<PAGE> 1
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON DECEMBER 3, 1997
REGISTRATION NO. 333-
================================================================================
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
------------------------
FORM S-3 AND FORM S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
------------------------
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
CMS ENERGY CORPORATION CMS ENERGY X-TRAS(SM) PASS-THROUGH TRUST I
(Exact name of registrant as (Exact name of registrant as
specified in its charter) specified in its Trust Agreement)
MICHIGAN DELAWARE
(State or other jurisdiction of (State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization) incorporation or organization)
38-2726431 38-3382222
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
Fairlane Plaza South, Suite 1100 c/o Wilmington Trust Company
330 Town Center Drive Rodney Square North
Dearborn, Michigan 48126 1100 North Market Street
313-436-9200 Wilmington, DE 19890-0001
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, 302-651-1000
including area code, of registrant's (Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
principal executive offices) including area code, of registrant's
principal executive offices)
</TABLE>
------------------------
ALAN M. WRIGHT
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Fairlane Plaza South, Suite 1100
330 Town Center Drive
Dearborn, Michigan 48126
313-436-9200
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
With copies to:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
MICHAEL D. VAN HEMERT, ESQ. JOEL S. KLAPERMAN, ESQ.
CMS Energy Corporation Shearman & Sterling
Fairlane Plaza South, Suite 1100 599 Lexington Avenue
330 Town Center Drive New York, New York 10022
Dearborn, Michigan 48126 (212) 848-4000
(313) 436-9200
</TABLE>
------------------------
APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as
practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective
------------------------
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box: [ ]
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box: [ ]
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering: [ ]
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [ ]
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box: [ ]
------------------------
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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PROPOSED MAXIMUM PROPOSED MAXIMUM
TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF AMOUNT TO BE OFFERING PRICE PER AGGREGATE OFFERING AMOUNT OF REGISTRATION
SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED REGISTERED SECURITY(1) PRICE(1) FEE
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<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Pass-Through Certificates due 2005...... $150,000,000 100% $150,000,000 $44,250.00
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% Extendible Tenor Rate-Adjusted
Securities due 2005(2)................ $150,000,000 N/A N/A N/A
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Total................................... $150,000,000 100% $150,000,000 $44,250.00
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</TABLE>
(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.
(2) The % Extendible Tenor Rate-Adjusted Securities due 2005 will be
purchased by CMS Energy X-TRAS(SM) Pass-Through Trust I with the proceeds of
the sale of the Pass-Through Certificates.
The Registrants hereby amend this Registration Statement on such date or
dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrants
shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration
Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of
the Securities Act of 1933 or until this Registration Statement shall become
effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a),
may determine.
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<PAGE> 2
Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A
registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may not be sold nor
may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement
becomes effective. This prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell or
the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these
securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be
unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws
of any such State.
PROSPECTUS (Subject to Completion)
Issued December 3, 1997
$150,000,000
CMS ENERGY LOGO
CMS ENERGY X-TRAS(SM*)
Pass-Through Trust I
PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES DUE , 2005
------------------------
Distributions payable and
------------------------
Each Pass-Through Certificate (collectively, the "Certificates") due
, 2005 will represent a fractional undivided beneficial interest in
the CMS Energy X-TRAS(SM) Pass-Through Trust I (the "Pass-Through Trust"), a
statutory business trust created under the Delaware Business Trust Act, formed
pursuant to a trust agreement dated as of November 21, 1997, between CMS Energy
Corporation ("CMS Energy" or the "Company") and Wilmington Trust Company, as
pass-through trustee (the "Trustee") (as to be amended and restated on the date
of issue of the Certificates, the "Trust Agreement"). The sole assets of the
Pass-Through Trust from which holders of the Certificates ("Certificateholders")
will receive any distributions on the Certificates will be $150,000,000 in
aggregate principal amount of % Extendible Tenor Rate-Adjusted Securities due
, 2005 (collectively, "X-TRAS(SM)" or the "Notes") issued by the
Company. The Trustee will issue the Certificates to the Underwriter at a price
equal to the initial public offering price specified below and will use the
proceeds thereof, together with amounts payable to it under a certain ISDA
Master Agreement (as defined), to purchase the Notes from the Company at the par
value thereof. The ability of the Pass-Through Trust to make distributions under
the Certificates will depend on whether the Company meets its obligations on the
Notes. Interest paid on the Notes will be passed through to the
Certificateholders on and of each year, commencing
, 1998, at % per annum and continuing until , 2005, the
date on which the principal amount of the Notes will be distributed (the "Final
Distribution Date"). The Notes are redeemable at the option of the Company, in
whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, on not less than 30 days'
prior notice, at the redemption prices determined as described herein, together
with accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption. The Trustee will
distribute amounts received with respect to the Notes pursuant to any such
redemption to the Certificateholders on a Special Distribution Date (as
defined).
------------------------
THESE CERTIFICATES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FINAL PRINCIPAL INTEREST PRICE TO
PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES DISTRIBUTION DATE AMOUNT RATE PUBLIC(1)(2)
------------------------- ----------------- --------- -------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
CMS X-TRAS(SM) Pass-Through Trust I......... , 2005 $ % %
</TABLE>
- ------------
(1) Plus accrued interest, if any, from , 199 .
(2) The underwriting commission aggregates $ , which
constitutes % of the principal amount of the Certificates. The
underwriting commission and certain other expenses relating to the
offering estimated at $ will be paid by the Company, which will
receive proceeds from the sale of the Notes to the Trust equal to the
par value thereof. The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriter
against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended.
------------------------
The Certificates are offered, subject to prior sale, when, as and if
accepted by the Underwriter and subject to approval of certain legal matters by
Shearman & Sterling and Reid & Priest LLP, both of which are acting as counsel
for the Underwriter. It is expected that delivery of the Certificates in
book-entry form will be made on or about , 199 through the book-entry
facilities of The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), against payment therefor in
immediately available funds.
------------------------
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER
, 199
- ------------
* "X-TRAS(SM)" is a servicemark of Morgan Stanley, Dean Witter, Discover & Co.
<PAGE> 3
NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR ANY OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS, OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS (THIS "PROSPECTUS") AND, IF GIVEN
OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING
BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR BY THE UNDERWRITER. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY
SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE CERTIFICATES DESCRIBED IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR AN OFFER
TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY SUCH SECURITIES IN ANY
JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSONS TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER IN SUCH
JURISDICTION. THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS OR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER DOES
NOT IMPLY THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE
DATE HEREOF OR THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME
SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE ON WHICH SUCH INFORMATION IS GIVEN.
-------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PAGE
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<S> <C>
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference............. 3
Prospectus Summary.......................................... 4
The Company................................................. 10
Selected Consolidated Financial Data........................ 11
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.......................... 12
Use of Proceeds............................................. 12
Capitalization.............................................. 13
Formation of the Pass-Through Trust......................... 14
Description of Certificates................................. 14
Description of the Trust Agreement.......................... 21
Description of Notes........................................ 24
Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations................... 38
State and Local Tax Considerations.......................... 42
ERISA Considerations........................................ 43
Underwriter................................................. 45
Transfer Restrictions....................................... 46
Legal Matters............................................... 46
Experts..................................................... 47
Available Information....................................... 47
</TABLE>
-------------------------
CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THIS OFFERING MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS
THAT STABILIZE, MAINTAIN OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE CERTIFICATES.
SPECIFICALLY, THE UNDERWRITER MAY OVERALLOT IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING AND
MAY BID FOR AND PURCHASE THE CERTIFICATES IN THE OPEN MARKET. FOR A DESCRIPTION
OF THESE ACTIVITIES, SEE "UNDERWRITER."
2
<PAGE> 4
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Commission") by the Company (File No. 001-9513) are incorporated by
reference in this Prospectus:
(a) the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1996;
(b) the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters
ended March 31, June 30, and September 30, 1997; and
(c) the Company's Current Reports on Form 8-K dated March 7, April 24,
May 1, June 5, June 11, July 1 and August 21, 1997.
All documents and reports filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant
to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act") subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and prior
to the termination of the offering of the Certificates shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the
date of filing of such documents (such documents, and the documents enumerated
above, being hereinafter referred to as "Incorporated Documents").
The Company will provide without charge to each person, including any
beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this Prospectus is delivered, upon the
written or oral request of any such person, a copy of any or all of the
Incorporated Documents, other than certain exhibits to such Documents. Requests
should be directed to CMS Energy at its principal executive offices located at
Fairlane Plaza South, Suite 1100, 330 Town Center Drive, Dearborn, Michigan
48126, Attention: Office of the Secretary, telephone: (313) 436-9200.
Any statement contained in an Incorporated Document shall be deemed to be
modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent any
statement contained herein or in any subsequently filed document, which is also
deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, modifies or supersedes such
statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed to
constitute a part hereof except as so modified or superseded.
Certain information contained in this Prospectus summarizes, is based upon
or refers to information and financial statements contained in one or more
Incorporated Documents; accordingly, such information contained herein is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such documents and should be read in
conjunction therewith.
3
<PAGE> 5
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
The following summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to the detailed information appearing elsewhere
herein, including under the headings "Description of Certificates," "Description
of the Trust Agreement" and "Description of Notes." Certain capitalized terms
used herein are defined elsewhere in this Prospectus.
PASS-THROUGH TRUST............ CMS Energy X-TRAS(SM) Pass-Through Trust I (the
"Pass-Through Trust") is a statutory business
trust formed under the Delaware Business Trust
Act pursuant to (i) a trust agreement dated as
of November 21, 1997, between the Company and
Wilmington Trust Company, as pass-through
trustee (as to be amended and restated on the
date of issue of the Certificates, the "Trust
Agreement") and (ii) the filing of a
certificate of trust with the Secretary of
State of the State of Delaware on November 21,
1997.
CERTIFICATES.................. $150,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of
Pass-Through Certificates due , 2005
(the "Certificates") will be issued by the
Pass-Through Trust pursuant to the Trust
Agreement. The Certificates will represent
fractional undivided beneficial interests in
the Pass-Through Trust.
PASS-THROUGH TRUST ASSETS..... The sole assets of the Pass-Through Trust from
which holders of the Certificates (the
"Certificateholders") will receive any
distributions on the Certificates will be
$150,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of
% Extendible Tenor Rate-Adjusted Securities
due , 2005 ("X-TRAS(SM)" or the
"Notes") issued by the Company. The Notes will
be issued under an Indenture (the "Indenture")
dated as of September 15, 1992, as supplemented
by a Sixth Supplemental Indenture (the
"Supplemental Indenture") dated as of
, 199 , between the Company and NBD
Bank, as trustee (the "Indenture Trustee"). The
Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture are
hereinafter referred to collectively as the
"Senior Debt Indenture."
The Pass-Through Trust will acquire the Notes,
which will bear interest at the rate per annum
set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus
and will mature on , 2005 (the "Final
Distribution Date") unless extended as
described below. In addition, the Pass-Through
Trust will be party to an ISDA master agreement
(the "ISDA Master Agreement") with Morgan
Stanley Capital Services Inc. ("MSCS"), a
wholly owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, Dean
Witter, Discover & Co. Under the ISDA Master
Agreement, an amount is payable by MSCS to the
Pass-Through Trust on the date of issue of the
Certificates. Such amount will not be assigned
for the benefit of the Certificateholders, and
will be used by the Pass-Through Trust,
together with the proceeds of the offering of
the Certificates, to purchase the Notes at par
value from the Company. The amount payable, if
any, by the Pass-Through Trust to MSCS pursuant
to the ISDA Master Agreement (the "ISDA
Amount") will be payable either (i) by the
Company pursuant to the Senior Debt Indenture
or (ii) in the event of a remarketing, with the
proceeds of the remarketing. Accordingly,
Certificateholders will obtain no benefit from,
and will be exposed
4
<PAGE> 6
to no risk as a result of, interest rate
changes which may give rise to payment by the
Company of the ISDA Amount under the Senior
Debt Indenture, and in turn, the payment
thereof by the Trustee to MSCS pursuant to the
ISDA Master Agreement.
REGULAR DISTRIBUTION DATES.... , 1998, and thereafter each and
.
SPECIAL DISTRIBUTION DATE..... Any Business Day.
RECORD DATE................... The first day, whether or not a Business Day,
of each and , except that no Record
Date shall be applicable to distributions to
be made on the Final Distribution Date.
DISTRIBUTIONS................. All payments of principal of, Applicable
Premium, if any, and interest on the Notes
received by the Trustee will be distributed by
the Trustee to Certificateholders on the date
such receipt is confirmed by the Trustee,
except in certain cases where the Notes are in
default, when the Notes are redeemed in part
or when there is a Change in Control (as
defined) or an Excess Proceeds Offer (as
defined). Payments of interest on the Notes
are scheduled to be received by the Trustee on
the Regular Distribution Dates and will be
distributed to the Certificateholders on the
corresponding Regular Distribution Date.
Payments of principal of, Applicable Premium
and interest on the Notes resulting from
optional redemption, if any, of all of the
Notes and payments received by the Trustee
following an Event of Default will be
distributed on a Special Distribution Date
after not less than 20 days' notice from the
Trustee to the Certificateholders. For a
discussion of distributions upon an Event of
Default, a redemption in part or a Change in
Control or Excess Proceeds Offer, see
"Description of Certificates -- Events of
Default," "Description of Notes -- Optional
Redemption at a Premium" and "-- Purchase of
Certificates upon Change in Control or Excess
Proceeds Offer."
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION OF THE
NOTES AT A PREMIUM............ The Notes are redeemable at any time, at the
option of the Company, in whole or in part, on
not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' prior
notice by the Company, at a redemption price
equal to 100% of the principal amount of the
Notes being redeemed, interest, if any,
thereon to the redemption date, and the
Applicable Premium if such redemption occurs
on or prior to the 91st day prior to the Final
Distribution Date (the "Premium Termination
Date") plus the ISDA Amount. All payments of
principal of, Applicable Premium and interest
on the Notes paid by the Company to the
Pass-Through Trust with respect to a
redemption in whole will be distributed to the
Certificateholders on a Special Distribution
Date, which shall be the redemption date of
such Notes. The ISDA Amount will be
distributed to MSCS. If less than all of the
Notes are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall
select, in such manner as it shall deem
appropriate and fair, the particular
Certificates or portions thereof representing
beneficial ownership of the Notes to be
redeemed. Certificates representing beneficial
ownership of the Notes selected for partial
redemption will be required to be presented to
the Trustee for cancellation. Upon such
presentation, all payments of principal of,
Applicable Premium
5
<PAGE> 7
and interest on the Notes paid by the Company
to the Pass-Through Trust will be distributed
to the holders of such Certificates. The ISDA
Amount will be distributed to MSCS. See
"Description of Notes -- Optional Redemption
at a Premium."
FINAL DISTRIBUTION DATE....... , 2005.
FINAL DISTRIBUTION............ The final distribution (the "Final
Distribution") on the Certificates,
representing an amount equal to the principal
of and interest on the Notes, assuming the
Notes had been held until the Final
Distribution Date, is expected to be made on
the Final Distribution Date. If the Yield (as
defined) on the date which is 90 days prior to
the Final Distribution Date (the "Exercise
Date") is equal to or greater than the
reference U.S. Treasury Note yield of % used
to determine the interest rate per annum borne
by the Notes as set forth on the cover page of
this Prospectus, the Notes will mature on the
Final Distribution Date. If the Yield on the
Exercise Date is less than such reference U.S.
Treasury Note yield, the maturity of the Notes
will be extended and, prior to the Final
Distribution Date, one of the following will
occur: (a) the interest rate borne by the Notes
will be reset and the Notes will be remarketed
so as to yield net proceeds in cash at least
equal to the principal amount of the Notes plus
the ISDA Amount (the "Remarketing Proceeds")
which, together with the amount payable by the
Company representing interest on the Notes
through the Final Distribution Date, will be
sufficient to enable the Trustee to make the
Final Distribution on the Certificates, (b) the
Company will exercise its option to redeem the
Notes on the Final Distribution Date at a
purchase price equal to the principal amount of
and interest on the Notes plus the ISDA Amount
or (c) the Pass-Through Trust will exercise its
Put Option (as defined) and require the Company
to purchase the Notes on the Final Distribution
Date at a purchase price equal to the principal
amount of and interest on the Notes. In any
case, the principal of and interest on the
Notes will be distributed by the Pass-Through
Trust to the Certificateholders on the Final
Distribution Date. The ISDA Amount will be
distributed to MSCS. See "Description of
Certificates -- Final Distribution."
"Yield" shall mean the yield-to-maturity on the
then current 7-year U.S. Treasury Note as
determined by linear interpolation of the
5-year and 10-year then current offered-side
yields for the on-the-run most recently issued
U.S. Treasury Notes, as published on Telerate
page 500 as of approximately 12:30 p.m., New
York City time, on the Exercise Date. If
Telerate 500 is unavailable, "Yield" shall be
the arithmetic mean of offered-side yields for
the then current 7-year U.S. Treasury Note as
determined by linear interpolation of the
5-year and 10-year then current offered-side
yields for the on-the-run most recently issued
U.S. Treasury Notes, without regards to highest
and lowest yields, quoted as of approximately
12:30 p.m., New York City time, on the Exercise
Date by five primary dealers in U.S. Treasury
Notes selected by MSCS.
FINAL DISTRIBUTION UPON A
SUCCESSFUL REMARKETING........ If the maturity of the Notes is extended,
unless the Company exercises its option to
redeem the Notes (which option the
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<PAGE> 8
Company shall be entitled to exercise at any
time subsequent to the delivery of the
Extension Notice (as defined) and prior to the
Remarketing Deadline (as defined)), the
interest rate borne by the Notes will be reset
in order that the Notes may be remarketed so as
to yield net proceeds in cash at least equal to
the Remarketing Proceeds which, together with
the amount payable by the Company representing
interest on the Notes through the Final
Distribution Date, will be sufficient to enable
the Trustee to make the Final Distribution to
the Certificateholders. The Pass-Through Trust
will distribute to the Certificateholders the
principal of and interest on the Notes. The
ISDA Amount will be distributed to MSCS.
FINAL DISTRIBUTION UPON
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION OF THE
NOTES WITHOUT PREMIUM...... If the maturity of the Notes is extended, the
Company may, in lieu of permitting the Notes to
be remarketed, exercise its option to redeem
all of the Notes on the Final Distribution Date
at a purchase price equal to the principal
amount of and interest on the Notes plus the
ISDA Amount, but without the Applicable
Premium. The Pass-Through Trust will distribute
to the Certificate-holders the principal of and
interest on the Notes. The ISDA Amount will be
distributed to MSCS.
FINAL DISTRIBUTION UPON
EXERCISE BY THE TRUSTEE OF PUT
OPTION..................... If the maturity of the Notes is extended and
for any reason the Trustee does not receive an
amount in cash equal to the principal amount of
and interest on the Notes by 15 days prior to
the Final Distribution Date or such earlier
date as may be mutually agreed upon by the
Company and the Trustee (the "Remarketing
Deadline"), the Pass-Through Trust will be
deemed to have exercised its option to require
the Company to repurchase (the "Put Option"),
on the Final Distribution Date, all of the
outstanding Notes at a purchase price equal to
the principal amount of and interest on the
Notes. The Pass-Through Trust will distribute
to the Certificateholders the principal of and
interest on the Notes.
REPURCHASE UPON CHANGE IN
CONTROL OR EXCESS PROCEEDS
OFFER...................... In the event of any Change in Control (as
defined) of the Company, each Certificateholder
will have the right to direct the Trustee to
require the Company to repurchase all or any
part of the Notes beneficially owned by such
Certificateholder at a repurchase price equal
to 101% of the principal amount of and interest
on such Notes plus the ISDA Amount. In the
event that the Company has Excess Proceeds (as
defined) from an Asset Sale (as defined), each
Certificateholder will have the right to direct
the Trustee to require the Company to
repurchase on a pro rata basis an aggregate
principal amount of Notes beneficially owned by
such Certificateholder on the relevant purchase
date equal to the Excess Proceeds on such date,
at a purchase price equal to 100% of the
principal amount of and interest on such Notes
plus the ISDA Amount. The percentage of
principal of and interest on such Notes will be
distributed by the Pass-Through Trust to the
Certificateholders who directed the Trustee to
require the Company to repurchase Notes
beneficially owned by such Certificateholders.
The ISDA
7
<PAGE> 9
Amount will be distributed to MSCS. See
"Description of Certificates -- Purchase of
Certificates upon Change in Control or Excess
Proceeds Offer."
TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS......... The Certificates are subject to transfer
restrictions pursuant to Rule 3a-7 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. See
"Transfer Restrictions."
BOOK-ENTRY; DELIVERY AND
FORM.......................... The Certificates will be represented by one or
more permanent global Certificates in
definitive, fully registered form deposited
with the Trustee as custodian for, and
registered in the name of, a nominee of The
Depository Trust Company ("DTC"). The
Certificates will be sold in minimum
denominations of $250,000. See "Description of
Certificates -- Book-Entry; Delivery and Form"
and "Transfer Restrictions."
USE OF PROCEEDS............... The proceeds of the offering of the
Certificates, together with the amount payable
by MSCS to the Pass-Through Trust, will be used
by the Pass-Through Trust to purchase the Notes
at par value from the Company. The net proceeds
to the Company from the sale of the Notes to
the Pass-Through Trust will be used for the
Company's general corporate purposes, including
capital expenditures, investments in
subsidiaries including funding of acquisitions
of energy-related assets or businesses, working
capital and repayment of debt.
CERTAIN COVENANTS OF THE
COMPANY....................... The Senior Debt Indenture will contain certain
covenants which, among other things, restrict
the ability of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries (as defined) to: incur or
guarantee additional indebtedness; make
restricted payments; create liens; sell assets
and consolidate, merge or sell all or
substantially all of their assets. See
"Description of Notes -- Certain Covenants."
TRUSTEE....................... Wilmington Trust Company will act as Trustee,
paying agent and registrar for the
Certificates.
INDENTURE TRUSTEE............. NBD Bank will act as Indenture Trustee.
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX
CONSIDERATIONS............. The Pass-Through Trust will be classified as a
grantor trust and not as an association (or
publicly traded partnership) taxable as a
corporation for U.S. federal income tax
purposes. For U.S. federal income tax purposes,
while the characterization of the transaction
is not without doubt, Federal Tax Counsel (as
defined) believes that the Certificates
represent ownership of a debt instrument issued
by the Company through the Pass-Through Trust.
The debt instrument will have an absolute
maturity corresponding to the Final
Distribution Date, but will otherwise have the
characteristics of the Notes, including the
principal amount of and interest rate payable
on the Notes. Each Certificateholder will be
required to report on its federal income tax
return its pro rata share of the income from
the debt instrument, including interest income
at the interest rate on the debt instrument in
accordance with its method of accounting. The
debt instrument may be issued with original
issue discount. See "Certain Federal Income Tax
Considerations."
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ERISA CONSIDERATIONS.......... Each purchaser of Certificates will, by its
purchase, be deemed to have directed the
Trustee to purchase the Notes and to have
approved all of the documents relating to the
Notes, and to have represented and warranted
that either (A) no part of the assets to be
used by it to purchase and hold such
Certificates constitutes the assets of any (i)
employee benefit plan (as defined in Section
3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA")) subject to
Title I of ERISA, (ii) plan described in
Section 4975(e)(1) of the U.S. Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") that is
subject to Section 4975 of the Code or (iii)
entity whose underlying assets include "plan
assets" under Department of Labor Regulation 29
C.F.R. Section 2510.3-101 (collectively,
"Plans") or (B) one or more prohibited
transaction statutory or administrative
exemptions applies such that the use of such
Plan assets to purchase and hold such
Certificates will not constitute a non-exempt
prohibited transaction under ERISA or the Code.
Any Plan fiduciary that proposes to cause a
Plan to purchase Certificates should consult
with its legal advisors with respect to the
potential applicability of ERISA and the Code
to such investment and the potential
consequences of such investment with respect to
its specific circumstances. See "ERISA
Considerations" and "Transfer Restrictions."
9
<PAGE> 11
THE COMPANY
The Company, incorporated in 1987, is the parent holding company of
Consumers Energy Company ("Consumers") and CMS Enterprises Company
("Enterprises"). Consumers, a combination electric and gas utility company
serving in all 68 counties of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, is the largest
subsidiary of the Company. Consumers' customer base includes a mix of
residential, commercial and diversified industrial customers, the largest
segment of which is the automotive industry. Enterprises is engaged in several
domestic and international energy-related businesses including: (i) oil and gas
exploration and production; (ii) acquisition, development and operation of
independent power production facilities; (iii) energy marketing, risk management
and energy management to large utility, commercial and industrial customers;
(iv) transmission, storage and processing of natural gas; and (v) international
energy distribution.
The Company conducts its principal operations through the following seven
business segments: (i) electric utility operations; (ii) gas utility operations;
(iii) oil and gas exploration and production operations; (iv) independent power
production; (v) energy marketing, services and trading; (vi) natural gas
storage, transmission and processing; and (vii) international energy
distribution. Consumers or Consumers' subsidiaries are engaged in two segments:
electric operations and gas operations. Consumers' electric and gas businesses
are principally regulated utility operations.
The Company and its subsidiaries routinely evaluate, invest in, acquire and
divest energy-related assets and/or companies both domestically and
internationally. Consideration for such transactions may involve the delivery of
cash or securities.
The Company's 1996 consolidated operating revenue was $4,333 million. This
consolidated operating revenue was derived from its electric utility operations
(approximately 57% or $2,446 million), its gas utility operations (approximately
30% or $1,282 million), gas transmission, storage and marketing (approximately
7% or $320 million), oil and gas exploration and production activities
(approximately 3% or $130 million) and independent power production and other
non-utility activities (approximately 3% or $155 million). Consumers'
consolidated operations in the electric and gas utility businesses account for
the majority of the Company's total assets, revenue and income. The
unconsolidated share of non-utility electric generation and distribution and gas
transmission and storage revenue for 1996 was $557 million.
Consumers is a public utility serving gas or electricity to almost six
million of Michigan's nine and one-half million residents in all of the 68
counties in Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Consumers' service area includes
automotive, metal, chemical, food and wood products industries and a diversified
group of other industries. Consumers' 1996 consolidated operating revenue of
$3,770 million was derived approximately 65% ($2,446 million) from its electric
utility business, approximately 34% ($1,282 million) from its gas utility
business and approximately 1% ($42 million) from its non-utility business.
Consumers' rates and certain other aspects of its business are subject to the
jurisdiction of the Michigan Public Service Commission and the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission.
The foregoing information concerning the Company and its subsidiaries does
not purport to be comprehensive. For additional information concerning the
Company and its subsidiaries' business and affairs, including their capital
requirements and external financing plans, pending legal and regulatory
proceedings and descriptions of certain laws and regulations to which those
companies are subject, prospective purchasers should refer to the Incorporated
Documents.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
On November 7, 1997, the Company issued $300 million principal amount of
7 3/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2000 and used the net proceeds to repay $269
million of the outstanding balance under the Company's revolving credit
facility, used $24 million to repay one of the Company's line of credit, and
used the remaining amount for general corporate purposes. On November 20, 1997,
the Company issued 4.142 million shares of CMS Energy common stock, par value
$.01 per share ("CMS Energy Common Stock") and used the proceeds for general
corporate purposes, including the repayment of long-term debt.
10
<PAGE> 12
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following is a summary of certain financial information of the Company
and its consolidated subsidiaries and is qualified in its entirety by, and
should be read in conjunction with, the Company's consolidated financial
statements and notes thereto included in the Incorporated Documents. See
"Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference."
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NINE
MONTHS ENDED
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, SEPTEMBER 30,
----------------------- -------------
1994 1995 1996 1996 1997
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(UNAUDITED)
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
Operating Revenue................................ $3,614 $3,890 $4,333 $3,150 $3,394
Pretax operating income.......................... 503 603 677 547 565
Operating expenses............................... 3,111 3,287 3,656 2,603 2,829
Income taxes..................................... 92 118 139 116 107
Net income....................................... $ 179 $ 204 $ 240 $ 196 $ 204
Earnings per average common share -- CMS Energy
Common Stock................................... $ 2.09 $ 2.27 $ 2.45 $ 2.02 $ 2.04
Earnings per average common share -- Class G
Common Stock................................... -- .38 1.82 1.38 1.13
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents........................ $ 79 $ 56 $ 56 $ 55 $ 134
Net plant and property........................... 4,814 5,074 5,280 5,177 5,415
Total assets..................................... 7,378 8,143 8,615 8,291 9,500
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities..... 2,709 2,906 2,842 2,996 3,060
Notes payable.................................... 339 341 333 341 394
Other liabilities................................ $2,867 $3,071 $3,282 $2,879 $3,581
Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable Trust
Preferred Securities of Consumers Power Company
Financing I(1)................................. -- -- 100 100 100
Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable Trust
Preferred Securities of Consumers Energy
Company Financing II(1)........................ -- -- -- -- 120
Company-obligated convertible Trust Preferred
Securities of CMS Energy Trust I(2)............ -- -- -- -- 173
Preferred stock of subsidiary.................... 356 356 356 356 238
Common stockholders' equity...................... $1,107 $1,469 $1,702 $1,619 $1,834
</TABLE>
- -------------------------
(1) The primary asset of Consumers Power Company Financing I is $103 million
principal amount of 8.36% subordinated deferrable interest notes due 2015
from Consumers. The primary asset of Consumers Energy Company Financing II
is $124 million principal amount of 8.20% subordinated deferrable interest
notes due 2027 from Consumers.
(2) The primary asset of CMS Energy Trust I is $178 million principal amount of
7.75% convertible subordinated debentures due 2027 from CMS Energy.
11
<PAGE> 13
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the nine months ended September
30, 1997 and for each of the years ended December 31, 1992 through 1996 are as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, NINE MONTHS
----------------------------------- ENDED
1992(1) 1993 1994 1995 1996 SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
------- ---- ---- ---- ---- ------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges.......... -- 1.88 2.07 1.94 2.01 2.01
</TABLE>
- -------------------------
(1) For the year ended December 31, 1992, fixed charges exceeded earnings by
$441 million. Earnings as defined include a $520 million pretax loss on the
settlement of MCV power purchases, $(15) million for potential customer
refunds and other reserves related to 1992 but recorded in 1991, and $6
million relating to CMS Generation Co.'s reduction in its investment in The
Oxford Energy Company. The ratio of earnings to fixed charges would have
been 1.33 excluding these amounts.
For the purpose of computing such ratio, earnings represent net income
before income taxes, net interest charges and estimated interest portion of
lease rentals.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The proceeds of the offering of the Certificates, together with the amount
payable by MSCS to the Pass-Through Trust, will be used by the Pass-Through
Trust to purchase the Notes at par value from the Company.
The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the Notes to the
Pass-Through Trust will be used for the Company's general corporate purposes,
including capital expenditures, investments in subsidiaries including funding of
acquisitions of energy-related assets or businesses, working capital and
repayment of debt.
12
<PAGE> 14
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth the unaudited consolidated capitalization of
the Company at September 30, 1997, and as adjusted to reflect the sale of the
Notes to the Pass-Through Trust, the application of the estimated net proceeds
from such sale and other adjustments described below. See "Use of Proceeds." The
table is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read in conjunction with,
the Company's consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in
the Incorporated Documents. See "Incorporation of Certain Documents by
Reference."
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
----------------------
ACTUAL AS ADJUSTED
------ -----------
(IN MILLIONS)
(UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C>
Non-current portion of capital leases....................... $ 82 $ 82
Long-Term Debt:
Other long-term debt (excluding current
maturities)(1)(2)...................................... 3,060 2,915
% Extendible Tenor Rate-Adjusted Securities due
2005(3)................................................ -- 150
------ ------
Total long-term debt................................... 3,060 3,065
------ ------
Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable Trust Preferred
Securities of Consumers Power Company Financing I(4)...... 100 100
Company-obligated mandatory redeemable Trust Preferred
Securities of Consumers Energy Company Financing II(4).... 120 120
Company-obligated convertible Trust Preferred Securities of
CMS Energy
Trust I (4)............................................... 173 173
Total stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock of subsidiary............................. 238 238
Common stockholders' equity(2)............................ 1,834 1,986
------ ------
Total stockholders' equity............................. 2,072 2,224
------ ------
Total capitalization................................... $5,607 $5,764
====== ======
</TABLE>
- -------------------------
(1) Adjusted to reflect the issuance on November 7, 1997 of $300 million
principal amount of 7 3/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2000 and the
concurrent repayment of $269 million of the outstanding balance under the
Company's revolving credit facility and repayment of $24 million under one
of the Company's lines of credit, with the proceeds from the issuance of
such senior unsecured notes.
(2) Adjusted to reflect net proceeds of $152 million from the issuance of 4.142
million shares of CMS Energy Common Stock on November 20, 1997 which were
used for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of long-term
debt.
(3) Adjusted to reflect the issuance of $150 million principal amount of %
Extendible Tenor Rate-Adjusted Securities due 2005.
(4) The primary asset of Consumers Power Company Financing I is approximately
$103 million principal amount of 8.36% subordinated deferrable interest
notes due 2015 from Consumers Energy Company. The primary asset of Consumers
Energy Company Financing II is approximately $124 million principal amount
of 8.20% subordinated deferrable interest notes due 2027 from Consumers
Energy Company. The primary asset of CMS Energy Trust I is approximately
$178 million principal amount of 7.75% convertible subordinated debentures
due 2027 from CMS Energy.
13
<PAGE> 15
FORMATION OF THE PASS-THROUGH TRUST
The Pass-Through Trust is a statutory business trust formed under the
Delaware Business Trust Act pursuant to (i) a trust agreement dated as of
November 21, 1997 as to be amended and restated on the date of issue of the
Certificates, between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee and
(ii) the filing of a certificate of trust with the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware on November 21, 1997. Pursuant to the Trust Agreement, the
Pass-Through Trust will issue and sell the Certificates to the Underwriter and
enter into the ISDA Master Agreement with MSCS, a wholly owned subsidiary of
Morgan Stanley, Dean Witter, Discover & Co. The proceeds from the sale of the
Certificates and the amount payable by MSCS pursuant to the ISDA Master
Agreement will be used by the Pass-Through Trust to purchase the Notes at par
value from the Company. The Notes will be the sole assets of the Pass-Through
Trust from which Certificateholders will be entitled to receive any
distributions on the Certificates. Under the ISDA Master Agreement, an amount is
payable by MSCS to the Pass-Through Trust on the date of issue of the
Certificates. Such amount will not be assigned for the benefit of the
Certificateholders. The ISDA Amount, if any, will be payable by the Pass-Through
Trust to MSCS pursuant to the ISDA Master Agreement either (i) by the Company
pursuant to the Senior Debt Indenture or (ii) in the event of a remarketing,
with the proceeds of the remarketing. Accordingly, Certificateholders will
obtain no benefit from, and will be exposed to no risk as a result of, interest
rate changes which may give rise to payment by the Company of the ISDA Amount
under the Senior Debt Indenture and in turn, the payment thereof by the Trustee
to MSCS pursuant to the ISDA Master Agreement.
DESCRIPTION OF CERTIFICATES
The Certificates will be issued under the Trust Agreement. The following
summaries of certain provisions of the Trust Agreement do not purport to be
complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference
to, all provisions of the Certificates and the Trust Agreement, including the
definition therein of certain terms. Wherever particular defined terms of the
Certificates and the Trust Agreement are referred to, such defined terms are
incorporated herein by reference as part of the statement made, and the
statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference. Copies of the Trust
Agreement are available from the Trustee upon request.
GENERAL
The Certificates will represent fractional undivided beneficial interests
in the Pass-Through Trust. The sole assets (the "Trust Assets") of the
Pass-Through Trust from which Certificateholders will receive any distributions
on the Certificates will be $150,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the
Notes issued by the Company, including the interest and Applicable Premium, if
any, thereon, but not any ISDA Amount payable in respect of the ISDA Master
Agreement. The Pass-Through Trust will acquire the Notes, which will bear
interest at the rate per annum set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus
and will mature on the Final Distribution Date unless extended as described
below. Certificateholders will be entitled to receive distributions equal to
amounts paid by the Company in respect of principal of, Applicable Premium, if
any, and interest on the Notes.
COLLECTIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The Trust Agreement will require the Trustee to establish and maintain a
segregated account (the "Certificate Account") held in trust for the benefit of
the Certificateholders. The Trustee shall cause to be deposited in the
Certificate Account on the date of receipt thereof all amounts received with
respect to the Notes other than any ISDA Amount payable in respect of the ISDA
Master Agreement.
Payments of principal of, Applicable Premium, if any, and interest on the
Notes held in the Pass-Through Trust will be distributed by the Trustee to
Certificateholders on each Regular Distribution Date and each Special
Distribution Date as described in the following three paragraphs, except in
certain cases when the Notes are in default, when the Notes are redeemed in part
or when there is a Change in Control or an Excess Proceeds Offer. See
"Description of the Trust Agreement -- Events of Default," "Description of Notes
- --
14
<PAGE> 16
Optional Redemption at a Premium" and "-- Purchase of Certificates upon Change
in Control or Excess Proceeds Offer." Interest paid on the Notes will be passed
through to the Certificateholders on and of each year,
commencing on , 1998, until the Final Distribution Date for the Pass-
Through Trust (each, a "Regular Distribution Date"). Payment of principal on the
Notes is scheduled to be received by the Trustee on the Final Distribution Date
(such scheduled payments of the principal amount of and interest on the Notes
are herein referred to as "Scheduled Payments").
The Trustee will distribute on each Regular Distribution Date all Scheduled
Payments the receipt of which is confirmed by the Trustee on such date. Each
Certificateholder will be entitled to receive a pro rata share of any
distribution in respect of Scheduled Payments made on the Notes. Each such
distribution in respect of Scheduled Payments will be made by the Trustee to the
holders of record of the Certificates on the first day, whether or not a
Business Day, of the calendar month in which such Regular Distribution Date
occurs, except that no record date shall be applicable to distributions to be
made on the Final Distribution Date. If a Scheduled Payment is not received by
the Trustee on a Regular Distribution Date but is received within five Business
Days thereafter, it will be distributed on the date so received by the Trustee
to such holders of record. If it is received after such five day period, it will
be treated as a Special Payment and distributed as described below.
Payments of principal of, Applicable Premium and interest on the Notes
received by the Trustee on account of an optional redemption, if any, of all of
the Notes, and payments received by the Trustee following an Event of Default
("Special Payments") will be distributed on, in the case of an early redemption,
the date of such early redemption, which shall be a Business Day, and otherwise
20 days after the Trustee has confirmed receipt of the funds for such Special
Payment (or the next Business Day after such 20th day if such date is not a
Business Day) (each, a "Special Distribution Date"). The Trustee will mail
notice to the Certificateholders not less than 20 days prior to the Special
Distribution Date on which any Special Payment is scheduled to be distributed by
the Trustee stating such anticipated Special Distribution Date. Each
distribution of a Special Payment, other than the final distribution, on a
Special Distribution Date will be made by the Trustee to Certificateholders of
record on the 15th day next preceding such Special Distribution Date. See
"Description of Notes -- Optional Redemption at a Premium" and "Description of
the Trust Agreement -- Events of Default."
The Notes will be prepaid on a Special Distribution Date at a price equal
to the principal amount of, interest on, and Applicable Premium, if such
redemption occurs on or prior to the Premium Termination Date. If less than all
of the Notes are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select, in such manner as it
shall deem appropriate and fair, the particular Certificates or portions thereof
representing beneficial ownership of the Notes to be redeemed. Upon a redemption
of less than all of the Notes, Certificates representing beneficial ownership of
the Notes selected for redemption will be required to be presented to the
Trustee for cancellation. Upon such presentation, all payments of principal of,
Applicable Premium, if any, and interest on the Notes paid by the Company to the
Pass-Through Trust will be distributed to the holders of such Certificates. The
ISDA Amount will be distributed to MSCS. See "Description of Notes -- Optional
Redemption at a Premium" for a description of the manner of computing the
Applicable Premium, if any.
FINAL DISTRIBUTION
The Final Distribution on the Certificates, representing an amount equal to
principal of and interest on the Notes, assuming the Notes have been held until
the Final Distribution Date, is expected to be made on the Final Distribution
Date. If the Yield on the Exercise Date is equal to or greater than the
reference U.S. Treasury Note yield of % used to determine the interest rate
per annum borne by the Notes as set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus,
the Notes will mature on the Final Distribution Date. If the Yield on the
Exercise Date is less than such reference U.S. Treasury Note yield the maturity
of the Notes will be extended and, prior to the Final Distribution Date, one of
the following will occur: (a) the interest rate borne by the Notes will be reset
and the Notes will be remarketed so as to yield net proceeds in cash at least
equal to the Remarketing Proceeds which, together with the amount payable by the
Company representing interest on the Notes through the Final Distribution Date,
will be sufficient to enable the Trustee to make the Final Distribution on the
Certificates, (b) the Company will exercise its option to redeem the Notes on
the Final
15
<PAGE> 17
Distribution Date at a purchase price equal to the principal amount of and
interest on the Notes plus the ISDA Amount or (c) the Pass-Through Trust will
exercise its Put Option and require the Company to purchase the Notes on the
Final Distribution Date at a purchase price equal to the principal amount of and
interest on the Notes. In any case, the principal of and interest on the Notes
will be distributed by the Pass-Through Trust to the Certificateholders on the
Final Distribution Date. The ISDA Amount will be distributed to MSCS.
"Yield" shall mean the yield-to-maturity on the then current 7-year U.S.
Treasury Note as determined by linear interpolation of the 5-year and 10-year
then current offered-side yields for the on-the-run most recently issued U.S.
Treasury Notes, as published on Telerate page 500 as of approximately 12:30
p.m., New York City time, on the Exercise Date. If Telerate 500 is unavailable,
"Yield" shall be the arithmetic mean of offered-side yields for the then current
7-year U.S. Treasury Note as determined by linear interpolation of the 5-year
and 10-year then current offered-side yields for the on-the-run most recently
issued U.S. Treasury Notes, without regards to highest and lowest yields, quoted
as of approximately 12:30 p.m., New York City time, on the Exercise Date by five
primary dealers in U.S. Treasury Notes selected by MSCS.
MSCS will deliver notice of the extension of the maturity of the Notes (the
"Extension Notice") to both the Trustee and the Company at their respective
addresses set forth herein on or prior to the Exercise Date.
Final Distribution upon a Successful Remarketing
If the maturity of the Notes is extended, unless the Company exercises its
option to redeem the Notes (which option the Company may exercise at any time
subsequent to the delivery of the Extension Notice and prior to the Remarketing
Deadline), the interest rate borne by the Notes will be reset in order that the
Notes may be remarketed so as to yield net proceeds in cash equal to the
Remarketing Proceeds. On the Exercise Date and once every 15 days thereafter,
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated (or, subsequent to the Exercise Date, such
other investment banking institution as may be selected as the remarketing
agent) will provide the Company with non-binding indications of the interest
rate and discount or premium at which it believes it could remarket the Notes.
The Company may then, on behalf of the Pass-Through Trust, either request that
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated remarket the Notes, select another investment
banking institution to remarket the Notes or exercise the option to redeem the
Notes. Regardless of whether it has been selected to act as remarketing agent,
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated shall at all times be permitted to offer to
purchase the Notes bearing a reset interest rate specified by Morgan Stanley &
Co. Incorporated for net proceeds in cash at least equal to the Remarketing
Proceeds, which offer the Company and the Trustee shall be required to accept,
unless (i) any other party shall have remarketed the Notes bearing an interest
rate less than or equal to that specified by Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
and for net proceeds in cash at least equal to the Remarketing Proceeds or (ii)
the Company exercises its option to redeem all of the Notes on the Final
Distribution Date at a purchase price equal to the principal amount of and
interest on the Notes plus the ISDA Amount. Upon completion of any remarketing,
the portion of the proceeds representing principal of the Notes, together with
the amount paid by the Company representing interest on the Notes through the
Final Distribution Date, will be deposited with the Trustee for distribution to
Certificateholders, and the portion of the proceeds representing the ISDA Amount
will be distributed to MSCS.
