<PAGE>
MISSISSIPPI CHEMICAL CORPORATION
P.O. BOX 388
YAZOO CITY, MISSISSIPPI 39194
1997 PROXY STATEMENT
AND
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
As a shareholder of Mississippi Chemical Corporation, a Mississippi
corporation (the "Company"), you are hereby given notice of and invited to
attend in person or by proxy the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company
to be held at the Owen Cooper Administration Building, Highway 49 East, Yazoo
City, Mississippi 39194, on Tuesday, November 11, 1997, at 9:00 a.m. local
time, for the following purposes:
1. To elect six members to the Board of Directors, five to serve for
three years and one to serve for two years, until their successors are duly
elected and qualified.
2. To consider and vote upon the amendment and restatement of the
Mississippi Chemical Corporation 1995 Stock Option Plan for Nonemployee
Directors.
3. To consider and vote upon the Mississippi Chemical Corporation Officer
and Key Employee Incentive Plan.
4. To consider and vote upon the Mississippi Chemical Corporation
Executive Deferred Compensation Plan.
5. To consider and vote upon the Mississippi Chemical Corporation
Deferred Compensation Plan for Nonemployee Directors.
6. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting and any adjournments thereof.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on September 4, 1997,
as the Record Date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of
and to vote at such meeting and any adjournments thereof. Election of each
nominee for director requires a plurality of the votes cast.
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND THE MEETING. HOWEVER, WHETHER OR NOT YOU
EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING, TO ASSURE THAT YOUR SHARES ARE REPRESENTED AT
THE MEETING, PLEASE DATE, EXECUTE, AND MAIL PROMPTLY THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD
IN THE ENCLOSED STAMPED ENVELOPE FOR WHICH NO ADDITIONAL POSTAGE IS REQUIRED
IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
ROSALYN B. GLASCOE
Corporate Secretary
Yazoo City, Mississippi
October 3, 1997
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT.
PLEASE DATE, EXECUTE, AND RETURN PROMPTLY THE
ENCLOSED PROXY CARD IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY UNANIMOUSLY
RECOMMENDS THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR EACH OF THE
NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR AND APPROVE EACH OF THE PLANS LISTED ABOVE.
<PAGE>
MISSISSIPPI CHEMICAL CORPORATION
P.O. BOX 388
YAZOO CITY, MISSISSIPPI 39194
APPROXIMATE MAILING DATE:
OCTOBER 3, 1997
THE ANNUAL MEETING
GENERAL
The Company's Annual Meeting will be held at 9:00 a.m. local time on
November 11, 1997, at the Owen Cooper Administration Building, Highway 49
East, Yazoo City, Mississippi 39194, which is the Company's principal
executive office.
THE ANNUAL MEETING
At the Company's Annual Meeting, the shareholders of the Company will be
asked to consider and vote upon proposals (1) to elect six members to the
Board of Directors, five to serve for three years and one to serve for two
years, or until their successors are duly elected and qualified; (2) to
consider and vote upon the amendment and restatement of the Mississippi
Chemical Corporation 1995 Stock Option Plan for Nonemployee Directors; (3) to
consider and vote upon the Mississippi Chemical Corporation Officer and Key
Employee Incentive Plan; (4) to consider and vote upon the Mississippi
Chemical Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan; (5) to consider and
vote upon the Mississippi Chemical Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan for
Nonemployee Directors; and (6) to transact such other business as may come
before the Company's Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements
thereof.
Record Date; Voting at the Meeting; Vote Required; Principal Shareholders
Only holders of record on September 4, 1997 (the Company's "Record Date")
are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Company's Annual Meeting and
any adjournments or postponements thereof. There were issued and outstanding
27,415,284 shares of the Company's common stock on the Company's Record Date.
Each holder of the Company's common stock will be entitled to one vote, in
person or by proxy, for each share standing in his or her name on the books of
the Company on the Company's Record Date on any matter submitted to a vote of
the Company's shareholders. The presence, in person or by proxy, of holders of
record of a majority of the shares entitled to vote constitutes a quorum for
action at the Company's Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker nonvotes are
counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for
transaction of business. Proposal One requires each director nominee to
receive a plurality of votes cast. Proposals Two through Five each require the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares voted on the
proposal, provided that the total votes cast on the proposal represent a
majority of the shares entitled to vote thereon.
For information with respect to beneficial ownership of the Company's common
stock by the Company's directors and executive officers, see "Proposal One--
Election of Directors--Management Ownership of the Company's Stock."
Revocability of Proxies
A proxy for use at the Company's Annual Meeting is enclosed with this Proxy
Statement. A shareholder of the Company executing and returning a proxy may
revoke it at any time prior to the voting thereof either by revoking the proxy
in person at the Company's Annual Meeting or by delivering a signed written
notice of revocation to the office of the Secretary of the Company (P.O. Box
388, Yazoo City, Mississippi 39194) before
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the meeting begins. All shares represented by a properly executed proxy,
unless such proxy previously has been revoked, will be voted in accordance
with the directions on such proxy. If no directions are given to the contrary
on such proxy, the shares of the Company's common stock represented by such
proxy will be voted FOR approval of all proposals addressed at the meeting. It
is not anticipated that any matters will be presented at the Company's Annual
Meeting other than as set forth in the notice of the Company's Annual Meeting.
If, however, other matters are properly presented at the Company's Annual
Meeting, the proxy will be voted in accordance with the best judgment of the
person or persons voting the proxy.
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
The solicitation of proxies is being made by the Company. The expense of
soliciting proxies for the meeting, including the cost of preparing,
assembling, and mailing the notice, proxy card, and Proxy Statement and the
reasonable costs of brokers, nominees, and fiduciaries in supplying proxies to
beneficial owners, will be paid by the Company. The solicitation will be made
by the use of the mails and directly by directors, officers, and regular
employees of the Company. In addition, the Company has engaged Morrow & Co., a
firm specializing in solicitation of proxies, to assist in the current
solicitation for an estimated fee of $6,000 plus reimbursement for their out-
of-pocket expenses.
Proposal One--Election of Directors
The Articles of Incorporation of the Company provide that its Board of
Directors shall consist of not fewer than nine nor more than 15 directors,
with the exact number of directors to be fixed by the Company's Board of
Directors, and that the Board of Directors shall be divided into three
classes, with one class being elected each year for a three-year term. The
number of directors had been fixed at 12, but on September 19, 1997, the Board
of Directors voted to increase its number to 13, and, accordingly, six
directors are to be elected at the Annual Meeting, five to serve for three
years or until the 2000 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and one to serve for
two years or until the 1999 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until their
respective successors shall have been elected and qualified. The persons named
as proxies in the accompanying proxy card have indicated that they intend to
vote for the election of the six nominees set forth hereinafter. See "Nominees
for Election to Serve Until 2000" and "Nominee for Election to Serve Until
1999."
In the event that any of the nominees for election as director is not
available to serve as a director at the time of election at the meeting, proxy
cards may be voted for a substitute nominee as well as for the remaining
nominees named herein. However, the Company's management has no reason to
anticipate that any nominees will be unavailable.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE COMPANY'S SHAREHOLDERS VOTE "FOR"
EACH OF THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR SET FORTH HEREIN.
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION TO SERVE UNTIL 2000
Coley L. Bailey, Age 46
Director of the Company since 1978 and has served as Chairman of the
Company's Board of Directors since 1988. For more than the past five years,
Mr. Bailey has been engaged in farming activities in Yalobusha County,
Mississippi.
Member: Executive Committee and Ex Officio Member of all other Committees.
2
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Charles O. Dunn, Age 49
Director of the Company since 1992. Mr. Dunn has been employed by the
Company since 1978 and was elected President and Chief Executive Officer of
the Company in April 1993. Prior to becoming President, he served in various
positions within the Company, including Attorney and Executive Vice President.
Member: Executive Committee.
Woods E. Eastland, Age 52
Director of the Company since July 1994. Since 1986, Mr. Eastland has been
President and Chief Executive Officer of Staplcotn & Stapldiscount, a cotton
marketing and financing cooperative located in Greenwood, Mississippi.
Member: Audit Committee.
John Sharp Howie, Age 57
Director of the Company since 1966 and has served as Vice Chairman of the
Board of Directors since 1988. For more than the past five years, Mr. Howie
has been engaged in farming activities in Yazoo County, Mississippi.
Member: Compensation Committee and Executive Committee.
W. A. Percy II, Age 57
Director of the Company from 1988-1994. For more than the past five years,
Mr. Percy has been engaged in farming activities in Washington County,
Mississippi, and other agribusiness enterprises. He is a director of ChemFirst
Inc.
NOMINEE FOR ELECTION TO SERVE UNTIL 1999
Haley Barbour, Age 49
Director of the Company since January 1997. For more than the past five
years, Mr. Barbour has been a partner and attorney in the law firm Barbour,
Griffith and Rogers in Washington, D.C. From 1993-1997, Mr. Barbour served as
Chairman of the Republican National Committee. He is a director of Deposit
Guaranty Corporation and Mobile Telecommunications Technologies, Inc.
Member: Audit Committee.
DIRECTORS CONTINUING TO SERVE UNTIL 1999
Wayne A. Thames, Age 61
Director of the Company since 1973. For more than the past five years, Mr.
Thames has been a cattleman in Evergreen, Alabama.
Member: Audit Committee.
W. R. Dyess, Age 58
Director of the Company since 1991. Since 1972, Mr. Dyess has served as
President of Dyess Farm Center, Inc., in Bardwell, Texas, and ABC Ag Center,
Inc., in Corsicana, Texas.
Member: Corporate Governance Committee.
David M. Ratcliffe, Age 48
Director of the Company since 1994. Since 1995, Mr. Ratcliffe has served as
Senior Vice President of External Affairs of the Southern Company, an Atlanta,
Georgia-based utility holding company. From 1991 to 1995, Mr. Ratcliffe served
as President and Chief Executive Officer of Mississippi Power Company, an
electric utility.
3
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Member: Compensation Committee.
DIRECTORS CONTINUING TO SERVE UNTIL 1998
John W. Anderson, Age 62
Director of the Company since 1989. Mr. Anderson is the former President and
Chief Executive Officer of Alabama Farmers Cooperative, Inc. He served in that
capacity from 1989 to 1995 when he retired.
Member: Executive Committee and Audit Committee.
Frank R. Burnside, Jr., Age 48
Director of the Company since 1985. For more than the past five years, Mr.
Burnside has been a farm supply dealer and Vice President and Manager of
Newellton Elevator Company, Inc., Newellton, Louisiana.
Member: Compensation Committee.
Robert P. Dixon, Age 54
Director of the Company since 1986. Mr. Dixon is the former President and
Chief Executive Officer of SF Services, Inc., North Little Rock, Arkansas, a
regional agricultural cooperative. He served in that capacity from 1986 to
1996, when he retired.
Member: Corporate Governance Committee and Executive Committee.
George Penick, Age 49
Director of the Company since July 1994. Mr. Penick is President of the
Foundation for the Mid-South, a private philanthropic foundation, and has
served in that position since 1990.
Member: Corporate Governance Committee.
DIRECTOR EMERITUS
Tom C. Parry, Age 69
Appointed director emeritus of the Company in 1994. Mr. Parry was President
of the Company and a member of the Company's Board of Directors from 1972
until his retirement in 1993.
Member: Audit Committee.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
During fiscal 1997, all nonemployee directors, including the director
emeritus but excluding the Chairman and the Vice Chairman, were paid an annual
retainer of $12,000 and $1,000 per meeting, plus expenses. Coley L. Bailey, as
Chairman of the Company's Board of Directors, received an annual retainer of
$40,000 a year, plus expenses. John Sharp Howie, as Vice Chairman of the
Company's Board of Directors, received an annual retainer of $18,000 and
$1,000 per meeting, plus expenses. During fiscal 1997, the Compensation
Committee and the full Board of Directors received and reviewed the results of
an extensive study of compensation of directors of companies of a similar size
and industry performed by the HayGroup, a compensation consulting
4
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firm. Said study indicated that the cash compensation of directors of the
Company was below the median for directors of companies of a similar size and
industry. Therefore, on April 17, 1997, and on the recommendation of the
Compensation Committee, the Board of Directors elected to make the following
changes to become effective September 1, 1997: the annual retainer of each
director (other than the Chairman and Vice Chairman) was increased to $20,000,
payable as described below; the annual retainer of the Vice Chairman was
changed to $30,000; and the annual retainer of the Chairman was changed to
$50,000. Charles O. Dunn, as President and Chief Executive Officer, receives
no additional remuneration for serving as a director.
Beginning September 1, 1997, each nonemployee director shall receive one-
half of his retainer in shares of restricted stock and also may elect to
receive the other half in restricted stock pursuant to the 1995 Restricted
Stock Purchase Plan for Nonemployee Directors (the "Restricted Stock Purchase
Plan"). Pursuant to the Restricted Stock Purchase Plan, at the beginning of
each retainer period, the number of shares of restricted stock that the
nonemployee director is entitled to receive is determined by dividing 125
percent of his retainer to be paid in restricted stock with respect to the
ensuing retainer period by the fair market value of the Company's common stock
based on the average of the closing price of the stock for the 20 trading days
prior to the beginning of the retainer period. (It is the intention of the
Board of Directors to terminate the Restricted Stock Purchase Plan effective
December 31, 1997, if shareholders approve the Mississippi Chemical
Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan for Nonemployee Directors. Thereafter,
payment of at least one-half, and as much as all, of the retainer of each
nonemployee director will be governed by the Mississippi Chemical Corporation
Deferred Compensation Plan for Nonemployee Directors.)
In addition, pursuant to the 1995 Stock Option Plan for Nonemployee
Directors ("Directors' Stock Purchase Plan"), each nonemployee director was
granted an option to purchase 5,000 shares of the Company's common stock on
November 15, 1995, except that the Chairman, Coley L. Bailey, and the Vice
Chairman, John Sharp Howie, were granted options to purchase 10,000 and 7,000
shares, respectively. Each nonemployee director who was granted initial
options under the Directors' Stock Purchase Plan was also granted options to
purchase 1,500 shares on August 19, 1996, except that the options for the
Chairman and Vice Chairman were 3,000 and 2,000, respectively. During fiscal
1997, the Compensation Committee and the full Board of Directors received and
reviewed the results of an extensive study performed by the HayGroup of stock
options granted to directors of companies of a similar size and industry. Said
study indicated that the number of options granted and to be granted under the
Directors' Stock Purchase Plan was below the median for companies of a similar
size and industry. Therefore, on April 17, 1997, and on the recommendation of
the Compensation Committee, the Board of Directors elected, subject to
shareholder approval, to amend the Directors' Stock Purchase Plan to provide
that the number of options to purchase shares of the Company's common stock to
be granted to each nonemployee director be increased to 2,000 on each July 1
that the nonemployee director remains a member of the Company's Board of
Directors, except that the annual options for the Chairman and Vice Chairman
were increased to 4,000 and 3,000, respectively. For any new director, the
initial grant of options to purchase the Company's common stock will remain at
5,000 shares. The exercise price for such options has been and will continue
to be the fair market value of the Company's common stock on the date of the
grant, determined by the average of the closing price of the Company's common
stock for the 20 trading days prior to the grant date.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES
The Company's Board of Directors is responsible for establishing broad
corporate policies and for overseeing the general performance of the Company.
The Company's Board of Directors meets regularly four times per year and holds
special meetings as required. In fiscal 1997, the Company's Board of Directors
met nine times.
Each director spends considerable time in preparing for and attending Board
of Directors and Committee meetings. During the Company's most recent fiscal
year, each director attended at least 83 percent of the meetings of the Board
of Directors and of all Committees on which such director served.
