SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 8-A
For Registration of Certain Classes of Securities
Pursuant to Section 12(b) or (g) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
POSSIS MEDICAL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Minnesota 41-0783184
(State of incorporation (I.R.S. Employer
or organization) Identification No.)
9055 Evergreen Boulevard, N.W.
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55433-8003
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
If this Form relates to the registration of a class of debt securities and
is effective upon filing pursuant to General Instruction A.(c)(1), please check
the following box. ___
If this Form relates to the registration of a class of debt securities and
is to become effective simultaneously with the effectiveness of a concurrent
registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to General
Instruction A.(c)(2), please check the following box. ____
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Not Applicable
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Preferred Share Purchase Rights
(Title of class)
<PAGE>
Item 1. Description of Registrant's Securities to be Registered
On December 11, 1996, the Board of Directors of Possis Medical, Inc. (the
"Company"), declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a
"Right") per share for each outstanding share of Common Stock, par value $.40
(the "Common Shares"), of the Company. The dividend is payable on December 23,
1996 (the "Record Date") to shareholders of record on that date.
Each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase from the Company one
one-hundredth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par
value $.40 (the "Preferred Shares"), of the Company at a price of $160.00 per
one-hundredth of a Preferred Share (the "Purchase Price"), subject to
adjustment. The description and terms of the Rights are set forth in a Rights
Agreement (the "Rights Agreement"), dated as of December 12, 1996, between the
Company and Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association, as Rights Agent (the
"Rights Agent").
Initially, the Rights will be evidenced by the certificates representing
Common Shares then outstanding and no separate Right Certificates will be
distributed. The Rights will separate from the Common Shares, and a Distribution
Date for the Rights will occur upon the earlier of: (i) the first date of public
announcement that a Person or group of affiliated or associated Persons has
become an "Acquiring Person" (i.e., has become, subject to certain exceptions,
the beneficial owner of 15% or more of the outstanding Common Shares) (except
pursuant to a Permitted Offer, as hereinafter defined) and (ii) the 10th day
following the commencement or public announcement of a tender offer or exchange
offer, the consummation of which would result in a Person or group of affiliated
or associated Persons becoming, subject to certain exceptions, the beneficial
owner of 15% or more of the outstanding Common Shares (or such later date as may
be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company prior to a Person or
group of affiliated or associated Persons becoming an Acquiring Person) (the
earlier of such dates being called the "Distribution Date").
A "Permitted Offer" is a tender offer or an exchange offer for all
outstanding Common Shares of the Company at a price and on terms determined by a
majority of the Board of Directors of the Company who are not officers of the
Company and who are not Acquiring Persons or affiliates or associates of an
Acquiring Person and after receiving advice from one or more investment banking
firms, to be (a) fair to shareholders (taking into account all factors which the
Board of Directors deems relevant) and (b) otherwise in the best interests of
the Company and its shareholders employees, customers, suppliers and creditors
and the communities in which the Company does business, and which the Board of
Directors determines to recommend to the shareholders of the Company.
Until the Distribution Date, (i) the Rights will be evidenced by the Common
Share certificates and will be transferred with and only with the Common Shares,
(ii) new Common Share certificates issued after the Record Date upon transfer or
new issuance of the Common Shares will contain a notation incorporating the
Rights Agreement by reference, and (iii) the surrender for transfer of any
Common Share certificate, even without such notation or a copy of the Summary of
Rights attached thereto, will also constitute the transfer of the Rights
associated with the Common Shares represented by such certificate.
As promptly as practicable following the Distribution Date, separate
certificates evidencing the Rights ("Right Certificates") will be mailed to
holders of record of the Common Shares as of the close of business on the
Distribution Date, and such separate Right Certificates alone will evidence the
Rights.
The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date. The Rights will
expire on December 23, 2006, unless extended or earlier redeemed or exchanged by
the Company as described below.
The Purchase Price payable and the number of Preferred Shares or other
securities or property issuable upon exercise of the Rights are subject to
adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution: (i) in the event of a stock
dividend on, or a subdivision, combination or reclassification of, the Preferred
Shares, (ii) upon the grant to holders of the Preferred Shares of certain
rights, options or warrants to subscribe for or purchase Preferred Shares or
convertible securities at less than the then current market price of the
Preferred Shares, or (iii) upon the distribution to holders of the Preferred
Shares of evidences of indebtedness or assets (excluding regular periodic cash
dividends or dividends payable in Preferred Shares) or of subscription rights or
warrants (other than those described in clause (ii) of this paragraph). With
certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Purchase Price will be required until
cumulative adjustments require an adjustment of at least 1% in the Purchase
Price.
<PAGE>
No fraction of a Preferred Share (other than fractions in integral
multiples of one one-hundredth of a share) will be issued and, in lieu thereof,
an adjustment in cash will be made based on the closing price on the last
trading date prior to the date of exercise.
The number of outstanding Rights and the number of one one-hundredths of a
Preferred Share issuable upon exercise of each Right are also subject to
adjustment in the event of a stock split of the Common Shares or a stock
dividend on the Common Shares payable in Common Shares or subdivisions,
consolidations or combinations of the Common Shares occurring, in any such case,
prior to the Distribution Date.
Preferred Shares purchasable upon exercise of the Rights will not be
redeemable. Each Preferred Share will be entitled to a minimum preferential
quarterly dividend payment of $.01 per share but will be entitled to an
aggregate dividend of 100 times the dividend declared per Common Share. In the
event of liquidation, the holders of the Preferred Shares will be entitled to a
minimum preferential liquidation payment of $.01 per share but will be entitled
to an aggregate payment of 100 times the payment made per Common Share. Each
Preferred Share will have 100 votes, voting together with the Common Shares.
Finally, in the event of any merger, consolidation or other transaction in which
Common Shares are exchanged, each Preferred Share will be entitled to receive
100 times the amount received per Common Share. These rights are subject to
adjustment in the event of a stock dividend on the Common Shares or a
subdivision, combination or consolidation of the Common Shares.
In the event that a person or group becomes an Acquiring Person (except
pursuant to a Permitted Offer (as defined below)), each holder of a Right, other
than the Acquiring Person or the affiliates, associates or transferees thereof
(whose Rights will thereafter be void), will thereafter have the right to
receive upon exercise thereof at the then current exercise price of the Right
that number of Common Shares having a market value of two times the exercise
price of the Right, subject to certain possible adjustments.
In the event that the Company is acquired in certain mergers or other
business combination transactions or 50% or more of the assets or earning power
of the Company and its subsidiaries (taken as a whole) are sold after a person
or group becomes an Acquiring Person (except pursuant to a Permitted Offer),
holders of the Rights will thereafter have the Right to receive, upon exercise
thereof at the then current exercise price of the Right, that number of Common
Shares of the acquiring company (or, in certain cases, one of its Affiliates)
having a market value of two times the exercise price of the Right.
At any time after a Person becomes an Acquiring Person (subject to certain
exceptions), and prior to the acquisition by a Person of 50% or more of the
outstanding Common Shares, the Continuing Directors may exchange all or part of
the Rights for Common Shares at an exchange ratio per Right equal to the result
obtained by dividing the exercise price of a Right by the current per share
market price of the Common Shares, subject to adjustment.
At any time before a Person has become an Acquiring Person, the Continuing
Directors may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $.01
per Right (the "Redemption Price"), subject to adjustment. The redemption of the
Rights may be made effective at such time, on such basis and with such
conditions as such Continuing Directors may, in their sole discretion,
establish.
A "Continuing Director" is a member of the Board of Directors who was a
member of the Board on December 23, 1996, or who subsequently became or becomes
a member of the Board of Directors with the recommendation or approval of a
majority of the Continuing Directors. Continuing Directors do not include any
Acquiring Person or affiliate or associate of an Acquiring Person.
<PAGE>
Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no
rights as a shareholder of the Company, including without limitation, the right
to vote or to receive dividends.
This summary description of the Rights does not purport to be complete and
is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Rights Agreement, a copy of
which is filed as an Exhibit hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 2. Exhibits
1. Rights Agreement, dated as of December 12, 1996 between the Company and
Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association, which includes as Exhibit B
thereto the form of Right Certificate.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.
POSSIS MEDICAL, INC.
Date: December 12, 1996
By _____________________
Irving R. Colacci
Vice President, Legal Affairs & Human
Resources, General Counsel and Secretary
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Description of Exhibit Page Number
1 Rights Agreement, dated as of December 12, 1996, 7
between Possis Medical, Inc. and Norwest Bank
Minnesota, National Association, as Rights Agent
<PAGE>
Exhibit 1
POSSIS MEDICAL, INC.
and
NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA,
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Dated as of December 12, 1996
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Section 1. Certain Definitions 1
Section 2. Appointment of Rights Agent 4
Section 3. Issue of Right Certificates 4
Section 4. Form of Right Certificates 5
Section 5. Countersignature and Registration 6
Section 6. Transfer, Split Up, Combination and Exchange
of Right Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed,
Lost or Stolen Right Certificates 6
Section 7. Exercise of Rights; Purchase Price;
Expiration Date of Rights 7
Section 8. Cancellation and Destruction of Right Certificates 8
Section 9. Availability of Preferred Shares 8
Section 10. Preferred Shares Record Date 9
Section 11. Adjustment of Purchase Price, Number
of Shares or Number of Rights 10
Section 12. Certificate of Adjusted Purchase Price or
Number of Shares 16
Section 13. Consolidation, Merger or Sale or Transfer
of Assets or Earning Power 16
Section 14. Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares 18
Section 15. Rights of Action 19
Section 16. Agreement of Right Holders 20
Section 17. Right Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Shareholder 20
Section 18. Concerning the Rights Agent 20
Section 19. Merger or Consolidation or Change of
Name of Rights Agent 21
Section 20. Duties of Rights Agent 21
Section 21. Change of Rights Agent 23
Section 22. Issuance of New Right Certificates 23
Section 23. Redemption 24
Section 24. Exchange 25
<PAGE>
Section 25. Notice of Certain Events 26
Section 26. Notices 26
Section 27. Supplements and Amendments 27
Section 28. Successors 27
Section 29. Benefits of this Agreement 27
Section 30. Severability 27
Section 31. Governing Law 27
Section 32. Counterparts 27
Section 33. Descriptive Headings 28
Signatures 28
Exhibit A - Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock
Exhibit B - Form of Right Certificates
Exhibit C - Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Shares
<PAGE>
RIGHTS AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT, dated as of December 12, 1996, between Possis Medical, Inc., a
Minnesota corporation (the "Company"), and Norwest Bank Minnesota, National
Association (the "Rights Agent").
The Board of Directors of the Company has authorized and declared a
dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a "Right") for each Common Share
of the Company outstanding at the Close of Business on December 23, 1996 (the
"Record Date"), each Right representing the right to purchase one one-hundredth
of a Preferred Share, upon the terms and subject to the conditions herein set
forth, and has further authorized and directed the issuance of one Right with
respect to each Common Share that shall become outstanding between the Record
Date and the earliest of the Distribution Date, the Redemption Date and the
Final Expiration Date (as such terms are hereinafter defined); provided,
however, that Rights may be issued with respect to Common Shares that shall
become outstanding after the Distribution Date and prior to the earlier of the
Redemption Date and the Final Expiration Date in accordance with the provisions
of Section 22 of this Agreement.
Accordingly, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements
herein set forth, the parties hereby agree as follows:
Section 1. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the
following terms have the meanings indicated:
"Acquiring Person" shall mean any Person who or which, together with all
Affiliates and Associates of such Person, shall be the Beneficial Owner of the
Threshold Percentage or more of the Common Shares then outstanding, other than
pursuant to a Permitted Offer, but shall not include any Exempt Person.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Person shall become an "Acquiring Person" as
the result of an acquisition of Common Shares by the Company which, by reducing
the number of shares outstanding, increases the proportionate number of shares
beneficially owned by such Person to the Threshold Percentage or more of the
Common Shares of the Company then outstanding; provided, however, that if a
Person shall become the Beneficial Owner of the Threshold Percentage or more of
the Common Shares of the Company then outstanding by reason of share purchases
by the Company and shall, after such share purchases by the Company, increase
the number of Common Shares of the Company beneficially owned by such Person
above the number of Common Shares of the Company beneficially owned by such
Person at the time of the last such share purchase by the Company, then such
Person shall be deemed to be an "Acquiring Person." Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if the Board of Directors of the Company determines in good faith
that a Person who would otherwise be an "Acquiring Person", as defined pursuant
to the foregoing provisions of this paragraph has become such inadvertently, and
such Person divests as promptly as practicable a sufficient number of Common
Shares so that such Person would no longer be an "Acquiring Person", as defined
pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this paragraph then such Person shall
not be deemed to be an "Acquiring Person" for any purposes of this Agreement.
"Affiliate" and "Associate" shall have the respective meanings ascribed to
such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange
Act.
A Person shall be deemed the "Beneficial Owner" of and shall be deemed to
"beneficially own" any securities:
(i) which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates
beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, including without limitation
securities with respect to which such Person or any such Person's Affiliates or
Associates has "beneficial ownership" pursuant to Rule-13d-3 of the General
Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act, as in effect on the date of this
Agreement;
<PAGE>
(ii) which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates has
(A) the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only
after the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or
understanding (other than customary agreements with and between underwriters and
selling group members with respect to a bona fide public offering of
securities), or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, rights
(other than these Rights), warrants or options, or otherwise; provided, however,
that a Person shall not be deemed the Beneficial Owner of, or to beneficially
own, securities tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by or on
behalf of such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates until
such tendered securities are accepted for purchase or exchange; or (B) the right
to vote pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding; provided,
however, that a Person shall not be deemed the Beneficial Owner of, or to
beneficially own, any security if the agreement, arrangement or understanding to
vote such security (1) arises solely from a revocable proxy or consent given to
such Person in response to a public proxy or consent solicitation made pursuant
to, and in accordance with, the applicable rules and regulations promulgated
under the Exchange Act and (2) is not also then reportable on Schedule 13D under
the Exchange Act (or any comparable or successor report); or
(iii) which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any other
Person (or any Affiliate or Associate thereof) with which such Person or any of
such Person's Affiliates or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or
understanding (other than customary agreements with and between underwriters and
selling group members with respect to a bona fide public offering of securities)
for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except to the extent contemplated
by the proviso to clause(ii)(B) above) or disposing of any securities of the
Company.
Notwithstanding anything in this definition of Beneficial Ownership to the
contrary, the phrase "then outstanding," when used with reference to a Person's
Beneficial Ownership of securities of the Company, shall mean the number of such
securities then issued and outstanding together with the number of such
securities not then actually issued and outstanding which such Person would be
deemed to own beneficially hereunder.
"Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day
on which banking institutions in the State of Minnesota are authorized or
obligated by law or executive order to close.
"Close of Business" on any given date shall mean 5:00 P.M., prevailing
Minneapolis time, on such date; provided, however, that if such date is not a
Business Day, it shall mean 5:00 P.M., prevailing Minneapolis time, on the next
succeeding Business Day.
"Common Shares," when used with reference to the Company, shall mean the
shares of Common Stock, par value $.40 per share, of the Company. "Common
Shares," when used with reference to any Person other than the Company, shall
mean the capital stock (or equity interest) with the greatest voting power of
such other Person or, if such other Person is a Subsidiary of any other Person,
the Person or Persons which ultimately control such first mentioned Person.
"Continuing Director" shall mean (a) any member of the Board of Directors
of the Company, while such Person is a member of the Board of Directors, who is
not an Acquiring Person, or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person, or
a representative of an Acquiring Person or of any such Affiliate or Associate,
and was a member of the Board of Directors prior to the date of this Agreement,
or (b)_any Person who subsequently becomes a member of the Board of Directors,
while such Person is a member of the Board of Directors, who is not an Acquiring
Person, or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person or of such Affiliate
or Associate, if such Person's nomination for election or election to the Board
of Directors is recommended or approved by a majority of the Continuing
Directors.
<PAGE>
"Distribution Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.
"Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
"Exchange Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.
"Exempt Person" shall mean the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, any
employee benefit plan of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company, and
any Person organized, appointed or established by the Company for or pursuant to
the terms of any such plan, and any Person who or which, together with all
Affiliates and Associates of such Person, shall become the Beneficial Owner of
the Threshold Percentage or more of the then outstanding Common Shares as the
result of acquisitions of Common Shares directly from the Company.
"Final Expiration Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.
"Person" shall mean any individual, firm, corporation or other entity, and
shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such entity.
"Permitted Offer" shall mean a tender offer or an exchange offer for all
outstanding Common Shares of the Company at a price and on terms determined,
prior to the purchase of shares under such tender or exchange offer, by a
majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company who are not
officers of the Company and who are not Acquiring Persons or Affiliates,
Associates or representatives of an Acquiring Person, after receiving advice
from one or more investment banking firms, to be (a) fair to shareholders
(taking into account all factors which such members of the Board of Directors
deems relevant) and (b) otherwise in the best interests of the Company, its
shareholders, employees, customers, suppliers and creditors and the communities
in which the Company does business, and which such members of the Board of
Directors determines to recommend to the shareholders of the Company.
"Preferred Shares" shall mean shares of Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock, par value $.40, of the Company having the rights and
preferences set forth in the form of Certificate of Designations attached to
this Agreement as Exhibit A.
"Redemption Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.
"Section 11(a)(ii) Event" shall mean any event described in Section
11(a)(ii).
"Section 13 Event" shall mean any event described in clauses (w), (x), (y)
or (z) of Section 13(a).
"Shares Acquisition Date" shall mean the first date of public announcement
(which, for purposes of this definition, shall include, without limitation, a
report filed pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) by the Company or
any Person that such Person has become an Acquiring Person.
"Subsidiary" of any Person shall mean any corporation or other entity of
which a majority of the voting power of the voting equity securities or equity
interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person.
"Threshold Percentage" shall mean 15%.
"Triggering Event" shall mean any Section 11(a)(ii) Event or any Section 13
Event.
Section 2. Appointment of Rights Agent. The Company hereby appoints the
Rights Agent to act as agent for the Company and the holders of the Rights (who,
in accordance with Section 3, shall prior to the Distribution Date also be the
holders of the Common Shares) in accordance with the terms and conditions
hereof, and the Rights Agent hereby accepts such appointment. The Company may
from time to time appoint such co-Rights Agents as it may deem necessary or
desirable.
<PAGE>
Section 3. Issue of Right Certificates.
(a) Until the earlier of (i) the Shares Acquisition Date or (ii) the tenth
day (or such later date as may be determined by action of the Board of Directors
prior to such time as any Person becomes an Acquiring Person) after the date of
the commencement by any Person (other than an Exempt Person) of, or of the first
public announcement of the intention of any Person (other than an Exempt Person)
to commence, a tender or exchange offer the consummation of which would result
in any Person becoming an Acquiring Person (the earlier of such dates being
referred to herein as the "Distribution Date"), (y) the Rights will be evidenced
(subject to the provisions of Section 3(b)) by the certificates for Common
Shares registered in the names of the holders thereof (which certificates shall
also be deemed to be Right Certificates) and not by separate Right Certificates,
and (z) the right to receive Right Certificates will be transferable only in
connection with the transfer of Common Shares. As soon as practicable after the
Distribution Date, the Company will prepare and execute, the Rights Agent will
countersign, and the Company will send or cause to be sent (and the Rights Agent
will, if requested, send) by first-class, postage-prepaid mail, to each record
holder of Common Shares as of the Close of Business on the Distribution Date, at
the address of such holder shown on the records of the Company, a Right
Certificate, in substantially the form of Exhibit B (a "Right Certificate"),
evidencing one Right for each Common Share so held. As of the Distribution Date,
the Rights will be evidenced solely by such Right Certificates.
(b) As soon as practicable after the Record Date, the Company will send a
copy of a Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Shares, in substantially the
form of Exhibit C (the "Summary of Rights"), by first-class, postage-prepaid
mail, to each record holder of Common Shares as of the Close of Business on the
Record Date, at the address of such holder shown on the records of the Company.
With respect to certificates for Common Shares outstanding as of the Close of
Business on the Record Date, until the Distribution Date, the Rights will be
evidenced by such certificates registered in the names of the holders thereof
together with a copy of the Summary of Rights. Until the Distribution Date (or
the earlier of the Redemption Date or the Final Expiration Date if occurring
prior to the Distribution Date), the surrender for transfer of any certificate
for Common Shares outstanding on the Record Date, with or without a copy of the
Summary of Rights attached thereto, shall also constitute the transfer of the
Rights associated with the Common Shares represented thereby.
(c) Certificates for Common Shares which become outstanding after the
Record Date but prior to the earliest of the Distribution Date, the Redemption
Date or the Final Expiration Date shall have impressed on, printed on, written
on or otherwise affixed to them the following legend:
This certificate also evidences and entitles the holder hereof to certain
rights as set forth in a Rights Agreement between Possis Medical, Inc. and
Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association, dated as of December 12, 1996 (the
"Rights Agreement"), the terms of which are hereby incorporated herein by
reference and a copy of which is on file at the principal executive offices of
Possis Medical, Inc. Under certain circumstances, as set forth in the Rights
Agreement, such Rights will be evidenced by separate certificates and will no
longer be evidenced by this certificate. Possis Medical, Inc. will mail to the
holder of this certificate a copy of the Rights Agreement without charge after
receipt of a written request therefor. Under certain circumstances, as set forth
in the Rights Agreement, Rights issued to any Person who becomes an Acquiring
Person or an Associate or Affiliate thereof (as defined in the Rights
Agreement), or certain transferees of such Person, may become null and void.
With respect to such certificates containing the foregoing legend, until
the Distribution Date, the Rights associated with the Common Shares represented
by such certificates shall be evidenced by such certificates alone, and the
surrender for transfer of any such certificate shall also constitute the
transfer of the Rights associated with the Common Shares represented thereby.
<PAGE>
Section 4. Form of Right Certificates.
(a) The Right Certificates (and the forms of election to purchase Preferred
Shares and of assignment to be printed on the reverse thereof) shall be
substantially the same as Exhibit B and may have such marks of identification or
designation and such legends, summaries or endorsements printed thereon as the
Company may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of
this Agreement, or as may be required to comply with any applicable law or with
any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of
any stock exchange or automated quotations system on which the Rights may from
time to time be listed, or to conform to usage. Subject to the provisions of
Section 11, the Right Certificates shall entitle the holders thereof to purchase
such number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share as shall be set forth
therein at the price per one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share set forth
therein (the "Purchase Price"), but the number of such one one-hundredths of a
Preferred Share and the Purchase Price shall be subject to adjustment as
provided herein.
(b) Any Rights Certificate issued pursuant to Section 3(a) or Section 22
hereof that represents Rights beneficially owned by: (i) an Acquiring Person or
any Associate or Affiliate of an Acquiring Person, (ii) a transferee of an
Acquiring Person (or of any such Associate or Affiliate) who becomes a
transferee after the Acquiring Person becomes such, or (iii) a transferee of an
Acquiring Person (or of any such Associate or Affiliate) who becomes a
transferee prior to or concurrently with the Acquiring Person becoming such and
receives such Rights pursuant to either (A) a transfer (whether or not for
consideration) from the Acquiring Person to holders of equity interests in such
Acquiring Person or to any Person with whom such Acquiring Person has any
continuing agreement, arrangement or understanding regarding the transferred
Rights or (B) a transfer which the Board of Directors of the Company has
determined is part of a plan, arrangement or understanding which has as a
primary purpose or effect the avoidance of Section 7(e) hereof, and any Rights
Certificate issued pursuant to Section 6 or Section 11 hereof upon transfer,
exchange, replacement or adjustment of any other Rights Certificate referred to
in this sentence, shall contain (to the extent feasible) the following legend:
The Rights represented by this Rights Certificate are or were beneficially
owned by a Person who was or became an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or
Associate of an Acquiring Person (as such terms are defined in the Rights
Agreement). Accordingly, this Rights Certificate and the Rights represented
hereby may become null and void in the circumstances specified in Section 7(e)
of such Agreement.
Section 5. Countersignature and Registration. The Right Certificates shall
be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its
President, any of its Vice Presidents or its Treasurer either manually or by
facsimile signature and shall be attested by the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary of the Company, either manually or by facsimile signature. The Right
Certificates shall be manually countersigned by the Rights Agent for purposes of
authorization only and shall not be valid for any purpose unless countersigned.
In case any officer of the Company who shall have signed any of the Right
Certificates shall cease to be such officer of the Company before
countersignature by the Rights Agent and issuance and delivery by the Company,
such Right Certificates, nevertheless, may be countersigned by the Rights Agent
and issued and delivered by the Company with the same force and effect as though
the Person who signed such Right Certificates had not ceased to be such officer
of the Company; and any Right Certificate may be signed on behalf of the Company
by any Person who, at the actual date of the execution of such Right
Certificate, shall be a proper officer of the Company to sign such Right
Certificate, although at the date of the execution of this Rights Agreement any
such Person was not such an officer.
Following the Distribution Date, the Rights Agent will keep or cause to be
kept, at its principal office, books for registration and transfer of the Right
Certificates issued hereunder. Such books shall show the names and addresses of
the respective holders of the Right Certificates, the number of Rights evidenced
on its face by each of the Right Certificates and the date of each of the Right
Certificates.
Section 6. Transfer, Split Up, Combination and Exchange of Right
Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Right Certificates.
<PAGE>
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b), Section 7(e) and Section 14,
at any time after the Close of Business on the Distribution Date, and at or
prior to the Close of Business on the earlier of the Redemption Date or the
Final Expiration Date, any Right Certificate or Right Certificates may be
transferred, split up, combined or exchanged for another Right Certificate or
Right Certificates, entitling the registered holder to purchase a like number of
one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share (or, following a Triggering Event,
Common Shares, other securities, cash or other assets, as the case may be) as
the Right Certificate or Right Certificates surrendered then entitled such
holder to purchase. Any registered holder desiring to transfer, split up,
combine or exchange any Right Certificate or Right Certificates shall make such
request in writing delivered to the Rights Agent, and shall surrender the Right
Certificate or Right Certificates to be transferred, split up, combined or
exchanged at the principal office of the Rights Agent. Thereupon the Rights
Agent shall, subject to Section 4(b), Section 7(e), Section 14 and Section 24,
countersign and deliver to the Person entitled thereto a Right Certificate or
Right Certificates, as the case may be, as so requested. The Company may require
payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or governmental charge that may be
imposed in connection with any transfer, split up, combination or exchange of
Right Certificates.
(b) Upon receipt by the Company and the Rights Agent of evidence reasonably
satisfactory to them of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of a Right
Certificate, and, in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or
security reasonably satisfactory to them, and, at the Company's request,
reimbursement to the Company and the Rights Agent of all reasonable expenses
incidental thereto, and upon surrender to the Rights Agent and cancellation of
the Right Certificate if mutilated, the Company will issue, execute and deliver
a new Right Certificate of like tenor to the Rights Agent for countersignature
and delivery to the registered holder in lieu of the Right Certificate so lost,
stolen, destroyed or mutilated.
Section 7. Exercise of Rights; Purchase Price; Expiration Date of Rights.
(a) Subject to Section 7(e), the registered holder of any Right Certificate
may exercise the Rights evidenced thereby (except as otherwise provided herein)
in whole or in part at any time after the Distribution Date upon surrender of
the Right Certificate, with the form of election to purchase on the reverse side
thereof duly executed, to the Rights Agent at the office or offices of the
Rights Agent designated for such purpose, together with payment of the Purchase
Price for each one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share as to which the Rights are
exercised, at or prior to the earliest of (i) the Close of Business on December
23, 2006 (the "Final Expiration Date"), (ii) the time at which the Rights are
redeemed as provided in Section 23 (the "Redemption Date") or (iii) the time at
which such Rights are exchanged as provided in Section 24 (the "Exchange Date").
(b) The Purchase Price for each one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share
purchasable pursuant to the exercise of a Right shall initially be $160.00,
shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in Sections 11 and
13 and shall be payable in lawful money of the United States of America in
accordance with paragraph (c) below.
(c) Upon receipt of a Right Certificate representing exercisable Rights,
with the form of election to purchase duly executed, accompanied by payment of
the Purchase Price for the Preferred Shares (or other shares, securities, cash
or other assets, as the case may be) to be purchased and an amount equal to any
applicable transfer tax required to be paid by the holder of such Right
Certificate in accordance with Section 9 by certified check, cashier's check or
money order payable to the order of the Company, the Rights Agent shall
thereupon promptly (i) (A) requisition from any transfer agent for the Preferred
Shares (or make available, if the Rights Agent is the transfer agent for such
shares) certificates for the number of Preferred Shares to be purchased and the
Company hereby irrevocably authorizes its transfer agent to comply with all such
requests, or (B) if the Company shall have elected to deposit with a depository
agent the total number of Preferred Shares issuable upon exercise of the Rights
hereunder, requisition from the depositary agent depositary receipts
representing such number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share as are to be
purchased (in which case certificates for the Preferred Shares represented by
such receipts shall be deposited by the transfer agent with the depositary
agent) and the Company hereby directs the depositary agent to comply with such
request, (ii) when appropriate, requisition from the Company the amount of cash
to be paid in lieu of issuance of fractional shares in accordance with Section
14, (iii) after receipt of such certificates or depositary receipts, cause the
same to be delivered to or upon the order of the registered holder of such Right
Certificate, registered in such name or names as may be designated by such
holder, and (iv) when appropriate, after receipt, deliver such cash to or upon
the order of the registered holder of such Right Certificate.