Final Distribution upon Optional Redemption of the Notes without Premium
If the maturity of the Notes is extended, the Company may, in lieu of
permitting the Notes to be remarketed, exercise its option to redeem all of the
Notes on the Final Distribution Date at a purchase price equal to the principal
amount of and interest on the Notes plus the ISDA Amount, but without the
Applicable Premium. The Company may exercise this option at any time subsequent
to the delivery of the Extension Notice and prior to the Remarketing Deadline.
The principal of and interest on the Notes paid by the Company to the
Pass-Through Trust will be distributed to the Certificateholders on the Final
Distribution Date. The ISDA Amount will be distributed to MSCS.
16
<PAGE> 18
Final Distribution upon Exercise by the Trustee of Put Option
If the maturity of the Notes is extended and for any reason the Trustee
does not receive an amount in cash equal to the principal amount of and interest
on the Notes by the Remarketing Deadline, the Pass-Through Trust will be deemed
to have exercised its Put Option and required the Company to purchase the Notes
on the Final Distribution Date at a purchase price equal to the principal amount
of and interest on the Notes. All payments in respect of the Notes paid by the
Company to the Pass-Through Trust upon exercise of the Put Option will be
distributed to Certificateholders on the Final Distribution Date.
PURCHASE OF CERTIFICATES UPON CHANGE IN CONTROL OR EXCESS PROCEEDS OFFER
Change in Control
In the event of any Change in Control (as defined below) (the effective
date of such change in control being the "Change in Control Date") each
Certificateholder will have the right, at such Certificateholder's option,
subject to the terms and conditions of the Trust Agreement, to direct the
Trustee to require the Company to repurchase all or any part of the Notes
beneficially owned by such Certificateholder on a date selected by the Company
that is no earlier than 60 days nor later than 90 days (the "Change in Control
Purchase Date") after the mailing of written notice by the Company of the
occurrence of such Change in Control at a repurchase price payable in cash equal
to 101% of the principal amount of such Notes, together with accrued interest to
the Change in Control Purchase Date (the "Change in Control Purchase Price"),
plus the ISDA Amount. Upon receipt of any payments on the Notes by the
Pass-Through Trust pursuant to a Change in Control, the Trustee will pay the
Change in Control Purchase Price to the Certificateholders who directed the
Trustee to require the Company to repurchase all or any part of the Notes
beneficially owned by them upon presentation for cancellation of the related
Certificates. The ISDA Amount will be distributed to MSCS.
Within 30 days after the Change in Control Date, the Company is obligated
to mail to each Certificateholder a notice regarding the Change in Control,
which notice shall state: (i) that a Change in Control has occurred and that
each such Certificateholder has the right to direct the Trustee to require the
Company to repurchase all or any part of the Notes beneficially owned by such
Certificateholder at the Change in Control Purchase Price upon presentation for
cancellation of the related Certificates; (ii) the Change in Control Purchase
Price; (iii) the Change in Control Purchase Date; (iv) the name and address of
the Paying Agent (as defined) for the Notes; and (v) the procedures that
Certificateholders must follow to cause the Notes beneficially owned by such
Certificateholder to be repurchased by the Company.
To exercise this right, a Certificateholder must deliver a written notice
(the "Change in Control Purchase Notice") to the Paying Agent at its corporate
trust office in Detroit, Michigan, or any other office of the Paying Agent
maintained for such purposes, not later than 30 days prior to the Change in
Control Purchase Date. The Change in Control Purchase Notice shall state, among
other things, (i) the portion of the principal amount of any Notes beneficially
owned by such Certificateholder to be repurchased, which must be $1,000 or an
integral multiple thereof; and (ii) that such Notes are to be repurchased by the
Company pursuant to the applicable change-in-control provisions of the Senior
Debt Indenture and the Trust Agreement.
Any Change in Control Purchase Notice may be withdrawn by the
Certificateholder by a written notice of withdrawal delivered to the Paying
Agent not later than three Business Days prior to the Change in Control Purchase
Date. The notice of withdrawal shall state the principal amount of Notes
beneficially owned by such Certificateholder and, if applicable, the certificate
numbers of the Certificates as to which the withdrawal notice relates and the
principal amount, if any, which remains subject to a Change in Control Purchase
Notice.
If a Certificate is represented by a Global Certificate, the Depositary (as
defined) or its nominee will be the holder of such Certificate and therefore
will be the only entity that may require the Company to repurchase Notes upon a
Change in Control. To obtain repayment with respect to any Note upon a Change in
Control, the beneficial owner of the Certificate evidencing beneficial ownership
of such Note must provide to the broker or other entity through which it holds
the beneficial interest in such Certificate (i) the Change in
17
<PAGE> 19
Control Purchase Notice signed by such beneficial owner, and such signature must
be guaranteed by a member firm of a registered national securities exchange or
of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") or a commercial
bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the United States and
(ii) instructions to such broker or other entity to notify the Depositary of
such beneficial owner's desire to cause the Company to repurchase such Notes
beneficially owned by such Certificateholder. Such broker or other entity will
provide to the Paying Agent (i) a Change in Control Purchase Notice received
from such beneficial owner and (ii) a certificate satisfactory to the Paying
Agent from such broker or other entity that it represents such beneficial owner.
Such broker or other entity will be responsible for disbursing any payments it
receives upon the repurchase of such Notes by the Company.
Payment of the Change in Control Purchase Price for Notes in respect of a
Certificate in certificated form (a "Definitive Certificate") for which a Change
in Control Purchase Notice has been delivered and not withdrawn is conditioned
upon delivery of such Definitive Certificate (together with necessary
endorsements) to the Paying Agent at its office in Detroit, Michigan, or any
other office of the Paying Agent maintained for such purpose, at any time
(whether prior to, on or after the Change in Control Purchase Date) after the
delivery of such Change in Control Purchase Notice. Payment of the Change in
Control Purchase Price for Notes in respect of such Definitive Certificate will
be made promptly following the later of the Change in Control Purchase Date or
the time of presentation for cancellation of such Definitive Certificate.
If the Paying Agent holds, in accordance with the terms of the Senior Debt
Indenture, money sufficient to pay the Change in Control Purchase Price of Notes
in respect of a Certificate on the Business Day following the Change in Control
Purchase Date for such Certificate, then, on and after such date, interest on
such Note will cease to accrue, whether or not such Certificate is delivered to
the Paying Agent, and all other rights of the Certificateholder shall terminate
(other than the right to receive the Change in Control Purchase Price upon
delivery of the Certificate).
Under the Senior Debt Indenture, a "Change in Control" means an event or
series of events by which (i) the Company ceases to beneficially own, directly
or indirectly, at least 80% of the total voting power of all classes of Capital
Stock then outstanding of Consumers (whether arising from issuance of securities
of the Company or Consumers, any direct or indirect transfer of securities by
the Company or Consumers, any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution
of the Company or Consumers or otherwise); or (ii) any "person" or "group" (as
such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes the
"beneficial owner" (as such term is used in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the
Exchange Act, except that a person or group shall be deemed to have "beneficial
ownership" of all shares that such person or group has the right to acquire,
whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of
time), directly or indirectly, of more than 35% of the Voting Stock (as defined)
of the Company; or (iii) the Company consolidates with or merges into another
corporation or directly or indirectly conveys, transfers or leases all or
substantially all of its assets to any person, or any corporation consolidates
with or merges into the Company, in either event pursuant to a transaction in
which the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company is changed into or exchanged
for cash, securities, or other property, other than any such transaction where
(A) the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company is changed into or exchanged for
Voting Stock of the surviving corporation and (B) the holders of the Voting
Stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction retain, directly or
indirectly, substantially proportionate ownership of the Voting Stock of the
surviving corporation immediately after such transaction.
The Trust Agreement and the Senior Debt Indenture require the Company to
comply with the provisions of Regulation 14E and any other tender offer rules
under the Exchange Act which may then be applicable in connection with any offer
by the Company to purchase Notes beneficially owned by Certificateholders at the
option of Certificateholders upon a Change in Control. The Change in Control
purchase feature of the Certificates may in certain circumstances make more
difficult or discourage a takeover of the Company and, thus, the removal of
incumbent management. The Change in Control purchase feature, however, is not
the result of management's knowledge of any specific effort to accumulate shares
of its common stock or to obtain control of the Company by means of a merger,
tender offer, solicitation or otherwise, or part of a plan by management to
adopt a series of antitakeover provisions. Instead, the Change in Control
purchase feature is a term contained in many similar debt offerings and the
terms of such feature result from negotiations between
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<PAGE> 20
the Company and the Underwriter. Management has no present intention to propose
any antitakeover measures although it is possible that the Company could decide
to do so in the future.
No Note may be repurchased by the Company as a result of a Change of
Control if there has occurred and is continuing an Event of Default described
under "Description of the Trust Agreement -- Events of Default" (other than a
default in the payment of the Change in Control Purchase Price with respect to
the Notes). In addition, the Company's ability to purchase Notes may be limited
by its financial resources and its inability to raise the required funds because
of restrictions on issuance of securities contained in other contractual
arrangements.
Excess Proceeds Offer
Under the terms of the Senior Debt Indenture, so long as any of the Notes
are outstanding, the Company may not sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any
property or assets of the Company, including Capital Stock of any Consolidated
Subsidiary, in one transaction or a series of transactions in an amount which
exceeds $50,000,000 (an "Asset Sale") unless the Company shall (i) apply an
amount equal to such excess Net Cash Proceeds to permanently repay Indebtedness
of a Consolidated Subsidiary or Indebtedness of the Company which is pari passu
with the Notes or (ii) invest an equal amount not so used in clause (i) in
property or assets of related business within 24 months after the date of the
Asset Sale (the "Application Period") or (iii) apply such excess Net Cash
Proceeds not so used in (i) or (ii) (the "Excess Proceeds") to make an offer,
within 30 days after the end of the Application Period, to purchase on a pro
rata basis an aggregate principal amount of Notes on the relevant purchase date
equal to the Excess Proceeds on such date, at a purchase price equal to 100% of
the principal amount of the Notes on the relevant purchase date and unpaid
interest, if any, to the purchase date (the "Excess Proceeds Purchase Price")
plus the ISDA Amount, if any. The Company shall only be required to make an
offer to purchase Notes pursuant to the foregoing clause (iii) if the Excess
Proceeds equal or exceed $25,000,000 at any given time.
The procedures to be followed by the Company in making an offer to the
Trustee on behalf of Certificateholders to purchase Notes with Excess Proceeds
and to pay the Excess Proceeds Purchase Price therefor, and the directions to
the Trustee by Certificateholders to accept such offer with respect to
Certificates beneficially owned by them, shall be the same as those set forth
above in with respect to a Change in Control and payment of the Change of
Control Purchase Price.
BOOK-ENTRY; DELIVERY AND FORM
The certificates representing the Certificates will be issued in fully
registered form without interest coupons and will be represented by one or more
permanent global Certificates in definitive, fully registered form without
interest coupons (each, a "Global Certificate") and will be deposited with the
Trustee as custodian for, and registered in the name of, a nominee of DTC. Each
Global Certificate (and any Certificates issued in exchange therefor) will be
subject to certain restrictions on transfer set forth therein as described under
"Transfer Restrictions." Except in the limited circumstances described below,
owners of beneficial interests in a Global Certificate will not be entitled to
receive physical delivery of Definitive Certificates.
The Certificates will be sold in minimum denominations of $250,000.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Certificate will be limited
to persons who have accounts with DTC ("participants") or persons who hold
interests through participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global
Certificate will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be
effected only through, records maintained by DTC or its nominee (with respect to
interests of participants) and the records of participants (with respect to
interests of persons other than participants).
So long as DTC, or its nominee, is the registered owner or holder of a
Global Certificate, DTC or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered
the sole owner or holder of the Certificates represented by such Global
Certificate for all purposes under the Trust Agreement and the Certificates. No
beneficial owner of an interest in a Global Certificate will be able to transfer
that interest except in accordance with DTC's applicable procedures, in addition
to those provided for under the Senior Debt Indenture.
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<PAGE> 21
Payments of the principal amount, premium, if any, and interest on, a
Global Certificate will be made to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as
the registered owner thereof. Neither the Company nor the Trustee will have any
responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or
payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a Global
Certificate or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to
such beneficial ownership interests.
The Company expects that DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of
principal or interest in respect of a Global Certificate, will credit
participants' accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their
respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of such Global
Certificate as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. The Company also
expects that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in such
Global Certificate held through such participants will be governed by standing
instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held
for the accounts of customers registered in the names of nominees for such
customers. Such payments will be the responsibility of such participants.
Transfers between participants in DTC will be effected in the ordinary way
in accordance with DTC rules and will be settled in same-day funds.
The Company expects that DTC will take any action permitted to be taken by
a Certificateholder (including the presentation of Certificates for exchange as
described below) only at the direction of one or more participants to whose
account or accounts the DTC interests in a Global Certificate is credited and
only in respect of such portion of the aggregate principal amount of the
Certificate as to which such participant or participants has or have given such
direction. However, if there is an Event of Default under the Certificates, DTC
will exchange the applicable Global Certificate for Definitive Certificates,
which it will distribute to its participants and which may be legended as set
forth under the heading "Transfer Restrictions."
The Company understands that DTC is a limited purpose trust company
organized under the laws of the State of New York, a "banking organization"
within the meaning of New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve
System, a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial
Code and a "Clearing Agency" registered pursuant to the provisions of Section
17A of the Exchange Act. DTC was created to hold securities for its participants
and facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between
participants through electronic book-entry charges in accounts of its
participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates
and certain other organizations. Indirect access to the DTC system is available
to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through
or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or
indirectly ("Indirect Participants").
Although DTC is expected to follow the foregoing procedures in order to
facilitate transfers of interests in a Global Certificate among participants of
DTC, it is under no obligation to perform or continue to perform such
procedures, and such procedures may be discontinued at any time. Neither the
Company nor the Trustee will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC
or its respective participants or indirect participants of its respective
obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.
EXCHANGE OF BOOK-ENTRY CERTIFICATES FOR DEFINITIVE CERTIFICATES
If DTC is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary and a
successor depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days, the
Pass-Through Trust will issue individual, fully registered, definitive
Certificates in exchange for the Global Certificate or Certificates representing
such Definitive Certificates. Upon the exchange of a Global Certificate for
Definitive Certificates, such Global Certificate shall be cancelled by the
Trustee and the Definitive Certificates shall be registered in such names and in
such authorized denominations as DTC, pursuant to instructions from its
Participants, any Indirect Participants or otherwise, shall instruct the
Trustee. The Trustee shall deliver such Certificates to the persons in whose
names such Certificates are so registered and shall recognize such persons as
Certificateholders.
Definitive Certificates will bear, and be subject to, the legend described
in "Transfer Restrictions" (unless the Company determines otherwise in
accordance with applicable law). The holder of a Definitive Certificate may
transfer such Certificate, subject to compliance with the provisions of such
legend, as provided herein.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST AGREEMENT
The following summaries of certain provisions of the Trust Agreement do not
purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety
by reference to, all provisions of the Trust Agreement, including the definition
therein of certain terms. Wherever particular defined terms of the Trust
Agreement are referred to, such defined terms are incorporated herein by
reference as part of the statement made, and the statement is qualified in its
entirety by such reference. Copies of the Trust Agreement are available from the
Trustee upon request.
GENERAL
Pursuant to the Trust Agreement, the Pass-Through Trust will issue and sell
the Certificates to the Underwriter and enter into the ISDA Master Agreement.
The proceeds from the sale of the Certificates and the amount payable by MSCS
pursuant to the ISDA Master Agreement will be used by the Pass-Through Trust to
purchase the Notes at par value from the Company. The Notes will be the sole
assets of the Pass-Through Trust from which Certificateholders will be entitled
to receive any distributions on the Certificates. Under the ISDA Master
Agreement, an amount is payable by MSCS to the Pass-Through Trust on the date of
issue of the Certificates. Such amount will not be assigned for the benefit of
the Certificateholders. The ISDA Amount, if any, payable by the Pass-Through
Trust to MSCS pursuant to the ISDA Master Agreement will be payable either (i)
by the Company pursuant to the Senior Debt Indenture or (ii) in the event of a
remarketing, with the proceeds of the remarketing. Accordingly,
Certificateholders will obtain no benefit from, and will be exposed to no risk
as a result of, interest rate changes which may give rise to payment by the
Company of the ISDA Amount under the Senior Debt Indenture and in turn, the
payment thereof by the Trustee to MSCS pursuant to the ISDA Master Agreement.
THE TRUSTEE
Wilmington Trust Company will act as Trustee for the Certificates and the
Pass-Through Trust pursuant to the Trust Agreement. The Trustee's offices are
located at 1100 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001.
The Trust Agreement provides that the Company will, to the fullest extent
permitted by law, indemnify and hold harmless the Trustee against any loss,
damage, claim, liability, penalty or expense incurred by the Trustee arising out
of or in connection with the administration of the Trust Agreement, the
Certificates, the ISDA Master Agreement or the Underwriting Agreement (as
defined) except to the extent that such loss, liability or expense is due to
wilful misconduct, bad faith or negligence of the Trustee.
Pursuant to the Trust Agreement, as compensation for the performance of its
duties under such agreement, the Company will pay such compensation as the
Company and the Trustee shall agree in writing, and except as otherwise agreed
to, the Trustee, upon its request, shall be entitled to be reimbursed by the
Company for any reasonable expenses, except any such expenses as may be
attributable to wilful misconduct, bad faith or negligence, or as may be
incurred due to the Trustee's breach of its representations and warranties under
the Trust Agreement.
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
The Trustee shall administer the Trust Assets for the benefit of the
Certificateholders. Except as provided in the Trust Agreement, the Trustee shall
have full power and authority to do or cause to be done any and all things in
connection with the administration of the Pass-Through Trust which it deems
necessary to comply with the terms of the Trust Agreement.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
An event of default with respect to the Certificates shall occur upon an
event of default under the Notes (an "Event of Default"). See "Description of
Notes -- Events of Default."
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<PAGE> 23
If an Event of Default occurs and continues resulting in acceleration of
the Notes, then the Trustee may vote the Notes, and upon the direction of a
majority of Certificateholders, the Trustee shall vote in favor of directing the
Indenture Trustee to declare the unpaid principal amount of the Notes then
outstanding and interest, if any, due and payable. Amounts paid by the Company
to the Pass-Through Trust in respect of (i) the principal amount of and interest
on the Notes will be distributed to the Certificateholders as a Special Payment
and (ii) the ISDA Amount, if any, as of the date of the Event of Default will be
distributed to MSCS. If in connection with any such Event of Default the amounts
paid by the Company to the Pass-Through Trust in respect of the foregoing
clauses (i) and (ii) are less than the amounts due, the amounts received by the
Pass-Through Trust will be distributed on a pro rata basis to the
Certificateholders, on the one hand, and MSCS, on the other; provided that no
such distribution shall effect the right of the Trustee to demand and receive
payment in full of all amounts due from the Company.
VOTING RIGHTS
Each Certificateholder shall be entitled to direct the Trustee to vote a
principal amount of the Notes corresponding to the principal amount of the
Certificates held by such Certificateholder in the manner directed by the
Certificateholder (the "Voting Rights"). The Trust Agreement contains minimum
aggregate voting requirements for certain actions including, among other things,
actions by the Trustee, removal of the Trustee, amendment of the Trust Agreement
and commencement of claims under the Trust Agreement. Without the consent of all
Certificateholders, no amendment may be made to the Trust Agreement which
reduces the percentage of Voting Rights required to modify the Trust Agreement
in a way which adversely affects in any material respect the interests of
Certificateholders. See "-- Amendment of the Trust Agreement."
VOTING OF NOTES
The Trustee, as holder of the Notes, has the right to vote and give
consents and waivers in respect of the Notes and enforce such other rights of a
holder of the Notes except as otherwise limited by the Trust Agreement or the
Senior Debt Indenture. In the event that the Trustee, as holder of any Notes,
receives a request from the Company or, if applicable, any depositary with
respect to the Notes, for the Trustee's consent to any amendment, modification
or waiver of the Senior Debt Indenture, or any document thereunder, or relating
thereto, or receives any other solicitation for any action with respect to the
Notes, the Trustee shall within five Business Days mail a notice of such
proposed amendment, modification, waiver or solicitation to each
Certificateholder of record as of the date of such request. The Trustee shall
request instructions from the Certificateholders as to what action to take in
response to such request. Except as otherwise provided in the Trust Agreement,
the Trustee shall consent or vote, or refrain from consenting or voting, in the
same proportion as the Certificates were actually voted or not voted by the
holders thereof as of the date determined by the Trustee prior to the date such
vote or consent as a Certificateholder of Notes is required; provided, however,
that, the Trustee shall at no time, without the consent of each
Certificateholder, vote in favor of or consent to any matter (i) unless such
vote or consent would not, based on an opinion of counsel, alter the status of
the Pass-Through Trust as a grantor trust under the Code or result in an actual
or constructive sale or exchange of any Note for tax purposes, (ii) which would
alter the timing or amount of any payment on the Notes, or (iii) which would
result in the exchange or substitution of any Notes pursuant to a plan for the
refunding or refinancing of such Notes, and without the written consent of the
Company. The Trustee shall have no liability for any failure to act resulting
from the Certificateholders' late return of, or failure to return, directions
requested by the Trustee from the Certificateholders.
TERMINATION OF OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE PASS-THROUGH TRUST
The respective obligations of the Company and the Trustee under the Trust
Agreement which are for the benefit of Certificateholders shall cease upon the
completion of the Final Distribution to Certificateholders.
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AMENDMENT OF THE TRUST AGREEMENT
The Trust Agreement may be amended from time to time by the Company and the
Trustee without notice to or the consent of any of the Certificateholders for
any of the following purposes: (i) to evidence the succession of another
corporation to Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants
of the Company contained in the Trust Agreement; (ii) to add to the covenants,
restrictions or obligations of the Company or the Trustee; (iii) to add or
supplement any security for the benefit of any Certificateholders; (iv) to cure
any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision which may be defective
or inconsistent with any other provision in the Trust Agreement, the Senior Debt
Indenture or the ISDA Master Agreement or to make such other provisions as the
Company deems necessary or desirable with respect to matters or questions
arising under the Trust Agreement, provided that no such action materially
adversely affects the interests of any Certificateholders; (v) to modify,
eliminate or add to the provisions of the Trust Agreement to such extent as
shall be necessary to continue the qualification of the Trust Agreement under
the Trust Indenture Act, or under any similar federal statute hereafter enacted,
and to add such other provisions as expressly permitted by the Trust Indenture
Act, with certain exceptions; (vi) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of
appointment of a Trustee other than Wilmington Trust Company, and to add to or
change any of the provisions of the Trust Agreement as shall be necessary to
provide for or facilitate the administration of the Pass-Through Trust; (vii) to
provide certain information as to the Trustee as required under the Trust
Agreement; (viii) to modify or amend any provision of the Trust Agreement that
relates to the ISDA Master Agreement or the remarketing procedure so long as
such modification or amendment does not have a material adverse effect on the
Certificateholders; or (ix) to comply with any requirements imposed by the Code;
provided further that no such amendment referred to in the foregoing clauses (i)
through (ix) which has a material adverse effect on MSCS may be entered into
without the consent of MSCS, and no such amendment, as evidenced by an opinion
of counsel, shall alter the status of the Pass-Through Trust as a grantor trust
under the Code or result in an actual or constructive sale or exchange of any
Certificate for tax purposes. The Trustee is entitled to receive, and may rely
upon, an opinion of counsel with respect to any amendment.
The Trust Agreement also permits the Company and the Trustee, with the
consent of the Certificateholders of not less than a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Certificates then Outstanding, to enter into agreements,
to add any provisions to, or change in any manner or eliminate any of the
provisions of, the Trust Agreement or modify in any manner the rights of the
Certificateholders; provided, however, that the Company and the Trustee may not,
without the consent of each Certificateholder affected thereby, enter into such
agreement (i) which would alter the timing or amount of any payment on the
Certificates or changes the place of payment where, or the coin or currency in
which, any Certificate is payable, or impairs the right to institute for the
enforcement of any such payment or distribution on or after the Regular
Distribution Date or Special Distribution Date applicable thereto, (ii) permits
the disposition of any Notes, except as permitted by the Trust Agreement, or
otherwise deprives the Certificateholder of the benefit of ownership of the
Notes in the Trust, (iii) reduces the percentage of the aggregate fractional
undivided interest in the Notes that is evidenced by a Certificate which is
required for any supplemental agreement which adversely affects in any material
respects the interests of the Certificateholders, or reduces such percentage
required for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions or certain
defaults of the Trust Agreement, (iv) modifies any of the provisions relating to
"supplemental agreements with consent of certificateholders" and "waiver of past
defaults" contained in the Trust Agreement, except to increase such percentage
or to provide that certain provisions cannot be waived or modified without
consent of the Certificateholder, or (v) which would result in the exchange or
substitution of any Certificates pursuant to a plan for the refunding or
refinancing of such Certificates; provided further that no amendment referred to
in the foregoing clauses (i) through (v) which has a material adverse effect on
MSCS may be entered into without the consent of MSCS and unless such vote or
consent would not, based on an opinion of counsel, alter the status of the
Pass-Through Trust as a grantor trust under the Code or result in an actual or
constructive sale or exchange of any Note for tax purposes.
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REPORTS TO CERTIFICATEHOLDERS
Within the prescribed period of time for tax reporting purposes after the
end of each calendar year, the Trustee shall furnish, or cause to be furnished,
to each person who at any time during such calendar year shall have been a
holder of record of Certificates and received any payment thereon, a statement
containing such information as may be required by the Code and applicable
Treasury Regulations to enable such person to prepare its federal income tax
returns.
MODIFICATION OF OTHER AGREEMENTS
Certain provisions of the Senior Debt Indenture and the ISDA Master
Agreement may be modified, amended or supplemented by the parties thereto
without the consent of the Certificateholders or MSCS so long as such
modification, amendment or supplement does not have a material adverse effect on
the Certificateholders or MSCS, as the case may be. See "Description of Notes --
Modification of the Senior Debt Indenture."
NOTICES TO DEPOSITARY
Whenever a notice or other communication to Certificateholders whose
ownership is evidenced by one or more Global Certificates is required under the
Trust Agreement, unless and until Definitive Certificates shall have been issued
to such Certificateholders pursuant to the Trust Agreement, the Trustee shall
give all such notices and communications specified to be given to
Certificateholders to DTC or a successor depositary, and shall have no
obligation to the Certificateholders.
REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATES
If the Trustee receives evidence of the mutilation, destruction, loss or
theft of any Certificate, and there is delivered to the Trustee such security,
indemnity or bond as it may require to hold it and any Paying Agent harmless,
and the Trustee has not received notice that such Certificate has been acquired
by a bona fide purchaser, then, upon payment by the holder of any applicable
expenses, the Trustee shall execute and authenticate and deliver, in exchange
for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Certificate a
new Certificate or Certificates of like tenor, form, terms and principal amount.
GOVERNING LAW
The Trust Agreement and the Certificates will be governed by, and construed
in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware.
DESCRIPTION OF NOTES
The Notes will be issued as a series of securities under the Indenture
dated as of September 15, 1992, as previously supplemented and as further
supplemented by a Sixth Supplemental Indenture establishing the Notes dated as
of , 199 between the Company and NBD Bank, as Trustee. The Indenture
and the Supplemental Indenture are hereinafter referred to collectively as the
"Senior Debt Indenture." The following summaries of certain provisions of the
Senior Debt Indenture do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are
qualified in their entirety by reference to, all provisions of the Senior Debt
Indenture, including the definitions therein of certain terms. Wherever
particular defined terms of the Senior Debt Indenture are referred to, such
defined terms are incorporated herein by reference as part of the statement
made, and the statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference. Copies
of the Senior Debt Indenture are available from the Indenture Trustee upon
request.
GENERAL
The Notes will be limited in aggregate principal amount to $150,000,000.
Unless the Company redeems the Notes or the maturity of the Notes is extended
(see "Description of Certificates -- Final Distribution"),
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<PAGE> 26
the entire principal amount of the Notes will mature and become due and payable,
together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, on , 2005.
The Senior Debt does not limit the aggregate principal amount of debt
securities that may be issued thereunder and provides that debt securities may
be issued thereunder, from time to time, in one or more series. The Notes and
all other debt securities hereafter issued under the Indenture are collectively
referred to herein as the "Senior Debt Securities."
The Notes will be unsecured debt securities of the Company. As of September
30, 1997, the Company had outstanding approximately $1.984 billion aggregate
principal amount of indebtedness, none of which was secured. None of such
indebtedness would be senior to the Notes and the Notes will not be senior to
any such indebtedness, except that the Notes will be senior to certain
subordinated debentures in an aggregate principal amount of $178,000,000, issued
in connection with certain preferred securities of a subsidiary trust. The Notes
will rank pari passu in right of payment with all other unsecured and
unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company.
The Company is a holding company and its assets consist primarily of
investments in its subsidiaries. The Notes will be obligations exclusively of
the Company. The Company's ability to service its indebtedness, including the
Notes, is dependent primarily upon the earnings of its subsidiaries and the
distribution or other payment of such earnings to the Company in the form of
dividends, loans or advances, and repayment of loans and advances from the
Company. The subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no
obligation, contingent or otherwise, to pay any amounts due pursuant to the
Notes or to make any funds available therefor, whether by dividends, loans or
other payments.
A substantial portion of the consolidated liabilities of the Company have
been incurred by its subsidiaries. Therefore, the Company's rights and the
rights of its creditors, including Holders (as defined) of Notes, to participate
in the distribution of assets of any subsidiary upon the latter's liquidation or
reorganization will be subject to prior claims of the subsidiary's creditors,
including trade creditors, except to the extent that the Company may itself be a
creditor with recognized claims against the subsidiary (in which case the claims
of the Company would still be subject to the prior claims of any secured
creditor of such subsidiary and of any holder of indebtedness of such subsidiary
that is senior to that held by the Company). As of September 30, 1997, the
Company's subsidiaries had total indebtedness for borrowed money (excluding
intercompany indebtedness) of approximately $2.780 billion.
INTEREST
Interest on the Notes will accrue from , 199 and be payable in
cash on each Regular Distribution Date, commencing , 1998, at the rate
per annum set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus. Such interest will be
computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
In any case where any interest payment date, repurchase date or maturity of
any Note shall not be a Business Day (as defined) at any place of payment, then
payment of the principal amount of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes
need not be made at such place of payment on such date, but may be made on the
next succeeding Business Day at such place of payment with the same force and
effect as if made on the interest payment date, repurchase date or at maturity;
and no interest shall accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and
after such interest payment date, redemption date, repurchase date or maturity,
as the case may be, to such Business Day.
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION AT A PREMIUM
The Notes will be redeemable at any time, at the option of the Company, in
whole or in part, on not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' prior notice by the
Company to the Indenture Trustee, the Trustee and MSCS, at a redemption price
equal to the sum of (a) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being
redeemed, interest, if any, thereon to the redemption date, and the Applicable
Premium if such redemption occurs on or prior to the Premium Termination Date,
plus (b) the ISDA Amount. In no event will the redemption price calculated
pursuant to the foregoing clause (a) ever be less than 100% of the principal
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amount of the Notes to be redeemed plus accrued interest to the redemption date.
All payments of principal of, Applicable Premium and interest on the Notes paid
by the Company to the Pass-Through Trust with respect to a redemption in whole
will be distributed to the Certificateholders on a Special Distribution Date,
which shall be the redemption date of such Notes. The ISDA Amount will be
distributed to MSCS.
If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select,
in such manner as it shall deem appropriate and fair, the particular
Certificates or portions thereof representing beneficial ownership of the Notes
to be redeemed. Notice of redemption shall be given by mail not less than 30 nor
more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to the holders whose
Notes are to be redeemed; provided, however, that the failure to duly give such
notice by mail, or any deficit therein, shall not affect the validity of any
proceedings for the redemption of Notes as to which there shall have been no
such failure or defect. On and after the date fixed for redemption (unless the
Company shall default in the payment of the Notes or portions thereof to be
redeemed at the applicable redemption price, together with interest accrued
thereon to such date), interest on the Notes or the portions thereof so called
for redemption shall cease to accrue. Certificates representing beneficial
ownership of the Notes selected for partial redemption will be required to be
presented to the Trustee for cancellation. Upon such presentation, all payments
of principal of, Applicable Premium, if any, and interest on the Notes paid by
the Company to the Pass-Through Trust will be distributed to the holders of such
Certificates. The ISDA Amount will be distributed to MSCS.
The following definitions are used to determine the Applicable Premium:
"Applicable Premium" means, with respect to a Note (or portion thereof)
being redeemed at any time, the excess of (A) the present value at such time of
the principal amount of such Note (or portion thereof) being redeemed plus all
interest payments due on such Note (or portion thereof) from and after the
redemption date, which present value shall be computed using a discount rate
equal to the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points, over (B) the principal amount
of such Note (or portion thereof) being redeemed at such time. For purposes of
this definition, the present values of interest and principal payments will be
determined in accordance with generally accepted principles of financial
analysis.
"Treasury Rate" means the yield to maturity at the time of computation of
United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and
published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15(519) (the
"Statistical Release") which has become publicly available at least two Business
Days prior to the redemption date or, in the case of defeasance, prior to the
date of deposit (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any
publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the then
remaining average life to stated maturity of the Notes; provided, however, that
if the average life to stated maturity of the Notes is not equal to the constant
maturity of a United States Treasury security for which a weekly average yield
is given, the Treasury Rate shall be obtained by linear interpolation
(calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the weekly average yields
of United States Treasury securities for which such yields are given.
No sinking fund is provided for the Notes.
FINAL DISTRIBUTION
The Final Distribution on the Certificates, representing an amount equal to
the principal amount of and interest on the Notes, assuming the Notes had been
held until the Final Distribution Date, is expected to be made on the Final
Distribution Date. If the Yield on the Exercise Date is equal to or greater than
the reference U.S. Treasury Note yield of % used to determine the interest
rate per annum borne by the Notes as set forth on the cover page of this
Prospectus, the Notes will mature on the Final Distribution Date. If the Yield
on the Exercise Date is less than such reference U.S. Treasury Note Yield, the
maturity of the Notes will be extended and, prior to the Final Distribution
Date, one of the following will occur: (a) the interest rate borne by the Notes
will be reset and the Notes will be remarketed so as to yield net proceeds in
cash at least equal to the Remarketing Proceeds which, together with the amount
payable by the Company representing interest on the Notes through the Final
Distribution Date, will be sufficient to enable the Trustee to make the Final
Distribution on the Certificates, (b) the Company will exercise its option to
redeem the Notes on the Final Distribution Date at a purchase price equal to the
principal amount of and interest on the Notes plus the
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ISDA Amount or (c) the Pass-Through Trust will exercise its Put Option and
require the Company to purchase the Notes on the Final Distribution Date at a
purchase price equal to the principal amount of and interest on the Notes. In
any case, the principal of and interest on the Notes will be distributed by the
Pass-Through Trust to the Certificateholders on the Final Distribution Date. The
ISDA Amount will be distributed to MSCS.
Final Distribution upon a Successful Remarketing
If the maturity of the Notes is extended, unless the Company exercises its
option to redeem the Notes (which the Company may exercise at any time
subsequent to the delivery of the Extension Notice and prior to the Remarketing
Deadline), the interest rate borne by the Notes will be reset in order that the
Notes may be remarketed so as to yield net proceeds in cash equal to the
Remarketing Proceeds. On the Exercise Date and once every 15 days thereafter,
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated (or, subsequent to the Exercise Date, such
other investment banking institution as may be selected as the remarketing
agent) will provide the Company with non-binding indications of the interest
rate, and discount or premium at which it believes it could remarket the Notes.
The Company may then, on behalf of the Pass-Through Trust, either request that
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated remarket the Notes, select another investment
banking institution to remarket the Notes or exercise the option to redeem the
Notes. Regardless of whether it has been selected to act as remarketing agent,
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated shall at all times be permitted to offer to
purchase the Notes bearing a reset interest rate specified by Morgan Stanley &
Co. Incorporated for net proceeds at least equal to the Remarketing Proceeds
which offer the Company and the Trustee shall be required to accept, unless (i)
any other party shall have remarketed the Notes bearing an interest rate less
than or equal to that specified by Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and for net
proceeds at least equal to the Remarketing Proceeds or (ii) the Company
exercises its option to redeem all of the Notes on the Final Distribution Date
at a purchase price equal to the principal amount of and interest on the Notes
plus the ISDA Amount. Upon completion of any remarketing, the portion of the
proceeds representing principal of the Notes, together with the amount paid by
the Company representing interest on the Notes through the Final Distribution
Date, will be deposited with the Trustee for distribution to Certificateholders,
and the portion of the proceeds representing the ISDA Amount will be distributed
to MSCS.
Final Distribution upon Optional Redemption of the Notes without Premium
If the maturity of the Notes is extended, the Company may, in lieu of
permitting the Notes to be remarketed, exercise its option to redeem all of the
Notes on the Final Distribution Date at a purchase price equal to the principal
amount of and interest on the Notes plus the ISDA Amount, but without the
Applicable Premium. The Company may exercise this option at any time subsequent
to the delivery of the Extension Notice and prior to the Remarketing Deadline.
The principal of and interest on the Notes paid by the Company to the
Pass-Through Trust will be distributed to the Certificateholders on the Final
Distribution Date. The ISDA Amount will be distributed to MSCS.
Final Distribution upon Exercise by the Trustee of Put Option
If the maturity of the Notes is extended and for any reason the Trustee
does not receive an amount in cash equal to the principal amount of and interest
on the Notes by the Remarketing Deadline the Pass-Through Trust will be deemed
to have exercised its Put Option and required the Company to purchase the Notes
on the Final Distribution Date at a purchase price equal to the principal amount
of and interest on the Notes. All payments in respect of the Notes paid by the
Company to the Pass-Through Trust upon exercise of the Put Option will be
distributed to Certificateholders on the Final Distribution Date.
CHANGE IN CONTROL
In the event of any Change in Control, each Holder of a Note will have the
right, at such Holders option, subject to the terms and conditions of the Senior
Debt Indenture, to require the Company to repurchase all or any part of such
Holder's Note on the Change in Control Purchase Date after the mailing of
written notice by the Company of the occurrence of such Change in Control at a
repurchase price payable in cash equal to the
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Change in Control Purchase Price. For details regarding notice and procedures
and the definition of a Change in Control, see "Description of Certificates --
Purchase of Certificates upon Change in Control or Excess Proceeds Offer --
Change in Control."
The Senior Debt Indenture requires the Company to comply with the
provisions of Regulation 14E and any other tender offer rules under the Exchange
Act which may then be applicable in connection with any offer by the Company to
purchase Notes at the option of Holders upon a Change in Control. The Change in
Control purchase feature of the Notes may in certain circumstances make more
difficult or discourage a takeover of the Company and, thus, the removal of
incumbent management. The Change in Control purchase feature, however, is not
the result of management's knowledge of any specific effort to accumulate shares
of its common stock or to obtain control of the Company by means of a merger,
tender offer, solicitation or otherwise, or part of a plan by management to
adopt a series of antitakeover provisions. Instead, the Change in Control
purchase feature is a term contained in many similar debt offerings and the
terms of such feature result from negotiations between the Company and the
Underwriter. Management has no present intention to propose any antitakeover
measures although it is possible that the Company could decide to do so in the
future.
No Note may be repurchased by the Company as a result of a Change of
Control if there has occurred and is continuing an Event of Default described
under "Description of the Trust Agreement -- Events of Default" (other than a
default in the payment of the Change in Control Purchase Price with respect to
the Notes). In addition, the Company's ability to purchase Notes may be limited
by its financial resources and its inability to raise the required funds because
of restrictions on issuance of securities contained in other contractual
arrangements.
CERTAIN COVENANTS
The Senior Debt Indenture contains the covenants described below. Certain
capitalized terms used below are defined herein under the heading "Certain
Definitions."
Limitation on Restricted Payments
Under the terms of the Senior Debt Indenture, so long as any of the Notes
are Outstanding and until senior unsecured debt of the Company is rated BBB- or
above (or an equivalent rating) by Standard & Poor's and one Other Rating
Agency, at which time the Company will be permanently released from the
provisions of this "Limitation on Restricted Payments," the Company will not,
and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly,
to (i) declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on the Capital Stock
of the Company to the direct or indirect holders of its Capital Stock (except
dividends or distributions payable solely in its Non-Convertible Capital Stock
or in options, warrants or other rights to purchase such Non-Convertible Capital
Stock and except dividends or distributions payable to the Company or a
Subsidiary), (ii) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value any
Capital Stock of the Company, or (iii) purchase, repurchase, redeem, defease or
otherwise acquire or retire for value, prior to scheduled maturity or scheduled
repayment thereof, any Subordinated Indebtedness (any such dividend,
distribution, purchase, redemption, repurchase, defeasing, other acquisition or
retirement being hereinafter referred to as a "Restricted Payment") if at the
time the Company or such Subsidiary makes such Restricted Payment: (1) an Event
of Default, or an event that with the lapse of time or the giving of notice or
both would constitute an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing
(or would result therefrom); or (2) the aggregate amount of such Restricted
Payment and all other Restricted Payments made since May 6, 1997 would exceed
the sum of (a) $100,000,000 plus 100% of Consolidated Net Income from May 6,
1997 to the end of the most recent fiscal quarter ending at least 45 days prior
to the date of such Restricted Payment (or, in case such sum shall be a deficit,
minus 100% of the deficit) and (b) the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received by
the Company from the issue or sale of or contribution with respect to its
Capital Stock after May 6, 1997.
The foregoing provisions will not prohibit: (i) dividends or other
distributions paid in respect of any class of Capital Stock issued by the
Company in connection with the acquisition of any business or assets by the
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Company or a Restricted Subsidiary where the dividends or other distributions
with respect to such Capital Stock are payable solely from the net earnings of
such business or assets; (ii) any purchase or redemption of Capital Stock of the
Company made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially
concurrent sale of, Capital Stock of the Company (other than Redeemable Stock or
Exchangeable Stock); (iii) dividends paid within 60 days after the date of
declaration thereof if at such date of declaration such dividends would have
complied with this covenant; or (iv) payments pursuant to the Tax Sharing
Agreement.
Limitation on Certain Liens
Under the terms of the Senior Debt Indenture, so long as any of the Notes
are Outstanding, the Company shall not create, incur, assume or suffer to exist
any Lien upon or with respect to any of its property of any character, including
without limitation any shares of Capital Stock of Consumers or Enterprises,
without making effective provision whereby the Notes shall be (so long as any
such other creditor shall be so secured) equally and ratably secured. The
foregoing restrictions shall not apply to (a) Liens securing Indebtedness of the
Company, provided that on the date such Liens are created, and after giving
effect to such Indebtedness, the aggregate principal amount at maturity of all
the secured Indebtedness of the Company at such date shall not exceed 5% of
Consolidated Net Tangible Assets or (b) certain liens for taxes, pledges to
secure workman's compensation, other statutory obligations and Support
Obligations, certain materialmen's, mechanic's and similar liens and certain
purchase money liens.
Limitation on Asset Sales
Under the terms of the Senior Debt Indenture, so long as any of the Notes
are outstanding, the Company may not sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any
property or assets of the Company, including Capital Stock of any Consolidated
Subsidiary, in one transaction or a series of transactions in an amount which
exceeds $50,000,000 unless the Company shall (i) apply an amount equal to such
excess Net Cash Proceeds to permanently repay Indebtedness of a Consolidated
Subsidiary or Indebtedness of the Company which is pari passu with the Notes or
(ii) invest an equal amount not so used in clause (i) in property or assets of
related business within the Application Period or (iii) apply the Excess
Proceeds to make an offer, within 30 days after the end of the Application
Period, to purchase from the Holders on a pro rata basis an aggregate principal
amount of Notes on the relevant purchase date equal to the Excess Proceeds on
such date, at the Excess Proceeds Purchase Price plus the ISDA Amount, if any.
The Company shall only be required to make an offer to purchase Notes from
Holders pursuant to subsection (iii) if the Excess Proceeds equal or exceed
$25,000,000 at any given time.
The procedures to be followed by the Company in making an offer to purchase
Notes from the Holders with Excess Proceeds, and for the acceptance of such
offer by the Holders, shall be the same as those set forth above in "
Description of Certificates -- Purchase of Notes upon Change in Control" with
respect to a Change in Control.
