu of any fractional Rights. As of and after the Distribution
Date, the Rights will be evidenced solely by such Rights Certificates.
(b) As promptly as practicable following the Record Date, the
Company will send a copy of a Summary of Rights, in substantially the form
attached hereto as Exhibit B (the "Summary of Rights"), by first-class, postage
prepaid mail, to each record holder of the Common Stock as of the close of
business on the Record Date, at the address of such holder shown on the records
of the Company. With respect to certificates for the Common Stock outstanding
as of the Record Date, until the Distribution Date, the Rights will be
evidenced by such certificates for the Common Stock and the registered holders
of the Common Stock shall also be the registered holders of the associated
Rights. Until the earlier of the Distribution Date or the Expiration Date (as
such term is defined in Section 7 hereof), the transfer of any certificates
representing shares of Common Stock in respect of which Rights have been issued
shall also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with such shares of
Common Stock.
(c) Rights shall be issued in respect of all shares of Common
Stock which are issued after the Record Date but prior to the earlier of the
Distribution Date or the Expiration Date.
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Certificates representing such shares of Common Stock shall also be deemed to
be certificates for Rights, and shall bear the following legend:
This certificate also evidences and entitles the holder hereof to
certain Rights as set forth in the Rights Agreement between Medex, Inc.
(the "Company") and The Huntington National Bank (the "Rights Agent") dated
as of October 12, 1995 (the "Rights Agreement"), the terms of which are
hereby incorporated herein by reference and a copy of which is on file at
the principal offices of the Company. Under certain circumstances, as set
forth in the Rights Agreement, such Rights will be evidenced by separate
certificates and will no longer be evidenced by this certificate. The
Company will mail to the holder of this certificate a copy of the Rights
Agreement, as in effect on the date of mailing, without charge promptly
after receipt of a written request therefor. Under certain circumstances
set forth in the Rights Agreement, Rights issued to, or held by, any Person
who is, was or becomes an Acquiring Person or any Affiliate or Associate
thereof (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement), whether
currently held by or on behalf of such Person or by any subsequent holder,
may become null and void.
With respect to such certificates containing the foregoing legend, until the
earlier of (i) the Distribution Date or (ii) the Expiration Date, the Rights
associated with the Common Stock represented by such certificates shall be
evidenced by such certificates alone and registered holders of Common Stock
shall also be the registered holders of the associated Rights, and the transfer
of any of such certificates shall also constitute the transfer of the Rights
associated with the Common Stock represented by such certificates.
SECTION 4. FORM OF RIGHTS CERTIFICATES. (a) The Rights Certificates (and
the forms of election to purchase and of assignment to be printed on the
reverse thereof) shall each be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A
hereto and may have such marks of identification or designation and such
legends, summaries or endorsements printed thereon as the Company may deem
appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement,
or as may be required to comply with any applicable law or with any rule or
regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock
exchange on which the Rights may from time to time
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be listed, or to conform to usage. Subject to the provisions of Section 11 and
Section 22 hereof, the Rights Certificates, whenever distributed, shall be
dated as of the Record Date and on their face shall entitle the holders thereof
to purchase such number of shares of Common Stock as shall be set forth therein
at the price set forth therein (such exercise price per share, the "Purchase
Price"), but the amount and type of securities purchasable upon the exercise of
each Right and the Purchase Price thereof shall be subject to adjustment as
provided herein.
(b) Any Rights Certificate issued pursuant to Section 3(a) or
Section 22 hereof that represents Rights beneficially owned by: (i) an
Acquiring Person or any Associate or Affiliate of an Acquiring Person, (ii) a
transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any such Associate or Affiliate) who
becomes a transferee after the Acquiring Person becomes such, or (iii) a
transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any such Associate or Affiliate) who
becomes a transferee prior to or concurrently with the Acquiring Person
becoming such and receives such Rights pursuant to either (A) a transfer
(whether or not for consideration) from the Acquiring Person to holders of
equity interests in such Acquiring Person or to any Person with whom such
Acquiring Person has any continuing agreement, arrangement or understanding
regarding the transferred Rights or (B) a transfer which the Board of Directors
of the Company has determined is part of a plan, arrangement or understanding
which has as a primary purpose or effect avoidance of Section 7(e) hereof, and
any Rights Certificate issued pursuant to Section 6 or Section 11 hereof upon
transfer, exchange, replacement or adjustment of any other Rights Certificate
referred to in this sentence, shall contain (to the extent feasible) the
following legend:
The Rights represented by this Rights Certificate are or were
beneficially owned by a Person who was or became an Acquiring Person or an
Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person (as such terms are defined in
the Rights Agreement). Accordingly, this
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Rights Certificate and the Rights represented hereby may become null and
void in the circumstances specified in Section 7(e) of such Agreement.
SECTION 5. COUNTERSIGNATURE AND REGISTRATION. (a) The Rights
Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the
Board, its President or any Vice President, either manually or by facsimile
signature, and shall have affixed thereto the Company's seal or a facsimile
thereof which shall be attested by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of
the Company, either manually or by facsimile signature. The Rights
Certificates shall be manually countersigned by the Rights Agent and shall not
be valid for any purpose unless so countersigned. In case any officer of the
Company who shall have signed any of the Rights Certificates shall cease to be
such officer of the Company before countersignature by the Rights Agent and
issuance and delivery by the Company, such Rights Certificates, nevertheless,
may be countersigned by the Rights Agent and issued and delivered by the
Company with the same force and effect as though the person who signed such
Rights Certificates had not ceased to be such officer of the Company, and any
Rights Certificates may be signed on behalf of the Company by any person who,
at the actual date of the execution of such Rights Certificate, shall be a
proper officer of the Company to sign such Rights Certificate, although at the
date of the execution of this Rights Agreement any such person was not such an
officer.
(b) Following the Distribution Date, the Rights Agent will keep or
cause to be kept, at its principal office or offices designated as the
appropriate place for surrender of Rights Certificates upon exercise or
transfer, books for registration and transfer of the Rights Certificates issued
hereunder. Such books shall show the names and addresses of the respective
holders of the Rights Certificates, the number of Rights evidenced on its face
by each of the Rights Certificates and the date of each of the Rights
Certificates.
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<PAGE> 14
SECTION 6. TRANSFER, SPLIT UP, COMBINATION AND EXCHANGE OF RIGHTS
CERTIFICATES; MUTILATED, DESTROYED, LOST OR STOLEN RIGHTS CERTIFICATES. (a)
Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b), Section 7(e) and Section 14 hereof,
at any time after the close of business on the Distribution Date, and at or
prior to the close of business on the Expiration Date, any Rights Certificate
or Certificates may be transferred, split up, combined or exchanged for another
Rights Certificate or Certificates, entitling the registered holder to purchase
a like number of shares of Common Stock as the Rights Certificate or
Certificates surrendered then entitled such holder (or former holder in the
case of a transfer) to purchase. Any registered holder desiring to transfer,
split up, combine or exchange any Rights Certificate or Certificates shall make
such request in writing delivered to the Rights Agent, and shall surrender the
Rights Certificate or Certificates to be transferred, split up, combined or
exchanged at the principal office or offices of the Rights Agent designated for
such purpose. Neither the Rights Agent nor the Company shall be obligated to
take any action whatsoever with respect to the transfer of any such surrendered
Rights Certificate until the registered holder shall have completed and signed
the Certificate contained in the form of assignment on the reverse side of such
Rights Certificate and shall have provided such additional evidence of the
identity of the Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) or Affiliates or
Associates thereof as the Company shall reasonably request. Thereupon the
Rights Agent shall, subject to Section 4(b), Section 7(e) and Section 14
hereof, countersign and deliver to the Person entitled thereto a Rights
Certificate or Rights Certificates, as the case may be, as so requested. The
Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or
governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any transfer, split
up, combination or exchange of Rights Certificates.
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<PAGE> 15
(b) Upon receipt by the Company and the Rights Agent of evidence
reasonably satisfactory to them of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation
of a Rights Certificate, and, in case of loss, theft or destruction, of
indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to them, and reimbursement to the
Company and the Rights Agent of all reasonable expenses incidental thereto, and
upon surrender to the Rights Agent and cancellation of the Rights Certificate
if mutilated, the Company will execute and deliver a new Rights Certificate of
like tenor to the Rights Agent for countersignature and delivery to the
registered owner in lieu of the Rights Certificate so lost, stolen, destroyed
or mutilated.
SECTION 7. EXERCISE OF RIGHTS; PURCHASE PRICE; EXPIRATION DATE OF RIGHTS.
(a) Subject to Section 7(e) hereof, the registered holder of any Rights
Certificate may exercise the Rights evidenced thereby (except as otherwise
provided herein including, without limitation, the restrictions on
exercisability set forth in Section 9(c), Section 11(a)(iv) and Section 23(a)
hereof) in whole or in part at any time after the Distribution Date upon
surrender of the Rights Certificate, with the form of election to purchase and
the certificate on the reverse side thereof duly executed, to the Rights Agent
at the principal office or offices of the Rights Agent designated for such
purpose, together with payment of the aggregate Purchase Price with respect to
the total number of shares of Common Stock (or other securities, cash or other
assets, as the case may be) as to which such surrendered Rights are then
exercisable, at or prior to the earlier of (i) the close of business on October
26, 2005 (the "Final Expiration Date"), or (ii) the time at which the Rights
are redeemed as provided in Section 23 hereof (the earlier of (i) and (ii)
being herein referred to as the "Expiration Date").
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<PAGE> 16
(b) The Purchase Price for each share of Common Stock pursuant to
the exercise of a Right shall initially be $60, and shall be subject to
adjustment from time to time as provided in Sections 11 and 13(a) hereof and
shall be payable in accordance with paragraph (c) below.
(c) Upon receipt of a Rights Certificate representing exercisable
Rights, with the form of election to purchase and the certificate duly
executed, accompanied by payment, with respect to each Right so exercised, of
the Purchase Price per share of Common Stock (or other shares, securities, cash
or other assets, as the case may be) to be purchased as set forth below and an
amount equal to any applicable transfer tax, the Rights Agent shall, subject to
Section 20(k) hereof, thereupon promptly (i) (A) requisition from any transfer
agent of the shares of Common Stock (or make available, if the Rights Agent is
the transfer agent for such shares) certificates for the total number of shares
of Common Stock to be Purchased, and the Company hereby irrevocably authorizes
its transfer agent to comply with all such requests, or (B) if the Company
shall have elected to deposit the total number of shares of Common Stock
issuable upon exercise of the Rights hereunder with a depositary agent,
requisition from the depositary agent depositary receipts representing such
number of shares of Common Stock as are to be purchased (in which case
certificates for the shares of Common Stock represented by such receipts shall
be deposited by the transfer agent with the depositary agent) and the Company
will direct the depositary agent to comply with such request, (ii) requisition
from the Company the amount of cash, if any, to be paid in lieu of fractional
shares in accordance with Section 14 hereof, (iii) after receipt of such
certificates or depositary receipts, cause the same to be delivered to or upon
the order of the registered holder of such Rights Certificate, registered in
such name or names as may be designated by such holder, and (iv) after receipt
thereof, deliver such cash, if any, to or upon the
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<PAGE> 17
order of the registered holder of such Rights Certificate. The payment of the
Purchase Price (as such amount may be reduced pursuant to Section 11(a)(iv)
hereof) shall be made in cash or by certified bank check or bank draft payable
to the order of the Company. In the event that the Company is obligated to
issue other securities of the Company, pay cash and/or distribute other
property pursuant to Section 11(a) hereof, the Company will make all
arrangements necessary so that such other securities, cash and/or other
property are available for distribution by the Rights Agent, if and when
appropriate.
(d) In case the registered holder of any Rights Certificate shall
exercise less than all the Rights evidenced thereby, a new Rights Certificate
evidencing Rights equivalent to the Rights remaining unexercised shall be
issued by the Rights Agent and delivered to, or upon the order of, the
registered holder of such Rights Certificate, registered in such name or names
as may be designated by such holder, subject to the provisions of Section 14
hereof.