<PAGE>
(d) In case the registered holder of any Right Certificate shall exercise
less than all of the Rights evidenced thereby, a new Right Certificate
evidencing Rights equivalent to the Rights remaining unexercised shall be issued
by the Rights Agent to the registered holder of such Right Certificate or to
such holder's duly authorized assigns, subject to the provisions of Section 14.
(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, from and
after the first occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, any Rights Beneficially
Owned by (i) an Acquiring Person or an Associate or Affiliate of an Acquiring
Person, (ii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any such Associate or
Affiliate) who becomes a transferee after the Acquiring Person becomes such, or
(iii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any such Associate or
Affiliate) who becomes a transferee prior to or concurrently with the Acquiring
Person becoming such and receives such Rights pursuant to either (A) a transfer
(whether or not for consideration) from the Acquiring Person to holders of
equity interests in such Acquiring Person or to any Person with whom the
Acquiring Person has any continuing agreement, arrangement or understanding
regarding the transferred Rights or (B) a transfer which the Board of Directors
of the Company has determined is part of a plan, arrangement or understanding
which has as a primary purpose or effect the avoidance of this Section 7(e),
shall become null and void without any further action and no holder of such
Rights shall have any rights whatsoever with respect to such Rights, whether
under any provision of this Agreement or otherwise. The Company shall use all
reasonable efforts to insure that the provisions of this Section 7(e) and
Section 4(b) hereof are complied with, but shall have no liability to any holder
of Rights Certificates or other Person as a result of its failure to make any
determinations with respect to an Acquiring Person or any of their respective
Affiliates, Associates or transferees hereunder.
(f) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither the
Rights Agent nor the Company shall be obligated to undertake any action with
respect to a registered holder upon the occurrence of any purported exercise as
set forth in this Section unless such registered holder shall have (i) duly
completed and executed the form of election to purchase set forth on the reverse
side of the Right Certificate surrendered for such exercise and (ii) provided
such additional evidence of the identity of the Beneficial Owner (or former
Beneficial Owner) of such Right Certificate or Affiliates or Associates thereof
as the Company shall reasonably request.
Section 8. Cancellation and Destruction of Right Certificates. All Right
Certificates surrendered for the purpose of exercise, transfer, split up,
combination or exchange shall, if surrendered to the Company or to any of its
agents, be delivered to the Rights Agent for cancellation or in canceled form,
or, if surrendered to the Rights Agent, shall be canceled by it, and no Right
Certificates shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by
any of the provisions of this Rights Agreement. The Company shall deliver to the
Rights Agent for cancellation and retirement, and the Rights Agent shall so
cancel and retire, any other Right Certificate purchased or acquired by the
Company otherwise than upon the exercise thereof. The Rights Agent shall deliver
all canceled Right Certificates to the Company, or shall, at the written request
of the Company and after any required Securities and Exchange Commission
retention period, destroy such canceled Right Certificates, and in such case
shall deliver a certificate of destruction thereof to the Company.
Section 9. Availability of Preferred Shares.
(a) The Company covenants and agrees that it will cause to be reserved and
kept available out of its authorized and unissued Preferred Shares the number of
Preferred Shares that will be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of all
outstanding Rights.
(b) At such time, if any, as the Preferred Shares issuable upon the
exercise of Rights may be listed on any national securities exchange, the
Company shall use its best efforts to cause, from and after such time as the
Rights become exercisable (but only to the extent that it is reasonably likely
that the Rights will be exercised), all shares reserved for such issuance to be
listed on such exchange upon official notice of issuance upon such exercise.
<PAGE>
(c) The Company will prepare and file, as soon as practicable after the
Distribution Date, a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Act"), with respect to the Rights and the securities purchasable
upon exercise of the Rights on an appropriate form, and use its best efforts to
cause such registration statement to (i) become effective as soon as practicable
after such filing, and (ii) remain effective (with a prospectus at all times
meeting the requirements of the Act) until the earlier of (A) the date as of
which the Rights are no longer exercisable for such securities or (B) the Final
Expiration Date. The Company will also take such action as may be appropriate
under, or to ensure compliance with, the securities or "blue sky" laws of the
various states in connection with the exercisability of the Rights. The Company
may temporarily suspend, for a period of time not to exceed 90 days after the
date the registration statement is filed, the exercisability of the Rights in
order to permit the registration statement to become effective. Upon any such
suspension, the Company shall issue a public announcement stating that the
exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily suspended, as well as a public
announcement at such time as the suspension is no longer in effect.
Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Rights
shall not be exercisable in any jurisdiction if the requisite qualification in
such jurisdiction shall not have been obtained or the exercise thereof is not
permitted under applicable law.
(d) The Company covenants and agrees that it will take all such action as
may be necessary to ensure that all Preferred Shares delivered upon exercise of
Rights shall, at the time of delivery of the certificates for such Preferred
Shares (subject to payment of the Purchase Price and any applicable transfer
taxes), be duly and validly authorized and issued and fully paid and
nonassessable shares.
(e) The Company further covenants and agrees that it will pay when due and
payable any and all federal and state transfer taxes and charges which may be
payable in respect of the issuance or delivery of the Right Certificates or of
any Preferred Shares upon the exercise of Rights. The Company shall not,
however, be required to pay any transfer tax which may be payable in respect of
any transfer or delivery of Right Certificates to a Person other than, or the
issuance or delivery of certificates, scrip or depositary receipts for the
Preferred Shares in a name other than that of the registered holder of the Right
Certificate evidencing Rights surrendered for exercise, or to issue or to
deliver any certificates, scrip or depositary receipts for Preferred Shares upon
the exercise of any Rights until any such tax shall have been paid (any such tax
being payable by the holder of such Right Certificate at the time of surrender)
or until it has been established to the Company's reasonable satisfaction that
no such tax is due.
Section 10. Preferred Shares Record Date. Each Person in whose name any
certificate for a number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share (or Common
Shares and/or other securities, as the case may be) is issued upon the exercise
of Rights shall for all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record
of the Preferred Shares (or Common Shares and/or other securities, as the case
may be) represented thereby on, and such certificate shall be dated, the date
upon which the Right Certificate evidencing such Rights was duly surrendered and
payment of the Purchase Price (and any applicable transfer taxes) was made;
provided, however, that if the date of such surrender and payment is a date upon
which the transfer books of the Company for the Preferred Shares are closed,
such Person shall be deemed to have become the record holder of such shares on,
and such certificate shall be dated, the next succeeding Business Day on which
such transfer books are open. Prior to the exercise of the Rights evidenced
thereby, the holder of a Right Certificate shall not be entitled to any rights
of a holder of Preferred Shares for which the Rights shall be exercisable,
including, without limitation, the right to vote, to receive dividends or other
distributions or to exercise any preemptive rights, and shall not be entitled to
receive any notice of any proceedings of the Company, except as provided herein.
<PAGE>
Section 11. Adjustment of Purchase Price, Number of Shares or Number of
Rights. The Purchase Price, the number and kind of shares covered by each Right
and the number of Rights outstanding are subject to adjustment from time to time
as provided in this Section 11:
(a)(i) In the event the Company shall at any time after the date of this
Agreement (A) declare a dividend on the Preferred Shares payable in Preferred
Shares, (B) subdivide the outstanding Preferred Shares, (C) combine the
outstanding Preferred Shares into a smaller number of Preferred Shares or (D)
issue any shares of its capital stock in a reclassification of the Preferred
Shares (including any such reclassification in connection with a consolidation
or merger in which the Company is the continuing or surviving corporation),
except as otherwise provided in this Section 11(a) and Section 7(e), the
Purchase Price in effect at the time of the record date for such dividend or of
the effective date of such subdivision, combination or reclassification, and the
number and kind of shares of capital stock issuable on such date, shall be
proportionately adjusted so that the holder of any Right exercised after such
time shall be entitled to receive the aggregate number and kind of shares of
capital stock which, if such Right had been exercised immediately prior to such
date and at a time when the Preferred Shares transfer books of the Company were
open, such holder would have owned upon such exercise and been entitled to
receive by virtue of such dividend, subdivision, combination or
reclassification; provided, however, that in no event shall the consideration to
be paid upon the exercise of one Right be less than the aggregate par value of
the shares of capital stock of the Company issuable upon exercise of one Right.
If an event occurs which would require an adjustment under both Section 11(a)(i)
and Section 11(a)(ii), the adjustment provided for in this Section 11(a)(i)
shall be in addition to, and shall be made prior to, any adjustment required
pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii).
(ii) Subject to Section 24 of this Agreement, in the event any Person
becomes an Acquiring Person, other than pursuant to any transaction set forth in
Section 13(a), then proper provision shall be made so that each holder of a
Right (except as otherwise provided below and in Section 7(e)) shall thereafter
have a right to receive, upon exercise thereof at the then current Purchase
Price in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and in lieu of Preferred
Shares, such number of Common Shares of the Company as shall equal the result
obtained by (x) multiplying the then current Purchase Price by the number of one
one-hundredths of a Preferred Share for which a Right was exercisable
immediately prior to the first occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event and
dividing that product by (y) 50% of the then current per share market price of
the Company's Common Shares (determined pursuant to Section 11(d)) on the date
of the occurrence of such event (such number of shares being referred to as the
"Adjustment Shares"). In the event that any Person shall become an Acquiring
Person and the Rights shall then be outstanding, the Company shall not take any
action which would eliminate or diminish the benefits intended to be afforded by
the Rights.
(iii) In the event that the number of Common Shares which are authorized by
the Company's Articles of Incorporation but not outstanding or reserved for
issuance for purposes other than upon exercise of the Rights are not sufficient
to permit the exercise in full of the Rights in accordance with the foregoing
subparagraph (ii) of this Section 11(a), the Company shall (A) determine the
value of the Adjustment Shares issuable upon the exercise of a Right (the
"Current Value"), and (B) with respect to each Right (subject to Section 7(e)
hereof), make adequate provision to substitute for the Adjustment Shares, upon
the exercise of a Right and payment of the applicable Purchase Price, (1) cash,
(2) a reduction in the Purchase Price, (3) Common Shares or other equity
securities of the Company (including, without limitations, shares, or units of
shares, of preferred stock, such as the Preferred Stock, which the Board has
deemed to have essentially the same value or economic rights as Common Shares
(such shares of preferred stock being referred to as "Common Share
Equivalents"), (4) debt securities of the Company, (5) other assets, or (6) any
combination of the foregoing, having an aggregate value equal to the Current
Value (less the amount of any reduction in the Purchase Price), where such
aggregate value has been determined by the Board based upon the advice of a
nationally recognized investment banking firm selected by the Board; provided,
however, that if the Company shall not have made adequate provision to deliver
value pursuant to clause (B) above within thirty (30) days following the first
occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, then the Company shall be obligated to
deliver, upon the surrender for exercise of a Right and without requiring
payment of the Purchase Price, Common Shares (to the extent available) and then,
if necessary, cash, which shares and/or cash have an aggregate value equal to
the Spread. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term "Spread" shall mean
the excess of (i) the Current Value over (ii) the Purchase Price. If the Board
determines in good faith that it is likely that sufficient additional shares of
Common Stock could be authorized for issuance upon exercise in full of the
Rights, the thirty (30) day period set forth above may be extended to the extent
<PAGE>
necessary, but not more than ninety (90) days after the Section 11(a)(ii) Event,
in order that the Company may seek shareholder approval for the authorization of
such additional shares (such thirty (30) day period, as it may be extended, is
herein called the "Substitution Period"). To the extent that action is to be
taken pursuant to the first and/or third sentences of this Section 11(a)(iii),
the Company (1) shall provide, subject to Section 7(e) hereof, that such action
shall apply uniformly to all outstanding Rights, and (2) may suspend the
exercisability of the Rights until the expiration of the Substitution Period in
order to seek such shareholder approval for such authorization of additional
shares and/or to decide the appropriate form of distribution to be made pursuant
to such first sentence and to determine the value thereof. In the event of any
such suspension, the Company shall issue a public announcement stating that the
exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily suspended, as well as a public
announcement at such time as the suspension is no longer in effect. For purposes
of this Section 11(a)(iii), the value of each Adjustment Share shall be the
"current per share market price" (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d)(i))
per Common Share on the date of the first occurrence of Section 11(a)(ii) Event
and the per share or per unit value of any Common Stock Equivalent shall be
deemed to equal the "current market price" per Common Share on such date.
(b) In case the Company shall fix a record date for the issuance of rights,
options or warrants to all holders of Preferred Shares entitling them to
subscribe for or purchase Preferred Shares (or shares having the same rights,
privileges and preferences as the Preferred Shares (such shares are herein
called "preferred share equivalents") or securities convertible into Preferred
Shares or preferred share equivalents at a price per Preferred Share or
preferred share equivalent (or having a conversion price per share, if a
security convertible into Preferred Shares or preferred share equivalents) less
than the then current per share market price (as such term is defined in Section
11(d)) of the Preferred Shares on such record date, the Purchase Price to be in
effect after such record date shall be determined by multiplying the Purchase
Price in effect immediately prior to such record date by a fraction, the
numerator of which shall be the number of Preferred Shares outstanding on such
record date plus the number of Preferred Shares which the aggregate offering
price of the total number of Preferred Shares and/or preferred share equivalents
so to be offered (and/or the aggregate initial conversion price of the
convertible securities so to be offered) would purchase at such current market
price and the denominator of which shall be the number of Preferred Shares
outstanding on such record date plus the number of additional Preferred Shares
and/or preferred share equivalents to be offered for subscription or purchase
(or into which the convertible securities so to be offered are initially
convertible); provided, however, that in no event shall the consideration to be
paid upon the exercise of one Right be less than the aggregate par value of the
shares of capital stock of the Company issuable upon exercise of one Right. In
case such subscription price may be paid in a consideration part or all of which
shall be in a form other than cash, the value of such consideration shall be
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose
determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent and
shall be binding on the Rights Agent and the holders of the Rights. Preferred
Shares held for the account of the Company shall not be deemed outstanding for
the purpose of any such computation. Such adjustment shall be made successively
whenever such a record date is fixed; and in the event that such rights, options
or warrants are not so issued, the Purchase Price shall be adjusted to be the
Purchase Price which would then be in effect if such record date had not been
fixed.