Limitation on Consolidation, Merger, Sale or Conveyance of Assets
The Senior Debt Indenture provides that the Company may consolidate with or
merge into, or sell, lease or convey its property as an entirety or
substantially as an entirety to, any other corporation if such corporation
assumes the obligations of the Company under the Notes and the Senior Debt
Indenture and is organized and existing under the laws of the United States of
America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia. The Senior Debt
Indenture further provides that so long as any of the Notes are Outstanding and
until senior unsecured debt of the Company is rated BBB- or above (or an
equivalent rating) by Standard & Poor's and one Other Rating Agency (at which
time the Company will be permanently released from the following restrictions),
the Company shall not consolidate with or merge into any other Person or sell,
lease or convey the property of the Company in the entirety or substantially as
an entirety, unless (i) immediately after giving effect to such transaction the
Consolidated Net Worth of the surviving entity is at least equal to the
Consolidated Net Worth of the Company immediately prior to the transaction, and
(ii) after giving effect to such transaction, the surviving entity would be
entitled to incur at least one dollar of additional Indebtedness
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(other than revolving Indebtedness to banks) pursuant to the first paragraph
under "--Limitation on Consolidated Indebtedness" below. Notwithstanding the
foregoing provisions, such a transaction may constitute a Change of Control as
described in "-- Purchase of Notes upon Change in Control" above and give rise
to the right of a Holder to direct the Trustee to require the Company to
repurchase all or part of such Holder's Notes.
Limitation on Consolidated Indebtedness
Under the terms of the Senior Debt Indenture, so long as any of the Notes
are Outstanding and until senior unsecured debt of the Company is rated BBB- or
above (or an equivalent rating) by Standard & Poor's and one Other Rating
Agency, at which time the Company will be permanently released from the
provisions of this "Limitation on Consolidated Indebtedness," the Company will
not, and will not permit any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries to, issue, create,
assume, guarantee, incur or otherwise become liable for (collectively, "issue"),
directly or indirectly, any Indebtedness unless the Consolidated Coverage Ratio
of the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for the four consecutive fiscal
quarters immediately preceding the issuance of such Indebtedness (as shown by a
pro forma consolidated income statement of the Company and its Consolidated
Subsidiaries for the four most recent fiscal quarters ending at least 30 days
prior to the issuance of such Indebtedness after giving effect to (i) the
issuance of such Indebtedness and (if applicable) the application of the net
proceeds thereof to refinance other Indebtedness, as if such Indebtedness was
issued at the beginning of the period, (ii) the issuance and retirement of any
other Indebtedness since the first day of the period as if such Indebtedness was
issued or retired at the beginning of the period and (iii) the acquisition of
any company or business acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary since the
first day of the period (including giving effect to the pro forma historical
earnings of such company or business), including any acquisition which will be
consummated contemporaneously with the issuance of such Indebtedness, as if in
each case such acquisition occurred at the beginning of the period) exceeds a
ratio of 1.7 to 1.0.
The foregoing limitation is subject to exceptions for: (i) Indebtedness of
the Company to banks not to exceed $1,000,000,000 in aggregate outstanding
principal amount at any time; (ii) Indebtedness outstanding on the date of the
Supplemental Indenture and certain refinancings thereof; (iii) certain
refinancings and Indebtedness of the Company to a Subsidiary or by a Subsidiary
to the Company; (iv) Indebtedness of a Consolidated Subsidiary issued to
acquire, develop, improve, construct or to provide working capital for a gas,
oil or electric generation, exploration, production, distribution, storage or
transmission facility and related assets, provided that such Indebtedness is
without recourse to any assets of the Company, Consumers, Enterprises, CMS
Generation, NOMECO, CMS Electric and Gas, CMS Gas Transmission and Storage, CMS
MST or any other Designated Enterprises Subsidiary; (v) Indebtedness of a Person
existing at the time at which such Person became a Subsidiary and not incurred
in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Subsidiary;
(vi) Indebtedness issued by the Company not to exceed $150,000,000 in aggregate
outstanding principal amount at any time; and (vii) Indebtedness of a
Consolidated Subsidiary in respect of rate reduction bonds issued to recover
electric restructuring transition costs of Consumers, provided that such
Indebtedness is without recourse to the assets of Consumers.
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
Set forth below is a summary of certain defined terms used in the Senior
Debt Indenture. Reference is made to the Senior Debt Indenture for a full
definition of all terms as well as any other capitalized terms used herein and
not otherwise defined.
"Business Day" means a day on which banking institutions in New York, New
York or Detroit, Michigan are not authorized or required by law or regulation to
close.
"Capital Lease Obligation" of a Person means any obligation that is
required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease on the face of a
balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles; the amount of such obligation shall be the capitalized
amount thereof, determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles; the stated maturity thereof shall be the date of the last payment of
rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date
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<PAGE> 32
upon which such lease may be terminated by the lessee without payment of a
penalty; and such obligation shall be deemed secured by a Lien on any property
or assets to which such lease relates.
"Capital Stock" means any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase,
warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in
(however designated) corporate stock, including any preferred stock or letter
stock; provided that Hybrid Preferred Securities are not considered Capital
Stock for purposes of this definition.
"CMS Electric and Gas" means CMS Electric and Gas Company, a Michigan
corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Enterprises.
"CMS Gas Transmission and Storage" means CMS Gas Transmission and Storage
Company, a Michigan corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Enterprises.
"CMS Generation" means CMS Generation Co., a Michigan corporation and
wholly owned subsidiary of Enterprises.
"CMS MST" means CMS Marketing, Services and Trading Company, a Michigan
corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Enterprises.
"Consolidated Assets" means, at any date of determination, the aggregate
assets of the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
"Consolidated Coverage Ratio" with respect to any period means the ratio of
(i) the aggregate amount of Operating Cash Flow for such period to (ii) the
aggregate amount of Consolidated Interest Expense for such period.
"Consolidated Current Liabilities" means, for any period, the aggregate
amount of liabilities of the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries which may
properly be classified as current liabilities (including taxes accrued as
estimated), after (i) eliminating all inter-company items between the Company
and any Consolidated Subsidiary and (ii) deducting all current maturities of
long-term Indebtedness, all as determined in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles.
"Consolidated Indebtedness" means, for any date of determination, the
aggregate Indebtedness of the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries
determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles; provided that Consolidated Indebtedness shall not include
any subordinated debt owned by any Hybrid Preferred Securities Subsidiary.
"Consolidated Interest Expense" means, for any period, the total interest
expense in respect of Consolidated Indebtedness of the Company and its
Consolidated Subsidiaries, including, without duplication, (i) interest expense
attributable to capital leases, (ii) amortization of debt discount, (iii)
capitalized interest, (iv) cash and noncash interest payments, (v) commissions,
discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and
bankers' acceptance financing, (vi) net costs under Interest Rate Protection
Agreements (including amortization of discount) and (vii) interest expense in
respect of obligations of other Persons deemed to be Indebtedness of the Company
or any Consolidated Subsidiaries under clause (v) or (vi) of the definition of
Indebtedness, provided, however, that Consolidated Interest Expense shall
exclude (a) any costs otherwise included in interest expense recognized on early
retirement of debt and (b) any interest expense in respect of any Indebtedness
of any Subsidiary of Consumers, CMS Generation, NOMECO, CMS Electric and Gas,
CMS Gas Transmission and Storage, CMS MST or any other Designated Enterprises
Subsidiary, provided that such Indebtedness is without recourse to any assets of
the Company, Consumers, Enterprises, CMS Generation, NOMECO, CMS Electric and
Gas, CMS Gas Transmission and Storage, CMS MST or any other Designated
Enterprises Subsidiary.
"Consolidated Net Income" means, for any period, the net income of the
Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; provided, however,
that there shall not be included in such Consolidated Net Income (i) any net
income of any Person if such Person is not a Subsidiary, except that (A) the
Company's equity in the net income of any
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such Person for such period shall be included in such Consolidated Net Income up
to the aggregate amount of cash actually distributed by such Person during such
period to the Company or a Consolidated Subsidiary as a dividend or other
distribution and (B) the Company's equity in a net loss of any such Person for
such period shall be included in determining such Consolidated Net Income; (ii)
any net income of any Person acquired by the Company or a Subsidiary in a
pooling of interests transaction for any period prior to the date of such
acquisition; (iii) any gain or loss realized upon the sale or other disposition
of any property, plant or equipment of the Company or its Consolidated
Subsidiaries which is not sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course
of business and any gain or loss realized upon the sale or other disposition of
any Capital Stock of any Person; and (iv) any net income of any Subsidiary of
Consumers, CMS Generation, NOMECO, CMS Electric and Gas, CMS Gas Transmission
and Storage, CMS MST or any other Designated Enterprises Subsidiary whose
interest expense is excluded from Consolidated Interest Expense, provided,
however, that for purposes of this clause (iv), any cash, dividends or
distributions of any such Subsidiary to the Company shall be included in
calculating Consolidated Net Income.
"Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" means, for any period, the total amount
of assets (less accumulated depreciation or amortization, allowances for
doubtful receivables, other applicable reserves and other properly deductible
items) as set forth on the most recently available quarterly or annual
consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries,
determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, and after giving effect to purchase accounting and after
deducting therefrom, to the extent otherwise included, the amounts of: (i)
Consolidated Current Liabilities; (ii) minority interests in Consolidated
Subsidiaries held by Persons other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;
(iii) excess of cost over fair value of assets of businesses acquired, as
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors as evidenced by Board
resolutions; (iv) any revaluation or other write-up in value of assets
subsequent to December 31, 1996, as a result of a change in the method of
valuation in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; (v)
unamortized debt discount and expenses and other unamortized deferred charges,
goodwill, patents. trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, licenses,
organization or developmental expenses and other intangible items; (vi) treasury
stock; and (vii) any cash set apart and held in a sinking or other analogous
fund established for the purpose of redemption or other retirement of Capital
Stock to the extent such obligation is not reflected in Consolidated Current
Liabilities.
"Consolidated Net Worth" of any Person means the total of the amounts shown
on the consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its consolidated
subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, as of any date selected by such Person not more
than 90 days prior to the taking of any action for the purpose of which the
determination is being made (and adjusted for any material events since such
date), as (i) the par or stated value of all outstanding Capital Stock plus (ii)
paid-in capital or capital surplus relating to such Capital Stock plus (iii) any
retained earnings or earned surplus less (A) any accumulated deficit, (B) any
amounts attributable to Redeemable Stock and (C) any amounts attributable to
Exchangeable Stock.
"Consolidated Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary whose accounts are or are
required to be consolidated with the accounts of the Company in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles.
"Consumers" means Consumers Energy Company, a Michigan corporation, all of
whose common stock is on the date hereof owned by the Company.
"Designated Enterprises Subsidiary" means any wholly owned subsidiary of
Enterprises formed after the date of the Supplemental Indenture which is
designated a Designated Enterprises Subsidiary by the Board of Directors.
"Enterprises" means CMS Enterprises Company, a Michigan corporation and
wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.
"Exchangeable Stock" means any Capital Stock of a corporation that is
exchangeable for or convertible into another security (other than Capital Stock
of such corporation that is neither Exchangeable Stock nor Redeemable Stock).
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"Holder" means the Person in whose name a Note is registered in the
security register kept by the Company for that purpose. Initially such Holder
will be the Pass-Through Trust.
"Hybrid Preferred Securities" means any preferred securities issued by a
Hybrid Preferred Securities Subsidiary, where such preferred securities have the
following characteristics: (i) such Hybrid Preferred Securities Subsidiary lends
substantially all of the proceeds from the issuance of such preferred securities
to the Company or Consumers in exchange for subordinated debt issued by the
Company or Consumers, respectively; (ii) such preferred securities contain terms
providing for the deferral of distributions corresponding to provisions
providing for the deferral of interest payments on such subordinated debt; and
(iii) the Company or Consumers (as the case may be) makes periodic interest
payments on such subordinated debt, which interest payments are in turn used by
the Hybrid Preferred Securities Subsidiary to make corresponding payments to the
holders of the Hybrid Preferred Securities.
"Hybrid Preferred Securities Subsidiary" means any business trust (or
similar entity) (i) all of the common equity interest of which is owned (either
directly or indirectly through one or more wholly-owned Subsidiaries of the
Company or Consumers) at all times by the Company or Consumers, (ii) that has
been formed for the purpose of issuing Hybrid Preferred Securities and (iii)
substantially all of the assets of which consist at all times solely of
subordinated debt issued by the Company or Consumers (as the case may be) and
payments made from time to time on such subordinated debt.
"Indebtedness" of any Person means, without duplication, (i) the principal
of and premium (if any) in respect of (A) indebtedness of such Person for money
borrowed and (B) indebtedness evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other
similar instruments for the payment of which such Person is responsible or
liable; (ii) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person; (iii) all obligations
of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property, all
conditional sale obligations and all obligations under any title retention
agreement (but excluding trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course
of business); (iv) all obligations of such Person for the reimbursement of any
obligor on any letter of credit, bankers' acceptance or similar credit
transaction (other than obligations with respect to letters of credit securing
obligations (other than obligations described in clauses (i) through (iii)
above) entered into in the ordinary course of business of such Person to the
extent such letters of credit are not drawn upon or, if and to the extent drawn
upon, such drawing is reimbursed no later than the third Business Day following
receipt by such Person of a demand for reimbursement following payment on the
letter of credit); (v) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i)
through (iv) of other Persons and all dividends of other Persons for the payment
of which, in either case, such Person is responsible or liable as obligor,
guarantor or otherwise; and (vi) all obligations of the type referred to in
clauses (i) through (v) of other Persons secured by any Lien on any property or
asset of such Person (whether or not such obligation is assumed by such Person),
the amount of such obligation being deemed to be the lesser of the value of such
property or assets or the amount of the obligation so secured.
"Lien" means any lien, mortgage, pledge, security interest, conditional
sale, title retention agreement or other charge or encumbrance of any kind.
"Net Cash Proceeds" means (a) with respect to any Asset Sale, the aggregate
proceeds of such Asset Sale including the fair market value (as determined by
the Board of Directors and net of any associated debt and of any consideration
other than Capital Stock received in return) of property other than cash,
received by the Company, net of (i) brokerage commissions and other fees and
expenses (including fees and expenses of counsel and investment bankers) related
to such Asset Sale, (ii) provisions for all taxes (whether or not such taxes
will actually be paid or are payable) as a result of such Asset Sale without
regard to the consolidated results of operations of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (iii) payments made to repay
Indebtedness or any other obligation outstanding at the time of such Asset Sale
that either (A) is secured by a Lien on the property or assets sold or (B) is
required to be paid as a result of such sale and (iv) appropriate amounts to be
provided by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as a reserve
against any liabilities associated with such Asset Sale, including, without
limitation, pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities, liabilities
related to environmental matters and liabilities under any indemnification
obligations associated with such Asset Sale, all as determined in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles and (b) with respect to any
issuance or sale or contribution in respect of
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Capital Stock, the aggregate proceeds of such issuance, sale or contribution,
including the fair market value (as determined by the Board of Directors and net
of any associated debt and of any consideration other than Capital Stock
received in return) of property other than cash, received by the Company, net of
attorneys' fees, accountants' fees, underwriters' or placement agents' fees,
discounts or commissions and brokerage, consultant and other fees incurred in
connection with such issuance or sale and net of taxes paid or payable as a
result thereof, provided, however, that if such fair market value as determined
by the Board of Directors of property other than cash is greater than
$25,000,000, the value thereof shall be based upon an opinion from an
independent nationally recognized firm experienced in the appraisal or similar
review of similar types of transactions.
"NOMECO" means CMS NOMECO Oil & Gas Co., a Michigan corporation and wholly
owned subsidiary of Enterprises.
"Non-Convertible Capital Stock" means, with respect to any corporation, any
non-convertible Capital Stock of such corporation and any Capital Stock of such
corporation convertible solely into non-convertible Capital Stock other than
Preferred Stock of such corporation; provide, however, that Non-Convertible
Capital Stock shall not include any Redeemable Stock or Exchangeable Stock.
"Other Rating Agency" shall mean any one of Duff & Phelps Credit Rating
Co., Fitch Investors Service, L.P. or Moody's Investors Service, Inc., and any
successor to any of these organizations which is a nationally recognized
statistical rating organization.
"Operating Cash Flow" means, for any period, with respect to the Company
and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, the aggregate amount of Consolidated Net
Income after adding thereto Consolidated Interest Expense (adjusted to include
costs recognized on early retirement of debt), income taxes, depreciation
expense, Amortization Expense and any noncash amortization of debt issuance
costs, any nonrecurring, noncash charges to earnings and any negative accretion
recognition.
"Paying Agent" means any person authorized by the Company to pay the
principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any of the Notes on behalf of
the Company. Initially, the Paying Agent is the Indenture Trustee.
"Preferred Stock", as applied to the Capital Stock of any corporation,
means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) that is
preferred as to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets
upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such
corporation, over shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such
corporation; provided that Hybrid Preferred Securities are not considered
Preferred Stock for purposes of this definition.
"Redeemable Stock" means any Capital Stock that by its terms or otherwise
is required to be redeemed prior to the first anniversary of the stated maturity
of the Outstanding Notes or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof at
any time prior to the first anniversary of the stated maturity of the
Outstanding Notes.
"Restricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary (other than Consumers and its
subsidiaries) of the Company which, as of the date of the Company's most recent
quarterly consolidated balance sheet, constituted at least 10% of the total
Consolidated Assets of the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries and any
other Subsidiary which from time to time is designated a Restricted Subsidiary
by the Board of Directors; provided that no Subsidiary may be designated a
Restricted Subsidiary if, immediately after giving effect thereto, an Event of
Default or event that, with the lapse of time or giving of notice or both, would
constitute an Event of Default would exist or the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries could not incur at least one dollar of additional Indebtedness
pursuant to the first paragraph under "Description of the Notes -- Certain
Covenants -- Limitation on Consolidated Indebtedness," and (i) any such
Subsidiary so designated as a Restricted Subsidiary must be organized under the
laws of the United States or any state thereof, (ii) more than 80% of the Voting
Stock of such Subsidiary must be owned of record and beneficially by the Company
or a Restricted Subsidiary and (iii) such Restricted Subsidiary must be a
Consolidated Subsidiary.
"Standard & Poor's" shall mean Standard & Poor's Ratings Group, a division
of McGraw Hill Inc., and any successor thereto which is a nationally recognized
statistical rating organization, or if such entity shall
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cease to rate the Notes or shall cease to exist and there shall be no such
successor thereto, any other nationally recognized statistical rating
organization selected by the Company which is acceptable to the Indenture
Trustee.
"Subordinated Indebtedness" means any Indebtedness of the Company (whether
outstanding on the date of the Supplemental Indenture or thereafter incurred)
which is contractually subordinated or junior in right of payment to the Notes.
"Subsidiary" means a corporation more than 50% of the outstanding voting
stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company or by one or
more other Subsidiaries, or by the Company and one or more other Subsidiaries.
For the purposes of this definition, "voting stock" means stock which ordinarily
has voting power for the election of directors, whether at all times or only so
long as no senior class of stock has such voting power by reason of any
contingency.
"Support Obligations" means, for any person, without duplication, any
financial obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such person guaranteeing or
otherwise supporting any debt or other obligation of any other person in any
manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including, without limitation, any
obligation of such person, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or
advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such debt or to purchase
(or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment
of such debt, (ii) to purchase property, securities or services for the purpose
of assuring the owner of such debt of the payment of such debt, (iii) to
maintain working capital, equity capital, available cash or other financial
statement condition of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor
to pay such debt, (iv) to provide equity capital under or in respect of equity
subscription arrangements (to the extent that such obligation to provide equity
capital does not otherwise constitute debt), or (v) to perform, or arrange for
the performance of, any non-monetary obligations or non-funded debt payment
obligations of the primary obligor.
"Tax-Sharing Agreement" means the Amended and Restated Agreement for the
Allocation of Income Tax Liabilities and Benefits, dated January 1, 1994, as
amended or supplemented from time to time, by and among the Company, each of the
members of the Consolidated Group (as defined therein), and each of the
corporations that become members of the Consolidated Group.
"Voting Stock" means securities of any class or classes the holders of
which are ordinarily, in the absence of contingencies, entitled to vote for
corporate directors (or persons performing similar functions).
MODIFICATION OF THE SENIOR DEBT INDENTURE
The Senior Debt Indenture permits the Company and the Indenture Trustee to
enter into supplemental indentures thereto without the consent of the Holders of
the Notes to: (a) secure the Notes, (b) evidence the assumption by a successor
corporation of the obligations of the Company under the Senior Debt Indenture
and the Notes then outstanding, (c) add covenants for the protection of the
Holders of the Notes, (d) cure any ambiguity or correct or supplement any
provision which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision in the
Senior Debt Indenture, the ISDA Master Agreement or the Trust Agreement or to
make such other provisions as the Company deems necessary or desirable with
respect to matters or questions arising under the Senior Debt Indenture,
provided that no such action adversely affects the interests of any Holders of
the Notes, (e) establish the form and terms of any series of securities under
the Senior Debt Indenture, (f) evidence the acceptance of appointment by a
successor Indenture Trustee and (g) to modify or amend any provision of the
Senior Debt Indenture that relates to the ISDA Master Agreement or the
remarketing procedure so long as such modification or amendment does not have a
material adverse effect on the Holders of the Notes; provided that no
supplemental indenture referred to in the foregoing clauses (a) through (g)
which has a material adverse effect on MSCS may be entered into without the
consent of MSCS.
The Senior Debt Indenture also permits the Company and the Indenture
Trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Senior Debt Securities of all series then
outstanding and affected (voting as one class), to enter into supplemental
indentures, to add any provisions to, or change in any manner or eliminate any
of the provisions of, the Senior Debt Indenture or modify in any manner the
rights of the holders of the Senior Debt Securities of each such affected
series;
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provided, however, that the Company and the Indenture Trustee may not, without
the consent of the holder of each Senior Debt Security then outstanding and
affected thereby, enter into any supplemental indenture to: (a) change the time
of payment of the principal (or any installment of principal) of any Senior Debt
Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof, or reduce the rate or change
the time of payment of interest thereon, or impair the right to institute suit
for the enforcement of any payment on any Senior Debt Security when due; or (b)
reduce the percentage in principal amount of Senior Debt Securities of the
affected series, the consent of whose holders is required for any such
modification or for any waiver provided for in the Senior Debt Indenture;
provided further that no supplemental indenture referred to in the foregoing
clauses (a) and (b) which has a material adverse effect on MSCS may be entered
into without the consent of MSCS.
Prior to the acceleration of the maturity of any Senior Debt Security, the
holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Senior Debt
Securities of all series at the time outstanding with respect to which a default
or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (voting as one class) may on
behalf of the holders of any all such affected Senior Debt Securities waive any
past default or Event of Default and its consequences, except a default or an
Event of Default in respect of a covenant or provision of the Senior Debt
Indenture which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder
of each Senior Debt Security affected or MSCS, as the case may be.
DEFEASANCE, COVENANT DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE
The Senior Debt Indenture provides that, at the option of the Company: (a)
the Company will be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the
Notes (except for certain obligations to register the transfer of or exchange of
the Notes, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated Notes, to maintain paying
agencies and to maintain the trust described below), or (b) the Company need not
comply with certain restrictive covenants of the Senior Debt Indenture
(including those described under "Limitation on Consolidation, Merger, Sale or
Conveyance of Assets"), in each case if the Company (i) irrevocably deposits in
trust with the Trustee money, and/or securities backed by the full faith and
credit of the United States which, through the payment of the principal thereof
and interest thereon in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an
amount sufficient to pay all the principal of and applicable premium, if any,
and interest on the Notes on the Final Distribution Date and (ii) pays the ISDA
Amount, if any, as of the date of such deposit, to MSCS. To exercise such
option, the Company is required, among other things, to deliver to the Indenture
Trustee an opinion of independent counsel to the effect that the exercise of
such option would not cause the Holders of the Notes to recognize income, gain
or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of such
defeasance, and such Holders of Notes will be subject to United States federal
income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as
would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred, and, in the case
of a discharge as described in clause (a) of the preceding sentence, such
opinion is to be accompanied by a private letter ruling to the same effect
received from the Internal Revenue Service, a revenue ruling to such effect
pertaining to a comparable form of transaction published by the Internal Revenue
Service or appropriate evidence that since the date of the Senior Debt Indenture
there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law.
In the event the Company exercises its option to effect a covenant
defeasance with respect to the Notes as described in the preceding paragraph and
the Notes are thereafter declared due and payable because of the occurrence of
any Event of Default other than an Event of Default caused by failing to comply
with the covenants which are defeased, and the amount of money and securities on
deposit with the Indenture Trustee would be insufficient to pay amounts due on
the Notes at the time of the acceleration resulting from such Event of Default,
the Company would remain liable for such amounts.
The Company may also obtain a discharge of the Senior Debt Indenture with
respect to all Senior Debt Securities then outstanding by (a) irrevocably
depositing in trust with the Trustee money, and/or securities backed by the full
faith and credit of the United States which, through the payment of the
principal amount thereof and interest thereon in accordance with their terms,
will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal amount of and
interest on the Senior Debt Securities on the stated maturities thereof
(including one or more redemption dates), provided that such Senior Debt
Securities are by their terms due and payable, within one year and (b) paying
the ISDA Amount, if any, as of the date of such deposit, to MSCS. See
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"Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations -- Income of Holders -- Disposition
or Retirement of the Debt Instrument."
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
The occurrence of any of the following events with respect to the Notes
will constitute an "Event of Default": (a) default for 30 days in the payment of
any interest on any of the Notes; (b) default in the payment when due of any of
the principal amount of or Applicable Premium, if any, on any of the Notes,
whether at maturity, upon redemption, acceleration, purchase by the Company at
the option of the Holders or otherwise; (c) default in the payment when due of
the ISDA Amount, if any, whether on the Final Distribution Date, upon
redemption, acceleration, purchase by the Company at the option of the Holders
or otherwise; (d) default for 60 days by the Company in the observance or
performance of any other covenant or agreement contained in the Senior Debt
Indenture after written notice thereof as provided in the Senior Debt Indenture;
(e) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization relating to the
Company or Consumers; (f) entry of final judgments against the Company or
Consumers aggregating in excess of $25,000,000 which remain undischarged or
unbonded for 60 days; or (g) a default resulting in the acceleration of
indebtedness of the Company or Consumers in excess of $25,000,000, which
acceleration has not been rescinded or annulled within 10 days after written
notice of such default as provided in the Senior Debt Indenture.
If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, either the
Indenture Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal
amount of the Notes then outstanding may declare the principal amount of the
Notes and interest thereon to be due and payable immediately.
Upon certain conditions, any such declaration may be rescinded and annulled
if all Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of accelerated principal,
with respect to the Senior Debt Securities of all such affected series then
outstanding shall have been cured or waived as provided in the Senior Debt
Indenture by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Senior Debt Securities of the affected series then Outstanding.
The Senior Debt Indenture provides that the Indenture Trustee will be under
no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Senior Debt
Indenture at the request, order or direction of the Holders of the Notes, unless
such Holders shall have offered to the Indenture Trustee reasonable indemnity.
Subject to such provisions for indemnity and certain other limitations contained
in the Senior Debt Indenture, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Senior Debt Securities of each affected series then outstanding
(voting as one class) will have the right to direct the time, method and place
of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Indenture Trustee,
or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Indenture Trustee, with
respect to the Senior Debt Securities of such affected series.
The Senior Debt Indenture provides that no holder of Senior Debt
Securities, including any Holder of Notes, may institute any action against the
Company under the Senior Debt Indenture (except actions for payment of overdue
principal, Applicable Premium or interest) unless such holder previously shall
have given to the Indenture Trustee written notice of default and continuance
thereof and unless the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal
amount of Senior Debt Securities of each affected series then outstanding
(voting as one class) shall have requested the Indenture Trustee to institute
such action and shall have offered the Indenture Trustee reasonable indemnity,
the Indenture Trustee shall not have instituted such action within 60 days of
such request and the Indenture Trustee shall not have received direction
inconsistent with such request by the Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Senior Debt Securities of each affected series then
outstanding (voting as one class).
The Senior Debt Indenture requires the Company to furnish to the Indenture
Trustee annually a statement as to the Company's compliance with all conditions
and covenants under the Senior Debt Indenture. The Senior Debt Indenture
provides that the Indenture Trustee may withhold notice to the Holders of the
Notes of any default (except defaults as to payment of principal, premium or
interest on the Notes) if it considers such withholding to be in the best
interests of the Holders thereof.
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Governing Law
The Senior Debt Indenture will be governed by, and construed in accordance
with, the laws of the State of Michigan.
Concerning the Indenture Trustee
NBD Bank, the Indenture Trustee under the Senior Debt Indenture, is one of
a number of banks with which the Company and its subsidiaries maintain ordinary
banking relationships, including credit facilities.
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
This summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended to
the date hereof, revenue rulings, judicial decisions and existing and proposed
Treasury regulations, including final regulations concerning the tax treatment
of debt instruments issued with original issue discount (the "OID Regulations"),
changes to any of which subsequent to the date of the Prospectus may affect the
tax consequences described herein.
This summary discusses only Certificates held by Certificateholders as
capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code. It does not
discuss all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to a Certificateholder
in light of its particular circumstances or to Certificateholders subject to
special rules, such as certain financial institutions, insurance companies,
dealers or Certificateholders holding the Certificates as part of a hedging
transaction or straddle. In all cases, prospective investors are advised to
consult their own tax advisors regarding the federal tax consequences to them of
holding, owning and disposing of Certificates, including the advisability of
making any of the elections described below, as well as any tax consequences
arising under the law of any other taxing jurisdiction. The Pass-Through Trust
will be provided with an opinion of Shearman & Sterling, special federal income
tax counsel to the Pass-Through Trust ("Federal Tax Counsel") regarding certain
federal income tax matters discussed below. An opinion of counsel, however, is
not binding on the IRS or the courts. The Pass-Through Trust has not sought, nor
does it intend to seek, a ruling from the IRS that its positions, as reflected
in the discussion below, will be accepted by the IRS. Moreover, there are no
cases or IRS rulings on similar transactions and, as a result, there can be no
assurance that the IRS will agree with the conclusions and discussion below.
For purposes of this discussion "U.S. Person" means an individual who, for
federal income tax purposes, is a citizen or resident of the United States or a
corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in or under the
laws of the United States, or any state thereof (other than a partnership that
is not treated as a United States Person under any applicable Treasury
regulations), an estate that is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of
the source of its income, or a trust if a court within the United States is able
to exercise primary supervision of the administration of the trust and one or
more U.S. Persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the
trust. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, to the extent provided in
Treasury regulations, certain trusts in existence on August 20, 1996, and
treated as U.S. Persons prior to such date, that elect to continue to be treated
as U.S. Persons, also will be a U.S. Person. "U.S. Owner" means a
Certificateholder that is a U.S. Person and "Non-U.S. Owner" means a
Certificateholder that is not a U.S. Person.
CLASSIFICATION OF INVESTMENT ARRANGEMENT
The Pass-Through Trust will be classified as a grantor trust and not as an
association (or publicly traded partnership) taxable as a corporation for
federal income tax purposes.
INCOME OF HOLDERS
In General
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, while the characterization of the
transaction is not without doubt, Federal Tax Counsel believes that the
Certificates represent ownership of a debt instrument issued by the
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Company through the Pass-Through Trust (the "Debt Instrument"). The Debt
Instrument will have an absolute maturity corresponding to the Final
Distribution Date, but will otherwise have the characteristics of the Notes,
including the principal amount of and interest rate payable on the Notes. The
Debt Instrument will not contain any of the rights associated with the ISDA
Master Agreement because the Certificateholders will have no interest in the
ISDA Master Agreement. The Certificateholders will agree by their purchase of
the Certificates to treat the Certificates in this manner.
U.S. Owners
Each U.S. Owner will be required to report on its federal income tax return
its pro rata share of the income from the Debt Instrument, including interest
income at the interest rate on the Debt Instrument, in accordance with its
method of accounting.
Original Issue Discount. The initial Certificateholders will purchase the
Debt Instrument at a discount below its principal amount. As provided in the
Code and the OID Regulations, the excess of the "stated redemption price" of the
Debt Instrument (i.e., its principal amount) over its "issue price" (defined as
the initial offering price to the public, excluding bond houses and brokers, at
which a substantial amount of the offering is sold) will be original issue
discount if such excess equals or exceeds a de minimis amount (i.e., one-quarter
of one percent of such Debt Instrument's stated redemption price multiplied by
the number of complete years to its maturity). A Debt Instrument having more
than a de minimis amount of original issue discount is referred to herein as an
"OID Debt Instrument." A U.S. Owner of a Debt Instrument with a de minimis
amount of original issue discount will include any de minimis original issue
discount in income, as capital gain, when the principal payment is made on the
Debt Instrument.
U.S. Owners are required to include original issue discount in income as it
accrues, which may be before the receipt of the cash attributable to such
income, based on a compounding of interest at a constant rate (using the
original yield to maturity of the Debt Instrument). Under these rules, U.S.
Owners generally must include in income increasingly greater amounts of original
issue discount in successive accrual periods. The OID Regulations permit U.S.
Owners to use accrual periods of any length up to one year (including daily
accrual periods) to compute accruals of original issue discount, provided each
scheduled payment of principal or interest occurs either on the first or the
last day of an accrual period.
Acquisition Premium and Market Discount. In the event that a U.S. Owner
purchases an OID Debt Instrument at an acquisition premium (i.e., at a price in
excess of its "adjusted issue price" but less than its stated redemption price),
the amount includible in income in each taxable year as original issue discount
is reduced by that portion of the excess properly allocable to such year. The
adjusted issue price is defined as the sum of the issue price of the Debt
Instrument and the aggregate amount of previously accrued original issue
discount, less any prior payments of amounts included in its stated redemption
price. Acquisition premium is allocated on a pro rata basis to each accrual of
original issue discount, so that the U.S. Owner is allowed to reduce each
accrual of original issue discount by a constant fraction.
A U.S. Owner that purchases at a "market discount" (i.e., at a price less
than the stated redemption price or, in the case of an OID Debt Instrument, the
adjusted issue price) will be required (unless such difference is less than a de
minimis amount) to treat any principal payments on, or any gain realized upon
the disposition or retirement of, the Debt Instrument as interest income to the
extent of the market discount that accrued while such U.S. Owner held such Debt
Instrument, unless the U.S. Owner elects to include such market discount in
income on a current basis. Market discount is considered to be de minimis if it
is less than one-quarter of one percent of such Debt Instrument's stated
redemption price multiplied by the number of complete years to maturity after
the U.S. Owner acquired the Certificate. If the Debt Instrument has more than a
de minimis amount of market discount and is disposed of in a nontaxable
transaction (other than a nonrecognition transaction described in Section
1276(d) of the Code), accrued market discount will be includible as ordinary
income to the U.S. Owner as if such U.S. Owner had sold the Debt Instrument at
its then fair market value. A U.S. Owner that acquired at a market discount and
that does not elect to include market discount in income on a current basis also
may be required to defer the deduction for a portion of the interest expense on
any
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<PAGE> 41
indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry the Debt Instrument
until the deferred income is realized.
Premium. A U.S. Owner that purchases for an amount in excess of the
principal amount will be treated as having premium with respect to the Debt
Instrument in the amount of such excess. A U.S. Owner that purchases an OID Debt
Instrument at a premium is not required to include in income any original issue
discount with respect to such Debt Instrument. If a U.S. Owner makes an election
under Section 171 of the Code to treat such premium as "amortizable bond
premium," the amount of interest that must be included in such U.S. Owner's
income for such accrual period will be reduced by the portion of the premium
allocable to such period based on the Debt Instrument's yield to maturity. The
U.S. Owner may not assume that the call will be exercised and must amortize
premium to the maturity date. If the Debt Instrument is in fact called, any
unamortized premium may be deducted in the year of the call. If a U.S. Owner
makes the election under Section 171, the election also shall apply to all bonds
the interest on which is not excludible from gross income ("Fully Taxable
Bonds") held by the U.S. Owner at the beginning of the first taxable year to
which the election applies and to all such Fully Taxable Bonds thereafter
acquired by it, and is irrevocable without the consent of the IRS. If such an
election is not made, such a U.S. Owner must include the full amount of each
interest payment in income in accordance with its regular method of accounting
and will receive a tax benefit from the premium only in computing its gain or
loss upon the sale or other disposition or retirement of the Debt Instrument.
Accrual Method Election. Under the OID Regulations, a U.S. Owner is
permitted to elect to include in gross income its entire return on the Debt
Instrument (i.e., the excess of all remaining payments to be received on the
Debt Instrument over the amount paid for the Debt Instrument by such U.S. Owner)
based on the compounding of interest at a constant rate. Such an election for a
Debt Instrument with amortizable bond premium (or market discount) will result
in a deemed election for all of the U.S. Owner's debt instruments with
amortizable bond premium (or market discount) and may be revoked only with
permission of the IRS.
Disposition or Retirement of the Debt Instrument. Upon the sale, exchange
or other disposition of the Debt Instrument, or upon the retirement of the Debt
Instrument, a U.S. Owner will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference, if
any, between the amount realized upon the disposition or retirement (including
any call premium) and the U.S. Owner's tax basis in the Debt Instrument. A U.S.
Owner's tax basis for determining gain or loss on the disposition or retirement
of the Debt Instrument will be the cost of the Debt Instrument to such U.S.
Owner, increased by the amount of original issue discount and any market
discount includible in such U.S. Owner's gross income with respect to the Debt
Instrument, and decreased by the amount of any payments under the Debt
Instrument that are part of its stated redemption price and by the portion of
any premium applied to reduce interest payments as described above.
Gain or loss upon the disposition or retirement of the Debt Instrument will
be capital gain or loss, except to the extent the gain represents accrued stated
interest, original issue discount or market discount on the Debt Instrument not
previously included in gross income, to which extent such gain or loss would be
treated as ordinary income. Any capital gain or loss will be long-term capital
gain or loss if at the time of disposition or retirement the Debt Instrument has
been held for more than one year.
Depending on the circumstances, it is possible that a modification of the
terms of the Debt Instrument, including a substitution of other assets for the
Debt Instrument following a default on the Debt Instrument, would be a taxable
event to Certificateholders on which they would recognize gain or loss.
Moreover, a defeasance or discharge of the Company's obligation as a result of a
deposit of money or securities with the Indenture Trustee would be treated as an
exchange of the Debt Instrument for other property. Accordingly,
Certificateholders may be required to recognize gain or loss for federal income
tax purposes upon such exchange. In addition, such Certificateholders thereafter
may be required to recognize income from such property which could be different
from the amount that would be includible in the absence of such deposit.
Alternative Characterizations. Although Federal Tax Counsel believes that
such treatment would be inappropriate, under one possible characterization, the
Company would be treated as issuing a contingent payment debt instrument to the
Pass-Through Trust with the following terms: (i) a principal amount equal to
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the principal amount of the Notes, (ii) noncontingent interest payments at the
rate of interest payable on the Notes and a contingent interest payment in an
amount equal to the amount due under the ISDA Master Agreement and (iii) an
absolute maturity corresponding to the Final Distribution Date. Under this
characterization, the Certificateholders would be treated as owning the
noncontingent portion of such debt instrument, which portion would be treated as
a "stripped" debt instrument under Section 1286 of the Code. The
Certificateholders would not be taxed on the contingent portion of the debt
instrument corresponding to the amount due under the ISDA Master Agreement,
which would be owned by and taxed to MSCS. In the case of an initial
Certificateholder, characterization of the Certificates as ownership of a
stripped debt instrument generally would not alter the tax consequences set
forth above. A subsequent Certificateholder would be treated under this
characterization as purchasing a newly-issued debt instrument, rather than as
purchasing an existing debt instrument. Consequently, any discount that would be
treated as market discount with respect to an existing debt instrument for a
subsequent Certificateholder would instead be treated as original issue
discount. As described under "Original Issue Discount" and "Acquisition Premium
and Market Discount" above, a Certificateholder must accrue original issue
discount currently, whereas market discount is accrued currently only at the
election of the Certificateholder. There may also be other differences in the
tax treatment of Certificates to a subsequent Certificateholder under this
characterization.
Under another alternative characterization, although contrary to the form
of the transaction, the Company could be treated as issuing a contingent payment
debt instrument maturing on , 2012, to the Pass-Through Trust, in
which case the Certificateholders would be treated as owning such debt
instrument and as having written a call option on such debt instrument to MSCS.
Pursuant to the call option, MSCS would be considered to have the right to
purchase the contingent payment debt instrument from the Pass-Through Trust at
100% of its principal amount on the Final Distribution Date. The contingent
payment debt instrument under this characterization would be treated as having a
principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Notes and as bearing
interest at the rate of interest payable on the Notes from the issue date
through the Final Distribution Date and at a different fixed rate of interest,
determined based on circumstances as of the Final Distribution Date, from the
Final Distribution Date through , 2012. The debt instrument also would
be treated as containing a put option that provides the Pass-Through Trust with
the right to require the Company to retire the debt instrument at 100% of its
principal amount on the Final Distribution Date. The Trustee would be deemed to
exercise the put option if MSCS does not exercise the call option. Under this
characterization, each Certificateholder would be required to allocate its
purchase price between, and separately account for, the call option and the
contingent payment debt instrument. In this regard, the income from the debt
instrument would be determined in accordance with a projected payment schedule
determined under certain Treasury regulations governing contingent payment debt
instruments. Federal Tax Counsel does not believe the characterization described
in this paragraph is an appropriate characterization of the transaction,
however, and therefore will not provide the Certificateholders with a projected
payment schedule.
Investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the alternative
characterizations set forth above.
Non-U.S. Owners
Interest. Interest (including original issue discount) on a Debt Instrument
of a Non-U.S. Owner will be subject to a 30 percent federal income and
withholding tax, unless an exemption is established. Under such certification
requirements, the Certificateholder must certify, under penalties of perjury,
that it is not a "United States person" and is the beneficial owner of the
Certificates, and must provide its name and address.
Disposition or Retirement of the Debt Instrument. A Non-U.S. Owner that
does not have certain present or former connections with the United States
(e.g., holding such Non-U.S. Owner's Debt Instrument in connection with the
conduct of a trade or business within the United States or being present in the
United States for 183 days or more during a taxable year) generally will not be
subject to federal income tax, and no withholding of such tax will be required,
with respect to any gain realized upon the disposition or retirement of the Debt
Instrument.
41
<PAGE> 43
Backup Withholding
Payments made on the Debt Instrument and proceeds from the sale of the Debt
Instrument will not be subject to a "backup" withholding tax of 31 percent
unless, in general, the Certificateholder fails to comply with certain reporting
procedures and is not an exempt recipient under applicable provisions of the
Code.
New Withholding Regulations
The Treasury Department has issued new regulations which make certain
modifications to the withholding, backup withholding and information reporting
rules. The new regulations generally are effective for payments made after
December 31, 1998. Investors should consult their tax advisors regarding such
regulations.
THE FEDERAL TAX DISCUSSION SET FORTH ABOVE IS INCLUDED FOR GENERAL
INFORMATION ONLY AND MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE DEPENDING UPON A CERTIFICATEHOLDER'S
PARTICULAR SITUATION. CERTIFICATEHOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS
WITH RESPECT TO THE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF
THE CERTIFICATES, INCLUDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES UNDER THE TAX LAWS OF THE
UNITED STATES, STATES, LOCALITIES, COUNTRIES OTHER THAN THE UNITED STATES AND
ANY OTHER TAXING JURISDICTIONS AND THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN SUCH TAX
LAWS.
STATE AND LOCAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS
In addition to the federal income tax consequences described in "Certain
Federal Income Tax Considerations," potential investors should consider the
state and local income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and
disposition of the Certificates. State and local income tax law may differ
substantially from the corresponding federal law, and this discussion does not
purport to describe any aspect of the income tax laws of any state or locality.
Therefore, potential investors should consult their own tax advisors with
respect to the various state and local tax consequences of an investment in the
Certificates.