(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
from and after the first occurrence of a Triggering Event, any Rights
beneficially owned by (i) an Acquiring Person or an Associate or Affiliate of
an Acquiring Person, (ii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any such
Associate or Affiliate) who becomes a transferee after the Acquiring Person
becomes such, or (iii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any such
Associate or Affiliate) who becomes a transferee prior to or concurrently with
the Acquiring Person becoming such and receives such Rights pursuant to either
(A) a transfer (whether or not for consideration) from the Acquiring Person to
holders of equity interests in such Acquiring Person or to any Person with whom
the Acquiring Person has any continuing agreement, arrangement or understanding
regarding the transferred Rights or (B) a transfer which the Board of Directors
of the Company
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<PAGE> 18
has determined is part of a plan, arrangement or understanding which has as a
primary purpose or effect the avoidance of this Section 7(e), shall become null
and void without any further action and no holder of such Rights shall have any
rights whatsoever with respect to such Rights, whether under any provision of
this Agreement or otherwise. The Company shall use all reasonable efforts to
insure that the provisions of this Section 7(e) and Section 4(b) hereof are
complied with, but shall have no liability to any holder of Rights Certificates
or other Person as a result of its failure to make any determinations with
respect to an Acquiring Person or its Affiliates, Associates or transferees
hereunder.
(f) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
neither the Rights Agent nor the Company shall be obligated to undertake any
action with respect to a registered holder upon the occurrence of any purported
exercise as set forth in this Section 7 unless such registered holder shall
have (i) completed and signed the certificate contained in the form of election
to purchase set forth on the reverse side of the Rights Certificate surrendered
for such exercise, and (ii) provided such additional evidence of the identity
of the Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) or Affiliates or
Associates thereof as the Company shall reasonably request.
SECTION 8. CANCELLATION AND DESTRUCTION OF RIGHTS CERTIFICATES. All
Rights Certificates surrendered for the purpose of exercise, transfer, split
up, combination or exchange shall, if surrendered to the Company or any of its
agents, be delivered to the Rights Agent for cancellation or in cancelled form,
or, if surrendered to the Rights Agent, shall be cancelled by it, and no
Rights Certificates shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly
permitted by any of the provisions of this Agreement. The Company shall
deliver to the Rights Agent for cancellation
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<PAGE> 19
and retirement, and the Rights Agent shall so cancel and retire, any other
Rights Certificate purchased or acquired by the Company otherwise than upon the
exercise thereof. The Rights Agent shall deliver all cancelled Rights
Certificates to the Company, or shall, at the written request of the Company,
destroy such cancelled Rights Certificates, and in such case shall deliver a
certificate of destruction thereof to the Company.
SECTION 9. RESERVATION AND AVAILABILITY OF CAPITAL STOCK. (a) The
Company covenants and agrees that it will cause to be reserved and kept
available out of its authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock (and/or
other securities) not reserved for another purpose the number of shares of
Common Stock that, as provided in this Agreement, including Section 11(a)(iv)
hereof, will be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of all outstanding
Rights.
(b) So long as the shares of Common Stock and/or other securities
issuable and deliverable upon the exercise of the Rights may be listed on any
national securities exchange, the Company shall use its best efforts to cause,
from and after such time as the Rights become exercisable, all shares reserved
for such issuance to be listed on such exchange upon official notice of
issuance upon such exercise.
(c) The Company shall use its best efforts to (i) file, as soon as
practicable following the earliest date after the first occurrence of a Section
11(a)(ii) Event on which the consideration to be delivered by the Company upon
exercise of the Rights has been determined in accordance with Section 11(a)(iv)
hereof, or as soon as is required by law following the Distribution Date, as
the case may be, a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 (the
"Act"), with respect to the securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights
on an appropriate form, (ii) cause such registration statement to become
effective as soon as practicable after such filing, and (iii)
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<PAGE> 20
cause such registration statement to remain effective (with a prospectus at all
times meeting the requirements of the Act) until the earlier of (A) the date as
of which the Rights are no longer exercisable for such securities, and (B) the
date of the expiration of the Rights. The Company will also take such action
as may be appropriate under, or to ensure compliance with, the securities or
"blue sky" laws of the various states in connection with the exercisability of
the Rights. The Company may temporarily suspend, for a period of time not to
exceed ninety (90) days after the date set forth in clause (i) of the first
sentence of this Section 9(c), the exercisability of the Rights in order to
prepare and file such registration statement and permit it to become effective.
Upon any such suspension, the Company shall issue a public announcement stating
that the exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily suspended, as well
as a public announcement at such time as the suspension is no longer in effect.
Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Rights
shall not be exercisable in any jurisdiction unless the requisite qualification
in such jurisdiction shall have been obtained.
(d) The Company covenants and agrees that it will take all such
action as may be necessary to ensure that all shares of Common Stock and/or
other securities delivered upon exercise of Rights shall, at the time of
delivery of the certificates for such shares (subject to payment of the
Purchase Price), be duly and validly authorized and issued and fully paid and
non-assessable.
(e) The Company further covenants and agrees that it will pay when
due and payable any and all federal and state transfer taxes and charges which
may be payable in respect of the issuance or delivery of the Rights
Certificates and of any certificates for a number of shares of Common Stock
and/or other securities, as the case may be, upon the exercise of Rights. The
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Company shall not, however, be required to pay any transfer tax which may be
payable in respect of any transfer or delivery of Rights Certificates to a
Person other than, or the issuance or delivery of a number of shares of Common
Stock and/or other securities, as the case may be, in respect of a name other
than that of, the registered holder of the Rights Certificates evidencing
Rights surrendered for exercise, or to issue or deliver any certificates for
shares of Common Stock and/or other securities, as the case may be, in a name
other than that of the registered holder upon the exercise of any Rights until
such tax shall have been paid (any such tax being payable by the holder of such
Rights Certificate at the time of surrender) or until it has been established
to the Company's satisfaction that no such tax is due.
SECTION 10. COMMON STOCK RECORD DATE. Each person in whose name any
certificate for a number of shares of Common Stock and/or other securities, as
the case may be, is issued upon the exercise of Rights shall for all purposes
be deemed to have become the holder of record of such shares of Common Stock
(or other securities, as the case may be) represented thereby on, and such
certificate shall be dated, the date upon which the Rights Certificate
evidencing such Rights was duly surrendered and payment of the Purchase Price
(and all applicable transfer taxes) was made; provided, however, that if the
date of such surrender and payment is a date upon which the Common Stock
(and/or other securities, as the case may be) transfer books of the Company are
closed, such Person shall be deemed to have become the record holder of such
shares (fractional or otherwise) on, and such certificate shall be dated, the
next succeeding Business Day on which the Common Stock (and/or other
securities, as the case may be) transfer books of the Company are open. Prior
to the exercise of the Rights evidenced thereby, the holder of a Rights
Certificate shall not be entitled to any rights of a shareholder of the Company
with
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<PAGE> 22
respect to shares for which the Rights shall be exercisable, including, without
limitation, the right to vote, to receive dividends or other distributions or
to exercise any preemptive rights, and shall not be entitled to receive any
notice of any proceedings of the Company, except as provided herein.
SECTION 11. ADJUSTMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE, NUMBER AND KIND OF SHARES OR
NUMBER OF RIGHTS. The Purchase Price, the number and kind of shares covered by
each Right and the number of Rights outstanding are subject to adjustment from
time to time as provided in this Section 11.
(a)(i) In the event the Company shall at any time after the
date of this Agreement (A) declare a dividend on the Common Stock
payable in shares of Common Stock, (B) subdivide the outstanding
Common Stock, (C) combine the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller
number of shares, or (D) issue any shares of its capital stock in a
reclassification of the Common Stock (including any such
reclassification in connection with a consolidation or merger in which
the Company is the continuing or surviving corporation), except as
otherwise provided in this Section 11(a) and Section 7(e) hereof, the
Purchase Price in effect at the time of the record date for such
dividend or of the effective date of such subdivision, combination or
reclassification, and the number and kind of shares of Common Stock or
capital stock, as the case may be, issuable on such date, shall be
proportionately adjusted so that the holder of any Right exercised
after such time shall be entitled to receive, upon payment of the
Purchase Price then in effect, the aggregate number and kind of shares
of Common Stock or capital stock, as the case may be, which, if such
Right had been exercised immediately prior to such date and at a time
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when the Common Stock transfer books of the Company were open, he would
have owned upon such exercise and been entitled to receive by virtue of
such dividend, subdivision, combination or reclassification. If an event
occurs which would require an adjustment under both this Section 11(a)(i)
and Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, the adjustment provided for in this Section
11(a)(i) shall be in addition to, and shall be made prior to, any
adjustment required pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof.
(ii) In the event:
(A) any Acquiring Person or any Associate or
Affiliate of any Acquiring Person, at any time after the date
of this Agreement, directly or indirectly, (1) shall merge
into the Company or otherwise combine with the Company and the
Company shall be the continuing or surviving corporation of
such merger or combination and the Common Stock of the Company
shall remain outstanding and unchanged, (2) shall, in one
transaction or a series of transactions, transfer any assets
to the Company or to any of its Subsidiaries in exchange (in
whole or in part) for shares of Common Stock, for shares of
other equity securities of the Company, or for securities
exercisable for or convertible into shares of equity
securities of the Company (Common Stock or otherwise) or
otherwise obtain from the Company, with or without
consideration, any additional shares of such equity securities
or securities exercisable for or convertible into shares of
such equity securities (other than pursuant to a pro rata
distribution to all holders of Common Stock), (3) shall sell,
purchase, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or
otherwise acquire or dispose of, in one transaction or a series
of transactions, to,
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<PAGE> 24
from or with (as the case may be) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries,
assets on terms and conditions less favorable to the Company than the
Company would be able to obtain in arm's length negotiation with an
unaffiliated third party, other than pursuant to a transaction set forth in
Section 13(a) hereof, (4) shall sell, purchase, lease, exchange, mortgage,
pledge, transfer or otherwise acquire or dispose of in one transaction or a
series of transactions, to, from or with (as the case may be) the Company
or any of the Company's Subsidiaries (other than incidental to the lines of
business, if any, engaged in as of the date hereof between the Company and
such Acquiring Person or Associate or Affiliate) assets having an aggregate
fair market value of more than $3,000,000, other than pursuant to a
transaction set forth in Section 13(a) hereof, (5) shall receive any
compensation from the Company or any of the Company's Subsidiaries other
than compensation for full-time employment as a regular employee at rates
in accordance with the Company's (or its Subsidiaries') past practices, or
(6) shall receive the benefit, directly or indirectly (except
proportionately as a shareholder and except if resulting from a requirement
of law or governmental regulation), of any loans, advances, guarantees,
pledges or other financial assistance or any tax credits or other tax
advantage provided by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or
(B) any Person (other than the Company, any
Subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the
Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company, or any Person or
entity organized, appointed or established by the Company for
or pursuant to the terms of any such plan), alone or together
with its Affiliates and
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<PAGE> 25
Associates, shall, at any time after the Rights Dividend Declaration Date,
become the Beneficial Owner of 20% or more of the shares of Common Stock
then outstanding, other than pursuant to any transaction set forth in
Section 13(a) hereof, or pursuant to a tender offer or an exchange offer
for all outstanding shares of Common Stock at a price and on terms
determined by at least a majority of the Continuing Directors, to be (a) at
a price which is fair to shareholders (taking into account all factors
which such members of the Board deem relevant including, without
limitation, prices which could reasonably be achieved if the Company or its
assets were sold on an orderly basis designed to realize maximum value) and
(b) otherwise in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, or
(C) during such time as there is an Acquiring Person, there
shall be any reclassification of securities (including any reverse stock
split), or recapitalization of the Company, or any merger or consolidation
of the Company with any of its Subsidiaries or any other transaction or
series of transactions involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries,
other than a transaction or transactions to which the provisions of Section
13(a) apply (whether or not with or into or otherwise involving an
Acquiring Person) which has the effect, directly or indirectly, of
increasing by more than 1 the proportionate share of the outstanding shares
of any class of equity securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
which is directly or indirectly beneficially owned by any Acquiring Person
or any Associate or Affiliate of any Acquiring Person, then promptly
following five (5) days after the date of the occurrence of an event
described in
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Section 11(a)(ii)(B) hereof and promptly following the occurrence of any
event described in Section 11(a)(ii)(A) or (C) hereof, proper provision
shall be made so that each holder of a Right (except as provided below and
in Section 7(e) hereof) shall thereafter have the right to receive, upon
exercise thereof at the then current Purchase Price in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement, in lieu of the number of shares of Common Stock as
to which such Right was exercisable immediately prior to the first
occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, such number of shares of Common
Stock of the Company as shall equal the result obtained by (x) multiplying
the then current Purchase Price by the then number of shares of Common
Stock for which a Right was exercisable immediately prior to the first
occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, and (y) dividing that product
(which, following such first occurrence, shall thereafter be referred to as
the "Purchase Price" for each Right and for all purposes of this Agreement)
by 50% of the current market price (determined pursuant to Section 11(d)
hereof) per share of Common Stock on the date of such first occurrence
(such number of shares, the "Adjustment Shares"),
(iii) In the event that there shall not be sufficient number of
shares of Common Stock issued but not outstanding or authorized but
unissued to permit the exercise in full of the Rights in accordance with
the foregoing subparagraph (ii) of this Section 11(a), each holder of a
Right (except as provided in Section 7(e)) will thereafter have the right to
receive, upon exercise of the Right in accordance with the terms of the
Agreement, one Common Share of the Company for an Exercise Price equal to
$1.00, subject to
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<PAGE> 27
adjustment from the date of this Agreement in the same manner as the
Purchase Price is adjusted under this Agreement. The number of Common
Shares purchasable upon exercise of the Rights will be subject to
adjustment as provided in this Section 11.