(c) In case the Company shall fix a record date for the making of a
distribution to all holders of the Preferred Shares (including any such
distribution made in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the
Company is the continuing or surviving corporation) of evidences of indebtedness
or assets (other than a regular quarterly cash dividend or a dividend payable in
Preferred Shares) or subscription rights or warrants (excluding those referred
to in Section 11(b)), the Purchase Price to be in effect after such record date
shall be determined by multiplying the Purchase Price in effect immediately
prior to such record date by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the
then current per share market price of the Preferred Shares on such record date,
less the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Board of
Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be described in a statement
filed with the Rights Agent) of the portion of the assets or evidences of
indebtedness so to be distributed or of such subscription rights or warrants
applicable to one Preferred Share, and the denominator of which shall be such
current per share market price of the Preferred Shares; provided, however, that
in no event shall the consideration to be paid upon the exercise of one Right be
less than the aggregate par value of the shares of capital stock of the Company
to be issued upon exercise of one Right. Such adjustments shall be made
successively whenever such a record date is fixed; and in the event that such
distribution is not so made, the Purchase Price shall again be adjusted to be
the Purchase Price which would then be in effect if such record date had not
been fixed.
<PAGE>
(d) (i) For the purpose of any computation hereunder, the "current per
share market price" of any security (a "Security" for the purpose of this
Section 11(d)(i)) on any date shall be deemed to be the average of the daily
closing prices per share of such Security for the 30 consecutive Trading Days
immediately prior to such date; provided, however, that in the event that the
current per share market price of the Security is determined during a period
following the announcement by the issuer of such Security of (A) a dividend or
distribution on such Security payable in shares of such Security or securities
convertible into such shares, or (B) any subdivision, combination or
reclassification of such Security and prior to the expiration of 30 Trading Days
after the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution, or the record date
for such subdivision, combination or reclassification, then, and in each such
case, the current per share market price shall be appropriately adjusted to
reflect the current market price per share equivalent of such Security. The
closing price for each day shall be the last sale price, regular way, or, in
case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and
asked prices, regular way, in either case as reported in the principal
consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or
admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange or, if the Security is not
listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange, as reported in the
principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities
listed on the principal national securities exchange on which the Security is
listed or admitted to trading or, if the Security is not listed or admitted to
trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price or, if not so
quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter
market, as reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
Automated Quotations System ("NASDAQ") or such other system then in use, or, if
on any such date the Security is not quoted by any such organization, the
average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional
market maker making a market in the Security selected by the Board of Directors
of the Company. If on any such day no market maker is making a market in the
Common Shares, the fair value of such share on such day as determined in good
faith by the Board of Directors of the Company shall be used in lieu of the
closing price for such day. The term "Trading Day" shall mean a day on which the
principal national securities exchange on which the Security is listed or
admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business or, if the Security
is not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, a
Business Day.
(ii) For the purpose of any computation hereunder, the "current per share
market price" of the Preferred Shares shall be determined in accordance with the
method set forth in Section 11(d)(i); provided, however, if the Preferred Shares
are not publicly traded, the "current per share market price" of the Preferred
Shares shall be conclusively deemed to be the current per share market price of
the Common Shares as determined pursuant to Section 11(d)(i) (appropriately
adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction
occurring after the date hereof), multiplied by one hundred. If neither the
Common Shares nor the Preferred Shares are publicly held or so listed or traded,
"current per share market price" of the Preferred Shares shall mean the fair
value per share as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the
Company, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the
Rights Agent.
(e) No adjustment in the Purchase Price shall be required unless such
adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least 1% in the Purchase
Price; provided, however, that any adjustments which by reason of this Section
11(e) are not required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into
account in any subsequent adjustment. All calculations under this Section 11
shall be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest one one-millionth of a
Preferred Share or one ten-thousandth of any other share or security as the case
may be. Notwithstanding the first sentence of this Section 11(e), any adjustment
required by this Section 11 shall be made no later than the earlier of (i) three
years from the date of the transaction which requires such adjustment or (ii)
the date of the expiration of the right to exercise any Rights.
<PAGE>
(f) If as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to Section 11(a) and
13(a), the holder of any Right thereafter exercised shall become entitled to
receive any shares of capital stock of the Company other than Preferred Shares,
thereafter the number of such other shares so receivable upon exercise of any
Right shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms
as nearly equivalent as practicable to the provisions with respect to the
Preferred Shares contained in Section 11(a) through (c), inclusive, and the
provisions of Sections 7, 9, 10, 13 and 14 with respect to the Preferred Shares
shall apply on like terms to any such other shares.
(g) All Rights originally issued by the Company subsequent to any
adjustment made to the Purchase Price hereunder shall evidence the right to
purchase, at the adjusted Purchase Price, the number of one one-hundredths of a
Preferred Share purchasable from time to time hereunder upon exercise of the
Rights, all subject to further adjustment as provided herein.
(h) Unless the Company shall have exercised its election as provided in
Section 11(i) below, subject to the provisions of Sections 11(a) and 13, upon
each adjustment of the Purchase Price as a result of the calculations made in
Sections 11(b) and (c), each Right outstanding immediately prior to the making
of such adjustment shall thereafter evidence the right to purchase, at the
adjusted Purchase Price, that number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share
(calculated to the nearest one one-millionth of a Preferred Share) obtained by
(i) multiplying (x) the number of one one-hundredths of a share covered by a
Right immediately prior to this adjustment by (y) the Purchase Price in effect
immediately prior to such adjustment of the Purchase Price and (ii) dividing the
product so obtained by the Purchase Price in effect immediately after such
adjustment of the Purchase Price.
(i) The Company may elect on or after the date of any adjustment of the
Purchase Price to adjust the number of Rights, in substitution for any
adjustment in the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share purchasable
upon the exercise of a Right. Each of the Rights outstanding after such
adjustment of the number of Rights shall be exercisable for the number of one
one-hundredths of a Preferred Share for which a Right was exercisable
immediately prior to such adjustment. Each Right held of record prior to such
adjustment of the number of Rights shall become that number of Rights
(calculated to the nearest one ten-thousandth) obtained by dividing the Purchase
Price in effect immediately prior to adjustment of the Purchase Price by the
Purchase Price in effect immediately after adjustment of the Purchase Price. The
Company shall make a public announcement of its election to adjust the number of
Rights, indicating the record date for the adjustment, and, if known at the
time, the amount of the adjustment to be made. This record date may be the date
on which the Purchase Price is adjusted or any day thereafter, but, if the Right
Certificates have been issued, shall be at least ten days later than the date of
the public announcement. If Right Certificates have been issued, upon each
adjustment of the number of Rights pursuant to this Section 11(i), the Company
shall, as promptly as practicable, cause to be distributed to holders of record
of Right Certificates on such record date Right Certificates evidencing, subject
to Section 14, the additional Rights to which such holders shall be entitled as
a result of such adjustment, or, at the option of the Company, shall cause to be
distributed to such holders of record in substitution and replacement for the
Right Certificates held by such holders prior to the date of adjustment, and
upon surrender thereof, if required by the Company, new Right Certificates
evidencing all the Rights to which such holders shall be entitled after such
adjustment. Right Certificates so to be distributed shall be issued, executed
and countersigned in the manner provided for herein, may bear, at the option of
the Company, the adjusted Purchase Price, and shall be registered in the names
of the holders of record of Right Certificates on the record date specified in
the public announcement.
<PAGE>
(j) Irrespective of any adjustment or change in the Purchase Price or the
number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share issuable upon the exercise of
the Rights, the Right Certificates theretofore and thereafter issued may
continue to express the Purchase Price and the number of one one-hundredths of a
Preferred Share which were expressed in the initial Right Certificates issued
hereunder.
(k) Before taking any action that would cause an adjustment reducing the
Purchase Price below one one-hundredth of the then par value, if any, of the
Preferred Shares issuable upon exercise of the Rights, the Company shall take
any corporate action which may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary in
order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and
nonassessable Preferred Shares at such adjusted Purchase Price.
(l) In any case in which this Section 11 shall require that an adjustment
in the Purchase Price be made effective as of a record date for a specified
event, the Company may elect to defer until the occurrence of such event the
issuing to the holder of any Right exercised after such record date of the
Preferred Shares and other capital stock or securities of the Company, if any,
issuable upon such exercise over and above the Preferred Shares and other
capital stock or securities of the Company, if any, issuable upon such exercise
on the basis of the Purchase Price in effect prior to such adjustment; provided,
however, that the Company shall deliver to such holder a due bill or other
appropriate instrument evidencing such holder's right to receive such additional
shares upon the occurrence of the event requiring such adjustment.
(m) Anything in this Section 11 to the contrary notwithstanding, the
Company shall be entitled to make such reductions in the Purchase Price, in
addition to those adjustments expressly required by this Section 11, as and to
the extent that in their sole discretion the Board of Directors of the Company
shall determine to be advisable in order that any (i) consolidation or
subdivision of the Preferred Shares, (ii) issuance wholly for cash of any
Preferred Shares at less than the current market price, (iii) issuance wholly
for cash of Preferred Shares or securities which by their terms are convertible
into or exchangeable for Preferred Shares, (iv) dividends on Preferred Shares
payable in Preferred Shares or (v) issuance of rights, options or warrants
referred to hereinabove in Section 11(b), hereafter made by the Company to
holders of its Preferred Shares shall not be taxable to such shareholders.
(n) The Company covenants and agrees that it shall not, at any time after
the Distribution Date, (i) consolidate with any other Person (other than a
Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction which complies with Section 11(o)
hereof), (ii) merge with or into any other Person (other than a Subsidiary of
the Company in a transaction which complies with Section 11(o) hereof, or (iii)
sell or transfer (or permit any Subsidiary to sell or transfer), in one
transaction, or a series of related transactions, assets or earning power
aggregating more than 50% of the assets or earning power of the Company and its
Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any other Person or Persons (other than the
Company and/or any of its subsidiaries in one or more transaction each of which
complies with Section 11(o) hereof), if (x) at the time of or immediately after
such consolidation, merger or sale there are any rights, warrants or other
instruments or securities outstanding or agreements in effect which would
substantially diminish or otherwise eliminate the benefits intended to be
afforded by the Rights or (y) prior to, simultaneously with or immediately after
such consolidation, merger or sale, the shareholders of the Person who
constitutes, or would constitute, the "Principal Party" for purposes of Section
13(a) hereof shall have received a distribution of Rights previously owned by
such Person or any of its Affiliates and Associates.
(o) The Company covenants and agrees that, after the Distribution Date, it
will not, except as permitted by Section 23, 24 or 27, take (or permit any
Subsidiary of the Company to take) any action if at the time such action is
taken it is reasonably foreseeable that such action will diminish substantially
or otherwise eliminate the benefits intended to be afforded by the Rights unless
such action is approved by a majority of the Continuing Directors.
(p) Anything in this Agreement or the Rights to the contrary
notwithstanding, in the event that at any time after the date of this Agreement
and prior to the Distribution Date, the Company shall (i) declare or pay any
dividend on the Common Shares payable in Common Shares or (ii) effect a
subdivision, combination or consolidation of the Common Shares (by
reclassification or otherwise than by payment of dividends in Common Shares)
into a greater or lesser number of Common Shares, then in any such case (i) the
number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share purchasable after such event
upon proper exercise of each Right shall be determined by multiplying the number
of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share so purchasable immediately prior to
such event by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of Common Shares
outstanding immediately before such event and the denominator of which is the
number of Common Shares outstanding immediately after such event, and (ii) each
Common Share outstanding immediately after such event shall have issued with
respect to it that number of Rights which each Common Share outstanding
immediately prior to such event had issued with respect to it. The adjustments
provided for in this Section 11(p) shall be made successively whenever such a
dividend is declared or paid or such a subdivision, combination or consolidation
is effected. If an event occurs which would require an adjustment under
Section 11(a)(ii) and this Section_11(p), the adjustments provided for in this
Section 11(p) shall be in addition and prior to any adjustment required pursuant
to Section 11(a)(ii).
<PAGE>
Section 12. Certificate of Adjusted Purchase Price or Number of Shares.
Whenever an adjustment is made as provided in Sections 11 and 13, the Company
shall promptly (a) prepare a certificate setting forth such adjustment, and a
brief statement of the facts accounting for such adjustment, (b) file with the
Rights Agent and with each transfer agent for the Common Shares or the Preferred
Shares a copy of such certificate and (c) mail a brief summary thereof to each
holder of a Right Certificate in accordance with Section 25.
Section 13. Consolidation, Merger or Sale or Transfer of Assets or Earning
Power.
(a) In the event that, on or following the Shares Acquisition Date,
directly or indirectly,
(i) the Company shall consolidate with, or merge with and into, any other
Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction which complies
with Section 11(o)) and the Company shall not be the continuing or surviving
corporation of such consolidation or merger,
(ii) any Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction
which complies with Section 11(o)) shall consolidate with, or merge with and
into, the Company, the Company shall be the continuing or surviving corporation
of such consolidation or merger and, in connection with such consolidation or
merger, all or part of the Common Shares shall be changed into or exchanged for
stock or other securities of any other Person or cash or any other property,
(iii) the Company shall effect a statutory share exchange with the
outstanding Common Shares of the Company being exchanged for stock or other
securities of any other Person, cash or property, or
(iv) the Company shall sell or otherwise transfer (or one or more of its
Subsidiaries shall sell or otherwise transfer), in one or more transactions,
assets or earning power aggregating 50% or more of the assets or earning power
of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any other Person
(other than the Company or one or more of its wholly owned Subsidiaries in a
transaction which complies with Section 11(o)),
then, and in each such case, except as contemplated by Section 13(e),
proper provision shall be made so that (i) each holder of a Right (except as
otherwise provided in Section 7(e)) shall thereafter have the right to receive,
upon the exercise thereof at the then current Purchase Price, in accordance with
the terms of this Agreement and in lieu of Preferred Shares, such number of
validly authorized and issued, fully paid, nonassessable and freely tradeable
Common Shares of the Principal Party, not subject to any liens, encumbrances,
rights of first refusal or adverse claims, as shall be equal to the result
obtained by (x) multiplying the then current Purchase Price by the number of one
one-hundredths of a Preferred Share for which a Right is, immediately prior to
the first occurrence of a Section 13 Event (or, if a Section 11(a)(ii) Event has
occurred prior to the first occurrence of a Section 13 Event, multiplying the
number of such one one-hundredths of a shares for which a Right was exercisable
immediately prior to the first occurrence of the Section 11(a)(ii) Event by the
Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to the first occurrence), exercisable
and (y)_dividing that product by 50% of the current per share market price of
the Common Shares of such Principal Party (determined pursuant to Section_11(d))
on the date of consummation of such Section_13 Event; (ii)_such Principal Party
shall thereafter be liable for, and shall assume, by virtue of such merger,
consolidation, statutory share exchange, sale or transfer, all the obligations
and duties of the Company pursuant to this Agreement; (iii) the term "Company"
shall thereafter be deemed to refer to such Principal Party, it being
specifically intended that the provisions of Section 11 shall apply only to such
Principal Party following the first occurrence of a Section 13 Event; and
(iv)_such Principal Party shall take such steps (including, but not limited to,
the reservation of a sufficient number of its Common Shares to permit the
exercise of all outstanding Rights) in connection with the consummation of any
such transaction as may be necessary to assure that the provisions of this
Agreement shall thereafter be applicable, as nearly as reasonably may be, in
relation to its Common Shares thereafter deliverable upon the exercise of the
Rights.