42
<PAGE> 44
ERISA CONSIDERATIONS
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the
Code, impose certain restrictions on (a) employee benefit plans (as defined in
Section 3(3) of ERISA) that are subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) plans described
in Section 4975(e)(1) of the Code that are subject to Section 4975 of the Code,
including individual retirement accounts or Keogh plans, (c) any entities whose
underlying assets include "plan assets" under the Plan Asset Regulation (as
defined below) (each a "Plan") and (d) persons who have certain specified
relationships to such Plans ("Parties-in-Interest" under ERISA and "Disqualified
Persons" under the Code). Moreover, based on the reasoning of the United States
Supreme Court in John Hancock Life Ins. Co. v. Harris Trust and Sav. Bank, 114
S. Ct. 517 (1993), an insurance company's general account may be deemed to
include assets of the Plans investing in the general account (e.g.,through the
purchase of an annuity contract). ERISA also imposes certain duties on persons
who are fiduciaries of Plans subject to ERISA, and ERISA and Section 4975 of the
Code prohibit certain transactions between a Plan and Parties-in-Interest or
Disqualified Persons with respect to such Plan.
The Department of Labor has issued a regulation (29 C.F.R. Section
2510.3-101) concerning the definition of what constitutes the assets of a Plan
(the "Plan Asset Regulation"). The Plan Asset Regulation provides that, as a
general rule, the underlying assets and properties of corporations,
partnerships, trusts and certain other entities in which a Plan purchases an
"equity interest" will be deemed for purposes of ERISA and Section 4975 of the
Code to be assets of the investing Plan unless certain exceptions apply. It is
likely that the Certificates offered hereby would be treated as "equity
interests" for purposes of the Plan Asset Regulation. In addition, there can be
no assurance that any of the exceptions set forth in the Plan Asset Regulation
will apply to the purchase of the Certificates.
Under the terms of the Plan Asset Regulation, if the Pass-Through Trust
were deemed to hold Plan assets by reason of a Plan's investment in a
Certificate, such Plan assets would include an undivided interest in the Notes
and any other assets of the Trust that relate to such Certificate. In such
event, the persons providing services, or exercising any discretionary authority
or control, with respect to such assets may be subject to the fiduciary
responsibility provisions of Title I of ERISA and the prohibited transaction
provisions of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code with respect to transactions
involving such assets. In order to avoid certain prohibited transactions that
might otherwise arise in connection with the Pass-Through trust assets, each
investing Plan, by its purchase of Certificates, will be deemed to have directed
the Trustee to purchase the Notes and to have approved all of the documents
relating to the Notes. Moreover, the Certificateholders will have the right to
direct the Trustee as to the exercise of remedies in connection with any Event
of Default.
In addition, the Company, the Trustee and the Underwriter, because of their
activities or the activities of their respective affiliates, may be considered
to be Parties-in-Interest or Disqualified Persons with respect to certain Plans.
If the Certificates are acquired by a Plan with respect to which the Company,
the Trustee or the Underwriter is a Party-in-Interest or Disqualified Person,
such transaction could be deemed to be a direct or indirect violation of the
prohibited transaction rules of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code unless such
transaction were subject to one or more statutory or administrative exemptions
such as Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption ("PTCE") 90-1, which exempts
certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts; PTCE
91-38, which exempts certain transactions involving bank collective investment
funds; PTCE 84-14, which exempts certain transactions effected on behalf of a
Plan by a "qualified professional asset manager"; PTCE 95-60, which exempts
certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts; or PTCE
96-23, which exempts certain transactions effected on behalf of Plan by an "in-
house asset manager." Even if the conditions specified in one or more of these
exemptions are met, the scope of relief provided may not necessarily cover all
acts that might be construed as prohibited transactions.
Accordingly, each purchaser of Certificates will, by its purchase, be
deemed to have represented and warranted that either (i) no part of the assets
to be used by it to purchase and hold such Certificates constitutes the assets
of any Plan, or (ii) one or more prohibited transaction statutory or
administrative exemptions applies such that the use of such Plan assets to
purchase and hold such Certificates will not constitute a non-exempt prohibited
transaction within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the
Code. See "Transfer Restrictions."
43
<PAGE> 45
It should also be noted that the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996
added new Section 401(c) of ERISA relating to the status of the assets of
insurance company general accounts under ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code.
Pursuant to Section 401(c), the Department of Labor is required to issue final
regulations (the "General Account Regulations") not later than December 31, 1997
with respect to insurance policies issued on or before December 31, 1998 that
are supported by an insurer's general account. The General Account Regulations
are to provide guidance on which assets held by the insurer constitute "plan
assets" for purposes of the fiduciary responsibility provisions of ERISA and
Section 4975 of the Code. Section 401(c) also provides that, except in the case
of avoidance of the General Account Regulation and actions brought by the
Secretary of Labor relating to certain breaches of fiduciary duties that also
constitute breaches of state or federal criminal law, until the date that is 18
months after the General Account Regulations become final, no liability under
the fiduciary responsibility and prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA and
Section 4975 of the Code may result on the basis of a claim that the assets of
the general account of an insurance company constitute the assets of any such
Plan. The Plan asset status of insurance company separate accounts is unaffected
by new Section 401(c) of ERISA, and separate account assets continue to
generally be treated as the assets of any such Plan invested in such separate
account.
Prior to making an investment in the Certificates, prospective Plan
investors should consult with their legal advisers concerning the impact of
ERISA and the Code and the potential consequences of such investment with
respect to their specific circumstances. Moreover, each Plan fiduciary should
take into account, among other considerations, whether the fiduciary has the
authority to make the investment; whether the investment would constitute a
direct or indirect transaction with a Party-in-Interest or Disqualified Person;
and whether under the general fiduciary standards of investment prudence and
diversification, an investment in the Certificates is appropriate for the Plan,
taking into account the overall investment policy of the Plan and the
composition of the Plan's investment portfolio.
44
<PAGE> 46
UNDERWRITER
Subject to the terms and conditions contained in a Underwriting Agreement
dated , 199 (the "Underwriting Agreement") between the Company and
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated (the "Underwriter"), the Underwriter has
agreed to purchase from the Pass-Through Trust $150,000,000 aggregate principal
amount of the Certificates. The Underwriter will earn a commission of $ ,
which constitutes % of the principal amount of the Certificates.
The Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligation of the Underwriter
to pay for and accept delivery of the Certificates is subject to approval of
certain legal matters by its counsel and to certain other conditions. The
Underwriter is obligated to take and pay for all of the Certificates if any are
taken.
The Underwriting Agreement provides that the Company and the Underwriter
will indemnify each other against certain liabilities, including liabilities
under the Securities Act, and will contribute to payments the other may be
required to make in respect thereof. Subject to certain conditions, the Company
has also agreed to indemnify the Trustee against certain civil liabilities.
The Underwriter has advised the Pass-Through Trust and the Company that it
intends to offer part of the Certificates at the offering price set forth on the
cover page of this Prospectus directly to Qualified Institutional Buyers and to
Accredited Institutional Investors and part to certain dealers at prices that
represent concessions not to exceed % of the principal amount of the
Certificates. The Underwriter may allow, and such dealers may reallow,
concessions not to exceed % of the principal amount of the Certificates to
certain other dealers. After the initial offering of the Certificates, the
offering price and other selling terms may from time to time be varied by the
Underwriter.
In order to facilitate the offering of the Certificates, the Underwriter
may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the
price of the Certificates. Specifically, the Underwriter may overallot in
connection with the Offering, creating a short position in the Certificates for
its own account. In addition, to cover overallotments or to stabilize the price
of the Certificates, the Underwriter may bid for, and purchase, the Certificates
in the open market. Finally, the Underwriter may reclaim selling concessions
allowed to an agent or a dealer for distributing the Certificates in the
Offering if the Underwriter repurchases previously distributed Certificates in
transactions to cover the short positions, in stabilization transactions or
otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of
the Certificates above independent market levels. The Underwriter is not
required to engage in these activities, and may end any of these activities at
any time.
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and certain of its affiliates have
provided, and may continue to provide, investment banking services to the
Company. MSCS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, Dean Witter,
Discover & Co. and an affiliate of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated.
45
<PAGE> 47
TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS
In order to qualify for the exemption from the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended, afforded by Rule 3a-7 of the Commission thereunder, the
Certificates are being offered and sold, and may be resold, in minimum
denominations of $250,000 only (i) to "qualified institutional buyers" (as
defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act) and (ii) to a limited number of
other institutional "accredited investors" (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2),
(3) or (7) under the Securities Act) ("Institutional Accredited Investors"). In
addition, as a further measure to ensure that resales will be made subject to
such limitations, the Company and the Trustee have sent an "important notice" to
DTC for retransmission to each of its participants, to the effect that sales and
resales of Certificates may only be made to Qualified Institutional Buyers and
Institutional Accredited Investors.
Accordingly, by its purchase of Certificates, each purchaser of
Certificates will be deemed to:
1. represent that it is purchasing the Certificates for its own
account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment
discretion and that it and any such account is (i) a Qualified
Institutional Buyer or (ii) an Institutional Accredited Investor;
2. agree that, if it should resell or otherwise transfer any of the
Certificates, it will do so only (i) to the Company, (ii) to a Qualified
Institutional Buyer or (iii) to an Institutional Accredited Investor;
3. agree that it will deliver to each person to whom it transfers
Certificates notice of the restrictions on transfer of such Certificates;
4. understand that the Certificates will bear a legend to the
following effect unless otherwise agreed by the Company and the Holder
hereof:
THIS CERTIFICATE MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THE
FOLLOWING SENTENCE. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE CERTIFICATEHOLDER (1)
REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" (AS DEFINED IN
RULE 144A UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE
"SECURITIES ACT")) OR (B) IT IS AN INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED INVESTOR" (AS
DEFINED IN RULE 501(a)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF REGULATION D UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT) (AN "INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR"), (2) AGREES THAT
IT WILL NOT RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS CERTIFICATE EXCEPT (A) TO THE
COMPANY, (B) TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER, OR (C) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL
ACCREDITED INVESTOR, AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO
WHOM THIS CERTIFICATE IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT
OF THIS LEGEND;
5. agree that if it should resell or otherwise transfer any of the
Certificates, it will do so only in minimum denominations of $250,000; and
6. represent that either (i) no part of the assets to be used by it to
purchase and hold the Certificates constitutes the assets of any Plan or
(ii) one or more prohibited transaction statutory or administrative
exemptions applies such that the use of such Plan assets to purchase and
hold such Certificates will not constitute a non-exempt prohibited
transaction within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of
the Code.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters with respect to the Certificates and the Notes will
be passed upon for CMS Energy by Michael D. VanHemert, Assistant General Counsel
for CMS Energy. The validity of the Certificates will be passed upon by Shearman
& Sterling and certain other legal matters will be passed upon by Reid & Priest
LLP, both of which are acting as counsel for the Underwriter. Certain matters of
Delaware law relating to the validity of the Certificates offered hereby will be
passed upon for the Pass-Through Trust by Richards, Layton & Finger, special
Delaware counsel to the Pass-Through Trust. Michael D. VanHemert and Shearman &
46
<PAGE> 48
Sterling will rely on the opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger as to matters
relating to the validity of the Certificates under the Trust Agreement. Reid &
Priest LLP provides legal services to an affiliate of CMS Energy and has, from
time to time, provided legal services to CMS Energy.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements and schedules of CMS Energy as of
December 31, 1996 and 1995, and for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1996 incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, have been
audited by Arthur Andersen LLP (formerly Arthur Andersen & Co.), independent
public accountants, as indicated in their reports with respect thereto, and are
included herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in
accounting and auditing in giving said reports.
With respect to the unaudited interim consolidated financial information
for the periods ended March 31, June 30, and September 30, 1996 and 1997, Arthur
Andersen LLP has applied limited procedures in accordance with professional
standards for a review of such information. However, their separate reports
thereon state that they did not audit and they did not express an opinion on
that interim consolidated financial information. Accordingly, the degree of
reliance on their reports on that information should be restricted in light of
the limited nature of the review procedures applied. In addition, the accounts
are not subject to the liability provisions of Section 11 of the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended ("Securities Act"), for their reports on the unaudited
interim consolidated financial information because these reports are not
"reports" or "part" of the registration statement prepared or certified by the
accountants within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Securities Act.
Future consolidated financial statements of CMS Energy and the reports
thereon of Arthur Andersen LLP also will be incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus in reliance upon the authority of that firm as experts in giving
those reports to the extent that said firm has audited said consolidated
financial statements and consented to the use of their reports thereon.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Pass-Through Trust has not been, and it is expected that it will not
be, required to file reports with the Commission or to deliver an annual report
to Certificateholders pursuant to the Exchange Act.
The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange
Act and, in accordance therewith, files reports, proxy statements and other
information with the Commission. Reports, proxy statements and other information
filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to the informational
requirements of the Exchange Act may be inspected and copied at the public
reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Room 1024, Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's regional offices
located at Seven World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048; and
Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street (Suite 1400), Chicago, Illinois 60661;
and copies of such material may be obtained from the Public Reference Section of
the Commission, Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates, or through the
World Wide Web (http://www.sec.gov). The outstanding shares of CMS Energy common
stock are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and reports, proxy statements
and other information concerning CMS Energy may also be inspected and copied at
the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New
York 10005.
47
<PAGE> 49
[CMS ENERGY LOGO]
<PAGE> 50
PART II. INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT
------
<S> <C> <C>
Filing fee -- Securities and Exchange Commission............ $ 44,250
Rating Agency fees.......................................... * 100,000
Trustees expenses........................................... 6,500
Printing and Engraving...................................... * 75,000
Services of counsel......................................... * 15,000
Services of independent public accountants, Arthur Andersen
LLP....................................................... * 5,000
Blue Sky fees and expenses.................................. * 12,000
Miscellaneous............................................... * 15,500
--- -------
Total..................................................... $ 273,250
=== =======
</TABLE>
- -------------------------
* Estimated
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
The following resolution was adopted by the Board of Directors of CMS
Energy on May 6, 1987:
RESOLVED: That effective March 1, 1987 the Corporation shall indemnify to
the full extent permitted by law every person (including the estate, heirs and
legal representatives of such person in the event of the decease, incompetency,
insolvency or bankruptcy of such person) who is or was a director, officer,
partner, trustee, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at
the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee,
employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or
other enterprise, against all liability, costs, expenses, including attorneys'
fees, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement, incurred by or
imposed upon the person in connection with or resulting from any claim or any
threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding whether civil,
criminal, administrative, investigative or of whatever nature, arising from the
person's service or capacity as, or by reason of the fact that the person is or
was, a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of the Corporation
or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer,
partner, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise. Such right of indemnification shall not be
deemed exclusive of any other rights to which the person may be entitled under
statute, bylaw, agreement, vote of shareholders or otherwise.
CMS Energy's Bylaws provide:
The Corporation may purchase and maintain liability insurance, to the full
extent permitted by law, on behalf of any person who is or was a director,
officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the
request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any
liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such
capacity.
Article VIII of the Articles of Incorporation reads:
A director shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its
shareholders for monetary damages for breach of duty as a director except (i)
for a breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its
shareholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) for a violation of
Section 551(l) of the Michigan Business Corporation Act, and (iv) any action
from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. No amendment to or
repeal of this Article VIII, and no modification to its provisions by law, shall
apply to, or have any effect upon, the liability or alleged liability of any
director of the Corporation for or with respect to any acts or omissions of such
director occurring prior to such amendment, repeal or modification.
II-1
<PAGE> 51
Article IX of the Articles of Incorporation reads:
Each director and each officer of the Corporation shall be indemnified by
the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by law against expenses
(including attorneys' fees), judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in
settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with the
defense of any proceeding in which he or she was or is a party or is threatened
to be made a party by reason of being or having been a director or an officer of
the Corporation. Such right of indemnification is not exclusive of any other
rights to which such director or officer may be entitled under any now or
thereafter existing statute, any other provision of these Articles, bylaw,
agreement, vote of shareholders or otherwise. If the Business Corporation Act of
the State of Michigan is amended after approval by the shareholders of this
Article IX to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the
personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the
Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by
the Business Corporation Act of the State of Michigan, as so amended. Any repeal
or modification of this Article IX by the shareholders of the Corporation shall
not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation
existing at the time of such repeal or modification.
Sections 561 through 571 of the Michigan Business Corporation Act provides
CMS Energy with the power to indemnify directors, officers, employees and agents
against certain expenses and payments, and to purchase and maintain insurance on
behalf of directors, officers, employees and agents.
Officers and directors are covered within specified monetary limits by
insurance against certain losses arising from claims made by reason of their
being directors or officers of CMS Energy or of CMS Energy's subsidiaries and
CMS Energy's officers and directors are indemnified against such losses by
reason of their being or having been directors of officers or another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise at CMS
Energy's request. In addition, CMS Energy has indemnified each of its present
directors by contracts that contain affirmative provisions essentially similar
to those in sections 561 through 571 of the Michigan Business Corporation Act
cited above.
The Trust Agreement of the Trust provides that to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless the
Trustee from and against any loss, damage, claim, liability, penalty or
reasonable expense incurred without negligence, bad faith or wilful misconduct
on its part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or
administration of the Trust Agreement, including the reasonable costs and legal
fees of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the
exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties under the Trust
Agreement, except any such cost or expense as may be attributable to the
Trustee's negligence, bad faith or wilful misconduct.
ITEM 16. EXHIBIT.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
(1) -- Form of Underwriting Agreement with respect to the
Certificates
*(4)(a) -- Indenture dated as of September 15, 1992 between CMS Energy
Corporation and NBD Bank, as Trustee. (Designated in CMS
Energy's Form S-3 Registration Statement filed May 1, 1992,
File No 33-47629, as Exhibit (4)(a).)
First Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 1, 1992
between CMS Energy Corporation and NBD Bank, as Trustee.
(Designated in CMS Energy's Form 8-K dated October 1, 1992,
File No 1-9513, as Exhibit (4).)
Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 1, 1992
between CMS Energy Corporation and NBD Bank, as Trustee.
(Designated in CMS Energy's Form 8-K dated October 1, 1992,
File No. 1-9513, as Exhibit 4(a).)
Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 6, 1997 between
CMS Energy Corporation and NBD Bank, as Trustee. (Designated
in CMS Energy's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31,
1997, File No. 1-9513, as Exhibit (4).)
</TABLE>
II-2
<PAGE> 52
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 26, 1997
between CMS Energy Corporation and NBD Bank, as Trustee.
(Designated in CMS Energy's Form S-3 Registration Statement
filed October 6, 1997, File No. 333-37241, as Exhibit
(4)(a).)
Fifth Supplemental Indenture dated as of November 4, 1997
between CMS Energy Corporation and NBD Bank, as Trustee.
(Designated in CMS Energy's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
September 30, 1997, File No. 1-9513, as Exhibit (4)(b).)
(4)(b) -- Form of Sixth Supplemental Indenture to be entered into
between CMS Energy Corporation and NBD Bank, as trustee, in
connection with the Extendible Tenor Rate-Adjusted
Securities.
*(4)(c) -- Credit Agreement dated as of July 21, 1997, among CMS Energy
Corporation, the Banks, the Administrative Agent, the
Collateral Agent, the Documentation Agent, the Syndication
Agent, the Co-Agents and the Lead Manager, all as defined
therein, and the Exhibits thereto. (Designated in CMS
Energy's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1997, File
No. 1-9513, as Exhibit (4).)
(4)(d) -- Certificate of Trust of CMS Energy X-TRAS(SM) Pass-through
Trust I.
(4)(e) -- Form of Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of CMS Energy
X-TRAS(SM) Pass-Through Trust I.
*(4)(f) -- Restated Articles of Incorporation of CMS Energy.
(Designated in CMS Energy's Form S-4 dated June 6, 1995,
File No. 33-60007, as Exhibit 3(c).)
*(4)(g) -- By-Laws of CMS Energy. (Designated in CMS Energy's From 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1994, File No. 1-9513, as
Exhibit 3(c).)
(4)(h) -- Form of Pass-Through Certificate (included in (4)(f)).
(4)(i) -- Form of Extendible Tenor Rate-Adjusted Security (included in
(4)(b)).
(5)(a) -- Opinion of Michael D. VanHemert, Assistant General Counsel
for CMS Energy.
(5)(b) -- Opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger regarding the legality
of the Certificates.
(8) -- Opinion of Shearman & Sterling regarding tax matters.
(12) -- Statement re: computation of ratios of earnings to fixed
charges.
(15) -- Letter regarding unaudited interim financial information.
(23)(a) -- Consent of Michael D. VanHemert, Assistant General Counsel
for CMS Energy (included in Exhibit (5)(a) above).
(23)(b) -- Consent of Richards, Layton & Finger (included in Exhibit
(5)(b) above).
(23)(c) -- Consent of Shearman & Sterling (included in Exhibit (8)
above).
(23)(d) -- Consent of Arthur Anderson LLP.
(24) -- Powers of Attorney of Directors whose names are signed to
this registration statement pursuant to such powers.
*(25) -- Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of NBD Bank
(Trustee under the Supplemental Indenture). (Designated in
CMS Energy's Form S-3 dated December 5, 1996, File No.
333-17289, as Exhibit (25)(a).)
</TABLE>
- -------------------------
* Previously filed
Exhibits listed above which have been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission are incorporated herein by reference with the same effect as
if filed with this Registration Statement.
II-3
<PAGE> 53
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.
The undersigned registrants hereby undertake:
(1) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities
Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to section
13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is
incorporated by reference in this registration statement shall be deemed to be a
new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
(2) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the registrant pursuant to the provisions described under Item 15 above, or
otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities
and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that as
claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by
the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person
in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless
in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
(3) That (i) for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities
Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part
of this Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a
form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b) (1) or (4) or
497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this Registration
Statement as of the time it was declared effective; and (ii) for the purpose of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective
amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
II-4
<PAGE> 54
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, CMS Energy
Corporation certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Dearborn, and State of Michigan, on the 3rd day
of December, 1997.
CMS ENERGY CORPORATION
By: /s/ A. M. WRIGHT
------------------------------------
Alan M. Wright
Senior Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and
Treasurer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in their
respective capacities as officers and/or directors of CMS Energy Corporation and
on the dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME TITLE DATE
---- ----- ----
<C> <S> <C>
(i) Principal executive officer
/s/ WILLIAM T. MCCORMICK, JR. Chairman of the Board, Chief
- --------------------------------------- Executive Officer and Director
(William T. McCormick, Jr.) December 3, 1997
(ii) Principal financial officer
/s/ A. M. WRIGHT Senior Vice President, Chief
- --------------------------------------- Financial Officer and Treasurer
(Alan M. Wright) December 3, 1997
(iii) Controller or principal account officer
/s/ P. D. HOPPER Senior Vice President, Controller
- --------------------------------------- and Chief Accounting Officer
(Preston D. Hopper) December 3, 1997
* Director
- ---------------------------------------
(John M. Deutch) December 3, 1997
* Director
- ---------------------------------------
(James J. Duderstadt) December 3, 1997
Director
- ---------------------------------------
(Kathleen R. Flaherty) December 3, 1997
* Director
- ---------------------------------------
(Victor J. Fryling) December 3, 1997
* Director
- ---------------------------------------
(Earl D. Holton) December 3, 1997
</TABLE>
II-5
<PAGE> 55
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME TITLE DATE
---- ----- ----
<C> <S> <C>
* Director
- ---------------------------------------
(William U. Parfet) December 3, 1997
Director
- ---------------------------------------
(Percy A. Pierre) December 3, 1997
* Director
- ---------------------------------------
(Kenneth Whipple) December 3, 1997
* Director
- ---------------------------------------
(John B. Yasinsky) December 3, 1997
*By: /s/ A. M. WRIGHT
---------------------------------
(Alan M. Wright)
Attorney-in-fact
</TABLE>
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, CMS Energy
X-TRAS(SM) Pass-Through Trust I has duly caused this Registration Statement to
be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the
City of Dearborn, State of Michigan, on the 3rd day of December, 1997.
CMS ENERGY X-TRAS(SM) PASS-THROUGH
TRUST I
By: CMS Energy Corporation
By: /s/ A. M. WRIGHT
------------------------------------
Alan M. Wright
Senior Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and
Treasurer
II-6
<PAGE> 56
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
(1) -- Form of Underwriting Agreement with respect to the
Certificates
*(4)(a) -- Indenture dated as of September 15, 1992 between CMS Energy
Corporation and NBD Bank, as Trustee. (Designated in CMS
Energy's Form S-3 Registration Statement filed May 1, 1992,
File No 33-47629, as Exhibit (4)(a).)
First Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 1, 1992
between CMS Energy Corporation and NBD Bank, as Trustee.
(Designated in CMS Energy's Form 8-K dated October 1, 1992,
File No 1-9513, as Exhibit (4).)
Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 1, 1992
between CMS Energy Corporation and NBD Bank, as Trustee.
(Designated in CMS Energy's Form 8-K dated October 1, 1992,
File No. 1-9513, as Exhibit 4(a).)
Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 6, 1997 between
CMS Energy Corporation and NBD Bank, as Trustee. (Designated
in CMS Energy's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31,
1997, File No. 1-9513, as Exhibit (4).)
Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 26, 1997
between CMS Energy Corporation and NBD Bank, as Trustee.
(Designated in CMS Energy's Form S-3 Registration Statement
filed October 6, 1997, File No. 333-37241, as Exhibit
(4)(a).)
Fifth Supplemental Indenture dated as of November 4, 1997
between CMS Energy Corporation and NBD Bank, as Trustee.
(Designated in CMS Energy's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
September 30, 1997, File No. 1-9513, as Exhibit (4)(b).)
(4)(b) -- Form of Sixth Supplemental Indenture to be entered into
between CMS Energy Corporation and NBD Bank, as trustee, in
connection with the Extendible Tenor Rate-adjusted
Securities.
*(4)(c) -- Credit Agreement dated as of July 21, 1997, among CMS Energy
Corporation, the Banks, the Administrative Agent, the
Collateral Agent, the Documentation Agent, the Syndication
Agent, the Co-Agents and the Lead Manager, all as defined
therein, and the Exhibits thereto. (Designated in CMS
Energy's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1997, File
No. 1-9513, as Exhibit (4).)
(4)(d) -- Certificate of Trust of CMS Energy X-TRAS(SM) Pass-through
Trust I.
(4)(e) -- Form of Amended and Restated Pass-through Trust Agreement of
CMS Energy X-TRAS(SM) Pass-through Trust I.
*(4)(f) -- Restated Articles of Incorporation of CMS Energy.
(Designated in CMS Energy's Form S-4 dated June 6, 1995,
File No. 33-60007, as Exhibit 3(c).)
*(4)(g) -- By-Laws of CMS Energy. (Designated in CMS Energy's From 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1994, File No. 1-9513, as
Exhibit 3(c).)
(4)(h) -- Form of Pass-Through Certificate (included in (4)(f)).
(4)(i) -- Form of Extendible Tenor Rate-Adjusted Security (included in
(4)(b)).
(5)(a) -- Opinion of Michael D. VanHemert, Assistant General Counsel
for CMS Energy.
(5)(b) -- Opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger regarding the legality
of the Certificates.
(8) -- Opinion of Shearman & Sterling regarding tax matters.
(12) -- Statement re: computation of ratios of earnings to fixed
charges.
(15) -- Letter regarding unaudited interim financial information.
(23)(a) -- Consent of Michael D. VanHemert, Assistant General Counsel
for CMS Energy (included in Exhibit (5)(a) above).
(23)(b) -- Consent of Richards, Layton & Finger (included in Exhibit
(5)(b) above).
(23)(c) -- Consent of Shearman & Sterling (included in Exhibit (8)
above).
(23)(d) -- Consent of Arthur Anderson LLP.
(24) -- Powers of Attorney of Directors whose names are signed to
this registration statement pursuant to such powers.
*(25) -- Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of NBD Bank
(Trustee under the Supplemental Indenture). (Designated in
CMS Energy's Form S-3 dated December 5, 1996, File No.
333-17289, as Exhibit (25)(a).)
</TABLE>
- -------------------------
* Previously filed
Exhibits listed above which have been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission are incorporated herein by reference with the same effect as
if filed with this Registration Statement.
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit (1)
$150,000,000
CMS ENERGY CORPORATION
Pass-Through Certificates due , 2005
_____________________________________________
Underwriting Agreement
, 199_
To the Representatives named
in Schedule I hereto of the
Underwriters named in
Schedule II hereto
Ladies and Gentlemen:
CMS Energy Corporation, a Michigan corporation (the "Company"), proposes,
that Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee (the "Trustee") under the CMS Energy
X-TRAS Pass-Through Trust I (the "Pass-Through Trust"), subject to the terms
and conditions stated herein, issue and sell to the several Underwriters (as
defined in Section 14 hereof) its pass-through certificates to be in the
aggregate principal amount and to mature in the year specified in Schedule III
hereto (the "Certificates"), and hereby confirms its agreement with the
Underwriters as set forth herein.
The Certificates shall be issued pursuant to the Trust Agreement between
the Company and the Trustee, dated as of November 21, 1997 to be amended
and restated as of , 199_ (the "Trust
Agreement"), relating to the creation and administration of the Pass-Through
Trust. The sole assets of the Pass-Through Trust from which holders of the
Certificates will receive any distributions on the Certificates will be
$150,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Company's __% Extendible Tenor
Rate-Adjusted Securities due , 2005 ("X-TRAS(SM)" or the "Notes").
In addition, the Pass-Through Trust will be party to an ISDA Master Agreement
(the "ISDA Master Agreement") with Morgan Stanley Capital Services Inc.
("MSCS"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, Dean Witter, Discover &
Co. The Trustee will purchase the Notes from the Company at ____% of the par
value thereof and the Trustee will issue the Certificates to the Underwriters.
The Notes will be issued under an Indenture (the "Indenture") dated as of
September 15, 1992, as supplemented by a Sixth Supplemental Indenture (the
"Supplemental Indenture") dated as of , 199_, between the Company
and NBD Bank, as Trustee (the "Indenture Trustee"). The Indenture and the
Supplemental Indenture are hereinafter referred to collectively as the "Senior
Debt Indenture." The Underwriters have designated the Representatives to
execute this Agreement on their behalf and to act for them in the manner
provided in this Agreement.
<PAGE> 2
2
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings assigned to
them in the Trust Agreement or the Senior Debt Indenture.
The Company and the Pass-Through Trust have prepared and filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), in accordance with the
provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), a
combined registration statement on Form S-3 and S-1 (Registration Nos.
333-_____ and 333-_____) relating to the Certificates and the Notes. The
registration statement as amended at the time it became effective, including
the information (if any) deemed to be part of the registration statement at the
time of effectiveness pursuant to Rule 430A under the Securities Act, is
hereinafter referred to as the "Registration Statement"; the prospectus in the
form first used to confirm sales of Certificates (including the documents
incorporated by reference therein) is hereinafter referred to as the
"Prospectus." If the Company and the Pass-Through Trust have filed an
abbreviated registration statement to register additional Certificates and
Notes pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act (the "Rule 462
Registration Statement"), then any reference herein to the term "Registration
Statement" shall be deemed to include such Rule 462 Registration Statement.
The Prospectus and the Registration Statement incorporate certain reports of
the Company filed pursuant to Section 13 or 14 or 15 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Any reference herein to the
terms "amend," "amendment" or "supplement" with respect to the Registration
Statement or the Prospectus shall be deemed to include only amendments or
supplements to the Registration Statement or Prospectus, as the case may be,
and documents incorporated by reference therein after the date of this
Agreement and prior to the termination of the offering of the Certificates by
the Underwriters.
1. Purchase and Sale: Upon the basis of the representations and warranties
and on the terms and subject to the conditions herein set forth, the Company
agrees to cause the Trustee to sell to the respective Underwriters, severally
and not jointly, and the respective Underwriters, severally and not jointly,
agree to purchase from the Trustee, at the purchase price specified in Schedule
III hereto, the respective principal amounts of Certificates set opposite their
names in Schedule II hereto.
The Company is advised by the Representatives that the Underwriters propose
to make a public offering of their respective portions of the Certificates as
soon as practicable, in their judgment, after this Agreement has become
effective. The Company is further advised by the Representatives that the
Certificates are to be offered to the public initially at ____% of the
principal amount of the Certificates and to certain dealers selected by you at
a price that represents a concession not in excess of ____% of the principal
amount of the Certificates, and that any Underwriter may allow, and such
dealers may reallow, a concession not in excess of ____% of the principal
amount of the Certificates to certain other dealers.
As compensation to the Underwriters for their commitments and obligations
hereunder in respect of the Certificates, including their undertakings
to distribute certificates, the Company will pay to the Underwriters
an amount equal to that percentage of the aggregate principal amount
of the Certificates purchased by the Underwriters as set forth in Schedule
III. Such payment will be made simultaneously with the payment by you
to the Trustee of the purchase price of the Certificates as specified in
Sections 1 and 2 hereof. Payment of such compensation shall be made by wire
transfer of Federal or other immediately available funds.
The Company hereby agrees that, without the prior written consent of Morgan
Stanley & Co. Incorporated, the Company will not offer, sell, contract to sell
or otherwise issue debt securities substantially similar to the Notes for a
period from the date of the execution of this Agreement to the day of the Time
of Purchase (as hereinafter defined).
2. Payment and Delivery: The Company will cause the Pass-Through Trust to
issue and deliver against payment of the purchase price the Certificates to be
purchased by each Underwriter hereunder and to be offered and sold by the
Underwriters in the form of one or more permanent global securities in
definitive form without interest coupons (the "Global
<PAGE> 3
3
Certificates") deposited with the Trustee as custodian for The Depository Trust
Company ("DTC") and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee for DTC.
Each Global Certificate shall include the legend regarding restrictions on
transfer set forth under "Transfer Restrictions" in the Prospectus. Interests
in any permanent Global Certificates will be held only in book-entry form
through DTC, except in the limited circumstances described in the Prospectus.
The Company agrees to make the Certificates available for inspection by the
Underwriters at the offices of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated at least 24
hours prior to the Time of Purchase (as hereinafter defined), in definitive,
fully registered form.
Payment for the Certificates issued by the Pass-Through Trust shall be made
to the Trustee in Federal or other immediately available funds in New York City
(or such other place or places of payment as shall be agreed upon by the
Company, the Trustee and the Representatives in writing), upon the delivery to
the Trustee as custodian for DTC of the Global Certificate representing all of
the Certificates (or such other place or places of delivery as shall be agreed
upon by the Company, the Trustee and the Representatives). Such payment and
delivery shall be made at 10:00 A.M., New York time on , 199_ (or on
such later business day as shall be agreed upon by the Company, the Trustee and
the Representatives in writing), unless postponed in accordance with the
provisions of Section 10 hereof. The day and time at which payment and
delivery for the Certificates are to be made is herein called the "Time of
Purchase."
3. Conditions of Underwriters' Obligations: The several obligations of the
Underwriters hereunder are subject to the accuracy of the warranties and
representations on the part of the Company and to the following other
conditions:
(a) That all legal proceedings to be taken in connection with the issue
and sale of the Certificates shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and
substance to Shearman & Sterling and Reid & Priest LLP, both of New York,
New York, counsel to the Underwriters.
(b) That, at the Time of Purchase, the Representatives shall be furnished
with the following opinions, dated the day of the Time of Purchase:
(1) Opinion of Michael D. VanHemert, Esq., counsel to the Company,
substantially to the effect set forth in Exhibit A to this Agreement;
(2) Opinion of Shearman & Sterling, of New York, New York, counsel to the
Underwriters, substantially to the effect set forth in Exhibit B to this
Agreement;
<PAGE> 4
4
(3) Opinion of Reid & Priest LLP, of New York, New York, counsel to the
Underwriters, substantially to the effect set forth in Exhibit C to this
Agreement; and
(4) Opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger, of Wilmington, Delaware,
counsel to Wilmington Trust Company, individually and as Trustee,
substantially to the effect set forth in Exhibit D to this Agreement.
(c) That on the date of the Time of Purchase the Representatives shall
have received a letter from Arthur Andersen LLP in form and substance
satisfactory to the Representatives, dated as of such date, (i) confirming
that they are independent public accountants within the meaning of the
Securities Act and the applicable published rules and regulations of the
Commission thereunder, (ii) stating that in their opinion the financial
statements examined by them and included or incorporated by reference in the
Registration Statement complied as to form in all material respects with the
applicable accounting requirements of the Commission, including applicable
published rules and regulations of the Commission, and (iii) covering, as of
a date not more than five business days prior to the date of such letter,
such other matters as the Representatives reasonably request.
(d) That, between the date of the execution of this Agreement and the Time
of Purchase, no material and adverse change shall have occurred in the
business, properties or financial condition of the Company and its
subsidiaries (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, and hereafter
called the "Subsidiaries"), taken as a whole, which, in the judgment of the
Representatives, after reasonable inquiries on the part of the
Representatives, impairs the marketability of the Certificates (other than
changes referred to in or contemplated by the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus).
(e) That, prior to the Time of Purchase, no stop order suspending the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued under the
Securities Act by the Commission or proceedings therefor initiated or
threatened.
(f) That, at the Time of Purchase, the Company shall have delivered to the
Representatives a certificate of an executive officer of the Company to the
effect that, to the best of his knowledge, information and belief there shall
have been no material adverse change in the business, properties or financial
condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, from that
set forth in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (other than changes
referred to in or contemplated by the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus).
(g) That the Company shall have performed such of its obligations under
this Agreement as are to be performed at or before the Time of Purchase by
the terms hereof.
<PAGE> 5
5
(h) That any additional documents or agreements reasonably requested by
the Representatives or their counsel to permit the Underwriters to perform
their obligations or permit their counsel to deliver opinions hereunder shall
have been provided to them.
(i) That between the date of the execution of this Agreement and the day
of the Time of Purchase there has been no downgrading of the investment
ratings of any of the Company's securities or of Consumers Energy Company's
first mortgage bonds by Standard & Poor's Corporation, Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. or Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co., and neither the Company nor
Consumers Energy Company shall have been placed on "credit watch" or "credit
review" with negative implications by any of such statistical rating
organizations if any of such occurrences shall, in the reasonable judgment of
the Representatives, after reasonable inquiries on the part of the
Representatives, impair the marketability of the Certificates.
(j) That any filing of the Prospectus and any supplements thereto required
pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act have been made in compliance
with Rule 424 in the time periods provided by Rule 424.
4. Conditions of the Company's Obligations: The obligations of the Company
hereunder are subject to the satisfaction of the condition set forth in Section
3(e).
5. Certain Covenants of the Company: In further consideration of the
agreements of the Underwriters herein contained, the Company covenants as
follows:
(a) To use its best efforts to cause any post-effective amendments to the
Registration Statement to become effective as promptly as possible. During
the time when a Prospectus is required to be delivered under the Securities
Act, the Company will comply so far as it is able with all requirements
imposed upon it by the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the
Commission to the extent necessary to permit the continuance of sales of or
dealings in the Certificates in accordance with the provisions hereof and of
the Prospectus.
(b) To deliver to each of the Representatives a conformed copy of the
Registration Statement and any amendments thereto (including all exhibits
thereto) and full and complete sets of all comments of the Commission or its
staff and all responses thereto with respect to the Registration Statement
and any amendments thereto, and to furnish to the Representatives, for each
of the Underwriters, conformed copies of the Registration Statement and any
amendments thereto, without exhibits.
(c) As soon as the Company is advised thereof, the Company will advise the
Representatives and confirm the advice in writing of: (i) the effectiveness
of any amendment to the Registration Statement, (ii) any request made by the
Commission for
<PAGE> 6
6
amendments to the Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional
information with respect thereto, (iii) the suspension of qualification of
the Certificates for sale under Blue Sky or state securities laws, and (iv)
the entry of a stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement or of the initiation or threat or any proceedings for that purpose
and, if such a stop order should be entered by the Commission, to make every
reasonable effort to obtain the lifting or removal thereof.
(d) To deliver to the Underwriters, without charge, as soon as
practicable, and from time to time during such period of time (not exceeding
nine months) after the date of the Prospectus as they are required by law to
deliver a prospectus, as many copies of the Prospectus (as supplemented or
amended if the Company shall have made any supplements or amendments thereto)
as the Representatives may reasonably request; and in case any Underwriter is
required to deliver a prospectus after the expiration of nine months after
the date of the Prospectus, to furnish to the Representatives, upon request,
at the expense of such Underwriter, a reasonable quantity of a supplemental
prospectus or of supplements to the Prospectus complying with Section
10(a)(3) of the Securities Act.
(e) For such period of time (not exceeding nine months) after the date of
the Prospectus as the Underwriters are required by law to deliver a
prospectus in respect of the Certificates, if any event shall have occurred
as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus in
order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances when the
Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading, or if it becomes
necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with law, to
forthwith prepare and file with the Commission an appropriate amendment or
supplement to the Prospectus and deliver to the Underwriters, without charge,
such number of copies thereof as may be reasonably requested.
(f) To make generally available to the Company's security holders, as soon
as practicable, an "earning statement" (which need not be audited by
independent public accountants) covering a twelve-month period commencing
after the effective date of the Registration Statement and ending not later
than 15 months thereafter, which shall comply in all material respects with
and satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule
158 under the Securities Act.
(g) To use its best efforts to qualify the Certificates for offer and sale
under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as the
Representatives may designate and to pay (or cause to be paid), or reimburse
(or cause to be reimbursed) the Underwriters and their counsel for,
reasonable filing fees and expenses in connection therewith (including the
reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Underwriters and filing
fees and expenses paid and incurred prior to the date hereof), provided,
however, that the Company shall not be required to qualify to do business as
a foreign
<PAGE> 7
7
corporation or as a securities dealer or to file a general consent to service
of process or to file annual reports or to comply with any other requirements
deemed by the Company to be unduly burdensome.
(h) To pay all expenses, fees and taxes, including but not limited to the
fees and disbursements of the Trustee and the Indenture Trustee (other than
transfer taxes on sales by the respective Underwriters), in connection with
the issuance and delivery of the Certificates, except that the Company shall
be required to pay the fees and disbursements (other than disbursements
referred to in paragraph (g) of this Section 5) of Shearman & Sterling and
Reid & Priest LLP, both of New York, New York, counsel to the Underwriters,
only in the events provided in paragraph (i) of this Section 5, the
Underwriters hereby agreeing to pay such fees and disbursements in any other
event, and that except as provided in Section 5(i), the Company shall not be
responsible for any out-of-pocket expenses of the Underwriters in connection
with their services hereunder.
(i) If the Underwriters shall not take up and pay for the Certificates due
to the failure of the Company to comply with any of the conditions specified
in Section 3 hereof, or, if this Agreement shall be terminated in accordance
with the provisions of Section 11 hereof prior to the Time of Purchase, to
pay the reasonable fees and disbursements of Shearman & Sterling and Reid &
Priest LLP, counsel to the Underwriters, and, if the Underwriters shall not
take up and pay for the Certificates due to the failure of the Company to
comply with any of the conditions specified in Section 3 hereof, to reimburse
the Underwriters for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, in an aggregate
amount not exceeding a total of $3,000, incurred in connection with the
financing contemplated by this Agreement.
(j) Prior to the termination of the offering of the Certificates, to not
file any amendment to the Registration Statement or supplement to the
Prospectus (including the Prospectus) unless the Company has furnished the
Representatives and counsel to the Underwriters with a copy for their review
and comment a reasonable time prior to filing and has reasonably considered
any comments of the Representatives, or any such amendment or supplement to
which such counsel shall reasonably object on legal grounds in writing, after
consultation with the Representatives.
(k) To furnish the Representatives with copies of all documents required to
be filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act subsequent to the time the Registration Statement becomes
effective and prior to the termination of the offering of the Certificates.
(l) So long as may be required by law for the distribution of the
Certificates by the Underwriters or by any dealers that participate in the
distribution thereof, the Company will comply with all requirements under the
Exchange Act relating to the
<PAGE> 8
8
timely filing with the Commission of its reports pursuant to Section 13 of
the Exchange Act and of its proxy statements pursuant to Section 14 of the
Exchange Act.
6. Representations and Warranties of the Company: The Company represents
and warrants to, and agrees with, each of the Underwriters that:
(a) The Registration Statement has become effective under the Securities
Act; no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement
is in effect, and no proceedings for such purposes are pending before or, to
the knowledge of the Company, threatened by the Commission.