(iv) In the event that there shall not be sufficient number of
shares of Common Stock issued but not outstanding or authorized but
unissued to permit the exercise in full of the Rights in accordance
with the foregoing subparagraph (ii) or (iii) of this Section 11(a),
the Company shall take all action as may be necessary to authorize
additional shares of Common Stock for issuance upon exercise of the
Rights. In the event that after a good faith effort be unable to take
all such actions as may be necessary to authorize such additional
shares of Common Stock, the Company shall: (A) determine the excess of
(1) the value of the Adjustment Shares issuable upon the exercise of a
Right (the "Current Value") over (2) the Purchase Price (such excess,
the "Spread"), and (B) with respect to each Right, make adequate
provision to substitute for the Adjustment Shares, upon payment of the
applicable Purchase Price, (1) cash, (2) a reduction in the Purchase
Price, (3) debt securities of the Company, (4) other assets, or (5)
any combination of the foregoing, having an aggregate value equal to
the Current Value, where such aggregate value has been determined by
the Board of Directors of the Company based upon the advice of a
nationally recognized investment banking firm selected by the Board of
Directors of the Company; provided, however, if the Company shall not
have made adequate provision to deliver value pursuant to clause (B)
above within thirty (30) days following the later of (x) the first
occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event and (y) the date on which the
Company's right of redemption pursuant to Section 23 expires (the
later of
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(x) and (y) being referred to herein as the "Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger
Date"), then the Company shall be obligated to deliver, upon the surrender
for exercise of a Right and without requiring payment of the Purchase
Price, shares of Common Stock (to the extent available) and then, if
necessary, cash, which shares and/or cash have an aggregate value equal to
the Spread. If the Board of Directors of the Company shall determine in
good faith that it is likely that sufficient additional shares of Common
Stock could be authorized for issuance upon exercise in full of the Rights,
the thirty (30) day period set forth above may be extended to the extent
necessary, but not more than ninety (90) days after the Section 11(a)(ii)
Trigger Date, in order that the Company may seek shareholder approval for
the authorization of such additional shares (such period, as it may be
extended, the "Substitution Period"). To the extent that the Company
determines that some action need be taken pursuant to the first and/or
second sentences of this Section 11(a)(iv), the Company (x) shall provide,
subject to Section 7(e) hereof, that such action shall apply uniformly to
all outstanding Rights, and (y) may suspend the exercisability of the
Rights until the expiration of the Substitution Period in order to seek any
authorization of additional shares and/or to decide the appropriate form of
distribution to be made pursuant to such first sentence and to determine
the value thereof. In the event of any such suspension, the Company shall
issue a public announcement stating that the exercisability of the Rights
has been temporarily suspended, as well as a public announcement at such
time as the suspension is no longer in effect. For purposes of this
Section 11(a)(iv), the value of the Common Stock shall be the current
market price (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) per share of
the Common Stock on the Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date
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<PAGE> 29
and the value of any "common stock equivalent" shall be deemed to have
the same value as the Common Stock on such date.
(b) In case the Company shall fix a record date for the issuance
of rights, options or warrants to all holders of Common Stock entitling them to
subscribe for or purchase (for a period expiring within forty-five (45)
calendar days after such record date) Common Stock (or shares having the same
rights, privileges and preferences as the shares of Common Stock ("equivalent
common stock")) or securities convertible into Common Stock or equivalent
common stock at a price per share of Common Stock or per share of equivalent
common stock (or having a conversion price per share, if a security convertible
into Common Stock or equivalent common stock) less than the current market
price (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) per share of Common
Stock on such record date, the Purchase Price to be in effect after such record
date, shall be determined by multiplying the Purchase Price in effect
immediately prior to such record date by a fraction, the numerator of which
shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on such record date,
plus the number of shares of Common Stock which the aggregate offering price of
the total number of shares of Common Stock and/or equivalent common stock so to
be offered (and/or the aggregate initial conversion price of the convertible
securities so to be offered) would purchase at such current market price, and
the denominator of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding on such record date, plus the number of additional shares of Common
Stock and/or equivalent common stock to be offered for subscription or purchase
(or into which the convertible securities so to be offered are initially
convertible). In case such subscription price may be paid by delivery of
consideration part or all of which may be in a form other than cash, the value
of such consideration shall be as determined in good faith
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by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be
described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent and shall be binding on
the Rights Agent and the holders of the Rights. Shares of Common Stock owned
by or held for the account of the Company shall not be deemed outstanding for
the purpose of any such computation. Such adjustment shall be made
successively whenever such a record date is fixed, and in the event that such
rights or warrants are not so issued, the Purchase Price shall be adjusted to
be the Purchase Price which would then be in effect if such record date had not
been fixed.
(c) In case the Company shall fix a record date for a distribution
to all holders of Common Stock (including any such distribution made in
connection with a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the
continuing corporation) of evidences of indebtedness, cash (other than a
regular quarterly cash dividend out of the earnings or retained earnings of the
Company), assets (other than a dividend payable in Common Stock, but including
any dividend payable in stock other than Common Stock) or subscription rights
or warrants (excluding those referred to in Section 11(b) hereof), the Purchase
Price to be in effect after such record date shall be determined by multiplying
the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such record date by a
fraction, the numerator of which shall be the current market price (as
determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) per share of Common Stock on such
record date, less the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the
Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be described in a
statement filed with the Rights Agent) of the portion of the cash, assets or
evidences of indebtedness so to be distributed or of such subscription rights
or warrants applicable to a share of Common Stock and the denominator of which
shall be such current market price (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d)
hereof) per share of Common
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Stock. Such adjustments shall be made successively whenever such a record date
is fixed, and in the event that such distribution is not so made, the Purchase
Price shall be adjusted to be the Purchase Price which would have been in
effect if such record date had not been fixed.
(d) For the purpose of any computation hereunder, other than
computations made pursuant to Section 11(a)(iv) hereof, the "current market
price" per share of Common Stock on any date shall be deemed to be the average
of the daily closing prices per share of such Common Stock for the thirty (30)
consecutive Trading Days (as such term is hereinafter defined) immediately
prior to such date, and for purposes of computations made pursuant to Section
11(a)(iv) hereof, the "current market price" per share of Common Stock on any
date shall be deemed to be the average of the daily closing prices per share of
such Common Stock for the ten (10) consecutive Trading Days immediately
following such date; provided, however, that in the event that the current
market price per share of the Common Stock is determined during a period
following the announcement by the issuer of such Common Stock of (A) a dividend
or distribution on such Common Stock payable in shares of such Common Stock or
securities convertible into shares of such Common Stock (other than the
Rights), or (B) any subdivision, combination or reclassification of such Common
Stock, and prior to the expiration of the requisite thirty (30) Trading Day or
ten (10) Trading Day period, as set forth above, after the ex-dividend date for
such dividend or distribution, or the record date for such subdivision,
combination or reclassification, then, and in each such case, the "current
market price" shall be properly adjusted to take into account ex-dividend
trading. The closing price for each day shall be the last sale price, regular
way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the
closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as reported in the
principal consolidated
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transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to
trading on the New York Stock Exchange or, if the shares of Common Stock are
not listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange, as reported
in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to
securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which the
shares of Common Stock are listed or admitted to trading or, if the shares of
Common Stock are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities
exchange, the last quoted price or, if not so quoted, the average of the high
bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System
("NASDAQ") or such other system then in use, or, if on any such date the shares
of Common Stock are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the
closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making
a market in the Common Stock selected by the Board of Directors of the Company.
If on any such date no market maker is making a market in the Common Stock, the
fair value of such shares on such date as determined in good faith by the Board
of Directors of the Company shall be used. The term "Trading Day" shall mean a
day on which the principal national securities exchange on which the shares of
Common Stock are listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of
business or, if the shares of Common Stock are not listed or admitted to
trading on any national securities exchange, a Business Day. If the Common
Stock is not publicly held or not so listed or traded, "current market price"
per share shall mean the fair value per share as determined in good faith by
the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be described
in a statement filed with the Rights Agent and shall be conclusive for all
purposes.
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(e) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, no adjustment in
the Purchase Price shall be required unless such adjustment would require an
increase or decrease of at least one percent (1%) in the Purchase Price;
PROVIDED, however, that any adjustments which by reason of this Section 11(e)
are not required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in
any subsequent adjustment. All calculations under this Section 11 shall be
made to the nearest cent or to the nearest one-thousandth of a share of Common
Stock or other share, as the case may be. Notwithstanding the first sentence
of this Section 11(e), any adjustment required by this Section 11 shall be made
no later than the earlier of (i) three (3) years from the date of the
transaction which mandates such adjustment, or (ii) the Expiration Date.
(f) If as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to Section
11(a)(ii) or Section 13(a) hereof, the holder of any Right thereafter exercised
shall become entitled to receive any shares of capital stock other than Common
Stock, thereafter the number of such other shares so receivable upon exercise
of any Right and the Purchase Price thereof shall be subject to adjustment from
time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as practicable to
the provisions with respect to the Common Stock contained in Sections 11(a),
(b), (c), (e), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k) and (m), and the provisions of Sections
7, 9, 10, 13 and 14 hereof with respect to the Common Stock shall apply on like
terms to any such other shares.
(g) All Rights originally issued by the Company subsequent to any
adjustment made to the Purchase Price hereunder shall evidence the right to
purchase, at the adjusted Purchase Price, the number of shares of Common Stock
purchasable from time to time hereunder upon exercise of the Rights, all
subject to further adjustment as provided herein.
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(h) Unless the Company shall have exercised its election as
provided in Section 11(i), upon each adjustment of the Purchase Price as a
result of the calculations made in Sections 11(b) and (c), each Right
outstanding immediately prior to the making of such adjustment shall thereafter
evidence the right to purchase, at the adjusted Purchase Price, that number of
shares of Common Stock (calculated to the nearest one-thousandth) obtained by
(i) multiplying (x) the number of shares covered by a Right immediately prior
to this adjustment, by (y) the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to
such adjustment of the Purchase Price, and (ii) dividing the product so
obtained by the Purchase Price in effect immediately after such adjustment of
the Purchase Price.