(b) "Principal Party" shall mean:
(i) in the case of any transaction described in clauses (w), (x) or (y) of
the first sentence of Section 13(a), the Person that is the issuer of any
securities into which Common Shares of the Company are converted in such merger,
consolidation or exchange, or if no securities are so issued, the Person that is
the other party to such merger, consolidation or exchange; and
(ii) in the case of any transaction described in clause (z) of the first
sentence of Section 13(a), the Person that is the party receiving the greatest
portion of the assets or earning power transferred pursuant to such transaction
or transactions;
provided, however, that in any such case, (1) if the Common Shares of such
Person are not at such time or have not been continuously over the preceding
12-month period registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, and such Person
is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of another Person the Common Shares of which
are and have been so registered, "Principal Party" shall refer to such other
Person, and (2) in case such Person is a Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, of
more than one Person, the Common Shares of two or more of which are and have
been so registered, "Principal Party" shall refer to whichever of such Persons
is the issuer of the Common Shares having the greatest aggregate market value.
(c) The Company shall not consummate any Section 13 Event unless the
Principal Party shall have a sufficient number of authorized, unreserved Common
Shares which have not been issued or are held in treasury to permit the exercise
in full of the Rights in accordance with this Section 13 and unless prior
thereto the Company and such Principal Party shall have executed and delivered
to the Rights Agent a supplemental agreement providing for the terms set forth
in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 13 and further providing that, as soon
as practicable after the date of any Section 13 Event, the Principal Party will:
(i) prepare and file a registration statement under the Act, with respect
to the Rights and the securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights, on an
appropriate form, and use its best efforts to cause such registration statement
to (A) become effective as soon as practicable after such filing and (B) remain
effective (with a prospectus at all times meeting the requirements of the Act)
until the earlier of (1) the date as of which the Rights are no longer
exercisable for such securities or (2) the Final Expiration Date;
(ii) take such action as may be appropriate under, or to ensure compliance
with, the securities or "blue sky" laws of the various states in connection with
the exercisability of the Rights; and
(iii) deliver to holders of the Rights historical financial statements for
the Principal Party and each of its Affiliates which comply in all respects with
the requirements for registration on Form 10 under the Exchange Act.
<PAGE>
(d) The Company shall not enter into any transaction of the kind referred
to in this Section 13 if at the time of such transaction there are any rights,
warrants, instruments or securities outstanding or any agreements or
arrangements which, as a result of the consummation of such transaction, would
substantially diminish or otherwise eliminate the benefits intended to be
afforded by the Rights. Without limiting the generality of the preceding
sentence, in case the Principal Party which is to be a party to a transaction of
the kind referred to in this Section 13 has a provision in any of its authorized
securities or in its articles of incorporation or bylaws or other instrument
governing its corporate affairs, which provision would have the effect of (i)
causing such Principal Party to issue, in connection with, or as a consequence
of, the consummation of a transaction of the kind referred to in this
Section_13, Common Shares of such Principal Party at less than the then current
per share market price (determined pursuant to Section_11(d)) or securities
exercisable for or convertible into Common Shares of such Principal Party at
less than such then current market price (other than to holders of Rights
pursuant to this Section_13) or (ii)_providing for any special payment, tax or
similar provisions in connection with the issuance of Common Shares of such
Principal Party pursuant to the provisions of Section_13; then, in such event,
the Company shall not consummate any such transaction unless prior thereto the
provision in question of such Principal Party shall have been canceled, waived
or amended so as to avoid any of the effects referred to in clauses (i) and (ii)
of this paragraph, or the authorized securities shall have been redeemed, so
that the applicable provision will have no effect in connection with, or as a
consequence of, the consummation of the proposed transaction.
(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Section 13
shall not be applicable to a transaction described in clauses (w), (x) or (y) of
Section 13(a) if (i) such transaction is consummated with a Person or Persons
who acquired Common Shares pursuant to a Permitted Offer (or a wholly owned
Subsidiary of any such Person or Persons), (ii) the price per Common Share
offered in such transaction is not less than the price per Common Share paid to
all holders of Common Shares whose shares were purchased pursuant to such tender
offer or exchange offer and (iii) the form of consideration being offered to the
remaining holders of Common Shares pursuant to such transaction is the same as
the form of consideration paid pursuant to such tender offer or exchange offer.
Upon consummation of any such transaction contemplated by this Section 13(e),
all Rights hereunder shall expire.
(f) The provisions of this Section 13 shall similarly apply to successive
mergers, consolidations, statutory share exchanges or sale or other transfers.
Section 14. Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares.
(a) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Rights or to
distribute Right Certificates which evidence fractional Rights. In lieu of such
fractional Rights, there shall be paid to the registered holders of the Right
Certificates with regard to which such fractional Rights would otherwise be
issuable an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market
value of a whole Right. For the purposes of this Section 14(a), the current
market value of a whole Right shall be the closing price of the Rights for the
Trading Day immediately prior to the date on which such fractional Rights would
have been otherwise issuable. The closing price for any day shall be the last
sale price, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the
average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as
reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect
to securities listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange or,
if the Rights are not listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock
Exchange, as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system
with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange
on which the Rights are listed or admitted to trading or, if the Rights are not
listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last
quoted price or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked
prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by NASDAQ or such other
system then in use or, if on any such date the Rights are not quoted by any such
organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a
professional market maker making a market in the Rights selected by the Board of
Directors of the Company. If on any such date no such market maker is making a
market in the Rights, the fair value of the Rights on such date as determined in
good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company shall be used.
<PAGE>
(b) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Preferred
Shares (other than fractions which are integral multiples of one one-hundredth
of a Preferred Share) upon exercise of the Rights or to distribute certificates
which evidence fractional Preferred Shares (other than fractions which are
integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share). Fractions of
Preferred Shares in integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share
may, at the election of the Company, be evidenced by depositary receipts
pursuant to an appropriate agreement between the Company and a depositary
selected by it; provided, however, that if the Company issues depositary
receipts pursuant to any such agreement, such agreement shall provide that the
holders of such depositary receipts shall have all the rights, privileges and
preferences to which they are entitled as beneficial owners of the Preferred
Shares represented by such depositary receipts. In lieu of fractional Preferred
Shares that are not integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a Preferred
Share, the Company shall pay to the registered holders of Right Certificates at
the time such Rights are exercised as herein provided an amount in cash equal to
the same fraction of the current market value of one Preferred Share. For the
purposes of this Section 14(b), the current market value of a Preferred Share
shall be the closing price of a Preferred Share (as determined pursuant to
Section 11(d)) for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of such
exercise.
(c) The holder of a Right by the acceptance of the Right expressly waives
the holder's right to receive any fractional Rights or any fractional shares
upon exercise of a Right (except as provided above).
Section 15. Rights of Action. All rights of action in respect of this
Agreement, excepting the rights of action given to the Rights Agent under
Section 18, are vested in the respective registered holders of the Right
Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the registered holders of the
Common Shares); and any registered holder of any Right Certificate (or, prior to
the Distribution Date, of the Common Shares), without the consent of the Rights
Agent or of the holder of any other Right Certificate (or, prior to the
Distribution Date, of the Common Shares), may, in such holder's own behalf and
for such holder's own benefit, enforce, and may institute and maintain any suit,
action or proceeding against the Company to enforce, or otherwise act in respect
of, such holder's right to exercise the Rights evidenced by such Right
Certificate in the manner provided in such Right Certificate and in this
Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing or any remedies available to the
holders of Rights, it is specifically acknowledged that the holders of Rights
would not have an adequate remedy at law for any breach of this Agreement and
will be entitled to specific performance of the obligations under, and
injunctive relief against actual or threatened violations of the obligations of
any Person subject to, this Agreement.
Section 16. Agreement of Right Holders. Every holder of a Right, by
accepting the same, consents and agrees with the Company and the Rights Agent
and with every other holder of a Right that:
(a) prior to the Distribution Date, the Rights will be transferable only in
connection with the transfer of the Common Shares;
(b) after the Distribution Date, the Right Certificates are transferable
only on the registry books of the Rights Agent if surrendered at the principal
office of the Rights Agent, duly endorsed or accompanied by a proper instrument
of transfer; and
(c) subject to Section 6(a) and Section 7(f), the Company and the Rights
Agent may deem and treat the Person in whose name the Right Certificate (or,
prior to the Distribution Date, the associated Common Shares certificate) is
registered as the absolute owner thereof and of the Rights evidenced thereby
(notwithstanding any notations of ownership or writing on the Right Certificates
or the associated Common Shares certificate made by anyone other than the
Company or the Rights Agent) for all purposes whatsoever, and neither the
Company nor the Rights Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary;
and
(d) notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither the
Company nor the Rights Agent shall have any liability to any holder of a Right
or other Person as a result of its inability to perform any of its obligations
under this Agreement by reason of any preliminary or permanent injunction or
other order, decree or ruling issued by a court of competent jurisdiction or by
a governmental, regulatory or administrative agency or commission, or any
statute, rule, regulation or executive order promulgated or enacted by any
governmental authority, prohibiting or otherwise restraining performance of such
obligation; provided, however, the Company must use its best efforts to have any
such order, decree or ruling lifted or otherwise overturned as soon as possible.
<PAGE>
Section 17. Right Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Shareholder. No holder,
as such, of any Right Certificate shall be entitled to vote, receive dividends
or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the Preferred Shares or any other
securities of the Company which may at any time be issuable on the exercise of
the Rights represented thereby, nor shall anything contained herein or in any
Right Certificate be construed to confer upon the holder of any Right
Certificate, as such, any of the rights of a shareholder of the Company or any
right to vote for the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to
shareholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any
corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting
shareholders (except as provided in Section 25), or to receive dividends or
subscription rights, or otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced by such
Right Certificate shall have been exercised in accordance with the provisions of
this Agreement.
Section 18. Concerning the Rights Agent.
(a) The Company agrees to pay to the Rights Agent reasonable compensation
for all services rendered by it hereunder and, from time to time, on demand of
the Rights Agent, its reasonable expenses and counsel fees and other
disbursements incurred in the administration and execution of this Agreement and
the exercise and performance of its duties hereunder. The Company also agrees to
indemnify the Rights Agent for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss,
liability, or expense, incurred without negligence, bad faith or willful
misconduct on the part of the Rights Agent, for anything done or omitted by the
Rights Agent in connection with the acceptance and administration of this
Agreement, including the costs and expenses of defending against any claim of
liability in the premises.
(b) The Rights Agent shall be protected and shall incur no liability for,
or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in connection with,
its administration of this Agreement in reliance upon any Right Certificate or
certificate for the Preferred Shares (or for scrip or depositary receipts
evidencing fractional interests in Preferred Shares) or Common Shares or for
other securities of the Company, instrument of assignment or transfer, power of
attorney, endorsement, affidavit, letter, notice, direction, consent,
certificate, statement, or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine
and to be signed, executed and, where necessary, verified or acknowledged, by
the proper Person or Persons, or otherwise upon the advice of counsel as set
forth in Section 20.
Section 19. Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent.
(a) Any corporation into which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights
Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation
resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Rights Agent or any
successor Rights Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the
stock transfer or corporate trust business of the Rights Agent or any successor
Rights Agent, shall be the successor to the Rights Agent under this Agreement
without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of
any of the parties to this Agreement, provided that such corporation would be
eligible for appointment as a successor Rights Agent under the provisions of
Section 21. In case at the time such successor Rights Agent shall succeed to the
agency created by this Agreement any of the Right Certificates shall have been
countersigned but not delivered, any such successor Rights Agent may adopt the
countersignature of the predecessor Rights Agent and deliver such Right
Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time any of the Right
Certificates shall not have been countersigned, any successor Rights Agent may
countersign such Right Certificates either in the name of the predecessor Rights
Agent or in the name of the successor Rights Agent; and in all such cases such
Right Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Right Certificates
and in this Agreement.
<PAGE>
(b) In case at any time the name of the Rights Agent shall be changed and
at such time any of the Right Certificates shall have been countersigned but not
delivered, the Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature under its prior name
and deliver Right Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time any of
the Right Certificates shall not have been countersigned, the Rights Agent may
countersign such Right Certificates either in its prior name or in its changed
name; and in all such cases such Right Certificates shall have the full force
provided in the Right Certificates and in this Agreement.
Section 20. Duties of Rights Agent. The Rights Agent undertakes the duties
and obligations imposed by this Agreement upon the following terms and
conditions, by all of which the Company and the holders of Right Certificates,
by their acceptance thereof, shall be bound:
(a) The Rights Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be legal
counsel for the Company), and the opinion of such counsel shall be full and
complete authorization and protection to the Rights Agent as to any action taken
or omitted by it in good faith and in accordance with such opinion.
(b) Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Agreement the
Rights Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter be
proved or established by the Company prior to taking or suffering any action
hereunder, such fact or matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be
herein specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively proved and
established by a certificate signed by any one of the Chairman of the Board, the
President, any Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Company and
delivered to the Rights Agent; and such certificate shall be full authorization
to the Rights Agent for any action taken or suffered in good faith by it under
the provisions of this Agreement in reliance upon such certificate.
