<PAGE>
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON OCTOBER 27, 1998
REGISTRATION NO. 333-
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
--------------
FORM S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
--------------
MONSANTO COMPANY
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
DELAWARE 2800 43-0420020
(STATE OR OTHER (PRIMARY STANDARD (IRS EMPLOYER
JURISDICTION OF INDUSTRIAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
INCORPORATION OR CLASSIFICATION CODE
ORGANIZATION) NUMBER)
R. WILLIAM IDE III, ESQ.
MONSANTO COMPANY
800 N. LINDBERGH BLVD.
ST. LOUIS, MO 63167
(314) 694-1000
(ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE OF
REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL OFFICES)
--------------
COPIES TO:
BARBARA L. R. SCOTT FALK, SAM D. CHAFETZ,LOUIS BEGLEY, ESQ.
BLACKFORD, ESQ. ESQ. ESQ. DEBEVOISE &
MONSANTO COMPANY KIRKLAND & ELLIS WARING COX, PLC PLIMPTON
800 N. LINDBERGH 200 E. RANDOLPH 50 N. FRONT 875 THIRD AVENUE
BLVD. DRIVE STREET, #1300 NEW YORK, NY 10022
ST. LOUIS, MO CHICAGO, IL 60601 MEMPHIS, TN 38103
63167
APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as
practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement, but not
earlier than the date of the meeting of the stockholders of Delta and Pine
Land Company, a Delaware corporation ("Delta Pine"), referred to herein.
If the securities being registered on this form are being offered in
connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance
with General Instruction G, check the following box. [_]
If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and
list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering. [_]
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [_]
--------------
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PROPOSED
TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF MAXIMUM PROPOSED MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF
SECURITIES TO BE AMOUNT TO BE OFFERING PRICE AGGREGATE REGISTRATION
REGISTERED REGISTERED(1) PER UNIT(2) OFFERING PRICE(2) FEE(3)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Common Stock, $2.00 par
value per share
("Monsanto Common
Stock"), and
associated preferred 31,581,958
stock purchase rights. shares $30.09 $1,101,798,428.76 $306,299.96
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Based upon the maximum number of shares of Monsanto Common Stock issuable
to holders of the Common Stock of Delta Pine, $0.10 par value per share
("Delta Pine Common Stock"), in connection with the proposed merger of
Delta Pine with and into Monsanto Company.
(2) Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee in
accordance with Rule 457(f)(1) and Rule 0-11, based on the product of (i)
$30.09 (the average of the high and low prices of Delta Pine Common Stock
on October 20, 1998 on the New York Stock Exchange) times (ii) 36,616,764
(the number of shares of Delta Pine Common Stock outstanding on October
26, 1998).
(3) A registration fee of $353,000 was previously paid in connection with the
filing by Delta Pine of its Schedule 14A (File No. 1-14136) on September
1, 1998. Accordingly, pursuant to Rule 457(b), no additional fee is being
paid in connection with the filing of this Registration Statement.
--------------
THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT
SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH
SECTION 8(A) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID
SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
[Delta Pine Letterhead]
October 29, 1998
Delta and Pine Land Company
One Cotton Row
Scott, Mississippi 38772
601-742-4000 (phone); 601-742-3795 (fax)
Dear Delta and Pine Land Company Stockholder:
You are invited to attend a Special Meeting (the "Special Meeting") of
stockholders of Delta and Pine Land Company ("Delta Pine") to be held at 10:00
a.m., local time, on November 30, 1998, at the Peabody Hotel, 149 Union
Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38103.
Delta Pine and Monsanto Company ("Monsanto") have entered into an Agreement
and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") pursuant to which Delta Pine will
merge with and into Monsanto (the "Merger"). At the Special Meeting, you will
be asked to approve the Merger Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the Merger
Agreement, each share of Delta Pine common stock, par value $0.10 per share
("Delta Pine Common Stock"), issued and outstanding immediately prior to the
effective time of the Merger (other than shares owned by Monsanto, Delta Pine
or their respective subsidiaries) will be converted into 0.8625 validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable shares of Monsanto common stock, par
value $2.00 per share. Cash will be paid in lieu of fractional shares.
ONLY HOLDERS OF DELTA PINE COMMON STOCK AS OF THE RECORD DATE FOR THE
SPECIAL MEETING ARE ENTITLED TO VOTE AT THE SPECIAL MEETING.
The effect of your approval of the Merger Agreement will be to enable Delta
Pine to complete the Merger, assuming all other conditions to the consummation
of the Merger are satisfied. Enclosed with this letter are a Notice of the
Special Meeting and a Proxy Statement/Prospectus containing detailed
information concerning the Merger. We urge you to read all of this material
carefully.
THE DELTA PINE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS DETERMINED THAT THE MERGER IS IN
FURTHERANCE OF AND CONSISTENT WITH ITS LONG-TERM BUSINESS STRATEGIES AND IS IN
THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE HOLDERS OF SHARES OF DELTA PINE COMMON STOCK.
ACCORDINGLY, THE DELTA PINE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE
MERGER AGREEMENT AND THE MERGER AND RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE
MERGER AGREEMENT AT THE SPECIAL MEETING.
YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT. PLEASE MARK, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED
PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE PREPAID ENVELOPE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, EVEN IF
YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THE
PROPOSED MERGER, PLEASE CALL THE VICE PRESIDENT, FINANCE OF DELTA PINE AT
(601) 742-4000.
We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.
Sincerely,
/s/ Roger D. Malkin
-------------------------------------
Roger D. Malkin
Chief Executive Officer
<PAGE>
Delta and Pine Land Company
One Cotton Row
Scott, Mississippi 38772
601-742-4000 (phone); 601-742-3795 (fax)
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 30, 1998
Dear Stockholder:
A Special Meeting (the "Special Meeting") of stockholders of Delta and Pine
Land Company ("Delta Pine") is scheduled to be held at the Peabody Hotel, 149
Union Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38103, at 10:00 a.m., local time, on November
30, 1998 to consider and vote upon the Agreement and Plan of Merger by and
between Delta Pine and Monsanto Company ("Monsanto"), dated as of May 8, 1998
(the "Merger Agreement"), included as Appendix A to the accompanying Proxy
Statement/Prospectus, which provides for the merger of Delta Pine with and
into Monsanto (the "Merger").
APPROVAL OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT BY THE STOCKHOLDERS OF DELTA PINE IS A
CONDITION TO THE CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER.
The Delta Pine Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on October
26, 1998 as the record date for the determination of Delta Pine stockholders
entitled to notice of and to vote at the Special Meeting. A list of the
stockholders of record of Delta Pine on the close of business on October 26,
1998 will be available, at least ten days prior to the date of the Special
Meeting, for inspection by Delta Pine stockholders at the offices of Waring
Cox, PLC, 50 North Front Street, Memphis, Tennessee 38103 (telephone number:
(901) 543-8000) during regular business hours.
The approval of the Merger Agreement requires the affirmative vote of a
majority of the votes eligible to be cast on the proposal. THE DELTA PINE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE IN FAVOR OF APPROVAL
OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT.
Enclosed with this Notice of Special Meeting is a Delta Pine/Monsanto Proxy
Statement/Prospectus containing detailed information concerning the Merger. We
urge you to read all of this material carefully.
YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT. PLEASE MARK, DATE AND SIGN THE ENCLOSED PROXY
CARD AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE PREPAID RETURN ENVELOPE,
EVEN IF YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE SPECIAL MEETING. IF YOU SIGN AND RETURN YOUR
PROXY CARD WITHOUT SPECIFYING THE MANNER IN WHICH YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR SHARES
TO BE VOTED, IT WILL BE UNDERSTOOD THAT YOU WISH TO HAVE YOUR SHARES VOTED FOR
APPROVAL OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT. YOU MAY REVOKE YOUR PROXY BY SIGNING AND
RETURNING A LATER DATED PROXY WITH RESPECT TO THE SAME SHARES, BY FILING WITH
THE SECRETARY OF DELTA PINE A DULY EXECUTED REVOCATION, OR BY ATTENDING THE
SPECIAL MEETING AND VOTING IN PERSON (ALTHOUGH ATTENDANCE AT THE SPECIAL
MEETING WILL NOT IN AND OF ITSELF CONSTITUTE A REVOCATION OF YOUR PROXY).
By order of the Delta Pine Board of
Directors,
/s/ Jerome C. Hafter
-------------------------------------
Jerome C. Hafter
Secretary
October 29, 1998
<PAGE>
DELTA AND PINE LAND COMPANY
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR
THE SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD NOVEMBER 30, 1998
AND
MONSANTO COMPANY PROSPECTUS
This Proxy Statement/Prospectus (this "Proxy Statement/Prospectus") is being
furnished to stockholders of Delta and Pine Land Company, a Delaware
corporation ("Delta Pine"), in connection with the solicitation of proxies by
the Delta Pine Board of Directors for use at the Special Meeting (the "Special
Meeting") of stockholders of Delta Pine, including any adjournments or
postponements thereof. The Special Meeting is scheduled to be held on November
30, 1998, at 10:00 a.m., local time, at the Peabody Hotel, 149 Union Avenue,
Memphis, Tennessee 38103.
At the Special Meeting, the stockholders of Delta Pine will be asked to
consider and vote upon a proposal to adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger by
and between Delta Pine and Monsanto Company, a Delaware corporation
("Monsanto"), dated as of May 8, 1998 (the "Merger Agreement"), that provides,
among other things, for the merger of Delta Pine with and into Monsanto, with
Monsanto as the surviving entity, on the terms described in this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus (the "Merger"). Pursuant to the terms of the Merger, each
outstanding share of the common stock, $0.10 par value per share, of Delta
Pine (the "Delta Pine Common Stock") (other than shares owned by Monsanto,
Delta Pine or their respective subsidiaries) will be converted into 0.8625
shares (the "Merger Consideration") of the common stock, par value $2.00 per
share, of Monsanto (the "Monsanto Common Stock") and cash in lieu of
fractional shares. Adoption of the proposal to approve the Merger Agreement by
the stockholders of Delta Pine is a condition to the obligations of Monsanto
and Delta Pine to consummate the Merger. See "THE MERGER AGREEMENT--Conditions
to the Merger; Governmental Regulatory Approvals."
Monsanto has filed a registration statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration
Statement") with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission")
pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"),
covering the shares of Monsanto Common Stock issuable in the Merger to
stockholders of Delta Pine. This Proxy Statement/Prospectus also constitutes
the Prospectus of Monsanto filed as part of the Registration Statement.
Monsanto will also file with the Commission a registration statement on Form
S-8 covering the shares of Monsanto Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
stock options of Delta Pine which, pursuant to the terms of the stock option
plans and agreements under which they were granted, will constitute fully
vested options to purchase shares of Monsanto Common Stock following the
Merger.
Listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") are the Monsanto
Common Stock under the symbol "MTC" and the Delta Pine Common Stock under the
symbol "DLP". On May 8, 1998, the last trading day prior to the date the
proposed Merger was publicly announced, the last sales prices of Monsanto
Common Stock and Delta Pine Common Stock, as reported on the NYSE, were $53.50
and $52.75 per share, respectively. On October 27, 1998, the last trading day
preceding the day before the date of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus, the last
sales prices of Monsanto Common Stock and Delta Pine Common Stock, as reported
on the NYSE, were $ and $ per share, respectively. For a description
of Monsanto Common Stock, see "DESCRIPTION OF MONSANTO CAPITAL STOCK" and
"COMPARATIVE RIGHTS OF COMMON STOCK". Delta Pine stockholders are urged to
obtain current market quotations for Monsanto Common Stock and Delta Pine
Common Stock.
This Proxy Statement/Prospectus, the accompanying form of proxy and the
other enclosed documents are first being mailed to stockholders of Delta Pine
on or about October 29, 1998.
NEITHER THE MERGER NOR THE SECURITIES TO BE ISSUED IN THE MERGER HAVE BEEN
APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE
SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY
STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL
OFFENSE.
The date of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus is October , 1998.
i
<PAGE>
NO PERSONS HAVE BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATION OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS
PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING OF SECURITIES MADE
HEREBY AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE
RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY MONSANTO OR DELTA PINE. THIS PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL, OR A SOLICITATION
OF AN OFFER TO BUY, ANY SECURITIES, NOR DOES IT CONSTITUTE THE SOLICITATION OF
A PROXY, IN ANY JURISDICTION TO OR FROM ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS NOT LAWFUL TO
MAKE ANY SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IN SUCH JURISDICTION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY
OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS NOR ANY DISTRIBUTION OF SECURITIES MADE
HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE AN IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS
BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF MONSANTO OR DELTA PINE SINCE THE DATE HEREOF
OR THAT THE INFORMATION HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO ITS
DATE.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
Monsanto and Delta Pine are subject to the informational requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in
accordance therewith file reports, proxy statements and other information with
the Commission. The reports, proxy statements and other information filed by
Monsanto and Delta Pine with the Commission can be inspected and copied at the
public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street,
NW, Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's Regional Offices at 7
World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048, and Citicorp Center,
500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511. Copies of
such material can also be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the
Commission at 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed
rates. In addition, reports, proxy statements and other information concerning
Monsanto and Delta Pine may be inspected at the offices of the NYSE, 20 Broad
Street, New York, New York 10005. Certain of such reports, proxy and
information statements and other information filed by Monsanto and Delta Pine
are also available on the Internet at the Commission's world wide web site at
http://www.sec.gov.
Monsanto has filed the Registration Statement with the Commission with
respect to the Monsanto Common Stock to be issued in connection with the
Merger. This Proxy Statement/Prospectus does not contain all the information
set forth in the Registration Statement and the exhibits thereto. Such
additional information may be obtained from the Commission as set forth above.
Statements contained in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus or in any document
incorporated by reference in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus, as to the
contents of any contract or other document referred to herein, or therein, are
not necessarily complete, and in each instance reference is made to the copy
of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement or such other document, each such statement being qualified in all
respects by such reference.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents filed with the Commission by Monsanto (Commission
File No. 1-2516) pursuant to the Exchange Act are incorporated by reference in
this Proxy Statement/Prospectus:
1. Monsanto Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1997;
2. Monsanto Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31,
1998;
3. Monsanto Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30,
1998;
4. Monsanto Current Reports on Form 8-K for events dated January 23,
1998, May 31, 1998, October 13, 1998 and October 19, 1998 and filed on
January 23, June 1, 1998, October 13, 1998 and October 19, 1998,
respectively;
5. Monsanto Proxy Statement, dated April 24, 1998, relating to the 1998
Annual Meeting of Monsanto shareowners; and
6. The description of Monsanto's preferred share purchase rights
associated with the Monsanto Common Stock contained in Monsanto's
Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on January 31, 1990, as amended by
the Form 8-A/A filed on August 3, 1998 and by the Form 8-A/A filed October
20, 1998.
ii
<PAGE>
The following documents filed with the Commission by Delta Pine (Commission
File No. 000-21788) pursuant to the Exchange Act are incorporated by reference
in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus:
1. Delta Pine Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August
31, 1997;
2. Delta Pine Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended
November 30, 1997;
3. Delta Pine Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended
February 28, 1998;
4. Delta Pine Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended
May 31, 1998;
5. Delta Pine Current Report on Form 8-K for an event dated May 8, 1998
and filed on May 14, 1998; and
6. Delta Pine Proxy Statement dated January 15, 1998 for annual meeting
held February 26, 1998, pp. 4 and 5.
All documents and reports filed by Monsanto and Delta Pine pursuant to
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this
Proxy Statement/Prospectus and prior to the date of the Special Meeting shall
be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus
and to be a part hereof from the dates of filing of such documents or reports.
Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus to the extent that a statement
contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is
deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such
statement. Any such document so modified or superseded shall not be deemed,
except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus.
This Proxy Statement/Prospectus incorporates certain documents by reference
which are not presented herein or delivered herewith. Such documents (other
than exhibits to such documents unless such exhibits are specifically
incorporated by reference) are available, without charge, to any person,
including any beneficial owner, to whom this Proxy Statement/Prospectus is
delivered, on written or oral request, within one business day of such
request, in the case of documents relating to Monsanto, to Monsanto Company,
800 N. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, Missouri 63167 (telephone number: (314)
694-1000), Attention: Investor Relations; or, in the case of documents
relating to Delta Pine, to Delta and Pine Land Company, One Cotton Row, Scott,
Mississippi 38772 (telephone number: (601) 742-4000), Attention: Vice
President, Finance. In order to ensure timely delivery of the documents prior
to the Special Meeting, requests should be made by November 16, 1998.
All information contained or incorporated by reference in this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus relating to Monsanto has been supplied by Monsanto, and
all such information relating to Delta Pine has been supplied by Delta Pine.
iii
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
SUMMARY.................................................................... 1
The Companies............................................................ 1
The Merger Agreement..................................................... 1
Effect of the Merger..................................................... 1
The Special Meeting...................................................... 2
Opinions of Financial Advisor to Delta Pine.............................. 2
Effective Time of the Merger............................................. 3
Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger............................... 3
Conditions to the Merger................................................. 3
Termination of the Merger Agreement; Termination Fee..................... 3
Termination Option Agreement; Antitakeover Protections................... 3
No Stockholder Rights of Appraisal....................................... 4
Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences............................. 4
Accounting Treatment..................................................... 4
Other Significant Considerations......................................... 4
Merger Consideration..................................................... 5
SELECTED HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION.................... 5
Monsanto Historical Financial Information................................ 5
Delta Pine Historical Financial Information.............................. 6
Equivalent and Comparative Per Share Data................................ 7
Significant Events Affecting Historical Financial Trends................. 8
Comparative Stock Prices................................................. 10
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS................................................. 11
THE SPECIAL MEETING........................................................ 11
Matters to Be Considered at the Special Meeting.......................... 11
Votes Required........................................................... 11
Voting of Proxies........................................................ 12
Revocability of Proxies.................................................. 12
Record Date; Stock Entitled to Vote; Quorum.............................. 12
No Appraisal Rights...................................................... 12
Solicitation of Proxies; General......................................... 12
Holders of Delta Pine Common Stock Should Not Send Stock Certificates.... 13
Accountants.............................................................. 13
THE MERGER................................................................. 13
General.................................................................. 13
Background of the Merger................................................. 13
Recommendation of the Delta Pine Board of Directors; Reasons for the
Merger.................................................................. 17
Opinions of Financial Advisor............................................ 19
Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences............................. 27
Accounting Treatment..................................................... 28
Other Significant Considerations......................................... 28
Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger............................... 29
New York Stock Exchange Listing.......................................... 29
Delisting and Deregistration of Delta Pine Common Stock.................. 29
</TABLE>
iv
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
THE MERGER AGREEMENT........................................................ 30
Terms of the Merger....................................................... 30
Certain Adjustments....................................................... 30
Other Adjustments to Exchange Ratio....................................... 31
Surrender and Payment..................................................... 31
Fractional Shares......................................................... 32
Conditions to the Merger; Governmental Regulatory Approvals............... 33
Representations and Warranties............................................ 33
Conduct of Business Pending the Merger.................................... 34
Delta Pine Stock Options and Warrants..................................... 34
No Solicitation........................................................... 34
Indemnification........................................................... 35
Termination............................................................... 35
Termination Fees.......................................................... 35
Fees and Expenses......................................................... 36
Amendment................................................................. 36
Resales; Affiliates....................................................... 36
Termination Option Agreement.............................................. 36
UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTAL PRO FORMA INFORMATION................................ 38
DESCRIPTION OF MONSANTO CAPITAL STOCK....................................... 39
General................................................................... 39
Monsanto Common Stock..................................................... 39
Monsanto Preferred Stock.................................................. 40
Description of Rights..................................................... 40
Transfer Agent and Registrar.............................................. 40
COMPARATIVE RIGHTS OF COMMON STOCK.......................................... 41
LEGAL OPINIONS.............................................................. 46
EXPERTS..................................................................... 47
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS....................................................... 47
APPENDIX A
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER.............................................. A-1
APPENDIX B
OPINION OF MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED............. B-1
</TABLE>
v
<PAGE>
SUMMARY
The following is a summary of certain information contained elsewhere or
incorporated by reference in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus. Reference is made
to, and this summary is qualified in its entirety by, the more detailed
information contained or incorporated by reference in this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus and the Appendices hereto. As used herein, unless the
context otherwise requires, "Monsanto" means Monsanto Company and its
consolidated subsidiaries and "Delta Pine" means Delta and Pine Land Company
and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Stockholders of Delta Pine are urged to read this Proxy Statement/Prospectus
and the Appendices hereto in their entirety. Stockholders should also carefully
consider the information set forth below under the heading "Other Significant
Considerations".
THE COMPANIES
Monsanto. Monsanto is a life sciences company, committed to finding solutions
to the growing global needs for food and health by applying advanced bioscience
and biotechnology to agriculture, nutrition and health. Monsanto and its
subsidiaries manufacture and sell high-value agricultural products,
pharmaceuticals and food ingredients. Monsanto was incorporated in 1933 under
Delaware law and is the successor to a Missouri corporation, Monsanto Chemical
Works, organized in 1901. Monsanto's principal executive offices are located at
800 N. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, Missouri 63167, its telephone number is
(314) 694-1000 and its Internet address is http://www.monsanto.com.
Delta Pine. Delta Pine and its subsidiaries are primarily engaged in the
breeding, production, conditioning and marketing of proprietary varieties of
cotton planting seed in the United States and other cotton producing nations.
Delta Pine also breeds, produces, conditions and distributes soybean planting
seed in the United States. Delta Pine is the successor to a cotton seed
breeding and producing business founded in 1911 and is incorporated in
Delaware. Its principal executive offices are located at One Cotton Row, Scott,
Mississippi 38772, and its telephone number is (601) 742-4000.
THE MERGER AGREEMENT
Delta Pine and Monsanto have entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger
(the "Merger Agreement") pursuant to which Delta Pine will merge with and into
Monsanto (the "Merger"), with all outstanding shares of Delta Pine Common Stock
(other than shares owned by Monsanto, Delta Pine or their respective
subsidiaries) being converted into shares of Monsanto Common Stock. See "Effect
of the Merger" below, and "THE MERGER AGREEMENT".
The Merger Agreement is attached as Appendix A to this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus. Delta Pine stockholders are urged to read the Merger
Agreement in its entirety.
EFFECT OF THE MERGER
The Merger Agreement provides that, upon the terms and subject to the
conditions contained therein, Delta Pine will be merged with and into Monsanto
at the effective time of the Merger (the "Effective Time"), and Monsanto will
continue as the surviving corporation. Subject to certain provisions described
herein and in the Merger Agreement, each share of Delta Pine Common Stock
issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than
shares owned by Monsanto, Delta Pine or their respective subsidiaries) will be
converted into 0.8625 validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable shares of
Monsanto Common Stock (the "Merger Consideration"). See "THE MERGER AGREEMENT--
Terms of the Merger". Cash will be paid in lieu of fractional shares of
Monsanto Common Stock.
1
<PAGE>
Immediately prior to the Effective Time, there will be approximately
604,018,438 shares of Monsanto Common Stock outstanding, assuming no shares of
Monsanto Common Stock are issued in connection with any acquisitions and no
options to purchase Monsanto Common Stock are exercised between the date hereof
and the Effective Time. In such case, immediately following the Effective Time,
there will be approximately 635,600,396 shares of Monsanto Common Stock
outstanding. The shares of Monsanto Common Stock issued to stockholders of
Delta Pine pursuant to the Merger Agreement will comprise approximately 4.97%
of the total number of shares of Monsanto Common Stock outstanding after the
Merger (or approximately 5.39%, assuming exercise of all options to purchase
Delta Pine Common Stock exercisable within 60 days of the record date for the
Special Meeting), and assuming no other changes in the number of outstanding
shares of Delta Pine Common Stock or Monsanto Common Stock during the period
prior to the Effective Time.
THE SPECIAL MEETING
Time, Date and Place. The Special Meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m., local
time, on November 30, 1998, at the Peabody Hotel, 149 Union Avenue, Memphis,
Tennessee 38103.
Matter to be Considered at the Special Meeting. At the Special Meeting,
holders of Delta Pine Common Stock will be asked to consider and vote upon a
proposal to approve the Merger Agreement, a conformed copy of which appears as
Appendix A to this Proxy Statement/Prospectus. APPROVAL OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT
BY THE DELTA PINE STOCKHOLDERS IS A CONDITION TO CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER.
Votes Required. Each holder of Delta Pine Common Stock is entitled to one
vote per share held of record on the record date. The presence, in person or by
properly executed proxy, of the holders of a majority of the shares of Delta
Pine Common Stock outstanding on the record date is necessary to constitute a
quorum at the Special Meeting. The affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares of Delta Pine Common Stock is required to
adopt the Merger Agreement. See "THE SPECIAL MEETING--Votes Required".
Consummation of the Merger does not require any vote by the holders of Monsanto
Common Stock.
Record Date. The record date for the determination of holders of Delta Pine
Common Stock entitled to notice of and to vote at the Special Meeting was at
the close of business on October 26, 1998. On that date, there were 38,394,541
shares of Delta Pine Common Stock outstanding.
Recommendation of the Delta Pine Board of Directors. The Delta Pine Board of
Directors has unanimously approved the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the
other transactions contemplated thereby, and unanimously recommends that Delta
Pine stockholders vote in favor of the Merger Agreement at the Special Meeting.
The Monsanto Board of Directors also has unanimously approved and adopted the
Merger Agreement.
OPINIONS OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR TO DELTA PINE
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated ("Merrill Lynch") has
acted as financial advisor to Delta Pine in connection with the Merger. On May
6, 1998, Merrill Lynch delivered its oral opinion (which was subsequently
confirmed in a written opinion dated May 8, 1998) to the Delta Pine Board of
Directors that, on the basis of and subject to the matters set forth therein,
as of the date thereof, the Merger Consideration was fair from a financial
point of view to the Delta Pine stockholders (other than Monsanto and its
affiliates). Merrill Lynch subsequently confirmed its original opinion by
delivering to the Delta Pine Board of Directors its restated written opinion
dated October 23, 1998, that, on the basis of and subject to the matters set
forth therein, as of the date thereof, the Merger Consideration was fair from a
financial point of view to the Delta Pine stockholders (other than Monsanto and
its affiliates). A copy of the restated opinion (the "Restated Opinion") of
Merrill Lynch, which sets forth the assumptions made, matters considered and
the scope of review undertaken in connection therewith, is attached to this
Proxy Statement/Prospectus as Appendix B and is incorporated herein by
reference. Stockholders of Delta Pine should read the Merrill Lynch opinion in
its entirety. See "THE MERGER--Opinions of Financial Advisor" and Appendix B.
2
<PAGE>
EFFECTIVE TIME OF THE MERGER
The Merger will become effective upon the filing of the Certificate of Merger
with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or such later date as is
specified in such Certificate of Merger (the "Effective Time"). The filing of
the Certificate of Merger will occur as soon as practicable following the
satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement. See
"THE MERGER AGREEMENT--Conditions to the Merger; Governmental Regulatory
Approvals".
INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE MERGER
Various executives and key employees of Delta Pine will enter into employment
and non-competition agreements with Monsanto upon the effectiveness of the
Merger, which agreements will provide for either uniform retention bonuses or
uniform severance benefits in the event their employment with Monsanto is
involuntarily or constructively terminated without cause. In addition,
directors, certain officers and certain key employees of Delta Pine hold
options to purchase Delta Pine Common Stock, the vesting of which options will
be accelerated upon the consummation of the Merger. See "THE MERGER--Interests
of Certain Persons in the Merger".
CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER
The obligations of Monsanto and Delta Pine to consummate the Merger are
subject to various conditions, including, among other things, obtaining the
approval of the Delta Pine stockholders, the authorization for listing on the
NYSE of the shares of Monsanto Common Stock issuable pursuant to the Merger
Agreement, and the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period
under applicable antitrust law. See "THE MERGER AGREEMENT--Conditions to the
Merger; Governmental Regulatory Approvals".
TERMINATION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT; TERMINATION FEE
The Merger Agreement may be terminated prior to the Effective Time under
certain circumstances, including, among other things, (i) by either Monsanto or
Delta Pine if the Merger has not been effected prior to the close of business
on June 30, 1999 (or December 31, 1999, under certain circumstances), (ii) by
Monsanto if Delta Pine stockholder approval is not obtained, (iii) by Monsanto
if the Delta Pine Board of Directors withdraws or modifies its recommendation
of the Merger, (iv) by Monsanto if any person other than certain permitted
acquirors acquire 15% or more of the Delta Pine Common Stock, or (v) by Delta
Pine to accept a transaction more favorable to Delta Pine and its stockholders.
The Merger Agreement provides that if the Merger Agreement is terminated under
certain circumstances, Delta Pine or Monsanto would be required to pay the
other party a termination fee of $40 million (or $80 million by Monsanto in
some circumstances), as well as certain fees and expenses incurred in
connection with the transaction. See "THE MERGER AGREEMENT--Termination".
TERMINATION OPTION AGREEMENT; ANTI-TAKEOVER PROTECTIONS
In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, Delta Pine and
Monsanto also entered into a Termination Option Agreement (the "Termination
Option Agreement") pursuant to which Delta Pine granted to Monsanto an
irrevocable option (the "Stock Option") to purchase up to 7,614,659 shares of
Delta Pine Common Stock, or such other number of shares of Delta Pine Common
Stock as equals 19.9% of the issued and outstanding shares of Delta Pine Common
Stock at the time of exercise of the Stock Option, at a price of $46.25 per
share (the "Exercise Price"). The Stock Option may only be exercised by
Monsanto after the occurrence of various events that might be connected with a
change in control of Delta Pine other than in the Merger. See "THE MERGER
AGREEMENT--Termination Option Agreement". In addition, the Delta Pine Board of
Directors has amended the Delta Pine Rights Agreement dated as of August 13,
1996 (the "Rights Agreement")
3
<PAGE>
between Delta Pine and Harris Trust and Savings Bank, as Rights Agent, in order
to permit the Merger to proceed, and has waived certain state anti-takeover
protections as they relate to the proposed Merger. See "THE MERGER--Background
of the Merger".
NO STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS OF APPRAISAL
In accordance with the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the
"DGCL"), holders of Delta Pine Common Stock converted into Monsanto Common
Stock in the Merger will not be entitled to appraisal rights. See "COMPARATIVE
RIGHTS OF COMMON STOCK--No Appraisal Rights".
CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The obligations of Delta Pine and Monsanto to consummate the Merger are each
conditioned upon the receipt of an opinion of their respective counsel to the
effect that the Merger will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as
a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). As a consequence of such treatment, no
gain or loss will be recognized by Delta Pine stockholders upon the receipt of
Monsanto Common Stock in exchange for Delta Pine Common Stock (except with
respect to cash received in lieu of fractional shares). See "THE MERGER--
Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences".
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
The Merger is expected to be accounted for under the purchase method of
accounting in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles ("GAAP"). See "THE MERGER--Accounting Treatment".
OTHER SIGNIFICANT CONSIDERATIONS
The exchange ratio in the Merger was fixed as of August 6, 1998 and will not
be adjusted in the event of an increase or decrease in the market price of
Monsanto Common Stock. Delta Pine stockholders are urged to obtain current
market quotations for Monsanto Common Stock and Delta Pine Common Stock. See
"THE MERGER AGREEMENT--Terms of the Merger".
Consummation of the Merger is subject to the expiration or termination of the
waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976,
as amended (the "HSR Act"). Although Monsanto and Delta Pine are obligated
under the Merger Agreement to use commercially reasonable efforts to achieve
anti-trust clearance, there can be no assurance as to the likely completion
date of the governmental anti-trust review process or the likely outcome for
the parties. See "THE MERGER AGREEMENT--Conditions to the Merger; Government
Regulatory Approvals".
Lawsuits have been filed in Delaware Chancery Court seeking to enjoin the
Merger or, alternatively, seeking rescission and/or damages if the Merger is
consummated. Monsanto and Delta Pine believe that the complaints are without
merit in fact and in law and intend to vigorously defend themselves against the
complaints.
See "THE MERGER--Other Significant Considerations".
Delta Pine stockholders should consider all the information presented in this
Proxy Statement/Prospectus before voting on the proposal relating to the
Merger.
4
<PAGE>
MERGER CONSIDERATION
The maximum number of shares of Monsanto Common Stock that could be issued
are as follows (without subtracting fractional shares to be paid in cash and
assuming the exercise of all outstanding Delta Pine stock options regardless of
exercise price):
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Delta Pine Common Stock outstanding at October 26, 1998(1)... 36,616,764
Delta Pine Stock Options granted and not yet exercised at
October 26, 1998............................................ 3,281,277
----------
Total possible shares that could be converted................ 39,898,041
Merger Exchange Ratio........................................ 0.8625
----------
Anticipated Monsanto Common Stock (including option shares)
to be issued................................................ 34,412,060
==========
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) After deduction of the 1,777,777 shares of Delta Pine Common Stock owned by
Monsanto and without including the 800,000 shares of Delta Pine Common
Stock into which the Series M Preferred Stock of Delta Pine is convertible.
SELECTED HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Set forth on the following pages are selected historical and pro forma
financial information of Monsanto and Delta Pine. The historical information
with respect to Monsanto and Delta Pine is derived from the respective
historical financial statements and notes thereto of Monsanto and Delta Pine,
incorporated herein by reference, and should be read in conjunction therewith.
Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the
results to be expected in subsequent interim periods or for the full fiscal
year.
Pro forma combined financial statements of Delta Pine and Monsanto are not
required to be presented herein because Delta Pine's information is not
considered material in relation to that of Monsanto.
MONSANTO HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AS OF AND FOR
THE
SIX MONTHS AS OF AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER
ENDED JUNE 30, 31,
--------------- -------------------------------------
1998 1997 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------ ------
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT FOR PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales................ $ 4,514 $ 3,970 $ 7,514 $ 6,348 $ 5,410 $4,679 $4,304
Income from continuing
operations(1)........... 453 456 294 413 461 454 298
Basic earnings per
share--continuing
operations(1)........... 0.76 0.78 0.50 0.71 0.81 0.79 0.50
Diluted earnings per
share--continuing
operations(1)........... 0.73 0.75 0.48 0.69 0.79 0.78 0.50
Dividends per common
share(2)................ 0.060 0.310 0.500 0.588 0.540 0.494 0.460
Book value per common
share(3)................ 7.70 6.94 6.89 6.31 6.46 5.29 4.92
Total assets(3).......... 12,310 12,648 10,774 11,237 10,731 9,103 8,788
Long-term debt........... 2,510 1,551 1,979 1,608 1,667 1,405 1,502
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) See "--Significant Events Affecting Monsanto's Historical Financial
Trends".
(2) In the fourth quarter of 1997, following the spinoff of Monsanto's chemical
businesses, the Monsanto Board of Directors reevaluated its dividend policy
and reduced the quarterly dividend on Monsanto Common Stock from $0.16 per
share to $0.03 per share.
(3) Amounts as of June 30, 1997 and as of December 31, 1996, 1995, 1994, and
1993 include the net assets of Monsanto's chemical businesses, which were
spun off in September 1997.
5
<PAGE>
DELTA PINE HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AS OF AND FOR
THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED MAY 31, AS OF AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,
--------------- ---------------------------------------
1998 1997 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT FOR PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales............... $ 209 $ 189 $ 183 $ 153 $ 99 $ 80 $ 77
Income from continuing
operations(1).......... 19 25 7 15 11 8 9
Basic earnings per
share--continuing
operations(1)(2)....... 0.50 0.68 0.18 0.41 0.29 0.21 0.25
Diluted earnings per
share--continuing
operations(1)(2)....... 0.47 0.64 0.17 0.39 0.29 0.21 0.25
Dividends per common
share(2)............... 0.0900 0.0563 0.0780 0.0620 0.0450 0.0450 0.0000
Book value per common
share(2)............... 2.63 2.44 1.93 1.86 1.27 1.03 0.92
Total assets............ 339 253 221 180 88 72 51
Long-term debt.......... 56 32 31 31 13 14 1
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) See "--Significant Events Affecting Delta Pine's Historical Financial
Trends".
(2) All share and per share data have been adjusted to reflect all stock splits
through November 1997 (the most recent stock split) and the adoption of
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings per Share".
6
<PAGE>
EQUIVALENT AND COMPARATIVE PER SHARE DATA
The following table sets forth, for each of the periods indicated, basic and
diluted earnings per share from continuing operations, dividends per common
share and book value per common share for (i) Monsanto on an historical basis,
(ii) Delta Pine on an historical basis, and (iii) Monsanto on a pro forma basis
(which reflects the Merger and assumes the purchase method of accounting). Cash
dividends on Monsanto Common Stock totaled $0.50 per share for the year ended
December 31, 1997, and $0.03 per share during each of the quarters ended March
31, 1998 and June 30, 1998. Dividends on Delta Pine Common Stock totaled $0.078
per share for the year ended August 31, 1997 and $0.03 per share during each of
quarters ended November 30, 1997 and February 28, 1998. Information concerning
unaudited pro forma combined income from continuing operations per share for
the six-month period ended June 30, 1998 and the year ended December 31, 1997
combines the consolidated results of Monsanto with those of Delta Pine as if
the transaction had occurred at the beginning of the earliest period presented,
and gives effect to the additional amortization expense from goodwill and other
identifiable intangible assets and the additional shares of Monsanto Common
Stock expected to be issued in the Merger, taking into effect all applicable
pro forma adjustments. The results for the six-month period ended May 31, 1998,
as restated, and the twelve month period ended November 30, 1997, as restated,
for Delta Pine were combined, respectively, with the results for the six-month
period ended June 30, 1998 and the year ended December 31, 1997 for Monsanto.
Unaudited pro forma combined book value per share gives effect to the
additional shares of Monsanto Common Stock expected to be issued in the Merger.