(i) The Company may elect on or after the date of any adjustment
of the Purchase Price to adjust the number of Rights, in lieu of any adjustment
in the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable upon the exercise of a
Right. Each of the Rights outstanding after the adjustment in the number of
Rights shall be exercisable for the number of shares of Common Stock for which
a Right was exercisable immediately prior to such adjustment. Each Right held
of record prior to such adjustment of the number of Rights shall become that
number of Rights (calculated to the nearest one-ten-thousandth) obtained by
dividing the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to adjustment of the
Purchase Price by the Purchase Price in effect immediately after adjustment of
the Purchase Price. The Company shall make a public announcement of its
election to adjust the number of Rights, indicating the record date for the
adjustment, and, if known at the time, the amount of the adjustment to be made.
This record date may be the date on which the Purchase Price is adjusted or any
day thereafter, but, if the Rights Certificates have been issued, shall be at
least ten (10) days later than the date of the public announcement. If
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Rights Certificates have been issued, upon each adjustment of the number of
Rights pursuant to this Section 11(i), the Company shall, as promptly as
practicable, cause to be distributed to holders of record of Rights
Certificates on such record date Rights Certificates evidencing, subject to
Section 14 hereof, the additional Rights to which such holders shall be
entitled as a result of such adjustment, or, at the option of the Company,
shall cause to be distributed to such holders of record in substitution and
replacement for the Rights Certificates held by such holders prior to the date
of adjustment, and upon surrender thereof, if required by the Company, new
Rights Certificates evidencing all the Rights to which such holders shall be
entitled after such adjustment. Rights Certificates to be so distributed shall
be issued, executed and countersigned in the manner provided for herein (and
may bear, at the option of the Company, the adjusted Purchase Price) and shall
be registered in the names of the holders of record of Rights Certificates on
the record date specified in the public announcement.
(j) Irrespective of any adjustment or change in the Purchase Price
or the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of the
Rights, the Rights Certificates theretofore and thereafter issued may continue
to express the Purchase Price per share and the number of shares which were
expressed in the initial Rights Certificates issued hereunder.
(k) Before taking any action that would cause an adjustment
reducing the Purchase Price below the then par value, if any, of the number of
shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Rights, the Company shall
take any corporate action which may, in the opinion of its counsel, be
necessary in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid
and non-assessable such number of shares of Common Stock at such adjusted
Purchase Price.
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(l) In any case in which this Section 11 shall require that an
adjustment in the Purchase Price be made effective as of a record date for a
specified event, the Company may elect to defer until the occurrence of such
event the issuance to the holder of any Right exercised after such record date
the number of shares of Common Stock and other capital stock or securities of
the Company, if any, issuable upon such exercise over and above the number of
shares of Common Stock and other capital stock or securities of the Company, if
any, issuable upon such exercise on the basis of the Purchase Price in effect
prior to such adjustment; provided, however, that the Company shall deliver to
such holder a due bill or other appropriate instrument evidencing such holder's
right to receive such additional shares (fractional or otherwise) or securities
upon the occurrence of the event requiring such adjustment.
(m) Anything in this Section 11 to the contrary notwithstanding,
the Company shall be entitled to make such reductions in the Purchase Price, in
addition to those adjustments expressly required by this Section 11, as and to
the extent that in their good faith judgment the Board of Directors of the
Company shall determine to be advisable in order that any (i) consolidation or
subdivision of the Common Stock, (ii) issuance wholly for cash of any shares of
Common Stock at less than the current market price, (iii) issuance wholly for
cash of shares of Common Stock or securities which by their terms are
convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock, (iv) stock
dividends or (v) issuance of rights, options or warrants referred to in this
Section 11, hereafter made by the Company to holders of its Common Stock shall
not be taxable to such shareholders.
(n) The Company covenants and agrees that it shall not, at any
time after the Distribution Date, (i) consolidate with any other Person (other
than a Subsidiary of the Company
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in a transaction which complies with Section 11(o) hereof), (ii) merge with or
into any other Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction
which complies with Section 11(o) hereof), or (iii) sell or transfer (or
permit any Subsidiary to sell or transfer), in one transaction, or a series of
related transactions, assets or earning power aggregating more than 50% of the
assets or earning power of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole)
to any other Person or Persons (other than the Company and/or any of its
Subsidiaries in one or more transactions each of which complies with Section
11(o) hereof), if (x) at the time of or immediately after such consolidation,
merger or sale there are any rights, warrants or other instruments or
securities outstanding or agreements in effect which would substantially
diminish or otherwise eliminate the benefits intended to be afforded by the
Rights or (y) prior to, simultaneously with or immediately after such
consolidation, merger or sale, the shareholders of the Person who constitutes,
or would constitute, the "Principal Party" for purposes of Section 13(a) hereof
shall have received a distribution of Rights previously owned by such Person or
any of its Affiliates and Associates.
(o) The Company covenants and agrees that, after the Distribution
Date, it will not, except as permitted by Section 23 or Section 26 hereof, take
(or permit any Subsidiary to take) any action if at the time such action is
taken it is reasonably foreseeable that such action will diminish substantially
or otherwise eliminate the benefits intended to be afforded by the Rights.
(p) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in
the event that the Company shall at any time after the Rights Dividend
Declaration Date and prior to the Distribution Date (i) declare a dividend on
the outstanding shares of Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii)
subdivide the outstanding shares of Common Stock, or (iii) combine
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the outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, the
number of Rights associated with each share of Common Stock then outstanding,
or issued or delivered thereafter but prior to the Distribution Date, shall be
proportionately adjusted so that the number of Rights thereafter associated
with each share of Common Stock following any such event shall equal the result
obtained by multiplying the number of Rights associated with each share of
Common Stock immediately prior to such event by a fraction, the numerator of
which shall be the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
immediately prior to the occurrence of the event and the denominator of which
shall be the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately
following the occurrence of such event.
SECTION 12. CERTIFICATE OF ADJUSTED PURCHASE PRICE OR NUMBER OF SHARES.
Whenever an adjustment is made as provided in Section 11 and Section 13 hereof,
the Company shall (a) promptly prepare a certificate setting forth such
adjustment and a brief statement of the facts accounting for such adjustment,
(b) promptly file with the Rights Agent, and with each transfer agent for the
Common Stock and the Common Stock, a copy of such certificate, and (c) mail a
brief summary thereof to each holder of a Rights Certificate (or, if prior to
the Distribution Date, to each holder of a certificate representing shares of
Common Stock) in accordance with Section 25 hereof. The Rights Agent shall be
fully protected in relying on any such certificate and on any adjustment
therein contained and shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any adjustment
unless and until it shall have received such certificate.
SECTION 13. CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR SALE OR TRANSFER OF ASSETS OR EARNING
POWER.
(a) In the event that, following the Stock Acquisition Date, directly or
indirectly, (x) the Company shall consolidate with, or merge with and into, any
other Person (other than a
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Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction which complies with Section 11(o)
hereof), and the Company shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation
of such consolidation or merger, (y) any Person (other than a Subsidiary of the
Company in a transaction which complies with Section 11(o) hereof) shall
consolidate with, or merge with or into, the Company, and the Company shall be
the continuing or surviving corporation of such consolidation or merger and, in
connection with such consolidation or merger, all or part of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock shall be changed into or exchanged for stock or other
securities of any other Person or cash or any other property, or (z) the
Company shall sell or otherwise transfer (or one or more of its Subsidiaries
shall sell or otherwise transfer), in one transaction or a series of related
transactions, assets or earning power aggregating more than 50% of the assets
or earning power of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any
Person or Persons (other than the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company in
one or more transactions each of which complies with Section 11(o) hereof),
then, and in each such case, proper provision shall be made so that: (i) each
holder of a Right, except as provided in Section 7(e) hereof, shall thereafter
have the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof at the then current
Purchase Price in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, such number of
validly authorized and issued, fully paid, non-assessable and freely tradable
shares of Common Stock of the Principal Party (as such term is hereinafter
defined), not subject to any liens, encumbrances, rights of first refusal or
other adverse claims, as shall be equal to the result obtained by (1)
multiplying the then current Purchase Price by the number of shares of Common
Stock for which a Right is exercisable immediately prior to the first
occurrence of a Section 13 Event (or, if a Section 11(a)(ii) Event has occurred
prior to the first occurrence of a Section 13 Event, multiplying the number of
shares for which a Right was
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<PAGE> 40
exercisable immediately prior to the first occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii)
Event by the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such first
occurrence), and dividing that product (which, following the first occurrence
of a Section 13 Event, shall be referred to as the "Purchase Price" for each
Right and for all purposes of this Agreement) by (2) 50% of the current market
price (determined pursuant to Section 11(d)(i) hereof) per share of the Common
Stock of such Principal Party on the date of consummation of such Section 13
Event; (ii) such Principal Party shall thereafter be liable for, and shall
assume, by virtue of such Section 13 Event, all the obligations and duties of
the Company pursuant to this Agreement; (iii) the term "Company" shall
thereafter be deemed to refer to such Principal Party, it being specifically
intended that the provisions of Section 11 hereof shall apply only to such
Principal Party following the first occurrence of a Section 13 Event; (iv) such
Principal Party shall take such steps (including, but not limited to, the
reservation of a sufficient number of shares of its Common Stock) in connection
with the consummation of any such transaction as may be necessary to assure
that the provisions hereof shall thereafter be applicable, as nearly as
reasonably may be, in relation to its shares of Common Stock thereafter
deliverable upon the exercise of the Rights; and (v) the provisions of Section
11(a)(ii) hereof shall be of no effect following the first occurrence of any
Section 13 Event.
(b) "Principal Party" shall mean
(i) in the case of any transaction described in clause (x) or
(y) of the first sentence of Section 13(a), the Person that is the
issuer of any securities into which shares of Common Stock of the
Company are converted in such merger or consolidation, and if no
securities are so issued, the Person that is the other party to such
merger or consolidation; and
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(ii) in the case of any transaction described in clause (z)
of the first sentence of Section 13(a), the Person that is the party
receiving the greatest portion of the assets or earning power
transferred pursuant to such transaction or transactions; PROVIDED,
however, that in any such case, (1) if the Common Stock of such Person
is not at such time and has not been continuously over the preceding
twelve (12) month period registered under Section 12 of the Exchange
Act, and such Person is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of another
Person the Common Stock of which is and has been so registered,
"Principal Party" shall refer to such other Person; and (2) in case
such Person is a Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, of more than one
Person, the Common Stocks of two or more of which are and have been so
registered, "Principal Party" shall refer to whichever of such Persons
is the issuer of the Common Stock having the greatest aggregate market
value.
(c) The Company shall not consummate any such consolidation,
merger, sale or transfer unless the Principal Party shall have a sufficient
number of authorized shares of its Common Stock which have not been issued or
reserved for issuance to permit the exercise in full of the Rights in
accordance with this Section 13 and unless prior thereto the Company and such
Principal Party shall have executed and delivered to the Rights Agent a
supplemental agreement providing for the terms set forth in paragraphs (a) and
(b) of this Section 13 and further providing that, as soon as practicable after
the date of any consolidation, merger or sale of assets mentioned in paragraph
(a) of this Section 13, the Principal Party will:
(i) prepare and file a registration statement under the Act,
with respect to the Rights and the securities purchasable upon
exercise of the Rights on an appropriate form, and will use its best
efforts to cause such registration statement to (A) become effective
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as soon as practicable after such filing and (B) remain effective
(with a prospectus at all times meeting the requirements of the Act)
until the Expiration Date;
(ii) use its best efforts to qualify or register the Rights
and the securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights under the
blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as may be necessary or
appropriate; and
(iii) will deliver to holders of the Rights historical
financial statements for the Principal Party and each of its
Affiliates which comply in all respects with the requirements for
registration on Form 10 under the Exchange Act.