5
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Board of Directors Committees
The Company's Board of Directors has established four standing committees:
the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Corporate Governance
Committee, and the Executive Committee. Each committee met three times during
the 1997 fiscal year except the Corporate Governance Committee which met four
times. The Audit Committee recommends the appointment of independent auditors
and oversees the accounting and audit functions of the Company. Except when an
applicable statute, regulation, or plan provision requires action by the full
Board of Directors, the Compensation Committee establishes any general changes
in wages and salaries of nonexempt and exempt employees; establishes executive
officers' salaries, bonuses, perquisites, stock, and compensation plans;
amends and monitors all qualified and nonqualified benefit plans of the
Company; and recommends to the full Board of Directors compensation for
directors' service to the Company. The Corporate Governance Committee operates
as a nominating committee for the slate of directors and officers and
periodically reviews the performance of the Company's Board of Directors.
Shareholder recommendations for director nominees may be considered, but there
are no established procedures for the submission of such recommendations to
the Corporate Governance Committee for consideration. No member of the
Compensation Committee, the Corporate Governance Committee or the Audit
Committee is currently an employee of the Company. To the extent permitted by
law, the Executive Committee has the authority to take all actions that the
Company's Board of Directors as a whole would be able to take.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
At the close of business on the Record Date, the Company had 27,415,284
shares outstanding. As of such date, no person is known by the Company to own
beneficially more than 5 percent of the Company's outstanding common stock.
MANAGEMENT OWNERSHIP OF THE COMPANY'S STOCK
Under regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission"), persons who have power to vote or to dispose of shares of the
Company, either alone or jointly with others, are deemed to be beneficial
owners of those shares. The following table shows, as of September 6, 1997,
the beneficial ownership of each director, of each executive officer, and of
all directors and executive officers as a group, of shares of the Company's
common stock, including shares covered by options to purchase the Company's
common stock that can be exercised within 60 days from the date of this Proxy
Statement. This information has been furnished to the Company by the
individuals named.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME OF INDIVIDUAL NUMBER OF SHARES PERCENT
OR NUMBER IN GROUP BENEFICIALLY OWNED OF CLASS
------------------ ------------------ --------
<S> <C> <C>
John W. Anderson(1)................................ 7,540 *
Coley L. Bailey(2)................................. 13,657 *
Haley Barbour...................................... 394 *
Frank R. Burnside, Jr.(3).......................... 36,343 *
Robert P. Dixon(4)................................. 4,535 *
W. R. Dyess(5)..................................... 38,328 *
Woods E. Eastland(6)............................... 7,987 *
John Sharp Howie(7)................................ 11,779 *
George Penick(8)................................... 4,092 *
David M. Ratcliffe(9).............................. 3,247 *
Wayne Thames(10)................................... 11,951 *
Tom C. Parry(11)................................... 10,095 *
Charles O. Dunn(12)................................ 126,055 *
C. E. McCraw(13)................................... 61,210 *
David W. Arnold(14)................................ 45,600 *
Robert E. Jones(15)................................ 60,917 *
Timothy A. Dawson(16).............................. 31,825 *
All directors and executive officers as a group (20
persons).......................................... 542,606 1.97
</TABLE>
6
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* Less than 1 percent.
(1) Mr. Anderson owns 4,240 shares individually and holds options to purchase
2,300 shares of stock, which options are exercisable within 60 days from
the date of this Proxy Statement. Mr. Anderson's wife, Evelyn Anderson,
owns 1,000 shares.
(2) Of the total number of shares beneficially owned, Mr. Bailey owns 9,057
shares individually and holds options to purchase 4,600 shares of stock,
which options are exercisable within 60 days from the date of this Proxy
Statement.
(3) Mr. Burnside owns 5,107 shares individually and holds options to purchase
2,300 shares of stock, which options are exercisable within 60 days from
the date of this Proxy Statement. He is the beneficial owner of 28,736
shares owned by Newellton Elevator Company, Inc., and 200 shares as
guardian of his minor children.
(4) Mr. Dixon owns 1,875 shares individually and holds options to purchase
2,300 shares of stock, which options are exercisable within 60 days from
the date of this Proxy Statement. He is the beneficial owner of 360 shares
owned by Robert P. Dixon d/b/a Benchmark Farms.
(5) Mr. Dyess owns 671 shares individually and holds options to purchase 2,300
shares of stock, which options are exercisable within 60 days from the
date of this Proxy Statement. He is the beneficial owner of 28,484 shares
owned by Dyess Farm Center, Inc., and 6,873 shares owned by ABC Ag Center,
Inc.
(6) Mr. Eastland owns 1,792 shares individually and holds options to purchase
2,300 shares of stock, which options are exercisable within 60 days from
the date of this Proxy Statement. He is the beneficial owner of 3,895
shares owned by the Elizabeth C. Eastland Trust.
(7) Mr. Howie owns 6,676 shares individually and holds options to purchase
3,200 shares of stock, which options are exercisable within 60 days from
the date of this Proxy Statement. He is the beneficial owner of 1,903
shares owned by Pauline W. Howie and John Sharp Howie d/b/a Cedar Grove
Plantation.
(8) Of the total number of shares beneficially owned, Mr. Penick holds options
to purchase 2,300 shares of stock, which options are exercisable within 60
days from the date of this Proxy Statement.
(9) Of the total number of shares beneficially owned, Mr. Ratcliffe holds
options to purchase 2,300 shares of stock, which options are exercisable
within 60 days from the date of this Proxy Statement.
(10) Of the total number of shares beneficially owned, Mr. Thames holds
options to purchase 2,300 shares of stock, which options are exercisable
within 60 days from the date of this Proxy Statement.
(11) Of the total number of shares beneficially owned, Mr. Parry holds options
to purchase 2,300 shares of stock, which options are exercisable within
60 days from the date of this Proxy Statement.
(12) Of the total number of shares beneficially owned, Mr. Dunn holds options
to purchase 120,288 shares of stock, which options are exercisable within
60 days from the date of this Proxy Statement.
(13) Of the total number of shares beneficially owned, Mr. McCraw holds
options to purchase 60,210 shares of stock, which options are exercisable
within 60 days from the date of this Proxy Statement.
(14) Of the total number of shares beneficially owned, Dr. Arnold holds
options to purchase 44,600 shares of stock, which options are exercisable
within 60 days from the date of this Proxy Statement.
(15) Of the total number of shares beneficially owned, Mr. Jones holds options
to purchase 55,750 shares of stock, which options are exercisable within
60 days from the date of this Proxy Statement.
(16) Of the total number of shares beneficially owned, Mr. Dawson holds
options to purchase 29,225 shares of stock, which options are exercisable
within 60 days from the date of this Proxy Statement.
7
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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Executive officers are elected for a one-year term by the Company's Board of
Directors. The Company's executive officers are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OFFICE AND EMPLOYMENT DURING THE
NAME OF OFFICER AGE LAST FIVE FISCAL YEARS
--------------- --- ------------------------------------------------
<C> <C> <S>
Charles O. Dunn............. 49 President and Chief Executive Officer since
April 1, 1993; Executive Vice President (1988-
1993)
David W. Arnold............. 60 Senior Vice President-Technical Group since July
1, 1991
C. E. McCraw................ 49 Senior Vice President-Operations since July 12,
1994; Senior Vice President-Fertilizer Group
(1991-1994)
Robert E. Jones............. 49 Senior Vice President-Corporate Development
effective October 1, 1997; Senior Vice
President and General Counsel (1996-1997); Vice
President and General Counsel (1989-1996)
John J. Duffy............... 63 Vice President-Marketing and Distribution since
November 1, 1996; Vice President-Marketing
(1995-1996); Vice President-Sales and Marketing
(1994-1995); Director of Sales and Marketing
(1991-1994)
Ethel Truly................. 47 Vice President-Administration since January 18,
1996; Director of Administrative Services
(1995-1996); Assistant General Counsel (1985-
1995)
Timothy A. Dawson........... 43 Vice President-Finance and Chief Financial
Officer since January 18, 1996; Director of
Finance (1987-1996); Assistant to Senior Vice
President-Finance (1984-1987)
Larry Holley................ 49 Vice President-Nitrogen Production since July
17, 1997; Director of Nitrogen Production
(1997); Director of Energy (1991-1997); Manager
of Energy (1987-1991)
William L. Smith............ 47 General Counsel effective October 1, 1997;
partner in the law firm of Brunini, Grantham,
Grower & Hewes, PLLC (1982-1997)
Rosalyn B. Glascoe.......... 53 Corporate Secretary since June 24, 1986
</TABLE>
8
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COMPENSATION OF NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth information with respect to all compensation
paid or earned for services rendered to the Company in fiscal 1997, 1996, and
1995 by the Company's Chief Executive Officer and the Company's four highest
paid executive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer (together, the
"Named Executive Officers").
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG-TERM
ANNUAL COMPENSATION COMPENSATION
------------------------------------ ------------
OTHER SECURITIES
ANNUAL UNDERLYING
SALARY BONUS COMPENSATION(1) OPTIONS(2)
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR ($) ($) ($) (#)
--------------------------- ---- ------- ------- --------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Charles O. Dunn.............. 1997 362,256 155,770 4,500 37,219
President and Chief 1996 350,000 150,500 4,565 37,219
Executive Officer 1995 310,008 133,304 4,503 45,850
C. E. McCraw................. 1997 238,188 73,838 4,500 18,630
Senior Vice President- 1996 230,136 71,343 4,565 18,630
Operations 1995 222,340 68,928 4,503 22,950
Robert E. Jones.............. 1997 205,212 63,616 4,500 17,250
Senior Vice President and 1996 198,276 49,569 4,565 17,250
General Counsel 1995 188,832 47,208 4,503 21,250
David W. Arnold.............. 1997 188,412 47,103 4,500 13,800
Senior Vice President- 1996 182,040 45,510 4,565 13,800
Technical Group 1995 175,884 43,971 4,503 17,000
Timothy A. Dawson............ 1997 176,544 44,136 4,517 12,500
Vice President-Finance 1996 154,026 35,054 4,533 10,350
and Chief Financial Officer 1995 121,932 12,193 3,658 6,375
</TABLE>
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(1) Amounts represent the Company's matching contribution on the employee's
salary deferral contributions under its 401(k) plan.
(2) Stock option grants made on August 19, 1994, and November 15, 1995, were
reduced by approximately 15 percent and 31 percent, respectively. This
reduction was made to recognize the reduced "risk of forfeiture" created
by a change in the terms of the affected option. Prior to the change,
options would have become exercisable based upon the percent of increase
in stock value during the five years after the date of grant (nine years
and nine months after the date of grant, the option would have become
fully exercisable). At its July 26, 1996, meeting, the Compensation
Committee amended the option grant agreements so that options are fully
exercisable six months following the date of grant and to reduce the
options to purchase stock as set forth above.
9
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ANNUAL BONUSES
Annual bonuses for executive officers under the current Officer Incentive
Plan are intended to reward employees in positions, the performance of which
necessarily has a material impact on the Company's consolidated operating
results. (It is the intention of the Compensation Committee to terminate the
current Officer Incentive Plan if shareholders approve the Officer and Key
Employee Incentive Plan.) The Officer Incentive Plan permits annual bonuses
based on an "Economic Value Added" concept. No bonuses are paid unless the
Company's "Operating Income as a Percent of Capital" equals the Company's
"Weighted Average Cost of Capital," as defined in the Officer Incentive Plan.
When Operating Income as a Percent of Capital meets the Weighted Average Cost
of Capital, the President receives an incentive payment of 20 percent of his
base annual salary. For each 1 percent that Operating Income as a Percent of
Capital exceeds the Weighted Average Cost of Capital, the President becomes
eligible for a discretionary incentive payment of an additional 1 1/2 percent
of his base annual salary, up to a maximum bonus of 33 percent of his base
annual salary. The decision on the amount of discretionary bonus, if any, is
made by the Company's Board of Directors based on a recommendation from the
Compensation Committee. The four Named Executive Officers other than the
President are included in the same plan. If Operating Income as a Percent of
Capital equals the Weighted Average Cost of Capital, each such Named Executive
Officer receives an incentive payment of either 9 percent or 13 percent of his
base salary, depending on position. For each 1 percent that Operating Income
as a Percent of Capital exceeds the Weighted Average Cost of Capital, each
such Named Executive Officer (C. E. McCraw, Robert E. Jones, David W. Arnold
and Timothy A. Dawson) is eligible for a discretionary bonus of 1 1/2 percent
of his base annual salary, up to a total bonus of 15 percent or 21 percent of
his base annual salary, depending on position. The amount of the discretionary
bonus, if any, is determined by the President, approved by the Compensation
Committee, and reported to the Company's Board of Directors by the
Compensation Committee. In addition to the Officer Incentive Plan, all of the
Company's employees, including the Named Executive Officers, are eligible for
performance bonuses of up to 10 percent of base annual salary based on
operating results of the Company.
STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
On August 2, 1994, the Company's Board of Directors adopted the Mississippi
Chemical Corporation 1994 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Stock Incentive Plan").
On August 19, 1996, the Compensation Committee granted options to purchase an
aggregate of 135,584 shares of the Company's common stock to 13 officers and
key employees. Options to purchase common stock of the Company may be granted
under the Stock Incentive Plan to officers and key employees of the Company
selected by the Compensation Committee based on their responsibilities and the
potential impact of their services to the Company.
The following tables contain information covering options to purchase common
stock of the Company granted during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1997, to
the Named Executive Officers pursuant to the 1994 Stock Incentive Plan and the
number and value of unexercised stock options held by those officers at the
end of the last fiscal year. In each case, the purchase or exercise price
applicable to options to purchase shares of the Company's common stock was
equal to the fair market value of such stock on the date of the option grant,
determined by the average of the closing price of the Company's common stock
on the 20 trading days prior to the grant date. No stock appreciation rights
("SARs") were granted in conjunction with the options.
10
<PAGE>
OPTION TABLES
STOCK OPTION GRANTS DURING 1997 FISCAL YEAR
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS
--------------------------------------
NUMBER OF
SECURITIES % OF TOTAL
UNDERLYING STOCK OPTIONS PURCHASE,
OPTIONS GRANTED TO EXERCISE, OR GRANT DATE
GRANTED EMPLOYEES IN BASE PRICE EXPIRATION "PRESENT VALUE"(2)
NAME (#) FISCAL YEAR(1) ($/SHARE) DATE $
---- ---------- -------------- ------------ ---------- ------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Charles O. Dunn......... 37,219 27.45 20.28 08/19/06 290,981
C. E. McCraw............ 18,630 13.74 20.28 08/19/06 145,651
Robert E. Jones......... 17,250 12.72 20.28 08/19/06 134,862
David W. Arnold......... 13,800 10.18 20.28 08/19/06 107,889
Timothy A. Dawson....... 12,500 9.22 20.28 08/19/06 97,726
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Total options to purchase common stock of the Company granted during
fiscal 1997 were for 135,584 shares to the Named Executive Officers and
all other employees.