(c) The Rights Agent shall be liable hereunder to the Company and any other
Person only for its own negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.
(d) The Rights Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of any of the
statements of fact or recitals contained in this Agreement or in the Right
Certificates (except its countersignature thereof) or be required to verify the
same, but all such statements and recitals are and shall be deemed to have been
made by the Company only.
(e) The Rights Agent shall not be under any responsibility in respect of
the validity of this Agreement or the execution and delivery of this Agreement
(except the due execution of this Agreement by the Rights Agent) or in respect
of the validity or execution of any Right Certificate (except its
countersignature thereof); nor shall it be responsible for any breach by the
Company of any covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in any Right
Certificate; nor shall it be responsible for any change in the exercisability of
the Rights (including the Rights becoming void pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii)) or
any adjustment in the terms of the Rights (including the manner, method or
amount thereof) provided for in Section 3, 11, 13, 23 or 24, or the ascertaining
of the existence of facts that would require any such change or adjustment
(except with respect to the exercise of Rights evidenced by Right Certificates
after receipt of actual notice from the Company stating that a change or
adjustment is required and specifying the manner and amount thereof); nor shall
it by any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to
the authorization or reservation of any Preferred Shares to be issued pursuant
to this Agreement or any Right Certificate or as to whether any Preferred Shares
will, when issued, be validly authorized and issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.
(f) The Company agrees that it will perform, execute, acknowledge and
deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered all such
further and other acts, instruments and assurances as may reasonably be required
by the Rights Agent for the carrying out or performing by the Rights Agent of
the provisions of this Agreement.
(g) The Rights Agent is hereby authorized and directed to accept
instructions with respect to the performance of its duties hereunder from any
one of the Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice President, the
Secretary or the Treasurer of the Company, and to apply to such officers for
advice or instructions in connection with its duties, and it shall not be liable
for any action taken or suffered to be taken by it in good faith in accordance
with instructions of any such officer or for any delay in acting while waiting
for those instructions.
<PAGE>
(h) The Rights Agent and any shareholder, director, officer or employee of
the Rights Agent may buy, sell or deal in any of the Rights or other securities
of the Company or become pecuniarily interested in any transaction in which the
Company may be interested, or contract with or lend money to the Company or
otherwise act as fully and freely as though it were not Rights Agent under this
Agreement. Nothing herein shall preclude the Rights Agent from acting in any
other capacity for the Company or for any other legal entity.
(i) The Rights Agent may execute and exercise any of the rights or powers
hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder either itself or by or through
its attorneys or agents, and the Rights Agent shall not be answerable or
accountable for any act, default, neglect or misconduct of any such attorneys or
agents or for any loss to the Company resulting from any such act, default,
neglect or misconduct, provided reasonable care was exercised in the selection
and continued employment thereof.
(j) No provision of this Agreement shall require the Rights Agent to expend
or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the
performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of its rights if
there shall be reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or
adequate indemnification against such risk or liability is not reasonably
assured to it.
(k) If, with respect to any Right Certificate surrendered to the Rights
Agent for exercise or transfer, the certificate attached to the form of
assignment or form of election to purchase, as the case may be, has either not
been completed or indicates an affirmative response to clause 1 and/or 2
thereof, the Rights Agent shall not take any further action with respect to such
requested exercise of transfer without first consulting with the Company.
Section 21. Change of Rights Agent. The Rights Agent or any successor
Rights Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties under this Agreement
upon 30 days' notice in writing mailed to the Company and to each transfer agent
of the Common Shares and Preferred Shares by registered or certified mail, and
to the holders of the Right Certificates by first-class mail. The Company may
remove the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent upon 30 days' notice in
writing, mailed to the Rights Agent or successor Rights Agent, as the case may
be, and to each transfer agent of the Common Shares and Preferred Shares by
registered or certified mail, and to the holders of the Right Certificates by
first-class mail. If the Rights Agent shall resign or be removed or shall
otherwise become incapable of acting, the Company shall appoint a successor to
the Rights Agent. If the Company shall fail to make such appointment within a
period of 30 days after giving notice of such removal or after it has been
notified in writing of such resignation or incapacity by the resigning or
incapacitated Rights Agent or by the holder of a Right Certificate (who shall,
with such notice, submit the holder's Right Certificate for inspection by the
Company), then the registered holder of any Right Certificate may apply to any
court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a new Rights Agent. Any
successor Rights Agent, whether appointed by the Company or by such a court,
shall be (a) a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the
United States or of the State of Minnesota or New York (or of any other state of
the United States so long as such corporation is authorized to do business as a
banking institution in the State of Minnesota or New York), in good standing,
having an office in the State of Minnesota or New York, which is authorized
under such laws to exercise corporate trust or stock transfer powers and is
subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority and which
has or is a subsidiary of a corporation which has at the time of its appointment
as Rights Agent a combined capital and surplus of at least $100 million, or
(b)_an affiliate of a corporation described in clause (a) of this sentence.
After appointment, the successor Rights Agent shall be vested with the same
powers, rights, duties and responsibilities as if it had been originally named
as Rights Agent without further act or deed; but the predecessor Rights Agent
shall deliver and transfer to the successor Rights Agent any property at the
time held by it hereunder, and execute and deliver any further assurance,
conveyance, act or deed necessary for the purpose. Not later than the effective
date of any such appointment the Company shall file notice thereof in writing
with the predecessor Rights Agent and each transfer agent of the Common Shares
and Preferred Shares, and mail a notice thereof in writing to the registered
holders of the Right Certificates. Failure to give any notice provided for in
this Section 21, however, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality
or validity of the resignation or removal of the Rights Agent or the appointment
of the successor Rights Agent, as the case may be.
<PAGE>
Section 22. Issuance of New Right Certificates. Notwithstanding any of the
provisions of this Agreement or of the Rights to the contrary, the Company may,
at its option, issue new Right Certificates evidencing Rights in such form as
may be approved by its Board of Directors to reflect any adjustment or change in
the Purchase Price and the number or kind or class of shares or other securities
or property purchasable under the Right Certificates made in accordance with the
provisions of this Agreement. In addition, in connection with the issuance or
sale of Common Shares following the Distribution Date and prior to the
redemption or expiration of the Rights, the Company (a) shall, with respect to
Common Shares so issued or sold pursuant to the exercise of stock options or
under any employee plan or arrangement, granted or awarded as of the
Distribution Date, or upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of securities
hereinafter issued by the Company, and (b) may, in any other case, if deemed
necessary or appropriate by the Board of Directors of the Company, issue Rights
Certificates representing the appropriate number of rights in connection with
such issuance or sale; provided, however, that (i) no such Rights Certificate
shall be issued if, and to the extent that, the Company shall be advised by
counsel that such issuance would create a significant risk of material adverse
tax consequences to the Company or the Person to whom such Rights Certificate
would be issued, and (ii) no such Rights Certificate shall be issued if, and to
the extent that, appropriate adjustment shall otherwise have been made in lieu
of the issuance thereof.
Section 23. Redemption.
(a) At least a majority of the Continuing Directors may, at their option,
at any time prior to the earlier of (i) the Shares Acquisition Date or (ii) the
Final Expiration Date, redeem all but not less than all of the then outstanding
Rights at a redemption price of $.01 per Right, appropriately adjusted to
reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after
the date of this Agreement (such redemption price being hereinafter referred to
as the "Redemption Price"). The redemption of the Rights by the Continuing
Directors may be made effective at such time and on such basis and with such
conditions as the Continuing Directors in their sole discretion may establish.
The Company may, at its option, pay the Redemption Price in cash, Common Shares
(based on the "current market price", as defined in Section 11(d)(i), of the
Common Shares at the time of the redemption) or any other form of consideration
deemed appropriate by a majority of the Continuing Directors; provided, however,
that if the Company elects to pay the Redemption Price in Common Shares, the
Company shall not be required to issue any fractional Common Shares, and the
number of shares issuable to each holder of Rights shall be rounded down to the
next whole number.
(b) Immediately upon the action of the Continuing Directors ordering the
redemption of the Rights pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 23, and
without any further action and without any notice, the right to exercise the
Rights will terminate and the only right thereafter of the holders of Rights
shall be to receive the Redemption Price. The Company shall promptly give public
notice of any such redemption; provided, however, that the failure to give, or
any defect in, any such notice shall not affect the validity of such redemption.
Within ten days after such action of the Board of Directors ordering the
redemption of the Rights, the Company shall mail a notice of redemption to all
the holders of the then outstanding Rights at their last addresses as they
appear upon the registry books of the Rights Agent or, prior to the Distribution
Date, on the registry books of the transfer agent for the Common Shares. Any
notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed given,
whether or not the holder receives the notice. Each such notice of redemption
will state the method by which the payment of the Redemption Price will be made.
Neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates or Associates may redeem, acquire
or purchase for value any Rights at any time in any manner other than that
specifically set forth in this Section 23 or in Section 24, and other than in
connection with the purchase of Common Shares prior to the Distribution Date.
<PAGE>
Section 24. Exchange.
(a) At least a majority of the Continuing Directors may, at their option,
at any time after any Person becomes an Acquiring Person, exchange all or part
of the then outstanding and exercisable Rights (which shall not include Rights
that have become void pursuant to the provisions of Section 7(e)), for Common
Shares, with each Right to be exchanged for such number of Common Shares as
shall equal the result obtained by dividing (x) the Purchase Price by (y) the
current market price of the Common Shares (determined pursuant to Section 11(d)
(such number of shares being hereinafter referred to as the "Exchange Ratio").
The Exchange Ratio shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split,
stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date of this
Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Continuing Directors shall not be
empowered to effect such exchange at any time after any Person (other than an
Exempt Person) together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person,
becomes the Beneficial Owner of 50% or more of the Common Shares then
outstanding.
(b) Immediately upon the action of the Continuing Directors ordering the
exchange of any Rights pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 24 and without
any further action and without any notice, the right to exercise such Rights
shall terminate and the only right thereafter of a holder of such Rights shall
be to receive that number of Common Shares equal to the number of such Rights
held by such holder multiplied by the Exchange Ratio. The Company shall promptly
give public notice of any such exchange; provided, however, that the failure to
give, or any defect in, such notice shall not affect the validity of such
exchange. The Company promptly shall mail a notice of any such exchange to all
of the holders of such Rights at their last addresses as they appear upon the
registry books of the Rights Agent. Any notice which is mailed in the manner
herein provided shall be deemed given, whether or not the holder receives the
notice. Each such notice of exchange will state the method by which the exchange
of the Common Shares for Rights will be effected and, in the event of any
partial exchange, the number of Rights which will be exchanged. Any partial
exchange shall be effected pro rata based on the number of outstanding and
exercisable Rights (other than Rights which have become void pursuant to the
provisions of Section 11(a)(ii)) held by each holder of Rights.
(c) In the event that there shall not be sufficient Common Shares
authorized but unissued and unreserved to permit any exchange of Rights as
contemplated in accordance with this Section 24, the Company shall take all such
action as may be necessary to authorize additional Common Shares for issuance
upon exchange of the Rights. In the event the Company shall, after good faith
effort, be unable to take all such action as may be necessary to authorize such
additional Common Shares, the Company shall substitute, for each Common Share
that would otherwise be issuable upon exchange of a Right, a number of Preferred
Shares or fraction thereof such that the current per share market price of one
Preferred Share multiplied by such number or fraction is equal to the current
per share market price of one Common Share as of the date of issuance of such
Preferred Shares or fraction thereof.
(d) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Common Shares
or to distribute certificates which evidence fractional Common Shares. In lieu
of such fractional Common Shares, the Company shall pay to the registered
holders of the Right Certificates with regard to which such fractional Common
Shares would otherwise be issuable an amount in cash equal to the same fraction
of the current market value of a whole Common Share. For the purposes of this
paragraph (d), the current market value of a whole Common Share shall be the
closing price of a Common Share (as determined pursuant to the second sentence
of Section 11(d)(i)) for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of
exchange pursuant to this Section 24.
Section 25. Notice of Certain Events.
(a) In case the Company shall propose (i) to pay any dividend payable in
stock of any class to the holders of its Preferred Shares or to make any other
distribution to the holders of its Preferred Shares (other than a regular
quarterly cash dividend), (ii) to offer to the holders of its Preferred Shares
rights or warrants to subscribe for or to purchase any additional Preferred
Shares or shares of stock of any class or any other securities, rights or
options, (iii) to effect any reclassification of its Preferred Shares (other
than a reclassification involving only the subdivision of outstanding Preferred
Shares), (iv) to effect any consolidation or merger into or with, or to effect
any sale or other transfer (or to permit one or more of its Subsidiaries to
effect any sale or other transfer), in one or more transactions, of 50% or more
of the assets or earning power of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a
whole) to, any other Person, (v)_to effect any statutory share exchange with the
outstanding Common Shares of the Company being exchanged for stock or other
securities of any other corporation or cash or other property, (vi) to effect
the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, or (vii) to declare
or pay any dividend on the Common Shares payable in Common Shares or to effect a
subdivision, combination or consolidation of the Common Shares (by
reclassification or otherwise than by payment of dividends in Common Shares),
then, in each such case, the Company shall give to each holder of a Right
Certificate, in accordance with Section 26, a notice of such proposed action,
which shall specify the record date for the purposes of such stock dividend, or
distribution of rights or warrants, or the date on which such reclassification,
consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, liquidation, dissolution or winding up is
to take place and the date of participation therein by the holders of the Common
Shares and/or Preferred Shares, if any such date is to be fixed, and such notice
shall be so given in the case of any action covered by clause (i) or (ii) of
this paragraph at least ten days prior to the record date for determining
holders of the Preferred Shares for purposes of such action, and in the case of
any such other action, at least ten days prior to the date of the taking of such
proposed action or the date of participation therein by the holders of the
Common Shares and/or Preferred Shares, whichever shall be the earlier.
<PAGE>
(b) In case the event set forth in Section 11(a)(ii) shall occur, then the
Company shall as soon as practicable thereafter give to each holder of a Right
Certificate, in accordance with Section 26, a notice of the occurrence of such
event, which notice shall describe such event and the consequences of such event
to holders of Rights under Section 11(a)(ii).
Section 26. Notices. Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be
given or made by the Rights Agent or by the holder of any Right Certificate to
or on the Company shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class
mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with
the Rights Agent) as follows:
Possis Medical, Inc.
9055 Evergreen Blvd., N.W.
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55433-8003
Subject to the provisions of Section 21, any notice or demand authorized by
this Agreement to be given or made by the Company or by the holder of any Right
Certificate to or on the Rights Agent shall be sufficiently given or made if
sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is
filed in writing with the Company) as follows:
Norwest Bank Minnesota, N.A.