(b) (i) Each part of the Registration Statement, when such part became
effective, did not contain and each such part, as amended or supplemented, if
applicable, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit
to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein not misleading, (ii) the Registration Statement and
the Prospectus comply and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will
comply in all material respects with the Securities Act and the applicable
rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and (iii) the Prospectus
does not contain and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading, except that the representations
and warranties set forth in this Section 6(b) do not apply (A) to statements
or omissions in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus based upon
information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing
by such Underwriter through you expressly for use therein or (B) to that part
of the Registration Statement that constitutes the Statement of Eligibility
and Qualification (Form T-1) under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"), of the Indenture Trustee.
(c) The documents incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement,
any preliminary prospectus and the Prospectus, when they were filed (or, if
an amendment with respect to any such document was filed, when such amendment
was filed) with the Commission, conformed in all material respects to the
requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the
Commission promulgated thereunder, and any further documents so filed and
incorporated by reference will, when they are filed with the Commission,
conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Exchange Act and
the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder; none of
such documents, when it was filed (or, if an amendment with respect to any
such document was filed, when such amendment was filed), contained an untrue
statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and no such
further document, when it is filed, will contain an untrue
<PAGE> 9
9
statement of a material fact or will omit to state a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of
the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.
(d) The Company has been duly organized and is validly existing as a
corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Michigan and has
all requisite authority to own or lease its properties and conduct its
business as described in the Prospectus and to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby, and is duly qualified to transact business and is in
good standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business as
described in the Prospectus or its ownership or leasing of property requires
such qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified
or be in good standing would not have a material adverse effect on the
Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole. Each significant subsidiary
(as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, and hereinafter called a
"Significant Subsidiary") of the Company has been duly organized and is
validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the
jurisdiction of its incorporation, has all requisite authority to own or
lease its properties and conduct its business as described in the Prospectus
and is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each
jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business as described in the
Prospectus or its ownership or leasing of property requires such
qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be
in good standing would not have a material adverse effect on the Company and
its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
(e) The Certificates are in the form contemplated by the Trust Agreement
and the Certificates and the Trust Agreement have been duly authorized by the
Trustee. At the Time of Purchase, the Certificates and the Trust Agreement
will have been duly executed and delivered by the Trustee and, when the
Certificates are authenticated by the Trustee in the manner provided for in
the Trust Agreement and delivered against payment therefor as provided in
this Agreement, the Certificates and the Trust Agreement will constitute
valid and binding obligations of the Trustee, enforceable against the Trustee
in accordance with their terms, except to the extent that enforcement thereof
may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other
similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally or by general principles
of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding at
law or in equity). The Certificates conform in all material respects to the
descriptions thereof in the Prospectus.
(f) Each of the Trust Agreement and the Senior Debt Indenture has been
duly authorized by the Company. At the Time of Purchase, each of the Trust
Agreement and the Senior Debt Indenture will have been duly executed and
delivered by the Company and will constitute a valid and binding obligation
of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms,
except to the extent that enforcement thereof
<PAGE> 10
10
may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other
similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally or by general principles
of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding at
law or in equity); each of the Trust Agreement and the Senior Debt Indenture
conforms in all material respects to the description thereof in the
Prospectus; and the Senior Debt Indenture has been duly qualified under the
Trust Indenture Act.
(g) The Notes are in the form contemplated by the Senior Debt Indenture
and have been duly authorized by the Company. At the Time of Purchase, the
Notes will have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and, when
authenticated by the Trustee in the manner provided for in the Senior Debt
Indenture and delivered against payment therefor as provided in this
Agreement, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company,
enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except to the
extent that enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors' rights
generally or by general principles of equity (regardless of whether
enforcement is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity). The Notes
conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof in the
Prospectus.
(h) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the
Company.
(i) The ISDA Master Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
delivered by the Trust, and assuming due authorization, execution and
delivery of the Agreement by MSCS, the ISDA Master Agreement constitutes the
valid and legally binding obligation of the Pass-Through Trust, enforceable
against the Trust in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that
enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally or by
general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered
in a proceeding at law or in equity).
(j) Except for the outstanding shares of preferred stock of Consumers
Energy Company, the 8.36% Trust Originated Preferred Securities of
Consumers Power Company Financing I and the 8.20% Trust Originated Preferred
Securities of Consumers Energy Company Financing II, all of the outstanding
capital stock of each of Consumers Energy Company and CMS Enterprises Company
is owned directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of any
security interest, claim, lien, or other encumbrance or preemptive rights,
and (ii) there are no outstanding rights (including, without limitation,
preemptive rights), warrants or options to acquire, or instruments
convertible into or exchangeable for, any shares of capital stock or other
equity interest in any of Consumers Energy Company and CMS Enterprises
Company or any contract, commitment, agreement, understanding or arrangement
of any kind relating to the issuance of any such
<PAGE> 11
11
capital stock, any such convertible or exchangeable securities or any such
rights, warrants or options.
(k) Each of the Company and its Significant Subsidiaries has all necessary
consents, authorizations, approvals, orders, certificates and permits of and
from, and has made all declarations and filings with, all federal, state,
local and other governmental authorities, all self-regulatory organizations
and all courts and other tribunals, to own, lease, license and use its
properties and assets and to conduct its business in the manner described in
the Prospectus, except to the extent that the failure to obtain or file would
not have a material adverse effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken
as a whole.
(l) No order, license, consent, authorization or approval of, or exemption
by, or the giving of notice to, or the registration with any federal, state,
municipal or other governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency
or instrumentality, and no filing, recording, publication or registration in
any public office or any other place, was or is now required to be obtained
by the Company to authorize its execution or delivery of, or the performance
of its obligations under, this Agreement, the Senior Debt Indenture, the
Certificates or the Notes, except such as have been obtained or may be
required under state securities or Blue Sky laws, under the Securities Act or
as referred to in the Prospectus.
(m) None of the issuance and sale of the Notes, or the execution or
delivery by the Company of, or the performance by the Company of its
obligations under, this Agreement, the Trust Agreement or the Senior Debt
Indenture did or will conflict with, result in a breach of any of the terms
or provisions of, or constitute a default or require the consent of any party
under the Company's Articles of Incorporation or by-laws, any material
agreement or instrument to which it is a party, any existing applicable law,
rule or regulation or any judgment, order or decree of any government,
governmental instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign, having
jurisdiction over the Company or any of its properties or assets, or did or
will result in the creation or imposition of any lien on the Company's
properties or assets.
(n) Except as disclosed in the Prospectus, there is no action, suit,
proceeding, inquiry or investigation (at law or in equity or otherwise)
pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company
or any Subsidiary by any governmental
<PAGE> 12
12
authority that (i) questions the validity, enforceability or performance of
the Notes, the Senior Debt Indenture, the Trust Agreement or this Agreement
or (ii) if determined adversely, is likely to have a material adverse effect
on the business or financial condition of the Company and the Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole, or materially adversely affect the ability of the Company
to perform its obligations hereunder or the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
(o) There has not been any material and adverse change in the business,
properties or financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken
as a whole, from that set forth in the Registration Statement (other than
changes referred to in or contemplated by the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus).
(p) Except as set forth in the Prospectus, no event or condition exists
that constitutes, or with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both would
constitute, a default or any breach or failure to perform by the Company or
any of its Significant Subsidiaries in any material respect under any
indenture, mortgage, loan agreement, lease or other material agreement or
instrument to which the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries is a
party or by which it or any of its Significant Subsidiaries, or any of their
respective properties, may be bound.
(q) Neither the Pass-Through Trust nor the Company is an "investment
company" or an entity "controlled" by an "investment company," as such terms
are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
7. Representation and Warranties of Underwriters: Each Underwriter,
severally and not jointly, warrants and represents that:
(a) The information, if any, furnished in writing to the Company through
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated expressly for use in the Registration
Statement and Prospectus is correct in all material respects as to such
Underwriter. Each Underwriter, in addition to other information furnished to
the Company for use in the Registration Statement and Prospectus, herewith
furnished to the Company for use in the Registration Statement and
Prospectus,the information stated herein with regard to the public offering,
if any, by such Underwriter and represents and warrants that such
information is correct in all material respects as to such Underwriter.
(b) It is a qualified institutional buyer as defined in Rule 144A under
the Securities Act (a "QIB").
(c) It will offer such Certificates only to, persons that it reasonably
believes to be (x) QIBs or (y) other institutional accredited investors (as
defined in Rule 501(a) (1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act).
(d) It will only sell Certificates in minimum denominations of $250,000.
8. Indemnification:
<PAGE> 13
13
(a) The Company agrees, to the extent permitted by law, to indemnify and
hold harmless each of the Underwriters and each person, if any, who controls
any such Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or
Section 20 of the Exchange Act, against any and all losses, claims, damages or
liabilities, joint or several, to which they or any of them may become subject
under the Securities Act or otherwise, and to reimburse the Underwriters and
such controlling person or persons, if any, for any legal or other expenses
incurred by them in connection with defending any action, suit or proceeding
(including governmental investigations) as provided in Section 8(c) hereof,
insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions, suits or
proceedings (including governmental investigations) arise out of or are based
upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus as of its
issue date (if used prior to the date of the Prospectus), or, if the Prospectus
shall be amended or supplemented, in the Prospectus as so amended or
supplemented (if such Prospectus or such Prospectus as amended or supplemented
is used after the period of time referred to in Section 5(e) hereof, it shall
contain or be used with such amendments or supplements as the Company deems
necessary to comply with Section 10(a) of the Securities Act), or arise out of
or are based upon any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
actions arise out of or are based upon any such untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement or omission or alleged omission which was made in such
preliminary prospectus, Prospectus or Registration Statement, or in the
Prospectus as so amended or supplemented, in reliance upon and in conformity
with information furnished in writing to the Company by, or through the
Representatives on behalf of, any Underwriter expressly for use therein or with
any statements in or omissions from that part of the Registration Statement
that shall constitute the Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the
Trust Indenture Act of the Indenture Trustee under the Indenture, and except
that this indemnity shall not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter (or any
person controlling such Underwriter) on account of any losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or actions, suits or proceedings arising from the sale of the
Certificates to any person if a copy of the Prospectus, as the same may then be
supplemented or amended (excluding, however, any document then incorporated or
deemed incorporated therein by reference), was not sent or given by or on
behalf of such Underwriter to such person (i) with or prior to the written
confirmation of sale involved or (ii) as soon as available after such written
confirmation, relating to an event occurring prior to the payment for and
delivery to such person of the Certificates involved in such sale, and the
omission or alleged omission or untrue statement or alleged untrue statement
was corrected in the Prospectus as supplemented or amended at such time.
The Company's indemnity agreement contained in this Section 8(a), and the
covenants, representations and warranties of the Company contained in this
Agreement, shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any
investigation made by or on behalf of any person, and shall survive the
delivery of and payment for the Certificates hereunder, and the indemnity
agreement contained in this Section 8 shall survive any termination of this
Agreement.
<PAGE> 14
14
The liabilities of the Company in this Section 8(a) are in addition to any
other liabilities of the Company under this Agreement or otherwise.
(b) Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to the extent
permitted by law, to indemnify, hold harmless and reimburse the Company, its
directors and such of its officers as shall have signed the Registration
Statement, each other Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls the
Company or any such other Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the
Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, to the same extent and upon
the same terms as the indemnity agreement of the Company set forth in Section
8(a) hereof, but only with respect to alleged untrue statements or omissions
made in the Registration Statement or in the Prospectus, as amended or
supplemented, (if applicable) in reliance upon and in conformity with
information furnished in writing to the Company by such Underwriter expressly
for use therein.
The indemnity agreement on the part of each Underwriter contained in this
Section 8(b) and the representations and warranties of such Underwriter
contained in this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect regardless of
any investigation made by or on behalf of the Company or any other person, and
shall survive the delivery of and payment for the Certificates hereunder, and
the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 8(b) shall survive any
termination of this Agreement. The liabilities of each Underwriter in Section
8(b) are in addition to any other liabilities of such Underwriter under this
Agreement or otherwise.
(c) If a claim is made or an action, suit or proceeding (including
governmental investigations) is commenced or threatened against any person as
to which indemnity may be sought under Section 8(a) or 8(b), such person (the
"Indemnified Person") shall notify the person against whom such indemnity may
be sought (the "Indemnifying Person") promptly after any assertion of such
claim threatening to institute an action, suit or proceeding or if such an
action, suit or proceeding is commenced against such Indemnified Person,
promptly after such Indemnified Person shall have been served with a summons or
other first legal process, giving information as to the nature and basis of the
claim. Failure to so notify the Indemnifying Person shall not, however,
relieve the Indemnifying Person from any liability which it may have on account
of the indemnity under Section 8(a) or 8(b) if the Indemnifying Person has not
been prejudiced in any material respect by such failure. Subject to the
immediately succeeding sentence, the Indemnifying Person shall assume the
defense of any such litigation or proceeding, including the employment of
counsel and the payment of all expenses, with such counsel being designated,
subject to the immediately succeeding sentence, in writing by the
Representatives in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 8(b) and
by the Company in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 8(a).
Any Indemnified Person shall have the right to participate in such litigation
or proceeding and to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such
counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Person unless (i) the
Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person shall have mutually agreed to
the retention of such counsel or (ii) the named parties to any such proceeding
(including any impleaded parties) include (x) the Indemnifying Person and (y)
the Indemnified Person and, in the written opinion
<PAGE> 15
15
of counsel to such Indemnified Person, representation of both parties by the
same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or likely conflicts of
interest between them, in either of which cases the reasonable fees and
expenses of counsel (including disbursements) for such Indemnified Person shall
be reimbursed by the Indemnifying Person to the Indemnified Person. If there
is a conflict as described in clause (ii) above, and the Indemnified Persons
have participated in the litigation or proceeding utilizing separate counsel
whose fees and expenses have been reimbursed by the Indemnifying Person and the
Indemnified Persons, or any of them, are found to be solely liable, such
Indemnified Persons shall repay to the Indemnifying Person such fees and
expenses of such separate counsel as the Indemnifying Person shall have
reimbursed. It is understood that the Indemnifying Person shall not, in
connection with any litigation or proceeding or related litigation or
proceedings in the same jurisdiction as to which the Indemnified Persons are
entitled to such separate representation, be liable under this Agreement for
the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of more than one separate firm
(together with not more than one appropriate local counsel) for all such
Indemnified Persons. Subject to the next paragraph, all such fees and expenses
shall be reimbursed by payment to the Indemnified Persons of such reasonable
fees and expenses of counsel promptly after payment thereof by the Indemnified
Persons.
In furtherance of the requirement above that fees and expenses of any
separate counsel for the Indemnified Persons shall be reasonable, the
Representatives and the Company agree that the Indemnifying Person's
obligations to pay such fees and expenses shall be conditioned upon the
following:
(1) in case separate counsel is proposed to be retained by the Indemnified
Persons pursuant to clause (ii) of the preceding paragraph, the Indemnified
Persons shall in good faith fully consult with the Indemnifying Person in
advance as to the selection of such counsel;
(2) reimbursable fees and expenses of such separate counsel shall be
detailed and supported in a manner reasonably acceptable to the Indemnifying
Person (but nothing herein shall be deemed to require the furnishing to the
Indemnifying Person of any information, including without limitation,
computer print-outs of lawyers' daily time entries, to the extent that, in
the judgment of such counsel, furnishing such information might reasonably be
expected to result in a waiver of any attorney-client privilege); and
(3) the Company and the Representatives shall cooperate in monitoring and
controlling the fees and expenses of separate counsel for Indemnified Persons
for which the Indemnifying Person is liable hereunder, and the Indemnified
Person shall use every reasonable effort to cause such separate counsel to
minimize the duplication of activities as between themselves and counsel to
the Indemnifying Person.
<PAGE> 16
16
The Indemnifying Person shall not be liable for any settlement of any
litigation or proceeding effected without the written consent of the
Indemnifying Person, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final
judgment for the plaintiff, the Indemnifying Person agrees, subject to the
provisions of this Section 8, to indemnify the Indemnified Person from and
against any loss, damage, liability or expenses by reason of such settlement or
judgment. The Indemnifying Person shall not, without the prior written consent
of the Indemnified Persons, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened
litigation, proceeding or claim in respect of which indemnity has been properly
sought by the Indemnified Persons hereunder, unless such settlement includes an
unconditional release by the claimant of all Indemnified Persons from all
liability with respect to claims which are the subject matter of such
litigation, proceeding or claim.
9. Contribution: If the indemnification provided for in Section
8 above is unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an Indemnified
Person under such Section in respect of any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (or actions, suits or proceedings (including governmental
investigations) in respect thereof) referred to therein, then each Indemnifying
Person under Section 8 shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such
Indemnified Person as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities
(or actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect
the relative benefits received by the Indemnifying Person on the one hand and
the Indemnified Person on the other from the offering of the Certificates. If,
however, the allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is not
permitted by applicable law, then each Indemnifying Person shall contribute to
such amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Person in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative
fault of each Indemnifying Person, if any, on the one hand and the Indemnified
Person on the other in connection with the statements or omissions which
resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions, suits or
proceedings (including governmental investigations) in respect thereof), as
well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits
received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other shall
be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the
offering (before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the total
underwriting discounts and commission received by the Underwriters, in each
case as set forth in the table on the cover page of the Prospectus, bear to the
aggregate offering price of the Certificates. The relative fault shall be
determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to
state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company on the one
hand or the Underwriters on the other and the parties' relative intent,
knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such
statement or omission. The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would
not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 9 were
determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one
entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not
take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this Section
9. The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Person as a result of the
losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions, suits or
<PAGE> 17
17
proceedings (including governmental proceedings) in respect thereof) referred
to above in this Section 9 shall be deemed to include any legal or other
expenses reasonably incurred by such Indemnified Person in connection with
investigating or defending any such action, suits or proceedings (including
governmental proceedings) or claim, provided that the provisions of Section 8
have been complied with (in all material respects) in respect of any separate
counsel for such Indemnified Person. Notwithstanding the provisions of this
Section 9, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount greater
than the excess of (i) the total price at which the Certificates underwritten
by it and distributed to investors were offered to investors over (ii) the
amount of any damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay
by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged
omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning
of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from
any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The
Underwriters' obligations in this Section 9 to contribute are several in
proportion to their respective underwriting obligations and not joint.
The agreement with respect to contribution contained in
Section 9 hereof shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any
investigation made by or on behalf of the Company or any Underwriter, and shall
survive delivery of and payment for the Certificates hereunder and any
termination of this Agreement.
10. Substitution of Underwriters: If any Underwriter under this
Agreement shall fail or refuse (otherwise than for some reason sufficient to
justify in accordance with the terms hereof, the termination of its obligations
hereunder) to purchase the Certificates which it had agreed to purchase on the
Time of Purchase, the Representatives shall immediately notify the Company and
the Representatives and the other Underwriters may, within 36 hours of the
giving of such notice, determine to purchase, or to procure one or more other
members of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") (or,
if not members of the NASD, who are foreign banks, dealers or institutions not
registered under the Exchange Act and who agree in making sales to comply with
the NASD's Rules of Fair Practice), satisfactory to the Company, to purchase,
upon the terms herein set forth, the principal amount of Certificates which the
defaulting Underwriter had agreed to purchase. If any non-defaulting
Underwriter or Underwriters shall determine to exercise such right, the
Representatives shall give written notice to the Company of such determination
within 36 hours after the Company shall have received notice of any such
default, and thereupon the Time of Purchase shall be postponed for such period,
not exceeding three business days, as the Company shall determine. If in the
event of such a default, the Representatives shall fail to give such notice, or
shall within such 36-hour period give written notice to the Company that no
other Underwriter or Underwriters, or others, will exercise such right, then
this Agreement may be terminated by the Company, upon like notice given to the
Representatives within a further period of 36 hours. If in such case the
Company shall not elect to terminate this Agreement, it shall have the right,
irrespective of such default:
<PAGE> 18
18
(a) to require such non-defaulting Underwriters to
purchase and pay for the respective principal amounts of Certificates
which they had severally agreed to purchase hereunder, as hereinabove
provided, and, in addition, the principal amount of Certificates which
the defaulting Underwriter shall have so failed to purchase up to a
principal amount thereof equal to one-ninth (1/9) of the respective
principal amounts of Certificates which such non-defaulting
Underwriters have otherwise agreed to purchase hereunder; and/or
(b) to procure one or more other members of the NASD (or,
if not members of the NASD, who are foreign banks, dealers or
institutions not registered under the Exchange Act and who agree in
making sales to comply with the NASD's Rules of Fair Practice), to
purchase, upon the terms herein set forth, the principal amount of
Certificates which such defaulting Underwriter had agreed to purchase,
or that portion thereof which the remaining Underwriters shall not be
obligated to purchase pursuant to the foregoing clause (a).
In the event the Company shall exercise its rights under
clause (a) and/or (b) above, the Company shall give written notice thereof to
the Representatives within such further period of 36 hours, and thereupon the
Time of Purchase shall be postponed for such period, not exceeding five
business days, as the Company shall determine. In the event the Company shall
be entitled to but shall not elect to exercise its rights under clause (a)
and/or (b), the Company shall be deemed to have elected to terminate this
Agreement.
Any action taken by the Company under this Section 10 shall
not relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of any default
of such Underwriter under this Agreement. Termination by the Company under
this Section 10 shall be without any liability on the part of the Company or
any non-defaulting Underwriter.
In the computation of any period of 36 hours referred to in
this Section 9, there shall be excluded a period of 24 hours in respect of each
Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday which would otherwise be included in such
period of time.
11. Termination of Agreement: This Agreement may be terminated at
any time prior to the Time of Purchase by the Representatives, if, prior to
such time (i) trading generally in securities on the New York Stock Exchange
shall have been suspended by the Commission or the New York Stock Exchange,
(ii) trading of any securities of the Company shall have been suspended on any
exchange or over-the-counter market, (iii) a general moratorium on commercial
banking activities in New York shall have been declared by federal or New York
State authorities or (iv) there shall have occurred any outbreak or material
escalation of hostilities or any material adverse disruption in financial
markets or any other calamity or crisis, the effect of which on the financial
markets of the United States is such as to impair, in the
<PAGE> 19
19
Representatives' reasonable judgment, after having made due inquiry, the
marketability of the Certificates.
If the Representatives elect to terminate this Agreement, as
provided in this Section 11, the Representatives will promptly notify the
Company and each other Underwriter by telephone or telecopy, confirmed by
letter. If this Agreement shall not be carried out by any Underwriter for any
reason permitted hereunder, or if the sale of the Certificates to the
Underwriters as herein contemplated shall not be carried out because the
Company is not able to comply with the terms hereof, the Company shall not be
under any obligation under this Agreement and shall not be liable to any
Underwriter or to any member of any selling group for the loss of anticipated
profits from the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the
Underwriters shall be under no liability to the Company nor be under any
liability under this Agreement to one another.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of Sections
5(g), 5(i), 8 and 9 shall survive any termination of this Agreement.
12. Notices: All notices hereunder shall, unless otherwise
expressly provided, be in writing and be delivered at or mailed to the
following addresses or be sent by telecopy as follows: if to the Underwriters
or the Representatives, to the Representatives at the address or number, as
appropriate, designated in Schedule I hereto, and, if to the Company, to CMS
Energy Corporation, Attention: Senior Vice President - Finance, Fairlane Plaza
South, Suite 1100, 330 Town Center Drive, Dearborn, Michigan 48126 (Telecopy:
313-436-9548).
13. Parties in Interest: The Agreement herein set forth has been
and is made solely for the benefit of the Underwriters, the Company (including
the directors thereof and such of the officers thereof as shall have signed the
Registration Statement), and the controlling persons, if any, referred to in
Section 8 hereof, and their respective successors, assigns, executors and
administrators, and, except as expressly otherwise provided in Section 10
hereof, no other person shall acquire or have any right under or by virtue of
this Agreement.
14. Definition of Certain Terms: The term "Underwriters," as used
herein, shall be deemed to mean the several persons, firms or corporations,
named in Schedule II hereto (including the Representatives herein mentioned, if
so named), and the term "Representatives," as used herein, shall be deemed to
mean the representative or representatives designated by, or in the manner
authorized by, the Underwriters in Schedule I hereto. All obligations of the
Underwriters hereunder are several and not joint. If there shall be only one
person, firm or corporation named in Schedule I and Schedule II hereto, the
term "Underwriters" and the term "Representatives," as used herein, shall mean
such person, firm or corporation. If the firm or firms listed in Schedule I
hereto are the same as the firm or firms listed in Schedule II hereto, then the
terms "Underwriters" and "Representatives," as used herein, shall each be
deemed to refer to such firm or firms. The term "successors" as used in this
Agreement shall not include
<PAGE> 20
20
any purchaser, as such purchaser, of any of the Certificates from any of the
respective Underwriters.
15. Governing Law: This Agreement shall be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
16. Counterparts: This Agreement may be executed by any one or
more of the parties hereto in any number of counterparts, each of which shall
be deemed to be an original, but all such respective counterparts shall
together constitute one and the same instrument.
<PAGE> 21
21
If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding,
please sign and return to us counterparts hereof, and upon the acceptance
hereof by you, this letter and such acceptance hereof shall constitute a
binding agreement between each of the Underwriters and the Company.
Very truly yours,
CMS ENERGY CORPORATION
By:___________________________________
Name:
Title:
Accepted: , 199_
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
By Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
By:_________________________________
Name:
Title:
<PAGE> 22
22
SCHEDULE I
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
c/o Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
1585 Broadway
New York, New York 10036-8293
Attention: Syndicate Desk
Telecopy: (212) 761-4305
<PAGE> 23
23
SCHEDULE II
Underwriters
Principal Amount
of Certificates
to Be Purchased
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . $150,000,000
<PAGE> 24
SCHEDULE III
Information Regarding the Certificates
1. Aggregate Principal Amount: $150,000,000
2. Final Distribution Date: , 2005
3. Purchase Price: [____]% of the Aggregate
Principal Amount
4. Underwriting discounts and commissions: 0.____%
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 4(b)
SIXTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
DATED AS OF _________ __, 1998
____________________
This Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of the ____ day of
_________, 1998 between CMS Energy Corporation, a corporation duly organized
and existing under the laws of the State of Michigan (hereinafter called the
"Issuer") and having its principal office at Fairlane Plaza South, Suite 1100,
330 Town Center Drive, Dearborn, Michigan 48126, and NBD Bank, a Michigan
banking corporation (hereinafter called the "Indenture Trustee") and having its
principal Corporate Trust Office at 611 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, Michigan
48226.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee (formerly known as
NBD Bank, National Association) entered into an Indenture, dated as of
September 15, 1992 (the "Original Indenture"), pursuant to which one or more
series of debt securities of the Issuer (the "Securities") may be issued from
time to time; and
WHEREAS, Section 2.3 of the Original Indenture permits the terms
of any series of Securities to be established in an indenture supplemental to
the Original Indenture; and
WHEREAS, Section 8.1(e) of the Original Indenture provides that a
supplemental indenture may be entered into by the Issuer and the Indenture
Trustee without
<PAGE> 2
2
the consent of any Holders of the Securities to establish the form and terms of
the Securities of any series; and
WHEREAS, the Issuer has requested the Indenture Trustee to join
with it in the execution and delivery of this Sixth Supplemental Indenture
in order to supplement and amend the Original Indenture by, among other
things, establishing the form and terms of a series of Securities to be
known as the Issuer's "Extendible Tenor Rate-Adjusted Securities" (the
"X-TRAS"), providing for the issuance of the X-TRAS and amending and adding
certain provisions thereof for the benefit of the Holders of the X-TRAS; and
WHEREAS, the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee desire to enter
into this Sixth Supplemental Indenture for the purposes set forth in Sections
2.3 and 8.1(e) of the Original Indenture as referred to above; and
WHEREAS, the Issuer has furnished the Indenture Trustee with a
copy of the resolutions of its Board of Directors certified by its Secretary or
Assistant Secretary authorizing the execution of this Sixth Supplemental
Indenture; and
WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Sixth Supplemental
Indenture a valid agreement of the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee and a valid
supplement to the Original Indenture have been done,
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS SIXTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the
X-TRAS to be issued hereunder by holders thereof, the Issuer and the Indenture
Trustee mutually
<PAGE> 3
3
covenant and agree, for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective
holders from time to time of the X-TRAS, as follows:
ARTICLE I
STANDARD PROVISIONS; DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.01. Standard Provisions. The Original Indenture
together with this Sixth Supplemental Indenture and all previous indentures
supplemental thereto entered into pursuant to the applicable terms thereof are
hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as the "Indenture." All
capitalized terms which are used herein and not otherwise defined herein are
defined in the Indenture and are used herein with the same meanings as in the
Indenture.
SECTION 1.02. Definitions. Section 1.1 of the Original
Indenture is amended to insert the new definitions applicable to the X- TRAS,
in the appropriate alphabetical sequence, as follows:
"Amortization Expense" means, for any period, amounts recognized
during such period as amortization of capital leases, depletion, nuclear fuel,
goodwill and assets classified as intangible assets in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles.
"Applicable Premium" means, with respect to X-TRAS (or portion
thereof) being redeemed at any time, the excess of (A) the present value at
such time of the principal amount of such X-TRAS (or portion thereof) being
redeemed plus all interest payments due on such X-TRAS (or portion thereof) to
the Initial Maturity Date, which present value shall be computed using a
discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points, over
<PAGE> 4
4
(B) the principal amount of such X-TRAS (or portion thereof) being redeemed at
such time. For purposes of this definition, the present values of interest and
principal payments will be determined in accordance with generally accepted
principles of financial analysis.
"Average Life" means, as of the date of determination, with
respect to any Indebtedness, the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the sum of
the products of (x) the number of years from the date of determination to the
dates of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Indebtedness and
(y) the amount of such principal payment by (ii) the sum of all such principal
payments.
"Calculation Agent" means Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc.,
or such other calculation agent as may be provided from time to time under the
ISDA Master Agreement. All determinations made by the Calculation Agent will
be at the sole discretion of the Calculation Agent and will, in the absence of
manifest error, be conclusive for all purposes and binding on the Issuer.
"Capital Lease Obligation" of a Person means any obligation that
is required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease on the face
of a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles; the amount of such obligation shall be the
capitalized amount thereof, determined in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles; the stated maturity thereof shall be the date of the
last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the
first date upon which such lease may be terminated by the lessee without
payment of a penalty; and such
<PAGE> 5
5
obligation shall be deemed secured by a Lien on any property or assets to which
such lease relates.
"Capital Stock" means any and all shares, interests, rights to
purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or
interests in (however designated) corporate stock, including any Preferred
Stock or Letter Stock; provided that Hybrid Preferred Securities are not
considered Capital Stock for purposes of this definition.
"Certificate" or "Certificates" shall have the meaning ascribed
thereto under the Pass Through Trust Agreement.
"Change in Control" means an event or series of events by which
(i) the Issuer ceases to own beneficially, directly or indirectly, at least
80% of the total voting power of all classes of Capital Stock then outstanding
of Consumers (whether arising from issuance of securities of the Issuer or
Consumers, any direct or indirect transfer of securities by the Issuer or
Consumers, any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution of the Issuer
or Consumers or otherwise); (ii) any "person" or "group" (as such terms are
used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes the "beneficial
owner" (as such term is used in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act,
except that a person or group shall be deemed to have "beneficial ownership"
of all shares that such person or group has the right to acquire, whether
such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time),
directly or indirectly, of more than 35% of the Voting Stock of the Issuer;
or (iii) the Issuer consolidates with or merges into another corporation
or directly or indirectly conveys, transfers or leases all or substantially
all of its assets to any Person, or any
<PAGE> 6
6
corporation consolidates with or merges into the Issuer, in either event
pursuant to a transaction in which the outstanding Voting Stock of the Issuer
is changed into or exchanged for cash, securities, or other property, other
than any such transaction in which (A) the outstanding Voting Stock of the
Issuer is changed into or exchanged for Voting Stock of the surviving
corporation and (B) the holders of the Voting Stock of the Issuer immediately
prior to such transaction retain, directly or indirectly, substantially
proportionate ownership of the Voting Stock of the surviving corporation
immediately after such transaction.
"CMS Electric and Gas" means CMS Electric and Gas Company, a
Michigan corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Enterprises.
"CMS Gas Transmission and Storage" means CMS Gas Transmission and
Storage Company, a Michigan corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of
Enterprises.
"CMS Generation" means CMS Generation Co., a Michigan corporation
and wholly-owned subsidiary of Enterprises.
"CMS MST" means CMS Marketing, Services and Trading Company, a
Michigan corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Enterprises.
"Consolidated Assets" means, at any date of determination, the
aggregate assets of the Issuer and its Consolidated Subsidiaries determined
on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles.
"Consolidated Capital" means, at any date of determination, the
sum of (a) Consolidated Indebtedness, (b) consolidated equity of the common
stockholders of the Issuer and the Consolidated Subsidiaries, (c) consolidated
equity of the preference stockholders of
<PAGE> 7
7
the Issuer and the Consolidated Subsidiaries and (d) consolidated equity of the
preferred stockholders of the Issuer and the Consolidated Subsidiaries, in each
case determined at such date in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles.
"Consolidated Coverage Ratio" with respect to any period means
the ratio of (i) the aggregate amount of Operating Cash Flow for such period to
(ii) the aggregate amount of Consolidated Interest Expense for such period.
"Consolidated Current Liabilities" means, for any period, the
aggregate amount of liabilities of the Issuer and its Consolidated Subsidiaries
which may properly be classified as current liabilities (including taxes
accrued as estimated), after (i) eliminating all inter- company items between
the Issuer and any Consolidated Subsidiary and (ii) deducting all current
maturities of long-term Indebtedness, all as determined in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles.
"Consolidated Indebtedness" means, at any date of determination,
the aggregate Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Consolidated Subsidiaries
determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles; provided that Consolidated Indebtedness shall not
include any subordinated debt owned by any Hybrid Preferred Securities
Subsidiary.
"Consolidated Interest Expense" means, for any period, the total
interest expense in respect of Consolidated Indebtedness of the Issuer and its
Consolidated Subsidiaries, including, without duplication, (i) interest expense
attributable to capital leases, (ii) amortization of debt discount, (iii)
capitalized interest, (iv) cash and noncash interest
<PAGE> 8
8
payments, (v) commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with
respect to letters of credit and bankers' acceptance financing, (vi) net costs
under Interest Rate Protection Agreements (including amortization of discount)
and (vii) interest expense in respect of obligations of other Persons deemed to
be Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Consolidated Subsidiaries under clause (v)
or (vi) of the definition of Indebtedness, provided, however, that Consolidated
Interest Expense shall exclude (a) any costs otherwise included in interest
expense recognized on early retirement of debt and (b) any interest expense in
respect of any Indebtedness of any Subsidiary of Consumers, CMS Generation,
NOMECO, CMS Electric and Gas, CMS Gas Transmission and Storage, CMS MST or any
other Designated Enterprises Subsidiary, provided that such Indebtedness is
without recourse to any assets of the Issuer, Consumers, Enterprises, CMS
Generation, NOMECO, CMS Electric and Gas, CMS Gas Transmission and Storage, CMS
MST or any other Designated Enterprises Subsidiary.
"Consolidated Net Income" means, for any period, the net income
of the Issuer and its Consolidated Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated
basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; provided,
however, that there shall not be included in such Consolidated Net Income:
(i) any net income of any Person if such Person is not a
Subsidiary, except that (A) the Issuer's equity in the net income of any
such Person for such period shall be included in such Consolidated Net
Income up to the aggregate amount of cash actually distributed by such
Person during such period to the Issuer or a Consolidated
<PAGE> 9
9
Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution and (B) the Issuer's
equity in a net loss of any such Person for such period shall be
included in determining such Consolidated Net Income;
(ii) any net income of any Person acquired by the Issuer or a
Subsidiary in a pooling of interests transaction for any period prior to
the date of such acquisition;
(iii) any gain or loss realized upon the sale or other
disposition of any property, plant or equipment of the Issuer or its
Consolidated Subsidiaries which is not sold or otherwise disposed of in
the ordinary course of business and any gain or loss realized upon the
sale or other disposition of any Capital Stock of any Person; and
(iv) any net income of any Subsidiary of Consumers, CMS
Generation, NOMECO, CMS Electric and Gas, CMS Gas Transmission and
Storage, CMS MST or any other Designated Enterprises Subsidiary whose
interest expense is excluded from Consolidated Interest Expense,
provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (iv), any cash,
dividends or distributions of any such Subsidiary to the Issuer shall be
included in calculating Consolidated Net Income.
"Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" means, for any period, the
total amount of assets (less accumulated depreciation or amortization,
allowances for doubtful receivables, other applicable reserves and other
properly deductible items) as set forth on the most recently available
quarterly or annual consolidated balance sheet of the Issuer and its
Consolidated Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance
with generally
<PAGE> 10
10
accepted accounting principles, and after giving effect to purchase accounting
and after deducting therefrom, to the extent otherwise included, the amounts
of: (i) Consolidated Current Liabilities; (ii) minority interests in
Consolidated Subsidiaries held by Persons other than the Issuer or a Restricted
Subsidiary; (iii) excess of cost over fair value of assets of businesses
acquired, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors as evidenced by
Board resolutions; (iv) any revaluation or other write-up in value of assets
subsequent to December 31, 1996, as a result of a change in the method of
valuation in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; (v)
unamortized debt discount and expenses and other unamortized deferred charges,
goodwill, patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, licenses
organization or developmental expenses and other intangible items; (vi)
treasury stock; and (vii) any cash set apart and held in a sinking or other
analogous fund established for the purpose of redemption or other retirement of
Capital Stock to the extent such obligation is not reflected in Consolidated
Current Liabilities.
"Consolidated Net Worth" of any Person means the total of the
amounts shown on the consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its
consolidated subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles, as of any date selected by such
Person not more than 90 days prior to the taking of any action for the purpose
of which the determination is being made (and adjusted for any material events
since such date), as (i) the par or stated value of all outstanding Capital
Stock plus (ii) paid-in capital or capital surplus relating to such Capital
Stock plus (iii) any retained earnings or
<PAGE> 11
11
earned surplus less (A) any accumulated deficit, (B) any amounts attributable
to Redeemable Stock and (C) any amounts attributable to Exchangeable Stock.
"Consolidated Subsidiary" means, any Subsidiary whose accounts
are or are required to be consolidated with the accounts of the Issuer in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
"Consumers" means Consumers Energy Company, a Michigan
corporation, all of whose common stock is on the date hereof owned by the
Issuer.
"Designated Enterprises Subsidiary" means any wholly-owned
subsidiary of Enterprises formed after the date of this Sixth Supplemental
Indenture which is designated a Designated Enterprises Subsidiary by the Board
of Directors.
"Enterprises" means CMS Enterprises Company, a Michigan
corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Issuer.
"Early Redemption Option" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 7.01(b).
"Event of Default" with respect to the X-TRAS has the meaning
specified in Article V of this Sixth Supplemental Indenture.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
"Exchangeable Stock" means any Capital Stock of a corporation
that is exchangeable or convertible into another security (other than Capital
Stock of such corporation that is neither Exchangeable Stock or Redeemable
Stock).
<PAGE> 12
12
"Exercise Date" means the 90th day prior the Settlement Date.
"Extended Stated Maturity" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2.01.
"Extension Option Buyer" means Morgan Stanley Capital Services,
Inc.
"FD Redemption Option" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 7.01(c).
"Final Distribution" shall have the meaning set forth in the
Pass Through Trust Agreement.
"Final Distribution Date" shall have the meaning set forth in the
Pass Through Trust Agreement.
"Hybrid Preferred Securities" means any preferred securities
issued by a Hybrid Preferred Securities Subsidiary, where such preferred
securities have the following characteristics: (i) such Hybrid Preferred
Securities Subsidiary lends substantially all of the proceeds from the issuance
of such preferred securities to the Issuer or Consumers in exchange for
subordinated debt issued by the Issuer or Consumers, respectively; (ii) such
preferred securities contain terms providing for the deferral of distributions
corresponding to provisions providing for the deferral of interest payments on
such subordinated debt; and (iii) the Issuer or Consumers (as the case may be)
makes periodic interest payments on such subordinated debt, which interest
payments are in turn used by the Hybrid Preferred Securities Subsidiary to make
corresponding payments to the holders of the Hybrid Preferred Securities.
<PAGE> 13
13
"Hybrid Preferred Securities Subsidiary" means any business trust
(or similar entity) (i) all of the common equity interest of which is owned
(either directly or indirectly through one or more wholly-owned Subsidiaries of
the Issuer or Consumers) at all times by the Issuer or Consumers, (ii) that has
been formed for the purpose of issuing Hybrid Preferred Securities and (iii)
substantially all of the assets of which consist at all times solely of
subordinated debt issued by the Issuer or Consumers (as the case may be) and
payments made from time to time on such subordinated debt.
"ISDA Amount" shall mean such amount as may be due and payable by
the Pass Through Trustee under the ISDA Master Agreement under the circumstances
contemplated thereby as notified to the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee and the
Pass Through Trustee by the Calculation Agent or the Extension Option Buyer.
"Indebtedness" of any Person means, without duplication,
(i) the principal of and premium (if any) in respect of (A)
indebtedness of such Person for money borrowed and (B) indebtedness
evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments for
the payment of which such Person is responsible or liable;
(ii) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person;
(iii) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the
deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale obligations
and all obligations under any title retention agreement (but excluding
trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business);
(iv) all obligations of such Person for the reimbursement of
any obligor on any letter of credit, bankers' acceptance or similar
credit transaction (other than obligations with respect to letters of
credit securing obligations (other than obligations described in clauses
(i) through (iii) above) entered into in the ordinary course of business
of such
<PAGE> 14
14
Person to the extent such letters of credit are not drawn upon or, if
and to the extent drawn upon, such drawing is reimbursed no later than
the third Business Day following receipt by such Person of a demand for
reimbursement following payment on the letter of credit);
(v) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i)
through (iv) of other Persons and all dividends of other Persons for the
payment of which, in either case, such Person is responsible or liable
as obligor, guarantor or otherwise; and
(vi) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i)
through (v) of other Persons secured by any Lien on any property or
asset of such Person (whether or not such obligation is assumed by such
Person), the amount of such obligation being deemed to be the lesser of
the value of such property or assets or the amount of the obligation so
secured.
"Initial Stated Maturity" means, with respect to the X-TRAS,
___________ __, 200_.
"Interest Payment Date" means [_______ __,] 1998 and each
[__________ __] and [___________] in each year thereafter.
"ISDA Master Agreement" means the ISDA Master Agreement, Schedule
and Confirmation dated as of ___________ [ ], 1997 entered into by the Pass
Through Trust and the Extension Option Buyer, as amended from time to time.
<PAGE> 15
15
"Interest Rate Protection Agreement" means any interest rate swap
agreement, interest rate cap agreement or other financial agreement or
arrangement designed to protect the Issuer or any Subsidiary against
fluctuations in interest rates.
"Letter Stock", as applied to the Capital Stock of any
corporation, means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated)
which is intended to reflect the separate performance of certain of the
businesses or operations conducted by such corporation or any of its
subsidiaries.
"Lien" means any lien, mortgage, pledge, security interest,
conditional sale, title retention agreement or other charge or encumbrance of
any kind.