(2) Based on the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model adapted for use in valuing
stock options. THE ACTUAL VALUE, IF ANY, AN OPTIONEE MAY REALIZE WILL
DEPEND ON THE EXCESS OF THE STOCK PRICE OVER THE PURCHASE OR EXERCISE
PRICE ON THE DATE THE OPTION IS EXERCISED, SO THERE IS NO ASSURANCE THE
VALUE REALIZED BY AN OPTIONEE WILL BE AT OR NEAR THE VALUE ESTIMATED BY
THE BLACK-SCHOLES MODEL. In connection with the 1994 Stock Incentive Plan,
the optionees are expected by the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors to accumulate and hold shares equal to a multiple of their
salary. The model assumptions include (a) an option term of six years; (b)
a risk-free rate of return of 6.06 percent; (c) a 33 percent volatility;
and (d) an expected dividend yield of 1.94 percent. SAID ASSUMPTIONS, AND
THE OPTION VALUES GIVEN ABOVE, MAY PROVE TO BE INACCURATE.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN 1997 FISCAL YEAR AND
FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1997, VALUE TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SECURITIES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY
SHARES OPTIONS AT STOCK OPTIONS AT
ACQUIRED FY-END 06/30/97 FY-END 06/30/97
ON VALUE (#) ($)
EXERCISE REALIZED ---------------------- ----------------------
NAME (#) ($) EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
---- -------- -------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Charles O. Dunn......... 0 0 120,288 0 281,130 0
C. E. McCraw............ 0 0 60,210 0 140,719 0
Robert E. Jones......... 0 0 55,750 0 130,295 0
David W. Arnold......... 0 0 44,600 0 104,236 0
Timothy A. Dawson....... 0 0 29,225 0 42,531 0
</TABLE>
- --------
Exercisable numbers shown in column 4 are the number of options that could
have been exercised as of June 30, 1997.
11
<PAGE>
RETIREMENT PROGRAM
PENSION PLAN
PENSION PLAN TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS OF SERVICE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
REMUNERATION 15 20 25 30 35
- ------------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
25,000 4,688 6,250 7,813 9,375 10,938
50,000 9,375 12,500 15,625 18,750 21,875
100,000 24,330 31,630 38,863 46,230 53,935
150,000 39,330 51,630 63,863 76,230 88,935
200,000 39,330 51,630 63,863 76,230 88,935
250,000 39,330 51,630 63,863 76,230 88,935
300,000 39,330 51,630 63,863 76,230 88,935
350,000 39,330 51,630 63,863 76,230 88,935
400,000 39,330 51,630 63,863 76,230 88,935
450,000 39,330 51,630 63,863 76,230 88,935
500,000 39,330 51,630 63,863 76,230 88,935
</TABLE>
Years of service for the Named Executive Officers are: Charles O. Dunn-18;
C. E. McCraw-23; Robert E. Jones-22; David W. Arnold-30; and Timothy A.
Dawson-15.
The Company provides a "defined benefit" retirement plan ("Pension Plan")
for all regular employees meeting established age and employment service
requirements. Benefits are determined based on average pay and years of
credited service. Annual Company contributions on behalf of individual
specified participants are not calculated by plan actuaries. Only an
employee's "base pay" expressed as an annual rate of pay on the plan
anniversary date is covered by the Pension Plan. Plan compensation does not
include bonuses, overtime, or shift differentials. The foregoing table
displays estimated annual benefits payable at age 65 to newly hired persons in
specified compensation and years of service categories. Listed benefits are
not subject to deductions for social security or other offset amounts. The
figures above reflect the benefit and compensation limits that are applicable
under federal law.
SUPPLEMENTAL BENEFIT PLAN
SUPPLEMENTAL BENEFIT PLAN TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS OF SERVICE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
REMUNERATION 15 20 25 30 35
- ------------ ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
200,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 30,000 35,000
250,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000
300,000 45,000 60,000 75,000 90,000 105,000
350,000 60,000 80,000 100,000 120,000 140,000
400,000 75,000 100,000 125,000 150,000 175,000
450,000 90,000 120,000 150,000 180,000 210,000
500,000 105,000 140,000 175,000 210,000 245,000
</TABLE>
Years of service for the Named Executive Officers are: Charles O. Dunn-18;
C. E. McCraw-23; Robert E. Jones-22; David W. Arnold-30; and Timothy A.
Dawson-15.
The Company maintains a nonqualified Supplemental Benefit Plan for any
employee (1) who is prohibited by the Internal Revenue Code from receiving, at
his retirement, the full benefits from the Pension Plan to which
12
<PAGE>
he would otherwise be entitled to receive under the provisions of the Plan or
(2) (since the Supplemental Benefit Plan was amended in 1995) who is a
participant in the Company's "defined contribution" 401(k) savings plan
("401(k) Plan"), for whom the Company is prohibited by the Internal Revenue
Code from contributing the full matching contribution that he would otherwise
be entitled to receive under the provisions of the 401(k) Plan, and (3) who is
designated by the plan administrator. All Named Executive Officers are
participants in the nonqualified Supplemental Benefit Plan.
Benefits from this nonqualified Supplemental Benefit Plan will be payable to
a participant beginning at the time and under the terms that would have
applied if such benefits had been payable from the Pension Plan or 401(k)
Plan, as the case may be.
The foregoing table shows estimated annual benefits payable under the
Supplemental Benefit Plan to persons in specified compensation and years of
service categories. (The actual benefit paid under the Supplemental Plan is
the amount the participant would have received under the Company's Pension
Plan or from matching contributions to the 401(k) Plan absent the application
of the relevant Internal Revenue Code sections.)
In July of 1996, the Compensation Committee approved an amendment to the
Supplemental Benefit Plan that provides for additional benefits to certain
participants, including all of the Named Executive Officers, whose employment
is terminated in connection with a change of control (as defined in the Plan).
If the executive's employment is terminated by the Company within three years
after a change of control "without cause" (as defined in the severance
agreements described below); by the participant for "good reason" (as defined
in the severance agreements described below) within three years after a change
of control; or by the participant for any reason within 90 days of a change of
control, his benefits generally will be increased as if he had continued
employment and continued participation in the Plan through the third
anniversary of his termination. However, benefits will be limited so that
excess parachute payments do not result under Section 280G of the Internal
Revenue Code.
SEVERANCE AGREEMENTS
At its July 26, 1996, meeting, the Compensation Committee approved the
entering of severance agreements between the Company and certain of its
executive officers, including all five of the Named Executive Officers. Each
of the agreements provides certain additional compensation in the event of
termination of the executive officer's employment in connection with a change
of control (as defined in the agreements) of the Company. Payments are
triggered under each agreement if the executive is terminated by the Company
within three years following a change of control "without cause" (as defined
in the agreement); if the executive terminates employment for "good reason"
(as defined) within three years following a change of control, or if the
executive terminates employment with the Company for any reason within 90 days
of a change of control. The benefits paid generally include an amount equal to
the executive's annual base salary; a pro rata portion of the executive's
target bonus for the current fiscal year; a cash payment equal to 36 months of
medical plan premiums; and continuation of, and payment of premiums for,
certain welfare benefits. If the executive executes a liability release in
favor of the Company, he will be entitled to benefits equal to another two
times his base salary. Total benefits contingent on termination of employment
in connection with a change of control (including special change of control
benefits under the Supplemental Benefit Plan and Stock Incentive Plan) are
generally limited so that the Company will not pay any "excess parachute
payment" within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code
unless the amounts that would be reduced to avoid any such excess parachute
payment are more than the additional taxes (including the excise tax under
Internal Revenue Code Section 4999) that would be due if such amounts were
paid to the executive.
OTHER BENEFIT PROGRAMS
The Named Executive Officers participate in various health, life, and
disability insurance programs, the Pension Plan, and the 401(k) Plan, that are
generally made available to all employees. Named Executive Officers also
receive certain traditional perquisites that are customary for their
positions.
13
<PAGE>
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
This report and the following performance graph shall not be deemed to be
incorporated by reference by any general statement that incorporates by
reference this Proxy Statement into any filing under the Securities Act or
Exchange Act and they shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such Acts.
Overview
The Company's Board of Directors has established a four-member Compensation
Committee. Each member of the Compensation Committee is a nonemployee
director.
The Company's executive officer compensation program consists of base
salary, annual bonuses, long-term incentive compensation in the form of
options to purchase common stock of the Company, and various benefits
including participation in the medical, Pension, and 401(k) Plans generally
available to employees of the Company.
Compensation Policies
The Compensation Committee's executive compensation policies are designed to
provide competitive levels of compensation that integrate pay with the
Company's annual and longer-term performance goals, reward above-average and
discourage below-average performance, recognize individual initiative and
achievements, assist the Company in attracting and retaining qualified
executives, and build the ownership of the Company's stock by key managers.
The Compensation Committee is of the view that stock ownership by management
and stock-based performance compensation arrangements are beneficial in
aligning the interests of management with the interests of the Company's
shareholders and ultimately enhance shareholder value. The Compensation
Committee further believes that bonus and other forms of incentive-based
compensation encourage management to attain preset commercial goals for the
Company.
During fiscal 1997, the Compensation Committee sought from the HayGroup an
extensive study of compensation and benefits provided by companies of a
similar size and industry and a comparison of the results with the
compensation and benefits of employees of the Company in positions similar in
responsibility, including those of executive officers. Said study indicated
that, in general, the compensation and benefits of the Company's executive
officers was significantly below the median level of compensation and benefits
for positions of similar responsibility in companies of a similar size and
industry. Therefore, to cause the compensation and benefits of the Company's
executive officers to be consistent with the Compensation Committee's
executive compensation philosophy expressed above, the Compensation Committee
adopted the following plans for which shareholder approval is sought at the
Annual Meeting: the Mississippi Chemical Corporation Officer and Key Employee
Incentive Plan and the Mississippi Chemical Corporation Executive Deferred
Compensation Plan.
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code generally limits the Company's
federal income tax deduction for compensation paid to each of the Named
Executive Officers to $1,000,000 per year. The Internal Revenue Code provides
an exemption from the deduction limit for certain types of "performance based
compensation." The Compensation Committee's general philosophy has been to
qualify incentive compensation arrangements for the Named Executive Officers
for the "performance based compensation" exemption, so as to preserve the
Company's federal income tax deduction for such arrangements to the extent
practicable. Specifically, the Stock Incentive Plan, the new Officer and Key
Employee Incentive Plan (which is being submitted for shareholder approval)
and the new Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (which is also being
submitted for shareholder approval) are generally intended to provide benefits
that qualify as "performance based compensation" that is exempt from the
$1,000,000 deduction limit. However, the Compensation Committee has not
adopted a blanket policy limiting executive compensation to fully tax-
deductible amounts in every case, and nondeductible payments could occur, for
example, in the event of a change of control.
None of the Named Executive Officers exceeded this limit for fiscal year
1997. It is not anticipated that any of the Named Executive Officers will
exceed the limit for fiscal year 1998.
14
<PAGE>
Base Salary
Base salaries of the President and Chief Executive Officer and the other
executive officers (and all other employees) are based on internal equity and
external competitiveness. The Company has retained the HayGroup, a management
consulting firm specializing in compensation and other employee-related
issues, to assist in the establishment of salary ranges for each executive
officer (and all other employees). To establish appropriate salary ranges, the
HayGroup considers both internal and external factors such as position and
compensation levels for comparable positions in similar organizations
(including companies represented in the [8]-Stock Custom Composite Index shown
in the Performance Graph). Individual salaries are within the range
established by the HayGroup; the precise salary for the Named Executive
Officers being selected through subjective individual performance evaluations.
In these evaluations, the Compensation Committee considers financial criteria,
including earnings per share improvement, return on equity, and growth in
shareholder value. The Compensation Committee also applies nonfinancial
performance measures, including customer and supplier relationships,
environmental compliance, employee safety, productivity enhancements, and
management development. It is the objective of the Compensation Committee to
develop salary programs that attract and maintain qualified key employees and
that will reflect their actual performance.
Annual Bonuses
The Compensation Committee administers the Company's Officer Incentive Plan.
In administering said Plan for fiscal year 1997, the Compensation Committee
took into account the Plan criteria and determined the extent to which Plan
criteria had been met and that bonuses were appropriate within the limitations
of the Plan. Bonuses were granted to the Named Executive Officers as set forth
in the Summary Compensation Table based on the Compensation Committee's
judgment that the Company's performance met the Plan criteria, which compares
operating income as a percent of Capital to Weighted Average Cost of Capital.
The Compensation Committee intends to terminate the Officer Incentive Plan
with respect to fiscal year 1998 and thereafter if the shareholders approve
the Officer and Key Employee Incentive Plan at the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders.
Stock Incentive Plan
The Compensation Committee also administers the Stock Incentive Plan. The
Compensation Committee evaluated the contribution of key executives, including
the Named Executive Officers, and based on its evaluation, options to purchase
Company stock were awarded during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1997, as set
forth in the Stock Option Grants Table. Individual grants are based primarily
on the grantee's' level of responsibility and potential impact on the
Company's consolidated performance.
The Compensation Committee believes that the overall program it has adopted,
with its emphasis on long-term and incentive-based compensation, serves to
focus the efforts of the Company's executives and key employees on the
attainment of a sustained high rate of growth and profitability for the
benefit of the Company and its shareholders. The Compensation Committee
believes that the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, which the shareholders
are asked to approve at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, will further
enhance the focus of the Company's executives and key employees on the
attainment of a sustained high rate of growth and profitability for the
benefit of the Company and its shareholders.
Compensation Committee Composition
The foregoing report is submitted by the members of the Compensation
Committee as of June 30, 1997:
John Sharp Howie, Chairman
Frank R. Burnside, Jr.
Robert P. Dixon
Woods E. Eastland
15
<PAGE>
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
Except as stated below, there are no interlocks or insider participation
with any executive officers of the Company or with the members of the
Compensation Committee.
Certain Transactions with Customers
During fiscal 1997 and 1996, sales to SF Services, Inc. ("SFS"), were
approximately $26.6 million and $36.5 million, respectively, representing
approximately 5.1 percent and 8.5 percent, respectively, of the Company's net
sales and approximately 4.5 percent and 6.8 percent, respectively, of SFS's
consolidated gross revenues. Robert P. Dixon, a director of the Company, was
an executive officer of SFS until his retirement in 1996. During fiscal 1997
and 1996, sales to Alabama Farmers Cooperative, Inc. ("AFC"), were
approximately $15.8 million and $17.4 million, respectively. These sales
represent 7.0 percent and 7.5 percent, respectively, of the gross revenues of
AFC. John W. Anderson, a director of the Company, was an executive officer of
AFC until his retirement in 1995. Sales to SFS and AFC were on terms and
conditions comparable to arm's-length transactions with other customers.
All sales of product to directors and their affiliates have been and are
made in the ordinary course of business at prices and terms which are
determined based on prevailing competitive conditions and which are no less
favorable to the Company than the prices and terms of transactions with other
customers.
On May 23, 1995, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to
1.5 million shares of the Company's outstanding common stock. Pursuant to that
authorization, on July 21, 1995, the Company purchased 200,000 shares at $20
per share from AFC, and on July 27, 1995, the Company purchased 200,000 shares
at $20 per share from SFS. The closing price as quoted by the Nasdaq Stock
Market's National Market for the Company's stock was $21.88 on July 21 and
$22.50 on July 27.
16
<PAGE>
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
[CAMERA READY COPY GOES HERE]
CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
Based on reinvestment of $100 beginning August 31, 1994
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Custom
Mississippi NASDAQ Composite NatWest
Chemical S&P Composite Index Fertilizer
Corp. 600/R/ Index (U.S.) (8 Stocks) Index
----------- ------- ------------ ----------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Measurement Pt.