The provisions of this Section 13 shall similarly apply to successive mergers
or consolidations or sales or other transfers. In the event that a Section 13
Event shall occur at any time after the occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii)
Event, the Rights which have not theretofore been exercised shall thereafter
become exercisable in the manner described in Section 13(a).
(d) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
Section 13 shall not be applicable to a transaction described in subparagraphs
(x) and (y) of Section 13(a) if (i) such transaction is consummated with a
Person or Persons who acquired shares of Common Stock pursuant to a tender
offer or exchange offer for all outstanding shares of Common Stock which
complies with the provisions of Section 11(a)(ii)(B) hereof (or a wholly owned
subsidiary of any such Person or Persons), (ii) the price per share of Common
Stock offered in such transaction is not less than the price per share of
Common Stock paid to all holders of shares of Common Stock whose shares were
purchased pursuant to such tender offer or exchange offer, and (iii) the form
of consideration being offered to the remaining holders of shares of Common
Stock pursuant to such transaction is the same as the form of consideration
paid pursuant to such tender offer or
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exchange offer. Upon consummation of any such transaction contemplated by this
Section 13(d), all Rights hereunder shall expire.
SECTION 14. FRACTIONAL RIGHTS AND FRACTIONAL SHARES. (a) The Company
shall not be required to issue fractions of Rights, except prior to the
Distribution Date as provided in Section 11(p) hereof, or to distribute Rights
Certificates which evidence fractional Rights. In lieu of such fractional
Rights, there shall be paid to the registered holders of the Rights
Certificates with regard to which such fractional Rights would otherwise be
issuable, an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market
value of a whole Right. For purposes of this Section 14(a), the current market
value of a whole Right shall be the closing price of the Rights for the Trading
Day immediately prior to the date on which such fractional Rights would have
been otherwise issuable. The closing price of the Rights for any day shall be
the last sale price, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such
day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either
case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system
with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock
Exchange or, if the Rights are not listed or admitted to trading on the New
York Stock Exchange, as reported in the principal consolidated transaction
reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national
securities exchange on which the Rights are listed or admitted to trading, or
if the Rights are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities
exchange, the last quoted price or, if not so quoted, the average of the high
bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by NASDAQ
or such other system then in use or, if on any such date the Rights are not
quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked
prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in the
Rights selected
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by the Board of Directors of the Company. If on any such date no such market
maker is making a market in the Rights the fair value of the Rights on such
date as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company shall
be used.
(b) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of shares
of Common Stock upon exercise of the Rights or to distribute certificates
which evidence fractional shares of Common Stock. In lieu of fractional shares
of Common Stock, the Company may pay to the registered holders of Rights
Certificates at the time such Rights are exercised as herein provided an amount
in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value one (1) share of
Common Stock. For purposes of this Section 14(b), the current market value of
one share of Common Stock shall be the closing price of one share of Common
Stock (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) for the Trading Day
immediately prior to the date of such exercise.
(c) The holder of a Right by the acceptance of the Rights
expressly waives his right to receive any fractional Rights or any fractional
shares upon exercise of a Right, except as permitted by this Section 14.
SECTION 15. ALL RIGHTS OF ACTION. All rights of action in respect of this
Agreement, other than rights of action vested in the Rights Agent pursuant to
Section 18 hereof, are vested in the respective registered holders of the
Rights Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the registered
holders of the Common Stock); and any registered holder of any Rights
Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common Stock), without
the consent of the Rights Agent or of the holder of any other Rights
Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common Stock), may, in
his own behalf and for his own benefit, enforce, and may institute and maintain
any Suit, action or proceeding against the Company to enforce, or otherwise act
in respect of, his
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right to exercise the Rights evidenced by such Rights Certificate in the manner
provided in such Rights Certificate and in this Agreement. Without limiting
the foregoing or any remedies available to the holders of Rights, it is
specifically acknowledged that the holders of Rights would not have an adequate
remedy at law for any breach of this Agreement and shall be entitled to specific
performance of the obligations hereunder and injunctive relief against actual
or threatened violations of the obligations hereunder of any Person subject to
this Agreement.
SECTION 16. AGREEMENT OF RIGHTS HOLDERS. Every holder of a Right by
accepting the same consents and agrees with the Company and the Rights Agent
and with every other holder of a Right that:
(a) prior to the Distribution Date, the Rights will be
transferable only in connection with the transfer of Common Stock;
(b) after the Distribution Date, the Rights Certificates are
transferable only on the registry books of the Rights Agent if surrendered at
the principal office or offices of the Rights Agent designated for such
purposes, duly endorsed or accompanied by a proper instrument of transfer and
with the appropriate forms and certificates fully executed;
(c) subject to Section 6(a) and Section 7(f) hereof, the Company
and the Rights Agent may deem and treat the person in whose name a Rights
Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, the associated Common Stock
certificate) is registered as the absolute owner thereof and of the Rights
evidenced thereby (notwithstanding any notations of ownership or writing on the
Rights Certificates or the associated Common Stock certificate made by anyone
other than the Company or the Rights Agent) for all purposes whatsoever, and
neither the Company nor the
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Rights Agent, subject to the last sentence of Section 7(e) hereof, shall be
required to be affected by any notice to the contrary; and
(d) notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
neither the Company nor the Rights Agent shall have any liability to any holder
of a Right or other Person as a result of its inability to perform any of its
obligations under this Agreement by reason of any preliminary or permanent
injunction or other order, decree or ruling issued by a court of competent
jurisdiction or by a governmental, regulatory or administrative agency or
commission, or any statute, rule, regulation or executive order promulgated or
enacted by any governmental authority, prohibiting or otherwise restraining
performance of such obligation; provided, however, the Company must use its
best efforts to have any such order, decree or ruling lifted or otherwise
overturned as soon as possible.
SECTION 17. RIGHTS CERTIFICATE HOLDER NOT DEEMED A SHAREHOLDER. No
holder, as such, of any Rights Certificate shall be entitled to vote, receive
dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the number of shares of
Common Stock or any other securities of the Company which may at any time be
issuable on the exercise of the Rights represented thereby, nor shall anything
contained herein or in any Rights Certificate be construed to confer upon the
holder of any Rights Certificate, as such, any of the rights of a shareholder
of the Company or any right to vote for the election of directors or upon any
matter submitted to shareholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold
consent to any corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or other
actions affecting shareholders (except as provided in Section 24 hereof), or to
receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise, until the Right or
Rights evidenced by such Rights Certificate shall have been exercised in
accordance with the provisions hereof.
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SECTION 18. CONCERNING THE RIGHTS AGENT. (a) The Company agrees to pay
to the Rights Agent reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it
hereunder and, from time to time, on demand of the Rights Agent, its reasonable
expenses and counsel fees and disbursements and other disbursements incurred in
the administration and execution of this Agreement and the exercise and
performance of its duties hereunder. The Company also agrees to indemnify the
Rights Agent for, and to hold it harmless against, any losses, expenses,
claims, damages or liabilities, incurred without gross negligence, bad faith or
willful misconduct on the part of the Rights Agent, for anything done or
omitted by the Rights Agent in connection with the acceptance and
administration of this Agreement and performance hereunder, including, without
limitation, the costs and expenses of defending against any claim of liability
arising therefrom, directly or indirectly, and will promptly reimburse the
Rights Agent for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in
investigating or defending any such loss, expense, claim, damage or liability.
(b) The Rights Agent shall be protected by the indemnity provided
by this Section 18 and shall incur no liability for or in respect of any action
taken, suffered or omitted by it in connection with its administration of this
Agreement in reliance upon any Rights Certificate or certificate for Common
Stock or for other securities of the Company, instrument of assignment or
transfer, power of attorney, endorsement, affidavit, letter, notice, direction,
consent, certificate, statement, or other paper or document believed by it to
be genuine and to be signed, executed and, where necessary, verified or
acknowledged, by the proper Person or Persons.
SECTION 19. MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION OR CHANGE OF NAME OF RIGHTS AGENT.
(a) Any corporation into which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent
may be merged or with
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which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger or
consolidation to which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent shall be
a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate trust business of the
Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent, shall be the successor to the
Rights Agent under this Agreement without the execution or filing of any paper
or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto; provided, however,
that such corporation would be eligible for appointment as a successor Rights
Agent under the provisions of Section 21 hereof. In case at the time such
successor Rights Agent shall succeed to the agency created by this Agreement,
any of the Rights Certificates shall have been countersigned but not delivered,
any such successor Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature of a predecessor
Rights Agent and deliver such Rights Certificates so countersigned; and in case
at that time any of the Rights Certificates shall not have been countersigned,
any successor Rights Agent may countersign such Rights Certificates either in
the name of the predecessor or in the name of the successor Rights Agent; and
in all such cases such Rights Certificates shall have the full force provided
in the Rights Certificates and in this Agreement.
(b) In case at any time the name of the Rights Agent shall be
changed and at such time any of the Rights Certificates shall have been
countersigned but not delivered, the Rights Agent may adopt the
countersignature under its prior name and deliver Rights Certificates so
countersigned; and in case at that time any of the Rights Certificates shall
not have been countersigned, the Rights Agent may countersign such Rights
Certificates either in its prior name or in its changed name; and in all such
cases such Rights Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Rights
Certificates and in this Agreement.
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SECTION 20. DUTIES OF RIGHTS AGENT. The Rights Agent undertakes the
duties and obligations imposed by this Agreement upon the following terms and
conditions, by all of which the Company and the holders of Rights Certificates,
by their acceptance thereof, shall be bound:
(a) The Rights Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be
legal counsel for the Company), and the opinion of such counsel shall be full
and complete authorization and protection to the Rights Agent as to any action
taken or omitted by it in good faith and in accordance with such opinion.
(b) Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Agreement
the Rights Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter
(including, without limitation, the identity of any Acquiring Person and the
determination of "current market price") be proved or established by the
Company prior to taking or suffering any action hereunder, such fact or matter
(unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed)
may be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by a certificate signed
by the Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer,
any Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the
Company and delivered to the Rights Agent; and such certificate shall be full
authorization to the Rights Agent for any action taken or suffered in good
faith by it under the provisions of this Agreement in reliance upon such
certificate.
(c) The Rights Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of any
of the statements of fact or recitals contained in this Agreement or in the
Rights Certificates or be required to verify the same (except as to its
countersignature on such Rights Certificates), but all such statements and
recitals are and shall be deemed to have been made by the Company only.
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(d) The Rights Agent shall not be under any responsibility in
respect of the validity or legality of this Agreement or the execution and
delivery hereof (except the due execution hereof by the Rights Agent) or in
respect of the validity or legality or execution of any Rights Certificate
(except its countersignature thereof); nor shall it be responsible for any
breach by the Company of any covenant or condition contained in this Agreement
or in any Rights Certificate; nor shall it be responsible for any adjustment
required under the provisions of Section 11 or Section 13 hereof or responsible
for the manner, method or amount of any such adjustment or the ascertaining of
the existence of facts that would require any such adjustment (except with
respect to the exercise of Rights evidenced by Rights Certificates after actual
notice of any such adjustment); nor shall it by any act hereunder be deemed to
make any representation or warranty as to the authorization or reservation of
any shares of Common Stock to be issued pursuant to this Agreement or any
Rights Certificate or as to whether any shares of Common Stock will, when so
issued, be validly authorized and issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
(e) The Company agrees that it will perform, execute, acknowledge
and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered all
such further and other acts, instruments and assurances as may reasonably be
required by the Rights Agent for the carrying out or performing by the Rights
Agent of the provisions of this Agreement.