"Net Cash Proceeds" means, (a) with respect to any Asset Sale ,
the aggregate proceeds of such Asset Sale including the fair market value (as
determined by the Board of Directors and net of any associated debt and of any
consideration other than Capital Stock received in return) of property other
than cash, received by the Issuer, net of (i) brokerage commissions and other
fees and expenses (including fees and expenses of counsel and investment
bankers) related to such Asset Sale, (ii) provisions for all taxes (whether or
not such taxes will actually be paid or are payable) as a result of such Asset
Sale without regard to the consolidated results of operations of the Issuer and
its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (iii) payments made to repay
Indebtedness or any other obligation outstanding at the time of such Asset Sale
that either (A) is secured by a Lien on the property or assets sold or (B) is
required to be paid as a result of such sale and (iv) appropriate amounts to be
provided by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer as a reserve
against any liabilities associated with such
<PAGE> 16
16
Asset Sale including, without limitation, pension and other post-employment
benefit liabilities, liabilities related to environmental matters and
liabilities under any indemnification obligations associated with such Asset
Sale, all as determined in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles and (b) with respect to any issuance or sale or contribution in
respect of Capital Stock, the aggregate proceeds of such issuance, sale or
contribution, including the fair market value (as determined by the Board of
Directors and net of any associated debt and of any consideration other than
Capital Stock received in return) of property other than cash, received by the
Issuer, net of attorneys' fees, accountants' fees, underwriters' or placement
agents' fees, discounts or commissions and brokerage, consultant and other fees
incurred in connection with such issuance or sale and net of taxes paid or
payable as a result thereof, provided, however, that if such fair market value
as determined by the Board of Directors of property other than cash is greater
than $25 million, the value thereof shall be based upon an opinion from an
independent nationally recognized firm experienced in the appraisal or similar
review of similar types of transactions.
"NOMECO" means, CMS NOMECO Oil & Gas Co., a Michigan corporation
and wholly-owned subsidiary of Enterprises.
"Non-Convertible Capital Stock" means, with respect to any
corporation, any non-convertible Capital Stock of such corporation and
any Capital Stock of such corporation convertible solely into non-convertible
Capital Stock other than Preferred Stock of such corporation; provided,
however, that Non-Convertible Capital Stock shall not include any Redeemable
Stock or Exchangeable Stock.
<PAGE> 17
17
"Operating Cash Flow" means, for any period, with respect to the
Issuer and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, the aggregate amount of Consolidated
Net Income after adding thereto Consolidated Interest Expense (adjusted to
include costs recognized on early retirement of debt), income taxes,
depreciation expense, Amortization Expense and any noncash amortization of debt
issuance costs, any nonrecurring, noncash charges to earnings and any negative
accretion recognition.
"Other Rating Agency" shall mean any one of Duff & Phelps Credit
Rating Co., Fitch Investors Service, L.P. or Moody's Investors Service, Inc.,
and any successor to any of these organizations which is a nationally
recognized statistical rating organization.
"Pass Through Trust" means the CMS Energy X-TRASsm Pass Through
Trust I created under the Pass Through Trust Agreement, as holder of the X-TRAS
from the Original Issue Date to the Initial Stated Maturity.
"Pass Through Trust Agreement" means the Amended and Restated
Pass Through Trust Agreement dated as of ________ __, 1998 between the Issuer
and the Pass Through Trustee.
"Pass Through Trustee" means the Pass Through Trustee appointed
from time to time under the Pass Through Trust Agreement (which initially shall
be Wilmington Trust Company).
"Paying Agent" means any person authorized by the Issuer to pay
the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any of the X-TRAS on
behalf of the Issuer. Initially, the Paying Agent is the Indenture Trustee.
<PAGE> 18
18
"Predecessor X-TRAS" of any particular X-TRAS means all previous
X-TRAS evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such
particular X-TRAS; and, for the purposes of the definition, any X-TRAS
authenticated and delivered under Section 2.9 of the Indenture in exchange for
or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen X-TRAS shall be deemed to
evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen X-TRAS.
"Preferred Stock", as applied to the Capital Stock of any
corporation, means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated)
that is preferred as to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of
assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such
corporation, over shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such
corporation; provided that Hybrid Preferred Securities are not considered
Preferred Stock for purposes of this definition.
"Premium Termination Date" means the 90th day prior to the
Initial Stated Maturity.
"Put Option" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.02.
"Redeemable Stock" means any Capital Stock that by its terms or
otherwise is required to be redeemed prior to the first anniversary of the
Stated Maturity of the Outstanding X-TRAS or is redeemable at the option of the
holder thereof at any time prior to the first anniversary of the Stated
Maturity of the Outstanding X-TRAS.
"Reference Treasury Note Yield" means the yield on the 7-year
U.S. Treasury Note used to determine the interest rate applicable to the
X-TRAS from the date of original issuance of the X-TRAS to the Initial Stated
Maturity.
<PAGE> 19
19
"Remarketing Agent" means Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated or
such other investment banking institution as shall be selected in accordance
with Section 8.02 in connection with a remarketing of the X-TRAS.
"Remarketing Deadline" means the fifteenth day prior to the
Initial Stated Maturity or such earlier date as may be mutually agreed by the
Issuer, the Indenture Trustee, the Pass Through Trustee and the Extension
Option Buyer.
"Remarketing Procedure" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 8.02.
"Required Remarketing Proceeds" shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 8.01.
"Restricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary (other than
Consumers and its subsidiaries) of the Issuer which, as of the date of the
Issuer's most recent quarterly consolidated balance sheet, constituted at least
10% of the total Consolidated Assets of the Issuer and its Consolidated
Subsidiaries and any other Subsidiary which from time to time is designated a
Restricted Subsidiary by the Board of Directors provided that no Subsidiary may
be designated a Restricted Subsidiary if, immediately after giving effect
thereto, an Event of Default or event that, with the lapse of time or giving of
notice or both, would constitute an Event of Default would exist or the Issuer
and its Restricted Subsidiaries could not incur at least one dollar of
additional Indebtedness under Section 4.03, and (i) any such Subsidiary so
designated as a Restricted Subsidiary must be organized under the laws of the
United States or any State thereof, (ii) more than 80% of the Voting Stock of
such Subsidiary must be owned of record and
<PAGE> 20
20
beneficially by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary and (iii) such Restricted
Subsidiary must be a Consolidated Subsidiary.
"Settlement Date" means the settlement date under the ISDA
Master Agreement (which is the Initial Stated Maturity).
"Standard & Poor's" shall mean Standard & Poor's Ratings Group,
a division of McGraw Hill Inc., and any successor thereto which is a
nationally recognized statistical rating organization, or if such entity
shall cease to rate the X-TRAS or shall cease to exist and there shall be no
such successor thereto, any other nationally recognized statistical rating
organization selected by the Issuer which is acceptable to the Indenture
Trustee.
"Subordinated Indebtedness" means any Indebtedness of the Issuer
(whether outstanding on the date of this Sixth Supplemental Indenture or
thereafter incurred) which is contractually subordinated or junior in right of
payment to the X-TRAS.
"Support Obligations" means, for any person, without duplication,
any financial obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such person guaranteeing
or otherwise supporting any debt or other obligation of any other person in any
manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including, without limitation, any
obligation of such person, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or
advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such debt or to
purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for
the payment of such debt, (ii) to purchase property, securities or services for
the purpose of assuring the owner of such debt of the payment of such debt,
(iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital, available cash or other
financial statement condition of the primary obligor so as to enable the
primary obligor to pay
<PAGE> 21
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such debt, (iv) to provide equity capital under or in respect of equity
subscription arrangements (to the extent that such obligation to provide equity
capital does not otherwise constitute debt), or (v) to perform, or arrange for
the performance of, any non-monetary obligations or non-funded debt payment
obligations of the primary obligor.
"Tax-Sharing Agreement" means the Amended and Restated Agreement
for the Allocation of Income Tax Liabilities and Benefits, dated January 1,
1994, as amended or supplemented from time to time, by and among Issuer, each
of the members of the Consolidated Group (as defined therein), and each of the
corporations that become members of the Consolidated Group.
"Treasury Rate" means the yield to maturity at the time of
computation of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as
compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release
H.15(519) (the "Statistical Release") which has become publicly available at
least two Business Days prior to the redemption date or, in the case of
defeasance, prior to the date of deposit (or, if such Statistical Release is no
longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most
nearly equal to the then remaining average life to stated maturity of the
X-TRAS; provided, however, that if the average life to stated maturity of the
X-TRAS is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury
security for which a weekly average yield is given, the Treasury Rate shall be
obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a
year) from the weekly average yields of United States Treasury securities for
which such yields are given.
<PAGE> 22
22
"Voting Stock" means securities of any class or classes the
holders of which are ordinarily, in the absence of contingencies, entitled to
vote for corporate directors (or persons performing similar functions).
"Yield" means the yield-to-maturity on the then current 7-year
U.S. Treasury Note as determined by linear interpolation of the 5- year and
10-year then current offered-side yields for the on-the-run most recently
issued U.S. Treasury Notes, as published on Telerate page 500 as of
approximately [12:30 p.m.], New York City time, on the Exercise Date. If
Telerate 500 is unavailable, "Yield" shall be the arithmetic mean of
offered-side yields for the then current 7-year U.S. Treasury Note as
determined by linear interpolation of the 5-year and 10-year then current
offered-side yields for the on-the-run most recently issued U.S. Treasury
Notes, without regards to highest and lowest yields, quoted as of approximately
[12:30 p.m.], New York City time, on the Exercise Date by five primary dealers
in U.S. Treasury Notes selected by the Calculation Agent.
Certain terms, used principally in Articles Three and Four of
this Sixth Supplemental Indenture, are defined in those Articles.
ARTICLE II
DESIGNATION AND TERMS OF THE X-TRAS; FORMS
SECTION 2.01. Establishment of Series. (a) There is hereby
created a series of Securities to be known and designated as the "Extendible
Tenor Rate-Adjusted Securities" and limited in aggregate principal amount
(except as contemplated in Section 2.3(f)(2) of the Indenture) to
[$150,000,000]. If the Yield on the Exercise Date is equal to or greater than
the
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23
Reference Treasury Note Yield,the X-TRAS will mature on _____________ __,
200_ (the "Initial Stated Maturity"). If the Yield on the Exercise
Date is less than the Reference Treasury Note Yield, the maturity of the X-TRAS
will be extended until ______________ __, 201_ (the "Extended Stated
Maturity").
(b) During the period commencing on the Original Issue Date
and ending on the Initial Stated Maturity, the X-TRAS will bear interest from
the Original Issue Date, or from the most recent date to which interest has
been paid or duly provided for, at the rate of ____% per annum stated therein
until the principal thereof is paid or made available for payment. In the
event the X-TRAS are extended until the Extended Stated Maturity, the X-TRAS
will bear interest from the Initial Stated Maturity or from the most recent
date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, at such rate per
annum as may be established pursuant to Article X, until the principal thereof
is paid or made available for payment. Interest will be payable semiannually
on each Interest Payment Date and at Maturity, as provided in the form of
X-TRAS in Section 2.03 hereof.
(c) The Record Date referred to in Section 2.3(f)(4) of the
Indenture for the payment of the interest on any X-TRAS payable on any Interest
Payment Date (other than at Maturity) shall be the first day (whether or not a
Business Day) of the calendar month in which such Interest Payment Date occurs
and, in the case of interest payable at Maturity, the Record Date shall be the
date of Maturity.
(d) The payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and
interest on the X-TRAS shall not be secured by a security interest in any
property.
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(e) The X-TRAS shall be redeemable at the option of the Issuer
as provided in Section 8.01(b) and (c) hereof. The holders of X-TRAS shall not
be entitled to any sinking fund payments. The X-TRAS shall be purchased by the
Issuer at the option of the Holders thereof as provided in Sections 3.01, 4.05
and 8.02 hereof.
(f) The X-TRAS shall not be convertible.
(g) The X-TRAS will not be subordinated to the payment of
Senior Debt.
(h) The Issuer will not pay any additional amounts on the
X-TRAS held by a Person who is not a U.S. Person in respect of any tax,
assessment or government charge withheld or deducted.
(i) The events specified in Events of Default with respect to
the X-TRAS shall include the events specified in Article Five of this Sixth
Supplemental Indenture. In addition to the covenants set forth in Article
Three of the Original Indenture, the Holders of the X- TRAS shall have the
benefit of the covenants of the Issuer set forth in Article Four hereto.
(j) In the event the X-TRAs are extended until the Extended
Maturity Date, then, unless the Issuer exercises the FD Redemption Option
(which option the Issuer shall be entitled to exercise until the Remarketing
Deadline), the interest rate borne by the X-TRAS will be reset in order that
the X-TRAS may be remarketed so as to yield proceeds at least sufficient to
make available to the Pass Through Trustee on the Final Distribution Date an
amount in cash equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof together with
accrued interest to the Initial Stated Maturity plus the ISDA Amount. The
remarketing of the X-TRAS will be conducted in accordance with the provisions
of Article X hereof.
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SECTION 2.02. Forms Generally. The X-TRAS and Indenture
Trustee's certificates of authentication shall be in substantially the form set
forth in this Article, with such appropriate insertions, omissions,
substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by the
Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification
and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply
with the rules of any securities exchange or as may, consistently herewith, be
determined by the officers executing such X- TRAS, as evidenced by their
execution thereof.
The definitive X-TRAS shall be printed, lithographed or engraved
on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as
determined by the officers executing such X-TRAS, as evidenced by their
execution thereof.
SECTION 2.03. Form of Face of X-TRAS.
CMS ENERGY CORPORATION
____% EXTENDIBLE TENOR RATE-ADJUSTED SECURITIES ("X-TRAS(SM)")
No. ________ $__________
CMS Energy Corporation, a corporation duly organized and existing
under the laws of the State of Michigan (herein called the "Issuer", which
term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred
to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to _____________________, or
registered assigns, the principal sum of ____________________ Dollars on
____________ __, 200_ ("Initial Stated Maturity") or, in the event the
X-TRAS are extended to the Extended Maturity Date, _____________ __, 201_
and to pay interest thereon from [________ __,] 1998 (the "Original Issue
Date") or from the most recent
<PAGE> 26
26
Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for,
semi-annually on [______ __] and [_________ __] in each year, commencing
[______ __,] 1998 (i) to ________________ __, 200_ at the rate of __% per
annum, and (ii) in the event the X-TRAS are extended to the Extended Maturity
Date, to ______________ __, 201_ at such rate as may be established pursuant
to the Remarketing Procedure, until the principal hereof is paid or made
available for payment. The amount of interest payable on any Interest Payment
Date shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any
Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the
Person in whose name this Extendible Tenor Rate-Adjusted Security ("Security")
(or one or more Predecessor X-TRAS) is registered at the close of business on
the Record Date for such interest, which shall be the first day of the calendar
month in which such Interest Payment Date occurs (whether or not a Business
Day) except that the Record Date for interest payable at the Initial Stated
Maturity or Extended Stated Maturity shall be the date of such Initial Stated
Maturity or Extended Stated Maturity. Any such interest not so punctually paid
or duly provided for will forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such
Record Date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security
(or one or more Predecessor X-TRAS) is registered at the close of business on a
subsequent Record Date (which shall be not less than five Business Days prior
to the date of payment of such defaulted interest) for the payment of such
defaulted interest to be fixed by the Indenture Trustee, notice whereof shall
be given to Holders of X-TRAS not less than 15 days preceding such subsequent
Record Date.
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Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest,
if any, on this Security will be made at the office or agency of the Issuer
maintained for that purpose in New York, New York (the "Place of Payment"), in
such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment
is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however,
that at the option of the Issuer payment of interest (other than interest
payable at Maturity) may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person
entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or by
wire transfer to an account designated by such Person not later than ten days
prior to the date of such payment. If the date on which payment of principal
or interest on this Security becomes due is not a Business Day, then such
principal or interest shall be due and payable on the next succeeding Business
Day.
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this
Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for
all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed
by the Indenture Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature,
this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be
valid or obligatory for any purpose.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer has caused this instrument to be
duly executed under its corporate seal.
Dated:
CMS ENERGY CORPORATION
By:__________________________
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Its:
By:__________________________
Its:
Attest:
SECTION 2.04. Form of Reverse of Security.
This ____% Extendible Tenor Rate-Adjusted Security is one of a
duly authorized issue of securities of the Issuer (herein called the "X-TRAS"),
issued and to be issued under an Indenture, dated as of September 15, 1992, as
supplemented by certain supplemental indentures, including the Sixth
Supplemental Indenture, dated as of _______ __, 1998 (herein collectively
referred to as the "Indenture"), between the Issuer and NBD Bank, a Michigan
banking corporation (formerly known as NBD Bank, National Association), as
Indenture Trustee (herein called the "Indenture Trustee", which term includes
any successor trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all
indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the
respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of
the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee, the Holders of the X-TRAS and of the terms
upon which the X-TRAS are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This
Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof, limited in
aggregate principal amount to [$150,000,000].
The X-TRAS will be redeemable at the Issuer's option (the "Early
Redemption Option"), in whole or in part, at any time and from time from the
date hereof to the 91st day
<PAGE> 29
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prior to the Initial Stated Maturity, at a redemption price equal to the sum of
(i) 100% of the principal amount of the X-TRAS being redeemed plus the
Applicable Premium, together with accrued interest, if any, thereon to the
Redemption Date if such redemption occurs on or prior to the Premium
Termination Date (but interest installments whose Stated Maturity is on or
prior to the Redemption Date will be payable to the Holder thereof of record at
the close of business on the relevant Record Date referred to on the face
hereof all as provided in the Indenture) plus (ii) the ISDA Amount, if
any, as determined by the Extension Option Buyer and notified to the Issuer,
the Indenture Trustee and the Pass Through Trustee [five] Business Days prior
to the Redemption Date ("Early Redemption Price"). In no event will the Early
Redemption Price calculated pursuant to the foregoing clause (ii) ever be less
than 100% of the principal amount of the X-TRAS plus accrued interest to the
Redemption Date.
The following definitions are used to determine the
Applicable Premium:
"Applicable Premium" means, with respect to X-TRAS (or portion
thereof) being redeemed at any time, the excess of (A) the present value at
such time of the principal amount of such X-TRAS (or portion thereof) being
redeemed plus all interest payments due on such X-TRAS (or portion thereof) to
the Initial Stated Maturity, which present value shall be computed using a
discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points, over (B) the
principal amount of such X-TRAS (or portion thereof) being redeemed at such
time. For purposes of this definition, the present values of interest and
principal payments will be determined in accordance with generally accepted
principles of financial analysis.
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"Treasury Rate" means the yield to maturity at the time of
computation of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as
compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release
H.15(519) (the "Statistical Release") which has become publicly available at
least two Business Days prior to the redemption date or, in the case of
defeasance, prior to the date of deposit (or, if such Statistical Release is no
longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most
nearly equal to the then remaining average life to stated maturity of the
X-TRAS; provided, however, that if the average life to stated maturity of the
X-TRAS is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury
security for which a weekly average yield is given, the Treasury Rate shall be
obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a
year) from the weekly average yields of United States Treasury securities for
which such yields are given.
In the event of redemption of the X-TRAS in part, new X-TRAS for
the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued in the name of the Holder thereof
upon cancellation hereof.
In addition, the X-TRAS will be redeemable at the Issuer's option
(the "FD Redemption Option"), in whole, at any time and from time from and
after the 90th day prior to the Initial Stated Maturity until the Remarketing
Deadline, by irrevocable notice given to the Indenture Trustee, the Pass
Through Trustee, the Extension Option Buyer and the Calculation Agent not later
than the Remarketing Deadline, at a Redemption Price equal (in the aggregate)
to the sum of (i) 100% of the unpaid principal amount thereof together with
accrued interest, if any, thereon to the Initial Stated Maturity plus (ii) the
ISDA Amount as of the Exercise
<PAGE> 31
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Date as determined by the Extension Option Buyer and notified to the Issuer,
the Indenture Trustee and the Pass Through Trustee within [five] Business Days
thereafter.
If a Change in Control occurs, the Issuer shall notify the Holder
of this Security, the Indenture Trustee, the Pass Through Trustee and the
Extension Option Buyer of such occurrence and each Holder shall have the right
to require the Issuer to make a Required Repurchase of all or any part of this
Security at a Change in Control Purchase Price equal to 101% of the
principal amount of the X-TRAS to be so purchased together with accrued
interest thereon to the date of repurchase, plus (in the aggregate with all
other X-TRAS repurchased pursuant to such Required Repurchase) the ISDA Amount,
if any, as of such date of repurchase as determined by the Extension Option
Buyer and notified to the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee and the Pass Through
Trustee by 10 a.m., New York City time, on such date, as more fully provided in
the Indenture and subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein. In
the event of a Required Repurchase of only a portion of this Security, a new
Security or Notes for the unrepurchased portion hereof will be issued in the
name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.
In the event that the Issuer has Excess Proceeds from an Asset
Sale, it shall be required to make an offer to purchase from Holders on a pro
rata basis an aggregate principal amount of X-TRAS equal to the Excess
Proceeds, at a purchase price equal to the sum of (i) 100% of the principal
amount of and unpaid interest, if any, to the purchase date on such X-TRAS,
plus (ii) the ISDA Amount as determined by the Extension Option Buyer and
notified to the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee and the Pass Through Trustee by
10 a.m., New York City
<PAGE> 32
32
time, on such date of repurchase. The procedures to be followed by the Issuer
in making such an offer, and for the acceptance of such offer by Holders, shall
be the same as those set forth in the Indenture with respect to a Change in
Control.
Holders of the X-TRAS have the right to require the Issuer to
repurchase (the "Put Option") on the Initial Stated Maturity all of the X-TRAS
at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof together with
accrued interest, if any, thereon, to the Initial Stated Maturity.
If an Event of Default with respect to this Security shall occur
and be continuing, the principal of this Security may be declared due and
payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture. If any
such acceleration occurs, the Issuer will also be obligated to pay the
ISDA Amount, if any, as of the date of such acceleration, as determined by
the Extension Option Buyer and notified to the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee
and the Pass Through Trustee within [five] Business Days after the date of such
acceleration.
In any case where any Interest Payment Date, repurchase date,
Stated Maturity or Maturity of any Security shall not be a Business Day at any
Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of the Indenture or
this Security), payment of interest or principal (and premium, if any) need not
be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next
succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect
as if made on the Interest Payment Date, repurchase date or at the Stated
Maturity or Maturity; provided that no interest shall accrue on the amount so
payable for the period from
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33
and after such Interest Payment Date, redemption date, repurchase date, Stated
Maturity or Maturity, as the case may be, to such Business Day.
The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of
(i) the entire indebtedness of this Security or (ii) certain restrictive
covenants and Events of Default with respect to this Security, in each case
upon compliance with certain conditions set forth therein.
The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein
provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and
obligations of the Issuer and the rights of the Holders of all Outstanding
X-TRAS under the Indenture at any time by the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee
with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount
of Securities of all series then Outstanding and affected (voting as one
class). No such amendment or modification may be made to the Indenture which
has a material adverse effect on the Extension Option Buyer without the consent
of the Extension Option Buyer.
The Indenture permits the Holders of not less than a majority in
principal amount of Securities of all series at the time Outstanding with
respect to which a default shall have occurred and be continuing (voting as one
class) to waive on behalf of the Holders of all Outstanding Securities of such
series any past default by the Issuer, provided that no such waiver may be made
with respect to a default in the payment of the principal of or the interest on
any Security of such series or the default by the Issuer in respect of certain
covenants or provisions of the Indenture, the modification or amendment of
which must be consented to by the Holder of each Outstanding Security of each
series affected or by the Extension Option Buyer, as the case may be.
<PAGE> 34
34
As set forth in, and subject to, the provisions of the Indenture,
no Holder of any Securities of any series will have any right to institute any
proceeding with respect to the Indenture or for any remedy thereunder, unless
such Holder shall have previously given to the Indenture Trustee written notice
of a continuing Event of Default, the Holders of not less than 25% in principal
amount of the Outstanding Securities of each affected series (voting as one
class) shall have made written request, and offered reasonable indemnity, to
the Indenture Trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee, and the
Indenture Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in
principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each affected series (voting
as one class) a direction inconsistent with such request and shall have failed
to institute such proceeding within 60 days; provided, however, that such
limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by the Holder hereof for the
enforcement of payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or any
interest on this Security on or after the respective due dates expressed
herein.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this
Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the
Issuer, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any
premium and interest on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the
coin or currency, herein prescribed.
As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations
therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registerable in the
Security Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer
at the office or agency of the Issuer in any place where the principal of and
any premium and interest on this Security are payable, duly endorsed by, or
<PAGE> 35
35
accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the
Issuer and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his
attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities
of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same
aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or
transferees.
The X-TRAS are issuable only in registered form without coupons
in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. As provided in
the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, X-TRAS are
exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of X-TRAS and of like tenor
of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering
the same.
No service charge shall be made for any such registration of
transfer or exchange, but the Issuer may require payment of a sum sufficient to
cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
The Issuer shall not be required to (a) issue, exchange or
register the transfer of this Security for a period of 15 days next preceding
the mailing of the notice of redemption of X-TRAS or (b) exchange or register
the transfer of any Security or any portion thereof selected, called or being
called for redemption, except in the case of any Security to be redeemed in
part, the portion thereof not so to be redeemed.
Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of
transfer, the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the
Indenture Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is
registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not
<PAGE> 36
36
this Security be overdue, and neither the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee nor any
such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
All terms used in this Security without definition which are
defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the
Indenture.
SECTION 2.05. Form of Indenture Trustee's Certificate of
Authentication. The Indenture Trustee's certificates of authentication shall
be in substantially the following form:
This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein
referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
_______________________________
as Indenture Trustee
By:____________________________
Authorized Officer
ARTICLE III
CHANGE IN CONTROL
SECTION 3.01. Change in Control. Upon the occurrence of a
Change in Control (the effective date of such Change in Control being the
"Change in Control Date"), each Holder of X-TRAS shall have the right to
require that the Issuer repurchase (a "Required Repurchase") all or any part of
such Holder's X-TRAS at a repurchase price payable in cash equal to
101% of the principal amount of such X-TRAS plus accrued interest to the Change
in Control Purchase Date (as defined
<PAGE> 37
37
below) (the "Change in Control Purchase Price") plus (in the aggregate
with all other X-TRAS repurchased pursuant to this Section 3.01) the ISDA
Amount, if any, as of the Change in Control Purchase Date as determined by the
Extension Option Buyer and notified to the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee and
the Pass Through Trustee by 10 a.m., New York City time, on such date. The
Notional Amount used to determine the Extension Amount shall be equal to the
aggregate principal amount of X-TRAS tendered for repurchase and not withdrawn.
(a) Within 30 days following the Change in Control Date, the
Issuer shall mail a notice (the "Required Repurchase Notice") to each
Holder with copies to the Indenture Trustee, Pass Through Trustee and
Extension Option Buyer stating:
(i) that a Change in Control has occurred and that such
Holder has the right to require the Issuer to repurchase all or
any part of such Holder's X-TRAS at the Change in Control
Purchase Price;
(ii) the Change in Control Purchase Price;
(iii) the date on which any Required Repurchase shall be
made (which shall be no earlier than 60 days nor later than 90
days from the date such notice is mailed) (the "Change in Control
Purchase Date");
(iv) the name and address of the Paying Agent; and
(v) the procedures that Holders must follow to cause
the X-TRAS to be repurchased, which shall be consistent with this
Section and the Indenture.
(b) Holders electing to have X-TRAS repurchased must deliver
a written notice (the "Change in Control Purchase Notice") to the
Paying Agent (initially the
<PAGE> 38
38
Indenture Trustee) at its corporate trust office in Detroit, Michigan,
or any other office of the Paying Agent maintained for such purposes,
not later than 30 days prior to the Change in Control Purchase Date.
The Change in Control Purchase Notice shall state: (i) the portion of
the principal amount of any X-TRAS to be repurchased, which portion must
be $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof; (ii) that such X-TRAS are to
be repurchased by the Issuer pursuant to the change in control
provisions of the Indenture; and (iii) unless the X-TRAS are represented
by one or more Global Notes, the certificate numbers of the X-TRAS to be
delivered by the Holder thereof for repurchase by the Issuer. Any
Change in Control Purchase Notice may be withdrawn by the Holder by a
written notice of withdrawal delivered to the Paying Agent not later
than three Business Days prior to the Change in Control Purchase Date.
The notice of withdrawal shall state the principal amount and, if
applicable, the certificate numbers of the X-TRAS as to which the
withdrawal notice relates and the principal amount of such X-TRAS, if
any, which remains subject to a Change in Control Purchase Notice.
(c) Payment of the Change in Control Purchase Price for X-TRAS
for which a Change in Control Purchase Notice has been delivered and not
withdrawn is conditioned upon delivery of such X-TRAS (together with
necessary endorsements) to the Paying Agent at its office in Detroit,
Michigan, or any other office of the Paying Agent maintained for such
purpose, at any time (whether prior to, on or after the Change in
Control Purchase Date) after the delivery of such Change in Control
Purchase Notice. Payment of the Change in Control Purchase Price for
such X-TRAS will be made
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promptly following the later of the Change in Control Purchase Date or
the time of delivery of such X-TRAS. If the Paying Agent holds, in
accordance with the terms of the Indenture, money sufficient to pay the
Change in Control Purchase Price of such X-TRAS on the Business Day
following the Change in Control Purchase Date, then, on and after such
date, interest will cease accruing, and all other rights of the Holder
shall terminate (other than the right to receive the Change in Control
Purchase Price upon delivery of the X-TRAS).
(d) The Issuer shall comply with the provisions of Regulation
14E and any other tender offer rules under the Exchange Act, which may
then be applicable in connection with any offer by the Issuer to
repurchase X-TRAS at the option of Holders upon a Change in Control.
(e) No X-TRAS may be repurchased by the Issuer as a result of
a Change in Control if there has occurred and is continuing an Event of
Default (other than a default in the Payment of the Change in Control
Purchase Price with respect to the X-TRAS).
ARTICLE IV
ADDITIONAL COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER
WITH RESPECT TO THE X-TRAS
SECTION 4.01. Limitation on Certain Liens. So long as any of
the X-TRAS are outstanding, the Issuer shall not create, incur, assume or
suffer to exist any lien, mortgage, pledge, security interest, conditional
sale, title retention agreement or other charge or
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encumbrance of any kind, or any other type of arrangement intended or having
the effect of conferring upon a creditor of the Issuer or any Subsidiary a
preferential interest (hereinafter in this Section referred to as a "Lien")
upon or with respect to any of its property of any character, including without
limitation any shares of Capital Stock of Consumers or Enterprises, without
making effective provision whereby the X-TRAS shall (so long as any such other
creditor shall be so secured) be equally and ratably secured (along with any
other creditor similarly entitled to be secured) by a direct Lien on all
property subject to such Lien, provided, however, that the foregoing
restrictions shall not apply to:
(i) Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or
levies to the extent not past due;
(ii) pledges or deposits to secure (a) obligations under
workmen's compensation laws or similar legislation, (b) statutory
obligations of the Issuer or (c) Support Obligations at any one time
outstanding;
(iii) Liens imposed by law, such as materialmen's, mechanics',
carriers', workmen's and repairmen's Liens and other similar Liens
arising in the ordinary course of business securing obligations which
are not overdue or which have been fully bonded and are being
contested in good faith;
(iv) purchase money Liens upon or in property acquired and held
by the Issuer in the ordinary course of business to secure the
purchase price of such property or to secure Indebtedness incurred
solely for the purpose of financing the acquisition of any such
property to be subject to such Liens, or Liens existing on any such
property at the
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time of acquisition, or extensions, renewals or replacements of any of
the foregoing for the same or a lesser amount, provided that no such
Lien shall extend to or cover any property other than the property being
acquired and no such extension, renewal or replacement shall extend to
or cover property not theretofore subject to the Lien being extended,
renewed or replaced, and provided, further, that the aggregate principal
amount of the Indebtedness at any one time outstanding secured by Liens
permitted by this clause (iv) shall not exceed $10,000,000; and
(v) Liens not otherwise permitted by clauses (i) through (iv)
of this Section securing Indebtedness of the Issuer; provided that on
the date such Liens are created, and after giving effect to such
Indebtedness, the aggregate principal amount at maturity of all of the
secured Indebtedness of the Issuer at such date shall not exceed 5% of
Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at such date.
SECTION 4.02. Limitation on Consolidation, Merger, Sale or
Conveyance. So long as any of the X-TRAS are Outstanding and until senior
unsecured debt of the Issuer is rated BBB- or above (or an equivalent rating)
by Standard & Poor's and one Other Rating Agency (or, if Standard & Poor's
shall change its rating system, an equivalent of such rating then employed by
such organization), at which time the Issuer will be permanently released from
the provisions of this Section 4.02, and subject also to Article Nine of the
Indenture, the Issuer shall not consolidate with or merge into any other
Person or sell, lease or convey the property of the Issuer in the entirety or
substantially as an entirety, unless (i) immediately after giving effect to
such transaction the Consolidated Net Worth of the surviving entity is at least
equal to the
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Consolidated Net Worth of the Issuer immediately prior to the transaction, and
(ii) after giving effect to such transaction, the surviving entity would be
entitled to incur at least one dollar of additional Indebtedness (other than
revolving Indebtedness to banks) without violation of the limitations in
Section 4.03 hereof.
SECTION 4.03. Limitation on Consolidated Indebtedness. (a) So
long as any of the X-TRAS are Outstanding and until senior unsecured debt of
the issuer is rated BBB- or above (or an equivalent rating) by Standard
& Poor's and one Other Rating Agency (or, if Standard & Poor's shall change its
rating system, an equivalent of such rating then employed by such
organization), at which time the Issuer will be permanently released from the
provisions of this Section 4.03, the Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any
Consolidated Subsidiary of the Issuer to, issue, create, assume, guarantee,
incur or otherwise become liable for (collectively, "issue"), directly or
indirectly, any Indebtedness unless the Consolidated Coverage Ratio of the
Issuer and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for the four consecutive fiscal
quarters immediately preceding the issuance of such Indebtedness (as shown by a
pro forma consolidated income statement of the Issuer and its Consolidated
Subsidiaries for the four most recent fiscal quarters ending at least 30 days
prior to the issuance of such Indebtedness after giving effect to (i) the
issuance of such Indebtedness and (if applicable) the application of the net
proceeds thereof to refinance other Indebtedness as if such Indebtedness was
issued at the beginning of the period, (ii) the issuance and retirement of any
other Indebtedness since the first day of the period as if such Indebtedness
was issued or retired at the beginning of the period and (iii) the acquisition
of any company or business acquired by the Issuer or any Subsidiary since the
first day of the period (including
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giving effect to the pro forma historical earnings of such company or
business), including any acquisition which will be consummated
contemporaneously with the issuance of such Indebtedness, as if in each case
such acquisition occurred at the beginning of the period) exceeds a ratio of
1.7 to 1.0.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraph, the Issuer or any
Restricted Subsidiary may issue, directly or indirectly, the following
Indebtedness:
(1) Indebtedness of the Issuer to banks not to exceed
$1,000,000,000 in aggregate outstanding principal amount at any
time;
(2) Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness described in
clause (1) of this Subsection) outstanding on the date of this Sixth
Supplemental Indenture, as set forth on Schedule 4.03(b)(2) attached
hereto and made a part hereof, and Indebtedness issued in exchange for,
or the proceeds of which are used to refund or refinance, any
Indebtedness permitted by this clause (2); provided, however, that (i)
the principal amount (or accreted value in the case of Indebtedness
issued at a discount) of the Indebtedness so issued shall not exceed the
principal amount (or accreted value in the case of Indebtedness issued
at a discount) of, premium, if any, and accrued but unpaid interest on,
the Indebtedness so exchanged, refunded or refinanced and (ii) the
Indebtedness so issued (A) shall not mature prior to the stated maturity
of the Indebtedness so exchanged, refunded or refinanced, (B) shall have
an Average Life equal to or greater than the remaining Average Life of
the Indebtedness so exchanged, refunded or refinanced and (C) if the
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Indebtedness to be exchanged, refunded or refinanced is subordinated to
the X-TRAS, the Indebtedness is subordinated to the X-TRAS in right of
payment;
(3) Indebtedness of the Issuer owed to and held by a
Subsidiary and Indebtedness of a Subsidiary owed to and held by the
Issuer; provided, however, that, in the case of Indebtedness of the
Issuer owed to and held by a Subsidiary, (i) any subsequent issuance or
transfer of any Capital Stock that results in any such Subsidiary
ceasing to be a Subsidiary or (ii) any transfer of such Indebtedness
(except to the Issuer or a Subsidiary) shall be deemed for the purposes
of this Subsection to constitute the issuance of such Indebtedness by
the Issuer;
(4) Indebtedness of the Issuer issued in exchange for, or the
proceeds of which are used to refund or refinance, Indebtedness of the
Issuer issued in accordance with Subsection (a) of this Section,
provided that (i) the principal amount (or accreted value in the case of
Indebtedness issued at a discount) of the Indebtedness so issued shall
not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value in the case of
Indebtedness issued at a discount) of, premium, if any, and accrued but
unpaid interest on, the Indebtedness so exchanged, refunded or
refinanced and (ii) the Indebtedness so issued (A) shall not mature
prior to the stated maturity of the Indebtedness so exchanged, refunded
or refinanced, (B) shall have an Average Life equal to or greater than
the remaining Average Life of the Indebtedness so exchanged, refunded or
refinanced and (C) if the Indebtedness to be exchanged, refunded or
refinanced is subordinated to the X-TRAS, the Indebtedness so issued is
subordinated to the X-TRAS in right of payment;
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(5) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary issued in exchange
for, or the proceeds of which are used to refund or refinance,
Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary issued in accordance with
Subsection (a) of this Section, provided that (i) the principal amount
(or accreted value in the case of Indebtedness issued at a discount) of
the Indebtedness so issued shall not exceed the principal amount (or
accreted value in the case of Indebtedness issued at a discount) of,
premium, if any, and accrued but unpaid interest on, the Indebtedness so
exchanged, refunded or refinanced and (ii) the Indebtedness so issued
(A) shall not mature prior to the stated maturity of the Indebtedness so
exchanged, refunded or refinanced and (B) shall have an Average Life
equal to or greater than the remaining Average Life of the Indebtedness
so exchanged, refunded or refinanced.
(6) Indebtedness of a Consolidated Subsidiary issued to
acquire, develop, improve, construct or to provide working capital for a
gas, oil or electric generation, exploration, production, distribution,
storage or transmission facility and related assets, provided that such
Indebtedness is without recourse to any assets of the Issuer, Consumers,
Enterprises, CMS Generation, NOMECO, CMS Electric and Gas, CMS Gas
Transmission and Storage, CMS MST or any other Designated Enterprises
Subsidiary;
(7) Indebtedness of a Person existing at the time at which
such person became a Subsidiary and not incurred in connection with, or
in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Subsidiary. Such
Indebtedness shall be deemed to be incurred on the date the acquired
Person becomes a Consolidated Subsidiary;
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(8) Indebtedness issued by the Issuer not to exceed
$150,000,000 in aggregate principal amount at any time; and
(9) Indebtedness of a Consolidated Subsidiary in respect of
rate reduction bonds issued to recover electric restructuring
transition costs of Consumers provided that such Indebtedness is without
recourse to the assets of Consumers.
SECTION 4.04. Limitation on Restricted Payments. (a) So long
as the X-TRAS are Outstanding and until senior unsecured debt of the
Issuer is rated BBB- or above (or an equivalent rating) by Standard &
Poor's and one Other Rating Agency (or, if Standard & Poor's shall change its
rating system, an equivalent of such rating then employed by such
organization), at which time the Issuer will be permanently released from the
provisions of this Section 4.04, the Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer, directly or indirectly, to (i) declare or
pay any dividend or make any distribution on the Capital Stock of the Issuer to
the direct or indirect holders of its Capital Stock (except dividends or
distributions payable solely in its Non-Convertible Capital Stock or in
options, warrants or other rights to purchase such Non-Convertible Capital
Stock and except dividends or distributions payable to the Issuer or a
Subsidiary), (ii) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value any
Capital Stock of the Issuer, or (iii) purchase, repurchase, redeem, defease or
otherwise acquire or retire for value, prior to scheduled maturity or scheduled
repayment thereof, any Subordinated Indebtedness (any such dividend,
distribution, purchase, redemption, repurchase, defeasing, other acquisition or
retirement being hereinafter referred to as a "Restricted Payment") if at the
time the Issuer or such Subsidiary makes such Restricted Payment:
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(1) an Event of Default, or an event that with the lapse of
time or the giving of notice or both would constitute an Event of
Default, shall have occurred and be continuing (or would result
therefrom); or
(2) the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payment and all
other Restricted Payments made since May 6, 1997 would exceed the sum
of:
(A) $100,000,000;
(B) 100% of Consolidated Net Income, accrued during the
period (treated as one accounting period) from May 6, 1997 to the
end of the most recent fiscal quarter ending at least 45 days
prior to the date of such Restricted Payment (or, in case such
sum shall be a deficit, minus 100% of the deficit); and
(C) the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received by the
Issuer from the issue or sale of or contribution with respect to
its Capital Stock subsequent to May 6, 1997.
For the purpose of determining the amount of any Restricted Payment not in the
form of cash, the amount shall be the fair value of such Restricted Payment as
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, provided that if the value
of the non-cash portion of such Restricted Payment as determined by the Board
of Directors is in excess of $25 million, such value shall be based on the
opinion from a nationally recognized firm experienced in the appraisal of
similar types of transactions.
(b) The provisions of Section 4.04(a) shall not prohibit:
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(i) any purchase or redemption of Capital Stock of the
Issuer made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the
substantially concurrent sale of, Capital Stock of the Issuer
(other than Redeemable Stock or Exchangeable Stock); provided,
however, that such purchase or redemption shall be excluded from
the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments;
(ii) dividends or other distributions paid in respect of
any class of the Issuer's Capital Stock issued in respect of the
acquisition of any business or assets by the Issuer or a
Restricted Subsidiary if the dividends or other distributions
with respect to such Capital Stock are payable solely from the
net earnings of such business or assets;
(iii) dividends paid within 60 days after the date of
declaration thereof if at such date of declaration such dividend
would have complied with this Section; provided, however, that at
the time of payment of such dividend, no Event of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing (or result therefrom), and
provided further, however, that such dividends shall be included
(without duplication) in the calculation of the amount of
Restricted Payments; or
(iv) payments pursuant to the Tax-Sharing Agreement.
SECTION 4.05. Limitation on Asset Sales. So long as any of the
X-TRAS are outstanding, the Issuer may not sell, transfer or otherwise dispose
of any property or assets of the Issuer, including Capital Stock of any
Consolidated Subsidiary, in one transaction or a series of transactions in an
amount which exceeds $50,000,000 (an "Asset Sale") unless the Issuer shall
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(i) apply an amount equal to such excess Net Cash Proceeds to permanently repay
Indebtedness of a Consolidated Subsidiary or Indebtedness of the Issuer which
is pari passu with the X-TRAS or (ii) invest an equal amount not so used in
clause (i) in property or assets of related business within 24 months after the
date of the Asset Sale (the "Application Period") or (iii) apply such excess
Net Cash Proceeds not so used in (i) or (ii) (the "Excess Proceeds") to make an
offer (the "Excess Proceeds Offer"), within 30 days after the end of the
Application Period, to purchase (the "Excess Proceeds Repurchase") from the
Holders on a pro rata basis an aggregate principal amount of X-TRAS on the
Excess Proceeds Purchase Date (as defined herein) equal to the Excess Proceeds
on such date, at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal
amount of the X-TRAS on the Excess Proceeds Purchase Date and unpaid interest,
if any, to such date (the "Excess Proceeds Purchase Price") plus the ISDA
Amount, if any, as of the Excess Proceeds Purchase Date as determined by the
Extension Option Buyer as of such date and notified to the Issuer, the
Indenture Trustee and the Pass Through Trustee by 10 a.m., New York City time,
on such date. The Notional Amount used to determine the ISDA Amount shall be
equal to the aggregate principal amount of X-TRAS tendered for repurchase and
not withdrawn. The Issuer shall only be required to make an offer to purchase
X-TRAS from Holders pursuant to subsection (iii) if the Excess Proceeds equal
or exceed $25,000,000 at any given time.
(a) Within 30 days after the end of the Application Period,
the Issuer shall mail a notice (the "Excess Proceeds Repurchase Notice")
to each Holder with copies to the Indenture Trustee, Pass Through
Trustee and Extension Option Buyer stating:
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(i) that the Issuer is making an Excess Proceeds Offer
pusuant to Section 4.05 of the Sixth Supplemental Indenture;
(ii) the Excess Proceeds Purchase Price;
(iii) the date on which any Exceeds Proceeds Repurchase
shall be made (which shall be no earlier than 60 days nor later
than 90 days from the date such notice is mailed) (the "Excess
Proceeds Purchase Date");
(iv) the name and address of the Paying Agent; and
(v) the procedures that Holders must follow to cause
the X-TRAS to be repurchased, which shall be consistent with this
Section and the Indenture.