AUG-94 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
SEP-94 $119 $ 99 $100 $112 $119
DEC-94 $109 $ 97 $ 99 $102 $108
MAR-95 $115 $102 $107 $117 $115
JUN-95 $126 $111 $123 $139 $148
SEP-95 $134 $127 $138 $159 $169
DEC-95 $149 $127 $139 $181 $190
MAR-96 $130 $134 $146 $172 $180
JUN-96 $129 $141 $158 $175 $185
SEP-96 $152 $146 $163 $188 $188
DEC-96 $157 $154 $172 $197 $199
MAR-97 $156 $146 $162 $185 $186
JUN-97 $137 $172 $192 $175 $175
</TABLE>
17
<PAGE>
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
The Exchange Act requires all executive officers and directors to report any
changes in the ownership of the Company's common stock to the Commission and
the Company. Based solely upon a review of these reports, the Company believes
that during fiscal 1997 its executive officers, directors, and persons owning
more than 10 percent of the Company's common stock complied with all Section
16 filing requirements, except in one instance. Haley Barbour failed to timely
file an Initial Statement of Beneficial Ownership of Securities on Form 3.
However, such filing has now been made.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Any proposals that shareholders of the Company desire to have presented at
the 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received by the Company at its
principal executive offices no later than July 1, 1998, for inclusion in the
Company's 1998 proxy materials.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee, Arthur Andersen LLP,
independent certified public accountants, has been selected by the Board of
Directors as the Company's independent auditor for the fiscal year 1998.
Representatives of Arthur Andersen LLP are expected to be present at the
Company's Annual Meeting of Shareholders. They will have the opportunity to
make a statement if they desire to do so and will be available to respond to
appropriate questions.
Proposal Two--Approval of Amendment and Restatement of the Mississippi
Chemical Corporation 1995 Stock Option Plan for Nonemployee
Directors
1995 STOCK OPTION PLAN FOR NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTORS
On April 17, 1997, the Compensation Committee recommended, and the Board of
Directors of the Company approved, certain amendments to the 1995 Stock Option
Plan for Nonemployee Directors (the "Directors' Stock Purchase Plan") that
shareholders are asked to approve at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The
Board of Directors amended the Director's Stock Purchase Plan on August 19,
1996, to change the grant date from the day following the date of the
Company's Annual Meeting of Shareholders to July 1 to correspond with the
beginning of the Company's fiscal year.
The following description of the Directors' Stock Purchase Plan is a summary
of its terms and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete
text of the Plan, a copy of which appears as Appendix A to this Proxy
Statement. The following summary describes the material features of the
Directors' Stock Purchase Plan.
During fiscal 1997, the Compensation Committee and the full Board of
Directors received and reviewed the results of an extensive study performed by
the HayGroup of options to purchase stock granted annually to directors of
companies of a similar size and industry. Said study indicated that the number
of options granted and to be granted under the Directors' Stock Purchase Plan
was below the median for companies of a similar size and industry. Therefore,
on April 17, 1997, and on the recommendation of the Compensation Committee,
the Board of Directors elected, subject to shareholder approval, to amend the
Directors' Stock Purchase Plan to provide that the number of options to
purchase shares of the Company's common stock to be granted to each
nonemployee director be increased from 1,500 to 2,000 on each July 1 that such
nonemployee director remains a member of the Company's Board of Directors,
except that the annual options for the Chairman and Vice Chairman were to be
increased from 3,000 to 4,000 and from 2,000 to 3,000, respectively. For any
new director, the initial grant of options to purchase shares of the Company's
common stock will remain at 5,000
18
<PAGE>
shares. The exercise price for all such options has been, and will continue to
be, equal to the fair market value of such stock as of the date of the grant,
determined by the average of the closing price of the Company's common stock
for the 20 trading days prior to the grant date.
Each person who became a nonemployee director of the Company at the 1995
Annual Meeting of Shareholders was granted an option to purchase 5,000 shares
of the Company's common stock on the first business day after the date of the
1995 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, except that the initial options for the
Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors were 10,000 and 7,000,
respectively. Each person who became a nonemployee director after the date of
the 1995 Annual Meeting of Shareholders was granted an option to purchase
5,000 shares of the Company's common stock on the first business day of the
next succeeding fiscal year of the Company. Any person who becomes Chairman of
the Board after the date of the 1995 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be
granted an additional option to purchase 5,000 shares of the Company's common
stock on the first business day of the next succeeding fiscal year of the
Company (except that the additional option for a person who previously served
as Vice Chairman will be for 3,000 shares). Any person who becomes Vice
Chairman of the Board after the date of the 1995 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders will be granted an additional option to purchase 2,000 shares of
the Company's common stock on the first business day of the next succeeding
fiscal year of the Company.
The purchase price with respect to each option granted to nonemployee
directors shall be equal to the average of the closing price of the Company's
common stock as reported on Nasdaq National Market System or the New York
Stock Exchange, as the case may be, for the last 20 trading days prior to the
date of option grant. The purchase price may be paid by check or by the
delivery of shares of the Company's common stock then owned by the participant
or by cashless exercise.
The option term shall be 10 years. All options granted to nonemployee
directors shall become exercisable in installments one year after the date of
option grant and shall be fully exercisable six years from the date of the
grant, or upon a change of control of the Company. The period of exercise
following death, disability or retirement shall be three years. In the event
of any other termination of service on the Board, each option shall expire
three months after the date of optionee's termination of service.
The Directors' Stock Purchase Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors of
the Company on July 20, 1995, and approved by shareholders on November 14,
1995. If shareholder approval of the amendments to the Directors' Stock
Purchase Plan is not obtained, there will be no increase in the number of
options to purchase common stock subject to issuance under the Plan. The
number of options will remain at the current levels as approved by
shareholders at the 1995 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
Three hundred thousand shares of the Company's common stock (which may be
newly issued or treasury shares) are reserved for issuance under the
Directors' Stock Purchase Plan. The number of shares reserved and subject to
option shall be adjusted if the Company changes the number of issued shares
without consideration (such as by stock dividend or stock split).
Under current U.S. federal tax law, a nonemployee director who is granted an
option will not realize any taxable income at the time of grant. The director
will have taxable income at the time of exercise equal to the difference
between the option price and the fair market value of the shares on the date
of exercise, and the Company will be entitled to a corresponding deduction.
The purpose of the amendments to the Directors' Stock Purchase Plan is to
cause the Plan to approximate the median level of such plans of companies of a
similar size and industry.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE COMPANY'S SHAREHOLDERS VOTE "FOR"
THE APPROVAL OF THE DIRECTORS' STOCK PURCHASE PLAN.
19
<PAGE>
Proposal Three--Approval of Mississippi Chemical Corporation Officer and Key
Employee Incentive Plan
OFFICER AND KEY EMPLOYEE INCENTIVE PLAN
On August 26, 1997, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of
the Company approved the Officer and Key Employee Incentive Plan (the "Key
Employee Incentive Plan") that shareholders are asked to approve at the Annual
Meeting of Shareholders. If approved, the Key Employee Incentive Plan will
substitute for the Officer Incentive Plan, which the Compensation Committee
intends to terminate at the next meeting of the Committee after shareholder
approval of the Key Employee Incentive Plan.
The following description of the Key Employee Incentive Plan is a summary of
its terms and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text
of the Plan, a copy of which appears as Appendix B to this Proxy Statement.
The following summary describes the material features of the Key Employee
Incentive Plan.
The Key Employee Incentive Plan is to be effective for the fiscal year
beginning July 1, 1997, and subsequent fiscal years. The purpose of the plan
is to align the interests of key employees of the Company with those of its
shareholders, to enhance the profitability of the Company, to facilitate the
recruitment and retention of key employees, and to provide key employees with
annual incentives competitive with the median level of such incentives among
similar companies. If approved by the Company's shareholders, the Key Employee
Incentive Plan will replace the existing Officer Incentive Plan, which will be
terminated.
Bonuses payable under the Key Employee Incentive Plan are intended to
qualify as "qualified performance based compensation" under Section 162(m) of
the Internal Revenue Code, in order to maximize the Company's federal income
tax deduction for compensation paid to certain of its officers. To qualify for
this tax treatment, payment of bonuses to Company officers whose compensation
would otherwise be affected by the deduction limit is contingent on
shareholder approval of the material terms of the Plan, as described below.
The Key Employee Incentive Plan is administered by the Compensation
Committee, which also has the authority to amend or terminate the Plan.
The Compensation Committee may designate each year officers and other key
employees as eligible to receive incentive compensation under the Key Employee
Incentive Plan. Such designation will be based in part on the number of Hay
Points assigned to an employee's position.
Incentive compensation under the Key Employee Incentive Plan for a fiscal
year is payable only if the Compensation Committee certifies that the
Company's Consolidated Performance (as defined in the Plan) for the fiscal
year equals or exceeds the Weighted Average Cost of Capital (as defined in the
Plan). Within the first 90 days of each fiscal year, the Compensation
Committee will establish various bonus amounts to be paid to each of the
participants in the Plan if the Company attains specified Consolidated
Performance goals for the fiscal year. The bonus amounts are set as a
percentage of each participant's base salary at the beginning of the year; in
no event can any participant receive incentive compensation under the Plan of
more than 90 percent of his base salary (and then only when the Company
achieves Extraordinary Performance, as defined in the Plan). If the Company
achieves certain Consolidated Performance goals for the year, the Compensation
Committee has the right to partially reduce (but not increase) a participant's
bonus amount based on individual performance or other factors the Compensation
Committee deems appropriate.
Bonuses under the Plan are generally payable in a cash lump sum as soon as
practicable after the Compensation Committee makes its final determination
after the end of each fiscal year. Cash lump-sum payments are taxable income
to the recipients and generally are deductible by the Company for federal
income tax purposes. However, participants in the Key Employee Incentive Plan
who are also eligible to participate in the Executive Deferred Compensation
Plan may elect to forego receipt of an immediate cash bonus and instead
receive deferred issuance stock, as described under "Proposal Four--Approval
of Mississippi Chemical Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan"
below.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE COMPANY'S SHAREHOLDERS VOTE "FOR"
THE APPROVAL OF THE KEY EMPLOYEE INCENTIVE PLAN.
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Proposal Four--Approval of Mississippi Chemical Corporation Executive Deferred
Compensation Plan
EXECUTIVE DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
On August 26, 1997, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of
the Company approved the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan that
shareholders are asked to approve at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
The following description of the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan is a
summary of its terms and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
complete text of the Plan, a copy of which appears as Appendix C to this Proxy
Statement. The following summary describes the material features of the
Executive Deferred Compensation Plan.
The Executive Deferred Compensation Plan is intended to be an unfunded "top-
hat" deferred compensation plan which is not tax-qualified. The Plan is to be
effective August 26, 1997, and will permit participants to elect to defer
payment of bonuses that they would otherwise receive during calendar year 1998
and later years under the Key Employee Incentive Plan and any bonuses that
would otherwise be paid during the year, including under any "all-employee"
profit-sharing plan, of the Company or its subsidiaries. The Plan is intended
to align the interests of executives more closely with those of the Company's
shareholders, by giving them an incentive to receive part of their
compensation in the form of deferred issuance stock of the Company rather than
in cash.
Eligibility for the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan is limited to a
select group of executive officers and key employees designated in writing by
the Compensation Committee in accordance with the requirements of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 for unfunded "top-hat" plans.
Participants in the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan may irrevocably
elect, prior to the end of a calendar year, to defer payment of all or a
portion of the bonuses that would otherwise be payable in cash to them in the
following calendar year. A participant who makes this election will have a
bookkeeping account that will be credited with "deferred shares" representing
his unsecured right to receive actual shares of the Company's common stock
from the Company at a future date. The number of deferred shares initially
credited to the participant's account is calculated by dividing 150 percent of
the amount of cash bonus he has elected to defer by the lesser of (a) the
average fair market value of a share of the Company's stock as of July 1 of
the prior calendar year, or (b) the average fair market value of a share of
the Company's stock as of the date payment of the cash bonus would otherwise
have been made to the participant. For this purpose, average fair market value
means the average closing prices reported on the New York Stock Exchange for
the last 20 trading days prior to the date in question. The maximum possible
number of deferred shares credited under the Plan would be for a participant
who qualified for the maximum possible bonus under the Key Employee Incentive
Plan, e.g., 90 percent of his salary. If he elected to forego a cash payment
in that amount, he would instead be credited with deferred shares having a
market value (as of the prior July 1 or the bonus payment date, whichever
yields a higher number of shares at risk under said Plan) equal to 135 percent
of his base salary.
The participant's "deferred shares account" will be adjusted to reflect
dividends, stock splits, and similar transactions affecting actual shares of
the Company's stock. Each year that the participant elects to defer additional
bonuses under the plan, additional deferred shares will be credited to his
account. The deferred share credits are mere bookkeeping entries, and the
participant will not actually own shares of Company stock relating to his
account in the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, nor will he have voting
rights or other incidents of ownership of shares of Company stock. The
participant cannot pledge, transfer, or assign his account under the Plan.
When the participant initially elects to defer a bonus under the Executive
Deferred Compensation Plan, he may designate a deferred payment date, which
must be at least 18 months after the date of the election. On the deferred
payment date, the Company will deliver to the participant a number of shares
of Company stock equal to the number of deferred shares then credited to the
participant's account. In certain circumstances he can elect
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to further defer the receipt of the stock, or elect to have it transferred in
annual installments. If the participant terminates employment, dies, becomes
totally disabled, or retires before the deferred payment date he had elected,
the stock will be issued to the participant (or his beneficiary) on the
earlier of 30 days after the end of that calendar year or the deferred payment
date. The Company reserves the right to pay cash to a participant in lieu of
delivering stock if the Company determines that payment in stock would violate
any provision of law, the Company's Articles or Bylaws, or stock exchange
listing rules, or if trading in Company stock ceases.
The Executive Deferred Compensation Plan is intended to result in deferral
of federal income tax to the participant until the time he actually receives
shares of the Company's stock. Receipt of the stock is expected to result in
ordinary income to the participant equal to the fair market value of the
shares at the time of receipt. The Company's federal income tax deduction will
likewise be deferred until the time when the participant receives the shares
and recognizes taxable income. FICA tax will be due on the amount initially
credited to the participant's account at the time of the initial credit.
Benefits payable under the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan may
generally be made only in the form of stock and are intended to increase
participants' investment in the Company. Benefits also are intended to qualify
as "qualified performance based compensation" under Section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code, in order to maximize the Company's federal income tax
deduction for compensation paid to certain of its officers. To qualify for
this tax treatment, adoption of the Plan is contingent on shareholder approval
of the material terms of the Plan, as described above.
The Executive Deferred Compensation Plan is administered by the Compensation
Committee, which also has the authority to amend or terminate the Plan.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE COMPANY'S SHAREHOLDERS VOTE "FOR"
THE APPROVAL OF THE EXECUTIVE DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN.
Proposal Five--Approval of Mississippi Chemical Corporation Deferred
Compensation Plan for Nonemployee Directors
NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTORS' DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
On August 29, 1997, the Board of Directors of the Company, acting through
its Executive Committee, approved the Nonemployee Directors' Deferred
Compensation Plan, that shareholders are asked to approve at the Annual
Meeting of Shareholders.
The following description of the Nonemployee Directors' Deferred
Compensation Plan is a summary of its terms and is qualified in its entirety
by reference to the complete text of the Plan, a copy of which appears as
Appendix D to this Proxy Statement. The following summary describes the
material features of the Plan.
The Nonemployee Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan is an unfunded
deferred compensation plan which is not tax qualified. The Plan is intended to
align the interests of directors more closely with those of the Company's
shareholders, by providing that half of their annual retainer will
automatically be provided to them in deferred issuance stock of the Company,
and by encouraging them to elect to receive the other half of their retainer
in the form of deferred issuance stock of the Company. The Plan is to be
effective for retainer periods beginning on and after January 1, 1998. If
approved by the Company's shareholders, the Plan will replace the 1995
Restricted Stock Purchase Plan for Nonemployee Directors, which will be
terminated effective December 31, 1997.