The equivalent unaudited per share pro forma combined data is based upon an
exchange ratio of 0.8625 shares of Monsanto Common Stock for each share of
Delta Pine Common Stock. The information set forth below should be read in
conjunction with the respective historical financial statements and notes
thereto of Monsanto and Delta Pine incorporated by reference in this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus. The unaudited pro forma combined per share information
does not purport to represent what the financial position or results of
operations of Monsanto and Delta Pine would actually have been had the Merger
occurred at the beginning of the relevant periods or to project Monsanto's and
Delta Pine's financial position or results of operations for any future date or
period.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIX MONTHS FISCAL YEAR
1998 1997
---------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
MONSANTO--HISTORICAL (1)
Basic earnings per share--continuing operations....... $0.76 $0.50
Diluted earnings per share--continuing operations..... 0.73 0.48
Dividends per common share (2)(3)..................... 0.06 0.50
Book value per common share........................... 7.70 6.89
DELTA PINE--HISTORICAL (4)
Basic earnings per share--continuing operations (5)... $0.13 $0.18
Diluted earnings per share--continuing operations (5). 0.13 0.17
Dividends per common share (2)........................ 0.06 0.08
Book value per common share (5)....................... 2.07 1.93
DELTA PINE/MONSANTO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED
Basic earnings per share--continuing operations
(1)(4)(6)............................................ $0.71 $0.39
Diluted earnings per share--continuing operations
(1)(4)(6)............................................ 0.68 0.38
Dividends per common share............................ 0.06 0.50
Book value per common share (7)....................... 9.31 8.60
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA DELTA PINE PER SHARE EQUIVALENT (8)
Basic earnings per share--continuing operations....... $0.61 $0.34
Diluted earnings per share--continuing operations..... 0.59 0.33
Dividends per common share............................ 0.05 0.43
Book value per common share........................... 8.03 7.42
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Monsanto's fiscal year end is December 31 and its second fiscal quarter
ends on June 30 for both historical and pro forma purposes.
7
<PAGE>
(2) Monsanto's current quarterly dividend is $0.03 per share of common stock
($0.12 per share annualized) and is subject to future approval and
declaration by the Monsanto Board of Directors. Delta Pine's current
quarterly dividend is $0.03 per share of common and preferred stock ($0.12
per share annualized) and is subject to future approval and declaration by
the Delta Pine Board of Directors.
(3) In the fourth quarter of 1997, following the spinoff of Monsanto's
chemical businesses, the Monsanto Board of Directors reevaluated its
dividend policy and reduced the quarterly dividend on Monsanto Common
Stock from $0.16 per share to $0.03 per share.
(4) Delta Pine's fiscal year end is August 31 and its second fiscal quarter
ends on February 28 for historical purposes. For pro forma purposes, Delta
Pine has restated its financial information to reflect a November 30 year
end and a May 31 second fiscal quarter end.
(5) Earnings per share and book value per share have been restated to reflect
the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128,
"Earnings per Share".
(6) Represents net income from continuing operations of Delta Pine and
Monsanto combined, taking into effect all applicable pro forma
adjustments, divided by the sum of (i) the shares of Monsanto Common Stock
outstanding plus (ii) the number of shares of Delta Pine Common Stock
outstanding multiplied by the Merger exchange ratio of 0.8625.
(7) Represents Monsanto book value, taking into effect all applicable pro
forma adjustments, divided by the sum of (i) the shares of Monsanto Common
Stock outstanding plus (ii) the number of shares of Delta Pine Common
Stock outstanding multiplied by the Merger exchange ratio of 0.8625.
(8) Represents the unaudited pro forma combined per share data multiplied by
the Merger exchange ratio of 0.8625.
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS AFFECTING HISTORICAL FINANCIAL TRENDS
Monsanto and Delta Pine report quarterly and annual earnings results in their
respective Commission filings using methods required by GAAP. Sometimes the
financial results reported in this way include significant or special events
and transactions which are not expected to occur regularly in the future.
Examples of these events and transactions include gains or losses on the sales
of businesses or other assets, the costs of completing major acquisitions and
other business development activities, and the costs of business
restructurings.
Significant or special events and transactions which we believe would be
helpful to review in understanding each company's past performances and future
prospects are briefly described below. Due to the seasonality of the
agricultural products business of each company, which is concentrated primarily
in the first six months of the calendar year, interim period net sales and
results of operations are not indicative of the results to be expected in
subsequent fiscal quarters or for the full calendar year.
Significant Events Affecting Monsanto's Historical Financial Trends
Total assets at June 30, 1998 and 1997 reflected an increase compared to
December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively, due primarily to higher levels of
agricultural products' trade receivables attributable primarily to the
seasonality of the agricultural products business. Total assets at June 30,
1997 compared to December 31, 1996 also reflected Monsanto's acquisitions of
the Asgrow Agronomics seed business and the remaining equity interest in
Calgene, Inc., a plant biotechnology company ("Calgene"). Long term debt at
June 30, 1998 reflected an increase compared to December 31, 1997 due primarily
to the issuance of $100 million of fixed rate medium term notes and the
issuance of $100 million of variable rate notes. In addition, Monsanto
reclassified $475 million of outstanding commercial paper from short-term to
long-term debt because Monsanto has the ability and intent to refinance these
obligations beyond June 30, 1999.
Income from continuing operations for the six months ended June 30, 1997
included an after-tax charge of $135 million ($0.22 per share-diluted) for
acquired in-process research and development related to the acquisition of the
Asgrow Agronomics seed business and the remaining equity interest in Calgene.
8
<PAGE>
Income from continuing operations for 1997 included after-tax special charges
of $455 million ($0.75 per share-diluted) for acquired in-process research and
development related to the strategic acquisitions of certain seed companies and
the remaining equity interest in Calgene. The seed company acquisitions
included Asgrow Agronomics, Holden's Foundation Seeds Inc., Corn States Hybrid
Service Inc. and a controlling interest in Sementes Agroceres S.A. All of these
acquisitions were accounted for under the purchase method of accounting.
Total assets at December 31, 1997 reflected a decrease compared to December
31, 1996 due primarily to the spinoff of Monsanto's chemical businesses in
September 1997 to Monsanto shareowners, accounted for as a discontinued
operation, offset, in part, by the 1997 acquisitions noted above. Long-term
debt for the same period reflected an increase due to additional commercial
paper outstanding and the issuance of $200 million of 30-year debentures to
reduce short-term commercial paper issued during 1997 to fund a portion of the
1997 acquisitions.
Income from continuing operations for 1996 included after-tax restructuring
charges and other special charges aggregating $257 million ($0.43 per share-
diluted) to cover the closure or rationalization of certain facilities, asset
write-offs, and workforce reductions.
Total assets at December 31, 1996 reflected an increase compared to December
31, 1995 due primarily to the significant equity interests acquired in Calgene
Inc. and DEKALB Genetics Corporation ("DEKALB"). In addition, Monsanto acquired
Agracetus, a plant biotechnology company, which was accounted for under the
purchase method of accounting.
Income from continuing operations for 1995 included after-tax restructuring
charges and other special charges, aggregating $63 million ($0.11 per share-
diluted), pertaining to workforce reductions, business consolidations, facility
closures and the exit from nonstrategic businesses and facilities, offset, in
part, by favorable adjustments under certain pharmaceutical sales rebate
programs.
Total assets at December 31, 1995 reflected a significant increase compared
to December 31, 1994 due primarily to the effects of the acquisitions of the
women's health care assets, primarily product rights, of Syntex Corp., and the
worldwide business of Kelco, both of which were accounted for under the
purchase method of accounting. Long-term debt for the same comparable periods
reflected an increase due to additional commercial paper and the issuance of
$150 million of 30-year debentures.
Significant Events Affecting Delta Pine's Historical Financial Trends
In 1997, Delta Pine announced a production and cost optimization program
which resulted in Delta Pine taking a pre-tax special charge of $19.0 million
($11.97 million after tax or $0.30 per share-diluted), of which $11.5 million
was included in cost of sales and $7.5 million was included in operating
expenses. In connection with the merger with the Sure Grow Companies, Delta
Pine recorded pre-tax special charges of approximately $1.7 million during 1997
($1.07 million after tax, or $0.03 per share-diluted).
In 1996, Delta Pine introduced for commercial sale cottonseed containing
Monsanto's Bollgard(R) gene, which resulted in a substantial increase in net
sales. In 1997, these products continued to gain acceptance and coupled with
the introduction of cottonseed containing Monsanto's Roundup Ready(R) gene,
sales continued to increase.
Also, in 1996, Delta Pine acquired Ellis Brothers Seed, Inc., Arizona
Processing, Inc., and Mississippi Seed, Inc., which own the outstanding common
stock of Sure Grow Seed, Inc. (the "Sure Grow Companies"). The merger was
accounted for as a pooling-of-interests. All prior year financial statements
were restated to reflect the acquisition. Delta Pine recorded pre-tax special
acquisition related charges of approximately $1.4 million ($0.89 million after
tax, or $0.02 per share-diluted) in connection with these acquisitions. In
1996, Delta Pine also acquired Hartz Cotton from Monsanto.
9
<PAGE>
In 1994, Delta Pine purchased the Paymaster(R) and Lankart(R) cotton planting
seed business ("Paymaster") for approximately $14.0 million.
The growth of assets since 1993 primarily relate to the commercialization of
transgenic seed resulting in increased accounts receivable and inventory.
COMPARATIVE STOCK PRICES
The Monsanto Common Stock and Delta Pine Common Stock are each listed and
traded on the NYSE (Symbols: MTC and DLP, respectively). The following table
sets forth prices for Monsanto Common Stock and Delta Pine Common Stock and the
equivalent per share price (as explained below) for Delta Pine Common Stock, as
follows: (i) the average closing sale price on the NYSE for the 30 trading days
preceding May 8, 1998, the last trading day prior to the announcement of the
proposed Merger, (ii) the closing sale price per share on May 8, 1998, and
(iii) the closing sale price per share on October 27, 1998, the latest
practicable date prior to the mailing of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus. These
quotations represent inter-dealer prices for actual transactions, without
adjustment for retail markup, markdown or commission.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DELTA DELTA PINE
PINE MONSANTO EQUIVALENT
COMMON COMMON PER SHARE
STOCK STOCK PRICE(1)
-------- -------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
30 days average prior to May 8, 1998............... $ 47.08 $ 54.36 $ 46.89
May 8, 1998........................................ $ 52.75 $ 53.50 $ 46.14
October 27, 1998................................... $[ ] $[ ] $[ ]
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Equivalent per share amounts for Delta Pine are determined by multiplying
the per share price of Monsanto Common Stock for such period on such date
by 0.8625, which is the number of shares of Monsanto Common Stock into
which each share of Delta Pine Common Stock will be converted in the
Merger. See "THE MERGER AGREEMENT--Terms of the Merger".
Delta Pine stockholders are urged to obtain current market quotations for
Delta Pine Common Stock and Monsanto Common Stock.
10
<PAGE>
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Proxy Statement/Prospectus includes forward-looking statements within
the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the
Exchange Act. All statements other than statements of historical facts
included or incorporated by reference in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus,
including, without limitation, statements regarding Monsanto's or Delta Pine's
future financial position, business strategy, budgets, projected costs and
plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking
statements. Although Monsanto and Delta Pine believe their expectations
reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable
assumptions, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to
have been correct. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the operations,
performance, development and results of business for Monsanto are set forth in
Monsanto's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997 and
in Monsanto's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31,
1998 and June 30, 1998 under the heading "Disclosure of Forward-Looking
Statements" and for Delta Pine in Delta Pine's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended August 31, 1997 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the fiscal quarter ended May 31, 1998 under the heading "Outlook" and are, in
each case, incorporated herein by reference. All written or oral forward-
looking statements attributable to Monsanto or Delta Pine, or persons acting
on their behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing
cautionary statements.
THE SPECIAL MEETING
MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED AT THE SPECIAL MEETING
At the Special Meeting, holders of shares of Delta Pine Common Stock will be
asked to consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the Merger Agreement.
RECEIPT OF THE DELTA PINE STOCKHOLDERS' APPROVAL IS A CONDITION TO THE
CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER.
Pursuant to Section 251 of the DGCL, no vote of Monsanto's shareowners is
required to consummate the Merger.
THE DELTA PINE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MERGER
AGREEMENT, THE MERGER AND THE OTHER TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREBY, AND
UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT. SEE
"THE MERGER--RECOMMENDATION OF THE DELTA PINE BOARD OF DIRECTORS; REASONS FOR
THE MERGER".
Subject to provisions set forth herein and in the Merger Agreement, at the
Effective Time each share of Delta Pine Common Stock issued and outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than shares owned by Monsanto,
Delta Pine or their respective subsidiaries) will be converted into 0.8625
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable shares of Monsanto Common Stock.
Cash will be paid in lieu of fractional shares of Monsanto Common Stock. See
"THE MERGER AGREEMENT--Terms of the Merger" and "--Fractional Shares".
VOTES REQUIRED
Each holder of Delta Pine Common Stock is entitled to one vote per share
held of record on the record date. Approval of the Merger Agreement requires
the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of Delta Pine
Common Stock outstanding on the record date. Abstentions and broker non-votes
will be counted as shares present for purposes of determining the presence of
a quorum at the Special Meeting. See "--Record Date; Stock Entitled to Vote;
Quorum". Abstentions with respect to the Merger Agreement will have the effect
of votes against the approval of such matter. In addition, brokers who hold
shares of Delta Pine Common Stock as nominees will not have discretionary
authority to vote shares of Delta Pine Common Stock in the absence of
instructions from the beneficial owners thereof. Votes which are not cast for
this reason will also have the effect of votes against approval of the Merger
Agreement.
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Stockholders of Delta Pine should be aware of the possibility that under
Delaware law, a stockholder who votes to adopt the Merger Agreement may be
deemed to have ratified the terms of the Merger, including the fairness
thereof, and of the possibility, under certain circumstances, that such
stockholder may be precluded from challenging the fairness of the Merger in a
subsequent legal proceeding. Monsanto may use a stockholder's affirmative vote
in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement as a defense to any
subsequent challenge to the Merger. An abstention, in and of itself, will not
be considered such a ratification; however, no assurance can be given as to
the effect that such an abstention would have on the stockholder's rights to
challenge the Merger.
As of October 26, 1998, officers and directors of Delta Pine owned an
aggregate of 2,468,582 of Delta Pine Common Stock, representing 6.43% of the
outstanding shares of Delta Pine Common Stock (without giving effect to the
exercisability of any options owned by such officers and directors).
VOTING OF PROXIES
Shares of Delta Pine Common Stock represented by properly executed proxies
received in time for the Special Meeting and which have not been revoked will
be voted at such meeting in the manner specified by the holders thereof.
Proxies that do not contain an instruction to vote for or against or to
abstain from voting on the Merger proposal described in the proxy will be
voted in favor of such matter.
REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES
The grant of a proxy on the enclosed Delta Pine form of proxy does not
preclude a stockholder from voting in person. A stockholder may revoke a proxy
at any time prior to its exercise by submitting a later dated proxy with
respect to the same shares, by filing with the Secretary of Delta Pine a duly
executed revocation, or by voting in person at the Special Meeting. Attendance
at the Special Meeting will not in and of itself constitute a revocation of a
proxy.
RECORD DATE; STOCK ENTITLED TO VOTE; QUORUM
Only holders of record of Delta Pine Common Stock at the close of business
on October 26, 1998 (the "Record Date") will be entitled to receive notice of
and to vote at the Special Meeting. On the Record Date, Delta Pine had
outstanding 38,394,541 shares of Delta Pine Common Stock. The holders of Delta
Pine Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share on each matter submitted
to a vote at the Special Meeting. The holders of a majority of the shares of
Delta Pine Common Stock entitled to vote must be present in person or by proxy
at the Special Meeting in order for a quorum to be present. Shares of Delta
Pine Common Stock represented by proxies which are marked "abstain" or which
are not marked as to any particular matter or matters will be counted as
shares present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum at the
Special Meeting. Proxies relating to "street name" shares that are voted by
brokers will be counted as shares present for purposes of determining the
presence of a quorum but will not be treated as shares having voted at the
Special Meeting as to any proposal for which authority to vote is withheld.
In the event a quorum is not present in person or by proxy at the Special
Meeting, the Special Meeting is expected to be adjourned or postponed.
NO APPRAISAL RIGHTS
Holders of shares of Delta Pine Common Stock are not entitled to appraisal
rights under the DGCL as a result of the Merger. See "COMPARATIVE RIGHTS OF
COMMON STOCK--Appraisal Rights".
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES; GENERAL
Delta Pine will bear the cost of the solicitation of proxies from its
stockholders. In addition to solicitation by mail, the directors, officers and
employees of Delta Pine may solicit proxies from its stockholders by
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telephone, in person or by other means. These directors, officers and
employees will not be additionally compensated for such solicitation but may
be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses. Arrangements also will be made with
brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for the
forwarding of solicitation material to the beneficial owners of shares held of
record by such persons, and Delta Pine will reimburse such custodians,
nominees and fiduciaries for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.
HOLDERS OF DELTA PINE COMMON STOCK SHOULD NOT SEND STOCK CERTIFICATES
If the requisite stockholder and other necessary approvals are obtained and
the Merger is consummated, materials for submitting Delta Pine stock
certificates in exchange for Monsanto stock certificates or book entries will
be provided to the Delta Pine stockholders. DO NOT SEND IN YOUR DELTA PINE
STOCK CERTIFICATES AT THIS TIME.
ACCOUNTANTS
Representatives of Arthur Andersen LLP, auditors for Delta Pine, are
expected to be present at the Special Meeting and representatives of Deloitte
& Touche LLP, auditors for Monsanto will be available by telephone where they
will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and will
be available to respond to appropriate questions.
THE MERGER
The description of the Merger and the Merger Agreement contained in this
Proxy Statement/Prospectus is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
Merger Agreement, a copy of which is included as Appendix A to this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus and is incorporated herein by reference.
GENERAL
Monsanto and Delta Pine have entered into the Merger Agreement, which
provides that, subject to the satisfaction or waiver (where permissible) of
the conditions set forth therein (see "THE MERGER AGREEMENT--Conditions to the
Merger"), Delta Pine will be merged with and into Monsanto, and Monsanto will
be the surviving corporation.
BACKGROUND OF THE MERGER
In 1989, Delta Pine and Monsanto began collaborating on the development of
genetically-modified cotton, and since that time Delta Pine and Monsanto have
successfully developed and commercialized genetically-engineered cotton and
soybean seed products under various domestic and international license
agreements and joint venture agreements to which they are parties. At various
times since 1989, Monsanto expressed interest in acquiring an ownership
interest in Delta Pine. Similarly, Delta Pine expressed interest in expanded
business relationships with Monsanto. In June 1993, in Delta Pine's initial
public offering, Monsanto acquired approximately 5% of the shares of Delta
Pine Common Stock then outstanding. In February 1996, Delta Pine acquired from
Monsanto its Hartz Cotton, Inc. ("Hartz") subsidiary, representing all of
Monsanto's then existing cotton germplasm, cotton research and other selected
operations. As consideration in the Hartz transaction, Monsanto received Delta
Pine Series M Preferred Stock, convertible into 800,000 shares of Delta Pine
Common Stock (with rights potentially to receive an additional 266,666 shares
of Delta Pine Series M Preferred Stock when sales of certain former Hartz
Cotton varieties by Delta Pine reach specified levels and potentially to
receive in fiscal 2000 a number of additional shares of Delta Pine Common
Stock to be determined by formula based upon gross profit from sales of Hartz
cotton varieties).
During the 1990s, Delta Pine has also maintained relationships with
companies other than Monsanto which possessed significant research and
development activities related to the potential application of biotechnology
to cotton. The Delta Pine Board of Directors regarded such companies in the
agribusiness and chemical industries
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as potential partners in strategic transactions with Delta Pine. These
relationships were reflected, in some instances, by license, research and
development, and confidentiality and material transfer agreements. In February
1996, the Delta Pine Board of Directors engaged Merrill Lynch for a general
strategic advisory assignment on behalf of Delta Pine including the
implementation of a stockholders' rights plan. Beginning in May 1997, the
senior officers of Delta Pine commenced a series of meetings with such
companies to determine their interest in potential research and development
projects and/or strategic business collaborations with Delta Pine. Subsequent
to those meetings, in June 1997, Delta Pine entered into a more extensive
engagement with its financial advisor, Merrill Lynch, to provide advice and
services in connection with potential strategic transactions.
Merrill Lynch and Delta Pine identified entities which might be interested
in participating in a strategic transaction with Delta Pine, and, in the
summer of 1997, Merrill Lynch sent out a compilation of publicly available
information about Delta Pine to such potential participants. Merrill Lynch
assisted Delta Pine in preparing a Descriptive Memorandum concerning Delta
Pine, which was distributed in August and September 1997 to those parties
which had expressed an interest in discussing strategic transactions with
Delta Pine and had executed a confidentiality agreement with Delta Pine. After
those prospective participants had an opportunity to review the Descriptive
Memorandum, Merrill Lynch solicited indications of interest from them on
behalf of Delta Pine. Monsanto, as Delta Pine's technology partner since 1989
and the entity most familiar with Delta Pine and most likely to be interested
in such a transaction with Delta Pine, was purposely not included among the
prospects contacted. As a result of this process, substantive discussions with
an interested prospect other than Monsanto continued to within seven days
prior to the execution of the Merger Agreement with Monsanto, and the Delta
Pine Board of Directors continued to receive advice on the relative merits of
the competing possible transactions. However, no other prospect indicated
interest in offering more attractive economic terms, nor did it appear that a
tax-free strategic transaction would be available with any other interested
prospect.
Simultaneously with the process described above, Delta Pine and Monsanto had
continued to collaborate in domestic and international seed projects. A
subject of continuing negotiation between Delta Pine and Monsanto was a
license for the international marketing and sale of cotton seed containing
Monsanto's gene technology which would have replaced Delta Pine's option
rights under a February 1996 agreement between the parties. These negotiations
continued sporadically through 1996 and up to the end of 1997, involving
various proposals by Monsanto under which Delta Pine would provide to Monsanto
control over such marketing and sales if a change in control of Delta Pine
were to occur. Delta Pine resisted such proposals as limiting the value of
shares of Delta Pine Common Stock.
On February 13, 1998, Robert B. Shapiro, Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Monsanto, invited Roger D. Malkin, Chief Executive Officer of Delta
Pine, and Murray Robinson, President of Delta Pine, to meet with officers of
Monsanto. On February 26, at the regularly scheduled Annual Meeting of the
Delta Pine Board of Directors, the Delta Pine Board of Directors discussed at
length with its legal and financial advisors the prospect of a Monsanto
transaction.
On March 3, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office announced that Delta Pine
and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service had been
jointly awarded a patent for a technology protection system which has the
potential to protect investments in proprietary trait and variety development
by preventing the further germination of farmer-saved seed. That information
may have contributed to the increase in the trading price of Delta Pine Common
Stock.
On March 5, Messrs. Malkin and Robinson met with Mr. Shapiro and Hendrik
Verfaillie, President of Monsanto, in Chicago, at which time the parties
explored the strategic merits of a business combination of the companies. On
March 6, Messrs. Malkin and Robinson reported to the Delta Pine Board of
Directors, in a telephonic meeting, the results of the meeting with Monsanto.
The Delta Pine Board of Directors directed management to continue discussions
with Monsanto. On March 15, the Delta Pine Board of Directors met with Merrill
Lynch to discuss issues anticipated to be presented at the meeting scheduled
for the next day with Monsanto and its financial advisor, BancBoston Robertson
Stephens Inc. ("Robertson Stephens").
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On March 16, Monsanto executed a confidentiality agreement with Delta Pine
relating to Delta Pine information that would be disclosed during Monsanto's
due diligence review of Delta Pine's business, and Messrs. Malkin and
Robinson, and Mr. Tom Jagodinski, Vice President/Finance, of Delta Pine,
together with a representative of Merrill Lynch, met with representatives of
Monsanto and Robertson Stephens in St. Louis to discuss the structure of a
possible transaction and to identify issues to be resolved. Monsanto and Delta
Pine's representatives agreed to continue the discussions. The Delta Pine
Board of Directors met on March 17 to be briefed on the results of this
meeting.
On April 2, Messrs. Malkin, Robinson and Jagodinski, together with a
representative of Merrill Lynch, met with representatives of Monsanto and
Robertson Stephens in St. Louis, at which time Monsanto advised Delta Pine of
Monsanto's assessment of the value of Delta Pine, which assessment did not
comport with the Delta Pine perception of such value. During the first two
weeks of April, contacts between the financial advisors of Delta Pine and
Monsanto continued, and financial data required for a Monsanto evaluation of
Delta Pine were prepared by Delta Pine for Monsanto's use. On April 14,
Messrs. Malkin, Robinson and Jagodinski, together with a representative of
Merrill Lynch, met with representatives of Monsanto and Robertson Stephens in
St. Louis to continue to discuss the value of Delta Pine. On April 16, Mr.
Verfaillie advised Mr. Malkin of the price per share of Delta Pine Common
Stock that Monsanto would be willing to pay in a tax-free exchange, with other
structural terms to be determined. The Delta Pine Board of Directors directed
management to arrange a meeting between Monsanto, Mr. Malkin and Jon Jacoby, a
non-employee director of Delta Pine, and to request at that meeting a
definitive proposal from Monsanto before the possible transaction would be
given further consideration. On April 17, Messrs. Malkin and Jacoby met in St.
Louis with Mr. Verfaillie and a member of Monsanto's Merger and Acquisitions
Team, at which meeting Monsanto indicated that it would reconsider its
assessment of the value of Delta Pine.
On April 20, the Delta Pine Board of Directors met with its legal and
financial advisors. The Delta Pine Board of Directors was apprised of the
results of the April 17 meeting, Merrill Lynch provided its analysis of
Monsanto's offer, including the ability of the Delta Pine Board of Directors
to exercise its fiduciary responsibilities in the event competing offers are
received, and Delta Pine's legal advisors provided advice on regulatory
matters. Delta Pine's advisors were requested to prepare evaluations of
scenarios involving the disposition to Delta Pine's stockholders of assets
valued less highly by Monsanto. On April 21, Mr. Malkin spoke to Mr.
Verfaillie by telephone to convey the concerns of the Delta Pine Board of
Directors, following which Monsanto transmitted to Delta Pine two detailed
alternative transaction proposals. One proposal involved a taxable spin-off of
certain Delta Pine technologies valued less highly by Monsanto and the other
did not, with the consideration to be paid by Monsanto being less under the
spin-off proposal. The proposals contained various licensing and transaction
pricing mechanisms. The Delta Pine Board of Directors reviewed the proposals
on April 23, and directed Merrill Lynch to advise Robertson Stephens that the
proposals were unacceptable. On April 24, Monsanto proposed a meeting to
facilitate negotiations, and provided a revised proposal which did not involve
a technology spin-off. On April 29, Delta Pine executed a confidentiality
agreement with Monsanto relating to Monsanto non-public information that would
be disclosed to Delta Pine during negotiations. On April 30, legal advisors to
Monsanto and Delta Pine discussed various regulatory aspects of the proposed
transaction.
On May 1, Messrs. Robinson and Jagodinski, together with Delta Pine legal
and financial advisors, met with representatives of Monsanto and Robertson
Stephens in St. Louis to discuss those aspects of the Monsanto proposal which
would not be acceptable to Delta Pine, including (among others) the amount of
the merger consideration, the adjustments to the merger consideration, certain
transaction protection provisions, certain conditions to closing and various
termination provisions and fees. Results of this meeting were reported on the
same day to the Delta Pine Board of Directors in a telephonic meeting, and the
Delta Pine Board of Directors instructed Mr. Malkin to meet in person with Mr.
Verfaillie to advance the negotiations.
On May 2, Messrs. Malkin and Jagodinski, together with Delta Pine's
financial and legal advisors, met with Mr. Verfaillie and other
representatives of Monsanto and Robertson Stephens. In accordance with the
instructions
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of the Delta Pine Board of Directors, the principal topic of discussion was
the price and the method for adjusting the merger consideration, because it
was the intention of the Delta Pine Board of Directors to obtain for the Delta
Pine stockholders a specified percentage interest in Monsanto, rather than a
specific dollar value for Delta Pine. Mr. Verfaillie suggested a particular
fixed exchange ratio, subject to the parties reaching agreement on certain
price adjustments within defined ranges and termination provisions acceptable
to Monsanto.
On May 3, the Delta Pine Board of Directors met with its legal and financial
advisors. The Delta Pine Board of Directors was apprised in detail of the
meetings with Monsanto in St. Louis over the preceding two days. Counsel for
Delta Pine advised the Delta Pine Board of Directors of its fiduciary
responsibilities, and, without the presence of the employee directors and
officers, Delta Pine's legal and financial advisors discussed the proposed
transaction with the non-employee directors. The entire Delta Pine Board of
Directors concluded that progress had been made in the Monsanto negotiations,
and directed management to invite Mr. Verfaillie to New York to continue
negotiations over issues of concern to the Delta Pine Board of Directors,
particularly as to the exchange ratio, closing conditions and termination
provisions and fees.
On May 4, Mr. Verfaillie and other representatives of Monsanto met in New
York City with Messrs. Malkin and Jagodinski and Delta Pine's legal and
financial advisors, and agreed to the exchange ratio at which the Merger would
be consummated. On May 5 and 6, the other representatives of Monsanto
continued discussions with Messrs. Malkin and Jagodinski and Delta Pine's
legal and financial advisors. Negotiations on all open matters were vigorously
pursued May 4 through 6, and a draft Merger Agreement was prepared. At the end
of the business day on May 6, the Delta Pine Board of Directors met, together
with its financial and legal advisors, to consider the most recent draft of
the Merger Agreement. Delta Pine's financial advisors and counsel presented
the terms of the draft agreement and reports regarding aspects of their review
and responded to questions from the Delta Pine Board of Directors. The Delta
Pine Board of Directors also considered a presentation by Merrill Lynch with
respect to the fairness to Delta Pine's stockholders, other than Monsanto and
its affiliates, of the proposed Merger Consideration from a financial point of
view. See "Opinions of Financial Advisor" set forth below. Following these
reports, the Delta Pine Board of Directors, all of whom were present at the
meeting, unanimously approved the Merger Agreement in substantially the form
presented at the meeting, including the form of Termination Option Agreement,
subject to corresponding approval by the Monsanto Board of Directors, the
resolution of various outstanding issues, and the execution of definitive
agreements on substantially the terms presented to the meeting. At this
meeting the Delta Pine Board of Directors also waived certain provisions under
the Rights Agreement in order to permit the Merger to proceed, waived certain
state anti-takeover protections as they relate to the proposed Merger and
agreed that the Merger constitutes a change in control pursuant to the terms
of the Delta Pine stock option plans and applicable stock option agreements,
which automatically accelerated the vesting and exercisability of such stock
options.
On May 7, the Monsanto Board of Directors approved the proposed Merger,
subject to preparation and execution of a definitive Merger Agreement.
On May 7 and 8, legal representatives of Delta Pine and Monsanto worked to
finalize the Merger Agreement, while management of the parties continued
negotiations to resolve various outstanding issues critical to reaching a
mutually satisfactory agreement, in particular relating to conditions of
closing. On May 8, a telephonic meeting of the Delta Pine Board of Directors
was held to review changes in the proposed form of the Merger Agreement and on
the same date Merrill Lynch delivered its written opinion, dated May 8, 1998,
as to the fairness from a financial point of view, as of the date thereof, of
the Merger Consideration to the Delta Pine stockholders, other than Monsanto
and its affiliates. The Delta Pine Board of Directors authorized its officers
to negotiate the resolution of the outstanding issues, and authorized the
execution of the definitive Merger Agreement if it were to reflect resolution
of such matters in a manner outlined by the Delta Pine Board of Directors. In
subsequent negotiations, the issues were so resolved, a definitive Merger
Agreement was prepared, and it was executed by Mr. Malkin and an authorized
representative of Monsanto on the evening of Friday, May 8.
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On the morning of May 11, Delta Pine and Monsanto issued a joint press
release announcing the proposed Merger.
On June 1, Monsanto and American Home Products Corporation ("AHP") announced
that they had entered into an agreement providing for a merger of equals
transaction (the "AHP/MTC Merger"). On June 22, at a regularly scheduled
meeting of the Delta Pine Board of Directors, the Delta Pine Board of
Directors considered the implications of the AHP/MTC Merger on the
contemplated Merger. On July 10, at a special telephonic meeting of the Delta
Pine Board of Directors, the Delta Pine Board of Directors unanimously
resolved to continue to recommend that the Delta Pine stockholders vote in
favor of the Merger.
On October 13, 1998, Monsanto and AHP publicly announced that they had
mutually agreed to terminate the merger agreement relating to the proposed
AHP/MTC Merger.
On October 14, at a special telephonic meeting of the Delta Pine Board of
Directors, the Delta Pine Board of Directors considered the implications of
the termination of the proposed AHP/MTC Merger on the contemplated Merger and
unanimously resolved to continue to recommend that the Delta Pine stockholders
vote in favor of the Merger, and set the proposed record date and meeting date
for the Special Meeting, subject to the receipt of a report and restated
opinion of Merrill Lynch. On October 23, 1998, Merrill Lynch delivered orally
its restated opinion to a telephonic meeting of the Delta Pine Board of
Directors (which opinion was confirmed by a written opinion dated the same
date) that, on the basis of and subject to the matters set forth therein, as
of the date thereof, the Merger Consideration was fair from a financial point
of view to the Delta Pine stockholders, other than Monsanto and its
affiliates. At the October 23 meeting, the Delta Pine Board of Directors
discussed with the representatives of Merrill Lynch the report of Merrill
Lynch with respect to its most recent opinion, discussed its fiduciary duties
with its legal advisors, and unanimously resolved to continue to recommend
that the Delta Pine stockholders vote in favor of the Merger.
RECOMMENDATION OF THE DELTA PINE BOARD OF DIRECTORS; REASONS FOR THE MERGER
At meetings held on May 6 and May 8, 1998, the Delta Pine Board of Directors
(i) determined that the Merger is in furtherance of and consistent with Delta
Pine's long-term business strategies and is in the best interests of the Delta
Pine stockholders, (ii) unanimously approved the Merger Agreement, the Merger
and the other transactions contemplated thereby and (iii) resolved to
recommend that the holders of shares of Delta Pine Common Stock vote in favor
of the Merger Agreement.
In reaching these conclusions, the Delta Pine Board of Directors considered,
with the assistance of management and its legal and financial advisors, many
factors relating to the assessment of the Delta Pine Board of Directors of the
requirements for maximizing the value of the equity owned by the Delta Pine
stockholders, and the corresponding ability of Monsanto to meet those
requirements relative to Delta Pine remaining an independent enterprise or
acquiring or being acquired by other potential candidates. Those factors can
be summarized as follows:
1. Monsanto's stated commitment to new areas of agricultural technology
(e.g., genomics) and its possession of the necessary resources to
develop, exploit and commercialize those technologies (e.g., facilities,
personnel and diversity of product species), including strong in-house
research, marketing and distribution capabilities;
2. Monsanto's demonstrated leadership in biotechnology;
3. The need to provide Delta Pine with timely and continuous access to
appropriate new agricultural technologies not developed by Delta Pine;
4. The elimination of existing licensing and other contractual arrangements
between Monsanto and Delta Pine which could adversely affect Delta Pine
in the future and which may impede Monsanto's use of its own technology
in foreign markets and in certain domestic markets;
5. The fact that Monsanto offered the most attractive economic terms, after
a thorough process of identifying and approaching alternative acquirors
and engaging in due diligence and negotiations; and
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6. Monsanto's access to the capital necessary to develop and commercialize
emerging seed technologies.
Included among the material factors considered by the Delta Pine Board of
Directors, with the assistance of management and its professional advisors,
were the following additional factors:
(i) information concerning the financial performance and resultant
financial condition (business operations, assets, liabilities, market
growth rate, cash flows from operations and prospects) of Monsanto and
Delta Pine and their respective projected future values and prospects as
separate entities and on a combined basis;
(ii) current industry, economic and market conditions, including the
consolidation in the seed industry, as well as the effects of competition
with larger competitors, and specifically the view of the Delta Pine Board
of Directors that in the future larger seed companies will be better able
to compete in the seed industry and that the combined company expects to
achieve greater efficiencies of scale to provide the resources that are
likely to be critical in the industry;
(iii) the assessment by the Delta Pine Board of Directors of Delta Pine's
strategic growth opportunities absent the Merger, including Delta Pine's
ability to staff and finance the development and commercialization of
emerging seed technologies (e.g., germplasm protection systems, second
generation transgenic products and genomics);
(iv) the assessment by the Delta Pine Board of Directors of Delta Pine's
strategic alternatives to the Merger, such as remaining an independent
company and merging or consolidating with a party or parties other than
Monsanto, including a review of the various communications and negotiations
between Delta Pine and other potential acquirors;
(v) the structure of the Merger;
(vi) the expectation that the Merger will be a tax-free transaction to
Delta Pine stockholders;
(vii) the terms of the Merger Agreement, including the form of
consideration, the parties' representations, warranties, covenants and
agreements, and the conditions to their respective obligations;
(viii) the discount between the value of the Merger Consideration and the
market price for Delta Pine Common Stock immediately prior to the
announcement of the Merger, and the belief of the Delta Pine Board of
Directors that the amount of the discount was not inappropriate when viewed
in the context of (a) recent months' NYSE price ranges for the Monsanto
Common Stock and Delta Pine Common Stock and (b) the perception of the
Delta Pine Board of Directors of the likely relative long-term values of
the two stocks;
(ix) the opinion of Merrill Lynch that the Merger Consideration to be
received by the Delta Pine stockholders in the Merger was fair as of the
date of the Merger Agreement from a financial point of view to the Delta
Pine stockholders, other than Monsanto and its affiliates; and
(x) the analyses and recommendation of the transaction by Delta Pine's
management.
Following the announcement of the execution of the agreement for the AHP/MTC
Merger, the Delta Pine Board of Directors, at a meeting held on July 10, 1998,
unanimously resolved to continue to recommend that the holders of Delta Pine
Common Stock vote in favor of the Merger. In reaching this conclusion, after
considering the possible consummation of the AHP/MTC Merger, the Delta Pine
Board of Directors confirmed that the reasons for their recommendation set
forth above continue to be valid and appropriate, whether or not the AHP/MTC
Merger occurs.
Following the announcement of the termination of the AHP/MTC Merger, the
Delta Pine Board of Directors, at a meeting held October 23, 1998 unanimously
resolved to continue to recommend that the holders of Delta Pine Common Stock
vote in favor of the Merger, again affirming that the reasons for their
recommendation set forth above continue to be valid and appropriate. In
addition, the Delta Pine Board of Directors considered:
(a) Delta Pine's most recent period financial results which confirmed to
them the merits of the Merger, and
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(b) the opinion of Merrill Lynch that, as of October 23, 1998, the Merger
Consideration was fair from a financial point of view to the holders of
Delta Pine Common Stock, other than Monsanto and its affiliates.
In reaching these conclusions, the Delta Pine Board of Directors has relied,
in part, upon the financial analyses of its financial advisor, Merrill Lynch.
See "Opinions of Financial Advisor".