(b) Holders electing to have X-TRAS repurchased must deliver
a written notice (the "Excess Proceeds Purchase Notice") to the
Paying Agent (initially the Indenture Trustee) at its corporate trust
office in Detroit, Michigan, or any other office of the Paying Agent
maintained for such purposes, not later than 30 days prior to the Excess
Proceeds Purchase Date. The Excess Proceeds Purchase Notice shall
state: (i) the portion of the principal amount of any X-TRAS to be
repurchased, which portion must be $1,000 or an integral multiple
thereof; (ii) that such X-TRAS are to be repurchased by the Issuer
pursuant to the Exceeds Proceeds Offer provisions of the Indenture; and
(iii) unless the X-TRAS are represented by one or more Global Notes, the
certificate numbers of the X-TRAS to be delivered by the Holder thereof
for repurchase by the Issuer. Any Excess Proceeds Purchase Notice may
be withdrawn by the Holder by a written notice of withdrawal delivered
to the Paying Agent not later than three
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Business Days prior to the Excess Proceeds Purchase Date. The notice of
withdrawal shall state the principal amount and, if applicable, the
certificate numbers of the X-TRAS as to which the withdrawal notice
relates and the principal amount of such X-TRAS, if any, which remains
subject to a Excess Proceeds Purchase Notice.
(c) Payment of the Excess Proceeds Purchase Price for X-TRAS
for which a Excess Proceeds Purchase Notice has been delivered and not
withdrawn is conditioned upon delivery of such X-TRAS (together with
necessary endorsements) to the Paying Agent at its office in Detroit,
Michigan, or any other office of the Paying Agent maintained for such
purpose, at any time (whether prior to, on or after the Excess Proceeds
Purchase Date) after the delivery of such Excess Proceeds Purchase
Notice. Payment of the Excess Proceeds Purchase Price for such X-TRAS
will be made promptly following the later of the Excess Proceeds
Purchase Date or the time of delivery of such X- TRAS. If the Paying
Agent holds, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, money
sufficient to pay the Excess Proceeds Purchase Price of such X-TRAS on
the Business Day following the Excess Proceeds Purchase Date, then, on
and after such date, interest will cease accruing, and all other rights
of the Holder shall terminate (other than the right to receive the
Excess Proceeds Purchase Price upon delivery of the X-TRAS).
(d) The Issuer shall comply with the provisions of Regulation
14E and any other tender offer rules under the Exchange Act, which may
then be applicable in connection with any Excess Proceeds Offer.
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ARTICLE V
ADDITIONAL EVENTS OF DEFAULT
WITH RESPECT TO THE X-TRAS
SECTION 5.01. Definition. All of the events specified in
clauses (a) through (h) of Section 5.1 of the Original Indenture shall be
"Events of Default" with respect to the X-TRAS. In addition, it shall be an
Event of Default if the Issuer fails to pay the Redemption Price on the
applicable Redemption Date for the X-TRAS after exercising the Early Redemption
Option or the FD Redemption Option.
SECTION 5.02. Amendments to Section 5.1 of the Original
Indenture. (a) Solely for the purpose of determining Events of Default with
respect to the X-TRAS, paragraphs (e), (f) and (h) of Section 5.1 of the
Original Indenture shall be amended such that each and every reference therein
to the Issuer shall be deemed to mean either the Issuer or Consumers.
(b) Solely for purposes of determining waivers of defaults and
their consequences in respect of the X-TRAS, the penultimate paragraph of
Section 5.1 of the Original Indenture shall be amended such that no such waiver
may be made of any such default in respect of a covenant or provision of the
Sixth Supplemental Indenture which cannot be modified or amended without the
consent of each Holder of the X-TRAS or the Extension Option Buyer without the
consent of such Holder or buyer, respectively.
(c) Solely for purposes of determining the application of
proceeds in respect of defaults under the X-TRAS, paragraphs SECOND and THIRD
of Section 5.3 of the Original Indenture shall be amended to provide that
proceeds paid thereunder shall be applied on a pro rata basis to (i) the
payment in full of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the X-TRAS and
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all accrued but unpaid interest on the X-TRAS to the Interest Payment Date and
(ii) the payment of the amount due under Section 5.03 of this Sixth
Supplemental Indenture.
SECTION 5.03. Payment of ISDA Amount upon Acceleration of
X-TRAS. If an Event of Default resulting in acceleration of the X-TRAS occurs,
the Issuer shall pay to the Indenture Trustee, in addition to such amounts as
may be due in respect of the principal of, Applicable Premium, if any, and
accrued interest on the X-TRAS pursuant to Article V of the Original Indenture
and this Sixth Supplemental Indenture, an amount equal to the ISDA Amount
as of the date of acceleration of the X-TRAS (as calculated by the Calculation
Agent as of such date and notified to the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee and the
Pass Through Trustee within five Business Days thereafter).
ARTICLE VI
DEFEASANCE
SECTION 6.01. General. All of the provisions of Article Ten of
the Original Indenture shall be applicable to the X-TRAS.
SECTION 6.02. Satisfaction and Discharge. The provisions of
Section 10.1(A) of the Original Indenture are amended to provide that, in
addition to the requirements set forth therein for obtaining the satisfaction
and discharge of the Issuer's obligations under the Indenture in respect
of the X-TRAS, the Issuer shall, on the date of deposit referred to in
Section 10.1(A)(c)(ii) of the Original Indenture, be required to deliver to the
Indenture Trustee for the benefit of the Pass Through Trustee the ISDA
Amount, if any, as determined by the
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Extension Option Buyer as of such date and notified to the Issuer, the Indenture
Trustee and the Pass Through Trustee by 10 a.m., New York City time, on such
date.
SECTION 6.03. Legal Defeasance. (a) Solely for purposes of a
legal defeasance of the X-TRAS, the requirements for a legal
defeasance set forth in Section 10.1(B) of the Original Indenture are amended
to provide that in addition to the requirements set forth in clauses (a)
through (f), the Issuer shall be required to deliver to the Indenture Trustee
on the date of deposit referred to in Section 10.1(B)(a) of the Original
Indenture cash in an amount equal to the ISDA Amount, if any, as determined
by the Extension Option Buyer as of such date and notified to the Issuer,
the Indenture Trustee and the Pass Through Trustee by 10 a.m., New York City
time, on such date.
(b) Upon satisfaction by the Issuer of the requirements of
Section 10.1(B) of the Original Indenture and the foregoing clause (a), in
connection with any legal defeasance of the X-TRAS, the Issuer shall be
released from its obligations under the Original Indenture and under this Sixth
Supplemental Indenture with respect to the X-TRAS, except to the extent
otherwise provided in Section 10.1(b) of the Original Indenture.
SECTION 6.04. Covenant Defeasance. (a) Solely for purposes of
a covenant defeasance of the X-TRAS, the requirements for a covenant defeasance
set forth in Section 10.1(C) of the Original Indenture are amended to provide
that in addition to the requirements set forth in clauses (a) through (f), the
Issuer shall be required to deliver to the Indenture Trustee for the benefit of
the Pass Through Trustee on the date of deposit referred to in Section
10.1(C)(a) of the Original Indenture cash in an amount equal to the ISDA
Amount, if any,
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as determined by the Extension Option Buyer as of such date and notified to the
Issuer, the Indenture Trustee and the Pass Through Trustee by 10 a.m., New York
City time, on such date.
(b) Upon satisfaction by the Issuer of the requirements of
Section 10.1(C) of the Original Indenture, in connection with any covenant
defeasance of the X-TRAS, the Issuer shall be released from its obligations
under Article Nine of the Original Indenture and under Articles III and IV of
this Sixth Supplemental Indenture with respect to the X-TRAS.
ARTICLE VII
REDEMPTION
SECTION 7.01. Redemption at the Option of the Issuer. (a) The
provisions of Article XI of the Original Indenture (other than Sections 11.5
and 11.6) shall be applicable to the X-TRAS.
(b) The X-TRAS will be redeemable at any time, at the option
of the Issuer, if such redemption occurs on or prior to the Premium
Termination Date, in whole or in part, on not less than 30 nor more than 60
days' prior notice to the Indenture Trustee, the Pass Through Trustee and the
Extension Option Buyer, at a redemption price, payable in cash, equal to the
sum of (i) 100% of the principal amount of the X-TRAS being redeemed plus the
Applicable Premium, if any, thereon at the time of redemption, together with
accrued interest, if any, thereon to the Redemption Date plus (ii) the
ISDA Amount, if any, as determined by the Extension Option Buyer and
notified to the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee and the Pass Through Trustee
[five] Business Days prior to the Redemption Date (the "Early
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Redemption Option"). In no event will the Redemption Price ever be less than
100% of the principal amount of the X-TRAS plus accrued interest to the
Redemption Date. The Notional Amount used to determine the ISDA Amount
shall be the aggregate principal amount then outstanding of the X-TRAS, unless
less than all of the X-TRAS are redeemed, in which case the applicable Notional
Amount for purposes of determining the Extension Amount shall be equal to the
aggregate principal amount of X-TRAS redeemed.
(c) If the X-TRAS are extended until the Extended Stated
Maturity, the Issuer shall have the option (the "FD Redemption Option"), in
lieu of permitting the X-TRAS to be remarketed in accordance with Article VIII
of this Sixth Supplemental Indenture, to redeem the X-TRAS in whole on the
Initial Stated Maturity, by irrevocable notice given to the Indenture Trustee,
the Pass Through Trustee, the Extension Option Buyer and the Calculation Agent
not later than the Remarketing Deadline, at a redemption price, payable in
cash, equal to the sum of (i) 100% of the principal amount of the X-TRAS being
redeemed together with accrued interest, if any, thereon to the Initial Stated
Maturity plus (ii) the ISDA Amount, if any, as of the Exercise Date (as
calculated by the Calculation Agent and notified to the Issuer, the Indenture
Trustee and the Pass Through Trustee within five Business Days thereafter),
which redemption price shall be payable at the Initial Stated Maturity. The
Notional Amount used to determine the ISDA Amount shall be the aggregate
principal amount of the X-TRAS outstanding as of the Exercise Date.
SECTION 7.02. Put Option of Holders. If the X-TRAS are
extended until the Extended Stated Maturity and for any reason the Indenture
Trustee does not receive for
<PAGE> 57
57
the benefit of the Pass Through Trustee on or prior to the Remarketing Deadline
an amount in cash equal to the sum of (i) 100% of the principal amount of and
accrued interest on the X-TRAS plus (ii) the ISDA Amount, if any, as of
the Exercise Date as calculated by the Calculation Agent and notified to the
Issuer, the Indenture Trustee and the Pass Through Trustee within five Business
Days thereafter, the Issuer shall be required to repurchase (the "Put Option"),
on the Initial Stated Maturity, all of the outstanding X-TRAS at a purchase
price equal to 100% of the principal amount of and accrued interest on the
X-TRAS to the Initial Stated Maturity.
ARTICLE VIII
REMARKETING OF X-TRAS
SECTION 8.01. Remarketing of X-TRAS. In the event that the
X-TRAS are extended until the Extended Stated Maturity, then, unless the Issuer
exercises the FD Redemption Option (which option the Issuer shall be entitled
to exercise until the Remarketing Deadline upon delivery of an irrevocable
notice of redemption), the interest rate borne by the X-TRAS will be
reset effective on and as of the date of pricing of the remarketing in order
that the X-TRAS may be remarketed so as to yield net proceeds in cash at
least equal to the sum of (i) 100% of the principal amount thereof plus (ii)
the Extension Amount as of the Exercise Date as calculated by the
<PAGE> 58
58
Calculation Agent and notified to the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee and the
Pass Through Trustee within five Business Days thereafter (collectively, the
"Required Remarketing Proceeds"). As more particularly set forth in the next two
succeeding sentences, it is intended that the portions of the Required
Remarketing Proceeds representing the principal amount of the X-TRAS, together
with other amounts payable by the Issuer, will be sufficient to enable the Pass
Through Trustee to make the Final Distribution on the Certificates. In the
event that the Pass Through Trust ceases to be the Holder of record of the
X-TRAS prior to the Record Date for the final Interest Payment Date, the Issuer
shall be obligated to pay to the Pass Through Trust an amount equal to (x) the
interest that would have accrued on the X-TRAS had they been held by the Pass
Through Trust to the Final Distribution Date, less (y) any amounts earned in
respect of the investment by the Pass Through Trustee of the Required
Remarketing Proceeds in Government Obligations pursuant to clause (d) below.
In the event that the Pass Through Trust ceases to be the Holder of record of
the X-TRAS on or after such Record Date, the Issuer shall be obligated to
pay to the Pass Through Trust, as Holder of record on such Record Date,
the entire amount of interest accrued on the X-TRAS from the previous Interest
Payment Date to the Initial Stated Maturity, and any amounts earned in respect
of the investment by the Pass Through Trustee of the Required Remarketing
Proceeds in Government Obligations shall be for the account of the Issuer. In
either such event, the Issuer shall have no obligation to pay the principal
amount of the X-TRAS to the Pass Through Trust on the Initial Stated Maturity.
SECTION 8.02. Remarketing Procedure. The X-TRAS will be
remarked in accordance with the following procedure (the "Remarketing
Procedure"):
(a) On the Exercise Date and thereafter on the 75th, 60th,
45th, 30th and 15th day prior to the Initial Stated Maturity, Morgan Stanley &
Co. Incorporated (or, subsequent to the Exercise Date, such other investment
banking institution as may be selected as the Remarketing Agent) will provide
the Issuer with non-binding indications of the interest rate and discount or
premium at which it believes it could remarket the X-TRAS in order to yield the
Required Remarketing Proceeds.
(b) Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated shall act as the
Remarketing Agent for the X-TRAS unless, no later than 60 days prior to the
Initial Stated Maturity, the Issuer shall select another investment banking
institution to remarket the X-TRAS or exercise the FD Redemption Option in
accordance with the provisions of Section 7.01(c) hereof.
(c) No later than 15 days prior to the Remarketing Deadline,
the Remarketing Agent will commence marketing of the X-TRAS to investors.
(d) Pricing and closing of the remarketed X-TRAS shall occur
at any time within [10] days prior to the Remarketing Deadline, subject to then
prevailing market conditions and settlement cycles. Upon completion of the
remarketing, the proceeds thereof will be deposited with the Pass Through
Trustee
<PAGE> 59
59
and invested in Government Obligations having a maturity as close as possible
equal to the number of days between the date of such investment and the
Initial Stated Maturity.
(e) The Remarketing Agent will be entitled to underwriting
commissions, payable at settlement of the Remarketing Procedure, which
will be determined at the time the Remarketing Procedure is commenced and shall
be consistent with then prevailing market practices. In the event that Morgan
Stanley & Co. Incorporated purchases the X-TRAS pursuant to clause (h) below,
it shall be entitled to underwriting commissions, payable at settlement of such
purchase, which will be determined at the time it gives notice of its offer
pursuant to clause (h) below and shall be consistent with then prevailing
market practices.
(f) The Issuer will cooperate with and provide information
reasonably requested by the Remarketing Agent and (in the event of an offer to
purchase by Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated made pursuant to clause (h)
below) by Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated in connection with the remarketing
or purchase of the X-TRAS, as applicable, including, without limitation, (1)
promptly preparing an offering memorandum or prospectus containing such
disclosures as may be required by applicable law and as may be required by
<PAGE> 60
60
the Remarketing Agent or Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, as applicable, in
its reasonable judgment, (ii) executing and delivering or causing to be
executed and delivered legal documentation (including a purchase agreement or
underwriting agreement and registration rights agreement with customary
indemnities, covenants, representations and warranties, comfort letters and
legal opinions) in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
Remarketing Agent or Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, as applicable, (iii)
providing promptly upon request updated consolidated financial statements to
the date of its latest report filed with the SEC and (iv) to the extent the
Issuer and the Remarketing Agent or Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, as
applicable, deem reasonably necessary for successful completion of the
Remarketing Procedure or the purchase by Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, as
applicable, making available senior management of the Issuer for road show and
one-on-one presentations.
(g) The Issuer may, in its sole discretion, elect to cause the
X-TRAS to be remarketed by conducting an underwritten offering or private
placement thereof on a firm-commitment basis. In such event, the Issuer shall
notify the Remarketing Agent of such request no later than [70] days prior to
the Final Distribution Date. The Issuer acknowledges that in no event shall
the Remarketing Agent be deemed by this provision to have made a commitment to
underwrite or place the X-TRAS.
(h) Regardless of whether it has been selected to act as
Remarketing Agent, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated shall at all times be
permitted to make an offer, on not less than [five] Business Days' notice, to
purchase the X-TRAS bearing a reset interest rate
<PAGE> 61
61
specified by Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated) on a date not later than the
Remarketing Deadline for net proceeds in cash equal to the Required
Remarketing Proceeds, which offer the Company and the Trustee shall be
required to accept, unless, on or prior to the date for such purchase specified
in the notice provided by Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, (i) the Company
shall have delivered an irrevocable notice of redemption pursuant to Section
7.01(c) of this Sixth Supplemental Indenture or (B) any other party shall have
remarketed the X-TRAS bearing a reset interest rate lower than or equal to that
specified by Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated for net proceeds in cash at
least equal to the Required Remarketing Proceeds.
(i) The remarketed X-TRAS will bear interest at the reset
interest rate commencing upon the date of pricing of the remarketing. For the
avoidance of doubt, holders of the remarketed X-TRAS shall not be entitled to
receive any interest thereon for any period prior to the date of pricing of the
remarketing.
ARTICLE IX
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
SECTION 9.01. Effect on Original Indenture. This Sixth
Supplemental Indenture is a supplement to the Original Indenture. As
supplemented by this Sixth Supplemental Indenture, the Original Indenture is in
all respects ratified, approved and confirmed, and the Original Indenture and
this Sixth Supplemental Indenture shall together constitute one and the same
instrument.
SECTION 9.02. Supplemental Indentures without Consent of
Securityholders. The Issuer and the Indenture Trustee may enter into
supplemental indentures to this Sixth Supplemental Indenture without the
consent of the Holders of the X-TRAS for any of the
<PAGE> 62
62
purposes for which execution of a supplemental indenture without the consent of
the Holders of the X-TRAS is authorized as provided in Section 8.1 of the
Original Indenture. In addition, any such supplemental indentures may be
entered into without the consent of the Holders of the X- TRAS for the purpose
of curing any ambiguity or correcting or supplementing any provision which may
be defective or inconsistent with any other provision in the Original
Indenture, the ISDA Master Agreement or the Pass Through Trust Agreement;
provided that no such action adversely affects the interests of the Holders of
Securities of any Series; and provided further that no such supplemental
indenture referred to in the first clause of this sentence and in clauses (a)
through (f) of Section 8.1 of the Original Indenture which has a material
adverse effect on the Extension Option Buyer may be entered into without the
consent of the Extension Option Buyer.
SECTION 9.03. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of
Securityholders. The provisions of Section 8.2 of the Original Indenture are
hereby amended to provide that notwithstanding any consent obtained from the
Holders of X-TRAS in respect of any modification, amendment or supplement to
this Sixth Supplemental Indenture requiring the consent of the Holders of the
X-TRAS pursuant to Section 8.2 of the Original Indenture, no modification,
amendment or supplement may be made to this Sixth Supplemental Indenture that
has a material adverse effect on the Extension Option Buyer without the consent
of the Extension Option Buyer.
<PAGE> 63
63
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SECTION 10.01. Provisions of Indenture for the Sole Benefit of
Parties and Holders of Securities and Coupons. The provisions of Section 14.2
of the Original Indenture are hereby amended to provide that, solely for
purposes of the X-TRAS issued under the Sixth Supplemental Indenture, (i) each
of the Extension Option Buyer and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated (as
Remarketing Agent) shall be a third party beneficiary of this Agreement and may
enforce the obligations of the Issuer hereunder running in favor of the
Extension Option Buyer and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, as applicable,
and (ii) all amounts payable by the Issuer under this Sixth Supplemental
Indenture shall be for the benefit of and enforceable by the Pass Through
Trustee and shall be paid over by the Indenture Trustee to the Pass Through
Trustee promptly upon confirmation of the receipt of funds from the Company by
the Indenture Trustee.
TESTIMONIUM
This Sixth Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number
of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original,
but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same
instrument.
<PAGE> 64
64
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Sixth
Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed and their respective corporate seals
to be hereunto affixed and attested, all as of the day and year first written
above.
CMS ENERGY CORPORATION
By:
Attest:
(Corporate Seal)
NBD BANK
as Indenture Trustee
By:
Attest:
(Corporate Seal)
<PAGE> 65
Schedule 4.03(b)(2)
Indebtedness of CMS Energy Corporation outstanding on May 6, 1997
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit (4)(d)
CERTIFICATE OF TRUST OF
CMS ENERGY X-TRAS PASS-THROUGH TRUST I
THIS Certificate of Trust of CMS Energy X-TRAS Pass-Through
Trust I (the "Trust") is being duly executed and filed by Wilmington Trust
Company, a Delaware banking corporation, to form a business trust under the
Delaware Business Trust Act (12 Del. Code, ss. 3801 et seq.).
1. Name. The name of the business trust formed hereby is CMS
Energy X-TRAS Pass- Through Trust I.
2. Delaware Trustee. The name and business address of the
trustee of the Trust in the State of Delaware is Wilmington Trust Company,
Rodney Square North, 1100 North market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001,
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration.
3. Effective Date. This Certificate of Trust will be effective
upon filing with the Secretary of State.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the sole trustee of
the Trust, has executed this Certificate of Trust as of the date first above
written.
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, not in its
individual capacity but solely as
trustee of the Trust
By: /s/ Debra Eberly
--------------------------------
Name: Debra Eberly
Title: Administrative Account Manager
<PAGE> 2
STATE OF DELAWARE
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
PAGE 1
____________________________________
I, EDWARD J. FREEL, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, DO
HEREBY CERTIFY THE ATTACHED IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF
BUSINESS TRUST REGISTRATION OF "CMS ENERGY X-TRAS PASS-THROUGH TRUST I", FILED
IN THIS OFFICE ON THE TWENTY-FIRST DAY OF NOVEMBER, A.D. 1997, AT 8:30 O'CLOCK
A.M.
/s/ Edward J. Freel
------------------------------------
Edward J. Freel, Secretary of State
AUTHENTICATION: 8772563
DATE: 11-21-97
[SECRETARY SEAL]
2824478 8100
971399618
<PAGE> 1
[EXHIBIT 4(e)]
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AMENDED AND RESTATED
PASS THROUGH TRUST AGREEMENT
Dated as of ___________ __, 199_
among
CMS ENERGY CORPORATION
and
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
as Trustee
CMS Energy X-TRAS Pass Through Trust Series I
____% Series I Pass Through Certificates
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE> 2
Reconciliation and tie between CMS Energy X-TRAS Pass Through Trust Agreement,
dated as of ___________ __, 1998, and the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. This
reconciliation does not constitute part of the Pass Through Trust Agreement.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Trust Indenture Act Pass Through Trust
of 1939 Section Agreement Section
------------------- ------------------
<S> <C>
310 (a)(1) 7.08
(a)(2) 7.08
312(a) 3.05; 8.01; 8.02
313(a) 8.03
314(a) 8.04(a) - (c)
(a)(4) 8.04(d)
(c)(1) 1.02
(c)(2) 1.02
(d)(1) 7.13; 11.01
(d)(2) 7.13; 11.01
(d)(3) 2.01
(e) 1.02
315(b) 7.02
316(a)(last sentence) 1.04(c)
(a)(1)(A) 6.04
(a)(1)(B) 6.05
(b) 6.06
(c) 1.04(d)
317(a)(1) 6.03
(b) 7.13
318(a) 12.06
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Section Page
- ------- ----
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
<S> <C>
1.01. Interpretation and Definitions 2
1.02. Compliance Certificates and Opinions 11
1.03. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee 12
1.04. Directions of Certificateholders 12
ARTICLE II
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE TRUST,
ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES,
ACQUISITION OF X-TRAS, SALE OF EXTENSION OPTION
2.01. Name 14
2.02. Office of the Trustee; Principal Place of Business 14
2.03. Issuance of Certificates; Acquisition of X-TRAS; Sale of Extension Option 14
2.04. Declaration of Trust 15
2.05. Authorization to Enter Into Certain Transactions 15
ARTICLE III
THE CERTIFICATES
3.01. Title, Form, Denomination and Execution of Certificates 19
3.02. Restrictive Legends 20
3.03. Authentication of Certificates 21
3.04. Transfer and Exchange 21
3.05. Book-Entry Provisions for the Global Certificate 22
3.06. Special Transfer Provisions 22
3.07. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates 23
3.08. Persons Deemed Owners 24
3.09. Cancellation 24
3.10. Temporary Certificates 24
3.11. Limitation of Liability for Payments 25
ARTICLE IV
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 4
ii
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Section Page
- ------- ----
<S> <C>
DISTRIBUTIONS; STATEMENTS TO
CERTIFICATEHOLDERS; PAYMENTS TO EXTENSION OPTION BUYER
4.01. Certificate Account and Special Payments Account 25
4.02. Distributions from Certificate Account and Special Payments Account 26
4.03. Statements to Certificateholders 28
4.04. Investment of Special Payment Moneys 29
4.05. Payments from Extension Payment Account 29
ARTICLE V
THE COMPANY
5.01. Maintenance of Corporate Existence 29
5.02. Consolidation, Merger, Etc. 29
5.03. Change in Control 30
5.04. Excess Proceeds of Asset Sales. 33
ARTICLE VI
DEFAULT
6.01. Events of Default 33
6.02. Incidents of Sale of the X-TRAS 34
6.03. Judicial Proceedings Instituted by Trustee 35
6.04. Control by Certificateholders 35
6.05. Waiver of Past Defaults 36
6.06. Right of Certificateholders to Receive Payments Not to Be Impaired 36
6.07. Certificateholders May Not Bring Suit Except Under Certain Conditions 37
6.08. Remedies Cumulative 37
ARTICLE VII
THE TRUSTEE
7.01. Certain Duties and Responsibilities 38
7.02. Notice of Defaults 38
7.03. Certain Rights of Trustee 39
7.04. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Certificates 40
7.05. May Hold Certificates 40
7.06. Money Held in Trust 40
7.07. Compensation and Reimbursement 40
7.08. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility 41
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 5
iii
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Section Page
- ------- ----
<S> <C>
7.09. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor 42
7.10. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor 43
7.11. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business 44
7.12. Maintenance of Agencies 44
7.13. Money for Certificate Payments to Be Held in Trust 45
7.14. [Intentionally Omitted] 46
7.15. Representations and Warranties of Trustee 46
7.16. Withholding Taxes; Information Reporting 47
ARTICLE VIII
CERTIFICATEHOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE
8.01. The Company to Furnish Trustee with Names and Addresses of Certificateholders 47
8.02. Preservation of Information; Communications to Certificateholders 47
8.03. Reports by Trustee 48
8.04. Reports by the Company 48
ARTICLE IX
SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENTS
9.01. Supplemental Agreements Without Consent of Certificateholders 49
9.02. Supplemental Agreements with Consent of Certificateholders 50
9.03. Documents Affecting Immunity or Indemnity 51
9.04. Execution of Supplemental Agreements 51
9.05. Effect of Supplemental Agreements 51
9.06. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act 51
9.07. Reference in Certificates to Supplemental Agreements 52
ARTICLE X
AMENDMENTS TO INDENTURE
10.01. Amendments and Supplements to Indentures 52
ARTICLE XI
PAYMENT OF FINAL DISTRIBUTION; TERMINATION OF TRUST
11.01. Payment of Final Distribution 53
11.02. Termination of the Trust 56
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 6
iv
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Section Page
- ------- ----
<S> <C>
ARTICLE XII
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
12.01. Limitation on Rights of Certificateholders 58
12.02. Certificates Nonassessable and Fully Paid 58
12.03. Notices 58
12.04. Governing Law 60
12.05. Severability of Provisions 60
12.06. Trust Indenture Act Controls 60
12.07. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents 60
12.08. Successors and Assigns 60
12.09. Benefits of Agreement 60
12.10. Legal Holidays 60
12.11. Counterparts 61
12.12. Acceptance of Terms of This Agreement and Indenture 61
Exhibit A - Form of Certificate
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 7
AMENDED AND RESTATED
PASS THROUGH TRUST AGREEMENT
This AMENDED AND RESTATED PASS THROUGH TRUST AGREEMENT, dated as of
_______ __, 1998, among CMS ENERGY CORPORATION, a Michigan corporation,
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, a Delaware banking corporation, and the several
Certificateholders, as hereinafter defined, is made with respect to the
formation of CMS Energy X-TRAS(sm) Pass Through Trust I and the issuance of
____% CMS Energy X-TRAS(sm) Pass Through Certificates representing fractional
undivided interests in the Assigned Trust Property (as defined herein).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Company will issue pursuant to an Indenture X-TRAS (as
defined herein) in an aggregate principal amount of [$150,000,000];
WHEREAS, CMS Energy X-TRAS Pass Through Trust I, a business trust under
the Business Trust Act, has been established pursuant to a Trust Agreement dated
as of November 21, 1997 between the Company and the Trustee and a Certificate of
Trust filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on November 21,
1997;
WHEREAS, all Certificates to be issued by the Trust will evidence
fractional undivided interests in the Trust, will convey rights, benefits or
interests in respect of the Assigned Trust Property and will convey no rights,
benefits or interests in respect of the Excluded Trust Property;
WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the
Trust shall purchase X-TRAS having the same interest rate as, and final maturity
dates not later than the final Regular Distribution Date of, the Certificates
issued hereunder and shall hold such X-TRAS in trust for the benefit of the
Certificateholders;
WHEREAS, to facilitate the sale of X-TRAS to, and the purchase of
X-TRAS by, the Trust, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery
of this Agreement as the "issuer", as such term is defined in and solely for
purposes of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of the Certificates to be
issued pursuant hereto and as the "obligor", as such term is defined in and
solely for purposes of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, with respect
to all such Certificates and is undertaking to perform certain administrative
and ministerial duties hereunder and is also undertaking to pay the ongoing fees
and expenses of the Trustee;
<PAGE> 8
2
WHEREAS, all of the conditions and requirements necessary to make this
Agreement, when duly executed and delivered, a valid, binding and legal
instrument, enforceable in accordance with its terms and for the purposes herein
expressed, have been done, performed and fulfilled, and the execution and
delivery of this Agreement in the form and with the terms hereof have been in
all respects duly authorized; and
WHEREAS, upon issuance of the Exchange Certificates, if any, or the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement, this Agreement, as amended or
supplemented from time to time, will be subject to the provisions of the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such
provisions;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein
contained, and of other good and valuable consideration the receipt and adequacy
of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.01. Interpretation and Definitions. For all purposes of
this Agreement, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context
otherwise requires:
(1) the terms used herein that are defined in this Article have the
meanings assigned to them in this Article, and include the plural as well
as the singular;
(2) all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust
Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, or by the rules
promulgated under the Trust Indenture Act, have the meanings assigned to
them therein;
(3) all references in this Agreement to designated "Articles",
"Sections", "Subsections" and other subdivisions are to the designated
Articles, Sections, Subsections and other subdivisions of this Agreement;
(4) the words "herein", "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words of
similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any
particular Article, Section, Subsection or other subdivision; and
(5) unless the context otherwise requires, whenever the words
"including", "include" or "includes" are used herein, it shall be deemed
to be followed by the phrase "without limitation".
<PAGE> 9
3
Affiliate: Means, with respect to any Person, any other Person
directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under common
control with such Person. For purposes of this definition, "control"
means the power, directly or indirectly, to direct the management and
policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting
securities or by contract or otherwise, and the terms "controlling" and
"controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
Agent Members: Has the meaning specified in Section 3.05.
Applicable Discount: Means the discount from par at which the
Certificates are sold, determined on the basis of the number of basis
points used in calculating the option premium paid by the Extension
Option Buyer pursuant to the ISDA Master Agreement.
Application Period: Has the meaning set forth in the Indenture.
Assigned Trust Property: Means (i) the X-TRAS held as the property
of the Trust and all monies at any time paid thereon and all monies due
and to become due thereunder (other than any monies paid thereon or due
or to become due thereunder in respect of the Amount) and (ii)
funds from time to time deposited in the Certificate Account and the
Special Payments Account.
Authorized Agent: Means any Paying Agent or Registrar for the
Certificates.
Avoidable Tax: Means a state or local tax (i) upon (w) the Trust,
(x) the Assigned Trust Property, (y) Certificateholders or (z) the
Trustee for which the Trustee is entitled to seek reimbursement from the
Company, and (ii) which would be avoided if the Trustee were located in
another state, or jurisdiction within a state, within the United States.
A tax shall not be an Avoidable Tax if the Company shall agree to pay,
and shall pay, such tax.
Business Day: Means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a
day on which commercial banks are required or authorized to close in
______, ______, New York, New York, or, so long as any Certificate is
outstanding, the city and state in which the Trustee or the Indenture
Trustee maintains its Corporate Trust Office or receives and disburses
funds.
Business Trust Act: Means Chapter 38 of Title XII of the Delaware
Code, 12 Del. C. Section 3801 et. seq. as it many be amended from time
to time, or any successor legislation.
Calculation Agent: Means the Calculation Agent under the
Calculation Agency Agreement, which initially shall be Morgan Stanley
Capital Services, Inc., and shall include any successor thereunder.
<PAGE> 10
4
Calculation Agency Agreement: Means the Calculation Agency
Agreement dated as of ____, 1998 between the Calculation Agent and the
Trust.
Certificate: Means any one of the Certificates and any such
Certificates issued in exchange therefor or replacement thereof pursuant to
this Agreement.
Certificates: Means the certificates issued and authenticated
hereunder substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto.
Certificate Account: Means the account or accounts created and
maintained pursuant to Section 4.01(a).
Certificateholder or Holder: Means the Person in whose name a
Certificate is registered in the Register.
Change in Control: Shall have the meaning set forth in the Indenture.
Change in Control Purchase Date: Shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 5.03 of this Agreement.
Code: Mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Company: Means CMS Energy Corporation, a Michigan corporation, or
its successor in interest pursuant to Section 5.02, or any other obligor
(within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act) with respect to the
Certificates.
Corporate Trust Office: With respect to the Trustee or the
Indenture Trustee, means the office of such trustee in the city at which
at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be principally
administered.
Depositary: Means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees and
their respective successors.
Direction: Has the meaning specified in Section 1.04(a).
Distribution Date: Means any Regular Distribution Date or Special
Distribution Date.
ERISA: Means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
as amended from time to time, or any successor federal statute.
<PAGE> 11
5
Event of Default: Means an Indenture Default under the Indenture
pursuant to which X-TRAS held by the Trust were issued.
Excess Proceeds: Shall have the meaning set forth in the Indenture.
Excess Proceeds Offer: Means an offer made by the Company under
Section 4.05 of the Indenture.
Exchange Act: Means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
from time to time, or any successor legislation.
Excluded Trust Property: Means all rights of the Trust and the
Trustee under the ISDA Master Agreement and (solely with respect to
obligations relating to payment of the ISDA Amount) as a holder of
X-TRAS under the Indenture, including, without limitation, (i) all rights
to receive certain payments under the ISDA Master Agreement and (solely
with respect to obligations relating to payment of the ISDA Amount)
as a holder of X-TRAS under the Indenture and (ii) all monies paid to the
Trustee on behalf of the Trust by the Extension Option Buyer pursuant to
the ISDA Master Agreement and by the Company (solely with respect to
obligations relating to payment of the ISDA Amount) pursuant to the
Indenture.
Extended Stated Maturity: Shall have the meaning set forth in the
Indenture.
Extension Option Buyer: Means Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc.
<PAGE> 12
6
Final Distribution: Means, with respect to the X-TRAS, the final
distribution paid to Certificateholders in respect of the principal and
accrued interest on the X-TRAS in accordance with Section 11.01.
Final Distribution Date: Means the date on which the Final
Distribution is paid to Certificateholders pursuant to Section 11.01.
Fractional Undivided Interest: Means the fractional undivided
interest in the Trust (to the extent of the Assigned Trust Property) that
is evidenced by a Certificate.
Global Certificate: Has the meaning specified in Section 3.01.
Global Certificates: Has the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 3.01.
ISDA Amount: Means such amount as is required to be delivered by
the Trust under the ISDA Master Agreement in accordance with the terms
thereof.
ISDA Master Agreement: Means the ISDA Master Agreement, Schedule
and Confirmation dated as of ______ __, 1998 entered into by the Trust
and the Extension Option Buyer, as amended from time to time.
ISDA Payment: Means any payment made by the Company under the
Indenture in respect of any ISDA Amount which may be due under the
provisions thereof.
ISDA Payment Account: Means the account or accounts created and
maintained pursuant to Section 4.01(d).
Indenture: Means the Indenture dated as of September 15, 1992 as
supplemented by the Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of ________
__, 1998, between the Company and NBD Bank, a Michigan banking
corporation (formerly known as NBD Bank, National Association), as
Indenture Trustee, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time in accordance with its terms in respect of the
series of securities issued thereunder known as X-TRAS.
Indenture Default: With respect to any Indenture, means any Event
of Default (as such term is defined in such Indenture).
Indenture Trustee: With respect to any X-TRAS or the Indenture,
means the bank or trust company designated as indenture trustee under
such Indenture, together with any successor to such Indenture Trustee
appointed pursuant thereto.
Initial Regular Distribution Date: Means the first Regular
Distribution Date on which a Scheduled Payment is to be made.
Initial Stated Maturity: Shall have the meaning set forth in the
Indenture.
Institutional Accredited Investor: Means an institutional investor
that is an "accredited investor" within the meaning set forth in Rule
501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act.
<PAGE> 13
7
Investment Company Act: Means the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended.
Issuance Date: Means the date of the issuance of the Certificates.
1940 Act: Means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from
time to time, or any successor legislation.
Officer's Certificate: Means a certificate signed (a) in the case
of the Company, by (i) the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Board of
Directors, the President, any Executive Vice President, any Senior Vice
President or the Treasurer of the Company, signing alone, or (ii) any
Vice President of the Company signing together with the Secretary, the
Assistant Secretary, the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer of the
Company or (b) in the case of the Indenture Trustee, a Responsible
Officer of such Indenture Trustee, as the case may be.
Opinion of Counsel: Means a written opinion of legal counsel who
(a) in the case of counsel for the Company, may be (i) a senior attorney
of the Company one of whose principal duties is furnishing advice as to
legal matters or (ii) such other counsel designated by the Company and
reasonably acceptable to the Trustee and (b) in the case of counsel for
the Indenture Trustee, may be such counsel as may be designated by it
whether or not such counsel is its employee, and who shall be reasonably
acceptable to the Trustee.
Outstanding: When used with respect to Certificates, means, as of
the date of determination, all Certificates theretofore authenticated and
delivered under this Agreement, except:
(i) Certificates theretofore cancelled by the Registrar or
delivered to the Trustee or the Registrar for cancellation;
(ii) Certificates for which money in the full amount required
to make the final distribution with respect to such Certificates
pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof has been theretofore deposited with
the Trustee in trust for the Holders of such Certificates as provided
in Section 4.01 pending distribution of such money to such
Certificateholders pursuant to payment of such final distribution; and
(iii) Certificates in exchange for or in lieu of which other
Certificates have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this
Agreement.
<PAGE> 14
8
Paying Agent: Means the paying agent maintained and appointed for
the Certificates pursuant to Section 7.12.
Permitted Investments: Means obligations of the United States of
America or agencies or instrumentalities thereof the payment of which is
backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America and
which mature in not more than 60 days after the date of acquisition
thereof or such lesser time as is required for the distribution of any
Special Payments on a Special Distribution Date or the Final Distribution
or the Final Distribution Date.
Person: Means any person, including any individual, corporation,
partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust,
trustee, unincorporated organization, or government or any agency or
political subdivision thereof.
Purchase Agreement: Means the Purchase Agreement dated as of __,
1998 by and among the Underwriters, the Company and the Trust.
Purchase Date: Means the date of purchase of the X-TRAS by the
Trust and of the Certificates by the Underwriters.
QIB: Means a qualified institutional buyer as defined in Rule 144A.
Record Date: Means (i) for Scheduled Payments to be distributed on
any Regular Distribution Date, other than the final distribution, the
15th day (whether or not a Business Day) preceding such Regular
Distribution Date, and (ii) for Special Payments to be distributed on any
Special Distribution Date, other than the final distribution, the 15th
day (whether or not a Business Day) preceding such Special Distribution
Date.
Register and Registrar: Mean the register maintained and the
registrar appointed pursuant to Sections 3.04 and 7.12.
Regular Distribution Date: With respect to distributions of
Scheduled Payments in respect of the Certificates, means each date
designated as a Regular Distribution Date in this Agreement, until
payment of all the Scheduled Payments to be made under the X-TRAS held in
the Trust have been made; provided, however, that, if any such day shall
not be a Business Day, the related distribution shall be made on the next
succeeding Business Day without additional interest.
Remarketing Agent: Means Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated or such
other investment banking institution as shall be selected in accordance
with Section 10.02 of the Indenture in connection with a remarketing of
the X-TRAS.
<PAGE> 15
9
Remarketing Deadline: Means the fifteenth day prior to the Final
Distribution Date or such earlier date as may be mutually agreed by the
Company, the Indenture Trustee, the Trustee and the Extension Option
Buyer.
Remarketing Procedure: Shall have the meaning set forth in Section
11.01(a) hereof.
Required Remarketing Proceeds: Shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 11.01(a) hereof.
Responsible Officer: With respect to the Trustee and the Indenture
Trustee means any officer in the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee
or Indenture Trustee or any other officer customarily performing
functions similar to those performed by the persons who at the time shall
be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is
referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with a particular
subject.
Rule 3a-7: Shall mean Rule 3a-7 under the Investment Company and
any successor rule thereto.
Rule 144A: Means Rule 144A under the Securities Act and any
successor rule thereto.
Scheduled Payment: With respect to any X-TRAS, means any payment of
principal and interest on such X-TRAS (other than any such payment which
is not in fact received by the Trustee within five Business Days of the
date on which such payment is scheduled to be made) due from the obligor
thereon, which payment represents the repayment of principal at the
stated maturity of such repayment of principal on such X-TRAS, the
payment of regularly scheduled interest accrued on the unpaid principal
amount of such X-TRAS, or both; provided that any payment of principal,
premium, if any, or interest resulting from (i) the redemption or
purchase of any X-TRAS (other than pursuant to the FD Redemption Option)
or (ii) the acceleration of the X-TRAS pursuant to the terms of the
Indenture shall not constitute a Scheduled Payment.
SEC: Means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to
time constituted or created under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, or, if at any time after the execution of this instrument such
Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it
under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties on
such date.
<PAGE> 16
10
Securities Act: Means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as
amended from time to time, or any successor thereto.
Settlement Date: Means the settlement date under the ISDA Master
Agreement.
Special Distribution Date: Means each date on which a Special
Payment made under clause (i) (to the extent of a redemption of all of
the X-TRAS) and (iv) of the definition thereof is to be distributed to
the Certificateholders as specified in this Agreement; provided, however,
that, if any such day shall not be a Business Day, the related
distribution shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day without
additional interest.
Special Payment: With respect to any X-TRAS, means (i) any payment
of principal, the Applicable Premium and interest resulting from the
redemption of any X-TRAS by the Company pursuant to its exercise of the
Early Redemption Option pursuant to Section 7.01(b) of the Indenture,
(ii) any payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest resulting
from the repurchase of any X-TRAS by the Company pursuant to a
Certificateholder's exercise of its right, in the event of a Change in
Control, to direct the Trustee to require the Company to repurchase all
or any part of the X-TRAS beneficially owned by such Certificateholder,
(iii) any payment of principal and interest resulting from the repurchase
by the Company of any X-TRAS beneficially owned by a Certificateholder
that has presented for cancellation all or a portion of its Certificates
within the time period required to accept an Excess Proceeds Offer made
in compliance with Section 4.05 under the Indenture; (iv) any payment of
principal and interest resulting from the acceleration of the stated
maturity of the X-TRAS following an Indenture Event of Default; and (v)
any other payment (other than a Scheduled Payment) in respect of, or any
proceeds of, any X-TRAS.