(f) The Rights Agent is hereby authorized and directed to accept
instructions with respect to the performance of its duties hereunder from the
Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice President, the Secretary, any
Assistant Secretary, the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer of the Company,
and to apply to such officers for advice or instructions in connection with its
duties, and it shall not be liable to the Company or the holder of any Rights
Certificate
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or any shareholder of the Company for any action taken or suffered to be taken
by it in good faith in accordance with instructions of any such officer.
(g) The Rights Agent and any shareholder, director, officer or
employee of the Rights Agent may buy, sell or deal in any of the Rights or
other securities of the Company or become pecuniarily interested in any
transaction in which the Company may be interested, or contract with or lend
money to the Company or otherwise act as fully and freely as though it were not
Rights Agent under this Agreement. Nothing herein shall preclude the Rights
Agent from acting in any other capacity for the Company or for any other legal
entity.
(h) The Rights Agent may execute and exercise any of the rights or
powers hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder either itself or by or
through its attorneys or agents, and the Rights Agent shall not be answerable
or accountable for any act, default, neglect or misconduct of any such
attorneys or agents or for any loss to the Company resulting from any such act,
default, neglect or misconduct; provided, however, reasonable care was
exercised in the selection and continued employment thereof.
(i) No provision of this Agreement shall require the Rights Agent
to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in
the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of its rights
if there shall be, in the sole judgment of the Rights Agent, reasonable grounds
for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnification against
such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
(j) If, with respect to any Right Certificate surrendered to the
Rights Agent for exercise or transfer, the certificate attached to the form of
assignment or form of election to purchase, as the case may be, has either not
been completed or indicates an affirmative response
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to clause 1 and/or 2 thereof, the Rights Agent shall not take any further
action with respect to such requested exercise or transfer without first
consulting with the Company.
SECTION 21. CHANGE OF RIGHTS AGENT. The Rights Agent or any successor
Rights Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties under this Agreement
upon thirty (30) days' notice in writing mailed to the Company, and to each
transfer agent of the Common Stock, by registered or certified mail, and to the
holders of the Rights Certificates by first-class mail. The Company may remove
the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent upon thirty (30) days' notice in
writing, mailed to the Rights Agent or successor Rights Agent, as the case may
be, and to each transfer agent of the Common Stock, by registered or certified
mail, and to the holders of the Rights Certificates by first-class mail. If
the Rights Agent shall resign or be removed or shall otherwise become incapable
of acting, the Company shall appoint a successor to the Rights Agent. If the
Company shall fail to make such appointment within a period of thirty (30) days
after giving notice of such removal or after it has been notified in writing of
such resignation or incapacity by the resigning or incapacitated Rights Agent
or by the holder of a Rights Certificate (who shall, with such notice, submit
his Rights Certificate for inspection by the Company), then any registered
holder of any Rights Certificate may apply to any court of competent
jurisdiction for the appointment of a new Rights Agent. Any successor Rights
Agent, whether appointed by the Company or by such a court, shall be a
corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or
of the State of Ohio or of the State of New York (or of any other state of
the United States so long as such corporation is authorized to do business as a
banking institution in either the State of Ohio or the State of New York), in
good standing, having a principal office in either the State of Ohio or the
State of New York, which is authorized under such laws to
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exercise corporate trust powers and is subject to supervision or examination by
federal or state authority and which has at the time of its appointment as
Rights Agent a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. After
appointment, the successor Rights Agent shall be vested with the same powers,
rights, duties and responsibilities as if it had been originally named as
Rights Agent without further act or deed; but the predecessor Rights Agent
shall deliver and transfer to the successor Rights Agent any property at the
time held by it hereunder, and execute and deliver any further assurance,
conveyance, act or deed necessary for the purpose. Not later than the
effective date of any such appointment, the Company shall file notice thereof
in writing with the predecessor Rights Agent and each transfer agent of the
Common Stock, and mail a notice thereof in writing to the registered holders of
the Rights Certificates. Failure to give any notice provided for in this
Section 21, however, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or
validity of the resignation or removal of the Rights Agent or the appointment
of the successor Rights Agent, as the case may be.
SECTION 22. ISSUANCE OF NEW RIGHTS CERTIFICATES. Notwithstanding any of
the provisions of this Agreement or of the Rights to the contrary, the Company
may, at its option, issue new Rights Certificates evidencing Rights in such
form as may be approved by its Board of Directors to reflect any adjustment or
change in the Purchase Price and the number or kind or class of shares or other
securities or property purchasable under the Rights Certificates made in
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. In addition, in connection
with the issuance or sale of shares of Common Stock following the Distribution
Date and prior to the redemption or expiration of the Rights, the Company (a)
shall, with respect to shares of Common Stock so issued or sold pursuant to the
exercise of stock options or under any employee plan or arrangement, or upon
the
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exercise, conversion or exchange of securities hereinafter issued by the
Company, and (b) may, in any other case, if deemed necessary or appropriate by
the Board of Directors of the Company, issue Rights Certificates representing
the appropriate number of Rights in connection with such issuance or sale;
PROVIDED, however, that (i) no such Rights Certificate shall be issued if, and
to the extent that, the Company shall be advised by counsel that such issuance
would create a significant risk of material adverse tax consequences to the
Company or the Person to whom such Rights Certificate would be issued, and (ii)
no such Rights Certificate shall be issued if, and to the extent that,
appropriate adjustments shall otherwise have been made in lieu of the issuance
thereof.
SECTION 23. REDEMPTION AND TERMINATION. (a) The Board of Directors of
the Company may, at its option, at any time prior to the earlier of (i) the
close of business on the tenth day (as such period may be extended pursuant to
the provisions of Section 26 hereof) following the Stock Acquisition Date (or,
if the Stock Acquisition Date shall have occurred prior to the Record Date, the
close of business on the tenth day (as such period may be extended pursuant to
the provisions of Section 26 hereof) following the Record Date), or (ii) the
Final Expiration Date, redeem all but not less than all of the then outstanding
Rights at a redemption price of $.01 per Right, as such amount may be
appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar
transaction occurring after the date hereof (such redemption price being
hereinafter referred to as the "Redemption Price"), such Redemption Price to be
payable in cash, shares of Common Stock (based on the "current market price,"
as defined in Section 11(d) hereof, of the Common Stock at the time of
redemption) or such other form of consideration as may be deemed appropriate by
the Board of Directors of the Company; PROVIDED, however, if the Board of
Directors of the
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Company authorizes redemption of the Rights in either of the circumstances set
forth in clauses (i) and (ii) below, then there must be Continuing Directors
then in office and such authorization shall require the concurrence of a
majority of such Continuing Directors: (i) such authorization occurs on or
after the time a Person becomes an Acquiring Person, or (ii) such authorization
occurs on or after the date of a change (resulting from a proxy or consent
solicitation) in a majority of the directors in office at the commencement of
such solicitation if any Person who is a participant in such solicitation has
stated (or, if upon the commencement of such solicitation, a majority of the
Board of Directors of the Company has determined in good faith) that such
Person (or any of its Affiliates or Associates) intends to take, or may
consider taking, any action which would result in such Person becoming an
Acquiring Person or which would cause the occurrence of a Triggering Event
unless, concurrent with such solicitation, such Person (or one or more of its
Affiliates or Associates) is making a tender offer or exchange offer in
compliance with Section 11(a)(ii)(B); PROVIDED FURTHER, however, that if
following the occurrence of a Stock Acquisition Date and following the
expiration of the right of redemption hereunder but prior to any Triggering
Event, (i) a Person who is an Acquiring Person shall have transferred or
otherwise disposed of a number of shares of Common Stock in one transaction or
series of transactions, not directly or indirectly involving the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries, which did not result in the occurrence of a Triggering
Event such that such Person is thereafter a Beneficial Owner of 10% or less of
the outstanding shares of Common Stock, and (ii) there are no other Persons,
immediately following the occurrence of the event described in clause (i), who
are Acquiring Persons, then the right of redemption shall be reinstated and
thereafter be subject to the provisions of this Section 23. Notwithstanding
anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the
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Rights shall not be exercisable after the first occurrence of a Section
11(a)(ii) Event until such time as the Company's right of redemption hereunder
and under subsection (b) of this Section 23 has expired.
(b) During the period commencing at the close of business on the
tenth day following the Stock Acquisition Date and terminating on the earlier
of (i) the occurrence of a Triggering Event and (ii) the Final Expiration Date,
the Board of Directors of the Company may, at its option, redeem all but not
less than all of the then outstanding Rights at the Redemption Price
(appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar
transaction occurring after the date hereof), provided that such redemption is
incidental to a merger, consolidation or other business combination involving
the Company or a reorganization or restructuring of the Company which a
majority of the Continuing Directors shall determine to be in the best
interests of the Company and its shareholders.
(c) Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the
Company ordering the redemption of the Rights, evidence of which shall have
been filed with the Rights Agent and without any further action and without any
notice, the right to exercise the Rights will terminate and the only right
thereafter of the holders of Rights shall be to receive the Redemption Price
for each Right so held. Promptly after the action of the Board of Directors
ordering the redemption of the Rights, the Company shall give notice of such
redemption to the Rights Agent and the holders of the then outstanding Rights
by mailing such notice to all such holders at each holder's last address as it
appears upon the registry books of the Rights Agent or, prior to the
Distribution Date, on the registry books of the Transfer Agent for the Common
Stock. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be
deemed given, whether or not the holder receives
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the notice. Each such notice of redemption will state the method by which the
payment of the Redemption Price will be made.
SECTION 24. NOTICE OF CERTAIN EVENTS. (a) In case the Company shall
propose, at any time after the Distribution Date, (i) to pay any dividend
payable in stock of any class to the holders of Common Stock or to make any
other distribution to the holders of Common Stock (other than a regular
quarterly cash dividend out of earnings or retained earnings of the Company),
or (ii) to offer to the holders of Common Stock rights or warrants to subscribe
for or to purchase any additional shares of Common Stock or shares of stock of
any class or any other securities, rights or options, or (iii) to effect any
reclassification of its Common Stock (other than a reclassification involving
only the subdivision of outstanding shares of Common Stock), or (iv) to effect
any consolidation or merger into or with any other Person (other than a
Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction which complies with Section 11(o)
hereof), or to effect any sale or other transfer (or to permit one or more of
its Subsidiaries to effect any sale or other transfer), in one transaction or a
series of related transactions, of more than 50% of the assets or earning power
of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any other Person or
Persons (other than the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries in one or more
transactions each of which complies with Section 11(o) hereof), or (v) to
effect the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, then, in each
such case, the Company shall give to each holder of a Rights Certificate, to
the extent feasible and in accordance with Section 25 hereof, a notice of such
proposed action, which shall specify the record date for the purposes of such
stock dividend, distribution of rights or warrants, or the date on which such
reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, liquidation,
dissolution, or winding up is to take place and the date of participation
therein by the
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holders of the shares of Common Stock, if any such date is to be fixed, and
such notice shall be so given in the case of any action covered by clause (i)
or (ii) above at least twenty (20) days prior to the record date for
determining holders of the shares of Common Stock for purposes of such action,
and in the case of any such other action, at least twenty (20) days prior to
the date of the taking of such proposed action or the date of participation
therein by the holders of the shares of Common Stock, whichever shall be the
earlier.
(b) In case any of the events set forth in Section 11(a)(ii)
hereof shall occur, then, in any such case, (i) the Company shall as soon as
practicable thereafter give to each holder of a Rights Certificate, to the
extent feasible and in accordance with Section 25 hereof, a notice of the
occurrence of such event, which shall specify the event and the consequences of
the event to holders of Rights under Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, and (ii) all
references in the preceding paragraph to Common Stock shall be deemed
thereafter to refer to, if appropriate, other securities.
SECTION 25. NOTICES. Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to
be given or made by the Rights Agent or by the holder of any Rights Certificate
to or on the Company shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class
mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing
with the Rights Agent) as follows:
Medex, Inc.