The foregoing discussion of the information and factors considered and given
weight by the Delta Pine Board of Directors is not intended to be exhaustive.
In addition, no assurance can be given that the operating efficiencies
described in (ii) above will be achieved. In view of the variety of factors
considered in connection with its evaluation of the Merger, the Delta Pine
Board of Directors did not find it practicable to and did not quantify or
otherwise assign relative weights to the specific factors considered in
reaching its determination. In addition, individual members of the Delta Pine
Board of Directors may have given different weights to different factors.
THE DELTA PINE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE DELTA PINE
STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT.
OPINIONS OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR
Merrill Lynch Opinions to the Delta Pine Board of Directors. On May 6, 1998,
Merrill Lynch delivered its oral opinion (which was subsequently confirmed in
a written opinion dated May 8, 1998) (the "Original Opinion") to the Delta
Pine Board of Directors, that, on the basis of and subject to the matters set
forth therein, as of the date thereof, the Merger Consideration to be received
by the Delta Pine stockholders pursuant to the Merger Agreement was fair from
a financial point of view to the holders of Delta Pine Common Stock, other
than Monsanto and its affiliates. At the request of the Delta Pine Board of
Directors, Merrill Lynch subsequently delivered to the Delta Pine Board of
Directors its written restated opinion, dated October 23, 1998 (the "Restated
Opinion") that, on the basis of and subject to the matters set forth therein,
as of the date thereof, the Merger Consideration was fair from a financial
point of view to the Delta Pine stockholders, other than Monsanto and its
affiliates.
The Delta Pine Board of Directors retained Merrill Lynch as an independent
contractor to act as financial advisor with respect to a strategic
transaction. Merrill Lynch is an internationally recognized investment banking
and advisory firm. Merrill Lynch, as part of its investment banking business,
is continuously engaged in the valuation of businesses and securities in
connection with mergers and acquisitions, negotiated underwritings,
competitive biddings, secondary distributions of listed and unlisted
securities, private placements and valuations for corporate and other
purposes. Merrill Lynch has in the past provided financial advisory services
to Delta Pine and financial advisory and financing services to Monsanto, and
may continue to do so, and has received, and may receive, fees for the
rendering of such services. In addition, in the ordinary course of their
businesses, Merrill Lynch and its affiliates may actively trade in Delta Pine
Common Stock and other securities of Delta Pine and Monsanto Common Stock and
other securities of Monsanto for their own account and for the accounts of
customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in
such securities.
In consideration for Merrill Lynch's services as financial advisor to Delta
Pine, Delta Pine has agreed to pay to Merrill Lynch a fee equal to 0.50% of
the sum of (i) the fair market value of securities issued to Delta Pine
stockholders by Monsanto in the Merger and (ii) the indebtedness of Delta Pine
assumed by Monsanto (each measured as of the closing date of the Merger), a
significant portion of which fee is payable upon consummation of the Merger.
Delta Pine has also agreed to reimburse Merrill Lynch for its reasonable out-
of-pocket expenses, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and
disbursements of its legal counsel, incurred in connection with its activities
as financial advisor to Delta Pine, and to indemnify Merrill Lynch and certain
related persons against certain liabilities in connection with its engagement,
including certain liabilities under the federal securities laws.
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THE FULL TEXT OF THE RESTATED OPINION OF MERRILL LYNCH, DATED OCTOBER 23,
1998 WHICH SETS FORTH THE ASSUMPTIONS MADE, MATTERS CONSIDERED AND LIMITS ON
THE REVIEW UNDERTAKEN, IS ATTACHED TO THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AS
"APPENDIX B" AND IS INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE. MERRILL LYNCH'S OPINION
IS NECESSARILY BASED ON ECONOMIC, MARKET AND OTHER CONDITIONS IN EFFECT ON,
AND THE INFORMATION MADE AVAILABLE TO IT AS OF, THE DATE THEREOF. SUBSEQUENT
DEVELOPMENTS MAY AFFECT SUCH OPINION. HOLDERS OF SHARES OF DELTA PINE COMMON
STOCK SHOULD READ THE MERRILL LYNCH OPINION IN ITS ENTIRETY. THE FOLLOWING
SUMMARY IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO THE FULL TEXT OF SUCH
OPINION. THE OPINION OF MERRILL LYNCH WAS PROVIDED TO THE DELTA PINE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS FOR ITS INFORMATION AND IS DIRECTED ONLY TO THE FAIRNESS FROM A
FINANCIAL POINT OF VIEW OF THE MERGER CONSIDERATION TO THE HOLDERS OF DELTA
PINE COMMON STOCK, OTHER THAN MONSANTO AND ITS AFFILIATES, AND DOES NOT
ADDRESS THE MERITS OF THE UNDERLYING DECISION BY DELTA PINE TO ENGAGE IN THE
MERGER AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A RECOMMENDATION TO ANY DELTA PINE STOCKHOLDER
AS TO HOW SUCH STOCKHOLDER SHOULD VOTE ON THE MERGER OR ANY MATTER RELATED
THERETO.
In arriving at its Original Opinion and its Restated Opinion, Merrill Lynch
performed a variety of financial analyses, the material portions of which with
respect to the Original Opinion and the Restated Opinion are summarized below.
The summary set forth below does not purport to be a complete description of
the analyses performed by Merrill Lynch. In addition, Merrill Lynch believes
that its analyses must be considered as a whole and that selecting portions of
its analyses and of the factors considered by it, without considering all such
factors and analyses, could create a misleading view of the process underlying
its analyses. Merrill Lynch did not draw any specific conclusions from, or
with regard to, any one method of analysis. The matters considered by Merrill
Lynch in arriving at its Original Opinion and its Restated Opinion are based
on numerous macroeconomic, operating and financial assumptions with respect to
industry performance, general business and economic conditions and other
matters, many of which are beyond Delta Pine's and Monsanto's control. Any
estimates incorporated in the analyses performed by Merrill Lynch are not
necessarily indicative of actual past or future results or values, which may
be significantly more or less favorable than such estimates. Estimated values
do not purport to be appraisals and do not necessarily reflect the prices at
which businesses or companies may be sold in the future, and such estimates
are inherently subject to uncertainty. Arriving at a fairness opinion is a
complex process not necessarily susceptible to partial or summary description.
No public company utilized as a comparison is identical to Delta Pine or
Monsanto. Accordingly, an analysis of publicly traded comparable companies and
comparable business combinations is not mathematical; rather it involves
complex considerations and judgments concerning differences in financial and
operating characteristics of the comparable companies and other factors that
could affect the public trading value of the comparable companies or company
to which they are being compared.
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The Original Opinion
In arriving at its Original Opinion, Merrill Lynch: (1) reviewed certain
publicly available business and financial information relating to Delta Pine
and Monsanto that Merrill Lynch deemed to be relevant; (2) reviewed certain
information, including financial forecasts, relating to the business,
earnings, cash flow, assets, liabilities and prospects of Delta Pine and
Monsanto, as well as the amount and timing of the cost savings and related
expenses and synergies expected to result from the Merger (the "Expected
Synergies") furnished to Merrill Lynch by Delta Pine; (3) conducted
discussions with members of senior management and representatives of Delta
Pine and Monsanto concerning the matters described in clauses (1) and (2)
above, as well as their respective businesses and prospects before and after
giving effect to the Merger and the Expected Synergies; (4) reviewed the
market prices and valuation multiples for Delta Pine Common Stock and Monsanto
Common Stock and compared them with those of certain publicly traded companies
that Merrill Lynch deemed to be relevant; (5) reviewed the results of
operations of Delta Pine and Monsanto and compared them with those of certain
publicly traded companies that Merrill Lynch deemed to be relevant; (6)
compared the proposed financial terms of the Merger with the financial terms
of certain other transactions that Merrill Lynch deemed to be relevant; (7)
participated in certain discussions and negotiations among representatives of
Delta Pine and Monsanto and their financial and legal advisors; (8) reviewed
the potential pro forma impact of the Merger; (9) reviewed the Merger
Agreement and the Termination Option Agreement; and (10) reviewed such other
financial studies and analyses and took into account such other matters as
Merrill Lynch deemed necessary, including its assessment of general economic,
market and monetary conditions.
With respect to the Original Opinion, Merrill Lynch assumed and relied on
the accuracy and completeness of all information supplied or otherwise made
available to it, discussed with or reviewed by or for it, or publicly
available, and Merrill Lynch did not assume any responsibility for
independently verifying such information. Merrill Lynch did not undertake an
independent evaluation or appraisal of any of the assets or liabilities of
Delta Pine or Monsanto and was not furnished with any such evaluation or
appraisal. In addition, Merrill Lynch did not assume any obligation to
conduct, nor did Merrill Lynch conduct, any physical inspection of the
properties or facilities of Delta Pine or Monsanto. With respect to the
financial forecast information, including the amount and timing of the
Expected Synergies, furnished to or discussed with Merrill Lynch by Delta Pine
or Monsanto, Merrill Lynch assumed that they were reasonably prepared and
reflected the best currently available estimates and judgments of Delta Pine's
or Monsanto's management as to the expected future financial performance of
Delta Pine or Monsanto, as the case may be, and the Expected Synergies.
Merrill Lynch further assumed that the Merger will be accounted for as a
pooling-of-interests under generally accepted accounting principles and that
it will qualify as a tax-free reorganization for U.S. federal income tax
purposes. Merrill Lynch did not express any opinion as to the prices at which
shares of Delta Pine Common Stock or Monsanto Common Stock will trade
following the announcement or consummation of the Merger.
Merrill Lynch's Original Opinion is necessarily based upon market, economic
and other conditions as they existed and could be evaluated on, and on the
information made available to Merrill Lynch, as of the date of such opinion.
Merrill Lynch assumed that in the course of obtaining the necessary regulatory
or other consents or approvals (contractual or otherwise) for the Merger, no
restrictions, including any divestiture requirements or amendments or
modifications, would be imposed that would have a material adverse effect on
the contemplated benefits of the Merger. The Delta Pine Board of Directors did
not impose any limitations on the scope of Merrill Lynch's analyses.
Financial Analyses Underlying the Original Opinion. The following is a
summary of the material financial analyses used by Merrill Lynch in connection
with its presentation to the Delta Pine Board of Directors on May 6, 1998, and
the preparation of its Original Opinion delivered to the Delta Pine Board of
Directors.
Historical Stock Price Analysis. Merrill Lynch reviewed the performance of
the per share closing market prices of shares of Delta Pine Common Stock and
Monsanto Common Stock over the period from May 2, 1997 to May 5, 1998. Merrill
Lynch then compared the movement of such closing prices for shares of Delta
Pine Common Stock with the movement of a composite index of certain
agricultural planting seed companies,
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specifically, DEKALB, Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc. ("Pioneer"), Mycogen
Corp. ("Mycogen") and Monsanto, and such closing prices for Monsanto Common
Stock with the movement of a composite index of certain pharmaceutical and
agricultural chemical companies, specifically, AHP, Hoechst AG ("Hoechst"),
Novartis AG ("Novartis"), Rhone-Poulenc, S.A. ("Rhone-Poulenc") and Zeneca
Group PLC ("Zeneca" and collectively, the "Monsanto Composite Index"). Merrill
Lynch also compared the movement of the closing prices for each of the Delta
Pine Common Stock and the Monsanto Common Stock, over the period from May 2,
1997, through May 5, 1998, with the movement of the Standard and Poor's 400
Index.
Selected Comparable Companies Analysis. Merrill Lynch compared certain
publicly available financial and operating data and projected financial
performance (based on Wall Street consensus estimates) of four publicly traded
corporations in the agricultural planting seed industry, specifically, DEKALB,
Mycogen, Pioneer and Monsanto (collectively, the "Delta Pine Selected
Comparable Companies") with corresponding financial and operating data and
projected financial performance of Delta Pine. Such analysis indicated, among
other things, (a) the ratio of the market capitalization (i.e., market value
of common equity plus liquidation value of redeemable preferred stock,
minority interest, and total debt less cash and cash equivalents) (the "Market
Capitalization") as of May 5, 1998, to earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") for the latest twelve months as of
February 28, 1998 (March 31, 1998, in the case of Monsanto) was 54.3x for
Delta Pine compared to maximum, mean and minimum values for the Delta Pine
Selected Comparable Companies of 40.9x, 28.0x and 19.8x, respectively, (b) the
ratio of the Market Capitalization to estimated 1998 EBITDA was 41.8x for
Delta Pine compared to maximum, mean and minimum values for the Delta Pine
Selected Comparable Companies of 51.3x, 30.9x and 16.3x, respectively, (c) the
ratio of the price of common equity, as of May 5, 1998, to the earnings per
share for the latest twelve months as of February 28, 1998 (March 31, 1998 in
the case of Monsanto) was 97.4x for Delta Pine compared to maximum, mean and
minimum values for the Delta Pine Selected Comparable Companies of 78.8x,
57.0x and 41.3x, respectively, and (d) the ratio of the price of common equity
to the estimated earnings per share for fiscal year 1998 was 74.9x for Delta
Pine compared to maximum, mean and minimum values for the Delta Pine Selected
Comparable Companies of 90.8x, 57.8x and 34.3x, respectively.
Merrill Lynch compared certain publicly available financial and operating
data and projected financial performance (based on Wall Street consensus
estimates) of five publicly traded pharmaceuticals and agricultural companies,
specifically, AHP, Hoechst, Novartis, Rhone-Poulenc and Zeneca (collectively,
the "Monsanto Selected Comparable Pharmaceutical/Agricultural Companies") with
corresponding financial and operating data and projected financial performance
of Monsanto. Such analysis indicated, among other things, (a) the ratio of the
Market Capitalization as of May 5, 1998, to EBITDA for the latest twelve
months as of December 31, 1997 (March 31, 1998 in the case of Monsanto) was
23.1x for Monsanto compared to maximum, mean and minimum values for the
Monsanto Selected Comparable Pharmaceutical/Agricultural Companies of 21.8x,
16.7x and 7.9x, respectively, (b) the ratio of the Market Capitalization to
estimated 1998 EBITDA was 19.4x for Monsanto compared to maximum, mean and
minimum values for the Monsanto Selected Comparable
Pharmaceutical/Agricultural Companies of 17.7x, 15.9x and 11.9x, respectively,
(c) the ratio of the price of common equity, as of May 5, 1998, to the
earnings per share for the latest twelve months as of December 31, 1997 (March
31, 1998, in the case of Monsanto) was 50.9x for Monsanto compared to maximum,
mean and minimum values for the Monsanto Selected Comparable
Pharmaceutical/Agricultural Companies of 33.8x, 28.5x and 23.2x, respectively,
and (d) the ratio of the price of common equity to the estimated earnings per
share for fiscal year 1998 was 48.2x for Monsanto compared to maximum, mean
and minimum values for the Monsanto Selected Comparable
Pharmaceutical/Agricultural Companies of 30.6x, 25.1x and 20.0x, respectively.
Additionally, Merrill Lynch compared certain publicly available financial
and operating data and projected financial performance (based on Wall Street
consensus estimates) of four publicly traded corporations in the agricultural
planting seed industry, specifically, Delta Pine, DEKALB, Mycogen and Pioneer
(collectively, the "Monsanto Selected Comparable Planting Seed Companies")
with corresponding financial and operating data and projected financial
performance of Monsanto. Such analysis indicated, among other things, (a) the
ratio of the Market Capitalization as of May 5, 1998, to EBITDA for the latest
twelve months as of February 28, 1998
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(March 31, 1998, in the case of Monsanto), was 23.1x for Monsanto compared to
maximum, mean and minimum values for the Monsanto Selected Comparable Planting
Seed Companies of 54.3x, 38.4x and 19.8x, respectively, (b) the ratio of the
Market Capitalization to estimated 1998 EBITDA was 19.4x for Monsanto compared
to maximum, mean and minimum values for the Monsanto Selected Comparable
Planting Seed Companies of 51.3x, 36.5x and 16.3x, respectively, (c) the ratio
of the price of common equity, as of May 5, 1998, to the earnings per share
for the latest twelve months as of February 28, 1998 (March 31, 1998, in the
case of the Monsanto) was 50.9x for Monsanto compared to maximum, mean and
minimum values for the Monsanto Selected Comparable Planting Seed Companies of
97.4x, 72.5x and 41.3x, respectively, and (d) the ratio of the price of common
equity to the estimated earnings per share for fiscal year 1998 was 48.2x for
Monsanto compared to maximum, mean and minimum values for the Monsanto
Selected Comparable Planting Seed Companies of 90.8x, 66.7x and 34.3x,
respectively.
Selected Comparable Transaction Analysis. Merrill Lynch analyzed the
financial terms, to the extent publicly available, of seven selected
transactions involving agricultural planting seed companies which were
announced between September 18, 1995 and August 7, 1997 (the "Selected
Comparable Transactions"). The Selected Comparable Transactions were
Pioneer/Mycogen, DowElanco/Mycogen, Monsanto/Ecogen Inc. ("Ecogen"),
Monsanto/DEKALB (initial acquisition of a minority interest),
Monsanto/Holden's Foundation Seeds, Inc. ("Holden's Foundation Seeds"), Dow
Chemical Company ("Dow Chemical")/DowElanco and E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.
("DuPont")/Pioneer. Merrill Lynch estimated the value of the target company's
assets implied by the consideration transferred by the acquiror in such
transactions (the "Transaction Value"), as a multiple of revenues, EBITDA and
earnings before interest and taxes ("EBIT") for the latest twelve months.
Transaction Value is defined as fully diluted shares (primary shares
outstanding plus options on a treasury stock basis and in-the-money
convertible securities) outstanding for the target company multiplied by the
offer price per share plus debt, liquidation value of redeemable preferred
stock and minority interest less cash and cash equivalents. Merrill Lynch also
estimated the value of the target company's equity interests implied by the
consideration transferred by the acquiror in such transactions (the "Offer
Value") as a multiple of net income for the latest twelve months and one year
projected net income. Offer Value is defined as fully diluted shares (primary
shares outstanding plus options on a treasury stock basis and in-the-money
convertible securities) outstanding for the target company multiplied by the
offer price per share. Such analysis indicated, among other things, (a) the
ratio of the Transaction Value of the Merger, based on the market price of
Monsanto Common Stock as of May 5, 1998 (the "Merger Transaction Value"), to
revenue for the latest twelve months is 10.69x, compared to maximum, mean,
median and minimum values of the ratio of the Transaction Value to revenue for
the the latest twelve months for the Selected Comparable Transactions of
21.00x, 6.00x, 3.35x and 1.50x, respectively, (b) the ratio of the Merger
Transaction Value to EBITDA for the latest twelve months is 53.9x compared to
maximum, mean, median and minimum values of the ratio of the Transaction Value
to EBITDA for the latest twelve months for the Selected Comparable
Transactions of 18.1x, 16.4x, 16.4x and 14.7x, respectively, (c) the ratio of
the Merger Transaction Value to EBIT for the latest twelve months is 63.9x
compared to maximum, mean, median and minimum values of the ratio of the
Transaction Value to EBIT for the latest twelve months for the Selected
Comparable Transactions of 22.3x, 21.5x, 21.5x and 20.7x, respectively, (d)
the ratio of the Offer Value of the Merger, based on the market price of
Monsanto Common Stock as of May 5, 1998 (the "Merger Offer Value") to the net
income for the latest twelve months is 96.5x compared to maximum, mean, median
and minimum values of the ratio of the Offer Value to net income for the
latest twelve months for the Selected Comparable Transactions of 48.9x,
41.5x,41.5x and 34.2x, and, (e) the ratio of the Merger Offer Value to one
year projected net income is 57.4x compared to maximum, mean, median and
minimum values of the ratio of the Offer Value to one year projected net
income for the Selected Comparable Transactions of 37.1x, 30.0x, 30.6x and
21.6x.
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis. Merrill Lynch performed a discounted cash
flow analysis of (i) Delta Pine's business, assuming no revenues or costs from
the Technology Protection System (the "Base Business"), and (ii) Delta Pine's
Technology Protection System (the "TPS", and together with the Base Business,
the "Total Delta Pine Business"), in each case based upon estimates of
projected financial performance prepared by the management of Delta Pine.
Utilizing these projections, Merrill Lynch calculated a range of implied per
share
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equity values for the Base Business based upon the discounted net present
value of the sum of the projected stream of unlevered free cash flows of the
Base Business from the second half of Delta Pine's 1998 fiscal year to Delta
Pine's 2002 fiscal year and the projected terminal value at the end of fiscal
2002 based upon a range of multiples of projected unlevered net income less
net debt at February 28, 1998 and divided by the number of fully diluted
shares of Delta Pine Common Stock issued and outstanding. In addition, Merrill
Lynch calculated a range of implied per share equity values for the TPS based
upon the discounted net present value of the sum of the projected stream of
unlevered free cash flows of the TPS from the second half of Delta Pine's 1998
fiscal year to Delta Pine's 2007 fiscal year and the projected terminal value
at the end of fiscal 2007 based upon a range of multiples of projected
unlevered net income and divided by the number of fully diluted shares of
Delta Pine Common Stock issued and outstanding. Merrill Lynch applied several
discount rates (ranging from 13.0% to 15.0% with respect to the Base Business
and 26.0% to 30.0% with respect to the TPS) and multiples of unlevered net
income (ranging from 26.0x to 30.0x with respect to both the Base Business and
the TPS). Utilizing this methodology, the implied present value per share of
Delta Pine Common Stock of the Base Business, the TPS and the Total Delta Pine
Business ranged from $35.83 to $44.14, $5.63 to $8.56 and $41.46 to $52.71,
respectively.
Merger Consequences Analysis. Merrill Lynch examined the pro forma impact of
the Merger on Monsanto's earnings per share based upon estimates of Delta
Pine's projected financial performance prepared by the management of Delta
Pine and the Expected Synergies prepared by the management of Delta Pine and
Monsanto, and estimates of Monsanto's projected financial performance prepared
by the management of Monsanto and Merrill Lynch.
The Restated Opinion
In arriving at its Restated Opinion, Merrill Lynch: (1) reviewed certain
publicly available business and financial information relating to Delta Pine
and Monsanto that Merrill Lynch deemed to be relevant; (2) reviewed certain
information, including financial forecasts, relating to the business,
earnings, cash flow, assets, liabilities and prospects of Delta Pine and
certain more limited information, including a financial forecast for 1998 and
certain estimated earnings per share growth rates for the three years
thereafter, relating to the business, earnings, assets, liabilities and
prospects of Monsanto; (3) conducted discussions with members of senior
management and representatives of Delta Pine and Monsanto concerning the
matters described in clauses (1) and (2) above, as well as their respective
businesses and prospects before and after giving effect to the Merger; (4)
reviewed the market prices and valuation multiples for Delta Pine Common Stock
and Monsanto Common Stock and compared them with those of certain publicly
traded companies that Merrill Lynch deemed to be relevant; (5) reviewed the
results of operations of Delta Pine and Monsanto and compared them with those
of certain publicly traded companies that Merrill Lynch deemed to be relevant;
(6) compared the proposed financial terms of the Merger with the financial
terms of certain other transactions that Merrill Lynch deemed to be relevant;
(7) participated in certain discussions and negotiations among representatives
of Delta Pine and Monsanto and their financial and legal advisors; (8)
reviewed the potential pro forma impact of the Merger and other acquisitions
announced by Monsanto; (9) reviewed the Merger Agreement and the Termination
Option Agreement; and (10) reviewed such other financial studies and analyses
and took into account such other matters as Merrill Lynch deemed necessary,
including its assessment of general economic, market and monetary conditions.
With respect to the Restated Opinion, Merrill Lynch assumed and relied on
the accuracy and completeness of all information supplied or otherwise made
available to it, discussed with or reviewed by or for it, or publicly
available, and Merrill Lynch did not assume any responsibility for
independently verifying such information. Merrill Lynch did not undertake an
independent evaluation or appraisal of any of the assets or liabilities of
Delta Pine or Monsanto and was not furnished with any such evaluation or
appraisal. In addition, Merrill Lynch did not assume any obligation to
conduct, nor did Merrill Lynch conduct, any physical inspection of the
properties or facilities of Delta Pine or Monsanto. With respect to the
financial forecast information furnished to or discussed with Merrill Lynch by
Delta Pine or Monsanto, Merrill Lynch assumed that they were reasonably
prepared and reflected the best currently available estimates and judgments of
Delta Pine's or Monsanto's
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management as to the expected future financial performance of Delta Pine or
Monsanto, as the case may be. Merrill Lynch also assumed that Monsanto's sales
of non-core assets and/or sales of securities to finance its acquisition and
product development programs will not have a material adverse effect on the
financial forecasts provided to Merrill Lynch by Monsanto or on the market
price performance of Monsanto Common Stock. Merrill Lynch further assumed that
the Merger will qualify as a tax-free reorganization for U.S. federal income
tax purposes. Merrill Lynch did not express any opinion as to the prices at
which shares of Delta Pine Common Stock or Monsanto Common Stock will trade
following the consummation of the Merger.
Merrill Lynch's Restated Opinion is necessarily based upon market, economic
and other conditions as they existed and could be evaluated on, and on the
information made available to Merrill Lynch, as of the date of such opinion.
Merrill Lynch assumed that in the course of obtaining the necessary regulatory
or other consents or approvals (contractual or otherwise) for the Merger, no
restrictions, including any divestiture requirements or amendments or
modifications, would be imposed that would have a material adverse effect on
the contemplated benefits of the Merger. The Delta Pine Board of Directors did
not impose any limitations on the scope of Merrill Lynch's analyses.
Financial Analyses Underlying the Restated Opinion. The following is a
summary of the material financial analyses used by Merrill Lynch in connection
with its presentation to the Delta Pine Board of Directors on October 23,
1998, and the preparation of its Restated Opinion delivered to the Delta Pine
Board of Directors.
Historical Stock Price Analysis. Merrill Lynch reviewed the performance of
the per share closing market prices of shares of Delta Pine Common Stock and
Monsanto Common Stock over the period from October 20, 1997 to October 19,
1998. Merrill Lynch then compared the movement of such closing prices for
shares of Delta Pine Common Stock with the movement of a composite index of
certain agricultural planting seed companies, specifically, DEKALB, Pioneer,
Mycogen, AgriBioTech Inc. ("AgriBioTech") and Monsanto, and such closing
prices for Monsanto Common Stock with the movement of the Monsanto Composite
Index. Merrill Lynch also compared the movement of the closing prices for each
of the Delta Pine Common Stock and the Monsanto Common Stock, over the period
from October 20, 1997, through October 19, 1998, with the movement of the
Standard and Poor's 400 Index.
Selected Comparable Companies Analysis. Merrill Lynch compared certain
publicly available financial and operating data and projected financial
performance (based on Wall Street consensus estimates) of five publicly traded
corporations in the agricultural planting seed industry, specifically,
AgriBioTech, DEKALB, Mycogen, Pioneer and Monsanto (collectively, the "Delta
Pine Updated Selected Comparable Companies") with corresponding financial and
operating data and projected financial performance of Delta Pine. Such
analysis indicated, among other things, (a) the ratio of the Market
Capitalization as of October 19, 1998, to EBITDA for the latest twelve months
as of May 31, 1998 (August 31, 1998, in the case of Delta Pine, and June 30,
1998, in the case of AgriBioTech and Monsanto) was 32.9x for Delta Pine
compared to maximum, mean and minimum values for the Delta Pine Updated
Selected Comparable Companies of 60.9x, 30.0x and 12.5x, respectively, (b) the
ratio of the Market Capitalization to estimated 1998 EBITDA was 30.4x for
Delta Pine compared to maximum, mean and minimum values for the Delta Pine
Updated Selected Comparable Companies of 69.4x, 32.7x and 12.3x, respectively,
(c) the ratio of the price of common equity, as of October 19, 1998, to the
earnings per share for the latest twelve months as of May 31, 1998 (August 31,
1998, in the case of Delta Pine, and June 30, 1998 in the case of AgriBioTech
and Monsanto) was 74.1x for Delta Pine compared to maximum, mean and minimum
values for the Delta Pine Updated Selected Comparable Companies of 142.7x,
67.7x and 22.8x, respectively, and (d) the ratio of the price of common equity
to the estimated earnings per share for fiscal year 1998 was 74.1x for Delta
Pine compared to maximum, mean and minimum values for the Delta Pine Updated
Selected Comparable Companies of 196.7x, 86.1 and 22.8x, respectively. For
AgriBioTech, Pioneer and Delta Pine, Merrill Lynch also calculated the ratio
of the projected calendar 1999 price/earnings multiple to the Institutional
Brokerage Estimate System's five-year projected earnings per share growth rate
(the "PEG Ratio"). The PEG Ratio for AgriBioTech, Pioneer and Delta Pine was
0.77x, 1.71x and 1.44x, respectively, on May 1, 1998, and 0.99x, 1.35x and
0.83x, respectively, on October 19, 1998.
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Merrill Lynch compared certain publicly available financial and operating
data and projected financial performance (based on Wall Street consensus
estimates) of the Monsanto Selected Comparable Pharmaceutical/Agricultural
Companies with corresponding financial and operating data and projected
financial performance of Monsanto. Such analysis indicated, among other
things, (a) the ratio of the Market Capitalization as of October 19, 1998, to
EBITDA for the latest twelve months as of June 30, 1998 was 16.8x for Monsanto
compared to maximum, mean and minimum values for the Monsanto Selected
Comparable Pharmaceutical/Agricultural Companies of 91.2x, 28.3x and 7.3x,
respectively, (b) the ratio of the Market Capitalization to estimated 1998
EBITDA was 16.5x for Monsanto compared to maximum, mean and minimum values for
the Monsanto Selected Comparable Pharmaceutical/Agricultural Companies of
17.8x, 12.7x and 6.3x, respectively, (c) the ratio of the price of common
equity, as of October 19, 1998, to the earnings per share for the latest
twelve months as of June 30, 1998, was 37.6x for Monsanto compared to maximum,
mean and minimum values for the Monsanto Selected Comparable
Pharmaceutical/Agricultural Companies of 28.2x, 24.7x and 19.5x, respectively,
and (d) the ratio of the price of common equity to the estimated earnings per
share for fiscal year 1998 was 38.8x for Monsanto compared to maximum, mean
and minimum values for the Monsanto Selected Comparable
Pharmaceutical/Agricultural Companies of 27.7x, 22.1x and 14.7x, respectively.
Additionally, Merrill Lynch compared certain publicly available financial
and operating data and projected financial performance (based on Wall Street
consensus estimates) of five publicly traded corporations in the agricultural
planting seed industry, specifically, Delta Pine, AgriBiotech, DEKALB, Mycogen
and Pioneer (collectively, the "Monsanto Updated Selected Comparable Planting
Seed Companies") with corresponding financial and operating data and projected
financial performance of Monsanto. Such analysis indicated, among other
things, (a) the ratio of the Market Capitalization as of October 19, 1998, to
EBITDA for the latest twelve months as of May 31, 1998 (August 31, 1998, in
the case of Delta Pine, and June 30, 1998, in the case of Monsanto), was 16.8x
for Monsanto compared to maximum, mean and minimum values for the Monsanto
Updated Selected Comparable Planting Seed Companies of 60.9x, 35.4x and 12.5x,
respectively, (b) the ratio of the Market Capitalization to estimated 1998
EBITDA was 16.5x for Monsanto compared to maximum, mean and minimum values for
the Monsanto Updated Selected Comparable Planting Seed Companies of 69.4x,
37.4x and 12.3x, respectively, (c) the ratio of the price of common equity, as
of October 19, 1998, to the earnings per share for the latest twelve months as
of May 31, 1998 (August 31, 1998, in the case of Delta Pine, and June 30,
1998, in the case of the Monsanto) was 37.6x for Monsanto compared to maximum,
mean and minimum values for the Monsanto Updated Selected Comparable Planting
Seed Companies of 142.7x, 79.9x and 22.8x, respectively, and (d) the ratio of
the price of common equity to the estimated earnings per share for fiscal year
1998 was 38.8x for Monsanto compared to maximum, mean and minimum values for
the Monsanto Updated Selected Comparable Planting Seed Companies of 196.7x,
97.8x and 22.8x, respectively.
Selected Comparable Transaction Analysis. Merrill Lynch analyzed the
financial terms, to the extent publicly available, of the seven Selected
Comparable Transactions referred to under "THE MERGER--Opinions of Financial
Advisor--The Original Opinion--Selected Comparable Transaction Analysis" and
five additional transactions involving agricultural planting seed companies
which were announced between May 6, 1998 and September 28, 1998 (collectively,
the "Updated Selected Comparable Transactions"). The five additional
transactions were Monsanto/DEKALB (acquisition of remaining interest),
Monsanto/Cargill International Seed Business, Monsanto/Plant Breeding
International Cambridge (Unilever), Dow/Mycogen (acquisition of remaining
interest) and Hoechst/Cargill North American Seed Business. Merrill Lynch
estimated the Transaction Value, as a multiple of revenues, EBITDA and EBIT
for the latest twelve months. Merrill Lynch also estimated the Offer Value as
a multiple of net income for the latest twelve months and one year projected
net income. Such analysis indicated, among other things, (a) the ratio of the
Transaction Value of the Merger, based on the market price of Monsanto Common
Stock as of October 19, 1998 (the "Updated Merger Transaction Value"), to
revenue for the latest twelve months is 6.97x, compared to maximum, mean,
median and minimum values of the ratio of the Transaction Value to revenue for
the the latest twelve months for the Updated Selected Comparable Transactions
of 21.00x, 7.42x, 5.22x and 1.50x, respectively, (b) the ratio of the Updated
Merger Transaction Value to EBITDA for the latest twelve months is 37.5x
compared to maximum, mean, median and minimum values of the ratio of the
Transaction Value to EBITDA for the latest twelve months for the Updated
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Selected Comparable Transactions of 54.2x, 29.0x, 18.1x and 14.7x,
respectively, (c) the ratio of the Updated Merger Transaction Value to EBIT
for the latest twelve months is 46.1x compared to maximum, mean, median and
minimum values of the ratio of the Transaction Value to EBIT for the latest
twelve months for the Updated Selected Comparable Transactions of 68.5x,
37.1x, 22.3x and 20.7x, respectively, (d) the ratio of the Offer Value of the
Merger, based on the market price of Monsanto Common Stock as of October 19,
1998 (the "Updated Merger Offer Value") to the net income for the latest
twelve months is 79.1x compared to maximum, mean, median and minimum values of
the ratio of the Offer Value to net income for the latest twelve months for
the Updated Selected Comparable Transactions of 114.9x, 66.0x, 48.9x and
34.2x, and (e) the ratio of the Updated Merger Offer Value to one year
projected net income is 30.9x compared to maximum, mean, median and minimum
values of the ratio of the Offer Value to one year projected net income for
the Updated Selected Comparable Transactions of 37.1x, 30.0x, 30.6x and 21.6x.
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis. Merrill Lynch performed a discounted cash
flow analysis of (i) the Base Business, and (ii) the TPS, in each case based
upon estimates of projected financial performance prepared by the management
of Delta Pine. Utilizing these projections, Merrill Lynch calculated a range
of implied per share equity values for the Base Business based upon the
discounted net present value of the sum of the projected stream of unlevered
free cash flows of the Base Business from Delta Pine's 1999 fiscal year to
Delta Pine's 2003 fiscal year and the projected terminal value at the end of
fiscal 2003 based upon a range of multiples of projected unlevered net income
less net debt at August 31, 1998 and divided by the number of fully diluted
shares of Delta Pine Common Stock issued and outstanding. In addition, Merrill
Lynch calculated a range of implied per share equity values for the TPS based
upon the discounted net present value of the sum of the projected stream of
unlevered free cash flows of the TPS from Delta Pine's 1999 fiscal year to
Delta Pine's 2009 fiscal year and the projected terminal value at the end of
fiscal 2009 based upon a range of multiples of projected unlevered net income
and divided by the number of fully diluted shares of Delta Pine Common Stock
issued and outstanding. Merrill Lynch applied several discount rates (ranging
from 13.0% to 15.0% with respect to the Base Business and 26.0% to 30.0% with
respect to the TPS) and multiples of unlevered net income (ranging from 22.0x
to 26.0x with respect to both the Base Business and the TPS). Utilizing this
methodology, the implied present value per share of Delta Pine Common Stock of
the Base Business, the TPS and the Total Delta Pine Business ranged from
$22.16 to $27.75, $1.77 to $2.91 and $23.93 to $30.66, respectively.
CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following discussion summarizes the principal U.S. federal income tax
consequences of the Merger to holders of Delta Pine Common Stock who hold such
stock as a capital asset (generally, property held for investment). The
discussion does not address the individual tax position of any holder of Delta
Pine Common Stock nor does it address the tax consequences that may be
relevant to holders of Delta Pine Common Stock with special tax status,
including insurance companies, financial institutions, dealers in securities,
holders that are not citizens or residents of the United States, tax-exempt
entities and holders that acquired Delta Pine Common Stock upon the exercise
of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation. Moreover, the
discussion does not address any consequences arising under the laws of any
state, locality or foreign jurisdiction. Finally, the tax consequences to
holders of stock options, deferred shares or warrants are not discussed. The
following discussion is based on the Code, the regulations promulgated
thereunder, and administrative rulings and court decisions as of the date
hereof. All of the foregoing are subject to change, possibly with a
retroactive effect, and any such change could affect the accuracy of the
following discussion. No ruling has been or will be sought from the Internal
Revenue Service concerning the tax consequences of the Merger. HOLDERS OF
SHARES OF DELTA PINE COMMON STOCK ARE URGED TO CONSULT WITH THEIR TAX ADVISORS
REGARDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER TO THEM, INCLUDING THE EFFECTS OF
FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN AND OTHER TAX LAWS.
Each of Debevoise & Plimpton, special tax counsel to Delta Pine, and Arnold
& Porter, special tax counsel to Monsanto, has delivered to Delta Pine and
Monsanto, respectively, opinions dated on or about the date of this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus, to the effect that, the Merger will constitute a
reorganization within the meaning of
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Section 368(a) of the Code. Such opinions assume that the Merger will take
place as described in the Merger Agreement and that certain factual matters
represented by Delta Pine and Monsanto, which will be reconfirmed prior to the
Effective Time, are true and correct. It is a condition to the obligations of
Delta Pine and Monsanto to consummate the Merger that each shall receive an
opinion, dated immediately prior to the Effective Time, confirming the
previously received opinion described herein. Based upon such opinions, the
following will be the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the
Merger:
(i) no gain or loss will be recognized by the stockholders of Delta Pine
upon receipt of Monsanto Common Stock in exchange for their Delta Pine
Common Stock, except that a holder of Delta Pine Common Stock who receives
cash in lieu of a fractional share of Monsanto Common Stock will recognize
gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount of such cash and
the tax basis allocated to such stockholder's fractional share of Monsanto
Common Stock. In the case of a stockholder of Delta Pine that is not a
corporation, long-term capital gain recognized from a fractional share will
be taxed at a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 20% if the holding
period for such fractional share is more than one year;
(ii) the aggregate tax basis of the Monsanto Common Stock received in the
Merger (including fractional shares of Monsanto Common Stock for which cash
is received) will be the same as the basis of the Delta Pine Common Stock
for which it is exchanged; and
(iii) the holding period of the Monsanto Common Stock will include the
holding period of the Delta Pine Common Stock for which it is exchanged,
provided that such Delta Pine Common Stock is held as a capital asset at
the Effective Time.