Attention: Manager, Shareowner Services
161 North Concord Exchange St.
South St. Paul, MN 55075-1139
Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the
Company or the Rights Agent to the holder of any Right Certificate shall be
sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid,
addressed to such holder at the address of such holder as shown on the registry
books of the Company.
Section 27. Supplements and Amendments. Prior to the Distribution Date and
subject to the penultimate sentence of this Section 27, the Company and the
Rights Agent shall, if the Company so directs, supplement or amend any
provisions of this Agreement without the approval of any holders of certificates
representing Common Shares. From and after the Distribution Date and subject to
the penultimate sentence of this Section 27, the Company and the rights Agent
shall, if the Company so directs, supplement or amend this Agreement without the
approval of any holders of Rights Certificates in order (i) to cure any
ambiguity, (ii) to correct or supplement or amend any provision contained herein
which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provisions herein, (iii)
to shorten or lengthen any time period hereunder or (iv) to change or supplement
the provisions hereunder in any manner which the Company may deem necessary or
desirable and which shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of
Rights Certificates (other than an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate
of an Acquiring Person); provided, this Agreement may not be supplemented or
amended to lengthen, pursuant to clause (iii) of this sentence, (A) a time
period relating to when the Rights may be redeemed at such time as the Rights
are not then redeemable, or (B) any other time period unless such lengthening is
for the purpose of protecting, enhancing or clarifying the rights of, and/or the
benefits to, the holders of Rights (other than an Acquiring Person and its
Affiliates and Associates). Upon delivery of a certificate from an appropriate
officer of the Company which states that the proposed supplement or amendment is
in compliance with the terms of this Section 27, the Rights Agent shall execute
such supplement or amendment. _Prior to the Distribution Date, the interests of
the holders of Rights shall be deemed coincident with the interests of the
holders of Common Shares.
<PAGE>
Section 28. Successors. All the covenants and provisions of this Agreement
by or for the benefit of the Company or the Rights Agent shall bind and inure to
the benefit of their respective successors and assigns hereunder.
Section 29. Benefits of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall be
construed to give to any Person other than the Company, the Rights Agent and the
registered holders of the Right Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution
Date, the Common Shares) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under
this Agreement; but this Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit
of the Company, the Rights Agent and the registered holders of the Right
Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the Common Shares).
Section 30. Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction
of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other
authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms,
provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full
force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated.
Section 31. Governing Law. This Agreement and each Right Certificate issued
hereunder shall be deemed to be a contract made under the laws of the State of
Minnesota and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of such State applicable to contracts to be made and performed
entirely within such State.
Section 32. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to
be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and
the same instrument.
Section 33. Descriptive Headings. Descriptive headings of the several
Sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not
control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions of this
Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed, all as of the day and year first above written.
POSSIS MEDICAL, INC.
By /s/ Robert G. Dutcher
NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA,
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By /s/ Susan J. Roeder
Its Asst. Vice President
<PAGE>
Exhibit A
CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION
OF
SERIES A JUNIOR PARTICIPATING PREFERRED STOCK
OF
POSSIS MEDICAL, INC.
The undersigned hereby certifies that the Board of Directors of Possis
Medical, Inc. (the "Corporation"), a corporation organized and existing under
the Minnesota Business Corporation Act, duly adopted the following resolution on
December 11, 1996:
RESOLVED, that a series of preferred stock of the Corporation is hereby
created, and the designation and amount thereof and the relative rights and
preferences of the shares of such series, are as follows:
Section 1. Designation and Amount. The shares of such series shall be
designated as "Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock" (the "Preferred
Shares") and the number of shares constituting the Preferred Shares shall be
1,000,000. Such number of shares may be increased or decreased by resolution of
the Board of Directors and any necessary shareholder approval; provided,
however, that no decrease shall reduce the number of shares of Preferred Shares
to a number less than the number of shares then outstanding plus the number of
shares reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding options, rights or
warrants or upon the conversion of any outstanding securities issued by the
Corporation convertible into Preferred Shares.
Section 2. Dividends and Distributions.
(a) Subject to the rights of the holders of any shares of any series of
preferred stock (or any similar stock) ranking prior and superior to the
Preferred Shares with respect to dividends, the holders of Preferred Shares, in
preference to the holders of Common Stock, par value $0.40 per share (the
"Common Stock"), of the Corporation, and of any other junior stock, shall be
entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors out of
funds legally available for the purpose, quarterly dividends payable in cash on
the first day of March, June, September and December in each year (each such
date being referred to herein as a "Quarterly Dividend Payment Date"),
commencing on the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date after the first issuance
of a share or fraction of a share of Preferred Shares, in an amount per share
(rounded to the nearest cent) equal to the greater of (i) $0.01 or (ii) subject
to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, 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, other
than a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock or a subdivision of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise), declared
on the Common Stock since the immediately preceding Quarterly Dividend Payment
Date or, with respect to the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, since the
first issuance of any share or fraction of a share of Preferred Shares. In the
event the Corporation shall at any time after December 23, 1996, declare or pay
any dividend on the Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, or effect a
subdivision or combination or consolidation of the outstanding shares of Common
Stock (by reclassification or otherwise) into a greater or lesser number of
shares of Common Stock, then in each such case the amount to which holders of
shares of Preferred Shares were entitled immediately prior to such event under
clause (ii) of the preceding sentence shall be adjusted by multiplying such
amount by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common
Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is
the number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to
such event.
<PAGE>
(b) The Corporation shall declare a dividend or distribution on the
Preferred Shares as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section immediately after
it declares a dividend or distribution on the Common Stock (other than a
dividend payable in shares of Common Stock or a subdivision of the outstanding
Common Stock); provided that, in the event no dividend or distribution shall
have been declared on the Common Stock during the period between any Quarterly
Dividend Payment Date and the next subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, a
dividend of $0.01 per share on the Preferred Shares shall nevertheless be
payable, out of funds legally available for such purpose, on such subsequent
Quarterly Dividend Payment Date.
(c) Dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative on outstanding shares
of Preferred Shares from their date of issue. Accrued but unpaid dividends shall
not bear interest. Dividends paid on the shares of Preferred Shares in an amount
less than the total amount of such dividends at the time accrued and payable on
such shares shall be allocated pro rata on a share-by-share basis among all such
shares at the time outstanding. The Board of Directors may fix a record date for
the determination of holders of Preferred Shares entitled to receive payment of
a dividend or distribution declared thereon, which record date shall be not more
than 60 days prior to the date fixed for the payment thereof.
Section 3. Voting Rights.
(a) Subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, each
Preferred Share shall entitle the holder thereof to 100 votes on all matters
submitted to a vote of the shareholders of the Corporation. In the event the
Corporation shall at any time after December 23, 1996, declare or pay any
dividend on the Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, or effect a
subdivision or combination or consolidation of the outstanding shares of Common
Stock (by reclassification or otherwise) into a greater or lesser number of
shares of Common Stock, then in each such case the number of votes per share to
which holders of shares of Preferred Shares were entitled immediately prior to
such event shall be adjusted by multiplying such number by a fraction, the
numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of
shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.
(b) Except as otherwise provided herein or by law, the holders of Preferred
Shares and the holders of Common Stock and any other capital stock of the
Corporation having general voting rights shall vote together as one class on all
matters submitted to a vote of shareholders of the Corporation.
(c) Except as set forth herein or required by law, holders of Preferred
Shares shall have no special voting rights and their consent shall not be
required (except to the extent they are entitled to vote with holders of Common
Stock as set forth herein) for taking any corporate action.
Section 4. Certain Restrictions.
(a) Whenever quarterly dividends or other dividends or distributions
payable on the Preferred Shares as provided in Section 2 are in arrears,
thereafter and until all accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions, whether
or not declared, on shares of Preferred Shares outstanding shall have been paid
in full, the Corporation shall not:
(i) declare or pay dividends, or make any other distributions, on any
shares of stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation,
dissolution or winding up) to the Preferred Shares;
(ii) declare or pay dividends, or make any other distributions, on any
shares of stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or upon liquidation,
dissolution or winding up) with the Preferred Shares, except dividends paid
ratably on the Preferred Shares and all such parity stock on which dividends are
payable or in arrears in proportion to the total amounts to which the holders of
all such shares are then entitled;
<PAGE>
(iii) redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration shares of
any stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation,
dissolution or winding up) to the Preferred Shares; provided, however, that the
Corporation may at any time redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire shares of any
such junior stock in exchange for shares of any stock of the Corporation ranking
junior (either as to dividends or upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up)
to the Preferred Shares; or
(iv) redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any
Preferred Shares, or any stock ranking on a parity with the Preferred Shares,
except in accordance with a purchase offer made in writing or by publication (as
determined by the Board of Directors) to all holders of such shares upon such
terms as the Board of Directors, after consideration of the respective annual
dividend rates and other relative rights and preferences of the respective
series and classes, shall determine in good faith will result in fair and
equitable treatment among the respective series or classes.
(b) The Corporation shall not permit any subsidiary of the Corporation to
purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of stock of the
Corporation unless the Corporation could, under paragraph (a) of this Section_4,
purchase or otherwise acquire such shares at such time and in such manner.
Section 5. Reacquired Shares. Any Preferred Shares purchased or otherwise
acquired by the Corporation in any manner whatsoever shall be retired and
canceled promptly after the acquisition thereof. All such shares shall upon
their cancellation become authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock and
may be reissued as part of a new series of preferred stock subject to the
conditions and restrictions on issuance set forth herein, in the Articles of
Incorporation, or in any other certificate of designation creating a series of
preferred stock or any similar stock or as otherwise required by law.
Section 6. Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up. Upon any liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, no distribution shall be made (1)
to the holders of shares of stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Preferred Shares unless, prior
thereto, the holders of Preferred Shares shall have received the greater of (i)
$100 per share, plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends and
distributions thereon, whether or not declared, to the date of such payment, or
(ii) an aggregate amount per share, subject to the provision for adjustment
hereinafter set forth, equal to 100 times the aggregate amount to be distributed
per share to holders of Common Stock, or (2) to the holders of stock ranking on
a parity (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up)
with the Preferred Shares, except distributions made ratably on the Preferred
Shares and all such parity stock in proportion to the total amounts to which the
holders of all such shares are entitled upon such liquidation, dissolution or
winding up. In the event the Corporation shall at any time after December 23,
1996, declare or pay any dividend on the Common Stock payable in shares of
Common Stock, or effect a subdivision or combination or consolidation of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise) into a
greater or lesser number of shares of Common Stock, then in each such case the
aggregate amount to which holders of shares of Preferred Shares were entitled
immediately prior to such event under clause (1)(ii) of the preceding sentence
shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction the numerator of
which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such
event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that
were outstanding immediately prior to such event.
<PAGE>
Section 7. Consolidation, Merger, etc. In case the Corporation shall enter
into any consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction in which the
shares of Common Stock are exchanged for or changed into other stock or
securities, cash and/or any other property, then in any such case each share of
Preferred Shares shall at the same time be similarly exchanged or changed into
an amount per share, subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set
forth, equal to 100 times the aggregate amount of stock, securities, cash and/or
any other property (payable in kind), as the case may be, into which or for
which each share of Common Stock is changed or exchanged. In the event the
Corporation shall at any time after December 23, 1996, declare or pay any
dividend on the Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, or effect a
subdivision or combination or consolidation of the outstanding shares of Common
Stock (by reclassification or otherwise) into a greater or lesser number of
shares of Common Stock, then in each such case the amount set forth in the
preceding sentence with respect to the exchange or change of shares of Preferred
Shares shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction, the numerator
of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after
such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock
that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.
Section 8. No Redemption. The shares of Preferred Shares shall not be
redeemable.
Section 9. Rank. The Preferred Shares shall rank, with respect to the
payment of dividends and the distribution of assets, junior to all series of any
other class of the Corporation's preferred stock.
Section 10. Fractional Shares. Preferred Shares may be issued in fractions
of a share which are integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a share which
shall entitle the holder, in proportion to such holder's fractional shares, to
receive dividends, participate in distributions and to have the benefit of all
other rights of holders of Preferred Shares.
Section 11. Amendment. The Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation
shall not be amended in any manner which would materially alter or change the
powers, preferences or rights of the Preferred Shares so as to affect them
adversely without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of
the outstanding shares of Preferred Shares, voting together as a single class.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have subscribed my name this ___ day of December,
1996.
POSSIS MEDICAL, INC.
By __________________________
[Name and Title]
<PAGE>
Exhibit B
FORM OF RIGHT CERTIFICATES
Certificate No. R-___ _____________________ Rights
NOT EXERCISABLE AFTER DECEMBER 23, 2006 OR EARLIER IF REDEMPTION OR
EXCHANGE OCCURS. THE RIGHTS ARE SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION AT $.01 PER RIGHT (SUBJECT
TO ADJUSTMENT) AND TO EXCHANGE ON THE TERMS SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT.
UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT, RIGHTS
BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY A PERSON WHO IS, WAS OR BECOMES AN ACQUIRING PERSON OR AN
AFFILIATE OR ASSOCIATE OF AN ACQUIRING PERSON (AS SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN THE
RIGHTS AGREEMENT) AND SUBSEQUENT HOLDERS OF SUCH RIGHTS MAY BECOME NULL AND
VOID.
RIGHT CERTIFICATE
POSSIS MEDICAL, INC.
This certifies that _____________________________, or registered assigns,
is the registered owner of the number of Rights set forth above, each of which
entitles the owner thereof, subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of
the Rights Agreement, dated as of December 12, 1996 (the "Rights Agreement"),
between Possis Medical, Inc., a Minnesota corporation (the "Company"), and
Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association (the "Rights Agent"), to purchase
from the Company at any time after the Distribution Date (as such term is
defined in the Rights Agreement) and prior to 5:00 P.M., Minneapolis time, on
December 23, 2006 at the office or offices of the Rights Agent designated for
such purpose, or of its successor as Rights Agent, one one-hundredth of a fully
paid non-assessable share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par
value $.40 per share (the "Preferred Shares"), of the Company, at a purchase
price of $160.00 (the "Purchase Price"), upon presentation and surrender of this
Right Certificate with the Form of Election to Purchase duly executed. The
number of Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate (and the number of one
one-hundredths of a Preferred Share which may be purchased upon exercise hereof)
set forth above, and the Purchase Price set forth above, are the number and
Purchase Price as of December 23, 1996, based on the Preferred Shares as
constituted at such date. As provided in the Rights Agreement, the Purchase
Price and the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share which may be
purchased upon the exercise of the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate
are subject to modification and adjustment upon the happening of certain events.