3637 Lacon Road
Hilliard, Ohio 43026
Attention: Corporate Secretary
Subject to the provisions of Section 21, any notice or demand authorized by
this Agreement to be given or made by the Company or by the holder of any
Rights Certificate to or on the Rights Agent shall be sufficiently given or
made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another
address is filed in writing with the Company) as follows:
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The Huntington National Bank
41 South High Street
HC1112
Columbus, Ohio 43287
Attention: Corporate Trust Department
Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the
Company or the Rights Agent to the holder of any Rights Certificate (or, if
prior to the Distribution Date, to the holder of certificates representing
shares of Common Stock) shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by
first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to such holder at the address of
such holder as shown on the registry books of the Company.
SECTION 26. SUPPLEMENTS AND AMENDMENTS. Subject to the penultimate
sentence of this Section 26 and with the consent of the Rights Agent, this
Agreement may be supplemented or amended at the times and for the purposes set
forth below; provided, however, that no proposed supplement or amendment to
this Agreement shall be effective unless (i) there are Continuing Directors and
(ii) a majority of such Continuing Directors, at a meeting of Directors duly
called and held, votes in favor of the adoption of such proposed supplement or
amendment. Prior to the Distribution Date and subject to the first and
penultimate sentences of this Section 26, the Company and the Rights Agent
shall, if the Company so directs, supplement or amend any provision of this
Agreement without the approval of any holders of certificates representing
shares of Common Stock. From and after the Distribution Date and subject to
the first and penultimate sentences of this Section 26, the Company and the
Rights Agent shall, if the Company so directs, supplement or amend this
Agreement without the approval of any holders of Rights Certificates in order
(i) to cure any ambiguity, (ii) to correct or supplement any provision
contained herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other
provisions herein, (iii) to shorten or
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lengthen any time period hereunder, or (iv) to change or supplement the
provisions hereunder in any manner which the Company may deem necessary or
desirable and which shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of
Rights Certificates (other than an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or
Associate of an Acquiring Person); PROVIDED, this Agreement may not be
supplemented or amended to lengthen, pursuant to clause (iii) of this sentence,
(A) a time period relating to when the Rights may be redeemed at such time as
the Rights are not then redeemable, or (B) any other time period unless such
lengthening is for the purpose of protecting, enhancing or clarifying the
rights of, and/or the benefits to, the holders of the common equity of the
Company, including the holders of Rights. Upon the delivery of a certificate
that is signed by a Continuing Director and which states that the proposed
supplement or amendment is in compliance with the terms of this Section 26, the
Rights Agent shall execute such supplement or amendment. Notwithstanding
anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, no supplement or
amendment shall be made which changes the Redemption Price, the Final
Expiration Date, the Purchase Price or the number of shares of Common Stock for
which a Right is exercisable. Prior to the Distribution Date, the interests
of the holders of Rights shall be deemed coincident with the interests of the
holders of Common Stock.
SECTION 27. SUCCESSORS. All the covenants and provisions of this
Agreement by or for the benefit of the Company or the Rights Agent shall bind
and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns hereunder.
SECTION 28. DETERMINATIONS AND ACTIONS BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, ETC.
For all purposes of this Agreement, any calculation of the number of shares of
Common Stock outstanding at any particular time, including for purposes of
determining the particular percentage of such
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outstanding shares of Common Stock of which any Person is the Beneficial Owner,
shall be made in accordance with the last sentence of Rule 13d-3(d)(1)(i) of
the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act. The Board of
Directors of the Company (with, where specifically provided for herein, the
concurrence of the Continuing Directors) shall have the exclusive power and
authority to administer this Agreement and to exercise all rights and powers
specifically granted to the Board (with, where specifically provided for
herein, the concurrence of the Continuing Directors) or to the Company, or as
may be necessary or advisable in the administration of this Agreement,
including, without limitation, the right and power to (i) interpret the
provisions of this Agreement, and (ii) make all determinations deemed necessary
or advisable for the administration of this Agreement (including a
determination to redeem or not redeem the Rights or to amend the Agreement).
All such actions, calculations, interpretations and determinations (including,
for purposes of clause (y) below, all omissions with respect to the foregoing)
which are done or made by the Board (with, where specifically provided for
herein, the concurrence of the Continuing Directors) in good faith, shall (x)
be final, conclusive and binding on the Company, the Rights Agent, the holders
of the Rights and all other parties, and (y) not subject the Board or the
Continuing Directors to any liability to the holders of the Rights.
SECTION 29. BENEFITS OF THIS AGREEMENT. Nothing in this Agreement shall
be construed to give to any Person other than the Company, the Rights Agent and
the registered holders of the Rights Certificates (and, prior to the
Distribution Date, registered holders of the Common Stock) any legal or
equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement; but this Agreement shall
be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Company, the Rights Agent and the
registered holders
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of the Rights Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, registered
holders of the Common Stock).
SECTION 30. SEVERABILITY. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction
of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other
authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms,
provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full
force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated;
provided, however, that notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, if any such term, provision, covenant or restriction is held by such
court or authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable and the Board of
Directors of the Company determines in its good faith judgment that severing
the invalid language from this Agreement would adversely affect the purpose or
effect of this Agreement, the right of redemption set forth in Section 23
hereof shall be reinstated and shall not expire until the close of business on
the tenth day following the date of such determination by the Board of
Directors.
SECTION 31. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement, each Right and each Rights
Certificate issued hereunder shall be deemed to be a contract made under the
laws of the State of Ohio and for all purposes shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of such State applicable to contracts to
be made and to be performed entirely within such State.
SECTION 32. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to
be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and
the same instrument.
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SECTION 33. DESCRIPTIVE HEADINGS. Descriptive headings of the several
Sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not
control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed and
attested, all as of the date and year first above written.
Attest: MEDEX, INC.
/s/ Robert E. Boyd, Jr. /s/ Bradley P. Gould
- ------------------------------- By: ----------------------------------
Name: Robert E. Boyd, Jr. Name: /s/Bradley P. Gould
Title: Secretary Title: Chief Executive Officer
Attest: The Huntington National Bank
/s/ Candada J. Moore /s/ Mark A. Dunn
- ------------------------------- By: ----------------------------------
Name: Candada J. Moore Name: Mark A. Dunn
Title: Trust Officer Title: Trust Officer
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Exhibit A
---------
[Form of Rights Certificate]
Certificate No. R- _______ Rights
NOT EXERCISABLE AFTER OCTOBER 26, 2005 OR EARLIER IF REDEEMED BY THE COMPANY.
THE RIGHTS ARE SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION, AT THE OPTION OF THE COMPANY, AT $.01 PER
RIGHT ON THE TERMS SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT. UNDER CERTAIN
CIRCUMSTANCES, RIGHTS BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY AN ACQUIRING PERSON (AS SUCH TERM
IS DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT) AND ANY SUBSEQUENT HOLDER OF SUCH RIGHTS
MAY BECOME NULL AND VOID. [THE RIGHTS REPRESENTED BY THIS RIGHTS CERTIFICATE
ARE OR WERE BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY A PERSON WHO WAS OR BECAME AN ACQUIRING
PERSON OR AN AFFILIATE OR ASSOCIATE OF AN ACQUIRING PERSON (AS SUCH TERMS ARE
DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT). ACCORDINGLY, THIS RIGHTS CERTIFICATE AND THE
RIGHTS REPRESENTED HEREBY MAY BECOME NULL AND VOID IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES
SPECIFIED IN SECTION 7(e) OF SUCH AGREEMENT.]*
Rights Certificate
MEDEX, INC.
This certifies that ___________________________, or registered assigns, is
the registered owner of the number of Rights set forth above, each of which
entitles the owner thereof, subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of
the Rights Agreement, dated as of October 12, 1995 (the "Rights Agreement"),
between Medex, Inc., an Ohio corporation (the "Company"), and The
__________________________________
*The portion of the legend in brackets shall be included only if
applicable and shall replace the preceding sentence.
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<PAGE> 66
Huntington National Bank, (the "Rights Agent"), to purchase from the Company at
any time prior to 5:00 PM (Central Standard Time) on October 26, 2005 (unless
earlier redeemed by the Company as provided in the Rights Agreement) at the
office or offices of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, or its
successors as Rights Agent, one fully paid, non-assessable share of Common
Stock (the "Common Stock") of the Company, at a purchase price of $60 per share
(the "Purchase Price"), upon presentation and surrender of this Rights
Certificate with the Form of Election to Purchase and related Certificate duly
executed. The Purchase Price shall be paid in cash. The number of Rights
evidenced by this Rights Certificate (and the number of shares which may be
purchased upon exercise thereof) set forth above, and the Purchase Price per
share set forth above, are the number and Purchase Price as of
_________________ ___, 19___, based on the Common Stock as constituted at such
date.
Upon the occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event (as such term is
defined in the Rights Agreement), if the Rights evidenced by this Rights
Certificate are beneficially owned by (i) an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate
or Associate of any such Acquiring Person (as such terms are defined in the
Rights Agreement), (ii) a transferee of any such Acquiring Person, Associate or
Affiliate, or (iii) under certain circumstances specified in the Rights
Agreement, a transferee of a person who, after such transfer, became an
Acquiring Person, or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person, such
Rights shall become null and void and no holder hereof shall have any right
with respect to such Rights from and after the occurrence of such Section
11(a)(ii) Event.
As provided in the Rights Agreement, the Purchase Price and the number
and kind of shares of Common Stock or other securities which may be purchased
upon the exercise of the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate are
subject to modification and adjustment upon the
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happening of certain events, including Triggering Events (as such term is
defined in the Rights Agreement).
This Rights Certificate is subject to all of the terms, provisions and
conditions of the Rights Agreement, which terms, provisions and conditions are
hereby incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof and to which
Rights Agreement reference is hereby made for a full description of the rights,
limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities hereunder of the
Rights Agent, the Company and the holders of the Rights Certificates, which
limitations of rights include the temporary suspension of the exercisability of
such Rights under the specific circumstances set forth in the Rights Agreement.
Copies of the Rights Agreement are on file at the above-mentioned office of the
Rights Agent and are also available upon written request to the Rights Agent.
This Rights Certificate, with or without other Rights Certificates,
upon surrender at the principal office or offices of the Rights Agent
designated for such purpose, may be exchanged for another Rights Certificate or
Rights Certificates of like tenor and date evidencing Rights entitling the
holder to purchase a like aggregate number of share of Common Stock as the
Rights evidenced by the Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates surrendered
shall have entitled such holder to purchase. If this Rights Certificate shall
be exercised in part, the holder shall be entitled to receive upon surrender
hereof another Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates for the number of
whole Rights not exercised.
Subject to the provisions of the Rights Agreement, the Rights
evidenced by this Certificate may be redeemed by the Company at its option at a
redemption price of $.01 per Right at any time prior to the earlier of the
close of business on (i) the tenth day following the Stock
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<PAGE> 68
Acquisition Date (as such time period may be extended pursuant to the Rights
Agreement), and (ii) the Final Expiration Date. After the Expiration of the
redemption period, the Company's right of redemption may be reinstated if an
Acquiring Person reduces his beneficial ownership to 10% or less of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock in a transaction or series of transactions
not involving the Company. In addition, the Company may redeem the Right's
after the above ten day period and prior to a Triggering Event, incidental to a
merger or other business combination involving the Company or reorganization or
restructuring of the Company which the majority of "Continuing Directors" (as
defined in the Rights Agreement) concurs is in the best interest of
shareholders.
No fractional shares of Common Stock will be issued upon the exercise
of any Right or Rights evidenced hereby but in lieu thereof a cash payment will
be made, as provided in the Rights Agreement.