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
The Merger will be accounted for as a "purchase" for accounting and
financial reporting purposes. Under this method of accounting, the purchase
price will be allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on
their estimated fair values at the Effective Time. Although the Merger
Agreement requires Monsanto and Delta Pine to use their respective reasonable
best efforts to cause the Merger to be accounted for as a pooling of
interests, Monsanto and Delta Pine have concurred that pooling-of-interests
accounting treatment is not available for the transactions contemplated by the
Merger Agreement, including the Merger.
OTHER SIGNIFICANT CONSIDERATIONS
On August 6, 1998 the exchange ratio became fixed. As a result, the exchange
ratio will not be adjusted in the event of an increase or decrease in the
market price of either Monsanto Common Stock or Delta Pine Common Stock, or
both. Delta Pine stockholders are urged to obtain current market quotations
for Monsanto Common Stock and Delta Pine Common Stock. See "THE MERGER
AGREEMENT--Terms of the Merger". In addition, although the Merrill Lynch
analysis performed in conjunction with the preparation of its fairness opinion
indicates that the Merger would be accretive to Monsanto's earnings per share
in each of fiscal years 1999 to 2002 based on various assumptions as to the
future, there can be no assurance of such effect; also, non-recurring costs
relating to the Merger and the issuance of additional shares of Monsanto
Common Stock in the Merger may, in fact, cause the Merger to be dilutive, or
less accretive than indicated by Merrill Lynch's analysis, to Monsanto's
earnings per share in any given year.
Consummation of the Merger is subject to the expiration or termination of
the waiting period under the HSR Act. Monsanto and Delta Pine are obligated
under the Merger Agreement to use commercially reasonable efforts to achieve
antitrust clearance. The U.S. government has the ability to extend the waiting
period largely at its discretion. There can be no accurate prediction of the
time required to complete the governmental pre-merger anti-trust review of the
proposed transaction, either favorably or unfavorably to the parties, and
there can be no assurance as to the likely outcome for the parties. See "THE
MERGER AGREEMENT--Conditions to the Merger; Government Regulatory Approvals".
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Five complaints naming Delta Pine, members of the Delta Pine Board of
Directors and Monsanto as defendants have been filed in the Court of Chancery
of the State of Delaware in and for New Castle County by individual plaintiffs
seeking to represent a purported class of Delta Pine stockholders, and an
order consolidating all of the actions was entered in that court on June 9,
1998. The plaintiffs allege that the Merger Consideration is unfair and
inadequate, that the Delta Pine directors breached their fiduciary duty to
Delta Pine's stockholders by entering into the Merger Agreement, and that
Monsanto aided and abetted the alleged breach of fiduciary duty. The
plaintiffs seek judgment declaring that each such action is maintainable as a
class action, to preliminarily or permanently enjoin the consummation of the
Merger, or, alternatively, to rescind the Merger in the event it is
consummated, an award of unspecified compensatory damages against the
defendants, and an award of attorneys' fees and expenses. Monsanto and Delta
Pine believe that the complaints are without basis in fact and in law and
intend to vigorously defend themselves against the complaints.
INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE MERGER
Certain members of Delta Pine management have interests in the Merger in
addition to their interests solely as stockholders of Delta Pine. Certain key
executives and certain key employees of Delta Pine (approximately 67 persons)
will be offered the opportunity to enter into certain employment and non-
competition agreements with Monsanto, which agreements also contain various
severance benefits for such persons in the event their employment with
Monsanto is involuntarily terminated without cause or constructively
terminated or retention bonuses in the event such persons continue to be
employed after the Effective Time. Not included in those to be offered such
contracts are Roger Malkin, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Murray
Robinson, President and Chief Operating Officer, who do not have employment
agreements with Delta Pine currently, or W. Thomas Jagodinski, Vice President-
Finance and Treasurer, who is already a party to an employment agreement with
Delta Pine. Within each of these two categories, individual severance benefits
are to be determined by a uniform formula. Also, the stock options held by
employees and directors of Delta Pine, the vesting of which options will be
accelerated immediately prior to the Effective Time will become exercisable
just prior to consummation of the Merger. As a result of the Merger, Monsanto
will assume an obligation to issue up to 2,830,101 shares (based upon the
Merger exchange ratio) of Monsanto Common Stock upon the exercise, after the
Effective Date, of options to purchase Delta Pine Common Stock granted by
Delta Pine under Delta Pine option plans and not exercised prior to the
Effective Date.
NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE LISTING
It is a condition to the parties' obligations under the Merger Agreement
that the shares of Monsanto Common Stock issuable pursuant to the Merger
Agreement shall have been approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to
official notice of issuance. Monsanto presently anticipates that any shares of
Monsanto Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options held by Delta Pine
employees or directors will also be listed for trading on the NYSE immediately
upon issuance.
DELISTING AND DEREGISTRATION OF DELTA PINE COMMON STOCK
If the Merger is consummated, the shares of Delta Pine Common Stock will be
delisted from all stock exchanges on which they were formerly listed, and will
be deregistered under the Exchange Act. Consequently, Delta Pine stockholders
will no longer be able to trade Delta Pine Common Stock on any exchange.
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THE MERGER AGREEMENT
The following is a summary of certain provisions of the Merger Agreement,
which is attached hereto as Appendix A to this Proxy Statement/Prospectus and
is incorporated herein by reference. The following summary includes the
material terms of such agreement but is not necessarily complete and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the Merger Agreement. Capitalized
terms not otherwise defined herein have the same meanings as defined in the
Merger Agreement.
TERMS OF THE MERGER
The Merger Agreement provides that, upon the terms and subject to the
conditions contained therein, including the approval of the Merger Agreement
by the holders of Delta Pine Common Stock, Delta Pine will be merged with and
into Monsanto at the Effective Time, and Monsanto will continue as the
surviving corporation.
After the conditions precedent to the Merger have been fulfilled or waived
(where permissible), the filing of a duly executed Certificate of Merger will
be made with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and the Merger
will become effective at the Effective Time, which will occur upon the filing
thereof or such later time established by the Certificate of Merger (provided
that such later date is not more than 90 days after the Certificate of Merger
is filed).
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, as of the Effective Time, all shares of
Delta Pine Common Stock and all shares of Series M Convertible Non-Voting
Preferred Stock of Delta Pine ("Series M Preferred Stock") that are held by
Delta Pine, Monsanto, or Monsanto's subsidiaries, other than (i) shares held
in connection with market making or proprietary trading activity or for the
account of another person, (ii) shares held in fiduciary capacity, or (iii)
shares whose cancellation would violate any applicable legal duties or
obligations, will be canceled and no capital stock of Monsanto or other
consideration will be delivered in exchange therefor.
The Merger Agreement provides that, subject to the terms and conditions
contained therein, each share of Delta Pine Common Stock, and the associated
preferred stock purchase right (the "Rights"), and each share of Series M
Preferred Stock (collectively, the "Delta Pine Capital Stock") issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than shares held by
Delta Pine, Monsanto, or their respective subsidiaries) will be converted into
0.8625 (the "Exchange Ratio") validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable
shares of Monsanto Common Stock. It is anticipated that, as of the Effective
Time, no Rights shall be exercisable and all shares of Series M Preferred
Stock will be held by Monsanto. All such shares of Delta Pine Capital Stock,
when so converted, will no longer be outstanding and will automatically be
canceled and retired, and each holder of a certificate which immediately prior
to the Effective Time represented shares of Delta Pine Common Stock (the
"Certificates") will cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except the
right to receive certain dividends and other distributions, certificates
representing the shares of Monsanto Common Stock into which such shares are
converted and any cash, without interest, in lieu of fractional shares of
Monsanto Common Stock to be issued or paid in consideration therefor upon the
surrender of such Certificate.
CERTAIN ADJUSTMENTS
The Merger Agreement provides that, if on or prior to the Effective Time the
outstanding shares of Monsanto Common Stock or Delta Pine Common Stock are
changed into a different number, class or series of shares or any other
security by reason of any reclassification, recapitalization, reorganization,
merger, business combination, split-up, stock split, combination or exchange
of shares, or any dividend payable in stock or other securities is declared
thereon with a record date within such period, or any similar event occurs,
the Merger exchange ratio (and/or the security or securities to be issued to
the holders of Delta Pine Common Stock) will be appropriately adjusted as
contemplated by the Merger Agreement prior to such reclassification,
recapitalization, reorganization, merger, business combination, split-up,
stock split, combination, exchange or dividend or similar event.
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OTHER ADJUSTMENTS TO EXCHANGE RATIO
The Merger Agreement provides that no adjustment to the Exchange Ratio was
to be made in the event that the Final Average Price (as described below) of
Monsanto Common Stock was not more than 25% greater or less than the Initial
Average Price (as described below) of Monsanto Common Stock. In the event that
the Final Average Price was more than 25% greater than the Initial Average
Price, then the Exchange Ratio was to be reduced to the product of (i) 0.8625
and (ii) the quotient of (A) 1.25 times the Initial Average Price and (B) the
Final Average Price. In the event that the Final Average Price was more than
25% less than the Initial Average Price, then Delta Pine would have had the
right to terminate the Merger Agreement by giving written notice ("Termination
Notice") of its election to do so to Monsanto prior to 5:00 p.m., New York
City time, on the second NYSE trading day after the date for measuring the
Final Average Price, as provided in the Merger Agreement; provided, however,
that the Termination Notice would have been deemed to be rescinded and would
have had no effect if, prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the second
Trading Day after the date of Monsanto's receipt of such Termination Notice,
if Monsanto had given Delta Pine written notice that it had agreed to increase
the Exchange Ratio to the product of (i) 0.8625 and (ii) the quotient of (A)
0.75 times the Initial Average Price and (B) the Final Average Price. If the
Final Average Price was more than 25% less than the Initial Average Price and
Delta Pine did not deliver a Termination Notice as provided in the immediately
preceding sentence, then there would have been no adjustment made to the
Exchange Ratio. The "Initial Average Price" of Monsanto Common Stock equaled
the average of the closing prices for the Monsanto Common Stock for the 30
NYSE trading days ended May 7, 1998, or $54.36. The "Final Average Price" of
Monsanto Common Stock was equal to the average closing price for such stock
for the 30 NYSE trading days ended on August 6, 1998, or $55.879. Since the
Final Average Price of the Monsanto Common Stock was neither less than 25%
below nor more than 25% above the Initial Average Price of the Monsanto Common
Stock, the foregoing adjustment provisions were not triggered and the Exchange
Ratio became fixed at 0.8625 on August 6, 1998.
SURRENDER AND PAYMENT
Monsanto has authorized First Chicago Trust Company of New York to act as
exchange agent (the "Exchange Agent"). As soon as practicable after the
Effective Time, Monsanto will deposit with the Exchange Agent, in trust for
the holders of shares of Delta Pine Common Stock converted in the Merger,
certificates representing the shares of Monsanto Common Stock issued pursuant
to the Merger Agreement in exchange for Certificates, and cash as required to
make payments in lieu of any fractional shares of Monsanto Common Stock as a
result of the Merger (such cash and shares of Monsanto Common Stock, together
with any dividends or distributions with respect thereto, being the "Exchange
Fund"). The Exchange Agent will deliver the Monsanto Common Stock issuable
pursuant to the Merger Agreement out of the Exchange Fund.
As soon as practicable after the Effective Time, Monsanto will cause the
Exchange Agent to mail to each record holder of a Certificate or Certificates,
a letter of transmittal (which will be in such form as Monsanto may reasonably
specify, will specify that delivery will be effected, and risk of loss and
title to the Certificates will pass only upon actual delivery of the
Certificates to the Exchange Agent, and will contain instructions for use in
effecting the surrender of the Certificates in exchange for certificates
representing shares of Monsanto Common Stock and cash in lieu of fractional
shares of Monsanto Common Stock as a result of the Merger). Upon surrender for
cancellation to the Exchange Agent of a Certificate, together with such duly
executed letter of transmittal and such other documents as the Exchange Agent
may reasonably require, the holder of such Certificate will be entitled to
receive in exchange therefor (i) a certificate representing that number of
whole shares of Monsanto Common Stock into which the shares represented by the
surrendered Certificate or Certificates will have been converted at the
Effective Time, (ii) cash in lieu of any fractional shares of Monsanto Common
Stock as a result of the Merger and (iii) certain dividends and other
distributions in accordance with the Merger Agreement, and any Certificate so
surrendered will forthwith be canceled. DELTA PINE STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD NOT
FORWARD THE CERTIFICATES TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT UNTIL THEY HAVE RECEIVED THE
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
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All shares of Monsanto Common Stock issued upon the surrender of
Certificates for exchange in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement
(including any cash paid pursuant to the Merger Agreement) will be deemed to
have been issued (and paid) in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to
the shares of Delta Pine Common Stock represented by such Certificates.
No dividends or other distributions that are declared on or after the
Effective Time on Monsanto Common Stock, or are payable to the holders of
record thereof on or after the Effective Time, will be paid to any person
entitled by reason of the Merger to receive a certificate representing
Monsanto Common Stock until such person surrenders the related Certificate or
Certificates, as provided above, and no cash payment in lieu of fractional
shares will be paid to any such person until such person shall so surrender
the related Certificate or Certificates. In no event shall the person entitled
to receive such dividends or other distributions be entitled to receive
interest on such dividends or other distributions. If any cash or certificate
representing shares of Monsanto Common Stock is to be paid to or issued in a
name other than that in which the Certificate surrendered in exchange therefor
is registered, it will be a condition of such exchange that the Certificate so
surrendered will be properly endorsed or otherwise in proper form for transfer
and that the person requesting such exchange will pay to the Exchange Agent
any transfer or other taxes required by reason of the issuance of certificates
for such shares of Monsanto Common Stock in a name other than that of the
registered holder of the Certificate surrendered, or will establish to the
satisfaction of Monsanto that such tax has been paid or is not applicable.
Any portion of the Exchange Fund which remains undistributed to the holders
of Certificates for six months after the Effective Time shall be delivered to
Monsanto, upon demand, and any holders of the Certificates who have not
theretofore complied with the terms of the Merger Agreement with respect to
the surrender of Certificates shall thereafter look only to Monsanto for
payment of their claims, any dividends or distributions with respect to
Monsanto Common Stock, as applicable, and any cash in lieu of fractional
shares of Monsanto Common Stock.
FRACTIONAL SHARES
No certificates or scrip representing fractional shares of Monsanto Common
Stock will be issued upon the surrender of Certificates for exchange, no
Monsanto dividend or other distribution or stock split will be paid with
respect to any fractional share, and no fractional share will entitle the
owner thereof to vote or to any other rights of a shareowner of Monsanto. As
promptly as practicable following the Effective Time, Monsanto will cause the
Exchange Agent to determine the excess (the "Excess Shares") of (A) the number
of whole shares of Monsanto Common Stock delivered to the Exchange Agent by
Monsanto pursuant to the Merger Agreement over (B) the aggregate number of
whole shares of Monsanto Common Stock to be distributed to former holders of
Delta Pine Common Stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement. Following the
Effective Time, the Exchange Agent shall, on behalf of former holders of
Certificates representing Delta Pine Common Stock, sell the Excess Shares at
then-prevailing prices on the NYSE pursuant to the terms of the Merger
Agreement, as promptly following the Effective Time as is practical consistent
with obtaining the best execution of such sales in light of prevailing market
conditions. Until the net proceeds of such sale or sales have been distributed
to the holders of Certificates formerly representing Delta Pine Common Stock,
the Exchange Agent will hold such proceeds in trust for such holders (the
"Common Stock Trust"). The Exchange Agent will determine the portion of the
Common Stock Trust to which each former holder of Delta Pine Common Stock is
entitled, if any, by multiplying the amount of the aggregate net proceeds
comprising the Common Stock Trust by a fraction, the numerator of which is the
amount of the fractional share interest to which such former holder of Delta
Pine Common Stock is entitled (after taking into account all shares of Delta
Pine Common Stock held at the Effective Time by such holder) and the
denominator of which is the aggregate amount of fractional share interests to
which all former holders of Delta Pine Common Stock are entitled.
The Merger Agreement provides that Monsanto may elect at its option, prior
to the Effective Time, in lieu of the issuance and sale of Excess Shares and
the making of the payments described in the previous paragraph, to pay each
former holder of Delta Pine Common Stock an amount in cash equal to the
product obtained by multiplying (A) the fractional share interest to which
such former holder (after taking into account all shares of
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Delta Pine Common Stock held at the Effective Time by such holder) would
otherwise be entitled by (B) the closing price for a share of Monsanto Common
Stock as reported on the NYSE Composite Transaction Tape on the closing date
of the Merger (the "Closing Date").
CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER; GOVERNMENTAL REGULATORY APPROVALS
The respective obligations of Monsanto and Delta Pine to effect the Merger
are subject to the fulfillment of certain conditions at or prior to the
Effective Time including: (a) adoption of the Merger Agreement by the
requisite vote of the stockholders of Delta Pine; (b) authorization of the
shares of Monsanto Common Stock issuable in the Merger for listing on the
NYSE; (c) no action taken by a court or other governmental entity preventing
the consummation of the Merger or making the Merger or actions taken
thereunder illegal; (d) the performance by the parties in all material
respects of the parties' respective obligations under the Merger Agreement,
and the correctness in all material respects (as provided in the Merger
Agreement) of the parties' respective representations and warranties; (e) the
delivery of certain closing certificates and opinions of tax counsel; (f) the
transfer by Delta Pine to a wholly owned subsidiary of Delta Pine of all its
right, title and interest in and to all of the intellectual property and all
of the varieties and hybrids of cotton and soybeans in which Delta Pine owns
any interest; (g) the Merger Agreement shall not have been terminated as
provided therein; and (h) with respect to the obligations of each of Monsanto
and Delta Pine, there shall not have occurred any material adverse change in
the other party, except, in the case of changes in Monsanto, changes generally
affecting the industries in which Monsanto operates.
The HSR Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder, require that parties
to a proposed merger or business combination exceeding a certain size file
with the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (the "Antitrust
Division") and the Federal Trade Commission (the "FTC") Notification and
Report Forms ("Forms") with respect to such merger or business combination.
The parties thereafter are required to observe a waiting period before
consummating the reported transaction. In compliance with the HSR Act, Delta
Pine and Monsanto filed Forms on May 15, 1998, with the Antitrust Division and
FTC with respect to the Merger, and subsequently received requests from the
Antitrust Division and FTC for additional information concerning the proposed
transaction, thereby extending the waiting period under the HSR Act. The
Merger is subject to the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting
period under the HSR Act.
At any time prior to the Effective Time, each of the parties to the Merger
Agreement may (i) extend the time for the performance of the other's
obligations or acts (subject to termination provisions), (ii) waive any
inaccuracies in the representations or warranties of the other party in the
Merger Agreement or in any document delivered pursuant thereto or (iii) waive
the other party's compliance with any agreements or conditions contained in
the Merger Agreement which may legally be waived.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
The Merger Agreement contains customary representations and warranties of
Monsanto, including, among other things: (a) the accuracy of documents filed
by Monsanto with the Commission since January 1, 1995; (b) the accuracy of
information supplied by Monsanto to be included in the Merger Agreement and in
the Registration Statement; (c) regulatory matters and compliance with laws;
and (d) disclosure as to certain fees. In addition, the Merger Agreement
contains representations and warranties by Monsanto as to, among other things,
its organization, capital structure, authority to enter into the Merger
Agreement and the binding effect of the Merger Agreement.
The Merger Agreement also contains similar customary representations and
warranties of Delta Pine, as well as additional representations and
warranties, including, among other things: (a) receipt of a fairness opinion
from Merrill Lynch; (b) that the Delta Pine Board of Directors has taken all
action necessary to exempt Monsanto, the Merger Agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby from the effect of the Rights Agreement; (c) no material
adverse change in the business except as disclosed in its documents filed with
the Commission prior to the date of the Merger Agreement; (d) regulatory
matters and compliance with laws; (e) tax matters;
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(f) disclosure regarding pending or threatened litigation against or involving
Delta Pine; (g) employee and labor matters; (h) intellectual property and
germplasm matters; and (i) disclosure regarding certain liabilities.
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING THE MERGER
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Delta Pine has agreed that, during the
period from the date of the Merger Agreement through the Effective Time
(except as otherwise expressly permitted by the terms of the Merger
Agreement), it will, and it will cause its respective subsidiaries to, in all
material respects, (i) carry on its business in the ordinary course, (ii) use
reasonable best efforts to preserve intact its current business organization,
(iii) keep available the services of its current officers and employees, and
(iv) preserve its relationships with customers, suppliers and others.
In addition, Delta Pine has agreed that neither Delta Pine nor, where
applicable, its subsidiaries, without Monsanto's prior written consent or as
otherwise permitted under the Merger Agreement, will: (a) amend its
certificate of incorporation or bylaws; (b) split, combine or reclassify its
outstanding capital stock or declare, set aside or pay any dividend payable in
cash, stock or property with respect to the same, provided that Delta Pine may
declare and pay regular quarterly dividends of not more than $0.03 per share;
(c) issue or agree to issue any additional shares of, or rights to acquire
shares of, capital stock other than the issuance of shares of capital stock of
a subsidiary to Delta Pine or, with respect to Delta Pine, shares issuable
upon exercise of outstanding options pursuant to the Delta Pine 1993 Stock
Option Plan and the 1995 Delta Pine Long-Term Incentive Plan (collectively,
the "Delta Pine Option Plans"); (d) enter into or agree to enter into any new
or amended contract or agreement with any labor unions; (e) authorize,
recommend, propose or announce an intention to authorize, recommend or
propose, or enter into an agreement in principle or an agreement with respect
to any merger, consolidation or business combination (other than the Merger),
or any acquisition or disposition of a material amount of assets or securities
(other than inventory in the ordinary course of business); (f) enter into or
amend any employment, severance or change-in-control agreement, or benefit
plan except as required by law or regulations, or as expressly provided by the
Merger Agreement or in the ordinary course; (g) (i) except in the ordinary
course of business, create, incur or assume any debt other than under existing
or approved lines of credit or to fund out-of-pocket costs incurred in
connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (ii)
assume, guarantee, endorse or otherwise become liable or responsible for the
obligations of any other person except majority-owned subsidiaries of Delta
Pine in the ordinary course of business or (iii) make any loans, advances or
capital contributions to, or investments in, any other person other than a
majority-owned subsidiary; (h) amend the Rights Agreement or redeem any of the
rights granted under the Rights Agreement; or (i) take any action that it is
prohibited from taking under the Merger Agreement or that would constitute or
is likely to cause a breach of any covenant, agreement, or representation set
forth in the Merger Agreement.
DELTA PINE STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS
Holders of each outstanding Delta Pine stock option issued under the Delta
Pine Option Plans may elect to exercise their vested and previously unvested
options immediately prior to the consummation of the Merger. As of the
Effective Time, each unexercised Delta Pine stock option will become, by
virtue of the Merger and Monsanto's assumption thereof, a stock option to
purchase a number of shares of Monsanto Common Stock equal to the number of
shares of Delta Pine Common Stock that could have been purchased under such
Delta Pine stock option multiplied by the Merger exchange ratio of 0.8625 at
an exercise price per share of Monsanto Common Stock equal to the per share
option exercise price specified in the Delta Pine stock option divided by
0.8625. After the Merger, all references to Delta Pine in the Delta Pine
Option Plans, the applicable stock option and other awards agreements issued
thereunder and in any other Delta Pine stock options will be deemed to refer
to Monsanto.
NO SOLICITATION
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Delta Pine will not, and will not
authorize or permit any of its subsidiaries or any of its or its subsidiaries'
officers, directors, employees, agents or other representatives to,
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directly or indirectly, solicit, initiate or encourage any discussions or
negotiations concerning any Acquisition Transaction (as defined below) with
any person; provided, however, that Delta Pine may, prior to the Special
Meeting, in response to a bona fide unsolicited written proposal with respect
to an Acquisition Transaction from a credible third party which the Delta Pine
Board of Directors concludes in good faith in the exercise of its fiduciary
obligations is more favorable to Delta Pine and its stockholders than the
Merger, furnish or disclose non-public information to, and negotiate, explore
or otherwise engage in substantive discussions with, such third party. Delta
Pine will immediately notify Monsanto of any inquiries or proposals relating
to any Acquisition Transaction. As defined and used in the Merger Agreement,
"Acquisition Transaction" means any inquiries or the making of any proposal or
offer with respect to any merger, consolidation or other business combination
involving Delta Pine or the acquisition of all or substantially all of the
assets or capital stock of Delta Pine.
INDEMNIFICATION
The Merger Agreement provides that, for a period of six years from and after
the Effective Time, Monsanto agrees to, and to cause the surviving corporation
to, indemnify all past and present officers and directors of Delta Pine and of
its subsidiaries against all losses, obligations, expenses, claims, damages
and liabilities arising out of actions taken at or prior to the Effective Time
in connection with their duties as directors or officers of Delta Pine
(including the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement), to the
fullest extent permitted and on such conditions as may be required under
applicable law.
TERMINATION
The Merger Agreement will be terminated if not approved by the stockholders
of Delta Pine and may be terminated prior to the Effective Time, whether
before or after the approval by the stockholders of Delta Pine, by: (a) mutual
written consent of Delta Pine and Monsanto; (b) either Monsanto or Delta Pine,
if the Merger has not been effected on or prior to June 30, 1999 (or December
31, 1999, under certain circumstances); (c) either Monsanto or Delta Pine, in
the event there is any law or regulation that makes consummation of the Merger
illegal or otherwise prohibited or if any judgment, injunction, order or
decree enjoining Monsanto or Delta Pine from consummating the Merger is
entered and such judgment, injunction, order or decree shall become final and
nonappealable; (d) Monsanto, if the Delta Pine Board of Directors has
modified, withdrawn or changed its recommendation or approval of adoption of
the Merger Agreement in a manner adverse to Monsanto; (e) Monsanto, if any
corporation, partnership, person, other entity or group (as defined in Section
13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) other than Monsanto or any of
its subsidiaries or affiliates and other than any of certain institutional
investors shall have become the beneficial owner of more than 15% of the
outstanding Delta Pine Common Stock; or (f) by Delta Pine prior to the date of
the Special Meeting, to allow Delta Pine to enter into an agreement in respect
of an Acquisition Transaction which the Delta Pine Board of Directors has
determined in the exercise of its fiduciary duties is more favorable to Delta
Pine and its stockholders than the Merger. In addition, the Merger Agreement
would have been terminable by Delta Pine had the Final Average Price of
Monsanto Common Stock been less than $40.77 (subject to the right of Monsanto
to void such termination by increasing the Exchange Ratio to offset the
decrease in value of the Merger Consideration). See "THE MERGER AGREEMENT--
Terms of the Merger" and "--Other Adjustments to Exchange Ratio".
TERMINATION FEES
In the event that Delta Pine has willfully failed to perform any of its
obligations under the Merger Agreement or has breached any of its
representations or warranties contained therein in any material respect, and,
as a result of such failure or such breach, either the consummation of the
Merger shall not have occurred as of the date which the parties will set as
the Closing Date pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement (the "Target
Closing Date") (which may only be set after all conditions to closing have
been waived or satisfied) or the Merger Agreement shall have been terminated
pursuant to the provisions thereof, then in any such case, Delta Pine shall
promptly, but in no event later than two NYSE trading days after the date of
such failure to consummate the Merger or termination, pay Monsanto a
termination fee of $40 million plus an amount, not to
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<PAGE>
exceed $1 million, equal to Monsanto's actual and reasonably documented out-
of-pocket expenses directly attributable to the proposed acquisition of Delta
Pine, including negotiation and execution of the Merger Agreement and the
attempted financing and completion of the Merger. Delta Pine is not required
to pay more than one termination fee and reimbursement of expenses.
In the event (i) that the consummation of the Merger shall not have occurred
as of the Target Closing Date solely due to (A) the failure of any applicable
waiting period under the HSR Act relating to the Merger to expire or terminate
or (B) a judgment, injunction, order or decree (with respect to any anti-trust
law) having been entered (other than because of the breach of the Merger
Agreement by Delta Pine), (ii) that Monsanto has willfully failed to perform
any of its obligations under the Merger Agreement or has breached any of its
representations or warranties contained therein in any material respect, and,
as a result of such failure or such breach, either the consummation of the
Merger shall not have occurred as of the Target Closing Date or the Merger
Agreement shall have been terminated, or (iii) that the Merger does not
qualify for treatment as a reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code
(and if, in the circumstance described in (iii), Monsanto elects to pay), then
in any such case, Monsanto shall promptly, but in no event later than two NYSE
trading days after the date of such failure to consummate the Merger or
termination, pay Delta Pine a termination fee of (x) in the case of clause (i)
above, $80 million, or (y) in the case of clause (ii) or (iii) above, $40
million, in either case plus an amount, not to exceed $1 million, equal to
Delta Pine's actual and reasonably documented out-of-pocket expenses directly
attributable to the proposed acquisition of Delta Pine, including negotiation
and execution of the Merger Agreement and the completion of the Merger.
Monsanto is not required to pay more than one termination fee and
reimbursement of expenses.
FEES AND EXPENSES
Each party shall pay its own costs and expenses relating to the Merger
Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby. In the event the Merger
Agreement is terminated pursuant to its terms, no liability will extend to any
party to the Merger Agreement, except that the confidentiality, expense and
governing law provisions of the Merger Agreement will survive termination and
the Termination Option Agreement will survive in accordance with its terms,
and except that no such termination shall relieve any party from liability for
breach of the Merger Agreement or failure by it to perform its obligations
thereunder.
AMENDMENT
The Merger Agreement may be amended by the parties thereto, by or pursuant
to action taken by their respective Boards of Directors, at any time before or
after approval of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated
thereby by the stockholders of Delta Pine, but, after any such approval, no
amendment may be made without further approval by such stockholders if the
amendment would change the Merger consideration, Monsanto's Restated
Certificate of Incorporation, or would adversely affect the Delta Pine
stockholders.
RESALES; AFFILIATES
Shares of Monsanto Common Stock received by Delta Pine stockholders in the
Merger will be freely transferable, except that such shares received by
persons who are deemed to be affiliates of Delta Pine prior to the Merger may
be resold by them only after results of operations of the combined companies
covering a period of at least 30 days shall have been made public, and also
only in transactions permitted by the resale provisions of Rule 145
promulgated under the Securities Act (or pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated
under the Securities Act in the case of such persons who are or become
affiliates of Monsanto) or as otherwise permitted under the Securities Act.
TERMINATION OPTION AGREEMENT
Monsanto and Delta Pine, in connection with the execution of the Merger
Agreement on May 8, 1998, also entered into the Termination Option Agreement
pursuant to which Delta Pine granted an irrevocable option (the
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<PAGE>
"Stock Option") to Monsanto to purchase up to 7,614,659 shares of Delta Pine
Common Stock, or such other number of shares of Delta Pine Common Stock as
equals 19.9% of the issued and outstanding shares of Delta Pine Common Stock
at the time of exercise of the Stock Option, at a price of $46.25 per share
(the "Exercise Price"). The Stock Option may be exercised in writing by
Monsanto only after (a) any corporation, partnership, person, other entity or
group other than Monsanto or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates or any
specified entities (each a "Third Party") becomes the beneficial owner of more
than 15% of the outstanding Delta Pine Common Stock, (b) any Third Party
commences a tender offer for at least 15% of the outstanding Delta Pine Common
Stock, or (c) Delta Pine enters into, or announces that it has agreed to enter
into, an agreement in respect of an Acquisition Transaction. The Stock Option
is exercisable until the earliest to occur of (i) the closing of any
Acquisition Transaction with a Third Party, (ii) any Third Party's acquisition
of beneficial ownership of more than 50% of the outstanding Delta Pine Common
Stock, (iii) 90 days after the occurrence of any event set forth in the
foregoing clauses (a), (b) or (c), or (iv) 90 days after the date of
termination of the Merger Agreement.
The Termination Option Agreement also grants Monsanto certain registration
rights relating to the sale of the Delta Pine Common Stock purchased by
Monsanto pursuant to the Stock Option.
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UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTAL PRO FORMA INFORMATION
In May 1998, Monsanto announced that it had entered into an agreement to
acquire the remaining shares of DEKALB Genetics Corporation ("DEKALB") that
Monsanto did not already own for a purchase price of approximately $2.3
billion. On July 16, 1998, Monsanto acquired Plant Breeding International
Cambridge Limited ("PBIC") for a purchase price of approximately $525 million.
On October 1, 1998, Monsanto acquired the international seed operations of
Cargill Incorporated ("Cargill") in Central and Latin America, Europe
(excluding certain operations in the United Kingdom), Asia and Africa for a
purchase price of approximately $1.4 billion. These transactions are not
included in the unaudited pro forma combined financial information included in
this document. Outlined below, as supplemental information, is unaudited pro
forma financial information as if the DEKALB, PBIC and Cargill acquisitions
and the Merger (hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Monsanto
Transactions") had occurred at the beginning of the earliest period presented.
The unaudited supplemental pro forma information is presented for
illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the operating
results or financial position that would have occurred had the Monsanto
Transactions been consummated at the dates indicated, nor is it necessarily
indicative of future operating results or financial position.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE SIX
MONTHS ENDED FOR THE
JUNE 30, YEAR ENDED
1998 DECEMBER 31, 1997
------------ -----------------
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT FOR
PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S> <C> <C>
NET SALES
Monsanto........................................ $4,514 $7,514
Monsanto Transactions........................... 772 836
------ ------
Monsanto supplemental pro forma................. $5,286 $8,350
====== ======
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Monsanto........................................ $ 453 $ 294
Monsanto Transactions........................... 28 25
Pro forma net interest and amortization of
intangible assets.............................. (223) (444)
------ ------
Monsanto supplemental pro forma................. $ 258 $ (125)
====== ======
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING--BASIC
Monsanto........................................ 599 590
Delta Pine effect............................... 31 31
------ ------
Total........................................... 630 621
====== ======
BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE--CONTINUING
OPERATIONS
Monsanto........................................ $ 0.76 $ 0.50
Monsanto supplemental pro forma................. 0.41 (0.20)
------ ------
Supplemental pro forma dilution................. $(0.35) $(0.70)
====== ======
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING--DILUTED(1)
Monsanto........................................ 624 611
Delta Pine effect............................... 33 32
------ ------
Total........................................... 657 643
====== ======
DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE--CONTINUING
OPERATIONS(1)
Monsanto........................................ $ 0.73 $ 0.48
Monsanto supplemental pro forma................. 0.39 (0.19)
------ ------
Supplemental pro forma dilution................. $(0.34) $(0.67)
====== ======
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) When calculating Monsanto's diluted earnings per share--continuing
operations for the year ended December 31, 1997, weighted average shares
outstanding--diluted of 611 million is used. However,
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because the pro forma effects of the Monsanto Transactions result in a loss
from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 1997, common
share equivalents are anti-dilutive. Therefore, when calculating the
Monsanto supplemental pro forma diluted loss per share--continuing
operations for the year ended December 31, 1997, weighted average shares
outstanding--basic of 590 million and 31 million for Monsanto and the Delta
Pine effect, respectively, are used.
The estimated excess of the purchase price over the acquired net assets of
Delta Pine, DEKALB, Cargill and PBIC has been assigned to acquired in-process
research and development, goodwill and other intangible assets. The unaudited
supplemental pro forma information reflects the amortization of goodwill and
other intangible assets over lives ranging from 7 to 20 years. The write-offs
for acquired in-process research and development, currently estimated to be
between $1 billion and $1.3 billion (pre-tax), have not been included in the
unaudited supplemental pro forma information. Pro forma interest expense is
computed using a weighted average rate of 8.0%. The net assets, the acquired
in-process research and development and the acquired intangibles of Delta
Pine, DEKALB, the Cargill seed operations and PBIC were valued using
preliminary estimates of fair values which are subject to change.
The Monsanto supplemental pro forma loss from continuing operations for the
year ended December 31, 1997 includes an after-tax special charge of $455
million related to acquired in-process research and development for Monsanto.
Excluding this special charge, the Monsanto supplemental pro forma income from
continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 1997 would total $330
million, or $0.53 per share-basic and $0.51 per share diluted.
DESCRIPTION OF MONSANTO CAPITAL STOCK
GENERAL
The authorized capital stock of Monsanto consists of 1,000,000,000 shares of
Monsanto Common Stock of which, as of October 26, 1998, there were 604,018,438
shares issued and outstanding (and 217,952,532 shares held in Monsanto's
treasury) and 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, no par value per share
("Monsanto Preferred Stock"), of which, as of October 26, 1998, there were no
shares issued and outstanding. All of the outstanding shares have been validly
issued and are fully paid, nonassessable and free of preemptive rights with no
personal liability attaching to the ownership thereof. As of October 26, 1998,
except for options to acquire not more than 85 million shares of Monsanto
Common Stock pursuant to Monsanto stock option plans, there were no
outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, rights, contracts or other
arrangements or commitments obligating Monsanto to issue any shares of its
capital stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of
its capital stock. The following summary description of the capital stock of
Monsanto does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to Monsanto's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, to the
applicable Certificate of Designations of Preferred Stock (each a "Preferred
Stock Designation") and to the DGCL.
MONSANTO COMMON STOCK
Subject to the rights of holders of any outstanding Monsanto Preferred
Stock, the holders of outstanding shares of Monsanto Common Stock are entitled
to share ratably in dividends declared out of assets legally available
therefor at such time and in such amounts as the Monsanto Board of Directors
may from time to time lawfully determine.
Each holder of Monsanto Common Stock is entitled to one vote for each share
held and, except as otherwise required by law or provided with respect to any
series of Monsanto Preferred Stock, the holders of Monsanto Common Stock will
exclusively possess all voting power. Holders of Monsanto Common Stock are not
entitled to cumulate votes for the election of directors. The Monsanto Common
Stock is not entitled to conversion or
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<PAGE>
preemptive rights and is not subject to redemption or assessment. Subject to
the rights of holders of any outstanding Monsanto Preferred Stock, upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Monsanto, any assets legally
available for distribution to shareowners as such are to be distributed
ratably among the holders of the Monsanto Common Stock at that time
outstanding.