All directors of the Company who are not employees of the Company or any of
its subsidiaries automatically participate in the Nonemployee Directors'
Deferred Compensation Plan. One-half of each nonemployee director's annual
retainer is automatically deferred and credited to his account under the Plan
in the form of "deferred shares." The nonemployee director may elect to what
extent he wants the other half of his retainer paid to him in cash or credited
to his account in "deferred shares." The number of deferred shares to be
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credited to him is determined by dividing 150 percent of the dollar amount of
his retainer that is to be deferred (either automatically or at his election)
by the lesser of (a) the average fair market value of a share of the Company's
stock on the last July 1, or (b) the average fair market value of a share of
the Company's stock as of the first day of the retainer period. For this
purpose, average fair market value means the average closing prices reported
on the New York Stock Exchange for the last 20 trading days prior to the date
in question.
Deferred shares under the Nonemployee Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan
are similar to deferred shares under the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan,
which is described above. One difference is that a nonemployee director may
irrevocably elect, at the time of his original deferral election, to have
payment of his benefits occur upon a change of control of the Company, if a
change of control occurs before the deferred payment date he has otherwise
elected and before he ceases to be a director of the Company. A second
difference is that a nonemployee director may elect to have deferred shares
attributable to any optional deferral settled at the deferred payment date
through a cash payment equal to the then-current fair market value of the
shares in lieu of receiving actual shares.
The Nonemployee Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan is intended to
encourage an increase in participants' investment in the Company. Benefits
also are intended to result in deferral of federal income tax until the
nonemployee director actually receives cash or shares of Company stock. The
nonemployee director should recognize ordinary income equal to the cash or the
then-current fair market value of the stock at the time it is received. The
Company's federal income tax deduction is expected to be deferred until the
nonemployee director recognizes income.
The Nonemployee Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan is administered by the
Compensation Committee, which also has the authority to amend or terminate the
Plan.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE COMPANY'S SHAREHOLDERS VOTE "FOR"
THE APPROVAL OF THE NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTORS' DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN.
General Information Regarding Tax Consequences
The description of the tax consequences of the plans under Proposals 2, 3, 4
and 5 above is based on interpretation of current tax statutes, regulations,
IRS rulings, and case law, which are all subject to change. The Company does
not intend to seek any IRS ruling with respect to the tax consequences of any
of the plans. The tax information given above is merely a general summary of
the expected tax consequences of each plan, and plan participants should
consult their own tax advisors for specific advice as to how participation in
the plans affects their personal tax situation. State, local, and foreign tax
consequences of participating in the plans are not addressed here.
23
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ANNEX A
AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF THE
MISSISSIPPI CHEMICAL CORPORATION
1995 STOCK OPTION PLAN
FOR NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTORS
EFFECTIVE APRIL 17, 1997
1. Purpose. The purpose of the Mississippi Chemical Corporation 1995 Stock
Option Plan for Nonemployee Directors (the "Plan") is to encourage directors
(including emeritus directors) who are not officers or full-time employees of
Mississippi Chemical Corporation (the "Company") or any of its subsidiaries
("Nonemployee Directors") to become shareholders in the Company thereby giving
them a stake in the growth and profitability of the Company, to enable them to
represent the viewpoint of the shareholders of the Company more effectively,
to encourage them to continue serving as directors, and to provide them with
long-term incentives competitive with the median level of such incentives
among companies of a similar size and industry.
2. Shares Reserved. There is hereby reserved for issuance under the Plan an
aggregate of 300,000 shares of common stock which may be authorized but
unissued or treasury shares. If there is a lapse, expiration, termination or
cancellation of any option granted under this Plan, all unissued shares
subject to the option may again be used for new options granted under this
Plan.
3. Grant of Options. Each person who is or becomes a Nonemployee Director
of the Company on the date of the annual meeting of shareholders ("Annual
Meeting") for 1995 shall be granted an initial option to purchase 5,000 shares
of common stock on the first business day after the date of the Annual
Meeting. The initial options for the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board
of Directors shall be for 10,000 and 7,000 shares of common stock,
respectively.
Each person who becomes a Nonemployee Director after the date of the 1995
Annual Meeting shall be granted an initial option to purchase 5,000 shares of
common stock as of the first business day of the next succeeding fiscal year
of the Company. Any person who becomes Chairman of the Board after the date of
the 1995 Annual Meeting shall be granted an additional option to purchase
5,000 shares of common stock as of the first business day of the next
succeeding fiscal year of the Company (except that the additional option for a
person who previously served as Vice Chairman shall be for 3,000 shares). Any
person who becomes Vice Chairman of the Board after the date of the 1995
Annual Meeting shall be granted an additional option to purchase 2,000 shares
of common stock as of the first business day of the next succeeding fiscal
year of the Company.
Each Nonemployee Director who is granted an initial option hereunder shall
be granted an additional option to purchase 2,000 shares of common stock as of
each July 1 (or if not a business day, the first business day thereafter) on
which the Nonemployee Director is a member of the Board; provided, however,
that in fiscal year ending June 30, 1997, each such additional option shall be
granted as of August 19 in lieu of July 1, 1996. The annual options for the
Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board shall be for 4,000 and 3,000 shares,
respectively.
4. Option Price. The option price for each option granted to Nonemployee
Directors shall be equal to the average of the closing price of the shares
subject to option as reported on the Nasdaq National Market System or the New
York Stock Exchange, as the case may be, for the last 20 trading days prior to
the date of option grant. The option price may be paid by check or by the
delivery of shares of common stock then owned by the participant. A director
may also pay the option price by use of cashless exercise as permitted under
the Federal Reserve Board's Regulation T.
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5. Term; Termination of Service. The option term shall be ten years. Any
option granted to a Nonemployee Director may not be exercised for the first
year from the date of its grant. Any option granted to a Nonemployee Director
may be exercisable for 20 percent of the shares subject to option during the
second year from the date of grant, 40 percent for the third year from the
date of grant, 60 percent for the fourth year from the date of grant, 80
percent for the fifth year from the date of grant, and shall be fully
exercisable commencing with the sixth year from the date of grant. Each option
shall become fully exercisable upon the retirement of the director or upon a
change of control of the Company as defined in paragraph 10 of the Company's
1994 Stock Incentive Plan. Each option shall expire three months after the
date of optionee's termination of service for any reason other than death,
disability or retirement. In the event of death, disability or retirement,
each option shall be exercisable for a period of three years after
termination. For these purposes, retirement shall mean termination of service
on the Board of Directors after the Nonemployee Director has attained age 55
and completed at least five years of service as a member of the Board. Except
in the case of retirement, any option granted to a Nonemployee Director may be
exercised during the indicated periods following termination only to the
extent the option was exercisable on the date of termination.
6. Nontransferability. Any option granted under this Plan shall not be
transferable other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and
shall be exercisable during the Nonemployee Director's lifetime only by the
director or the director's guardian or legal representative. If a director
dies during the option period, any option granted to the director may be
exercised by his or her estate or the person to whom the option passes by will
or the laws of descent and distribution.
7. Adjustment Provisions.
(a) If the Company shall at any time change the number of issued shares
of common stock without new consideration to it (such as by stock
dividends, stock splits or similar transactions), the total number of
shares reserved for issuance under this Plan and the number of shares
covered by each outstanding option shall be automatically adjusted so that
the aggregate consideration payable to the Company and the value of each
option shall not be changed.
(b) In the case of any merger, consolidation or combination of the
Company with or into another corporation, other than a merger,
consolidation or combination in which the Company is the continuing
corporation and which does not result in the outstanding common stock being
converted into or exchanged for different securities, cash or other
property, or any combination thereof (an "Acquisition"), any Nonemployee
Director to whom an option has been granted under the Plan shall have the
right during the remaining term of such option, to receive upon exercise
thereof the Acquisition Consideration (as defined below) receivable upon
such Acquisition by a holder of the number of shares of common stock which
might have been obtained upon exercise of such option or portion thereof,
as the case may be, immediately prior to such Acquisition. The term
"Acquisition Consideration" shall mean the kind and amount of shares of the
surviving or new corporation, cash, securities, evidence of indebtedness,
other property or any combination thereof receivable in respect of one
share of common stock of the Company upon consummation of an Acquisition.
8. Registration and Legal Compliance. The grant of any option under the Plan
may also be subject to other provisions as counsel to the Company deems
appropriate including, without limitation, provisions as may be appropriate to
comply with federal and state securities laws and stock exchange requirements.
The Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificate for
common stock purchased upon the exercise of any option granted under this Plan
prior to the admission of such shares to listing on any stock exchange on
which common stock of the Company may at that time be listed. If the Company
shall be advised by its counsel that the shares deliverable upon exercise of
an option are required to be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Act"), or any state securities law or that delivery of such
shares must be accompanied or preceded by a prospectus meeting the
requirements of such Act, the Company will use its best efforts to effect such
registration or provide such prospectus not later than a reasonable time
following each exercise of such option, but delivery of shares by the Company
may be deferred until such registration is effective or such prospectus is
available.
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9. Amendment, Suspension and Termination of Plan. The Board of Directors may
suspend or terminate the Plan at any time and may amend it from time to time
in such respects as the Board of Directors may deem advisable in order that
any grants thereunder shall conform to or otherwise reflect any change in
applicable laws or regulations or to permit the Company or the Nonemployee
Directors to enjoy the benefits of any change in applicable laws or
regulations; provided, however, that this Plan may not be amended more than
once every six months and that no amendment shall, without shareholder
approval, increase the number of shares of common stock which may be issued
under the Plan, materially modify the requirements as to eligibility for
participation in the Plan or materially increase the benefits accruing to
Nonemployee Directors under the Plan. No such amendment, suspension or
termination shall impair the rights of Nonemployee Directors under any
outstanding options, or make any change that would disqualify the Plan or any
other plan of the Company intended to be so qualified from the exemption
provided by Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 16b-3.
10. Shareholder Approval; Term. This Plan was adopted by the Board of
Directors of the Company on July 20, 1995, approved by the shareholders at
their Annual Meeting held November 14, 1995, and amended by the Board of
Directors of the Company effective as of August 19, 1996. The term of the Plan
shall be for a five-year period from said date of shareholder approval. This
Amendment and Restatement is effective April 17, 1997, subject to shareholder
approval.
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ANNEX B
MISSISSIPPI CHEMICAL CORPORATION
OFFICER AND KEY EMPLOYEE INCENTIVE PLAN
EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 1997
I. ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSES
1.1 Establishment. Mississippi Chemical Corporation, acting through its
Compensation Committee, has established this Mississippi Chemical Corporation
Officer and Key Employee Incentive Plan, effective July 1, 1997, subject to
shareholder approval in accordance with Section 4.6 below. The Plan supersedes
and replaces the Company's prior "Officer Incentive Plan," effective with
respect to amounts accruing on and after July 1, 1997.
1.2 Purpose. The purpose of the Plan is to align the interests of officers
and key employees of the Company and certain of its affiliates and
subsidiaries with those of the Company's shareholders, to enhance the
profitability of the Company, to facilitate the Employers' ability to recruit
and retain valued officers and key employees, and to provide officers and key
employees with annual incentives competitive with the median level of such
incentives among companies of a similar size and industry, by providing to
such officers and key employees annual incentive compensation. Incentive
compensation granted to Covered Employees is intended to qualify as qualified
performance-based compensation under Code Section 162(m)(4)(C) and related
Treasury regulations, and the Plan shall be interpreted accordingly.
II. DEFINITIONS
2.1 Definitions. The following capitalized terms appearing in this Plan have
the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
a. "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
b. "Committee" and "Compensation Committee" mean the Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company.
c. "Company" means Mississippi Chemical Corporation or its successors.
d. "Consolidated Performance" means the financial performance of the
Company and its consolidated subsidiaries as expressed by Operating Income
as a percentage of Total Capital for the Plan Year being considered.
e. "Covered Employee" means an officer of the Company described in Code
Section 162(m)(3).
f. "Deferred Compensation Plan" means the Mississippi Chemical
Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended from time to
time.
g. "Employers" means the Company, Mississippi Chemical Management
Company, and Mississippi Chemical Company, L.P., and any other subsidiary
or affiliate of the Company that adopts the Plan with the approval of the
Committee.
h. "Extraordinary Bonus" for any particular Participant with respect to a
particular Plan Year shall be the percentage of such Participant's base
salary designated by the Compensation Committee to be paid to such
Participant if the Company's Consolidated Performance equals or exceeds
Extraordinary Performance.
i. "Extraordinary Performance" for any Plan Year means that the Company's
Consolidated Performance equaled its Weighted Average Cost of Capital plus
20 percent.
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j. "Hay Points" means the number of points assigned to an employment
position in accordance with the Employers' compensation system developed by
the HayGroup.
k. "Participant" means an officer or key employee of an Employer who is
eligible or selected to participate pursuant to Article III below and is
eligible to receive a bonus payment pursuant to Section 4.2 below.
l. "Plan" means this Mississippi Chemical Corporation Officer and Key
Employee Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.
m. "Plan Year" means the period commencing on July 1 and ending on the
following June 30.
n. "Superior Bonus" for any particular Participant with respect to a
particular Plan Year shall be the percentage of such Participant's base
salary designated by the Compensation Committee to be paid to such
Participant if the Company's Consolidated Performance equals Superior
Performance.
o. "Superior Performance" for any Plan Year means that the Company's
Consolidated Performance equaled its Weighted Average Cost of Capital plus
8 percent.
p. "Threshold Bonus" for any particular Participant with respect to a
particular Plan Year shall be the percentage of such Participant's base
salary designated by the Compensation Committee to be paid to such
Participant if the Company's Consolidated Performance equals Threshold
Performance.
q. "Threshold Performance" for any Plan Year means that the Company's
Consolidated Performance equaled its Weighted Average Cost of Capital.
Additional terms are defined and/or illustrated in Exhibits A and B attached
hereto and incorporated herein.
III. ELIGIBILITY
3.1 Eligibility. The Compensation Committee, in its sole discretion, shall,
no later than the 90th day of each Plan Year (or, in the case of an employee
other than a Covered Employee who first becomes an officer or a key employee
in accordance with this Section 3.1 during a Plan Year, within 90 days
thereafter) (i) designate in writing the officers and key employees of the
Employers eligible to participate in the Plan for that Plan Year, each of whom
shall be in a position with at least the minimum number of Hay Points
designated by the Committee, and (ii) designate in writing the Threshold,
Superior and Extraordinary Bonuses for each Participant.
IV. ENTITLEMENT TO AND AMOUNT
OF INCENTIVE COMPENSATION
4.1 Performance Goal. Incentive compensation payments will be made under the
Plan with respect to a Plan Year as follows:
a. if the Company's Consolidated Performance equals Threshold
Performance, each Participant shall receive his Threshold Bonus;
b. if the Company's Consolidated Performance falls between Threshold
Performance and Superior Performance, each Participant shall receive his
Threshold Bonus and shall, subject to any reduction by the Compensation
Committee pursuant to Section 4.2 below, receive an additional payment
determined by (i) dividing the difference between the Company's
Consolidated Performance and Threshold Performance by the difference
between Superior Performance and Threshold Performance, times (ii) the
difference between the Participant's Superior Bonus and Threshold Bonus;
c. if the Company's Consolidated Performance equals Superior Performance,
each Participant shall receive his Threshold Bonus and shall, subject to
any reduction by the Compensation Committee pursuant to Section 4.2 below,
receive an additional amount which, when added to his Threshold Bonus,
equals the amount of his Superior Bonus;
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d. if the Company's Consolidated Performance falls between Superior
Performance and Extraordinary Performance, each Participant shall receive
his Threshold Bonus and shall, subject to any reduction by the Compensation
Committee pursuant to Section 4.2 below, receive (i) an additional payment
equal to the difference between his Threshold Bonus and his Superior Bonus
and (ii) an additional payment determined by (a) dividing the difference
between the Company's Consolidated Performance and Superior Performance by
the difference between Extraordinary Performance and Superior Performance,
times (b) the difference between the Participant's Extraordinary Bonus and
his Superior Bonus; or
e. if the Company's Consolidated Performance equals or exceeds
Extraordinary Performance, each Participant shall receive his Threshold
Bonus and shall, subject to any reduction by the Compensation Committee
pursuant to Section 4.2 below, receive an additional amount which, when
added to his Threshold Bonus, equals the amount of his Extraordinary Bonus.