No holder of this Rights Certificate shall be entitled to vote or
receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of shares of Common
Stock or of any other securities of the Company which may at any time be
issuable on the exercise hereof, nor shall anything contained in the Rights
Agreement or herein be construed to confer upon the holder hereof, as such, any
of the rights of a shareholder of the Company or any right to vote for the
election of directors or upon any matter submitted to shareholders at any
meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action, or to
receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting shareholders (except as
provided in the Rights Agreement), or to receive dividends or subscription
rights, or otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced by this Rights
Certificate shall have been exercised as provided in the Rights Agreement.
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This Rights Certificate shall not be valid or obligatory for any
purpose until it shall have been countersigned by the Rights Agent.
WITNESS the facsimile signature of the proper officer of the Company and
its corporate seal.
Dated as of _____________________, 1995
ATTEST: MEDEX, INC.
______________________________ By:___________________________
Secretary Title:________________________
Countersigned:
The Huntington National Bank
By:___________________________
Authorized Signature
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<PAGE> 70
[Form of Reverse Side of Rights Certificate]
FORM OF ASSIGNMENT
------------------
(To be executed by the registered holder if such holder desires to transfer the
Rights Certificate.)
FOR VALUE
RECEIVED_____________________________________________________________________
hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto ____________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
(Please print name and address of transferee)
_____________________________________________________________________________
this Rights Certificate, together with all right, title and interest therein,
and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint ________________ Attorney,
to transfer the within Rights Certificate on the books of the within-named
Company, with full power of substitution.
Dated:__________________________, 19___.
___________________________________________
Signature
Signature Guaranteed:
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<PAGE> 71
Certificate
-----------
The undersigned hereby certifies by checking the appropriate boxes
that:
(1) this Rights Certificate [ ] is [ ] is not being sold, assigned
and transferred by or on behalf of a Person who is or was an Acquiring Person
or an Affiliate or Associate of any such Acquiring Person (as such terms are
defined pursuant to the Rights Agreement);
(2) after due inquiry and to the best knowledge of the
undersigned, it [ ] did [ ] did not acquire the Rights evidenced by this Rights
Certificate from any Person who is, was or subsequently became an affiliate or
Associate of an Acquiring Person.
Dated:___________________,19__ ______________________________
Signature
Signature Guaranteed:
NOTICE
------
The signature to the foregoing Assignment and Certificate must
correspond to the name as written upon the face of this Rights Certificate in
every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.
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FORM OF ELECTION TO PURCHASE
(To be executed if holder desires to
exercise Rights represented by the
Rights Certificate.)
To: MEDEX, INC:
The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise __________ Rights
represented by this Rights Certificate to purchase the shares of Common Stock
issuable upon the exercise of the Rights (or such other securities of the
Company or of any other person which may be issuable upon the exercise of the
Rights) and requests that certificates for such shares be issued in the name of
and delivered to:
Please insert social security
or other identifying number
_______________________________________________________________________________
(Please print name and address)
_______________________________________________________________________________
If such number of Rights shall not be all the Rights evidenced by this
Rights Certificate, a new Rights Certificate for the balance of such Rights
shall be, registered in the name of and delivered to:
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<PAGE> 73
Please insert social security
or other identifying number
________________________________________________________________________________
(Please print name and address)
________________________________________________________________________________
Dated:__________________, 19___
________________________________________
Signature
Signature Guaranteed:
Certificate
-----------
The undersigned hereby certifies by checking the appropriate boxes
that:
(1) the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate [ ] are [ ]
are not being exercised by or on behalf of a Person who is or was an Acquiring
Person or an Affiliate or Associate of any such Acquiring Person (as such terms
are defined pursuant to the Rights Agreement);
(2) after due inquiry and to the best knowledge of the
undersigned, it [ ] did [ ] did not acquire the Rights evidenced by this Rights
Certificate from any Person who is, was or became an Acquiring Person or an
Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person.
Dated:__________________, 19___
______________________________
Signature
Signature Guaranteed:
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<PAGE> 74
NOTICE
The signature to the foregoing Election to Purchase and Certificate
must correspond to the name as written upon the face of this Rights Certificate
in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change
whatsoever.
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<PAGE> 75
Exhibit B
---------
SUMMARY OF RIGHTS TO PURCHASE
COMMON STOCK
On October 12, 1995, the Board of Directors of Medex, Inc. (the
"Company") declared a dividend distribution of one Right ("Right") for each
outstanding share of the Company's Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the
"Common Stock"), to shareholders of record at the close of business on October
26, 1995 ("Record Date"). Each Right entitles the registered holder to
purchase from the Company one share of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share,
at a Purchase Price of $60 ("the Purchase Price"), subject to adjustment. The
Purchase Price shall be paid in cash. The description and terms of the Rights
are set forth in a Rights Agreement (the "Rights Agreement") between the
Company and The Huntington National Bank, as Rights Agent ("Rights Agent").
Initially, the Rights will be attached to all Common Stock
certificates representing shares then outstanding, and no separate Rights
Certificates will be distributed. The Rights will separate from the Common
Stock and a "Distribution Date" will occur upon the earlier of (i) 10 days
following a public announcement that a person or group of affiliated or
associated persons (an "Acquiring Person") has acquired, or obtained the right
to acquire, beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock (the "Stock Acquisition Date"), or (ii) 10 business days following
the commencement of a tender offer or exchange offer that would result in a
person or group beneficially owning 20% or more of such outstanding shares of
Common Stock. Until the Distribution Date, (i) the Rights will be evidenced by
the Common Stock certificates and will be transferred with and only with such
Common Stock certificates, (ii) new Common Stock certificates issued after
October 26, 1995 will contain a notation incorporating the Rights Agreement by
reference and (iii) the surrender for transfer of any certificates for Common
Stock outstanding will also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated
with the Common Stock represented by such certificate.
The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date and will
expire at the close of business on October 26, 2005, unless earlier redeemed by
the Company as described below.
As soon as practicable after the Distribution Date, Rights
Certificates will be mailed to holders of record of the Common Stock as of the
close of business on the Distribution Date and, thereafter, the separate Rights
Certificates alone will represent the Rights. Except as otherwise determined
by the Board of Directors, only shares of Common Stock issued prior to the
Distribution Date will be issued with Rights.
In the event that, at any time following the Distribution Date, (i)
the Company is the surviving corporation in a merger with an Acquiring Person
or an associate or affiliate of an Acquiring Person and its Common Stock is not
changed or exchanged, or (ii) a person or group
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of affiliated or associated persons becomes the beneficial owner of 20% or more
of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock (except pursuant to a tender
offer or exchange offer for all outstanding shares of Common Stock approved by
a majority of the Board of Directors who are not associated with an Acquiring
Person, the "Continuing Directors"), or (iii) during such time as there is an
Acquiring Person, an event occurs which results in such Acquiring Person's
ownership interest being increased by more than 1% (e.g., a reverse stock
split), or (iv) in the event of certain transactions between an Acquiring
Person or an Affiliate of an Acquiring Person and the Company, each holder of a
Right will thereafter have the right to receive, upon exercise, Common Stock
having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the Right (or, in
certain circumstances, cash, property or other securities of the Company) or in
certain circumstances each holder of a Right, for each Right held, will have
the right to purchase one share of Common Stock for a price equal to $1.00.
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, following the occurrence of any of the
events set forth in this paragraph, all Rights that are, or (under certain
circumstances specified in the Rights Agreement) were, beneficially owned by
any Acquiring Person will be null and void. Notwithstanding any of the
foregoing, following an occurrence of any of the events set forth in this
paragraph, all Rights that are, or (under certain circumstances specified in
the Rights Agreement) were beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person will be
null and void. However, Rights are not exercisable following the occurrence of
any of the events set forth above until such time as the Rights are no longer
redeemable by the Company as set forth below.
For example, at an exercise price of $50 per Right, each Right not
owned by an Acquiring Person (or by certain related parties) following an event
set forth in the preceding paragraph would entitle its holder to purchase $100
worth of Common Stock (or other consideration, as noted above) for $50.
Assuming that the Common Stock had a per share value of $10.00 at such time,
the holder of each valid Right would be entitled to purchase 10 shares of
Common Stock for $50. Fractional shares will not be issued. In lieu of
fractional shares of Common Stock, the Company may pay to the registered holder
of Rights Certificates at the time such Rights are exercised an amount in cash
equal to the same fraction of the current market value of one share of Common
Stock.
In the event that, at any time following the Stock Acquisition Date,
(i) the Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination
transaction in which the Company is not the surviving corporation (other than a
merger described in the second preceding paragraph), (ii) the Company is the
surviving corporation in a merger or consolidation with another person and all
or part of its Common Stock is changed or exchanged, or (iii) 50% or more of
the Company's assets or earning power is sold or transferred, each holder of a
Right (except Rights which previously have been voided as set forth above)
shall thereafter have the right to receive, upon exercise, common stock of the
acquiring company having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the
Right. The events set forth in this paragraph and in the second preceding
paragraph are referred to as the "Triggering Events."
The Purchase Price payable, and the number of shares of Common Stock
or other securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the Rights are
subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution (i) in the event of
a stock dividend on, or a subdivision, combination
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<PAGE> 77
or reclassification of, the Common Stock, (ii) if holders of the Common Stock
are granted certain rights or warrants to subscribe for Common Stock or
convertible securities at less than the current market price of the Common
Stock, or (iii) upon the distribution to holders of the Common Stock of
evidences of indebtedness or assets (excluding regular semiannual cash
dividends) or of subscription rights or warrants (other than those referred to
above).
With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Purchase Price will be
required until cumulative adjustments amount to at least 1% of the Purchase
Price. No fractional shares will be issued and, in lieu thereof, an adjustment
in cash will be made based on the market price of the Common Stock on the last
trading date prior to the date of exercise.
At any time until ten (10) days following the Stock Acquisition Date
(as such period may be extended by the Company pursuant to the Rights
Agreement), the Company may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a
price of $.01 per Right provided that in certain circumstances such redemption
will require the concurrence of a majority of the Continuing Directors. After
this 10-day period has expired, this right of redemption may be reinstated if
an Acquiring Person reduces his beneficial ownership to 10% or less of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock in a transaction or series of transactions
not involving the Company and there are no other Acquiring Persons. After the
above 10-day period expires and prior to the occurrence of a Triggering Event,
the Company may redeem the Rights provided that such redemption is incidental
to a merger, consolidation or other business combination involving the Company
or a reorganization or restructuring of the Company which is approved by a
majority of the Continuing Directors. Immediately upon the action of the Board
of Directors ordering redemption of the Rights, the Rights will terminate and
the only right of the holders of Rights will be to receive the $.01 redemption
price.
Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no
rights as a shareholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the
right to vote or to receive dividends. While the distribution of the Rights
will not be taxable to shareholders or to the Company, shareholders may,
depending upon the circumstances, recognize taxable income in the event that
the Rights become exercisable for Common Stock (or other consideration) of the
Company or for common stock of the acquiring company as set forth above.
The Rights Agreement may be amended in certain instances so long as
there are Continuing Directors and a majority of such Continuing Directors
votes in favor of the proposed amendment. Other than those provisions relating
to the principal economic terms of the Rights, any of the provisions of the
Rights Agreement may be amended prior to the Distribution Date. After the
Distribution Date, the provisions of the Rights Agreement may be amended in
order to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision contained
in the Rights Agreement which is defective or inconsistent with another
provision therein, to make changes which do not adversely affect the interests
of holders of Rights (excluding the interests of any Acquiring Person), or to
shorten or lengthen any time period under the Rights Agreement; PROVIDED
HOWEVER, that no amendment to adjust the time period governing redemption shall
be made at such time as the Rights are not redeemable and no amendment shall be
made to lengthen any other time
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period unless such lengthening is for the purpose of protecting, enhancing or
clarifying the rights of, and/or the benefits to, the holders of the common
equity of the Company, including the holders of the Rights.
A copy of the Rights Agreement has been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to a Registration Statement on Form 8-A. A
copy of the Rights Agreement is available free of charge from the Rights Agent.
This summary description of the Rights does not purport to be complete and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the Rights Agreement, which is
incorporated herein by reference.
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