The Monsanto Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the
symbol "MTC".
MONSANTO PREFERRED STOCK
The Monsanto Board of Directors has the authority to issue Monsanto
Preferred Stock in one or more series with such distinctive serial
designations, at such price or prices and for such other consideration as may
be fixed by the Monsanto Board of Directors. Monsanto Preferred Stock of all
series shall be in all respects entitled to the same preferences, rights and
privileges and subject to the same qualifications, limitations and
restrictions; provided, however, that different series of Monsanto Preferred
Stock may vary with respect to, among other things, dividend rates, conversion
rights, voting rights, terms of redemption and liquidation preferences and the
number of shares constituting each such series as shall be determined and
fixed by resolution or resolutions of the Monsanto Board of Directors
providing for the issuance of such series, without any further vote or action
by the shareowners of Monsanto. The ability of the Monsanto Board of Directors
to issue Monsanto Preferred Stock, while providing flexibility in connection
with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could have the effect
of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or of discouraging a
third party from acquiring, a majority of the outstanding voting stock of
Monsanto. As of the date hereof, no shares of Monsanto Preferred Stock are
issued and outstanding.
DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS
In January 1990, pursuant to a Rights Agreement, dated as of January 26,
1990 between Monsanto and First Chicago Trust Company as successor to the
First National Bank of Boston, as Rights Agent (the "Monsanto Rights
Agreement"), the Monsanto Board of Directors declared a dividend of one
Monsanto Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (the "Series A
Preferred") purchase right on each then-outstanding share of Monsanto Common
Stock. If a person or group acquires beneficial ownership of 20% or more, or
announces a tender offer that would result in beneficial ownership of 20% or
more, of the outstanding Monsanto Common Stock, the rights become exercisable
and, as a result of two subsequent stock splits, for every 10 rights held, the
owner will be entitled to purchase one one-hundredth of a share of a new
series of Monsanto Preferred Stock for $450. If Monsanto is acquired in a
business combination transaction while the rights are outstanding, for every
10 rights held, the holder will be entitled to purchase, for $450, common
shares of the acquiring company having a market value of $900. In addition, if
a person or group acquires beneficial ownership of 20% or more of the
outstanding Monsanto Common Stock, for every 10 rights held, the holder (other
than such person or members of such group) will be entitled to purchase, for
$450, a number of shares of Monsanto Common Stock having a market value of
$900. Furthermore, at any time after a person or group acquires beneficial
ownership of 20% or more (but less than 50%) of the outstanding Monsanto
Common Stock, the Monsanto Board of Directors may, at its option, exchange
part or all of the rights (other than rights held by the acquiring person or
group) for shares of Monsanto Common Stock on a one-share-for-every-10-rights
basis. At any time prior to the acquisition of such a 20% position, Monsanto
can redeem each right for $0.001. The Monsanto Board of Directors also is
authorized to reduce the aforementioned 20% thresholds to not less than 10%.
The rights expire in January 2000.
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
The transfer agent and registrar for the Monsanto Common Stock is First
Chicago Trust Company of New York.
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<PAGE>
COMPARATIVE RIGHTS OF COMMON STOCK
The following summary compares certain rights of Monsanto common shareowners
under the Monsanto Restated Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws with
certain rights of Delta Pine common stockholders under the Delta Pine Restated
Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws. Upon consummation of the Merger,
certain stockholders of Delta Pine, whose rights as shareowners are governed
by the Delta Pine Restated Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws and by the
DGCL, will become shareowners of Monsanto whose rights as shareowners will be
governed by the Monsanto Restated Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws and
by the DGCL. The following is a summary of the material differences in the
rights of common shareowners of Monsanto and stockholders of Delta Pine and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation and By-Laws of each of Monsanto and Delta Pine. Certain topics
discussed below are also subject to federal law and the regulations
promulgated thereunder.
Nominations of Directors. The Delta Pine By-Laws provide that nominations of
persons for election to the Delta Pine Board of Directors may be made at a
meeting of stockholders (i) by or at the direction of the Delta Pine Board of
Directors, (ii) by any nominating committee or person appointed by the Delta
Pine Board of Directors or (iii) by any stockholder entitled to vote for the
election of directors at the meeting and who complies with a series of notice
procedures (effectively requiring such stockholder to deliver notice to the
principal executive offices of Delta Pine not less than 60 days nor more than
90 days prior to such meeting).
The Monsanto By-Laws have a substantially similar section, providing, in
part, that nominations of persons for election to the Monsanto Board of
Directors may be made at a meeting of shareowners (i) by or at the direction
of the Monsanto Board of Directors or (ii) by any shareowner entitled to vote
for the election of directors at the meeting and who complies with a series of
notice procedures (effectively requiring such stockholder to deliver notice to
the principal executive offices of Monsanto not less than 60 nor more than 90
days prior to such meeting).
Procedure for Election of Directors. Both the Delta Pine and Monsanto By-
Laws provide that the election of directors shall be by ballot and a plurality
of the votes cast shall elect directors, while all matters other than the
election of directors submitted to the shareowners at any meeting shall be
decided by a majority (or such other percentage requirement pursuant to the
respective Restated Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws of each of Delta
Pine and Monsanto) of the votes cast with respect thereto.
Judges of Election. All voting at Delta Pine stockholders' meetings is
conducted solely under the direction of three judges elected by the Delta Pine
Board of Directors in advance of each meeting of stockholders to serve with
respect to such meeting. The decision of a majority of the judges as to the
outcome of all voting at such meetings is binding upon Delta Pine and its
stockholders.
The Monsanto By-Laws provide that before each meeting of shareowners, the
Chairman of the Board or another officer designated by the Monsanto Board of
Directors shall appoint one or more inspectors of election for the meeting.
Each inspector has such duties as are provided by law, and takes and signs an
oath to faithfully execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality
and according to the best of such person's ability. The Chairman of the
meeting is obligated to fix and announce at the meeting the date and time of
the opening and closing of the polls for each matter upon which the
shareowners will vote at the meeting.
Number of Directors. The number of members of the Delta Pine Board of
Directors is fixed from time to time by a vote of the majority of the entire
Delta Pine Board of Directors. The directors have staggered three-year terms,
as provided under Article Five of the Delta Pine Restated Certificate of
Incorporation. Article Five may not be amended, repealed or altered absent the
affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of all of the voting power of
the then-outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors, voting as a single class.
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The Monsanto By-Laws provided that the number of members of the Monsanto
Board of Directors may not be less than five nor more than twenty, such number
to be fixed from time to time exclusively by resolution of a majority of the
entire Monsanto Board of Directors. The directors have staggered three-year
terms, as provided in the Monsanto Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
Removal of Directors. The Delta Pine Restated Certificate of Incorporation
provides that a director may be removed at any time, but only for cause and
only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of outstanding
shares of the capital stock of Delta Pine entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors, voting as a single class.
The Monsanto By-Laws provide that any director may be removed at any time,
but only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least
80% of the outstanding shares of the capital stock of Monsanto entitled to
vote generally in the election of directors, voting as a single class.
Special Meetings of Shareowners. The Delta Pine By-Laws authorize only the
Chairman of the Board or a majority of the entire Delta Pine Board of
Directors to call a special meeting of stockholders.
The By-Laws of Monsanto provide that a special meeting of shareowners may be
called by the Chairman of the Board or the President, or pursuant to
resolution of the Monsanto Board of Directors. Further, any previously
scheduled special meeting of shareowners may be postponed by resolution of the
Monsanto Board of Directors.
Action Without Meeting. The Delta Pine By-Laws provide that any action
required or permitted to be taken by its stockholders must be effected (i) at
an annual or special meeting of stockholders or (ii) by the unanimous consent
in writing by such stockholders. Since the Delta Pine Restated Certificate of
Incorporation and By-Laws are silent on this issue with respect to directors,
the DGCL governs. Pursuant to (S) 141(f) of the DGCL, action may be taken
without a meeting of the board of directors if all members of such board
consent thereto in writing, and the writings are filed with the minutes of
proceedings of the board of directors.
The Monsanto Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that any action
required or permitted to be taken by the shareowners must be effected at an
annual or special meeting of shareowners and may not be effected by any
consent in writing in lieu of a meeting of such shareowners. The Monsanto
Board of Directors, however, may take action without a meeting if all members
of the Monsanto Board of Directors consent thereto in writing, and the writing
or writings are filed with minutes of proceedings of the Monsanto Board of
Directors or committee.
Required Vote for Authorization of Certain Actions. The Delta Pine Restated
Certificate of Incorporation provides that unless such action has been
recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds of the entire Delta Pine Board of
Directors, an affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of all of the
voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of Delta Pine capital stock
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is required to effect
(i) any merger or consolidation, (ii) an amendment to the Restated Certificate
of Incorporation in most instances, (iii) the sale, lease, exchange, transfer
or disposition of all or substantially all of Delta Pine's assets, or (iv) the
adoption of any plan or proposal for liquidation or dissolution. In the event
that at least two-thirds of the entire Delta Pine Board of Directors have
approved such action, only a simple majority vote of the stockholders is
required.
The Monsanto Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that an
affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of all of the then-outstanding
shares of Monsanto capital stock is required to effect an amendment to the
Restated Certificate of Incorporation in most instances. However, an
affirmative vote of a simple majority of the holders of all of the then-
outstanding shares of Monsanto capital stock is required to effect (i) the
sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of Monsanto's property and
assets, including its goodwill and its corporate franchises, or (ii) an
increase or decrease in the authorized stock of any class or classes of
Monsanto. Other than
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as it relates to the Monsanto Preferred Stock, there is no super-majority
requirement in Monsanto's Restated Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws
regarding merger or consolidation; therefore, pursuant to the DGCL, an
affirmative vote of a simple majority of the holders of all of the then-
outstanding shares of Monsanto capital stock would be required to effect a
merger or consolidation requiring shareowner approval.
Amendment of By-laws. The Delta Pine By-Laws may be amended, added to,
rescinded or repealed at any meeting of the Delta Pine Board of Directors,
provided notice of the proposed change was provided in the notice of the
meeting. The stockholders may amend, alter or repeal the Delta Pine By-Laws,
or any provision therein, only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at
least 75% of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding capital stock of
Delta Pine entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.
The Monsanto Restated Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws provide that
an affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of all of the then-
outstanding shares of Monsanto capital stock is required to effect any
amendment to the Monsanto By-Laws. However, the By-Laws may also be amended or
repealed and new By-Laws may be adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority
of the whole Monsanto Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting of
the Monsanto Board of Directors.
Indemnification. The DGCL permits a corporation to include in its
certificate of incorporation a provision eliminating or limiting the personal
liability of a director to the corporation or its shareowners for monetary
damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided that such
provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director (i) for any
breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its
shareowners, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) arising under
Section 174 of the DGCL (dealing with liability of directors for unlawful
payment of dividends or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions of stock), or
(iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal
benefit. Delta Pine has adopted such a provision in its Restated Certificate
of Incorporation.
The DGCL provides that statutory indemnification is not to be deemed
exclusive of any other rights to which a director or officer seeking
indemnification may be entitled. In this light, the Delta Pine Restated
Certificate of Incorporation provides that Delta Pine shall indemnify and hold
harmless to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL any person who was or is
made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any
proceeding (whether civil, criminal, investigative or administrative) by
reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or
agent of Delta Pine or is or was serving at the request of Delta Pine as a
director, officer, employee, agent or in any other capacity of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any
liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person or on such
person's behalf in any such capacity, or arising out of such person's status
as such, if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of Delta
Pine.
In addition, and pursuant to its Restated Certificate of Incorporation,
Delta Pine shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in
connection with a proceeding initiated by such person only if such proceeding
was authorized by the Delta Pine Board of Directors by a majority vote of a
quorum of the directors who were not parties to such proceeding or, if such
quorum is not obtainable, by the stockholders of Delta Pine. The right to
indemnification is not exclusive of any other right which any person may have
or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Restated Certificate
of Incorporation, By-Laws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested
directors. Delta Pine may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect
itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of Delta Pine or another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any
expense, liability or loss, whether or not Delta Pine would have the power to
indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.
The Monsanto Restated Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws provisions
relating to indemnification are substantially similar to the indemnification
provisions of the Delta Pine Restated Certificate of Incorporation. Pursuant
to the DGCL, Monsanto may purchase and maintain any type of indemnification
insurance on behalf of any person, whether or not Monsanto would have the
power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under
the DGCL.
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Business Combination Statute. The DGCL prohibits business combinations for a
period of three years such as mergers, consolidations, asset purchases and
other transactions where the transaction is with a corporation subject to the
provisions thereof, such as Delta Pine and Monsanto, and where the acquiror
became an "interested stockholder" of the corporation before the date of the
transaction unless (i) prior to the date of the transaction the board of
directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the
transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested
stockholder, or (ii) upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in
the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder
owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the
time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the
number of shares outstanding those shares owned by persons who are directors
and also officers and employee stock plans in which employee participants do
not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to
the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer, or (iii) on or
subsequent to the date of the transaction the business combination is approved
by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of
stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding
voting stock which is not owned by the "interested stockholder".
In this context, an "interested stockholder" is any person (other than the
corporation and any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the
corporation) who directly or indirectly, alone or in concert with others,
beneficially owns or controls 15% or more of the voting stock of the
corporation. The DGCL is very broad in its scope but it does not apply to
corporations whose certificate of incorporation or by-laws contain a provision
not to be covered by this section. Neither Monsanto nor Delta Pine opted out
of the business combination statute. The business combination statute does not
apply to the Merger with respect to either Monsanto or Delta Pine because
Monsanto will not own 15% or more of the voting stock of Delta Pine prior to
the Effective Time.
Other Constituencies. The Delta Pine Restated Certificate of Incorporation
provides that in determining whether to take or to refrain from taking
corporate action on any matter, including proposing any matter to the
stockholders, the Delta Pine Board of Directors may take into account the
long-term as well as short-term interests of Delta Pine and its stockholders
(including the possibility that these interests may be best served by the
continued independence of Delta Pine), whether the proposed action might
violate federal or state laws, the interests of creditors, customers,
employees and constituencies of Delta Pine and its subsidiaries and the effect
upon communities in which Delta Pine and its subsidiaries do business.
Dividends and Other Distributions. The DGCL generally allows dividends to be
paid out of "surplus" of a corporation or, if there is no surplus, out of the
net profits for the current fiscal year and/or the prior fiscal year. No
dividends may be paid if they would result in the capital of a corporation
being less than the capital represented by the preferred stock of such
corporation.
The Delta Pine By-Laws provide that the Delta Pine Board of Directors may
from time to time declare dividends on its outstanding shares in the manner
provided by law and its Restated Certificate of Incorporation. The Delta Pine
Restated Certificate of Incorporation simply provides, with respect to an
issuance of preferred stock, that the Delta Pine Board of Directors is
expressly authorized to provide such designations, preferences, and relative,
participating, optional or other special rights as may be permitted by the
DGCL and as shall be stated and expressed in the resolutions adopted by the
Delta Pine Board of Directors providing for the issue of preferred stock.
Again, the Delta Pine Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that in
determining whether to take or to refrain from taking corporate action on any
matter, including proposing any matter to the stockholders, the Delta Pine
Board of Directors may take into account the long-term as well as short-term
interests of Delta Pine and its stockholders, whether the proposed action
might violate federal or state laws, the interests of creditors, customers,
employees and constituencies of Delta Pine and its subsidiaries.
The Monsanto By-Laws provide that, subject to its Certificate of
Incorporation, dividends upon the capital stock of Monsanto may be declared by
the Monsanto Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting, and that
dividends may be paid in cash, property, or in shares of Monsanto's capital
stock. With respect to preferred stock, the Monsanto Board of Directors is
empowered to determine and fix the dividend rate, the conditions and
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dates upon which such dividends shall be payable, the relation which such
dividends shall bear to the dividends payable on any other classes of stock,
and whether such dividends shall be cumulative or non-cumulative. Monsanto has
designated a Series A Preferred Stock (which carries voting power equal to
that of common stock, and together with the common stock is Monsanto capital
stock) to which Monsanto shall declare a dividend or distribution, immediately
after it declares a dividend or distribution on the common stock (other than a
dividend payable in shares of common stock), equal to 100 times the aggregate
per share amount of all cash dividends, and 100 times the aggregate per share
amount (payable in kind) of all non-cash dividends or other distributions;
provided that, in the event no dividend or distribution shall have been
declared on the common stock, a dividend of $1.00 per share on the Series A
Preferred Stock shall nevertheless be payable quarterly.
No Appraisal Rights. The DGCL provides appraisal rights for certain mergers
and consolidations. Appraisal rights are not available to holders of (i)
shares listed on a national securities exchange or a national market system or
held of record by more than 2,000 stockholders or (ii) shares of the surviving
corporation of a merger, if the merger did not require the approval of the
shareowners of such corporation, unless in either case, the holders of such
stock are required pursuant to the merger to accept anything other than (A)
shares of stock of the surviving corporation, (B) shares of stock of another
corporation which are also listed on a national securities exchange or held by
more than 2,000 holders, or (C) cash in lieu of fractional shares of such
stock, or any combination thereof. Pursuant to these provisions of the DGCL,
stockholders of Delta Pine do not have appraisal rights in connection with the
Merger.
Advance Notice of Shareowner-Proposed Business at Annual Meetings. The Delta
Pine By-Laws provide that for business to be brought before an annual meeting
by a stockholder, notice in writing must be delivered or mailed to the
Secretary of Delta Pine and received at the general offices of Delta Pine not
less than 60 days nor more than 90 days prior to the meeting; provided that,
in the event that less than 70 days' notice or prior public disclosure of the
date of the meeting is given or made to the stockholders, notice by the
stockholder to be timely must be so received not later than the close of
business on the tenth day following the day on which such notice of the date
of the annual meeting was mailed or such public disclosure was made. The Delta
Pine By-Laws provide that such stockholder's notice must set forth as to each
matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting (i) a brief
description of the business to be brought before the annual meeting and the
reasons for conducting such business at such meeting; (ii) the name and
address of the stockholder proposing such business; (iii) the class and number
of shares of Delta Pine Common Stock which are beneficially owned by the
stockholder; and (iv) any material interest of the stockholder in such
business. Pursuant to the Delta Pine Restated Certificate of Incorporation,
stockholders may act by unanimous written consent.
In addition, the Delta Pine By-Laws provide that for a stockholder to
properly nominate a director at a meeting of stockholders, the stockholder
must give timely notice in writing, delivered or mailed to the Secretary of
Delta Pine and received at the general offices of Delta Pine (i) in the case
of an annual or a special meeting, not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days
prior to the meeting; provided that, in the event that less than 70 days'
notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting is given or made
to the stockholders, notice by the stockholders to be timely must be so
received not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the
day on which such notice of the date of the meeting was mailed or such public
disclosure was made. Such stockholder's notice must set forth (i) as to each
individual whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or
reelection as a director, (a) the name, age, business address and residence
address of such person, (b) the principal occupation and employment of such
person, (c) the class and number of shares of Delta Pine Common Stock
beneficially owned by such person, and (d) all information relating to such
individual that would be required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies
for election of directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to
Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act (including such individual's written
consent to being named as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected);
(ii) as to the stockholder giving the notice, the name and address of such
stockholder and the class and number of shares of Delta Pine Common Stock
which are beneficially owned by such stockholder.
The Monsanto By-Laws provide that for business to be brought before an
annual meeting by a shareowner, notice in writing must be delivered or mailed
to the Secretary of Monsanto and received at the general offices of Monsanto
not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days prior to the first anniversary of
the preceding year's annual
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meeting; provided that, in the event that the date of the meeting is advanced
by more than 30 days or delayed by more than 60 days from such anniversary
date, notice by the stockholder must be received no earlier than the 90th day
prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the
later of the 60th day prior to such annual meeting or the tenth day following
the day on which public announcement of the date of the annual meeting is
first made. The Monsanto By-Laws provide that such shareowner's notice must
set forth as to each matter the shareowner proposes to bring before the annual
meeting (i) a brief description of the business to be brought before the
annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at such meeting;
(ii) the name and address of the shareowner, as they appear on Monsanto's
books, proposing such business, and the name and address of the beneficial
owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; (iii) the class and
number of shares of Monsanto Common Stock which are beneficially owned by the
shareowner, and by the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal
is made; and (iv) any material interest of the shareowner, and of the
beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, in such
business. Pursuant to the Monsanto Restated Certificate of Incorporation,
shareowners may not act by written consent.
In addition, the Monsanto By-Laws provide that for a shareowner to properly
nominate a director at a meeting of shareowners, the shareowner must give
notice in writing, delivered or mailed to the Secretary of Monsanto and
received at the general offices of Monsanto (i) in the case of an annual
meeting, not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days prior to the first
anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting; provided that, in the
event that the date of the meeting is advanced by more than 30 days or delayed
by more than 60 days from such anniversary date, notice by the shareowner must
be received no earlier than the 90th day prior to such annual meeting and not
later than the close of business on the later of the 60th day prior to such
annual meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement
of the date of the annual meeting is first made; or (ii) in the case of a
special meeting at which directors are to be elected (and only with respect to
the directorships to be elected at such special meeting), not earlier than the
90th day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of
business on the later of the 60th day prior to such special meeting or the
tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the
meeting and the nominees proposed by the Monsanto Board of Directors to be
elected at such meeting is first made. Such shareowner's notice must set forth
(i) as to each individual whom the shareowner proposes to nominate for
election or reelection as a director, all information relating to such
individual that would be required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies
for election of directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to
Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act (including such individual's written
consent to being named as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected);
(ii) as to the shareowner giving the notice, the name and address, as they
appear on Monsanto's books, of such shareowner and the class and number of
shares of Monsanto Common Stock which are beneficially owned by such
shareowner; and (iii) as to any beneficial owner on whose behalf the
nomination is made, the name and address of such person and the class and
number of shares of Monsanto Common Stock which are beneficially owned by such
person.
Concluding Note. If there are any other areas of particular interest that
may arise due to specific provisions of the respective Certificates of
Incorporation or the By-Laws of the constituent corporations, please call
Delta Pine, Attention: Secretary, at telephone number (601) 378-2121 and we
will promptly provide you the relevant comparison.
LEGAL OPINIONS
The legality of the Monsanto Common Stock being offered hereby is being
passed upon for Monsanto by Kirkland & Ellis, special counsel to Monsanto.
Debevoise & Plimpton, special counsel to Delta Pine, also will deliver an
opinion to Delta Pine concerning certain U.S. federal income tax consequences
of the Merger. See "THE MERGER--Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences".
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EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Monsanto at December 31, 1997 and
1996 and for each of the three years in the period ending December 31, 1997
incorporated into this Proxy Statement/Prospectus by reference to Monsanto's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 have
been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in
their report, which is incorporated herein by reference, and have been
incorporated herein in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their
authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements of Delta Pine incorporated in this
Proxy Statement/Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended August 31, 1997 have been audited by Arthur Andersen,
LLP, independent accountants, as indicated in their report with respect
thereto, and are included herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm
as experts in auditing and accounting in giving said report.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
The Merger may be consummated prior to the 1999 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of Delta Pine which would ordinarily be scheduled for January or
February 1999, in which event there would be no such meeting. If Delta Pine
holds a 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, unless such 1999 meeting is
delayed, any proposal which a Delta Pine stockholder wished to have included
in the meeting proxy materials must have been presented to Delta Pine not
later than September 4, 1998.
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APPENDIX A
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
DATED AS OF
MAY 8, 1998
BY AND BETWEEN
MONSANTO COMPANY
AND
DELTA AND PINE LAND COMPANY
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ARTICLE 1
THE MERGER............................................................ 1
Section 1.01 The Merger.......................................... 1
Section 1.02 Conversion of Shares................................ 2
Section 1.03 Exchange of Shares.................................. 2
Section 1.04 Certain Adjustments................................. 5
Section 1.05 Stock Options and Restricted Stock.................. 5
ARTICLE 2
THE SURVIVING CORPORATION............................................. 6
Section 2.01 Certificate of Incorporation........................ 6
Section 2.02 Bylaws.............................................. 7
Section 2.03 Directors and Officers.............................. 7
ARTICLE 3
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY......................... 7
Section 3.01 Corporate Organization.............................. 7
Section 3.02 Authorization....................................... 7
Section 3.03 Capital Stock....................................... 7
Section 3.04 Subsidiaries........................................ 8
Section 3.05 Consents and Approvals; No Violation................ 8
Section 3.06 SEC Reports and Financial Statements................ 9
Section 3.07 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities.................. 9
Section 3.08 Changes............................................. 9
Section 3.09 Investigations; Litigation.......................... 10
Section 3.10 Contracts and Commitments........................... 10
Section 3.11 Environmental and Safety Matters.................... 11
Section 3.12 Taxes............................................... 12
Section 3.13 Employment Agreements............................... 12
Section 3.14 Change of Control Provisions........................ 12
Section 3.15 Employee Benefit Plans.............................. 12
Section 3.16 Licenses............................................ 13
Section 3.17 Real Estate Leases.................................. 13
Section 3.18 Real Property....................................... 13
Section 3.19 Intellectual Property and Germplasm................. 14
Section 3.20 Compliance with Other Instruments and Laws.......... 14
Section 3.21 Employees........................................... 14
Section 3.22 Information Supplied................................ 14
Section 3.23 Rights Agreement.................................... 15
Section 3.24 Certain Fees........................................ 15
Section 3.25 Opinion of Financial Advisor........................ 15
Section 3.26 Voting Requirements................................. 15
Section 3.27 State Takeover Statutes............................. 15
Section 3.28 Affiliates.......................................... 15
ARTICLE 4
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER............................... 16
Section 4.01 Corporate Organization.............................. 16
Section 4.02 Authorization....................................... 16
Section 4.03 Capital Stock....................................... 16
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Section 4.04 Information Supplied............................... 16
Section 4.05 Consents and Approvals; No Violations.............. 16
Section 4.06 Certain Fees....................................... 17
Section 4.07 SEC Reports and Financial Statements............... 17
Section 4.08 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities................. 17
Section 4.09 No Buyer Stockholder Vote.......................... 18
ARTICLE 5
COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY............................................. 18
Conduct of Business by the Company Pending the
Section 5.01 Merger............................................. 18
Section 5.02 Stockholders' Meeting.............................. 19
Section 5.03 Access to Information.............................. 19
Section 5.04 No Solicitation.................................... 19
Section 5.05 Corporate Organization............................. 20
Section 5.06 Termination Option Agreement....................... 20
ARTICLE 6
COVENANTS OF BUYER................................................... 20
Section 6.01 Confidentiality.................................... 20
Section 6.02 Indemnification.................................... 20
Section 6.03 Operations After the Effective Time................ 21
Section 6.04 Employee Benefits.................................. 21
Section 6.05 Employment and Noncompetition Agreements........... 21
ARTICLE 7
COVENANTS OF BUYER AND THE COMPANY................................... 22
Section 7.01 Best Efforts....................................... 22
Section 7.02 Certain Filings.................................... 22
Section 7.03 Public Announcements............................... 22
Section 7.04 Further Assurances................................. 22
Section 7.05 Notices of Certain Events.......................... 22
Preparation of the Form S-4 and the Company Proxy
Section 7.06 Statement.......................................... 23
Section 7.07 Letters of the Company's Accountants............... 23
Section 7.08 Affiliates......................................... 23
Section 7.09 NYSE Listing....................................... 24
Section 7.10 Tax Treatment...................................... 24
Section 7.11 Pooling of Interests............................... 24
Section 7.12 Consents........................................... 24
Section 7.13 Confidentiality.................................... 25
Section 7.14 Representations.................................... 25
ARTICLE 8
CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER............................................. 25
Section 8.01 Conditions to the Obligations of Each Party........ 25
ARTICLE 9
TERMINATION.......................................................... 27
Section 9.01 Termination........................................ 27
Section 9.02 Waiver............................................. 27
Section 9.03 Closing............................................ 27
Section 9.04 Effect of Termination; Termination Fee............. 28
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ARTICLE 10
MISCELLANEOUS......................................................... 28
Section 10.01 Notices............................................ 28
Section 10.02 Survival of Representations and Warranties......... 29
Section 10.03 Amendments; No Waivers............................. 29
Section 10.04 Expenses........................................... 30
Section 10.05 Successors and Assigns............................. 30
Section 10.06 Governing Law...................................... 30
Section 10.07 Counterparts; Effectiveness........................ 30
Section 10.08 Headings........................................... 30
Section 10.09 No Third Party Beneficiaries....................... 30
Section 10.10 Remedies........................................... 30
Section 10.11 Entire Agreement................................... 30
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DEFINED TERMS
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TERM PAGE NUMBER
- ---- -----------
<S> <C>
Acquisition Transaction............................................ 19
Adjusted Option.................................................... 5
Agreement.......................................................... 1
Antitrust Division................................................. 25
Antitrust Laws..................................................... 25
Buyer.............................................................. 1
Buyer Common Stock................................................. 2
Buyer Listed Securities............................................ 16
Buyer Material Adverse Effect...................................... 17
Buyer Reports...................................................... 17
Buyer Stock Option Plans........................................... 6
CERCLA............................................................. 11
Certificate of Merger.............................................. 2
Certificates....................................................... 3
Closing............................................................ 27
Closing Date....................................................... 27
Code............................................................... 1
Common Stock Trust................................................. 4
Company............................................................ 1
Company Disclosure Letter.......................................... 7
Company 10-K....................................................... 9
Company 10-Qs...................................................... 9
Company Award...................................................... 6
Company Common Stock............................................... 2
Company Disclosure Document........................................ 15
Company Proxy Statement............................................ 8
Company Reports.................................................... 8
Company Stock Option Plans......................................... 5
Company Stockholders Meeting....................................... 19
Confidentiality Agreements......................................... 19
Delaware Law....................................................... 1
Effective Time..................................................... 2
Environmental and Safety Requirements.............................. 11
Environmental Lien................................................. 11
ERISA.............................................................. 12
Excess Shares...................................................... 4
Exchange Act....................................................... 8
Exchange Agent..................................................... 3
Exchange Fund...................................................... 3
Exchange Ratio..................................................... 2
Final Average Closing Price........................................ 2
Form S-4........................................................... 14
FTC................................................................ 25
Governmental Entity................................................ 8
Hartz Agreement.................................................... 8
HSR Act............................................................ 8
Indemnified Parties................................................ 20
Initial Average Closing Price...................................... 2
Intellectual Property.............................................. 14
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TERM PAGE NUMBER
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Investigation...................................................... 10
Knowledge of the Company........................................... 10
Licenses........................................................... 13
Lien............................................................... 13
Material Adverse Change in the Company............................. 9
Material Adverse Effect............................................ 7
Measurement Date................................................... 2
Merger............................................................. 1
Merger Consideration............................................... 2
NYSE............................................................... 3
Permitted Lien..................................................... 13
Plans.............................................................. 12
Pooling Affiliate.................................................. 23
Release............................................................ 11
Rights............................................................. 2
Rights Agreement................................................... 15
Rule 145 Affiliates................................................ 15
SEC................................................................ 8
Securities Act..................................................... 9
Series M Preferred Stock........................................... 2
Shares............................................................. 2
Subsidiaries....................................................... 8
Subsidiary......................................................... 8
Surviving Corporation.............................................. 1
Termination Notice................................................. 2
Termination Option Agreement....................................... 1
Trading Day........................................................ 2
Transaction........................................................ 1
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AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
This AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this "Agreement") is made and entered
into as of May 8, 1998, by and between Monsanto Company, a Delaware
corporation ("Buyer"), and Delta and Pine Land Company, a Delaware corporation
(the "Company").
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of Buyer and the Company deem it advisable
and in the best interests of the stockholders of such corporations to effect
the merger of Buyer and the Company pursuant to this Agreement;
WHEREAS, the respective Boards of Directors of Buyer and the Company have
approved the acquisition of the Company by Buyer, and the Board of Directors
of the Company has unanimously resolved to recommend that it be approved by
the stockholders of the Company;
WHEREAS, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it is intended that the
Merger will qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder; and
WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and
as a condition and inducement to Buyer's willingness to enter into this
Agreement, Buyer and the Company have entered into a Termination Option
Agreement dated as of the date of this Agreement and attached hereto as
Exhibit A (the "Termination Option Agreement"), pursuant to which the Company
granted Buyer an option to purchase shares of common stock of the Company
under certain circumstances;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein, the
parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
THE MERGER
Section 1.01 The Merger.
(a) At the Effective Time (as defined in Section 1.01(b) hereof), the
Company shall be merged (the "Merger") with and into Buyer in accordance with
the Delaware General Corporation Law ("Delaware Law"), whereupon the separate
existence of the Company shall cease, and Buyer shall be the surviving
corporation (the "Surviving Corporation"). The Merger is sometimes hereinafter
referred to as the "Transaction."
(b) As soon as practicable after satisfaction or, to the extent permitted
hereunder, waiver of all conditions to the Merger, the Company and Buyer will
file a certificate of merger with the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware (the "Certificate of Merger") and make all other filings or
recordings required by Delaware Law in connection with the Merger. The Merger
shall become effective at such time as the Certificate of Merger is duly filed
with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and any additional
requirements of Delaware Law are complied with or at such later time as is
specified in the Certificate of Merger (the "Effective Time").
(c) From and after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall
possess all the assets, rights, privileges, powers and franchises and be
subject to all of the liabilities, restrictions, disabilities and duties of
the Company, all as provided under Delaware Law.
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Section 1.02 Conversion of Shares.
(a) At the Effective Time and by virtue of the Merger and without any action
on the part of the holders thereof:
(i) each share of common stock of the Company, $0.10 par value per share
("Company Common Stock"), and Series M Convertible Non-Voting Preferred
Stock of the Company ("Series M Preferred Stock") held by the Company as
treasury stock or owned by Buyer or any subsidiary of Buyer immediately
prior to the Effective Time shall be canceled, and no payment shall be made
with respect thereto; provided, however, that any shares of Company Common
Stock (A) held by the Company or Buyer in connection with any market making
or proprietary trading activity or for the account of another person, (B)
as to which the Company or Buyer is or may be required to act as a
fiduciary or in a similar capacity or (C) the cancellation of which would
violate any legal duties or obligations of the Company or Buyer, in each
case shall not be canceled but, instead, shall be treated as set forth in
Section 1.02(a)(ii) below;
(ii) subject to Section 1.03(e) hereof, each share of Company Common
Stock, and the associated preferred stock purchase right (the "Rights"),
and each share of Series M Preferred Stock (collectively, the "Shares")
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, except as
otherwise provided in clause (i) of this sub-section, be converted into the
right to receive .8625 (subject to adjustment pursuant to
Section 1.02(a)(iii) below, the "Exchange Ratio") fully paid and
nonassessable shares of common stock, par value $2.00 per share (the "Buyer
Common Stock"), of Buyer (the "Merger Consideration"). As of the Effective
Time, all such Shares shall no longer be outstanding and shall
automatically be canceled and retired and shall cease to exist, and each
holder of a certificate representing any such Company Common Stock shall
cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except the right to receive
the Merger Consideration and any cash in lieu of fractional shares of Buyer
Common Stock to be issued or paid in consideration therefor upon surrender
of such certificate in accordance with Section 1.03 hereof, without
interest; and
(iii) no adjustment to the Exchange Ratio shall be made in the event that
the average of the closing prices (the "Final Average Closing Price") of
Buyer Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") Composite
Transaction Tape on the 30 consecutive Trading Days ending on the earlier
of (A) the 90th day after the date hereof and (B) the second Trading Day
prior to the date of the Company Stockholders Meeting (the earlier of such
dates being referred to as the "Measurement Date"), is not more than 25%
greater or less than the average of the closing prices (the "Initial
Average Closing Price") of Buyer Common Stock on the NYSE Composite
Transaction Tape on the 30 consecutive Trading Days ending on the first
Trading Day immediately preceding the date hereof. In the event that the
Final Average Closing Price is more than 25% greater than the Initial
Average Closing Price, then the Exchange Ratio will not be .8625 but rather
will be reduced to the product of (A) .8625 and (B) the quotient of (1)
1.25 times the Initial Average Closing Price and (2) the Final Average
Closing Price. In the event that the Final Average Closing Price is more
than 25% less than the Initial Average Closing Price, then the Company will
have the right to terminate this Agreement by giving written notice (the
"Termination Notice") of its election to do so to Buyer prior to 5:00 p.m.,
New York City time, on the second Trading Day after the Measurement Date;
provided, however, that the Termination Notice will be deemed to be
rescinded and will have no effect if, prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City
time, on the second Trading Day after the date of Buyer's receipt of such
Termination Notice, Buyer has given the Company written notice that it has
agreed to increase the Exchange Ratio to the product of (A) .8625 and (B)
the quotient of (1) 0.75 times the Initial Average Closing Price and (2)
the Final Average Closing Price. If the Company does not deliver a
Termination Notice as provided in the immediately preceding sentence, then
there shall be no adjustment made to the Exchange Ratio. If any adjustment
is made to the Exchange Ratio pursuant to this Section 1.02(a)(iii), then
such adjusted Exchange Ratio shall be rounded to four decimal places,
rounding upward from 0.00005. "Trading Day" means any day on which the NYSE
is open for trading.
Section 1.03 Exchange of Shares.
(a) As of the Effective Time, Buyer shall enter into an agreement with First
Chicago Trust Company of New York (or such other bank or trust company as
shall be selected by Buyer in its sole discretion) as exchange
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agent for the Merger (the "Exchange Agent"), which shall provide that Buyer
shall deposit with the Exchange Agent as of the Effective Time, for the
benefit of the holders of Shares, for exchange in accordance with this Article
1, through the Exchange Agent, certificates representing the shares of Buyer
Common Stock (such shares of Buyer Common Stock, together with any dividends
or distributions with respect thereto with a record date after the Effective
Time, any Excess Shares (as defined in Section 1.03(e) hereof) and any cash
(including cash proceeds from the sale of the Excess Shares) payable in lieu
of any fractional shares of Buyer Common Stock being hereinafter referred to
as the "Exchange Fund") issuable pursuant to Section 1.02 hereof in exchange
for outstanding Shares.