As soon as practicable after the end of each Plan Year, the Committee shall
certify in writing the Company's Consolidated Performance and the extent to
which the Company has achieved Threshold Performance, Superior Performance or
Extraordinary Performance for the year. The Committee's determination shall be
final and binding.
4.2 Eligibility to Receive Amount of Incentive Compensation. To be eligible
to receive an incentive compensation payment with respect to a Plan Year under
the Plan, an individual (i) must be eligible to participate in the Plan
pursuant to Article III above; and (ii) must remain employed by an Employer
through the last day of such Plan Year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a
prorated amount of incentive compensation (determined by the Committee) will
be paid to any individual who is otherwise eligible who, during the Plan Year,
dies, becomes disabled, or terminates employment for reasons other than
willful misconduct, and to any individual other than a Covered Employee who
first becomes otherwise eligible to participate in the Plan during the Plan
Year. The maximum amount of incentive compensation payable to any Participant
shall not exceed 90 percent of his annual salary. For this purpose, annual
salary is determined as of the first day of the Plan Year, and in the case of
any employee other than a Covered Employee who first becomes a Participant
during the Plan Year, annual salary is determined as of the first day of the
Plan Year such employee became a Participant; and annual salary is the
Participant's base salary (before salary reduction or salary deferral
contributions under Code Sections 125 or 401(k) and without regard to the
value of any benefit other than base salary). The Committee shall have the
discretionary authority, based on individual performance and such other
factors as the Committee deems appropriate, to reduce the Bonus payable to a
particular Participant by up to 100 percent of the excess, if any, over such
Participant's Threshold Bonus.
4.3 Form and Time of Payment. Any incentive compensation shall be paid in a
cash lump sum as soon as practicable after the Committee's certification of
the Company's Consolidated Performance pursuant to Section 4.1 above and any
reductions in accordance with Section 4.2 above. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, a Participant who is entitled to incentive compensation under this
Plan and who is a participant in the Mississippi Chemical Corporation
Executive Deferred Compensation Plan may elect to defer payment of his
incentive compensation and to have deferred stock credited to him, in
accordance with said Deferred Compensation Plan. Once a Participant elects to
participate in said Deferred Compensation Plan, his benefits, rights, and
entitlements will be determined solely under the Mississippi Chemical
Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan.
4.4 Payment of Bonuses in the Event of Death. If a Participant dies before
receiving all amounts payable hereunder, the entire unpaid amount shall be
paid in one lump sum to the beneficiary designated by such Participant. No
beneficiary designation shall be valid unless it is in writing, signed by the
Participant, dated and filed with the Committee prior to death. If the
Participant is married and designates a primary beneficiary other than his
spouse, the beneficiary designation must include the written consent of the
spouse in such form as the Committee requires. Any beneficiary designation may
be revoked and a new designation may be made, as long as the new designation
is in writing, signed by the Participant, dated and filed with the Committee
prior to death. If no beneficiary has been designated, or no designated
beneficiary survives the Participant, any unpaid amounts will be paid to the
Participant's surviving spouse, or if the Participant does not have a
surviving spouse, to the Participant's estate, as soon as administratively
possible.
B-3
<PAGE>
4.5 Source of Payment. All payments under this Plan shall be paid from the
general funds of the Employer. The Employer shall be under no obligation to
segregate any assets in connection with the award of any bonus hereunder, nor
shall anything contained in this Plan or any action taken pursuant to the Plan
create or be construed to create a trust of any kind or a fiduciary
relationship between the Employer and Participant.
4.6 Shareholder Approval. Payment of incentive compensation under this Plan
to Covered Employees is contingent upon shareholder approval of certain
material terms of the Plan, in accordance with Code Section 162(m)(4)(C).
V. PLAN ADMINISTRATION
5.1 Committee. The Committee shall have complete authority and discretion to
control and manage the operation and administration of the Plan. The Committee
shall construe and interpret the Plan, reconcile inconsistencies, resolve
ambiguities and supply omissions in the Plan, and shall determine all
questions arising in the administration and interpretation of the Plan;
however, all such interpretations and decisions shall be applied in a uniform
manner to all similarly situated Participants. All decisions and
interpretations of the Committee made in good faith pursuant to the Plan shall
be final, conclusive and binding on all persons.
5.2 Indemnification. In the event and to the extent not insured under any
contract of insurance with an insurance company, the Employers shall indemnify
and hold harmless each "Indemnified Person," as defined below, against any and
all claims, demands, suits, proceedings, losses, damages, interest, penalties,
fines, expenses (specifically including, but not limited to, counsel fees to
the extent approved by the Board of Directors of the Company or otherwise
provided by law, court costs and other reasonable expenses of litigation), and
liability of every kind, including amounts paid in settlement with the
approval of the Board of Directors, arising from any action or cause of action
related to the Indemnified Person's act or acts or failure to act. Such
indemnity shall apply regardless of whether such claims, demands, suits,
proceedings, losses, damages, interest, penalties, fines, expenses, and
liability arise in whole or in part from the negligence or other fault of the
Indemnified Person, except when the same is judicially determined to be due to
gross negligence, fraud, recklessness, or willful or intentional misconduct of
such Indemnified Person. The indemnification provided in this Section 5.2
shall not be construed to limit or supersede any other indemnity provided by
the Employer. "Indemnified Person" shall mean the Committee and each employee,
officer, or director of the Employers acting in a decision-making or
administrative role with respect to the Plan.
VI. GENERAL
6.1 Offset and Withholding. The Committee shall have the discretion and sole
authority to determine the amount and timing of any withholding or employment
taxes with respect to amounts otherwise payable under the Plan. In the event a
Participant is indebted to an Employer for any reason at the time payment
becomes due hereunder, the Employer, in its discretion, may offset the
payments due hereunder against such indebtedness.
6.2 Facility of Payment. Any amounts payable hereunder to any person under
legal disability or who, in the judgment of the Committee, is unable to
properly manage his financial affairs may be paid to the legal representative
of such person or may be applied for the benefit of such person in any manner
which the Committee may select.
6.3 Gender and Number. Where the context admits, words in the masculine
gender shall include the feminine gender, the plural shall include the
singular and the singular shall include the plural.
6.4 Controlling Law. The laws of Mississippi (without regard to its
conflicts of laws rules) shall be controlling in all matters relating to the
Plan.
6.5 Successors. This Plan is binding on the Employers and will be binding on
and inure to the benefit of any successor of any Employer, whether by way of
purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise.
B-4
<PAGE>
6.6 Not an Employment Contract. This Plan does not constitute a contract of
employment and shall not be construed to give any Participant the right to be
retained in the Employer's service.
6.7 Amendment and Termination. The Committee must necessarily reserve and
hereby does reserve the right to amend or terminate the Plan at any time.
VII. EXECUTION OF PLAN
7.1 To record the establishment of the Plan, the undersigned, being duly
authorized to act on behalf of the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors of the Company, have executed this document at Yazoo City,
Mississippi, in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be considered an
original, and all but one instrument.
Dated: ____________________________ MISSISSIPPI CHEMICAL CORPORATION
By: _________________________________
John Sharp Howie
Chairman, Compensation Committee
By: _________________________________
Ethel Truly
Vice President--Administration
B-5
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
DEFINITIONS INCORPORATED INTO THE MISSISSIPPI CHEMICAL CORPORATION
OFFICER AND KEY EMPLOYEE INCENTIVE PLAN
(LINE REFERENCES TO SAMPLE CALCULATION IN EXHIBIT B)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LINE TERM DEFINITION
---- ------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
<C> <C> <S>
1 Debt Average consolidated debt for the Plan Year
(sum of debt at each month's end divided
by 12).
2 Equity Average equity for the Plan Year (sum of
equity at each month's end divided by 12).
3 Total Capital Sum of lines 1 and 2.
4 Percent Debt Debt as a percent of Total Capital (line 1
divided by line 3).
5 Percent Equity Equity as a percent of Total Capital (line 2
divided by line 3).
6 Total 100 percent.
7 Actual Interest Rate Actual Interest Rate on Debt for the Plan
on Debt Year (provided by Finance).
8 Assigned Add-On to Equity 6 percent or such other percentage set by the
Compensation Committee within 90 days of the
beginning of the Plan Year.
9 Assumed Cost of Equity Actual Interest Rate on Debt plus Add-On For
Equity (line 7 plus line 8).
10 Weighted Average Cost Weighted Average Cost of Capital for the Plan
of Capital Year [(line 7 times line 4)
plus (line 9 times line 5)].
11 Operating Income Net revenues less operating expenses on a
consolidated basis (provided by Finance).
12 Consolidated Performance Operating Income divided by Total Capital
expressed as a percentage (line 11 divided
by line 3).
13 Weighted Average Cost Same as line 10.
of Capital
14 Excess (Deficit) Consolidated Performance above (below)
Weighted Average Cost of Capital (line 12
less line 13).
15 Threshold Bonus The percentage of a Participant's base salary
designated by the Compensation Committee to
be paid to him if the Company's Consolidated
Performance for the Plan Year equals
Threshold Performance.
16 Superior Bonus The percentage of a Participant's base salary
designated by the Compensation Committee to
be paid to him if the Company's Consolidated
Performance for the Plan Year equals
Superior Performance.
17 Extraordinary Bonus The percentage of a Participant's base salary
designated by the Compensation Committee to
be paid to him if the Company's Consolidated
Performance for the Plan Year equals or
exceeds Extraordinary Performance.
18 Actual Bonus Calculated in accordance with Section 4.1 of
</TABLE> the Plan.
B-6
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT B
TO THE MISSISSIPPI CHEMICAL CORPORATION
OFFICER AND KEY EMPLOYEE INCENTIVE PLAN
SAMPLE CALCULATION FOR HYPOTHETICAL EMPLOYEE
WITH SALARY OF $75,000 CALCULATED
FOR PLAN YEAR ENDED 6/30/97 AS IF PLAN HAD BEEN EFFECTIVE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR 1997
---------------------------------
<C> <S> <C>
1 Debt.................................. $155,057,000
2 Equity................................ $353,814,000
3 Total Capital (sum of lines 1 and 2).. $508,871,000
4 Percent Debt.......................... 30.47%
5 Percent Equity........................ 69.53%
6 Total (sum of lines 4 and 5).......... 100.00%
7 Actual Interest Rate on Debt.......... 6.15%
8 Assigned Add-On to Equity............. 6.00%
9 Assumed Cost of Equity (sum of lines 7
and 8)................................ 12.15%
10 Weighted Average Cost of Capital...... 10.32%
11 Operating Income...................... $91,209,000
12 Consolidated Performance.............. 17.92%
13 Weighted Average Cost of Capital...... 10.32%
14 Excess (Deficit) (line 12 less line
13)................................... 7.60%
15 Threshold Bonus (sample).............. 5% of Base Salary or $3,750
16 Superior Bonus (sample)............... 10% of Base Salary or $7,500
17 Extraordinary Bonus (sample).......... 15% of Base Salary or $11,250
18 Actual Bonus for Plan Year Ended
6/30/97............................... 9.75% of Base Salary or $7,312.50
</TABLE>
B-7
<PAGE>
ANNEX C
MISSISSIPPI CHEMICAL CORPORATION
EXECUTIVE DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
EFFECTIVE AUGUST 26, 1997
SECTION 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Plan. This plan has been established by Mississippi Chemical Corporation
for the benefit of eligible employees of Mississippi Chemical Corporation,
Mississippi Chemical Management Company and Mississippi Chemical Company, L.P.
(hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Employer"), and shall be known
as the Mississippi Chemical Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan
(the "Plan"). Other subsidiaries and affiliates of Mississippi Chemical may
adopt the Plan for the benefit of their executive officers and key employees,
subject to the approval of the Committee (as defined in Section 4.1 below).
1.2 Effective Date. The "Effective Date" of the Plan is August 26, 1997,
subject to shareholder approval of the material terms of the Plan in
accordance with Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code").
1.3 Purpose. The Plan has been established to provide incentives to a select
group of the Employer's executive officers and key employees to more closely
align their interests with those of the shareholders of Mississippi Chemical
Corporation and to work towards growth in the Employer's shareholder value, by
risking certain payments otherwise payable to them for deferred compensation
based on future growth in the value of Mississippi Chemical Corporation common
stock ("Stock"). The Plan is intended to permit such executive officers and
key employees to elect to defer certain incentive payments that would
otherwise be payable pursuant to the Employer's Officer and Key Employee
Incentive Plan, any payment that would otherwise be made under any "all-
employee" profit-sharing plan of the Employer or of a subsidiary or affiliate
of Mississippi Chemical Corporation which has adopted the Plan with the
approval of the Committee, and under any other bonus, profit-sharing or
incentive plan of the Employer or of a subsidiary or affiliate of Mississippi
Chemical Corporation which has adopted the Plan with the approval of the
Committee (hereinafter collectively referred to as "Incentive Payments"). The
Plan is intended to be unfunded for purposes of the Code and the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"). Amounts deferred
under this Plan that would otherwise be payable under the Officer and Key
Employee Incentive Plan are intended to qualify as qualified performance-based
compensation under Code Section 162(m)(4)(C) and related Treasury regulations,
and the Plan shall be interpreted accordingly.
SECTION 2
PARTICIPATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL BENEFITS
2.1 Eligibility. Each executive officer and key employee of the Employer who
is named in writing by the Committee ("Executive") will be eligible to become
a Participant in the Plan. Eligibility shall be limited to a select group of
management or highly compensated employees in accordance with Sections 201(2),
301(a)(3) and 401(a)(1) of ERISA.
2.2 Election to Defer. An Executive may elect to defer all or a portion of
his Incentive Payments by filing a written election with the Committee on
forms to be prescribed by the Committee at the time prescribed in Section 2.4
below. Such election must include a designation of beneficiary. Upon making
such election, the Executive shall become a "Participant" in the Plan.
2.3 Amount of Deferral. The amount of Incentive Payments to be deferred in
any calendar year shall be designated by the Participant in dollar or
percentage terms on forms to be prescribed by the Committee.
C-1
<PAGE>
2.4 Time of Election. A separate election to defer must be filed for each
calendar year in which a Participant desires to defer any Incentive Payments
and must be received by the end of the calendar year preceding the calendar
year in which the Incentive Payments would otherwise be paid. Any election by
a Participant with respect to Incentive Payments in a given calendar year will
not preclude a different action with respect to Incentive Payments in any
subsequent calendar year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any eligible
Executive may, within 30 days of first becoming eligible to participate in the
Plan, elect to defer any Incentive Payments earned subsequent to such election
for the balance of the calendar year in which he first becomes eligible.