This Right Certificate is subject to all of the terms, provisions and
conditions of the Rights Agreement, which terms, provisions and conditions are
hereby incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof and to which
Rights Agreement reference is hereby made for a full description of the rights,
limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities hereunder of the
Rights Agent, the Company and the holders of the Right Certificates. Copies of
the Rights Agreement are on file at the principal executive offices of the
Company and the office or offices of the Rights Agent and will be mailed without
charge by the Company or the Rights Agent to the holder of this certificate
promptly following receipt by the Company or the Rights Agent of a written
request therefor.
From and after the occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event (as such term is
defined in the Rights Agreement), any Rights that are or were acquired or
beneficially owned by any Acquiring Person (or any Associate or Affiliate of
such Acquiring Person) (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement) shall
be void and any holder of such Rights shall thereafter have no right to exercise
such Rights under any provision of this Agreement.
<PAGE>
This Right Certificate, with or without other Right Certificates, upon
surrender at the office or offices of the Rights Agent designated for such
purpose, may be exchanged for another Right Certificate or Right Certificates of
like tenor and date evidencing Rights entitling the holder to purchase a like
aggregate number of Preferred Shares as the Rights evidenced by the Right
Certificate or Right Certificates surrendered shall have entitled such holder to
purchase. If this Right Certificate shall be exercised in part, the holder shall
be entitled to receive upon surrender hereof another Right Certificate or Right
Certificates for the number of whole Rights not exercised.
Subject to the provisions of the Rights Agreement, the Rights evidenced by
this certificate (i) may, but are not required to, be redeemed by the Company at
a redemption price of $.01 per Right, subject to adjustment as provided in the
Rights Agreement, and (ii) may, but are not required to, be exchanged by the
Company in whole or in part for Common Shares.
No fractional Preferred Shares will be issued upon the exercise of any
Right or Rights evidenced hereby (other than fractions which are integral
multiples of one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share, which may, at the election
of the Company, be evidenced by scrip or depositary receipts), but in lieu
thereof a cash payment will be made, as provided in the Rights Agreement.
No holder of this Right Certificate shall be entitled to vote or receive
dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the Preferred Shares or of
any other securities of the Company which may at any time be issuable on the
exercise hereof, nor shall anything contained in the Rights Agreement or herein
be construed to confer upon the holder hereof, as such, any of the rights of a
shareholder of the Company or any right to vote for the election of directors or
upon any matter submitted to shareholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or
withhold consent to any corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or
other actions affecting shareholders (except as provided in the Rights
Agreement), or to receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise, until
the Right or Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate shall have been
exercised as provided in the Rights Agreement.
This Right Certificate shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose
until it shall have been countersigned by the Rights Agent.
WITNESS the manual or facsimile signature of the proper officer of the
Company.
Dated:
POSSIS MEDICAL, INC.
By __________________________
[Name and Title]
<PAGE>
Countersigned for purposes
of authentication only:
NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA,
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By ____________________________________________________________________
Authorized Signature
<PAGE>
Form of Reverse Side of Right Certificate
FORM OF ASSIGNMENT
(To be executed by the registered holder if such
holder desires to transfer the Right Certificate.)
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, ____________ hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto
______________________________ (print name of transferee)
______________________________________ (print address of transferee) this Right
Certificate, together with all right, title and interest therein, and does
hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint _____________ Attorney, to transfer
the within Right Certificate on the books of the within-named Company, with full
power of substitution.
Please insert social security
number, taxpayer identification
number or other identifying number:
_______________________________________________________________________________
Dated: ____________________________________________
Signature
Signature Guaranteed:
The signature(s) should be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution
(banks, stockbrokers, savings and loan associations and credit unions with
membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program), pursuant to
S.E.C. Rule 17Ad-15.
<PAGE>
Form of Reverse Side of Right Certificate-continued
CERTIFICATE
The undersigned hereby certifies (after due inquiry and to the best of its
knowledge) by checking the appropriate boxes that:
(1) this Right Certificate
[ ] is
or
[ ] is not
being exercised by or on behalf of a Person who is or was an Acquiring
Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person (as such terms are
defined in the Rights Agreement); and
(2) the undersigned
[ ] did
or
[ ] did not
acquire the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate from any Person who
is, was or subsequently became an
Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person.
______________________________________
Signature
NOTICE
The signature of the foregoing Assignment and Certificate must correspond
to the name as written upon the face of this Right Certificate in every
particular, with out alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.
In the event the certification set forth above in the foregoing Assignment
or Election to Purchase, as the case may be, is not completed, the Company and
the Rights Agent will deem the beneficial owner of the Rights evidenced by this
Right Certificate to be an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof
(as defined in the Rights Agreement) and such Assignment or Election to Purchase
will not be honored.
<PAGE>
Form of Reverse Side of Right Certificate-continued
FORM OF ELECTION TO PURCHASE
(To be executed if holder desires to
exercise the Right Certificate.)
To: Possis Medical, Inc.
The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise_________ Rights
represented by this Right Certificate to purchase the Preferred Shares issuable
upon the exercise of such Rights and requests that certificates for such
Preferred Shares be issued in the name of:
Please insert social security
number, taxpayer identification
number or other identifying number:
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
(Please print name and address)
_______________________________________________________________________________
If such number of Rights shall not be all the Rights evidenced by this
Right Certificate, a new Right Certificate for the balance remaining of such
Rights shall be registered in the name of and delivered to:
Please insert social security number,
taxpayer identification number
or other identifying number:
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
(Please print name and address)
_______________________________________________________________________________
Dated: ___________________
____________________________________________________
Signature
Signature Guaranteed: ____________________________________________________
The signature(s) should be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution
(banks, stockbrokers, savings and loan associations and credit unions with
membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program), pursuant to
S.E.C. Rule 17Ad-15.
<PAGE>
Form of Reverse Side of Right Certificate-continued
CERTIFICATE
The undersigned hereby certifies (after due inquiry and to the best of its
knowledge) by checking the appropriate boxes that:
(1) this Right Certificate
[ ] is
or
[ ] is not
being exercised by or on behalf of a Person who is or was an Acquiring
Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person (as such terms are
defined in the Rights Agreement); and
(2) the undersigned
[ ] did
or
[ ] did not
acquire the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate from any Person who
is, was or subsequently became an
Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person.
________________________________
Signature
NOTICE
The signature of the foregoing Election to Purchase and Certificate must
correspond to the name as written upon the face of this Right Certificate in
every particular, with out alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.
In the event the certification set forth above in the foregoing Assignment
or Election to Purchase, as the case may be, is not completed, the Company and
the Rights Agent will deem the beneficial owner of the Rights evidenced by this
Right Certificate to be an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof
(as defined in the Rights Agreement) and such Assignment or Election to Purchase
will not be honored.
<PAGE>
Exhibit C
POSSIS MEDICAL, INC.
SUMMARY OF RIGHTS TO PURCHASE
PREFERRED SHARES
On December 11, 1996, the Board of Directors of Possis Medical, Inc. (the
"Company"), declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a
"Right") per share for each outstanding share of Common Stock, par value $.40
(the "Common Shares"), of the Company. The dividend is payable on December 23,
1996 (the "Record Date") to shareholders of record on that date.
Each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase from the Company one
one-hundredth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par
value $.40 (the "Preferred Shares"), of the Company at a price of $160.00 per
one-hundredth of a Preferred Share (the "Purchase Price"), subject to
adjustment. The description and terms of the Rights are set forth in a Rights
Agreement (the "Rights Agreement"), dated as of December 12, 1996, between the
Company and Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association, as Rights Agent (the
"Rights Agent").
Initially, the Rights will be evidenced by the certificates representing
Common Shares then outstanding and no separate Right Certificates will be
distributed. The Rights will separate from the Common Shares, and a Distribution
Date for the Rights will occur upon the earlier of: (i) the first date of public
announcement that a Person or group of affiliated or associated Persons has
become an "Acquiring Person" (i.e., has become, subject to certain exceptions,
the beneficial owner of 15% or more of the outstanding Common Shares) (except
pursuant to a Permitted Offer, as hereinafter defined) and (ii) the 10th day
following the commencement or public announcement of a tender offer or exchange
offer, the consummation of which would result in a Person or group of affiliated
or associated Persons becoming, subject to certain exceptions, the beneficial
owner of 15% or more of the outstanding Common Shares (or such later date as may
be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company prior to a Person or
group of affiliated or associated Persons becoming an Acquiring Person) (the
earlier of such dates being called the "Distribution Date").
Until the Distribution Date, (i) the Rights will be evidenced by the Common
Share certificates and will be transferred with and only with the Common Shares,
(ii) new Common Share certificates issued after the Record Date upon transfer or
new issuance of the Common Shares will contain a notation incorporating the
Rights Agreement by reference, and (iii) the surrender for transfer of any
Common Share certificate, even without such notation or a copy of this Summary
of Rights attached thereto, will also constitute the transfer of the Rights
associated with the Common Shares represented by such certificate.
As promptly as practicable following the Distribution Date, separate
certificates evidencing the Rights ("Right Certificates") will be mailed to
holders of record of the Common Shares as of the close of business on the
Distribution Date, and such separate Right Certificates alone will evidence the
Rights.
The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date. The Rights will
expire on December 23, 2006, unless extended or earlier redeemed or exchanged by
the Company as described below.
<PAGE>
The Purchase Price payable and the number of Preferred Shares or other
securities or property issuable upon exercise of the Rights are subject to
adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution: (i) in the event of a stock
dividend on, or a subdivision, combination or reclassification of, the Preferred
Shares, (ii) upon the grant to holders of the Preferred Shares of certain
rights, options or warrants to subscribe for or purchase Preferred Shares or
convertible securities at less than the then current market price of the
Preferred Shares, or (iii) upon the distribution to holders of the Preferred
Shares of evidences of indebtedness or assets (excluding regular periodic cash
dividends or dividends payable in Preferred Shares) or of subscription rights or
warrants (other than those described in clause (ii) of this paragraph). With
certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Purchase Price will be required until
cumulative adjustments require an adjustment of at least 1% in the Purchase
Price.
No fraction of a Preferred Share (other than fractions in integral
multiples of one one-hundredth of a share) will be issued and, in lieu thereof,
an adjustment in cash will be made based on the closing price on the last
trading date prior to the date of exercise.
The number of outstanding Rights and the number of one one-hundredths of a
Preferred Share issuable upon exercise of each Right are also subject to
adjustment in the event of a stock split of the Common Shares or a stock
dividend on the Common Shares payable in Common Shares or subdivisions,
consolidations or combinations of the Common Shares occurring, in any such case,
prior to the Distribution Date.
Preferred Shares purchasable upon exercise of the Rights will not be
redeemable. Each Preferred Share will be entitled to a minimum preferential
quarterly dividend payment of $.01 per share but will be entitled to an
aggregate dividend of 100 times the dividend declared per Common Share. In the
event of liquidation, the holders of the Preferred Shares will be entitled to a
minimum preferential liquidation payment of $.01 per share but will be entitled
to an aggregate payment of 100 times the payment made per Common Share. Each
Preferred Share will have 100 votes, voting together with the Common Shares.
Finally, in the event of any merger, consolidation or other transaction in which
Common Shares are exchanged, each Preferred Share will be entitled to receive
100 times the amount received per Common Share. These rights are subject to
adjustment in the event of a stock dividend on the Common Shares or a
subdivision, combination or consolidation of the Common Shares.
In the event that a person or group becomes an Acquiring Person (except
pursuant to a Permitted Offer (as defined below)), each holder of a Right, other
than the Acquiring Person or the affiliates, associates or transferees thereof
(whose Rights will thereafter be void), will thereafter have the right to
receive upon exercise thereof at the then current exercise price of the Right
that number of Common Shares having a market value of two times the exercise
price of the Right, subject to certain possible adjustments.
In the event that the Company is acquired in certain mergers or other
business combination transactions or 50% or more of the assets or earning power
of the Company and its subsidiaries (taken as a whole) are sold after a person
or group becomes an Acquiring Person (except pursuant to a Permitted Offer),
holders of the Rights will thereafter have the Right to receive, upon exercise
thereof at the then current exercise price of the Right, that number of Common
Shares of the acquiring company (or, in certain cases, one of its Affiliates)
having a market value of two times the exercise price of the Right.
A "Permitted Offer" is a tender offer or an exchange offer for all
outstanding Common Shares of the Company at a price and on terms determined by a
majority of the Board of Directors of the Company who are not officers of the
Company and who are not Acquiring Persons or affiliates or associates of an
Acquiring Person and after receiving advice from one or more investment banking
firms, to be (a) fair to shareholders (taking into account all factors which the
Board of Directors deems relevant) and (b) otherwise in the best interests of
the Company and its shareholders employees, customers, suppliers and creditors
and the communities in which the Company does business, and which the Board of
Directors determines to recommend to the shareholders of the Company.
<PAGE>
At any time after a Person becomes an Acquiring Person (subject to certain
exceptions), and prior to the acquisition by a Person of 50% or more of the
outstanding Common Shares, the Continuing Directors may exchange all or part of
the Rights for Common Shares at an exchange ratio per Right equal to the result
obtained by dividing the exercise price of a Right by the current per share
market price of the Common Shares, subject to adjustment.
At any time before a Person has become an Acquiring Person, the Continuing
Directors may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $.01
per Right (the "Redemption Price"), subject to adjustment. The redemption of the
Rights may be made effective at such time, on such basis and with such
conditions as such Continuing Directors may, in their sole discretion,
establish.
A "Continuing Director" is a member of the Board of Directors who was a
member of the Board on December 23, 1996, or who subsequently became or becomes
a member of the Board of Directors with the recommendation or approval of a
majority of the Continuing Directors. Continuing Directors do not include any
Acquiring Person or affiliate or associate of an Acquiring Person.
Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no
rights as a shareholder of the Company, including without limitation, the right
to vote or to receive dividends.
A copy of the Rights Agreement has been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to a Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated
December 12, 1996. A copy of the Rights Agreement is available free of charge
from the Company by contacting the Secretary at Possis Medical, Inc., 9055
Evergreen Blvd., N.W., Minneapolis, Minnesota 55433-8003. This summary
description of the Rights does not purport to be complete and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to the Rights Agreement, which is hereby incorporated
herein by reference.