(b) As soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time, the Exchange
Agent shall mail to each holder of record of a certificate or certificates
which immediately prior to the Effective Time represented outstanding Company
Common Stock (the "Certificates") whose shares were converted into the right
to receive the Merger Consideration, pursuant to Section 1.02 hereof, (i) a
letter of transmittal (which shall specify that delivery shall be effected,
and risk of loss and title to the Certificates shall pass, only upon delivery
of the Certificates to the Exchange Agent and shall be in such form and have
such other provisions as Buyer may reasonably specify) and (ii) instructions
for use in surrendering the Certificates in exchange for the Merger
Consideration, as applicable. Upon surrender of a Certificate for cancellation
to the Exchange Agent, together with such letter of transmittal, duly
executed, and such other documents as may reasonably be required by the
Exchange Agent, the holder of such Certificate shall be entitled to receive in
exchange therefor a certificate representing that number of whole shares of
Buyer Common Stock which such holder has the right to receive pursuant to the
provisions of this Article 1, certain dividends or other distributions in
accordance with Section 1.03(c) hereof and cash in lieu of any fractional
share of Buyer Common Stock in accordance with Section 1.03(e) hereof, and the
Certificate so surrendered shall forthwith be canceled. In the event of a
transfer of ownership of Shares which is not registered in the transfer
records of the Company, a certificate representing the proper number of shares
of Buyer Common Stock may be issued to a person other than the person in whose
name the Certificate so surrendered is registered if such Certificate is
properly endorsed or otherwise in proper form for transfer and the person
requesting such issuance pays any transfer or other taxes required by reason
of the issuance of shares of Buyer Common Stock to a person other than the
registered holder of such Certificate or establishes to the satisfaction of
Buyer that such tax has been paid or is not applicable. Until surrendered as
contemplated by this Section 1.03 hereof, each Certificate shall be deemed at
any time after the Effective Time to represent only the right to receive upon
such surrender the Merger Consideration, which the holder thereof has the
right to receive in respect of such Certificate pursuant to the provisions of
this Article 1, certain dividends or other distributions in accordance with
Section 1.03(c) hereof and cash in lieu of any fractional share of Buyer
Common Stock in accordance with Section 1.03(e) hereof. No interest shall be
paid or will accrue on any cash payable to holders of Certificates pursuant to
the provisions of this Article 1.
(c) No dividends or other distributions with respect to Buyer Common Stock
with a record date after the Effective Time shall be paid to the holder of any
unsurrendered Certificate with respect to the shares of Buyer Common Stock
represented thereby, and, in the case of Certificates representing Company
Common Stock, no cash payment in lieu of fractional shares shall be paid to
any such holder pursuant to Section 1.03(e) hereof, and all such dividends,
other distributions and cash in lieu of fractional shares of Buyer Common
Stock shall be paid by Buyer to the Exchange Agent and shall be included in
the Exchange Fund, in each case until the surrender of such Certificate in
accordance with this Article 1. Subject to the effect of applicable escheat or
similar laws, following surrender of any such Certificate there shall be paid
to the holder of the certificate representing whole shares of Buyer Common
Stock issued in exchange therefor, without interest, (i) at the time of such
surrender, the amount of dividends or other distributions with a record date
after the Effective Time theretofore paid with respect to such whole shares of
Buyer Common Stock, and, in the case of Certificates representing Company
Common Stock, the amount of any cash payable in lieu of a fractional share of
Buyer Common Stock to which such holder is entitled pursuant to Section
1.03(e) hereof, and (ii) at the appropriate payment date, the amount of
dividends or other distributions with a record date after the Effective Time
but prior to such surrender and with a payment date subsequent to such
surrender payable with respect to such whole shares of Buyer Common Stock.
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(d) All shares of Buyer Common Stock issued upon the surrender for exchange
of Certificates in accordance with the terms of this Article 1 (including any
cash paid pursuant to this Article 1) shall be deemed to have been issued (and
paid) in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to the Company Common
Stock theretofore represented by such Certificates, subject, however, to the
Surviving Corporation's obligation to pay any dividends or make any other
distributions with a record date prior to the Effective Time which may have
been declared or made by the Company on such shares of Company Common Stock
which remain unpaid at the Effective Time, and there shall be no further
registration of transfers on the stock transfer books of the Surviving
Corporation of the shares of Company Common Stock which were outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time. If, after the Effective Time,
Certificates are presented to the Surviving Corporation or the Exchange Agent
for any reason, they shall be canceled and exchanged as provided in this
Article 1, except as otherwise provided by law.
(e) (i) No certificates or scrip representing fractional shares of Buyer
Common Stock shall be issued upon the surrender for exchange of Certificates,
no dividend or distribution of Buyer shall relate to such fractional share
interests and such fractional share interests will not entitle the owner
thereof to vote or to any rights of a stockholder of Buyer.
(ii) As promptly as practicable following the Effective Time, Buyer shall
cause the Exchange Agent to determine the excess of (A) the number of whole
shares of Buyer Common Stock delivered to the Exchange Agent by Buyer
pursuant to Section 1.03(a) hereof over (B) the aggregate number of whole
shares of Buyer Common Stock to be distributed to former holders of Company
Common Stock pursuant to Section 1.03(b) hereof (such excess being herein
called the "Excess Shares"). Following the Effective Time, the Exchange
Agent shall, on behalf of former holders of Certificates representing
Company Common Stock, sell the Excess Shares at then-prevailing prices on
the NYSE, all in the manner provided in Section 1.03(e)(iii) hereof;
(iii) The sale of the Excess Shares by the Exchange Agent shall be
executed on the NYSE through one or more member firms of the NYSE and shall
be executed in round lots to the extent practicable. Buyer shall cause the
Exchange Agent to use reasonable efforts to complete the sale of the Excess
Shares as promptly following the Effective Time as, in the Exchange Agent's
sole judgment, is practicable consistent with obtaining the best execution
of such sales in light of prevailing market conditions. Until the net
proceeds of such sale or sales have been distributed to the holders of
Certificates formerly representing Company Common Stock, the Exchange Agent
shall hold such proceeds in trust for such holders (the "Common Stock
Trust"). The Surviving Corporation shall pay all commissions, transfer
taxes and other out-of-pocket transaction costs, including the expenses and
compensation of the Exchange Agent incurred in connection with such sale of
the Excess Shares. The Exchange Agent shall determine the portion of the
Common Stock Trust to which each former holder of Company Common Stock is
entitled, if any, by multiplying the amount of the aggregate net proceeds
comprising the Common Stock Trust by a fraction, the numerator of which is
the amount of the fractional share interest to which such former holder of
Company Common Stock is entitled (after taking into account all shares of
Company Common Stock held at the Effective Time by such holder) and the
denominator of which is the aggregate amount of fractional share interests
to which all former holders of Company Common Stock are entitled.
(iv) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 1.03(e)(ii) and (iii)
hereof, the Surviving Corporation may elect at its option, exercised prior
to the Effective Time, in lieu of the issuance and sale of Excess Shares
and the making of the payments hereinabove contemplated, to pay each former
holder of Company Common Stock an amount in cash equal to the product
obtained by multiplying (A) the fractional share interest to which such
former holder (after taking into account all shares of Company Common Stock
held at the Effective Time by such holder) would otherwise be entitled by
(B) the closing price for a share of Buyer Common Stock as reported on the
NYSE Composite Transaction Tape (as reported in The Wall Street Journal,
or, if not reported thereby, any other authoritative source) on the Closing
Date, and, in such case, all references herein to the cash proceeds of the
sale of the Excess Shares and similar references shall be deemed to mean
and refer to the payments calculated as set forth in this Section
1.03(e)(iv).
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<PAGE>
(v) As soon as practicable after the determination of the amount of cash,
if any, to be paid to holders of Certificates formerly representing Company
Common Stock with respect to any fractional share interests, Buyer shall
cause the Exchange Agent to make available such amounts to such holders of
Certificates formerly representing Company Common Stock subject to and in
accordance with the terms of Section 1.03(c) hereof. For purposes of this
Section 1.03, shares of Company Common Stock of any holder represented by
two or more Certificates may be aggregated, and in no event shall any
holder be paid an amount in cash in respect of more than one share of Buyer
Common Stock.
(f) Any portion of the Exchange Fund which remains undistributed to the
holders of the Certificates for six months after the Effective Time shall be
delivered to Buyer, upon demand, and any holders of the Certificates who have
not theretofore complied with this Article 1 shall thereafter look only to
Buyer for payment of their claims for Merger Consideration, any dividends or
distributions with respect to Buyer Common Stock, as applicable, and any cash
in lieu of fractional shares of Buyer Common Stock.
(g) Neither Buyer, the Company nor the Exchange Agent shall be liable to any
person in respect of any shares of Buyer Common Stock, any dividends or
distributions with respect thereto, any cash in lieu of fractional shares of
Buyer Common Stock or any cash from the Exchange Fund, in each case, delivered
to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or
similar law. If any Certificate shall not have been surrendered prior to two
years after the Effective Time (or immediately prior to such earlier date on
which any Merger Consideration, any dividends or distributions payable to the
holder of such Certificate or any cash payable to the holder of such
Certificate formerly representing Company Common Stock pursuant to this
Article 1, would otherwise escheat to or become the property of any
Governmental Entity (as defined in Section 3.05 hereof)), any such Merger
Consideration, dividends or distributions in respect of such Certificate or
such cash shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, become the
property of the Surviving Corporation, free and clear of all claims or
interest of any person previously entitled thereto.
(h) The Exchange Agent shall invest any cash included in the Exchange Fund,
as directed by Buyer, on a daily basis. Any interest and other income
resulting from such investments shall be paid to Buyer.
(i) If any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the
making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming such Certificate to
be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if required by the Surviving Corporation,
the posting by such person of a bond in such reasonable amount as the
Surviving Corporation may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be
made against it with respect to such Certificate, the Exchange Agent shall
issue in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate the Merger
Consideration and, if applicable, any unpaid dividends and distributions on
shares of Buyer Common Stock deliverable in respect thereof and any cash in
lieu of fractional shares, in each case, due to such person pursuant to this
Agreement.
Section 1.04 Certain Adjustments. If after the date hereof and on or prior
to the Effective Time the outstanding shares of Buyer Common Stock or Company
Common Stock shall be changed into a different number, class or series of
shares or any other security by reason of any reclassification,
recapitalization, reorganization, merger, business combination, split-up,
stock split, combination or exchange of shares, or any dividend payable in
stock or other securities shall be declared thereon with a record date within
such period, or any similar event shall occur, the Exchange Ratio (and/or the
security or securities to be issued to the holders of Company Common Stock)
shall be appropriately adjusted as contemplated by this Agreement prior to
such reclassification, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, business
combination, split-up, combination, exchange or dividend or similar event.
Section 1.05 Stock Options and Restricted Stock.
(a) As of the Effective Time, (i) each outstanding employee stock option to
purchase Company Common Stock granted under the Company's 1993 Stock Option
Plan or the Company's 1995 Long-Term Incentive Plan (collectively, the
"Company Stock Option Plans"), shall be converted into an option (an "Adjusted
Option") to purchase the number of shares of Buyer Common Stock equal to the
number of Company Common Stock shares
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subject to such options immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by
the Exchange Ratio (rounded to the nearest whole number of shares of Buyer
Common Stock), at an exercise price per share equal to the exercise price for
each such share of Company Common Stock subject to such option divided by the
Exchange Ratio (rounded down to the nearest whole cent), and all references in
each such option to the Company shall be deemed to refer to Buyer, where
appropriate; provided, however, that the adjustments provided in this clause
(i) with respect to any options which are "incentive stock options" (as
defined in Section 422 of the Code) or which are described in Section 423 of
the Code shall be effected in a manner consistent with the requirements of
Section 424(a) of the Code and (ii) Buyer shall assume the obligations of the
Company under the Company Stock Option Plans. The other terms of each Adjusted
Option, and the plans or agreements under which they were issued, shall
continue to apply in accordance with their terms. The date of grant of each
Adjusted Option shall be the date on which the corresponding option was
granted.
(b) As of the Effective Time, (i) each outstanding award (including
restricted stock, deferred stock, phantom stock, stock equivalents and stock
units) (each a "Company Award") under the Company Stock Option Plans shall be
converted into the same instrument of Buyer, in each case with such
adjustments (and no other adjustments) to the terms of such Company Awards as
are necessary to preserve the value inherent in such Company Awards without
any detrimental effect to the holder thereof and (ii) Buyer shall assume the
obligations of the Company under the Company Awards. The other terms of each
Company Award, and the plans or agreements under which they were issued, shall
continue to apply in accordance with their terms.
(c) The Company and Buyer agree that each of the Company Stock Option Plans
and each of the applicable Buyer stock option plans (the "Buyer Stock Option
Plans") shall be amended, to the extent necessary, to reflect the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, including, but not limited to the conversion
of each Share of Company Common Stock held or to be awarded or paid pursuant
to such benefit plans, programs or arrangements into shares of Buyer Common
Stock on a basis consistent with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement. The Company and Buyer agree to submit the amendments to the Buyer
Stock Option Plans or the Company Stock Option Plans to their respective
stockholders, if such submission is determined to be necessary by counsel to
the Company or Buyer after consultation with one another; provided, however,
that such approval shall not be a condition to the consummation of the Merger.
(d) Buyer shall (i) reserve for issuance the number of shares of Buyer
Common Stock that will become subject to the benefit plans, programs and
arrangements referred to in this Section 1.05 and (ii) issue or cause to be
issued the appropriate number of shares of Buyer Common Stock pursuant to
applicable plans, programs and arrangements, upon the exercise or maturation
of rights existing thereunder on the Effective Time or thereafter granted or
awarded. No later than the Effective Time, Buyer shall prepare and file with
the SEC a registration statement on Form S-8 (or other appropriate form)
registering a number of shares of Buyer Common Stock necessary to fulfill
Buyer's obligations under this Section 1.05. Such registration statement shall
be kept effective (and the current status of the prospectus required thereby
shall be maintained), if then required by the SEC, for at least as long as
Adjusted Options or Company Awards remain outstanding.
(e) As soon as practicable after the Effective Time, Buyer shall deliver to
the holders of the options granted under the Company Stock Option Plans and
Company Awards appropriate notices setting forth such holders' rights pursuant
to the respective Company Stock Option Plans and the agreements evidencing the
grants of such options and Company Awards and that such options and Company
Awards and the related agreements shall be assumed by Buyer and shall continue
in effect on the same terms and conditions (subject to the adjustments
required by this Section 1.05 after giving effect to the Merger).
ARTICLE 2
THE SURVIVING CORPORATION
Section 2.01 Certificate of Incorporation. The certificate of incorporation
of Buyer in effect at the Effective Time shall be the certificate of
incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until amended in accordance with
applicable law.
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Section 2.02 Bylaws. The bylaws of Buyer in effect at the Effective Time
shall be the bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until amended in accordance
with applicable law.
Section 2.03 Directors and Officers. From and after the Effective Time,
until successors are duly elected or appointed in accordance with applicable
law, (a) the directors of Buyer at the Effective Time shall constitute the
directors of the Surviving Corporation, and (b) the officers of Buyer at the
Effective Time shall be the officers of the Surviving Corporation.
ARTICLE 3
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
The Company represents and warrants to Buyer that, except as set forth in
the disclosure letter (the "Company Disclosure Letter") delivered by the
Company to the Buyer prior to the execution of this Agreement:
Section 3.01 Corporate Organization. The Company is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State
of Delaware, and has all requisite corporate power and authority to own,
operate and lease its properties and assets and to carry on its business as it
is now being conducted. The Company is duly qualified to do business and is in
good standing in each jurisdiction in which the character of its properties
owned or held under lease or the nature of its activities makes such
qualification necessary except where the failure to be so qualified or to be
in good standing will not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material
adverse effect on the business, assets or financial condition of the Company
and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, except for any effect resulting from or
relating to (i) conditions or circumstances generally affecting the cotton and
soybean planting seed industries which are not the result of acts or omissions
of the Company, (ii) the sale of seed containing technology licensed by the
Company from Buyer or any of Buyer's affiliates or (iii) any of the litigation
matters or investigations specifically described in the Company Disclosure
Letter (a "Material Adverse Effect").
Section 3.02 Authorization. The Company has the necessary corporate power
and authority to enter into this Agreement and the Termination Option
Agreement and to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Termination Option Agreement
by the Company, the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder
and thereunder and the consummation by the Company of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly and validly authorized by the
Company's Board of Directors, have been unanimously approved by the Board of
Directors prior to Buyer becoming an "Interested Stockholder" as defined in
Section 203 of Delaware Law and have been approved as otherwise required by
the Company's certificate of incorporation, as amended. Except for the
approval of this Agreement, the Termination Option Agreement and the Merger by
the Company's stockholders, no other corporate proceeding on the part of the
Company is necessary for the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
Termination Option Agreement by the Company, the performance of the Company's
obligations hereunder and thereunder or the consummation by the Company of the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. This Agreement and the
Termination Option Agreement have been duly and validly executed and delivered
by the Company and are legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company,
enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as such
enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
moratorium, reorganization or other laws affecting creditors' rights generally
or by the availability of equitable remedies generally.
Section 3.03 Capital Stock. The authorized capital stock of the Company
consists of: (a) 100,000,000 shares of Company Common Stock, of which, as of
May 8, 1998, there were (i) 38,264,617 shares issued and outstanding, (ii)
1,0666,666 shares reserved for issuance upon conversion of Series M Preferred
Stock, and (iii) 114,267 shares held in the Company's treasury, (b) 2,000,000
shares of preferred stock, $0.10 par value per share, consisting of (i)
429,319 shares designated, for issuance upon the exercise of the Rights, as
Series A Junior
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Participating Preferred Stock, of which no shares are issued or outstanding,
and (ii) 1,066,666 shares designated as Series M Preferred Stock, of which
800,000 shares are issued and outstanding and (c) rights outstanding to
acquire 266,666 shares of Series M Preferred Stock and such number of shares
of Company Common Stock as shall be determined in accordance with the formula
set forth in the Hartz Cotton Acquisition Agreement, dated February 2, 1996,
among Buyer, the Company, Hartz Cotton, Inc. and Paymaster Technology Corp.
(the "Hartz Agreement"). All of the outstanding capital stock of the Company
and all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company's
Subsidiaries (as defined in Section 3.04 hereof) have been validly issued and
are fully paid, nonassessable and free of preemptive rights with no personal
liability attaching to the ownership thereof. As of May 8, 1998, except for
the Rights, Series M Preferred Stock, the rights referred to in subsection (c)
above and options to acquire not more than 3,425,758 shares of Company Common
Stock pursuant to the Company Stock Option Plans, there were no outstanding
subscriptions, options, warrants, rights, contracts or other arrangements or
commitments obligating the Company to issue any shares of its capital stock or
any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of its capital
stock.
Section 3.04 Subsidiaries. The Company Disclosure Letter lists all direct
and indirect subsidiaries of the Company (each, a "Subsidiary" and
collectively, the "Subsidiaries") and the jurisdiction of incorporation of
each Subsidiary. The Company does not directly or indirectly own any interest
in any other corporation, partnership, joint venture or other business
association or entity. Each Subsidiary is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of
its incorporation and has all requisite corporate power and authority to own,
operate and lease its properties and assets and to carry on its business as it
is now being conducted. Each Subsidiary is duly qualified to do business and
is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the character of its
properties owned or held under lease or the nature of its activities makes
such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified or
to be in good standing will not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
Material Adverse Effect. All outstanding shares of capital stock of each
Subsidiary are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and are owned by
the Company or another Subsidiary free and clear of any liens, claims or
encumbrances.
Section 3.05 Consents and Approvals; No Violation. Except for (a) applicable
requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules
and regulations thereunder (the "Exchange Act"), including the filing with and
clearing by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC")
of a proxy statement relating to the Company Stockholders Meeting (as defined
in Section 5.02 hereof), as amended or supplemented from time to time (the
"Company Proxy Statement"), (b) the filing of a Pre-Merger Notification and
Report Form by the Company and the expiration or termination of the waiting
period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as
amended (the "HSR Act"), (c) the filing of the Certificate of Merger as
required by Delaware Law, (d) such filings and consents as may be required
under any environmental law pertaining to any notification, disclosure or
required approval triggered by the Merger or the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, (e) filing with the NYSE and the SEC with respect to the
delisting and deregistration of the shares of Company Common Stock and (f)
such consents, approvals, orders, authorizations, notifications,
registrations, declarations and filings as may be required under the
corporation, takeover or blue sky laws of various states of the United States
and jurisdictions outside the United States, no filing with or prior notice
to, and no permit, authorization, consent or approval of, any federal, state,
local, foreign or other governmental department, commission, board, bureau,
agency or instrumentality (each, a "Governmental Entity") is necessary for the
consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company
nor the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby
nor compliance by the Company with any of the provisions hereof will (i)
conflict with or result in any violation of any provision of the articles of
incorporation, as amended, or bylaws of the Company or any Subsidiary, (ii)
result in a violation or breach of, or constitute (with or without due notice
or lapse of time or both) a default (or give rise to any right of termination,
cancellation or acceleration) under, any of the terms, conditions or
provisions of any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, license, agreement or other
instrument or obligation to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or
by which any of them or any of their properties or assets may be bound, or,
(iii) violate any federal, state, local or foreign order, writ, injunction,
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decree, statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Company, any Subsidiary
or any of their properties or assets, excluding from the foregoing clauses
(ii) and (iii) violations, breaches or defaults which, either individually or
in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.
Section 3.06 SEC Reports and Financial Statements.
(a) Since August 31, 1994, the Company has filed all required forms,
reports and documents with the SEC required to be filed by it pursuant to
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder (the "Securities Act") and the Exchange Act
(hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Company Reports"), all of
which have complied in all material respects with all applicable
requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act. The Company has
previously furnished to Buyer copies of all such Company Reports.
(b) None of the Company Reports, including, without limitation, any
financial statements or schedules included therein, at the time filed,
contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make
the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading.
(c) The consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated
statements of income, cash flow and stockholders' equity (including,
without limitation, the related notes thereto) of the Company and its
consolidated subsidiaries included in the financial statements contained in
the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 1997
(the "Company 10-K") and in the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q
for the quarters ended November 30, 1997 and February 28, 1998 (the
"Company 10-Qs"), present fairly the consolidated financial position of the
Company and its consolidated subsidiaries as of their respective dates, and
the results of consolidated operations and cash flows for the periods then
ended, all in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles
applied on a consistent basis, except as otherwise noted therein, and in
the case of unaudited interim financial statements subject to normal year-
end audit adjustments and except for certain footnote disclosures required
by generally accepted accounting principles.
Section 3.07 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities. Neither the Company nor any
Subsidiary has any liabilities (whether absolute, accrued or contingent),
except: (a) liabilities, obligations or contingencies that are accrued and
reserved against in the consolidated balance sheet of the Company and the
Subsidiaries as of August 31, 1997 or reflected in the notes thereto, (b)
liabilities incurred since August 31, 1997 in the ordinary course of business,
(c) liabilities which, individually or in the aggregate, are not required
under generally accepted accounting principles to be set forth on a balance
sheet of Buyer and its consolidated subsidiaries and (d) liabilities incurred
after the date hereof as specifically permitted by this Agreement.
Section 3.08 Changes. Since the date of the Company 10-K, and except as set
forth in the Company 10-K or the Company 10-Qs, and except as otherwise
disclosed in the Company Disclosure Letter or as permitted by this Agreement:
(a) there has been no material adverse change in the business, assets or
financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole,
except for any change resulting from or relating to (i) conditions or
circumstances generally affecting the cotton and soybean planting seed
industries which are not the result of acts or omissions of the Company,
(ii) the sale of seed containing technology licensed by the Company from
Buyer or any of Buyer's affiliates or (iii) any of the litigation matters
or investigations specifically described in the Company Disclosure Letter
(a "Material Adverse Change in the Company");
(b) there has been no direct or indirect redemption, purchase or other
acquisition of any shares of the Company's capital stock, or any
declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend or other distribution
by the Company in respect of the Company's capital stock, or any issuance
of any shares of capital stock of the Company, or any granting to any
person of any option to purchase or other right to acquire shares of
capital stock of the Company or any stock split or other change in the
Company's capitalization;
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(c) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has entered into or agreed to
enter into any new or amended contract with any labor unions representing
employees of the Company or any subsidiary;
(d) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has entered into or agreed to
enter into any new or amended contract with any of the officers thereof or
otherwise increased the compensation payable to the officers or directors
of any such entity; and
(e) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has (i) entered into or
amended any bonus, incentive compensation, deferred compensation, profit
sharing, retirement, pension, group insurance or other benefit plan except
as required by law or regulations or (ii) made any contribution to any such
plan except for contributions specifically required pursuant to the terms
thereof.
Section 3.09 Investigations; Litigation.
(a) Other than reviews pursuant to the HSR Act, there are no pending
investigations, reviews or inquiries by any Governmental Entity with respect
to the Company or any Subsidiary or with respect to the activities of any
officer, director or employee of the Company (an "Investigation"), nor to the
knowledge of the Company is an Investigation threatened, nor has any
Governmental Entity indicated to the Company or any executive officer of the
Company an intention to conduct an Investigation, other than Investigations
which, if the resolution thereof were adverse, would not, individually or in
the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. For the purpose of this
Agreement, "knowledge of the Company" and similar phrases means the actual
knowledge, after due inquiry, of any executive officer of the Company included
in the "Company Knowledge Group" set forth in the Company Disclosure Letter.
(b) (i) There are no actions or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of
the Company, threatened against the Company by any Governmental Entity which
seek to enjoin the Merger or would reasonably be expected, individually or in
the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) there are no
outstanding domestic or foreign judgments, decrees or orders against the
Company or any Subsidiary enjoining any of them in respect of, or the effect
of which is to prohibit, any business practice or the acquisition of any
property or the conduct of business in any area that, individually or in the
aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect,
(iii) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in violation of, and none of
them has received any claim or notice that it is in violation of, any federal,
state, local or foreign laws, statutes, rules, regulations or orders
promulgated or judgments entered by any federal, state, local or foreign court
or governmental authority or instrumentality, which violations, individually
or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect; and (iv) there are no actions pending, or to the knowledge of the
Company, threatened against the directors or any director of the Company
alleging a breach of such directors' or director's fiduciary duties.
Section 3.10 Contracts and Commitments.
(a) Except as permitted by this Agreement after the date hereof, the Company
is not, nor is any Subsidiary, with respect to its business, a party to any
oral or written contract:
(i) that prohibits the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from freely
engaging or competing in its line of business anywhere in the world;
(ii) between the Company and any of its affiliates (other than
Subsidiaries), directors or officers that is not on arms-length terms;
(iii) that involves an amount in excess of $1,000,000 and pursuant to
which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has incurred or accrued
losses;
(iv) that by its terms may be terminated upon a change in control of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries;
(v) that commits the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to purchase or
sell any properties or assets outside of the ordinary course of business
for consideration in excess of $1,000,000; or
(vi) that involves an unfulfilled obligation, individually or in the
aggregate, in excess of $1,000,000 and is incurred outside the ordinary
course of business and is not terminable by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries upon less than 60 calendar days' notice for a cost of not less
than $1,000,000.
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(b) Buyer has been supplied with a true and correct copy of all written
contracts which are referred to on the Company Disclosure Letter, together
with all amendments, exhibits, attachments, waivers or other changes thereto.
Section 3.11 Environmental and Safety Matters. Except as would not be
reasonably likely, individually or in the aggregate, to result in any loss,
obligation, expense, damage or liability in excess of $15,000,000:
(a) The Company and its Subsidiaries have complied and are in compliance
with all applicable Environmental and Safety Requirements. "Environmental and
Safety Requirements" means all federal, state, local and foreign statutes,
regulations, ordinances and other provisions having the force or effect of
law, all judicial and administrative orders and determinations and all common
law in each case concerning public health and safety, worker health and
safety, and pollution or protection of the environment (including without
limitation all those relating to the presence, use, production, generation,
handling, transportation, treatment, storage, disposal, distribution,
labeling, testing, processing, discharge, Release or threatened Release
(whether onsite or offsite), control, or cleanup of any hazardous materials,
substances or wastes, chemical substances or mixtures, pesticides, pollutants,
contaminants, toxic chemicals, petroleum products or byproducts, asbestos,
polychlorinated biphenyls, noise or radiation). "Release" has the meaning set
forth in CERCLA.
(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company and its
Subsidiaries have obtained and complied in all material respects with, and are
in compliance in all material respects with, all permits, licenses and other
authorizations that are required pursuant to Environmental and Safety
Requirements for the occupation of their facilities and the operation of their
business.
(c) The Company and its Subsidiaries have not received any written or oral
notice, report or other information regarding any liabilities (whether
accrued, absolute, contingent, unliquidated or otherwise) or investigatory,
removal, remedial or corrective obligations, relating to the Company or its
Subsidiaries, any of their respective current or former properties and
facilities or any current or former offsite properties and facilities used in
the business of the Company or its Subsidiaries, and arising under
Environmental and Safety Requirements.
(d) No landfills, surface impoundments, waste piles or other waste
management, treatment, storage or disposal areas exist at any property or
facility currently owned or operated by the Company or its Subsidiaries.
(e) The Company and its Subsidiaries have not treated, stored, disposed of,
arranged for or permitted the disposal of, transported, handled, or Released,
either onsite or offsite, any substance, including without limitation any
hazardous substance, or owned, operated or used in any facility or property
(and no such property or facility is contaminated by any such substance), so
as to give rise to liabilities of the Company or its Subsidiaries for response
costs or natural resource damages pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 ("CERCLA"), as amended, or
similar state Environmental and Safety Requirements.
(f) Neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries have, either expressly or by
operation of law, assumed or undertaken any liability, including without
limitation any obligation for removal, corrective or remedial action, of any
other person relating to any Environmental and Safety Requirements.
(g) No Environmental Lien has attached to any property currently owned,
leased or operated by the Company or any Subsidiary. "Environmental Lien"
means a lien, either recorded or unrecorded, in favor of any governmental
entity, relating to any liability arising under Environmental and Safety
Requirements.
(h) Without limiting the foregoing, no facts, events or conditions relating
to the past or present facilities, properties or operations of the Company or
its Subsidiaries, or, to the Company's knowledge, any predecessor or affiliate
thereof, will prevent, hinder or limit continued compliance in all material
respects by the Company with applicable Environmental and Safety Requirements,
give rise to any material investigatory, removal, remedial or
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corrective obligations pursuant to Environmental and Safety Requirements, or
give rise to any other liabilities (whether accrued, absolute, contingent,
unliquidated or otherwise) pursuant to Environmental and Safety Requirements,
including without limitation any relating to onsite or offsite Releases or
threatened Releases of hazardous materials, substances or wastes, personal
injury, property damage or natural resource damage.
Section 3.12 Taxes. The Company and each of the Subsidiaries has timely
filed (or has or will have had filed on its behalf) all material federal,
state, local and foreign income and other tax returns, reports and
declarations which are or were required by applicable law to have been filed
at or before the Effective Time. Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries has
timely paid or will timely pay (or has or will have paid on its behalf), or
where payment is not required to be made, has made or will make adequate
provision in reserves established on its financial statements and accounts for
the payment of, all material taxes (including, without limitation, all taxes
required to be withheld, or any interest and penalties on any taxes), in
respect of the periods covered by said returns, reports and declarations or
any other taxable period ending on or before the Effective Time. All returns,
reports and declarations required to be made, including, without limitation,
any amendments to date, have been prepared in good faith and are complete and
accurate in all material respects. No deficiencies for any material tax,
assessment or governmental charge have been asserted or assessed against the
Company or any of the Subsidiaries which have not been paid, settled or
adequately provided for through reserves established in the financial
statements and accounts and, to the knowledge of the Company, there is no
basis for any such deficiency, assessment or charge which would be material to
the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole. No election under Section
341(f) of the Code has been or shall hereafter be made to treat the Company or
any of the Subsidiaries as a consenting corporation (as defined in Section
341(f) of the Code).
Section 3.13 Employment Agreements. Except as disclosed in the Company
Reports, there are no written employment, consulting or severance agreements
between the Company or any Subsidiary, on the one hand, and any directors,
officers or other employees of the Company or any Subsidiary, on the other
hand, which provide for annual remuneration or other payments in excess of
$100,000.
Section 3.14 Change of Control Provisions. Except as disclosed in the
Company Reports or as required under the terms of this Agreement, none of the
agreements described in Section 3.13 hereof and none of the Plans and no
compensation plan maintained by the Company or any Subsidiary for the benefit
of their respective current or former employees, directors or consultants
contains any provision that would entitle any such employee, director or
consultant to any additional or accelerated payments or benefits as a result
of the consummation of the Merger or the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
Section 3.15 Employee Benefit Plans. All employee benefit plans within the
meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employment Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended ("ERISA"), maintained by the Company or any of the
Subsidiaries since August 31, 1997 (collectively, the "Plans") are in
compliance with, and have been administered and operated in accordance with,
the terms of such Plans and applicable law, except for any failure to so
comply, operate or administer the Plans that would not, individually or in the
aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Internal Revenue Service
has issued a determination letter to the effect that each such Plan which is
intended to be "qualified" within the meaning of Section 401(a) of the Code is
so qualified. No event which constitutes a "reportable event" as defined in
Section 4043 of ERISA has occurred and is continuing with respect to any Plan
subject to Title IV of ERISA which presents a material risk of the termination
or partial termination of any such Plan or would reasonably be expected to
result in a material liability of the Company or any Subsidiary. No Plan has
been terminated pursuant to Title IV of ERISA in connection with which any
liability has been incurred which has not been satisfied in full. Full payment
has been made, or provision has been made therefor, of all amounts which the
Company or any of the Subsidiaries were required under the terms of the Plans
to have paid as contributions to such Plans on or prior to the date hereof and
no Plan which is subject to Part 3 of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA has
incurred any "accumulated funding deficiency" (within the meaning of Section
302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code), whether or not waived. Neither the
Company nor any of the Subsidiaries has engaged in any nonexempt prohibited
transactions in connection with any Plan (or its related trust) with respect
to which the Company, any of the Subsidiaries, or
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any officer, director, employee of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries
would be subject to either a penalty pursuant to Section 502(i) of ERISA or a
tax imposed by Section 4975 of the Code nor, to the knowledge of the Company,
will the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
constitute such a transaction which penalty or tax would, individually or in
the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor
any of its Subsidiaries has incurred any liability under the fiduciary
provisions of ERISA, other than any liability that would not individually, or
in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect. No claim, action or
litigation has been made, commenced or, to the knowledge of the Company,
threatened with respect to any Plan that would, if adversely determined,
result in a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries has participated in or contributed to any multiemployer plan as
defined in Section 337 of ERISA at any time during the prior six years. With
respect to each employee pension benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(2) of
ERISA) which is a defined benefit plan and is not a multiemployer plan, the
assets of such Plan available to meet the accrued liabilities of such Plan
would exceed such liabilities, based on the actuarial assumptions used for
plan termination.
Section 3.16 Licenses. The Company and its Subsidiaries have obtained all
permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses and other federal, state,
local or foreign governmental authorizations and approvals material,
individually or in the aggregate, to the conduct of the business as now
conducted of the Company and the Subsidiaries (collectively, "Licenses"),
except where the failure to so obtain any such License would not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. All of the Licenses are in full
force and effect and, to the best of the Company's knowledge, will not be
impaired or adversely affected by the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement in a manner or to a degree that is reasonably likely to have a
Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.17 Real Estate Leases. The Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a
list of all material leases and subleases existing as of the date hereof under
which the Company and its Subsidiaries is lessor or lessee of any real
property together with all amendments, supplements, nondisturbance agreements
and other agreements pertaining thereto. As to such leases, subleases and
other agreements referred to above, (a) there exists no breach or default, and
no event has occurred which with notice or passage of time would constitute
such a breach or default or permit termination, notification or acceleration,
on the part of the Company or any Subsidiary, or on the part of any other
party thereto, and (b) as of the Effective Time, no material third party
consent, approval or authorization shall be required for the consummation of
the Merger, except where such breach or default or failure to obtain any such
consent, approval or authorization would not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect. To the Company's knowledge, there is no lien, claim,
option, charge, security interest, limitation, encumbrance or restriction of
any kind (any of the foregoing being a "Lien") on any of the leasehold
interests set forth in the Company Disclosure Letter except for (a) Liens
reflected in the balance sheet included in the Company's Form 10-K for the
period ended August 31, 1997, (b) Liens of record consisting of zoning or
planning restrictions, easements, permits and other restrictions or
limitations on the use of real property which do not materially detract from
the value of, or a materially impair the use of, such property by the Company
and its Subsidiaries in the operation of their respective businesses, (c)
Liens for current taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies on
property not yet delinquent or being contested in good faith and for which
appropriate reserves have been established in accordance with United States
generally acceptable accounting principles (which contested levies are
described in the Company Disclosure Letter), (d) Liens imposed by law, such as
materialman's, mechanic's, carrier's, workers' and repairmen's Liens securing
obligations not yet delinquent or being contested in good faith and for which
appropriate reserves have been established in accordance with United States
generally acceptable accounting principles or securing obligations not being
paid in the ordinary course of business in accordance with customary and
commercially reasonable practice, and (e) Liens that do not materially
adversely affect the use or enjoyment of the assets or properties of the
Company or its Subsidiaries (collectively, "Permitted Liens").
Section 3.18 Real Property. The Company Disclosure Letter lists all real
property owned by the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the date hereof. Each
of the Company and its Subsidiaries has good title in fee simple to its
respective real properties set forth in the Company Disclosure Letter, in each
case, to the Company's knowledge, free and clear of all Liens, except for
Permitted Liens.
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Section 3.19 Intellectual Property and Germplasm.
(a) The Company Disclosure Letter lists all of the patents, certificates
of plant variety protection, registered trademarks, registered service
marks, registered copyrights, application for any of the foregoing and
material unregistered trademarks, service marks, copyrights, trade names
and corporate names used in the conduct of the business of the Company or
its Subsidiaries as of the date hereof (collectively, "Intellectual
Property") and all varieties and hybrids of cotton and soybeans which the
Company or its Subsidiaries are presently selling or reasonably anticipates
selling within two years of the date of this Agreement. The Company and its
Subsidiaries own and possess all right, title and interest in and to, or
possess the valid right to use, the Intellectual Property. The Company owns
and possesses all right, title and interest in and to, or possesses the
valid right to use, in the manner used by the Company, all germplasm used
in the Company's breeding or research programs. The Company has not
received any notice of, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries
has any knowledge of any potential claim of any, infringement of any patent
or certificate of plant variety protection or misappropriation from any
third party with respect to the Intellectual Property or any germplasm in
the Company's breeding or research programs. To the actual knowledge of the
Company (without any inquiry), each item of Intellectual Property is valid
and enforceable. To the knowledge of the Company, the Company or its
Subsidiaries are not currently infringing and have not infringed any
intellectual property of any other person and the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement will not impair any such patent, trademark, trade name,
copyright or other similar item of Intellectual Property.