2.5 Establishment and Adjustment of Deferred Stock Accounts. The Committee
shall cause a "Deferred Stock Account" to be created for each Participant. The
Deferred Stock Account shall be a mere bookkeeping account reflecting the
Employer's future obligation to make payments under the Plan and shall not
confer on any Participant any of the rights of a stockholder of Mississippi
Chemical Corporation. A Participant's Deferred Stock Account shall be credited
with "deferred shares" effective as of the date payment of a cash Incentive
Payment would have been made, absent the Participant's election to defer such
Incentive Payment pursuant to this Plan. The number of "deferred shares" to be
credited shall be determined by dividing (i) 150 percent of the dollar amount
of the cash Incentive Payment the Participant has elected to defer by (ii) the
fair market value of one share of Stock as of the July 1 immediately prior to
the calendar year in which payment of the Incentive Payment would otherwise
have occurred. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the number of
deferred shares credited be less than (i) 150 percent of the dollar amount of
the cash Incentive Payment the Participant has elected to defer, divided by
(ii) the fair market value of one share of Stock as of the date such Incentive
Payment would otherwise have been paid in cash. The result of such division
shall be rounded up to the nearest whole share. A Participant's Deferred Stock
Account shall be credited, effective as of the payment date of any dividend on
the Stock, with additional shares of deferred stock, calculated by dividing
(i) the dollar amount of the dividend per share times the number of deferred
shares then credited to the Participant's Deferred Stock Account by (ii) the
fair market value of one share of Stock. The Committee shall cause each
Participant's Deferred Stock Account to be adjusted to reflect stock splits,
stock dividends, exchange of stock in connection with a merger, and similar
transactions to produce the same number of deferred shares as the holder of an
equal number of shares of Stock would have following such a transaction.
Whenever payment of all or any portion of a Participant's Deferred Stock
Account is to be made in cash hereunder, the amount of cash to be paid to the
Participant is to be determined by multiplying the number of deferred shares
to be distributed by the fair market value of such shares. For purposes of
this Section 2.5, "fair market value" of a share of Stock shall equal the
average of the closing prices of a share as reported on the New York Stock
Exchange for the last 20 trading days prior to the date in question.
SECTION 3
PAYMENT OF DEFERRED COMPENSATION
3.1 Payment of Deferred Compensation. Subject to the provisions of Section
3.2 below, a Participant shall be entitled to receive shares of Stock equal to
the number of deferred shares then credited to the Participant's Deferred
Stock Account, computed in accordance with Section 2.5 above, on the first to
occur of (i) 30 days following the end of the calendar year in which such
Participant ceases to be an employee of the Employer due to separation of
employment, retirement, Total Disability (as defined below), or death or (ii)
the payment date that he elected at the time of his deferral election, which
date shall be equal to or more than 18 months after the date of such deferral
election. The shares issued to the Participant may be authorized but unissued
shares, Treasury shares or shares purchased with general funds of the
Employer. For purposes of this Plan, the term "Total Disability" shall mean
inability of a Participant to perform the normal functions of his current
position with the Company due to a physical or mental condition, disease, or
injury that is anticipated to last at least 12 months. The Committee shall
determine whether Total Disability has occurred based on such evidence as it
deems satisfactory.
C-2
<PAGE>
3.2 Installment Election; Further Deferrals. Subject to the approval of the
Committee, in lieu of receiving the lump-sum issuance of Stock to which the
Participant may be entitled pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.1 above at
the time specified therein, a Participant may elect to receive installment
payments by delivering to the Committee at any time prior to December 31 of
the calendar year preceding the calendar year in which payment would otherwise
occur hereunder, written notice of the Participant's election to receive the
amount credited to his Deferred Stock Account in such number of annual
installments (not to exceed installments extending over 10 years) and
commencing on such date (which date shall be no earlier than the date on which
the balance in the Participant's Deferred Stock Account would otherwise be
paid to the Participant) as is specified in the written notice. Subject to the
approval of the Committee, a Participant may also elect, no later than
December 31 of the calendar year preceding the calendar year in which issuance
of shares of Stock would otherwise occur under Section 3.1 above, to defer
issuance of such shares of Stock until a later date specified in such
election. A Participant may modify or rescind an installment election or
further deferral election in its entirety at any time prior to the December 31
date referred to in this Section 3.2, but on such December 31 the election
shall become irrevocable.
3.3 Death. If a Participant dies before receiving all amounts credited to
his Deferred Stock Account, the entire unpaid amount shall be paid in one lump
sum in accordance with Section 3.1 above to the beneficiary designated by such
Participant. No beneficiary designation shall be valid unless it is in
writing, signed by the Participant, dated and filed with the Committee prior
to death. If the Participant is married and designates a primary beneficiary
other than his spouse, the beneficiary designation must include the written
consent of the spouse in such form as the Committee requires. Any beneficiary
designation may be revoked and a new designation may be made, as long as the
new designation is in writing, signed by the Participant, dated and filed with
the Committee prior to death. If no beneficiary has been designated, or no
designated beneficiary survives the Participant, any unpaid amounts will be
paid to the Participant's surviving spouse, or if the Participant does not
have a surviving spouse, to the Participant's estate as soon as
administratively possible.
3.4 Hardship Distribution. A Participant or beneficiary may request
acceleration of the payment terms hereunder only in the event of severe
financial hardship resulting from an Unforeseeable Emergency (as defined
below). The amount of any hardship distribution is limited to the amount
necessary to meet the emergency. Such request shall specify in detail the
grounds for the requested modification and shall be referred to the Committee.
The decision of the Committee with respect to the requested modification shall
be solely at the discretion of the Committee and in accordance with its
evaluation of the exigencies of the situation. Such decision shall be binding
on the Employer and Participant. For purposes of this Plan, the term
"Unforeseeable Emergency" means an unanticipated emergency that is caused by
an event beyond the control of the Participant or beneficiary that would
result in severe financial hardship to the individual if early withdrawal were
not permitted and that otherwise meets the requirements of such term in any
applicable statute or regulation.
3.5 Source of Payment. All payments under this Plan in cash pursuant to
Section 3.6 below shall be paid from the general funds of the Employer or from
such other funding vehicle as the Committee shall provide, and all
distributions of Stock under this Plan shall be made from authorized but
unissued shares, Treasury shares or shares purchased with general funds of the
Employer, or from such other funding vehicle as the Committee shall provide,
provided that all assets paid into any funding vehicle shall, at all times
prior to payment to a Participant or beneficiary, be subject to the general
creditors of the Employer. The Employer shall be under no obligation to
segregate any assets in connection with the maintenance of any Deferred Stock
Account, nor shall anything contained in this Plan or any action taken
pursuant to the Plan create or be construed to create a trust of any kind or a
fiduciary relationship between the Employer and Participant. Title to the
beneficial ownership of any assets, whether cash or investments, which the
Employer may designate to pay the amounts credited to the Deferred Stock
Accounts shall at all times remain in the Employer, and Participants shall not
have any property interest whatsoever in any specific assets of the Employer.
Each Participant's interest in his Deferred Stock Account shall be limited to
the Employer's promise to make payment of such Account in the future pursuant
to the terms of this Plan, and such right to receive future payment shall be
no greater than the right of any other unsecured general creditor of the
Employer.
C-3
<PAGE>
3.6 Limitations on Issuance of Stock. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary in the Plan, in lieu of delivering Stock of the Employer to a
Participant, the Employer reserves the right to pay a Participant in cash
equal to the fair market value (determined in accordance with Section 2.5
above) of the deferred shares credited to his Deferred Stock Account, if the
Employer, in its sole discretion, determines that it is necessary or desirable
to do so to comply with any provision of federal or state law, stock exchange
listing rules, or its articles or bylaws.
SECTION 4
PLAN ADMINISTRATION
4.1 Committee. The terms "Committee" and "Compensation Committee" mean the
Compensation Committee established by Mississippi Chemical Corporation's Board
of Directors. The Committee shall have complete authority to control and
manage the operation and administration of the Plan. The Committee shall
interpret the Plan and shall determine all questions arising in the
administration and interpretation of the Plan; however, all such
interpretations and decisions shall be applied in a uniform manner to all
similarly situated Participants. All decisions and interpretations of the
Committee made in good faith pursuant to the Plan shall be final, conclusive
and binding on all persons, subject only to the claims review procedures
required by ERISA.
4.2 Indemnification. In the event and to the extent not insured under any
contract of insurance with an insurance company, the Employer shall indemnify
and hold harmless each "Indemnified Person," as defined below, against any and
all claims, demands, suits, proceedings, losses, damages, interest, penalties,
fines, expenses (specifically including, but not limited to, counsel fees to
the extent approved by the Board of Directors of Mississippi Chemical
Corporation or otherwise provided by law, court costs and other reasonable
expenses of litigation), and liability of every kind, including amounts paid
in settlement with the approval of the Board of Directors, arising from any
action or cause of action related to the Indemnified Person's act or acts or
failure to act. Such indemnity shall apply regardless of whether such claims,
demands, suits, proceedings, losses, damages, interest, penalties, fines,
expenses, and liability arise in whole or in part from (i) the negligence or
other fault of the Indemnified Person or (ii) the imposition on such
Indemnified Person of any civil penalties or excise tax pursuant to ERISA or
the Code, except when the same is judicially determined to be due to gross
negligence, fraud, recklessness, or willful or intentional misconduct of such
Indemnified Person. The indemnification provided in this Section 4.2 shall not
be construed to limit or supersede any other indemnity provided by the
Employer. "Indemnified Person" shall mean the Committee and each employee,
officer, or director of the Employer acting in a decision-making or
administrative role with respect to the Plan.
SECTION 5
GENERAL
5.1 Interests Not Transferable; Taxes. Except as to any withholding of
federal, state or local tax and except with respect to assignment of amounts
currently due and payable hereunder to an alternate payee pursuant to a
"qualified domestic relations order" as defined in ERISA, the interest of any
Participant or his spouse or his beneficiary under the Plan is not subject to
the claims of creditors and may not be voluntarily or involuntarily sold,
transferred, assigned, alienated or encumbered. The Committee shall have the
discretion and sole authority to determine the amount and timing of any
withholding or employment taxes with respect to amounts accrued or paid under
the Plan.
5.2 Facility of Payment. Any amounts payable hereunder to any person under
legal disability or who, in the judgment of the Committee, is unable to
properly manage his financial affairs may be paid to the legal representative
of such person or may be applied for the benefit of such person in any manner
which the Committee may select.
5.3 Gender and Number. Where the context admits, words in the masculine
gender shall include the feminine gender, the plural shall include the
singular and the singular shall include the plural.
C-4
<PAGE>
5.4 Controlling Law. To the extent not superseded by the laws of the United
States, the laws of Mississippi shall be controlling in all matters relating
to the Plan.
5.5 Successors. This Plan is binding on the Employer and will be binding on,
and inure to the benefit of, any successor of the Employer, whether by way of
purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise.
5.6 Not a Contract. This Plan does not constitute a contract of employment
and shall not be construed to give any Participant the right to be retained in
the Employer's service.
SECTION 6
AMENDMENT, TERMINATION
AND CESSATION OF TRADING
6.1 Amendment and Termination. While the Employer expects to continue the
Plan indefinitely, the Compensation Committee must necessarily reserve, and
hereby reserves, the right to terminate the Plan at any time and to amend the
Plan at any time, but no more than once in any six-month period except to
comport with changes in the Code, provided that in no event shall any
Participant's Deferred Stock Account accrued to the date of such amendment or
termination be reduced by such action without the specific written agreement
of the Participant to such modification or reduction. In the event the
Committee elects to terminate the Plan, the Employer reserves the right to
settle all liabilities under the Plan by paying each Participant a lump-sum
payment in cash or in Stock, determined at the Committee's sole election, in
full satisfaction of his benefits hereunder. Such lump sum shall equal the
value of his Deferred Stock Account valued through the date of Plan
termination pursuant to Section 2.5 above.
6.2 Cessation of Trading in Employer Stock. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary in this Plan, in the event the Stock permanently ceases to be traded
on a national stock exchange or over the counter for any reason other than a
merger with another publicly traded entity, or ceases to exist for any reason
other than a merger (whether due to liquidation or other event), the Employer
(or its successor) shall, within 60 days of such event, distribute to each
Participant (or beneficiary) the value of the entire balance of his Deferred
Stock Account in cash, based on the fair market value as calculated under
Section 2.5 above, as of the last date the Stock was traded.
SECTION 7
EXECUTION OF PLAN
7.1 To record the establishment of the Plan, the undersigned, being duly
authorized to act on behalf of the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors of Mississippi Chemical Corporation, have executed this document at
Yazoo City, Mississippi.
Dated: __________________________ MISSISSIPPI CHEMICAL CORPORATION
By: _________________________________
John Sharp Howie
Chairman, Compensation Committee
By: _________________________________
Ethel Truly
Vice President--Administration
C-5
<PAGE>
ANNEX D
MISSISSIPPI CHEMICAL CORPORATION
NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTORS' DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
EFFECTIVE AUGUST 29, 1997
SECTION 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Plan. This plan has been established by Mississippi Chemical Corporation
for the benefit of nonemployee directors of Mississippi Chemical Corporation
(the "Company"), and shall be known as the Mississippi Chemical Corporation
Nonemployee Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Plan").
1.2 Effective Date. The "Effective Date" of the Plan is August 29, 1997,
subject to shareholder approval of the Plan.
1.3 Purpose. The Plan has been established to provide additional incentives
to the Company's nonemployee directors to more closely align their interests
with those of the shareholders of the Company and to work towards growth in
the Company's shareholder value, by risking cash retainer payments otherwise
payable to them for deferred compensation based on future growth in the value
of Mississippi Chemical Corporation common stock ("Stock"). The Plan is
intended to permit such directors to elect to defer certain cash retainer
payments that would otherwise be payable to them and to provide that a portion
of their retainer will automatically be deferred. The Plan is intended to be
unfunded for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code").
SECTION 2
PARTICIPATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL BENEFITS
2.1 Eligibility. Each director of the Company who is not an employee or
officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates ("Nonemployee
Director") will be a Participant in the Plan.
2.2 Automatic Awards. Effective for retainer periods beginning on and after
January 1, 1998, one-half of each Nonemployee Director's annual retainer from
the Company shall automatically be provided in the form of "deferred shares"
pursuant to Section 2.6 below. The Participant shall designate the deferred
payment date for such portion, which must be at least 18 months after the date
of the deferral election. The Participant shall have no option to receive this
portion of his retainer in cash.
2.3 Election to Defer. A Nonemployee Director may elect to defer all or a
part of the remaining one-half of his annual retainer that would otherwise be
payable to him in cash by filing a written election with the Committee (as
defined below) on forms to be prescribed by the Committee at the time
prescribed in Section 2.5 below. Such election must include a designation of
beneficiary.
2.4 Amount of Deferral. The amount of retainer to be deferred in any
calendar year shall be designated by the Participant in dollar or percentage
terms on forms to be prescribed by the Committee.
2.5 Time of Election. A separate election to defer must be filed with
respect to each calendar year for which a Participant desires to defer any
retainer and must be received by the end of the calendar year preceding the
calendar year in which the retainer would otherwise be paid. Any election by a
Participant with respect to his retainer in a given calendar year will not
preclude a different action with respect to his retainer in any subsequent
calendar year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any eligible Nonemployee
Director may, within 30 days of first becoming eligible to participate in the
Plan, elect to defer any retainer earned subsequent to such election for the
balance of the calendar year in which he first becomes eligible.