(b) None of the computer software, computer firmware, computer hardware
(whether general or special purpose) or other similar or related items of
automated, computerized or software systems that are used or relied on by
the Company or by any of its Subsidiaries in the conduct of its business
will malfunction, will cease to function, will generate incorrect data or
will produce incorrect results when processing, providing or receiving (i)
date-related data from, onto and between the twentieth and twenty-first
centuries or (ii) date-related data in connection with any valid date in
the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, except where any such malfunction
or generation of incorrect data or results would not reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.20 Compliance with Other Instruments and Laws. Neither the Company
nor any Subsidiary is in violation of any term of its certificate of
incorporation, as amended, or bylaws, or in violation of any mortgage,
indenture, instrument or agreement relating to indebtedness for borrowed money
or of any judgment, decree or order which names the Company or any Subsidiary
or in violation of any term of any other material instrument, contract or
agreement to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties or
assets is bound, except to the extent that any such violation would not be
reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company's and each
Subsidiary's businesses are in compliance in all material respects with all
federal, state, local or foreign statutes, laws, ordinances, rules,
governmental regulations, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses
or other governmental authorizations or approvals applicable to the operation
of such business, except to the extent that the failure of such compliance
would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.21 Employees. To the actual knowledge of the Company (without any
due inquiry), as of the date of this Agreement, no key employee, or group of
employees of the Company has any plans to terminate employment with the
Company other than employees with plans to retire. Without limiting the
generality of Section 3.20 hereof, the Company has complied in all material
respects with all laws relating to the employment of labor, including
provisions thereof relating to wages, hours, equal opportunity and collective
bargaining, and, to the knowledge of the Company, it does not have any
material labor relations problems (including without limitation threatened or
actual strikes or work stoppages or material grievances).
Section 3.22 Information Supplied. None of the information supplied or to be
supplied by the Company specifically for inclusion or incorporation by
reference in (i) the registration statement on Form S-4 to be filed with the
SEC by Buyer in connection with the issuance of Buyer Common Stock in the
Merger (the "Form S-4") will, at the time the Form S-4 is filed with the SEC,
at any time it is amended or supplemented or
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at the time it becomes effective under the Securities Act, contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or (ii) the Company
Proxy Statement will, at the date it is first mailed to the Company's
stockholders or at the time of the Company Stockholders Meeting, contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading. The Company Proxy Statement will comply as to form in all material
respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act, except that no
representation or warranty is made by the Company with respect to statements
made or incorporated by reference therein based on information supplied by
Buyer specifically for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Company
Proxy Statement. At the time of the filing of any disclosure document filed
after the date hereof pursuant to the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any
state securities law (each a "Company Disclosure Document") other than the
Company Proxy Statement, each such Company Disclosure Document (as
supplemented or amended) will not contain any untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the
statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading.
Section 3.23 Rights Agreement. The Company's Board of Directors has taken
all necessary action to provide that Buyer will not become an "Acquiring
Person," that no "Shares Acquisition Date" or "Distribution Date" (as such
terms are defined in the Rights Agreement, dated as of August 13, 1996,
between the Company and Harris Trust and Savings Bank, as Rights Agent (the
"Rights Agreement")) will occur, and that the Rights Agreement will not be
applicable to the execution or delivery of this Agreement or any amendment
hereto or the consummation of the Merger and other transactions contemplated
hereby. The Company has provided to Buyer written evidence, reasonably
satisfactory to Buyer, of the foregoing.
Section 3.24 Certain Fees. Except in connection with the engagement of
Merrill Lynch & Co., neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has employed any
broker or finder or incurred any liability for any financial advisory,
brokerage or finders' fees or commissions in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby.
Section 3.25 Opinion of Financial Advisor. The Company has received the
opinion of Merrill Lynch & Co., dated the date hereof, to the effect that, as
of such date, the Merger Consideration to be received in the Merger by the
Company's stockholders is fair to the Company's stockholders from a financial
point of view, a copy of which opinion has been delivered to Buyer.
Section 3.26 Voting Requirements. The affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock at the Company
Stockholders Meeting to adopt this Agreement is the only vote of the holders
of any class or series of Company's capital stock necessary to approve and
adopt this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. The Board of
Directors of the Company has duly and validly approved and has taken or, prior
to the Effective Time, will have taken, all corporate action required to be
taken by the Company Board of Directors for the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Section 3.27 State Takeover Statutes. The Board of Directors of the Company
has approved this Agreement and the consummation of the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated hereby and such approval constitutes approval of the
Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement by the Board
of Directors of the Company under the provisions of Section 203 of Delaware
Law such that Section 203 of Delaware Law does not apply to the Merger or the
other transactions contemplated by this Agreement. To the knowledge of the
Company, no other state takeover statute is applicable to the Merger or the
other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Section 3.28 Affiliates. The Company Disclosure Letter identifies all
persons who, to the knowledge of the Company, may be deemed affiliates of the
Company under Rule 145 of the Securities Act (the "Rule 145 Affiliates"),
including, without limitation, all directors and executive officers of the
Company.
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ARTICLE 4
REPRESENTATIVES AND WARRENTIES OF BUYER
Buyer represent and warrant to the Company as follows:
Section 4.01 Corporate Organization. Buyer is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Delaware, with all
requisite corporate power and authority to own, operate and lease its
properties and assets and to carry on its businesses as now being conducted.
Section 4.02 Authorization. Buyer has the necessary corporate power and
authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out its obligations
hereunder. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by Buyer, the
performance by Buyer of its obligations hereunder and the consummation by
Buyer of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly
authorized by the Board of Directors of Buyer, and no other corporate
proceeding on the part of Buyer is necessary for the execution and delivery of
this Agreement by Buyer, the performance of its obligations hereunder and the
consummation by Buyer of the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement
has been duly and validly executed and delivered by Buyer and is a legal,
valid and binding obligation of Buyer, enforceable against it in accordance
with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or other laws affecting
creditors' rights generally or by the availability of equitable remedies
generally.
Section 4.03 Capital Stock. The authorized capital stock of Buyer consists
of: (a) 1,000,000,000 shares of Buyer Common Stock, of which, as of May 6,
1998, there were 599,842,187 shares were issued and outstanding (and
222,128,783 shares held in the Company's treasury) and (b) 10,000,000 shares
of preferred stock, without par value, of which, as of May 6, 1998, there were
no shares issued and outstanding. All of the outstanding shares have been
validly issued and are fully paid, nonassessable and free of preemptive rights
with no personal liability attaching to the ownership thereof. As of May 6,
1998, except for options to acquire not more than 110,000,000 shares of Buyer
Common Stock pursuant to the Buyer Stock Option Plans, there were no
outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, rights, contracts or other
arrangements or commitments obligating Buyer to issue any shares of its
capital stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of
its capital stock.
Section 4.04 Information Supplied. None of the information supplied or to be
supplied by Buyer specifically for inclusion or incorporation by reference in
(i) the Form S-4 will, at the time the Form S-4 is filed with the SEC, at any
time it is amended or supplemented or at the time it becomes effective under
the Securities Act, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading or (ii) the Company Proxy Statement will, at the date it is
first mailed to the Company's stockholders or at the time of the Company
Stockholders Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit
to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order
to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading. The Form S-4 will comply as to form in all material
respects with the requirements of the Securities Act, except that no
representation or warranty is made by Buyer with respect to statements made or
incorporated by reference in either the Form S-4 or the Company Proxy
Statement based on information supplied by the Company specifically for
inclusion or incorporation by reference therein.
Section 4.05 Consents and Approvals; No Violations. Except for (a)
applicable requirements of the Exchange Act, (b) filing with and clearing by
the SEC of the Form S-4, (c) expiration or termination of the waiting period
under the HSR Act, (d) the filing of the Certificate of Merger as required by
Delaware Law (e) such filings and consents as may be required under any
environmental law pertaining to any notification, disclosure or required
approval triggered by the Merger or the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, (f) filing with the NYSE to permit the shares of Buyer Common Stock
that are to be issued in the Merger and under the Company Stock Option Plans
(the "Buyer Listed Securities"), to be approved for listing on the NYSE,
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subject to official notice of issuance, and to continue to be listed on the
NYSE following the Merger, and (g) such consents, approvals, orders,
authorizations, notifications, registrations, declarations and filings as may
be required under the corporation, takeover or blue sky laws of various states
or non-U.S. change-in-control laws or regulations, no filing or registration
with, no notice to and no permit, authorization, consent or approval of any
public or governmental body or authority is necessary for the consummation by
Buyer of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Neither the
execution and delivery of this Agreement by Buyer nor the consummation by
Buyer of the transactions contemplated hereby nor compliance by Buyer with any
of the provisions hereof will (i) conflict with or result in any breach of any
provision of the articles or certificate of incorporation or bylaws of Buyer,
(ii) at the Effective Time, result in a violation or breach of, or constitute
(with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) a default (or give rise
to any right of termination, cancellation or acceleration or otherwise change
the existing rights or obligations of any party thereto) under, any of the
terms, conditions or provisions of any note, bond, mortgage indenture,
license, agreement or other instrument or obligation to which Buyer is a party
or by which Buyer, or any of its properties or assets may be bound, or (iii)
violate any order, writ, injunction, decree, statute, rule or regulation
applicable to Buyer or any of its properties or assets, excluding from the
foregoing clauses (ii) and (iii) violations, breaches or defaults which would
not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the
business, assets or financial condition of Buyer and its Subsidiaries taken as
a whole, except for any effect resulting from or relating to conditions or
circumstances generally affecting the industries in which Buyer currently
operates which are not the result of acts or omissions of Buyer (a "Buyer
Material Adverse Effect").
Section 4.06 Certain Fees. Except for BancAmerica Robertson Stephens, whose
fees will be paid by Buyer, there is no investment banker, broker, finder or
other intermediary who might be entitled to any fee or commission upon
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Section 4.07 SEC Reports and Financial Statements.
(a) Since January 1, 1995, Buyer has filed all required forms, reports
and documents with the SEC required to be filed by it pursuant to the
Securities Act and the Exchange Act (hereinafter collectively referred to
as the "Buyer Reports"), all of which have complied in all material
respects with all applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the
Exchange Act.
(b) None of the Buyer Reports, at the time filed, contained any untrue
statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein,
in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(c) The consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated
statements of operations, stockholders' equity and changes in financial
position (including, without limitation, the related notes thereto) of
Buyer and its consolidated subsidiaries included in the financial
statements contained in Buyer's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1997 present fairly the consolidated financial position
of Buyer and its consolidated subsidiaries as of their respective dates,
and the results of consolidated operations and changes in consolidated
financial position for the periods then ended, all in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis,
except as otherwise noted therein, and in the case of unaudited interim
financial statements subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and
except for certain footnote disclosures required by generally accepted
accounting principles.
Section 4.08 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities. Buyer and its consolidated
subsidiaries have no liabilities (whether absolute, accrued or contingent),
except: (a) liabilities, obligations or contingencies that are accrued and
reserved against in the consolidated balance sheet of Buyer and its
consolidated subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 or reflected in the notes
thereto, (b) liabilities incurred since December 31, 1997 that would not have
a Buyer Material Adverse Effect, or (c) liabilities which, individually or in
the aggregate, are not required under generally accepted accounting principles
to be set forth on a balance sheet of Buyer and its consolidated subsidiaries.
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Section 4.09 No Buyer Stockholder Vote. No vote of the stockholders of Buyer
is required under Delaware Law, the applicable rules and regulations of the
NYSE or any other applicable law or regulation, or pursuant to the terms of
Buyer's certificate of incorporation, in order to authorize the consummation
by Buyer of the transactions contemplated hereby.
ARTICLE 5
COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
Section 5.01 Conduct of Business by the Company Pending the Merger. The
Company covenants and agrees that prior to the Effective Time or the date, if
any, on which this Agreement is earlier terminated pursuant to Section 9.01
hereof, unless Buyer shall otherwise consent in writing (such consent not to
be unreasonably withheld) or except as otherwise contemplated by this
Agreement:
(a) the businesses of the Company and the Subsidiaries will be conducted
only in the ordinary and usual course; the Company will use its best
efforts to preserve intact its business organization and goodwill, keep
available the services of its officers and employees and maintain
satisfactory relationships with suppliers, distributors, customers and
others having business relationships with it and the Subsidiaries; and the
Company will promptly notify Buyer of any event or occurrence or emergency
not in the ordinary and usual course of the business of the Company or any
Subsidiary or material to the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole;
(b) the Company will not (i) amend its certificate of incorporation or
bylaws or (ii) split, combine or reclassify the outstanding Shares or
declare, set aside or pay any dividend payable in cash, stock or property
with respect to the Shares, provided that the Company may declare and pay
to holders of the Shares regular quarterly dividends not more than $0.03
per share;
(c) except as provided in the Hartz Agreement, neither the Company nor
any Subsidiary will issue or agree to issue any additional shares of, or
rights of any kind to acquire shares of, its capital stock of any class
other than the issuance of shares of capital stock of a Subsidiary to the
Company or, with respect to the Company, Shares issuable upon exercise of
outstanding options pursuant to the Company Stock Option Plans;
(d) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary will enter into or agree to
enter into any new or amended contract or agreement with any labor unions
representing employees of the Company or any Subsidiary;
(e) except as contemplated by Section 5.04 hereto, the Company will not
authorize, recommend, propose or announce an intention to authorize,
recommend or propose, or enter into an agreement in principle or an
agreement with respect to any merger, consolidation or business combination
(other than the Merger), any acquisition or disposition of a material
amount of assets or securities (including, without limitation, the assets
or securities of any Subsidiary and other than inventory in the ordinary
course of business);
(f) except as set forth in the Company Disclosure Letter, the Company
will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, (i) enter into or amend
any employment, severance or change-in-control agreement, or any bonus,
incentive compensation, deferred compensation, profit sharing, retirement,
pension, group insurance or other benefit plan except as required by law or
regulations, or as expressly provided by this Agreement or in the ordinary
course or (ii) make any contribution to any such plan except for
contributions specifically required pursuant to the terms thereof;
(g) the Company will not (i) except as set forth in the Company
Disclosure Letter or in the ordinary course of business, create, incur or
assume any debt (including, without limitation, obligations in respect of
capital leases) other than under existing or approved lines of credit or to
fund out-of-pocket costs incurred in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby; (ii) except as set forth in the Company Disclosure
Letter, assume, guarantee, endorse or otherwise become liable or
responsible (whether directly, contingently
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or otherwise) for the obligations of any other person except majority-owned
Subsidiaries of the Company in the ordinary course of business; or (iii)
make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in,
any other person other than a majority-owned Subsidiary (other than trade
credit or customary advances to employees and short-term investments
pursuant to customary cash management systems of the Company in the
ordinary course and consistent with past practice);
(h) the Company will neither amend the Rights Agreement nor redeem any of
the rights granted under the Rights Agreement without the written consent
of Buyer; and
(i) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary shall agree in writing or
otherwise to take (i) any action that it is prohibited from taking by this
Section 5.01, or (ii) any action that would constitute or is likely to
cause or result in a breach of any covenant, agreement, or representation
or warranty set forth herein.
Section 5.02 Stockholders' Meeting. The Company shall cause a meeting of its
stockholders (the "Company Stockholders Meeting") to be duly called and held
as soon as reasonably practicable for the purpose of voting on the approval
and adoption of this Agreement and the Merger. The Board of Directors of the
Company will (a) unanimously recommend approval and adoption of this Agreement
by the Company's stockholders hereof and (b) use reasonable best efforts to
obtain the necessary approval by the Company's stockholders of this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 5.03 Access to Information. Subject to the terms hereof and of the
existing confidentiality agreements, dated April 28, 1998 and March 14, 1998,
between the Company and Buyer (together, the "Confidentiality Agreements"), in
compliance with applicable law, during normal business hours, upon reasonable
notice and in a manner as shall not unreasonably interfere with the conduct of
the Company or Buyer, the Company will give Buyer, its counsel, financial
advisors, auditors and other authorized representatives reasonable access
throughout the period prior to the Effective Time to all of the offices,
properties, business and marketing plans, books, files and records of the
Company and the Subsidiaries, will furnish to Buyer, its counsel, financial
advisors, auditors and other authorized representatives such financial and
operating data and other information as such persons may reasonably request
and will instruct the Company's employees, counsel and financial advisors to
cooperate with Buyer in its investigation of the business of the Company and
its Subsidiaries. The Company will furnish promptly to Buyer (a) a copy of
each report, schedule and other document filed or received by it pursuant to
the requirements of Federal or state securities laws, and (b) all such other
information concerning its business, properties and personnel as Buyer may
reasonably request; provided that no investigation pursuant to this Section
5.03 shall affect any representation or warranty contained herein or the
conditions to the obligations of the parties to consummate the Merger.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall require any
person to disclose any information in violation of any applicable law,
regulation or administrative order or decree and nothing in this Agreement
shall relieve any party of any existing contractual obligations with respect
to the use and/or disclosure of such information.
Section 5.04 No Solicitation.
(a) The Company agrees that, prior to the Effective Time or, in the event
that this Agreement is terminated, for 90 days following the effective date of
such termination, it shall not, and shall not authorize or permit any of its
Subsidiaries or any of its or its Subsidiaries' directors, officers,
employees, agents or representatives, directly or indirectly, to solicit,
initiate or encourage (including by way of furnishing or disclosing non-public
information) any inquiries or the making of any proposal with respect to any
merger, consolidation or other business combination involving the Company or
the acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets or capital stock of
the Company (an "Acquisition Transaction") or negotiate, explore or otherwise
engage in substantive discussions with any person (other than Buyer or its
directors, officers, employees, agents and representatives), or enter into any
agreement, with respect to any Acquisition Transaction or enter into any
agreement, arrangement or understanding requiring it to abandon, terminate or
fail to consummate the Merger or any other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement; provided that the Company may, prior to the date of the Company
Stockholders Meeting, in response to a bona fide unsolicited written proposal
with respect to an Acquisition Transaction from a credible third party that is
not subject to any material financing uncertainties and that the
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Board of Directors determines in the exercise of its fiduciary duties is more
favorable to the stockholders of the
Company than the Merger, furnish or disclose non-public information to, and
negotiate, explore or otherwise engage in substantive discussions with, or
enter into such an agreement with, such third party (provided that it shall
concurrently with entering into such agreement pay or cause to be paid to
Buyer the amount specified in Section 9.04(b) hereof).
(b) After the date hereof, the Company shall immediately advise Buyer in
writing of the receipt, directly or indirectly, of any inquiries or proposals,
and of its intention to enter into any agreement, relating to an Acquisition
Transaction and any actions taken pursuant to Section 5.04(a) hereof and
furnish to Buyer either a copy of such proposal or a written summary of such
proposal.
Section 5.05 Corporate Organization. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained in this Agreement or in the Company Disclosure Letter, the
Company and each Subsidiary shall take all actions necessary in order to be
duly qualified and in good standing on the Effective Date with the Secretary
of State in each jurisdiction in which the character of its properties owned
or held under lease or the nature of its activities makes such qualification
necessary (it being understood and agreed that no breach of this covenant
shall form the basis for any liability of the Company under this Agreement).
Section 5.06 Termination Option Agreement. The Company will fully perform
its obligations under the Termination Option Agreement.
ARTICLE 6
COVENANTS OF BUYER
Buyer agrees that:
Section 6.01 Confidentiality. Buyer will hold, and will use its reasonable
best efforts to cause its officers, directors, employees, consultants,
advisors and agents to hold, in confidence, unless compelled to disclose by
judicial or administrative process or by other requirements of law, all trade
secrets and confidential information concerning the Company and the
Subsidiaries furnished to Buyer in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, except to the extent that such information can
be shown to have been (a) previously known on a nonconfidential basis by
Buyer, (b) in the public domain through no fault of Buyer or (c) lawfully
available to Buyer from sources other than the Company; provided, however,
that Buyer may disclose such information to its officers, directors,
employees, consultants, advisors and agents so long as such persons are
informed by Buyer of the confidential nature of such information and are
directed by Buyer to treat such information confidentially; and provided
further that Buyer shall be responsible for any disclosures of such
information by any such persons. If this Agreement is terminated, such
confidence shall be maintained and Buyer will, and will use its best efforts
to cause its officers, directors, employees, consultants, advisors and agents
to, destroy or deliver to the Company, upon request, all documents and other
materials, and all copies thereof, obtained by Buyer or on its behalf from the
Company in connection with this Agreement that are subject to such confidence.
Section 6.02 Indemnification.
(a) Buyer shall cause the Surviving Corporation to indemnify, to the full
extent permitted under Delaware Law, the present and former directors or
officers of the Company and the Subsidiaries (the "Indemnified Parties") from
and against all losses, obligations, expenses, claims, damages and liabilities
arising in respect of actions taken prior to and including the Effective Time
in connection with their duties as directors or officers of the Company
(including the transactions contemplated hereby) for a period of not less than
six years from the Effective Time; provided that, in the event any claim or
claims are asserted or made within such six-year period, all rights to
indemnification in respect of any such claim or claims shall continue until
final disposition of any and all such claims. Without limitation of the
foregoing, in the event any Indemnified Party becomes involved in
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such capacity in any action, proceeding or investigation in connection with
any matter, including the transactions contemplated hereby, occurring prior to
and including the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation, to the extent
permitted and on such conditions as may be required by applicable law, will
periodically reimburse such Indemnified Party for his legal and other out-of-
pocket expenses (including the cost of any investigation and preparation)
incurred in connection therewith.
(b) For not less than six years after the Effective Time, Buyer or the
Surviving Corporation shall maintain in effect directors' and officers'
liability insurance covering the Indemnified Parties who are currently covered
by the Company's existing directors' and officers' liability insurance, on
terms and conditions no less favorable to such directors and officers than
those in effect on the date hereof with respect to Buyer's officers and
directors.
Section 6.03 Operations After the Effective Time. Buyer currently intends to
maintain offices, facilities and operations of the Company at their current
locations. Buyer looks forward to continuing the strong relationship developed
by the Company with the community in Scott, Mississippi.
Section 6.04 Employee Benefits. From and after the Closing Date, Buyer will
honor, pay and perform all obligations under all employment, severance,
retention and change of control agreements with or for employees of the
Company or any Subsidiary in accordance with the terms thereof. Buyer will
maintain and fund in accordance with ERISA, the Code and any other applicable
law for a period of two years after the Effective Time employee benefit and
compensation plans and arrangements which, in the aggregate, provide benefits
and compensation to employees of the Surviving Corporation which are no less
favorable in the aggregate than those provided pursuant to the employee
benefit plans and arrangements in effect for such individuals on the date
hereof. From and after the Effective Time, if any employees of the Surviving
Corporation or any Subsidiary will participate in any employee benefit plan of
Buyer or any of its subsidiaries, Buyer will, and will cause its subsidiaries
to, cause such employee benefit plans to (i) recognize the service of the
affected employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries completed prior to the
Effective Time for participation, vesting and eligibility for early retirement
under such plans of Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries and (ii) waive any pre-
existing condition limitations or exclusions under such plans of Buyer or its
subsidiaries. If the Closing Date occurs more than three months after the end
of the Company's last completed fiscal year, then the amount of bonuses
payable, if any, to each employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
who is eligible to participate in a bonus plan or arrangement sponsored or
maintained by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year of
the Company that includes the Closing Date shall be determined consistent with
past practices of the Company and shall be payable no later than November 15
of the fiscal year of the Surviving Corporation next succeeding the fiscal
year that includes the Closing Date.
Section 6.05 Employment and Noncompetition Agreements. As soon as
practicable after the date hereof, Buyer shall offer to those employees of the
Company or its Subsidiaries whose names are included in the list of the "Key
Executive Group" set forth in the Company Disclosure Letter a Key Executive
Employment Protection and Noncompetition Agreement, in the form attached as an
exhibit to the Company Disclosure Letter, to be and become effective as of the
Effective Time. As soon as practicable after the date hereof, Buyer shall
offer to the employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries whose names are
included in the list of the "Key Employee Group" set forth in the Company
Disclosure Letter, a Key Employee Employment Protection and Retention and
Noncompetition Agreement in the form attached as an exhibit to the Company
Disclosure Letter, to be and become effective as of the Effective Time.
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ARTICLE 7
COVENANTS OF BUYER AND THE COMPANY
The parties hereto agree that:
Section 7.01 Best Efforts. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, each party will use its best efforts to take, or cause to be taken,
all action and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or
advisable under applicable laws and regulations to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. The Company and Buyer shall each furnish to
one another and to one another's counsel all such information as may be
required in order to accomplish the foregoing actions. If any state takeover
statute or similar statute or regulation becomes applicable to the Merger,
this Agreement or any of the other transactions contemplated hereby, the
Company and Buyer will take all action necessary to ensure that the Merger and
the other transactions contemplated hereby may be consummated as promptly as
practicable on the terms contemplated by this Agreement and otherwise to
minimize the effect of such statute or regulation on the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Section 7.02 Certain Filings. The Company and Buyer shall cooperate with one
another (a) in connection with the preparation of the Form S-4, the Company
Proxy Statement and the Company Disclosure Documents, (b) in determining
whether any other action by or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental
body, agency or official, or authority or any actions, consents, approvals or
waivers are required to be obtained from parties to any material contracts in
connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and (c) in seeking any such actions, consents, approvals or waivers
or making any such filings, furnishing information required in connection
therewith or with the Form S-4, the Company Proxy Statement and the Company
Disclosure Documents and seeking timely to obtain any such actions, consents,
approvals or waivers.
Section 7.03 Public Announcements. Buyer and the Company will consult with
each other before issuing any press release or making any public statement
with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and,
except as may be required by applicable law or any listing agreement with any
national securities exchange, will not issue any such press release or make
any such public statement prior to obtaining the other party's consent to any
such public statement.
Section 7.04 Further Assurances. At and after the Effective Time, the
officers and directors of the Surviving Corporation will be authorized to
execute and deliver, in the name and on behalf of the Company, any deeds,
bills of sale, assignments or assurances and to take and do, in the name and
on behalf the Company, any other actions and things to vest, perfect or
confirm of record or otherwise in the Surviving Corporation any and all right,
title and interest in, to and under any of the rights, properties or assets of
the Company acquired or to be acquired by the Surviving Corporation as a
result of, or in connection with, the Merger.
Section 7.05 Notices of Certain Events. The Company and Buyer shall promptly
notify the other of:
(a) any notice or other communication from any person alleging that the
consent of such person is or may be required in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
(b) any notice or other communication from any governmental or regulatory
agency or authority in connection with the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement;
(c) any actions, suits, claims, investigations or proceedings commenced
or, to the best of its knowledge threatened against, relating to or
involving or otherwise affecting the Company or any Subsidiary, on the one
hand, or Buyer, on the other hand, which relate to the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and
(d) any action, event or occurrence that would constitute a breach of any
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of it set forth in this
Agreement.
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Section 7.06 Preparation of the Form S-4 and the Company Proxy Statement.
(a) As soon as practicable following the date of this Agreement, the
Company shall prepare and file with the SEC the Company Proxy Statement and
Buyer shall prepare and file with the SEC the Form S-4, in which the
Company Proxy Statement will be included as a prospectus. Each of the
Company and Buyer shall use best efforts to have the Form S-4 declared
effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable after such
filing. The Company will use all best efforts to cause the Company Proxy
Statement to be mailed to the Company's stockholders as promptly as
practicable after the Form S-4 is declared effective under the Securities
Act. Buyer shall also take any action (other than qualifying to do business
in any jurisdiction in which it is not now so qualified or to file a
general consent to service of process) required to be taken under any
applicable state securities laws in connection with the issuance of the
Buyer Common Stock in the Merger and the Company shall furnish all
information concerning the Company and the holders of the Shares as may be
reasonably requested in connection with any such action. No filing of, or
amendment or supplement to, the Form S-4 will be made by Buyer or to the
Company Proxy Statement will be made by the Company without providing the
other party the opportunity to review and comment thereon. Buyer will
advise the Company, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the time
when the Form S-4 has become effective or any supplement or amendment has
been filed, the issuance of any stop order, the suspension of the
qualification of the Buyer Common Stock issuable in connection with the
Merger for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or any request by the SEC
for amendment of the Company Proxy Statement or the Form S-4 or comments
thereon and responses thereto or requests by the SEC for additional
information. If at any time prior to the Effective Time any information
relating to the Company or Buyer, or any of their respective affiliates,
officers or directors, should be discovered by the Company or Buyer which
should be set forth in an amendment or supplement to any of the Form S-4 or
the Company Proxy Statement, so that any of such documents would not
include any misstatement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, the party which
discovers such information shall promptly notify the other party hereto and
an appropriate amendment or supplement describing such information shall be
promptly filed with the SEC and, to the extent required by law,
disseminated to the stockholders of the Company and Buyer.
Section 7.07 Letters of the Company's Accountants. The Company shall use its
reasonable best efforts to cause to be delivered to Buyer two letters from the
Company's independent accountants, one dated a date within two business days
before the date on which the Form S-4 shall become effective and one dated a
date within two business days before the Closing Date, each addressed to
Buyer, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Buyer and customary in
scope and substance for comfort letters delivered by independent public
accountants in connection with registration statements similar to the Form S-
4.
Section 7.08 Affiliates.
(a) Not less than 45 days prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall
deliver to Buyer a list of names and addresses of each person who, in the
Company's reasonable judgment, is an affiliate within the meaning of Rule
145 of the rules and regulations promulgated under the Securities Act or
otherwise applicable SEC accounting releases with respect to pooling of
interests accounting treatment (each such person, a "Pooling Affiliate") of
the Company. The Company shall provide Buyer such information and documents
as Buyer shall reasonably request for purposes of reviewing such list. The
Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to deliver or cause to be
delivered to Buyer, not later than 30 days prior to the Effective Time, an
affiliate letter in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 7.08(a), executed
by each of the Pooling Affiliates of the Company identified in the
foregoing list. Buyer shall be entitled to place legends as specified in
such affiliate letters on the certificates evidencing any of the Buyer
Common Stock to be received by the Pooling Affiliates of the Company
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and to issue appropriate stop
transfer instructions to the transfer agent for the Buyer Common Stock,
consistent with the terms of such letters.
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(b) Not less than 45 days prior to the Effective Time, Buyer shall
deliver to the Company a list of names and addresses of each person who, in
Buyer's reasonable judgment, is a Pooling Affiliate of Buyer. Buyer shall
provide the Company such information and documents as the Company shall
reasonably request for purposes of reviewing such list. Buyer shall use its
reasonable best efforts to deliver or cause to be delivered to the Company,
not later than 30 days prior to the Effective Time, an affiliate letter in
the form attached hereto as Exhibit 7.08(b), executed by each Pooling
Affiliate of Buyer identified in the foregoing list.
Section 7.09 NYSE Listing. Buyer shall use its reasonable best efforts to
cause the Buyer Listed Securities to be approved for listing on the NYSE,
subject to official notice of issuance, as promptly as practicable after the
date hereof, and in any event prior to the Closing Date and to continue to be
listed on the NYSE following the Merger.
Section 7.10 Tax Treatment.
(a) The Company and Buyer shall each reasonably cooperate in connection
with obtaining the opinions of counsel described in Section 8.01 including,
without limitation, providing to each counsel such representations as are
reasonably required by such counsel to enable it to render such opinion.
(b) The parties intend for the Merger to qualify as a reorganization
under Section 368(a) of the Code. If, as a result of circumstances arising
after the date hereof, the Merger, if consummated, would fail to qualify as
a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, each
party and its affiliates shall use its reasonable best efforts to
restructure the Transaction contemplated hereby in a form that will so
qualify or that will otherwise enable the Transaction to proceed in a
manner consented to by Buyer and the Company, such consent not to be
unreasonably withheld. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
Agreement but subject to the last sentence of this Section 7.10(b), either
party may postpone for up to six months the date after which the other
party may terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.01(b) hereof in
order to permit the Transaction to proceed as a tax-free reorganization,
provided that, in the reasonable opinion of tax counsel to the party
seeking such postponement, the postponement offers a reasonably likely
opportunity for such result. In the event Buyer elects to pay and does pay
to the Company the amounts referred to in clause (y) of Section 9.04(c)
hereof, such date will not be postponed.
(c) Buyer shall pay any stamp duties, transfer taxes and similar charges
imposed by any jurisdiction (and any penalties and interest with respect to
such duties, taxes and charges), which become payable in connection with
the Merger, without any offset, deduction, counterclaim or deferment of the
consideration to be paid for the Shares pursuant to the Merger. Buyer shall
be responsible for the preparation and filing of any required returns with
respect to such taxes (including returns on behalf of the stockholders of
the Company) and the Company shall cooperate in preparation and filing such
returns.
Section 7.11 Pooling of Interests. Each of Buyer and the Company shall use
their respective reasonable best efforts to cause the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, including the Merger, to be accounted for as a
pooling of interests under Opinion 16 of the Accounting Principles Board and
applicable SEC rules and regulations, and such accounting treatment to be
accepted by each of the Company's and Buyer's independent certified public
accountants, respectively, and to be accepted by the SEC. The Company agrees
to consult with Buyer prior to taking any action or forebearing from taking
any action, the effect of which could reasonably be expected to cause pooling
of interest accounting treatment not to be obtained, and to take such actions
in connection with pooling treatment (whether or not specifically in respect
of the Merger) reasonably requested by Buyer as would not be materially
disadvantageous to the Company or its stockholders.
Section 7.12 Consents.
(a) Buyer and the Company shall use their commercially reasonable efforts
to obtain all material consents of third parties (which, in any event,
shall include consents to the assignment of the contracts listed under the
heading "Consents" in the Company Disclosure Letter) and Governmental
Entities, and to make all governmental filings, necessary to the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
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Agreement. The Company and Buyer shall as soon as practicable file Pre-
Merger Notification and Report Forms under the HSR Act with the Federal
Trade Commission (the "FTC") and the Antitrust Division of the Department
of Justice (the "Antitrust Division") and shall use their reasonable best
efforts to respond as fully and as promptly as practicable to all inquiries
received from the FTC or the Antitrust Division for additional information
or documentation.
(b) In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, Buyer and the
Company will furnish to the other such information and assistance as the
other reasonably may request in connection with the preparation of any
submissions to, or agency proceedings by, any Governmental Entity under the
HSR Act or any comparable laws of foreign jurisdictions, and each of Buyer
and the Company shall keep the other promptly apprised of any
communications with, and inquiries or requests for information from, such
Governmental Entities. Each of Buyer and the Company shall use their
commercially reasonable efforts to resolve any objections asserted with
respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement under any
antitrust, competition or trade regulatory laws, rules or regulations of
any domestic or foreign government or Governmental Entity or any
multinational authority (the "Antitrust Laws"). Buyer shall take such
action, within the scope of such reasonable efforts, as may be required (i)
by any applicable government or Governmental Entity or multinational
authority (including, without limitation, the Antitrust Division or the
FTC) in order to resolve such objections as such government or authority
may have to such transactions under any Antitrust Law or (ii) by any
domestic or foreign court or similar tribunal, in any action brought by a
private party, Governmental Entity or multinational authority challenging
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as violative of any
Antitrust Law, in order to avoid the entry of, or to effect the dissolution
of, any injunction, temporary restraining order or other order that has the
effect of preventing the consummation of any of such transactions.
Section 7.13 Confidentiality. The Confidentiality Agreements will remain in
full force and effect until their expiration in accordance with the terms
thereof.
Section 7.14 Representations. Each of the Company, on the one hand, and
Buyer, on the other, (a) will use their reasonable best efforts to take all
action necessary to render true and correct as of the Closing its
representations and warranties contained in this Agreement, (b) will refrain
from taking any action that would render any such representation or warranty
untrue or incorrect as of such time, and (c) will perform or cause to be
satisfied each agreement, covenant or condition to be performed or satisfied
by it.
ARTICLE 8
CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER
Section 8.01 Conditions to the Obligations of Each Party. The obligations of
the Company and Buyer to consummate the Merger are subject to the satisfaction
of the following conditions:
(a) this Agreement shall have been approved and adopted by the
stockholders of the Company in accordance with Delaware Law;
(b) any applicable waiting period under the HSR Act relating to the
Merger shall have expired or been terminated;
(c) no provision of any applicable law or regulation and no judgment,
injunction, order or decree shall prohibit the consummation of the Merger;
(d) with respect to the obligations of Buyer, the representations and
warranties of the Company as set forth in this Agreement shall be true and
correct (after allowing for developments in the business of the Company
arising in the ordinary course) as if made on and as of the Effective Time
(other than those representations and warranties which address matters only
as of a certain date, which shall be true and correct in all material
respects as of such certain date), except to the extent that the failures
in the aggregate of such representations and warranties (disregarding any
qualifications as to materiality contained therein)
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to be true and correct would not reasonably be expected to have, and have
not had, a Material Adverse Effect, and Buyer shall have received a
certificate of the chief executive officer, president or vice
president/finance of the Company to such effect;
(e) with respect to the obligations of the Company, the representations
and warranties of Buyer as set forth in this Agreement shall be true and
correct (after allowing for developments in the business of Buyer arising
in the ordinary course) as if made on and as of the Effective Time (other
than those representations and warranties which address matters only as of
a certain date, which shall be true and correct in all material respects as
of such certain date), except to the extent that the failures in the
aggregate of such representations and warranties (disregarding any
qualifications as to materiality contained therein) to be true and correct
would not reasonably be expected to have, and have not had, a Buyer
Material Adverse Effect, and the Company shall have received a certificate
of the president, chief financial officer or any vice president of Buyer to
such effect;
(f) the Form S-4 shall have become effective under the Securities Act and
shall not be the subject of any stop order or proceedings seeking a stop
order;
(g) the shares of Buyer Listed Securities issuable to the Company's
stockholders as contemplated by this Agreement shall have been approved for
listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance;
(h) with respect to the obligations of Buyer, there shall not have been
any Material Adverse Change in the Company since the date hereof; and, with
respect to the obligations of the Company, there shall not have been any
material adverse change in the business, assets or financial condition of
Buyer and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, since the date hereof, except
for any change resulting from or relating to conditions or circumstances
generally affecting the industries in which Buyer currently operates which
are not the result of acts or omissions of the Company;
(i) with respect to the obligations of the Company, the Company shall
have received an opinion of Debevoise & Plimpton, or other counsel of
national repute, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
Company, dated on or about the date of the mailing to stockholders of the
Company Proxy Statement, which opinion shall be reconfirmed as of the
Effective Time, substantially to the effect that the Merger will constitute
a reorganization for U.S. federal income tax purposes within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code. In rendering such opinion, counsel may require
and rely upon reasonable representations contained in certificates of
officers of Buyer, the Company and others;
(j) with respect to the obligations of Buyer, Buyer shall have received
an opinion of Arnold & Porter, special tax counsel to Buyer, or other
counsel of national repute, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory
to Buyer, dated on or about the date of the mailing to stockholders of the
Company Proxy Statement, which opinion shall be reconfirmed as of the
Effective Time, substantially to the effect that the Merger will constitute
a reorganization for U.S. federal income tax purposes within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code. In rendering such opinion, counsel may require
and rely upon reasonable representations contained in certificates of
officers of Buyer, the Company and others;
(k) the Company shall have transferred (subject to the Company's ability,
using reasonable best efforts, to obtain such third party consents to such
transfers as are required) to D&PL International Technology Corp. all of
its right, title and interest in and to all of the Intellectual Property
and all of the varieties and hybrids of cotton and soybeans in which the
Company owns any interest, shall have effected the recordation of each such
transfer in all jurisdictions where the Company currently operates and
shall have provided to Buyer evidence, reasonably satisfactory to Buyer,
that such transfer has been effected; and
(l) this Agreement shall not have been terminated in accordance with its
terms.
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ARTICLE 9
TERMINATION
Section 9.01 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated and the
Transaction may be abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time
(notwithstanding any approval of this Agreement by the stockholders of the
Company):
(a) by mutual written consent of the Company and Buyer;
(b) by either the Company or Buyer, if the Merger has not been
consummated by June 30, 1999; provided that if the condition set forth in
Section 8.01(b) hereof shall not have been satisfied prior to such date,
the Company may, in its sole discretion and upon notice to Buyer, extend
such date to a date not later than December 31, 1999; and provided,
further, that no party may terminate this Agreement pursuant to this
subSection if such party's failure to fulfill any of its obligations under
this Agreement shall have been the reason that the Effective Time shall not
have occurred on or before said date;
(c) by either the Company or Buyer, if there shall be any law or
regulation that makes consummation of the Transaction illegal or otherwise
prohibited or if any judgment, injunction, order or decree enjoining Buyer
or the Company from consummating the Transaction is entered and such
judgment, injunction, order or decree shall become final and nonappealable;
(d) by Buyer, if the Company's Board of Directors shall withdraw, modify
or change its recommendation or approval in respect of this Agreement or
the Merger in a manner adverse to Buyer;
(e) by Buyer, if any corporation, partnership, person, other entity or
group (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) other than Buyer
or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates and other than any of the entities
included in the "Institutional Investor Group" set forth in the Company
Disclosure Letter, shall have become the beneficial owner of more than 15%
of the outstanding Shares (either on a primary or a fully diluted basis);
(f) by the Company prior to the date of the Company Stockholders Meeting,
to allow the Company to enter into an agreement in respect of an
Acquisition Transaction which the Board has determined in the exercise of
its fiduciary duties is more favorable to the Company and its stockholders
than the transactions contemplated hereby (provided that the termination
described in this subSection (f) shall not be effective unless and until
the Company shall have paid to Buyer the fee described in Section 9.04(b)
hereof); or
(g) by the Company in accordance with the terms of Section 1.02(a)(iii)
hereof.
Such right of termination shall be exercised by written notice of
termination given by the terminating party to the other parties hereto in the
manner hereinafter provided. Any such right of termination shall not be an
exclusive remedy hereunder but shall be in addition to any other legal or
equitable remedies that may be available to any non-defaulting party hereto
arising out of any default hereunder by any other party hereto.
Section 9.02 Waiver. At any time prior to the Effective Time, the parties
hereto, by action taken by or pursuant to resolutions of their respective
Boards of Directors, may (a) extend the time for the performance of any of the
obligations or other acts of the parties hereto, (b) waive any inaccuracies in
the representations and warranties contained herein or in any document
delivered pursuant hereto, and (c) except for approval of the holders of
Shares and, in connection with all HSR Act filings, of the Federal Trade
Commission and the Department of Justice, waive compliance with any of the
agreements or conditions contained herein. Any agreement on the part of a
party hereto to any such extension or waiver shall be valid if set forth in an
instrument in writing signed on behalf of such party.
Section 9.03 Closing. Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions
contained in Section 8.01 hereof, the closing of the Merger contemplated by
this Agreement (the "Closing") shall take place at the offices of Debevoise &
Plimpton in New York, New York as soon as practicable after the satisfaction
or waiver of all of the conditions to the Merger contained in Section 8.01
hereof or at such other time and place as Buyer and the Company shall agree
(the "Closing Date").
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Section 9.04 Effect of Termination; Termination Fee.
(a) If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 9.01 hereof, this
Agreement shall terminate with no liability on the part of any party hereto,
except that the agreements contained in Sections 6.01, 10.04 and 10.06 hereof
shall survive the termination hereof and the Termination Option Agreement
shall survive in accordance with its terms, and except that no such
termination shall relieve any party from liability for breach of this
Agreement or failure by it to perform its obligations hereunder.
(b) In the event that the Company has willfully failed to perform any of its
obligations under this Agreement or has breached as of the date hereof any of
its representations or warranties contained herein in any material respect,
and, as a result of such failure or such breach, either the Closing shall not
have occurred on the date determined pursuant to Section 9.03 hereof or this
Agreement shall have been terminated (including pursuant to subSections (d),
(e) or (f) of Section 9.01 hereof), then in any such case, the Company shall
promptly, but in no event later than two Trading Days after the date of such
failure to close or termination, pay Buyer a termination fee of $40,000,000
plus an amount, not to exceed $1,000,000, equal to Buyer's actual and
reasonably documented out-of-pocket expenses directly attributable to the
proposed acquisition of the Company, including negotiation and execution of
this Agreement and the attempted financing and completion of the Merger, which
fee and amount shall be payable in same day funds. In no event shall the
Company be required to pay more than one termination fee and reimbursement of
expenses pursuant to this Section 9.04(b).
(c) In the event (i) that the Closing shall not have occurred on the date
determined pursuant to Section 9.03 hereof solely due to a failure of the
condition set forth in Section 8.01(b) or Section 8.01(c) hereof (with respect
to any Antitrust Law) to have been satisfied (other than because of the breach
of this Agreement by the Company), (ii) that Buyer has willfully failed to
perform any of its obligations under this Agreement or has breached as of the
date hereof any of its representations or warranties contained herein in any
material respect, and, as a result of such failure or such breach, either the
Closing shall not have occurred on the date determined pursuant to Section
9.03 hereof or this Agreement shall have been terminated, or (iii) that the
election described in the last sentence of Section 7.10(b) hereof shall have
been made, then in any such case, Buyer shall promptly, but in no event later
than two Trading Days after the date of such failure to close or termination,
pay the Company a termination fee of (x) in the case of clause (i) above,
$80,000,000, or (y) in the case of clause (ii) or (iii) above, $40,000,000, in
either case plus an amount, not to exceed $1,000,000, equal to the Company's
actual and reasonably documented out-of-pocket expenses directly attributable
to the proposed acquisition of the Company, including negotiation and
execution of this Agreement and the completion of the Merger, which fee and
amount shall be payable in same day funds. In no event shall Buyer be required
to pay more than one termination fee and reimbursement of expenses pursuant to
this Section 9.04(c).
ARTICLE 10
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 10.01 Notices. All notices, requests and other communications to any
party hereunder shall be in writing (including facsimile, telex or similar
writing) and shall be given,
If to Buyer, to:
Monsanto Company
800 North Lindbergh Boulevard
St. Louis, Missouri 63167
Attention: General Counsel
Facsimile: (314) 694-7771
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with a copy to:
Kirkland & Ellis
200 East Randolph Drive
Chicago, IL 60601
Attention: Robert S. Osborne, P.C.
Facsimile: (312) 861-2200
if to the Company, to:
Delta and Pine Land Company
P.O. Box 217
One Cotton Row
Scott, MS 38772
Attention: Chairman
Facsimile: (601) 742-3350
with copies to:
Debevoise & Plimpton
875 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Attention: Gregory V. Gooding, Esq.
Facsimile: (212) 909-6870
and:
Lake Tindall, LLP
127 South Poplar Street
P.O. Box 918
Greenville, Mississippi 38702
Attention: Jerome C. Hafter, Esq.
Facsimile: (601) 378-2183
or such other address, telecopy or telex number as such party may hereafter
specify for the purpose by notice to the other parties hereto. Each such
notice, request or other communication shall be effective (a) if given by
facsimile or telex, upon confirmation of receipt, or (b) if given by any other
means, when delivered at the address specified in this Section 10.01.
Section 10.02 Survival of Representations and Warranties. The
representations and warranties contained herein shall not survive the
Effective Time.
Section 10.03 Amendments; No Waivers.
(a) Any provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived prior to the
Effective Time if, and only if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and
signed, in the case of an amendment, by the Company and Buyer or in the
case of a waiver, by the party against whom the waiver is to be effective;
provided that after the adoption of this Agreement by the stockholders of
the Company, no such amendment or waiver shall, without the further
approval of such stockholders, alter or change (i) the amount or kind of
consideration to be received in exchange for any shares of capital stock of
the Company, (ii) any term of the articles of incorporation of the
Surviving Corporation or (iii) any of the terms or conditions of this
Agreement if such alteration or change would adversely affect the holders
of any shares of capital stock of the Company.
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(b) No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right, power or
privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single
or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof
or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and
remedies herein provided shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any
rights or remedies provided by law.
Section 10.04 Expenses. Except as provided in this Agreement, each party
shall pay its own costs and expenses relating to this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby, except that each of Buyer and the Company
shall bear and pay one-half of the costs and expenses incurred in connection
with the filing, printing and mailing of the Form S-4 and the Company Proxy
Statement (including SEC filing fees).
Section 10.05 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement and the rights and
obligations hereunder may not be assigned, provided that this Agreement may be
assigned by Buyer to, and the rights and obligations hereunder shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of, its legal successors and assigns
through a reorganization, merger, business combination or similar transaction.
Section 10.06 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance
with and governed by the law of the State of Delaware, without giving effect
to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the
State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application
of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.
Section 10.07 Counterparts; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be signed in
any number of counterparts (including by means of telecopied signature pages),
each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures
thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. This Agreement shall become
effective when each party hereto shall have received counterparts hereof
signed by all of the other parties hereto.
Section 10.08 Headings. Section headings used in this Agreement are for
convenience only and shall be ignored in the construction and interpretation
hereof.
Section 10.09 No Third Party Beneficiaries. Except for Section 6.02 hereof,
no provision of this Agreement is intended to, or shall, confer any third
party beneficiary or other rights or remedies upon any person other than the
parties hereto.
Section 10.10 Remedies. In addition to any remedy to which any party hereto
is specifically entitled by the terms hereof, each party shall be entitled to
pursue any other remedy available to it at law or in equity (including
damages, specific performance or other injunctive relief) in the event that
any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with
their terms or were otherwise breached.
Section 10.11 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including the exhibits
hereto, the Company Disclosure Letter, and the Confidentiality Agreements,
embody the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect
of the subject matter contained herein and supersede all prior agreements and
understandings, both written and oral, between the parties with respect to
such subject matter.
* * * * *
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first
above written.
MONSANTO COMPANY
By: /s/ Susan D. Berland
Name: Susan D. Berland
Title: Authorized Representive
DELTA AND PINE LAND COMPANY
By: /s/ Roger D. Malkin
Name: Roger D. Malkin
Title: Chairman
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APPENDIX B
OPINION OF MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED
October 23, 1998
Board of Directors
Delta and Pine Land Company
One Cotton Row
Scott, Mississippi 38772
Members of the Board of Directors:
Delta and Pine Land Company (the "Company") and Monsanto Company
("Monsanto") have entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of May
8, 1998 (together with the Termination Option Agreement dated as of May 8,
1998 between Monsanto and the Company, the "Agreements") pursuant to which the
Company will be merged with Monsanto in a transaction (the "Merger") in which
each outstanding share of the Company's common stock, par value $0.10 per
share (the "Company Shares"), will be converted into the right to receive
0.8625 shares (the "Merger Consideration") of the common stock of Monsanto,
par value $2 per share (the "Monsanto Shares").
You have asked us whether, in our opinion, the Merger Consideration is fair
from a financial point of view to the holders of the Company Shares, other
than Monsanto and its affiliates.
In arriving at the opinion set forth below, we have, among other things:
(1) Reviewed certain publicly available business and financial
information relating to the Company and Monsanto that we deemed to be
relevant;
(2) Reviewed certain information, including financial forecasts, relating
to the business, earnings, cash flow, assets, liabilities and prospects of
the Company and certain more limited information, including a financial
forecast for 1998 and certain estimated earnings per share growth rates for
the three years thereafter, relating to the business, earnings, assets,
liabilities and prospects of Monsanto;
(3) Conducted discussions with members of senior management and
representatives of the Company and Monsanto concerning the matters
described in clauses 1 and 2 above, as well as their respective businesses
and prospects before and after giving effect to the Merger;
(4) Reviewed the market prices and valuation multiples for the Company
Shares and the Monsanto Shares and compared them with those of certain
publicly traded companies that we deemed to be relevant;
(5) Reviewed the results of operations of the Company and Monsanto and
compared them with those of certain publicly traded companies that we
deemed to be relevant;
(6) Compared the proposed financial terms of the Merger with the
financial terms of certain other transactions that we deemed to be
relevant;
(7) Participated in certain discussions and negotiations among
representatives of the Company and Monsanto and their financial and legal
advisors;
(8) Reviewed the potential pro forma impact of the Merger and other
acquisitions announced by Monsanto;
(9) Reviewed copies of the Agreements; and
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(10) Reviewed such other financial studies and analyses and took into
account such other matters as we deemed necessary, including our assessment
of general economic, market and monetary conditions.
In preparing our opinion, we have assumed and relied on the accuracy and
completeness of all information supplied or otherwise made available to us,
discussed with or reviewed by or for us, or publicly available, and we have
not assumed any responsibility for independently verifying such information or
undertaken an independent evaluation or appraisal of any of the assets or
liabilities of the Company or Monsanto or been furnished with any such
evaluation or appraisal. In addition, we have not assumed any obligation to
conduct any physical inspection of the properties or facilities of the Company
or Monsanto. With respect to the financial forecast information furnished to
or discussed with us by the Company or Monsanto, we have assumed that they
have been reasonably prepared and reflect the best currently available
estimates and judgment of the Company's or Monsanto's management as to the
expected future financial performance of the Company or Monsanto, as the case
may be. We have also assumed that Monsanto's projected sales of non-core
assets and/or sales of securities to finance its acquisition and product
development programs will not have a material adverse effect on the financial
forecasts provided to us by Monsanto or on the market price performance of the
Monsanto Shares. We have further assumed that the Merger will qualify as a
tax-free reorganization for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Our opinion is necessarily based upon market, economic and other conditions
as they exist and can be evaluated on, and on the information made available
to us as of, the date hereof. We have assumed that in the course of obtaining
the necessary regulatory or other consents or approvals (contractual or
otherwise) for the Merger, no restrictions, including any divestiture
requirements or amendments or modifications, will be imposed that will have a
material adverse effect on the contemplated benefits of the Merger.
We are acting as financial advisor to the Company in connection with the
Merger and will receive a fee from the Company for our services, a significant
portion of which is contingent upon the consummation of the Merger. In
addition, the Company has agreed to indemnify us for certain liabilities
arising out of our engagement. We have, in the past, provided financial
advisory services to the Company and financial advisory and financing services
to Monsanto and may continue to do so and have received, and may receive, fees
for the rendering of such services. In addition, in the ordinary course of our
business, we may actively trade the Company Shares and other securities of the
Company, as well as Monsanto Shares and other securities of Monsanto, for our
own account and for the accounts of customers and, accordingly, may at any
time hold a long or short position in such securities.
This opinion is for the use and benefit of the Board of Directors of the
Company. Our opinion does not address the merits of the underlying decision by
the Company to engage in the Merger and does not constitute a recommendation
to any shareholder as to how such shareholder should vote on the proposed
Merger or any other matter related thereto.
We are not expressing any opinion herein as to the prices at which the
Company Shares or Monsanto Shares will trade following the consummation of the
Merger.
On the basis of and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that, as
of the date hereof, the Merger Consideration is fair from a financial point of
view to the holders of the Company Shares, other than Monsanto and its
affiliates.
Very truly yours,
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &
Smith Incorporated
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DELTA AND PINE LAND COMPANY
PEABODY HOTEL
149 UNION AVENUE
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE 38103
PROXY FOR SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
NOVEMBER 30, 1998
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Roger D. Malkin, W. Thomas Jagodinski and Jerome C. Hafter, or any of them
with full power of substitution, are hereby authorized to represent and vote
all the shares of common stock of the undersigned at the Special Meeting of the
stockholders of Delta and Pine Land Company to be held on November 30, 1998, at
10:00 a.m., local time, or any adjournment thereof, with all powers which the
undersigned would possess if personally present, in the following manner:
Approval of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 8, 1998 (the
"Merger Agreement"), between Monsanto Company and Delta and Pine Land Company
("Delta Pine"), pursuant to which Delta Pine will merge with and into Monsanto
Company.
[_] FOR[_] AGAINST[_] ABSTAIN
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" APPROVAL OF THE MERGER
AGREEMENT. THIS PROXY SHALL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED. IN THE ABSENCE OF A CONTRARY
DIRECTION, IT SHALL BE VOTED FOR THE PROPOSAL. The undersigned acknowledges
receipt of Notice of said Special Meeting and the accompanying Proxy
Statement/Prospectus, and hereby revokes all proxies heretofore given by the
undersigned for said Special Meeting. THIS PROXY MAY BE REVOKED AT ANY TIME
PRIOR TO VOTING THEREOF.
Dated
,
1998
-------------------------
Signature of Stockholder
-------------------------
Signature of Stockholder
(if held jointly)
Please date this proxy
and sign your name or
names exactly as shown
hereon. When signing as
an Attorney, Executor,
Administrator, Trustee
or Guardian, please sign
your full title as such.
If there is more than
one Trustee, or Joint
Owners, all must sign.
Please return the proxy
card promptly using the
enclosed envelope.
<PAGE>
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 20. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
The By-Laws of Monsanto Company ("Monsanto") provide that Monsanto shall
indemnify and hold harmless, to the full extent authorized or permitted by the
Delaware General Corporation Law, any person who was or is made or is
threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any claim, action,
suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative
by reason of the fact that the person, or a person for whom he or she is the
legal representative, is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of
Monsanto or serves or served at the request of Monsanto as a director,
officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of any other enterprise.
Section 145(c) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides for
"mandatory indemnification" to the extent that a director, officer, employee
or agent of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in
the defense of any proceeding, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter
therein, against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably
incurred by him in connection with such proceeding. Section 145(e) of the
Delaware General Corporation Law provides that expenses (including attorneys'
fees) incurred by an officer or director in defending any civil, criminal,
administrative, or investigative action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the
corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or
proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or
officer to repay such amount if it shall be ultimately determined that he is
not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in such
section.
The Monsanto By-Laws provide that with respect to proceedings seeking to
enforce rights to indemnification, Monsanto shall indemnify a person in
connection with a proceeding initiated by such person or a claim made by such
person against Monsanto only if such proceeding or claim was authorized by the
Monsanto Board of Directors. Section 145(h) of the Delaware General
Corporation Law expands the definition of corporation under all of Section 145
to include any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a
constituent) absorbed in a merger or consolidation which, if its separate
existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its
directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was
a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is
or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director,
officer, employee or agent of another enterprise, shall stand in the same
position under the indemnification provisions of Section 145 of the Delaware
General Corporation Law with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation
as he would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate
existence had continued. Accordingly, since Delta Pine would have the
authority and power to indemnify its directors, officers, employees and agents
to the full extent permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Law, the
indemnification provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law applicable
to Monsanto shall extend to the directors, officers, employees and agents of
Delta Pine.
Pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law, Monsanto may purchase and
maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer,
employee or agent of Monsanto, or is or was serving at the request of Monsanto
as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted
against such person and incurred by such person or on such person's behalf in
any such capacity, or arising out of such person's status as such, whether or
not Monsanto would have the power to indemnify such person against such
liability under the Bylaws.
II-1
<PAGE>
ITEM 21. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
(a) The following exhibits are filed as part of this Registration Statement
or incorporated by reference herein:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 8, 1998, between Monsanto
and Delta and Pine Land Company (Appendix A to Proxy Statement/Prospectus)
3.1 Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Monsanto (incorporated by
reference from Exhibit 3(i) to Monsanto's Quarterly Report on form 10-Q
for the Quarter ended September 30, 1997 (the "Form 10-Q"))
3.2 Bylaws of Monsanto (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3(ii) to the
Form 10-Q)
4.1 Rights Agreement, dated as of January 26, 1990 between Monsanto and First
Chicago Trust Company as successor to the First National Bank of Boston
(incorporated herein by reference to Monsanto's Form 8-A filed on January
31, 1990)
5.1 Opinion of Kirkland & Ellis regarding legality
8.1 Opinion of Arnold & Porter regarding certain federal income tax
consequences
8.2 Opinion of Debevoise & Plimpton regarding certain federal income tax
consequences
23.1 Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
23.2 Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
23.3 Consent of Kirkland & Ellis (included in Exhibit 5.1)
23.4 Consent of Arnold & Porter (included in Exhibit 8.1)
23.5 Consent of Debevoise & Plimpton (included in Exhibit 8.2)
99.1 Opinion of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (included as
Appendix B to Proxy Statement/Prospectus)
99.2 Consent of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
</TABLE>
(b) No financial statement schedules are required to be filed herewith
pursuant this Item.
(c) The information required by this item can be found at Exhibit 99.1.
II-2
<PAGE>
ITEM 22. UNDERTAKINGS.
(1) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes as follows: that prior to
any public reoffering of the securities registered hereunder through the use
of a prospectus which is a part of this registration statement, by any person
or party who is deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c),
the issuer undertakes that such reoffering prospectus will contain the
information called for by the applicable registration form with respect to
reofferings by persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to the
information called for by the other items of the applicable form.
(2) The Registrant undertakes that every prospectus (i) that is filed
pursuant to paragraph (1) immediately preceding, or (ii) that purports to meet
the requirements of Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and is used in connection with an offering of securities subject to
Rule 415, will be filed as a part of an amendment to the registration
statement and will not be used until such amendment is effective, and that,
for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.
(3) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to respond to requests for
information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to
Items 4, 10(b), 11 or 13 of this Form, within one business day of receipt of
such request, and to send the incorporated document by first class mail or
other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents
filed subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through
the date of responding to the request.
(4) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to supply by means of a
post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the
company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and
included in the registration statement when it became effective.
(5) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, each
filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (and, where
applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant
to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) that is
incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be
a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and
the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.
(6) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to directors, officers and
controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or
otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public
policy expressed in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or
paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities
being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel
the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the
final adjudication of such issue.
II-3
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the County of St.
Louis, Missouri, on October 27, 1998.
MONSANTO COMPANY
/s/ Robert B. Shapiro
By: _________________________________
Robert B. Shapiro
Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints R. William Ide III, Barbara L. Blackford and
Sonya M. Davis and each of them, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact
and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her
and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign
any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this
registration statement (and any registration statement filed pursuant to Rule
462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for the offerings which
this Registration Statement relates), and to file the same, with all exhibits
thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each
of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and
thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully
to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of
them, or their, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND POWER OF ATTORNEY HAVE BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING
PERSONS IN THE CAPACITIES AND ON THE DATES INDICATED:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ Robert B. Shapiro Chairman, Chief Executive October 23, 1998
____________________________________ Officer and Director
Robert B. Shapiro (Principal Executive
Officer)
/s/ Gary L. Crittenden Senior Vice President October 23, 1998
____________________________________ (Principal Financial
Gary L. Crittenden Officer)
/s/ Michael R. Hogan Vice President and October 26, 1998
____________________________________ Controller (Principal
Michael R. Hogan Accounting Officer)
/s/ Robert M. Heyssel Director October 23, 1998
____________________________________
Robert M. Heyssel
/s/ Michael Kantor Director October 22, 1998
____________________________________
Michael Kantor
</TABLE>
II-4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ Gwendolyn S. King Director October 23, 1998
____________________________________
Gwendolyn S. King
/s/ Philip Leder Director October 23, 1998
____________________________________
Philip Leder
/s/ Jacobus F. M. Peters Director October 23, 1998
____________________________________
Jacobus F. M. Peters
/s/ John S. Reed Director October 23, 1998
____________________________________
John S. Reed
/s/ John E. Robson Director October 23, 1998
____________________________________
John E. Robson
/s/ William D. Ruckelshaus Director October 23, 1998
____________________________________
William D. Ruckelshaus
</TABLE>
II-5
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 5.1
[Letterhead of Kirkland & Ellis]
October 26, 1998
Monsanto Company
800 North Lindbergh Blvd.
St. Louis, Missouri 63167
Re: Registration Statement on Form S-4
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are issuing this opinion letter in our capacity as special legal counsel
to Monsanto Company, a Delaware corporation ("Monsanto"), in connection with
the proposed registration by Monsanto of shares of Monsanto's common stock,
par value $2.00 per share (the "Common Stock"), pursuant to a Registration
Statement (the "Registration Statement") on Form S-4 filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "Act"). The Common Stock is to be issued to certain of the
stockholders of Delta and Pine Land Company, a Delaware corporation ("Delta
Pine"), pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of May 8, 1998 by
and between Monsanto and Delta Pine. In addition, Common Stock is being
registered in order to effect the conversion of certain Delta Pine stock
options into Monsanto stock options.
In that connection, we have examined originals, or copies certified or
otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, corporate records
and other instruments as we have deemed necessary for the purposes of this
opinion, including (i) the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended,
and the By-Laws of Monsanto, (ii) minutes and records of the corporate
proceedings of Monsanto with respect to the issuance of the Common Stock and
(iii) the Registration Statement.
For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed the authenticity of all
documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to the originals of all
documents submitted to us as copies and the authenticity of the originals of
all documents submitted to us as copies. We have also assumed the genuineness
of the signatures of persons signing all documents in connection with which
this opinion is rendered, the authority of such persons signing on behalf of
the parties thereto and the due authorization, execution and delivery of all
documents by the parties thereto other than Monsanto. As to any facts material
to the opinions expressed herein which we have not independently established
or verified, we have relied upon statements and representations of officers
and other representatives of Monsanto and others.
<PAGE>
Our opinion expressed below is subject to the qualifications that we express
no opinion as to the applicability of, compliance with, or effect of (i) any
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent transfer, fraudulent
conveyance, moratorium or other similar law affecting the enforcement of
creditors' rights generally, (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of
whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), (iii)
public policy considerations which may limit the rights of parties to obtain
certain remedies and (iv) any laws except the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware and the federal laws of the United States of America.
Based upon and subject to the qualifications, assumptions and limitations
set forth herein, we are of the opinion that when (i) the Registration
Statement becomes effective, (ii) the Common Stock has been duly executed and
authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the Merger Agreement and
duly delivered to the stockholders of Delta Pine in exchange for their shares
of common stock of Delta Pine, the Common Stock will be duly authorized,
validly issued and fully paid obligations of Monsanto.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the commission as
Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to
our firm under the heading "Legal Matters" in the Registration Statement. In
giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of
persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and
regulations of the Commission.
This opinion is limited to the specific issues addressed herein, and no
opinion may be inferred or implied beyond that expressly stated herein. We
assume no obligation to revise or supplement this opinion should the present
laws of the State of Delaware or the federal law of the United States be
changed by legislative action, judicial decision or otherwise.
This opinion is furnished to you in connection with the filing of the
Registration Statement and is not to be used, circulated, quoted or otherwise
relied upon for any other purpose.
Sincerely,
/s/ Kirkland & Ellis
2
<PAGE>
[Letterhead of Arnold & Porter] Exhibit 8.1
October [ ], 1998
Monsanto Company
800 North Lindbergh Boulevard
St. Louis, Missouri 63167
Ladies and Gentlemen:
You have requested our opinion as to certain federal income tax consequences
of the proposed merger (the "Merger") of Delta and Pine Land Company (the
"Company") with and into Monsanto Company ("Buyer"). References herein to
Common Stock shall be to Buyer common stock.
In preparing our opinion, you have directed us to assume that (1) the Merger
and certain related transactions will be consummated in accordance with the
terms, conditions and other provisions of the Agreement and Plan of Merger by
and between Buyer and the Company, dated as of May 8, 1998 (the "Plan of
Merger"), and the Termination Option Agreement/1/, and (2) all of the factual
information, descriptions, representations and assumptions set forth or
referred to (a) in this letter (an advance copy of which has been provided to
you), (b) in the Plan of Merger and the Termination Option Agreement (the
"Agreements"), (c) in letters to us from Buyer dated as of October 26, 1998
and from the Company dated as of October 26, 1998, and (d) in the Company
Proxy Statement, are accurate and complete and will be accurate and complete
at the Effective Time.
We have not independently verified any factual matters relating to the
Merger in connection with or apart from our preparation of this opinion.
Accordingly, our opinion does not take into account any matters not set forth
herein which might have been disclosed by independent verification.
OPINION
Assuming that the Merger is consummated in accordance with the terms and
conditions set forth in the Agreements and based on the facts set forth or
referred to in the Letters and this letter, including all assumptions and
representations in any such documents, and subject to the qualifications and
other matters set forth herein, it is our opinion that for federal income tax
purposes --
1. The Merger will constitute a reorganization within the meaning of Section
368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").
2. No gain or loss will be recognized by a Company shareholder who exchanges
all of such shareholder's Company Common Stock solely for Common Stock in the
Merger.
3. Gain or loss, if any, will be recognized by Company shareholders upon the
receipt of cash in lieu of fractional shares of Common Stock. A Company
shareholder who receives cash in lieu of a fractional share interest in Common
Stock will be treated as having received such fractional share interest from
Buyer in the Merger. The cash received by such shareholder in lieu of a
fractional share interest in Common Stock will be treated as received in
exchange for such fractional share interest, and gain or loss generally will
be recognized for federal income tax purposes measured by the difference
between the amount of cash received and the portion of the basis of the share
of Company Common Stock allocable to such fractional share interest. Such gain
or loss should be long-term capital gain or loss if the shareholder's shares
of Company Common Stock are held as capital assets and have been held for more
than one year at the Effective Time.
- --------
/1/ Terms not otherwise defined in this letter shall have the meanings
assigned to them in the Plan of Merger.
<PAGE>
Monsanto Company
October [ ], 1998
Page 2
4. The aggregate tax basis of Common Stock received in the Merger will be the
same as the tax basis of Company Common Stock for which it was exchanged,
reduced by any amount allocable to a fractional share interest for which
cash is received.
5. The holding period of the shares of Common Stock will include the holding
period of the Company Common Stock for which it is exchanged, provided that
such Company Common Stock was held as a capital asset at the Effective
Time.
This opinion may not be applicable to Company shareholders who receive their
shares of Common Stock pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options or
otherwise as compensation or who are not citizens or residents of the United
States.
Our opinion is limited to the foregoing federal income tax consequences of
the Merger, which are the only matters as to which you have requested our
opinion, and you must judge whether the matters addressed herein are
sufficient for your purposes. We do not address any other federal income tax
consequences of the Merger or other matters of federal law and have not
considered matters (including state or local tax consequences) arising under
the laws of any jurisdiction other than matters of federal law arising under
the laws of the United States.
Our opinion is based on the understanding that the relevant facts are, and
will be at the Effective Time, as set forth or referred to in this letter. If
this understanding is incorrect or incomplete in any respect, our opinion
could be affected.
Our opinion is also based on the Code, Treasury Regulations, case law, and
Internal Revenue Service rulings as they now exist. These authorities are all
subject to change and such change may be made with retroactive effect. We can
give no assurance that after any such change, our opinion would not be
different. Moreover, our opinion is not binding on the Internal Revenue
Service or the courts.
We undertake no responsibility to update or supplement our opinion. Only
Buyer may rely on our opinion, and only with respect to the Merger described
herein.
We hereby consent to the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission
of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 and to
the reference to our firm under the heading "THE MERGER--Certain U.S. Federal
Income Tax Consequences" in the Company Proxy Statement contained therein. In
giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of
persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of
1933.
Very truly yours,
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 8.2
[LETTERHEAD OF DEBEVOISE & PLIMPTON]
OCTOBER [ ], 1998
Delta and Pine Land Company
One Cotton Row
P.O. Box 217
Scott, Mississippi 38772
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special counsel to Delta and Pine Land Company ("D&PL") in
connection with the transactions contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of
Merger, dated as of May 8, 1998 (the "Merger Agreement"), by and between D&PL
and Monsanto Company ("Monsanto"). This opinion is delivered in connection
with the Proxy Statement/Prospectus prepared by D&PL and Monsanto with respect
to the Merger (the "Proxy Statement/Prospectus"). The delivery of an opinion
in substantially the form hereof, and the reconfirmation of this opinion at
the Effective Time, is a condition to the obligation of D&PL to consummate the
Merger pursuant to Section 8.01(i) of the Merger Agreement. All capitalized
terms used herein, unless otherwise specified, shall have the meanings
ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement.
In rendering our opinion, we have examined and relied upon the accuracy and
completeness of the facts, information, covenants, statements and
representations contained in originals or copies, certified or otherwise
identified to our satisfaction, of the Merger Agreement, the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus and the Registration Statement of Monsanto of which it
forms a part (the "Registration Statement"), the letters of representation of
D&PL and Monsanto dated October 26, 1998, provided to Arnold & Porter and
Debevoise & Plimpton and attached hereto (the "Tax Representation Letters"),
and such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis
for the opinion set forth below. Our opinion is expressly conditioned upon,
among other things, the accuracy as of the date hereof, and the continuing
accuracy, of all such facts, information, covenants, statements and
representations up to and including the Effective Time. We have assumed that
the covenants, statements and representations contained in the Tax
Representation Letters will be reconfirmed as of the Effective Time.
In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the
legal capacity of natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted
to us as certified or photostatic copies and the authenticity of the originals
of such documents. We have also assumed that the contemplated transactions
will be consummated at the Effective Time in accordance with the terms of the
Merger Agreement.
In rendering our opinion, we have considered the applicable provisions of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), Treasury
regulations promulgated thereunder, pertinent judicial authorities,
interpretive rulings of the Internal Revenue Service and such other
authorities as we have considered relevant. Statutes, regulations, judicial
decisions and administrative interpretations are subject to change at any time
and, in some circumstances, with retroactive effect. A material change in the
authorities or the facts, information, covenants, statements, representations
or assumptions upon which our opinion is based could affect our conclusions.
In addition, there can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service would
not take a position contrary to that which is stated in this opinion.
Subject to the foregoing and to the qualifications and limitations set forth
herein, we are of the opinion that for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
1. The Merger will qualify as a reorganization pursuant to section 368(a)
of the Code.
2. No gain or loss will be recognized by the stockholders of D&PL upon
receipt of Buyer Common Stock in exchange for their D&PL common stock, par
value $0.10 per share ("D&PL Common Stock"),
<PAGE>
except that a holder of D&PL Common Stock who receives cash in lieu of a
fractional share of Buyer Common Stock will recognize gain or loss equal to
the difference between the amount of such cash and the tax basis allocated
to such stockholder's fractional share of Buyer Common Stock.
3. The aggregate tax basis of the Buyer Common Stock received in the
Merger (including fractional share of Buyer Common Stock for which cash is
received) will be the same as the tax basis of the D&PL Common Stock for
which it is exchanged.
4. The holding period of the Buyer Common Stock will include the holding
period of the D&PL Common Stock for which it is exchanged, provided that
such D&PL Common Stock is held as a capital asset at the Effective Time.
Our opinion is limited to the foregoing U.S. Federal income tax consequences
of the Merger.
The above opinion may not be applicable to D&PL shareholders who received
their shares of D&PL Common Stock pursuant to the exercise of employee stock
options or otherwise as compensation.
We are delivering this opinion to you and, without our prior written
consent, no other person is entitled to rely on this opinion. We hereby
consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus and the Registration Statement and to the use of our name
therein under the caption "The Merger--Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax
Consequences". In giving such consent, we do not thereby concede that we are
within the category of persons whose consent is required under section 7 of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Rules and Regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder. This opinion is
expressed as of the date hereof, and we disclaim any undertaking to advise you
of any subsequent changes in the matters stated, represented or assumed
herein, or of any subsequent changes in applicable law.
Very truly yours,
2
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus constituting part of this Registration Statement on Form
S-4 of Monsanto Company of our report dated October 24, 1997, which appears on
page 20 of Delta and Pine Land Company's 1997 Annual Report to Stockholders,
which is incorporated by reference in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended August 31, 1997. We also consent to the reference to us under the
heading "Experts" in such Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
Memphis, Tennessee
October 22, 1998.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23.2
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement
of Monsanto Company on Form S-4 of our report dated February 27, 1998,
incorporated by reference in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Monsanto
Company for the year ended December 31, 1997 and to the reference to us under
the heading "Experts" in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is part of this
Registration Statement.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
St. Louis, Missouri
October 26, 1998
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 99.2
CONSENT OF MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED
The Board of Directors
Delta and Pine Land Company
One Cotton Row
Scott, Mississippi 38772
Members of the Board:
We hereby consent to the use of our name and to the description of our
opinion letters dated May 8, 1998 and October 23, 1998 under the captions
"SUMMARY--Opinions of Financial Advisor to Delta Pine", "THE MERGER--
Recommendation of the Delta Pine Board of Directors; Reasons for the Merger",
and "--Opinions of Financial Advisor" in, and to the inclusion of the October
23, 1998 opinion letter as Appendix B to, the Proxy Statement/Prospectus of
Delta and Pine Land Company and Monsanto Company, which Proxy
Statement/Prospectus is part of this Registration Statement on Form S-4. By
giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are experts with respect
to any part of such Registration Statement within the meaning of the term
"expert" as used in, or that we come within the category of persons whose
consent is required under, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated
thereunder.
/s/ Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated
New York, New York
October 27, 1998