D-1
<PAGE>
2.6 Establishment and Adjustment of Deferred Stock Accounts. The Committee
shall cause a "Deferred Stock Account" to be created for each Participant. The
Deferred Stock Account shall be a mere bookkeeping account reflecting the
Company's future obligation to make payments under the Plan and shall not
confer on any Participant any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company. A
Participant's Deferred Stock Account shall be credited with "deferred shares"
effective as of the first day of the retainer period in question. The number
of deferred shares to be credited shall be determined by dividing (i) 150
percent of the dollar amount of the Participant's retainer for the year which
is automatically deferred pursuant to Section 2.2 above, plus 150 percent of
the dollar amount that otherwise would have been payable to the Participant
and that has been deferred pursuant to Section 2.3 above by (ii) the fair
market value of one share of Stock as of the July 1 immediately prior to the
calendar year in which payment of the retainer would otherwise have occurred.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the number of deferred shares
credited be less than (i) 150 percent of the total dollar amount of the
Participant's retainer for the applicable year that is deferred under Sections
2.2 and 2.3 above, divided by (ii) the fair market value of one share of Stock
as of the first day of the retainer period. The result of such division shall
be rounded up to the nearest whole share. A Participant's Deferred Stock
Account shall be credited, effective as of the payment date of any dividend on
the Stock, with additional shares of deferred stock, calculated by dividing
(i) the dollar amount of the dividend per share times the number of deferred
shares then credited to the Participant's Deferred Stock Account by (ii) the
fair market value of one share of Stock. The Committee shall cause each
Participant's Deferred Stock Account to be adjusted to reflect stock splits,
stock dividends, exchange of stock in connection with a merger, and similar
transactions to produce the same number of deferred shares as the holder of an
equal number of shares of Stock would have following such a transaction. In
the event a Participant ceases serving as a Nonemployee Director before the
end of a retainer year, his Deferred Stock Account shall be reduced by the
product of (i) the number of shares previously credited to his account for the
current retainer year, adjusted to take into account any prior dividends,
stock splits, or similar adjustments with respect to such shares, multiplied
by (ii) the ratio of (a) the number of months he has served as a Nonemployee
Director in the current retainer year to (b) 12. Whenever payment of all or
any portion of a Participant's Deferred Stock Account is to be made in cash
hereunder, the amount of cash to be paid to the Participant is to be
determined by multiplying the number of deferred shares to be distributed by
the fair market value of such shares. For purposes of this Section 2.6, "fair
market value" of a share of the Company's Stock shall equal the average of the
closing prices of a share as reported on the New York Stock Exchange for the
last 20 trading days prior to the date in question.
SECTION 3
PAYMENT OF DEFERRED COMPENSATION
3.1 Payment of Deferred Compensation. Subject to the provisions of Section
3.2 below, a Participant shall be entitled to receive shares of Stock equal to
the number of deferred shares then credited to the Participant's Deferred
Stock Account, computed in accordance with Section 2.6 above, on the first to
occur of (i) 30 days following the end of the calendar year in which such
Participant ceases to be a director of the Company due to resignation,
expiration of term, retirement, Total Disability (as defined below), or death,
(ii) the payment date that he elected at the time of his deferral election,
which date shall be 18 months or more after the date of the deferral election,
or (iii) if (and only if) the Participant so specifies in his initial deferral
election, 30 days following a change of control of the Company (as defined in
deferral election forms prescribed by the Committee). The shares issued to the
Participant may be authorized but unissued shares, Treasury shares or shares
purchased with general funds of the Company. In lieu of shares of Stock, a
Participant may elect, in accordance with any procedures and deadlines
prescribed by the Committee, to receive in cash, at the time issuance of
shares of Stock would otherwise occur hereunder, the "fair market value"
(calculated in accordance with Section 2.6 above) of that portion of his
Deferred Stock Account attributable to deferrals under Section 2.3 above. For
purposes of this Plan, the term "Total Disability" shall mean inability to
perform the normal functions of a director of the Company due to a physical or
mental condition, disease, or injury that is anticipated to last at least 12
months. The Committee shall determine whether Total Disability has occurred
based on such evidence as it deems satisfactory.
D-2
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3.2 Installment Election; Further Deferrals. Subject to the approval of the
Committee, in lieu of receiving the lump-sum issuance of Stock or cash to
which the Participant may be entitled pursuant to the provisions of Section
3.1 above at the time specified therein, a Participant may elect to receive
installment payments by delivering to the Committee at any time prior to
December 31 of the calendar year preceding the calendar year in which payment
would otherwise occur hereunder, written notice of the Participant's election
to receive the amount credited to his Deferred Stock Account in such number of
annual installments (not to exceed installments extending over 10 years) and
commencing on such date (which date shall be no earlier than the date on which
the balance in the Participant's Deferred Stock Account would otherwise be
paid to the Participant) as is specified in the written notice. Subject to the
approval of the Committee, a Participant may also elect, no later than
December 31 of the calendar year preceding the calendar year in which delivery
of shares of Stock or cash would otherwise occur under Section 3.1 above, to
defer issuance of such shares of Stock until a later date specified in such
election. A Participant may modify or rescind an installment election or
further deferral election in its entirety at any time prior to the December 31
date referred to in this Section 3.2, but on such December 31 the election
shall become irrevocable.
3.3 Death. If a Participant dies before receiving all amounts credited to
his Deferred Stock Account, the entire unpaid amount shall be paid in one lump
sum in accordance with Section 3.1 above to the beneficiary designated by such
Participant. No beneficiary designation shall be valid unless it is in
writing, signed by the Participant, dated and filed with the Committee prior
to death. If the Participant is married and designates a primary beneficiary
other than his spouse, the beneficiary designation must include the written
consent of the spouse in such form as the Committee requires. Any beneficiary
designation may be revoked and a new designation may be made, as long as the
new designation is in writing, signed by the Participant, dated and filed with
the Committee prior to death. If no beneficiary has been designated, or no
designated beneficiary survives the Participant, any unpaid amounts will be
paid to the Participant's surviving spouse, or if the Participant does not
have a surviving spouse, to the Participant's estate as soon as
administratively possible.
3.4 Hardship Distribution. A Participant or beneficiary may request
acceleration of the payment terms hereunder only in the event of severe
financial hardship resulting from an Unforeseeable Emergency (as defined
below). The amount of any hardship distribution is limited to the amount
necessary to meet the emergency. Such request shall specify in detail the
grounds for the requested modification and shall be referred to the Committee.
The decision of the Committee with respect to the requested modification shall
be solely at the discretion of the Committee and in accordance with its
evaluation of the exigencies of the situation. Such decision shall be binding
on the Company and Participant. For purposes of this Plan, the term
"Unforeseeable Emergency" means an unanticipated emergency that is caused by
an event beyond the control of the Participant or beneficiary that would
result in severe financial hardship to the individual if early withdrawal were
not permitted and that otherwise meets the requirements of such term in any
applicable statute or regulation.
3.5 Source of Payment. All payments under this Plan in cash shall be paid
from the general funds of the Company or from such other funding vehicle as
the Committee shall provide, and all distributions of Stock under this Plan
shall be made from authorized but unissued shares, Treasury shares or shares
purchased with general funds of the Company, or from such other funding
vehicle as the Committee shall provide, provided that all assets paid into any
funding vehicle shall, at all times prior to payment to a Participant or
beneficiary, be subject to the general creditors of the Company. The Company
shall be under no obligation to segregate any assets in connection with the
maintenance of any Deferred Stock Account, nor shall anything contained in
this Plan or any action taken pursuant to the Plan create or be construed to
create a trust of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company and
Participant. Title to the beneficial ownership of any assets, whether cash or
investments, which the Company may designate to pay the amounts credited to
the Deferred Stock Accounts shall at all times remain in the Company, and
Participants shall not have any property interest whatsoever in any specific
assets of the Company. Each Participant's interest in his Deferred Stock
Account shall be limited to the Company's promise to make payment of such
Account in the future pursuant to the terms of this Plan, and such right to
receive future payment shall be no greater than the right of any other
unsecured general creditor of the Company.
D-3
<PAGE>
3.6 Limitations on Issuance of Stock. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary in the Plan, in lieu of delivering Stock of the Company to a
Participant, the Company reserves the right to pay a Participant in cash equal
to the fair market value (determined in accordance with Section 2.6 above) of
the deferred shares credited to his Deferred Stock Account, if the Company, in
its sole discretion, determines that it is necessary or desirable to do so to
comply with any provision of federal or state law, stock exchange listing
rules, or its articles or bylaws.
SECTION 4
PLAN ADMINISTRATION
4.1 Committee. The terms "Committee" and "Compensation Committee" mean the
Compensation Committee established by the Company's Board of Directors. The
Committee shall have complete authority to control and manage the operation
and administration of the Plan. The Committee shall interpret the Plan and
shall determine all questions arising in the administration and interpretation
of the Plan; however, all such interpretations and decisions shall be applied
in a uniform manner to all such similarly situated Participants. All decisions
and interpretations of the Committee made in good faith pursuant to the Plan
shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, no Participant who is a member of the Committee shall vote on any
decision solely affecting his own benefits under the Plan (such as whether the
Participant has suffered Total Disability or is eligible for a hardship
withdrawal).
4.2 Indemnification. In the event and to the extent not insured under any
contract of insurance with an insurance company, the Company shall indemnify
and hold harmless each "Indemnified Person," as defined below, against any and
all claims, demands, suits, proceedings, losses, damages, interest, penalties,
fines, expenses (specifically including, but not limited to, counsel fees to
the extent approved by the Board of Directors of the Company or otherwise
provided by law, court costs and other reasonable expenses of litigation), and
liability of every kind, including amounts paid in settlement with the
approval of the Board of Directors, arising from any action or cause of action
related to the Indemnified Person's act or acts or failure to act. Such
indemnity shall apply regardless of whether such claims, demands, suits,
proceedings, losses, damages, interest, penalties, fines, expenses, and
liability arise in whole or in part from the negligence or other fault of the
Indemnified Person, except when the same is judicially determined to be due to
gross negligence, fraud, recklessness, or willful or intentional misconduct of
such Indemnified Person. The indemnification provided in this Section 4.2
shall not be construed to limit or supersede any other indemnity provided by
the Company. "Indemnified Person" shall mean the Committee and each employee,
officer, or director of the Company acting in a decision-making or
administrative role with respect to the Plan.
SECTION 5
GENERAL
5.1 Interests Not Transferable. The interest of any Participant or his
spouse or his beneficiary under the Plan is not subject to the claims of
creditors and may not be voluntarily or involuntarily sold, transferred,
assigned, alienated or encumbered.
5.2 Facility of Payment. Any amounts payable hereunder to any person under
legal disability or who, in the judgment of the Committee, is unable to
properly manage his financial affairs may be paid to the legal representative
of such person or may be applied for the benefit of such person in any manner
which the Committee may select.
5.3 Gender and Number. Where the context admits, words in the masculine
gender shall include the feminine gender, the plural shall include the
singular and the singular shall include the plural.
5.4 Controlling Law. To the extent not superseded by the laws of the United
States, the laws of Mississippi shall be controlling in all matters relating
to the Plan.
D-4
<PAGE>
5.5 Successors. This Plan is binding on the Company and will be binding on,
and inure to the benefit of, any successor of the Company, whether by way of
purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise.
SECTION 6
AMENDMENT, TERMINATION
AND CESSATION OF TRADING
6.1 Amendment and Termination. While the Company expects to continue the
Plan indefinitely, the Compensation Committee must necessarily reserve, and
hereby reserves, the right to terminate the Plan at any time, and to amend the
Plan, but no more than once in any six-month period except to comport with
changes in the Code; provided that in no event shall any Participant's
Deferred Stock Account accrued to the date of such amendment or termination be
reduced by such action without the specific written agreement of the
Participant to such modification or reduction. In the event the Committee
elects to terminate the Plan, the Company reserves the right to settle all
liabilities under the Plan by paying each Participant a lump-sum payment in
cash or in Stock, determined at the Committee's sole election, in full
satisfaction of his benefits hereunder. Such lump sum shall equal the value of
his Deferred Stock Account valued through the date of Plan termination
pursuant to Section 2.5 above.
6.2 Cessation of Trading in Company Stock. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary in this Plan, in the event the Stock permanently ceases to be traded
on a national stock exchange or over the counter for any reason other than a
merger with another publicly traded entity, or ceases to exist for any reason
other than a merger (whether due to liquidation or other event), the Company
(or its successor) shall, within 60 days of such event, distribute to each
Participant (or beneficiary) the value of the entire balance of his Deferred
Stock Account in cash, based on the fair market value as calculated under
Section 2.5 above, as of the last date the Stock was traded.
SECTION 7
EXECUTION OF PLAN
7.1 To record the establishment of the Plan, the undersigned, being duly
authorized to act on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company, have
executed this document at Yazoo City, Mississippi.
Dated: __________________________ MISSISSIPPI CHEMICAL CORPORATION
By: _________________________________
Coley L. Bailey
Chairman, Board of Directors
By: _________________________________
John Sharp Howie
Chairman, Compensation Committee
D-5
<PAGE>
PROXY PROXY
MISSISSIPPI CHEMICAL CORPORATION
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS--NOVEMBER 11, 1997
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned shareholder of Mississippi Chemical Corporation hereby appoints
Coley L. Bailey and Charles O. Dunn, and each of them, attorneys and proxies,
with full power of substitution, to vote at the annual meeting of shareholders
to be held at the Owen Cooper Administration Building, Highway 49 East, Yazoo
City, Mississippi, at 9:00 a.m. (local time) on Tuesday, November 11, 1997, and
at any adjournments thereof, in the name of the undersigned and with the same
force and effect as the undersigned could do if personally present, upon the
matters set forth below as indicated.
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION TO SERVE AS DIRECTORS UNTIL 2000: Coley L. Bailey,
Charles O. Dunn, Woods E. Eastland, John Sharp Howie, W.A. Percy II.
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION TO SERVE AS DIRECTORS UNTIL 1999: Haley Barbour.
SEE REVERSE SIDE. If you wish to vote in accordance with the Board of
Directors' recommendations, just sign on the reverse side. You need not mark
any ovals.
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND MAIL THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY, USING THE ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE.
(Continued and to be signed on reverse side.)
<PAGE>
MISSISSIPPI CHEMICAL CORPORATION
PLEASE MARK VOTE IN OVAL IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER USING DARK INK ONLY.
[ ]
All
1. Election of Directors (see reverse) For Withhold Except
- ---------------------------------------------- [ ] [ ] [ ]
(Except Nominee(s) written above)
2. The proposal of the Company to approve and For Against Abstain
adopt the Amendment and Restatement of the
Mississippi Chemical Corporation 1995 Stock [ ] [ ] [ ]
Option Plan for Nonemployee Directors
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AT MEETING. THIS PROXY IS
SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE SPECIFICATIONS MADE ABOVE. IF NO CONTRARY INSTRUCTIONS ARE INDICATED,
THIS PROXY SHALL BE DEEMED TO GRANT AUTHORITY TO VOTE "FOR" ALL NOMINEES AS
DIRECTORS AND "FOR" PROPOSALS (2) THROUGH (5) ABOVE.
3. The proposal of the Company to approve and For Against Abstain
adopt the Mississippi Chemical Corporation
Officer and Key Employee Incentive Plan [ ] [ ] [ ]
4. The proposal of the Company to approve and For Against Abstain
adopt the Mississippi Chemical Corporation
Executive Deferred Compensation Plan [ ] [ ] [ ]
5. The proposal of the Company to approve and For Against Abstain
adopt the Mississippi Chemical Corporation
Deferred Compensation Plan for Nonemployee [ ] [ ] [ ]
Directors
6. In their discretion, to act on any other matters which may properly come
before the meeting and any adjournments thereof.
Dated: ___________________________________________________________________, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Signature(s) of Shareholder(s))
(Joint owners must EACH sign. Please sign EXACTLY as your name(s) appear(s) on
this card. When signing as attorney, trustee, executor, administrator, guardian
or corporate officer, please give your full title.)