Special Payments Account: Means the account or accounts created and
maintained pursuant to Section 4.01(b).
Specified Investments: Means (i) obligations of, or guaranteed by,
the United States Government or agencies thereof, (ii) open market
commercial paper of any corporation incorporated under the laws of the
United States of America or any State thereof rated at least P-2 or its
equivalent by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or at least A-2 or its
equivalent by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group, (iii) certificates of
deposit issued by commercial banks organized under the laws of the United
States or of any political subdivision thereof having a combined capital
and surplus in excess of $100,000,000, which banks or their holding
companies have a short-term deposit rating of P1 by Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. or its equivalent by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group;
provided, however, that the aggregate amount at any one time
<PAGE> 17
11
so invested in certificates of deposit issued by any one bank shall not
exceed 5% of such bank's capital and surplus, (iv) U.S. dollar
denominated offshore certificates of deposit issued by, or offshore time
deposits with, any commercial bank described in clause (iii) above or any
subsidiary thereof and (v) repurchase agreements with any financial
institution having combined capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000
with respect to any of the obligations described in clauses (i) through
(iv) above as collateral; provided further that if all of the above
investments are unavailable, all amounts to be invested may be used to
purchase Federal Funds from an entity described in clause (iii) above.
Trust: Means the Delaware business trust created by this Agreement,
the estate of which consists of the Assigned Trust Property and the
Excluded Trust Property.
Trust Indenture Act: Except as otherwise provided in Section 9.06,
means the United States Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the
date hereof.
Trustee: Means Wilmington Trust Company, or its successor in
interest, and any successor or other trustee appointed as provided
herein.
Underwriters: Means Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated,
_________________ and __________________.
X-TRAS: Means Extendible Tenor Rate-Adjusted Securities, as issued
by the Company pursuant to the Indenture.
X-TRAS Paying Agent: Means the paying agent maintained and
appointed for the X-TRAS pursuant to the Indenture (which initially shall
be the Indenture Trustee).
Certain terms, used principally in Articles V and XI of this Agreement,
are defined in those Articles.
Section 1.02. Compliance Certificates and Opinions. Upon any
application or request by the Company or the Indenture Trustee to the Trustee to
take any action under any provision of this Agreement, the Company or the
Indenture Trustee, as the case may be, shall furnish to the Trustee (i) an
Officer's Certificate stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all
conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Agreement relating to the
proposed action have been complied with and (ii) an Opinion of Counsel stating
that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have
been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request
as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any
provision of this Agreement relating to such particular application or request,
no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.
<PAGE> 18
12
Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition
or covenant provided for in this Agreement (other than a certificate provided
pursuant to Section 8.04(d)) shall include:
(1) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or
opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions in this
Agreement relating thereto;
(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination
or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such
certificate or opinion are based;
(3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he has
made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to
express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or
condition has been complied with; and
(4) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such
individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
Section 1.03. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee. In any case
where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion
of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified
by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so
certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or
give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons
as to other matters and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to
such matters in one or several documents.
Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more
applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other
instruments under this Agreement or, in respect of the Certificates, this
Agreement, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.
Section 1.04. Directions of Certificateholders. (a) Any direction,
consent, request, demand, authorization, notice, waiver or other action provided
by this Agreement to be given or taken by Certificateholders (a "Direction") may
be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar
tenor signed by such Certificateholders in person or by an agent or proxy duly
appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such
action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered
to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required pursuant to this
Agreement, to the Company or the Indenture Trustee. Proof of execution of any
such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent or proxy shall be
sufficient for any
<PAGE> 19
13
purpose of this Agreement and conclusive in favor of the Trustee, the Company
and the Indenture Trustee, if made in the manner provided in this Section.
(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such
instrument or writing may be proved by the certificate of any notary public or
other officer of any jurisdiction authorized to take acknowledgments of deeds or
administer oaths that the Person executing such instrument acknowledged to him
the execution thereof, or by an affidavit of a witness to such execution sworn
to before any such notary or such other officer and where such execution is by
an officer of a corporation or association or a member of a partnership, on
behalf of such corporation, association or partnership, such certificate or
affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his authority. The fact and
date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the
Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other reasonable manner
which the Trustee deems sufficient.
(c) In determining whether the Certificateholders of the requisite
Fractional Undivided Interests of Certificates Outstanding have given any
Direction under this Agreement, Certificates owned by the Company or any
Affiliate thereof shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding for
purposes of any such determination. In determining whether the Trustee shall be
protected in relying upon any such Direction, only Certificates which the
Trustee knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, (i) if any such Person owns 100% of the Certificates Outstanding,
such Certificates shall not be so disregarded, and (ii) if any amount of
Certificates so owned by any such Person have been pledged in good faith, such
Certificates shall not be disregarded if the pledgee establishes to the
satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee's right so to act with respect to such
Certificates and that the pledgee is not the Company or any Affiliate thereof.
(d) The Company may at its option, by delivery of an Officer's
Certificate to the Trustee, set a record date to determine the
Certificateholders entitled to give any Direction. Notwithstanding Section
316(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, such record date shall be the record date
specified in such Officer's Certificate, which shall be a date not more than 30
days prior to the first solicitation of Certificateholders in connection
therewith. If such a record date is fixed, such Direction may be given before
or after such record date, but only the Certificateholders of record at the
close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Certificateholders
for the purposes of determining whether Certificateholders of the requisite
proportion of Outstanding Certificates have authorized or agreed or consented to
such Direction, and for that purpose the Outstanding Certificates shall be
computed as of such record date; provided that no such Direction by the
Certificateholders on such record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall
become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement not later than one
year after such record date.
<PAGE> 20
14
(e) Any Direction by the Holder of any Certificate shall bind the
Holder of every Certificate issued upon the transfer thereof or in exchange
therefor or in lieu thereof, whether or not notation of such Direction is made
upon such Certificate.
(f) Except as otherwise provided in Section 1.04(c), Certificates owned
by or pledged to any Person shall have an equal and proportionate benefit under
the provisions of this Agreement, without preference, priority, or distinction
as among all of the Certificates.
ARTICLE II
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE TRUST,
ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES,
ACQUISITION OF X-TRAS, SALE OF EXTENSION OPTION
Section 2.01. Name. The Trust created hereby shall be known as CMS
Energy X-TRAS Pass Through Trust Series I, as such name may be modified from
time to time by the Trustee following written notice to the Holders, in which
name the Trustee may conduct the business of the Trust, make and execute
contracts and other instruments on behalf of the Trust and sue and be sued.
Section 2.02. Office of the Trustee; Principal Place of Business. The
address of the Trustee in the State of Delaware is c/o Wilmington Trust Company,
1100 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801-0001, Attention: Corporate
Trust Administration, or at such other address in the State of Delaware as the
Trustee may designate by written notice to the Holders and the Company. The
principal executive office of the Trust is c/o CMS Energy Corporation, Fairlane
Plaza South, Suite 1100, Dearborn, Michigan 48126.
Section 2.03. Issuance of Certificates; Acquisition of X-TRAS; Sale of
Extension Option. (a) Upon request of the Company and the satisfaction of the
closing conditions specified in the Purchase Agreement, the Trust shall, on the
Purchase Date, execute, deliver and authenticate Certificates equalling in the
aggregate the aggregate principal amount of the X-TRAS to be purchased by the
Trust pursuant to the Purchase Agreement and evidencing the entire ownership
interest in the Assigned Trust Property. The Trust shall issue and sell such
Certificates, in authorized denominations and in such Fractional Undivided
Interests, so as to result in the receipt by the Trustee of consideration in an
amount equal to the aggregate face amount of such Certificates less the
Applicable Discount and, concurrently therewith, the Trust shall purchase the
X-TRAS from the Company at a purchase price equal to the sum of (x) the amount
of such consideration so received for the sale of the Certificates and (y) the
amount of consideration received by the
<PAGE> 21
15
Trust for the sale of Extension Option to the Extension Option Buyer. Except as
provided in Sections 3.04 and 3.07 hereof, the Trust shall not execute,
authenticate or deliver Certificates in excess of the aggregate amount specified
in this paragraph.
(b) Concurrently with the execution of the Purchase Agreement, the
Trust shall enter into the ISDA Master Agreement with the Extension Option
Buyer. On the Issuance Date, the Trust shall issue and sell to the Extension
Option Buyer the Extension Option pursuant to the terms of the ISDA Master
Agreement for consideration in the amount provided thereunder. The
consideration so received by the Trust for the sale of the Extension Option
shall be paid by the Trust to the Company in partial consideration for the
X-TRAS, as provided under subsection (a) above. The Trust's rights under the
ISDA Master Agreement and the monies received by the Trust under the ISDA Master
Agreement (whether from the Extension Option Buyer or the Company) shall
constitute Excluded Trust Property which shall not be assigned for the benefit
of Certificateholders.
Section 2.04. Declaration of Trust. The exclusive purposes and
functions of the Trust are: (a) to issue and sell Certificates and use the
proceeds from such sales to acquire the X-TRAS and (b) to engage in those
activities necessary or incidental thereto. The Company hereby appoints the
Trustee as trustee of the Trust, to have all the rights, powers and duties to
the extent set forth herein, and the Trustee hereby accepts such appointment.
The Trustee hereby declares that it will hold the Assigned Trust Property in
trust upon and subject to the conditions set forth herein for the benefit of the
Trust and the Holders. The Trustee shall have all rights, powers and duties set
forth herein and in accordance with applicable law with respect to accomplishing
the purposes of the Trust.
Section 2.05. Authorization to Enter Into Certain Transactions.
(a) The Trustee shall conduct the affairs of the Trust in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement. Subject to the limitations set forth in
paragraph (b) of this section, and in accordance with the following provisions,
the Trustee shall have the authority to enter into all transactions and
agreements determined by the Trustee to be appropriate in exercising the
authority, express or implied, otherwise granted to the Trustee under this Trust
Agreement, and to perform all acts in furtherance thereof, including, without
limitation, the following:
(i) to execute and file the Certificate of Trust filed with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on November 21, 1997;
(ii) the issuance and sale of the certificates;
(iii) to cause the Trust to enter into, and to execute, deliver and
perform on behalf of the Trust [the Certificate Depository Agreement] and
such other agreements
<PAGE> 22
16
that may be necessary or desirable in connection with the purposes and
functions of the Trust;
(iv) assist in the registration of the Certificates under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and under state securities or blue
sky laws and the qualification of this Agreement as a trust indenture
under the Trust Indenture Act;
(v) assist in the listing, if any, of the Certificates upon such
securities exchange or exchanges or automated quotation system or systems
as shall be determined by the Company and the registration of the
Certificates under the Exchange Act and the preparation and filing of all
periodic and other reports and other documents pursuant to the foregoing;
(vi) the establishment of the Certificate Account, the Special
Payments Account and the Extension Payment Account;
(vii) the receipt of the X-TRAS;
(viii) the collection of interest, principal and any other payment
made in respect of the X-TRAS in the Certificate Account;
(ix) the distribution through the Paying Agent of amounts owed to
the Certificate Holders in respect of the Certificates;
(x) the exercise of all the rights, powers and privileges of a
Holder of X-TRAS;
(xi) the sending of notices and other information regarding the
Certificates and the X-TRAS to the Certificateholders in accordance with
this Agreement;
(xii) the appointment of a Paying Agent, Authenticating Agent and
Securities Registrar in accordance with this Agreement;
(xiii) registering transfer of the Certificates in accordance with
this Agreement;
(xiv) to the extent provided in this Agreement, the winding up of
the affairs of and liquidation of the Trust and the preparation,
execution and filing of the Certificate of Cancellation with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware;
(xv) the distribution of the Assigned Trust Property in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement;
<PAGE> 23
17
(xvi) after an Event of Default, the taking of any action incidental
to the foregoing as the Trustee may from time to time determine is
necessary or advisable to give effect to the terms of the Agreement and
protect and conserve the Assigned Trust Property for the benefit of the
Certificateholders (without consideration of the effect of any such
action on any particular Certificateholder);
(xvii) unless otherwise determined by the Company or is otherwise
required by the Business Trust Act or the Trust Indenture Act, to execute
on behalf of the Trust any documents that the Trustee has the power to
execute pursuant to this Agreement;
(xviii) the taking of any action incidental to the foregoing as the
Trustee may from time to time determine is necessary or advisable to give
effect to the terms of this Agreement for the benefit of the
Certificateholders (without consideration of the effect of any such
action on any particular Certificateholder);
(b) So long as this Agreement remains in effect, the Trust (or the
Trustee acting on behalf of the Trust) shall not undertake any business,
activities or transaction except as expressly provided herein or contemplated
hereby. In particular, the Trustee shall not:
(i) acquire any investments or engage in any activities not
authorized by this Agreement;
(ii) sell, assign, transfer, exchange, mortgage, pledge, set off or
otherwise dispose of any of the Assigned Trust Property or interests
therein, including to Certificateholders, except as expressly provided
herein;
(iii) take any action that would cause the Trust to be classified as
an association taxable as a corporation or as other than a grantor trust
for United States federal income tax purposes;
(iv) incur any indebtedness for borrowed money or issue any other
debt; or
(v) take or consent to any action that would result in the placement
of a Lien on any of the Assigned Trust Property. The Trustee shall
defend all claims and demands of all Persons at any time claiming any
Lien on any of the Assigned Trust Property adverse to the interest of the
Trust or the Certificateholders in their capacities as
Certificateholders.
(c) In connection with the issue and sale of the Certificates, the
Company shall have the right and responsibility to assist the Trust with respect
to, or effect on behalf
<PAGE> 24
18
of the Trust, the following (any such actions taken by the Company in
furtherance of the following prior to the date of this Agreement are hereby
ratified and confirmed in all respects):
(i) the preparation and filing by the Trust with the SEC and the
execution on behalf of the Trust of a Registration Statement on the
appropriate form in relation to the Certificates, including any
amendments thereto;
(ii) the determination of the States in which to take appropriate
action to qualify or register for sale all or part of the Certificates,
and the determination of any and all such acts, other than such actions
which must be taken by or on behalf of the Trust, and the advice to the
Trustee of actions it must take on behalf of the Trust, and the
preparation for execution and filing of any documents to be executed and
filed by the Trust or on behalf of the Trust, as the Company deems
necessary or advisable in order to comply with the applicable laws of any
such states;
(iii) the preparation for filing by the Trust and the execution on
behalf of the Trust of an application to the New York Stock Exchange or
any other national stock exchange or the NASDAQ National Market or any
other automated quotation system for listing upon notice of issuance of
any Certificates and filing with such exchange or self-regulatory
organization such notifications and documents as may be necessary from
time to time to maintain such listing;
(iv) the preparation for filing by the Trust with the SEC and the
execution on behalf of the Trust of a Registration Statement on Form 8-A
relating to the registration of the Certificates under Section 12(b) or
12(g) of the Exchange Act, including any amendments thereto;
(v) the negotiation of the terms of, and the execution and delivery
of, the Purchase Agreement on behalf of the Trust providing for the sale
of the Certificates; and
(vi) the taking of any other actions necessary or desirable to carry
out any of the foregoing activities.
(d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Trustee is
authorized and directed to conduct the affairs of the Trust and to operate the
Trust so that the Trust will not be deemed to be an "investment company" or
required to be registered under the 1940 Act, or to be classified as an
association taxable as a corporation or is other than a grantor trust for
United States federal income tax purposes and so that the Certificates will be
treated as indebtedness of the Company for United States federal income tax
purposes. In this connection, the Company and the Trustee are authorized to
take any action, not
<PAGE> 25
19
inconsistent with applicable law, the Certificate of Trust or this Agreement,
that each of the Company and the Trustee determines in its discretion to be
necessary or desirable for such purposes, as long as such action does not
adversely affect in any material respect the interests of the
Certificateholders.
ARTICLE III
THE CERTIFICATES
Section 3.01. Title, Form, Denomination and Execution of Certificates.
(a) The Certificates shall be known as the " % Pass Through Certificates
Series I" of the Trust. Each Certificate will represent a fractional undivided
interest in the Assigned Trust Property and shall be substantially in the form
set forth as Exhibit A hereto, with such appropriate insertions, omissions,
substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this
Agreement and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification
and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply
with the rules of any securities exchange or as may, consistently herewith, be
determined by the officers executing such Certificates, as evidenced by their
execution of the Certificates. Any portion of the text of any Certificate may
be set forth on the reverse thereof, with an appropriate reference thereto on
the face of the Certificate.
(b) The Certificates shall be issued only in fully registered form
without coupons and only in denominations of $[250,000] or integral multiples of
$1,000 in excess thereof. Each Certificate shall be dated the date of its
authentication. The aggregate Fractional Undivided Interest of Certificates
shall not at any time exceed $[150,000,000].
(c) Certificates offered and sold to QIBs and to Institutional
Accredited Investors in reliance on Rule 3a-7 shall be issued in the form
of a single permanent global Certificate in registered form, substantially in
the form set forth as Exhibit A hereto (the "Global Certificate"), duly executed
and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. The Global
Certificate will be registered in the name of a nominee for the Depositary and
deposited with the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary. The aggregate
principal amount of the Global Certificate may from time to time be increased or
decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Depositary or its nominee,
or of the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary or its nominee, as
hereinafter provided.
(d) Definitive Certificates shall be in registered form and shall be
typed, printed, lithographed or engraved or produced by any combination of these
methods or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the
officers executing such Certificates, as evidenced by their execution of such
Certificates.
<PAGE> 26
20
Section 3.02. Restrictive Legends. (a) The Global Certificate shall
bear the following legend (the "Permanent Legend") on the face thereof:
THIS CERTIFICATE MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN
THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE CERTIFICATEHOLDER
(1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" (AS
DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED
(THE "SECURITIES ACT")) OR (B) IT IS AN INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED
INVESTOR" (AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(A)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF REGULATION D
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) (AN "INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR"), (2)
AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS CERTIFICATE
EXCEPT (A) TO THE COMPANY, (B) TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER, OR (C)
TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL
DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS CERTIFICATE IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE
SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND.
(b) The Global Certificate shall also bear the following legend on the
face thereof:
UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION ("DTC"), TO THE TRUSTEE OR
ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY
CERTIFICATE ISSUED IN EXCHANGE FOR THIS CERTIFICATE IS REGISTERED IN THE
NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO
SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC),
ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY
PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS
AN INTEREST HEREIN.
TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL CERTIFICATE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE,
BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH
SUCCESSOR'S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL CERTIFICATE
SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET
FORTH IN SECTIONS 3.05 AND 3.06 OF THE PASS THROUGH TRUST AGREEMENT REFERRED
TO HEREIN.
<PAGE> 27
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Section 3.03. Authentication of Certificates. (a) The Trustee shall
duly execute, authenticate and deliver Certificates in authorized denominations
equalling in the aggregate the aggregate principal amount of the X-TRAS to be
purchased by the Trustee pursuant to the Purchase Agreement and evidencing the
entire ownership of the Trust.
(b) No Certificate shall be entitled to any benefit under this
Agreement or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless there appears on
such Certificate a certificate of authentication substantially in the form
provided for herein executed by the Trustee by the manual signature of one of
its authorized signatories, and such certificate upon any Certificate shall be
conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Certificate has been duly
authenticated and delivered hereunder.
Section 3.04. Transfer and Exchange. (a) The Trustee shall cause to
be kept at the office or agency to be maintained by it in accordance with the
provisions of Section 7.12 of this Agreement a register (the "Register") for the
Certificates in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may
prescribe, the Trustee shall provide for the registration of the Certificates
and of transfers and exchanges of the Certificates as herein provided. The
Trustee shall initially be the registrar (the "Registrar") for the purpose of
registering the Certificates and transfers and exchanges of the Certificates as
herein provided. A Certificateholder may transfer a Certificate by written
application to the Registrar stating the name of the proposed transferee and
otherwise complying with the terms of this Agreement, including providing a
written certificate or other evidence of compliance with any restrictions on
transfer. No such transfer shall be effected until, and such transferee shall
succeed to the rights of a Certificateholder only upon, final acceptance and
registration of the transfer by the Registrar in the Register. Prior to the
registration of any transfer by a Certificateholder as provided herein, the
Trustee shall treat the person in whose name the Certificate is registered as
the owner thereof for all purposes, and the Trustee shall not be affected by
notice to the contrary. Furthermore, the Depositary shall, by acceptance of a
Global Certificate, agree that transfers of beneficial interests in such Global
Certificate may be effected only through a book-entry system maintained by the
Depositary (or its agent), and that ownership of a beneficial interest in the
Certificate shall be required to be reflected in a book entry. When
Certificates are presented to the Registrar with a request to register the
transfer or to exchange them for an equal face amount of Certificates of other
authorized denominations, the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the
exchange as requested if its requirements for such transactions are met. To
permit registrations of transfers and exchanges in accordance with the terms,
conditions and restrictions hereof, the Trustee shall execute and authenticate
Certificates at the Registrar's request. No service charge shall be made for
any registration of transfer or exchange of the Certificates, but the Trustee
may require payment by the transferor of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer
tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than
any such transfer taxes or other similar governmental charges payable upon
exchanges pursuant to Section 3.10 or 9.07).
<PAGE> 28
22
Section 3.05. Book-Entry Provisions for the Global Certificate. (a)
Members of, or participants in, the Depositary ("Agent Members") shall have no
rights under this Agreement with respect to the Global Certificate held on their
behalf by the Depositary, or the Trustee as its custodian, and the Depositary
may be treated by the Trustee and any agent of the Trustee as the absolute owner
of such Global Certificate for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Trustee or any agent of the Trustee
from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization
furnished by the Depositary or shall impair, as between the Depositary and its
Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of
the rights of a holder of any Certificate. Upon the issuance of any Global
Certificate, the Registrar or its duly appointed agent shall record a nominee of
the Depositary as the registered holder of such Global Certificate.
(b) Transfers of any Global Certificate shall be limited to transfers
of such Global Certificate in whole, but not in part, to nominees of the
Depositary, its successor or such successor's nominees. Beneficial interests in
the Global Certificate may be transferred in accordance with the rules and
procedures of the Depositary and the provisions of Section 3.06. Beneficial
interests in the Global Certificate shall be delivered to all beneficial owners
in the form of definitive Certificates if (i) the Depositary notifies the
Trustee that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the Global
Certificate and a successor depositary is not appointed by the Trustee within 90
days of such notice or (ii) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing
and the Registrar has received a request from the Depositary to issue definitive
Certificates.
(c) In connection with the transfer of the entire Global Certificate to
the beneficial owners thereof pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 3.05,
the Global Certificate shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Trustee for
cancellation, and the Trustee shall execute, authenticate and deliver, to each
beneficial owner identified by the Depositary in exchange for its beneficial
interest in the Global Certificate an equal aggregate principal amount of
definitive Certificates of authorized denominations.
(d) Any Physical Certificate delivered in exchange for an interest in
the Global Certificate pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 3.05 shall,
except as otherwise provided by paragraph (f) of Section 3.06, bear the
Permanent Legend.
(e) The registered holder of the Global Certificate may grant proxies
and otherwise authorize any Person, including Agent Members and Persons that may
hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder is
entitled to take under this Agreement or the Certificates.
Section 3.06. Special Transfer Provisions. The following provisions
shall apply to the Certificates:
<PAGE> 29
23
(a) Transfers to Non-QIB Institutional Accredited Investors. The
Registrar shall register the transfer of any Certificate to any Institutional
Accredited Investor.
(b) Transfers to QIBs. The Registrar shall register the transfer of
any Certificate to any QIB.
(c) Permanent Legend. Upon the transfer, exchange or replacement of
Certificates bearing the Permanent Legend, the Registrar shall deliver only
Certificates that bear the Permanent Legend unless there is delivered to the
Registrar an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that neither such legend nor the
related restrictions on transfer are required in order to maintain compliance
with the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(d) General. By its acceptance of any Certificate bearing the
Permanent Legend, each Holder of such a Certificate acknowledges the
restrictions on transfer of such Certificate set forth in this Agreement and
agrees that it will transfer such Certificate only as provided in this
Agreement. The Registrar shall not register a transfer of any Certificate
unless such transfer complies with the restrictions on transfer of such
Certificate set forth in this Agreement. In connection with any transfer of
Certificates, each Certificateholder agrees by its acceptance of the
Certificates to furnish the Registrar or the Trustee such certifications or
other information as either of them may reasonably require; provided that the
Registrar shall not be required to determine the sufficiency of any such
certifications, legal opinions or other information.
Until such time as no Certificates remain Outstanding, the Registrar
shall retain copies of all letters, notices and other written communications
received pursuant to Section 3.05 or this Section 3.06. The Trustee, if not the
Registrar at such time, shall have the right to inspect and make copies of all
such letters, notices or other written communications at any reasonable time
upon the giving of reasonable written notice to the Registrar.
Section 3.07. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates. If
(a) any mutilated Certificate is surrendered to the Registrar or the Registrar
receives evidence to its satisfaction of the mutilation, destruction, loss or
theft of any Certificate and (b) there is delivered to the Registrar and the
Trustee such security, indemnity or bond, as may be required by them to save
each of them and any Paying Agent harmless, then, in the absence of notice to
the Registrar or the Trustee that such destroyed, lost or stolen Certificate has
been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, and provided that the requirements of
Section 8-405 of the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in any applicable
jurisdiction are met, then, upon payment by the Certificateholder of any
applicable expenses, the Trustee shall execute, authenticate and deliver, in
exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or
<PAGE> 30
24
stolen Certificate, a new Certificate or Certificates, in authorized
denominations and of like Fractional Undivided Interest and bearing a number not
contemporaneously outstanding.
In connection with the issuance of any new Certificate under this
Section 3.07, the Trustee may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover
any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and
any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee and the
Registrar) connected therewith.
Any duplicate Certificate issued pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall
constitute conclusive evidence of the appropriate Fractional Undivided Interest
in the Trust, as if originally issued, whether or not the lost, stolen or
destroyed Certificate shall be found at any time.
The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the
extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or
payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Certificates.
Section 3.08. Persons Deemed Owners. Prior to due presentment of a
Certificate for registration of transfer, the Trustee, the Registrar and any
Paying Agent may treat the Person in whose name any Certificate is registered
(as of the day of determination) as the owner of such Certificate for the
purpose of receiving distributions pursuant to Article IV
and for all other purposes whatsoever, and none of the Trustee, the Registrar
or any Paying Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.
Section 3.09. Cancellation. All Certificates surrendered for payment
or transfer or exchange shall, if surrendered to the Trustee or any agent of the
Trustee other than the Registrar, be delivered to the Registrar for cancellation
and shall promptly be cancelled by it. No Certificates shall be authenticated
in lieu of or in exchange for any Certificates cancelled as provided in this
Section, except as expressly permitted by this Agreement. All cancelled
Certificates held by the Registrar shall be destroyed and a certification of
their destruction delivered to the Trustee.
Section 3.10. Temporary Certificates. Until definitive Certificates
are ready for delivery, the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Certificates.
Temporary Certificates shall be substantially in the form of definitive
Certificates but may have insertions, substitutions, omissions and other
variations determined to be appropriate by the officers executing the temporary
Certificates, as evidenced by their execution of such temporary Certificates. If
temporary Certificates are issued, the Trustee will cause definitive
Certificates to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation
of definitive Certificates, the temporary Certificates shall be exchangeable for
definitive Certificates upon surrender of the temporary Certificates at the
office or agency of the Trustee designated for such purpose pursuant to Section
7.12, without charge to the Certificateholder. Upon
<PAGE> 31
25
surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Certificates, the
Trustee shall execute, authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like face
amount of definitive Certificates of authorized denominations. Until so
exchanged, the temporary Certificates shall be entitled to the same benefits
under this Agreement as definitive Certificates.
Section 3.11. Limitation of Liability for Payments. All payments and
distributions made to Certificateholders shall be made only from the Assigned
Trust Property and only to the extent that the Trustee shall have sufficient
income or proceeds from the Assigned Trust Property to make such payments in
accordance with the terms of Article IV of this Agreement. Each
Certificateholder, by its acceptance of a Certificate, agrees that it will look
solely to the income and proceeds from the Assigned Trust Property for any
payment or distribution due to such Certificateholder pursuant to the terms of
this Agreement and that it will not have any recourse to the Company, the
Trustee or the Indenture Trustee except as otherwise expressly provided.
The Company is a party to this Agreement solely for purposes of meeting
the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act, and therefore shall not have any
right, obligation or liability hereunder (except as otherwise expressly provided
herein).
ARTICLE IV
DISTRIBUTIONS; STATEMENTS TO
CERTIFICATEHOLDERS; PAYMENTS TO EXTENSION OPTION BUYER
Section 4.01. Certificate Account and Special Payments Account. (a)
The Trustee shall establish and maintain on behalf of the Certificateholders a
Certificate Account as one or more non-interest-bearing accounts. The Trustee
shall hold the Certificate Account in trust for the benefit of the
Certificateholders, and shall make or permit withdrawals therefrom only as
provided in this Agreement. On each day when a Scheduled Payment is made to the
Trustee under the Indenture, the Trustee upon receipt thereof shall immediately
deposit the aggregate amount of such Scheduled Payment in the Certificate
Account.
(b) The Trustee shall establish and maintain on behalf of the
Certificateholders a Special Payments Account as one or more accounts, which
shall be non-interest bearing except as provided in Section 4.04. The Trustee
shall hold the Special Payments Account in trust for the benefit of the
Certificateholders and shall make or permit withdrawals therefrom only as
provided in this Agreement. On each day when one or more Special Payments are
made to the Trustee, the Trustee, upon receipt thereof, shall immediately
deposit the aggregate amount of such Special Payments in the Special Payments
Account.
<PAGE> 32
26
(c) The Trustee shall present to the Indenture Trustee the X-TRAS on
the date of their stated final maturity or, in the case of any X-TRAS which are
to be redeemed in whole pursuant to the Indenture, on the applicable redemption
date under such Indenture.
(d) The Trustee shall establish and maintain on behalf of the Extension
Option Buyer an Extension Payment Account as one or more accounts, which shall
be non-interest bearing. The Trustee shall hold the Extension Payment Account
in trust for the benefit of the Extension Option Buyer and shall make
withdrawals therefrom as provided in the ISDA Master Agreement. On each day
when an Extension Payment is made to the Trustee by the Company, the Trustee,
upon receipt thereof, shall immediately deposit such Extension Payment in the
Extension Payment Account.
Section 4.02. Distributions from Certificate Account and Special
Payments Account. (a) On each Regular Distribution Date, the Trustee
shall distribute out of the Certificate Account to the Certificateholders all
Scheduled Payments the receipt of which is confirmed by the Trustee on such
date. There shall be so distributed to each Certificateholder of record on the
Record Date with respect to such Regular Distribution Date (other than as
provided in Section 11.01 concerning the final distribution) by check mailed to
such Certificateholder, at the address appearing in the Register, such
Certificateholder's pro rata share (based on the Fractional Undivided
Interest in the Assigned Trust Property held by such Certificateholder) of the
total amount in the Certificate Account, except that, with respect to
Certificates registered on the Record Date in the name of the nominee of the
Depositary (initially, such nominee to be Cede & Co.), such distribution shall
be made by wire transfer in immediately available funds to the account
designated by such nominee. If a Scheduled Payment is not received by the
Trustee on the Register Distribution Date but is received within [five]
Business Days thereafter, it will be distributed on the date so received by the
Trustee to such holders of record. If it is received after such [five] day
period, it will be treated as a Special Payment and distributed as described in
paragraph (b) below.
(b) With respect to any Special Payment made under clause (i) of the
definition thereof (to the extent redemption of less than all of the X-TRAS is
made), the Trustee shall select, in such a manner as it shall deem appropriate
and fair, the particular Certificates or portions thereof representing
beneficial ownership of the X-TRAS to be redeemed. Upon a redemption of less
than all of the X-TRAS, Certificates representing beneficial ownership of the
X-TRAS selected for redemption will be required to be presented to the Trustee
for cancellation. Upon such presentation, all payments of principal of,
Applicable Premium, and interest on the X-TRAS paid by the Company to the Trust
will be paid to the holders of such Certificates. With respect to any Special
Payment made under clause (ii) or (iii) of the definition thereof, there shall
be paid to each Certificateholder who has duly presented for cancellation and
not withdrawn its Certificates in compliance with the provisions of Sections
5.03 and 5.04 an amount equal to the aggregate purchase price
<PAGE> 33
27
applicable to the X-TRAS beneficially owned by such Certificateholder in respect
of which it has tendered its Certificates. With respect to any Special Payment
made under clauses (i) (to the extent of a redemption of all of the X-TRAS),
(ii) and (iv) of the definition thereof, the entire amount of such Special
Payment deposited in the Special Payments Account pursuant to Section 4.01(b)
will be distributed on, in the case of an early redemption of all of the X-TRAS,
the date of such early redemption, which shall be a Business Day, and otherwise
20 days after the Trustee has confirmed receipt of the funds for such Special
Payment (or the next Business Day after such 20th day if such date is not a
Business Day). With respect to any such Special Payment, there shall be
distributed to each Certificateholder of record on the Record Date with respect
to such Special Distribution Date (other than as provided in Section 11.01
concerning the final distribution) by check mailed to such Certificateholder, at
the address appearing in the Register, such Certificateholder's pro rata share
(based on the Fractional Undivided Interest in the Trust held by such
Certificateholder) of the total amount in the Special Payments Account on
account of such Special Payment, except that, with respect to Certificates
registered on the Record Date in the name of the nominee of the Depositary
(initially, such nominee to be Cede & Co.), such distribution shall be made by
wire transfer in immediately available funds to the account designated by such
nominee. The Trustee will mail notice to the Certificateholders not less than
20 days prior to the Special Distribution Date on which any Special Payment is
scheduled to be distributed by the Trustee stating such anticipated Special
Distribution Date. Each distribution of a Special Payment, other than the Final
Distribution, on a Special Distribution Date will be made by the Trustee to
Certificateholders of record on the 15th day next preceding such Special
Distribution Date.
(c) The Trustee shall, at the expense of the Company, cause notice of
each Special Payment to be mailed to each Certificateholder at his address as it
appears in the Register. In the event of redemption or purchase of X-TRAS held
in the Trust, such notice shall be mailed not less than 20 days prior to the
Special Distribution Date for the Special Payment resulting from such redemption
or purchase, which Special Distribution Date shall be the date of such
redemption or purchase. In the case of any other Special Payments, such notice
shall be mailed as soon as practicable after the Trustee has confirmed that it
has received funds for such Special Payment, stating the Special Distribution
Date for such Special Payment which shall occur not less than 20 days after the
date of such notice and as soon as practicable thereafter. Notices mailed by the
Trustee shall set forth:
(i) the Special Distribution Date and the Record Date therefor
(except as otherwise provided in Section 11.01),
(ii) the amount of the Special Payment for each $1,000 face amount
Certificate (taking into account any payment to be made by the Company
pursuant to Section 2.03(b)) and the amount thereof constituting
principal, premium, if any, and interest,
<PAGE> 34
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(iii) the reason for the Special Payment, and
(iv) if the Special Distribution Date is the same date as a Regular
Distribution Date, the total amount to be received on such date for each
$1,000 face amount Certificate.
If the amount of premium, if any, payable upon the redemption or purchase of an
X-TRAS has not been calculated at the time that the Trustee mails notice of a
Special Payment, it shall be sufficient if the notice sets forth the other
amounts to be distributed and states that any premium received will also be
distributed.
If any redemption of the X-TRAS held in the Trust is cancelled, the
Trustee, as soon as possible after learning thereof, shall cause notice thereof
to be mailed to each Certificateholder at its address as it appears on the
Register.
Section 4.03. Statements to Certificateholders. (a) On each
Distribution Date, the Trustee will include with each distribution to
Certificateholders of a Scheduled Payment or Special Payment, as the case may
be, a statement setting forth the following information (per $1,000 face amount
Certificate as to (i) and (ii) below):
(i) the amount of such distribution allocable to principal and the
amount allocable to premium, if any; and
(ii) the amount of such distribution allocable to interest.
With respect to the Certificates registered in the name of Cede & Co.,
as nominee for the Depositary, on the Record Date prior to each Distribution
Date, the Trustee will request from the Depositary a Securities Position Listing
setting forth the names of all Agent Members reflected on the Depositary's books
as holding interests in the Certificates on such Record Date. On each
Distribution Date, the Trustee will mail to each such Agent Member the statement
described above and will make available additional copies as requested by such
Agent Member for forwarding to holders of interests in the Certificates.
(b) Within a reasonable period of time after the end of each calendar
year but not later than the latest date permitted by law, the Trustee shall
furnish to each Person who at any time during such calendar year was a
Certificateholder of record a statement containing the sum of the amounts
determined pursuant to clauses (a)(i) and (a)(ii) above with respect to the
Trust for such calendar year or, in the event such Person was a
Certificateholder of record during a portion of such calendar year, for such
portion of such year, and such other items as are readily available to the
Trustee and which a Certificateholder shall reasonably request as necessary for
the purpose of such Certificateholder's preparation of its federal income tax
returns. Such statement and such
<PAGE> 35
29
other items shall be prepared on the basis of information supplied to the
Trustee by the Agent Members and shall be delivered by the Trustee to such Agent
Members to be available for forwarding by such Agent Members to the holders of
interests in the Certificates in the manner described in Section 4.03(a).
Section 4.04. Investment of Special Payment Moneys. Any money
received by the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.01(b) representing a Special
Payment which is not to be promptly distributed shall, to the extent
practicable, be invested in Permitted Investments by the Trustee pending
distribution of such Special Payment pursuant to Section 4.02. Any investment
made pursuant to this Section 4.04 shall be in such Permitted Investments having
maturities not later than the date that such moneys are required to be used to
make the payment required under Section 4.02 on the applicable Special
Distribution Date and the Trustee shall hold any such Permitted Investments
until maturity. The Trustee shall have no liability with respect to any
investment made pursuant to this Section 4.04, other than by reason of the
willful misconduct or negligence of the Trustee. All income and earnings from
such investments shall be distributed on such Special Distribution Date as part
of such Special Payment.
Section 4.05 Payments from Extension Payment Account. The Trustee
shall make payments out of the Extension Payment Account to the Extension Option
Buyer as required under the ISDA Master Agreement.
ARTICLE V
THE COMPANY
Section 5.01. Maintenance of Corporate Existence. The Company, at its
own cost and expense, will do or cause to be done all things necessary to
preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence, rights and
franchises, except as otherwise specifically permitted in Section 5.02;
provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any right
or franchise if the Company shall determine that the preservation thereof is no
longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company.
Section 5.02. Consolidation, Merger, Etc. The Company shall not
consolidate with or merge into any other corporation or convey, transfer or
lease substantially all of its assets as an entirety to any Person unless:
(a) the corporation formed by such consolidation or into which the
Company is merged or the Person that acquires by conveyance, transfer or
lease substantially all of the assets of the Company as an entirety shall
be (i) organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States
of America or any state thereof or
<PAGE> 36
30
the District of Columbia, (ii) a "citizen of the United States" as defined
in 49 U.S.C. 40102(a)(15), as amended, and (iii) a United States
certificated air carrier, if and so long as such status is a condition of
entitlement to the benefits of Section 1110 of the Bankruptcy Reform Act of
1978, as amended (11 U.S.C.Section 1110), with respect to the Leases;
(b) the corporation formed by such consolidation or into which the
Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance, transfer or
lease substantially all of the assets of the Company as an entirety shall
execute and deliver to the Trustee a duly authorized, valid, binding and
enforceable agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
the Trustee containing an assumption by such successor corporation or
Person of the due and punctual performance and observance of each
covenant and condition of this Agreement, the Other Pass Through Trust
Agreements, the Refunding Agreements, and each other Refunding Document
to be performed or observed by the Company; and
(c) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer's
Certificate of the Company and an Opinion of Counsel of the Company
reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, each stating that such
consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and the assumption
agreement mentioned in clause (b) above comply with this Section 5.02 and
that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such
transaction have been complied with.
Upon any consolidation or merger, or any conveyance, transfer or lease
of substantially all of the assets of the Company as an entirety in accordance
with this Section 5.02, the successor corporation or Person formed by such
consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such conveyance,
transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may
exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Agreement with the
same effect as if such successor corporation or Person had been named as the
Company herein. No such conveyance, transfer or lease of substantially all of
the assets of the Company as an entirety shall have the effect of releasing any
successor corporation or Person which shall have become such in the manner
prescribed in this Section 5.02 from its liability in respect of this Agreement
and any Refunding Document to which it is a party.
Section 5.03. Change in Control. Upon the occurrence of a Change in
Control (the effective date of such Change in Control being the "Change in
Control Date"), each Certificateholder shall have the right to direct the
Trustee to require the Company to repurchase (a "Required Repurchase") all or
any part of the X-TRAS beneficially owned by such Certificateholder at a
repurchase price payable in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount of such
X-TRAS together with accrued interest to the Change in Control Purchase Date
(as defined below) (the "Change in Control Purchase Price") plus (in the
aggregate with all other beneficially owned X-TRAS repurchased pursuant to this
Section 5.03) the Extension Amount, if any, as of the Change in
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Control Purchase Date as determined by the Extension Option Buyer and notified
to the Company Purchase, the Indenture Trustee by 10 a.m., New York City time,
on such date.
(a) Within 30 days following the Change in Control Date, the Company
shall mail a notice (the "Required Repurchase Notice") to each Certificateholder
with copies to the Indenture Trustee, the Trust and the Extension Option Buyer
stating:
(i) that a Change in Control has occurred and that such
Certificateholder has the right to direct the Trustee to require
the Company to repurchase all or any part of the X-TRAS
beneficially owned by such Certificateholder at the Change in
Control Purchase Price upon presentation for cancellation of the
related Certificates;
(ii) the Change in Control Purchase Price;
(iii) the date on which any Required Repurchase shall be made
(which shall be no earlier than 60 days nor later than 90 days from
the date such notice is mailed) (the "Change in Control Purchase
Date");
(iv) the name and address of the Paying Agent; and
(v) the procedures that Certificateholders must follow to
cause the X-TRAS beneficially owned by them to be repurchased,
which shall be consistent with this Section and the Indenture.
(b) Certificateholders electing to have X-TRAS beneficially owned by
them repurchased must deliver a written notice (the "Change in Control Purchase
Notice") to the X-TRAS Paying Agent (initially the Indenture Trustee) at its
corporate trust office in Detroit, Michigan, or any other office of the X-TRAS
Paying Agent maintained for such purposes, not later than 30 days prior to the
Change in Control Purchase Date. The Change in Control Purchase Notice shall
state: (i) the portion of the principal amount of any X-TRAS beneficially owned
by the Certificateholder to be repurchased, which portion must be $1,000 or an
integral multiple thereof; (ii) that such X-TRAS are to be repurchased by the
Company pursuant to the change in control provisions of the Indenture and the
Trust Agreement; and (iii) unless the Certificates evidencing beneficial
ownership of the X-TRAS to be repurchased are represented by one or more Global
Certificates, the certificate numbers of the Certificates to be delivered by the
Certificateholder thereof the X-TRAS in respect of which are to be repurchased
by the Company. Any Change in Control Purchase Notice may be withdrawn by the
Certificateholder by a written notice of withdrawal delivered to the Paying
Agent not later than three Business Days prior to the Change in Control Purchase
Date. The notice of
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withdrawal shall state the principal amount of beneficially owned X-TRAS as to
which the withdrawal notice relates and the principal amount of such
beneficially owned X-TRAS, if any, which remains subject to a Change in Control
Purchase Notice.
If Certificates are represented by a Global Note (as described in
Section 3.05), the Depositary or its nominee will be the Holder of such
Certificates and therefore will be the only entity that may elect a Required
Repurchase of the beneficially owned X-TRAS in respect of such Certificates.
To obtain repayment pursuant to this Section 5.03 with respect to the X-TRAS in
respect of such Certificates, the beneficial owner of such Certificates must
provide to the broker or other entity through which it holds the beneficial
interest in such Certificates (i) the Change in Control Purchase Notice signed
by such beneficial owner, and such signature must be guaranteed by a member
firm of a registered national securities exchange or of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or a commercial bank or trust company
having an office or correspondent in the United States, and (ii) instructions
to such broker or other entity to notify the Depositary of such beneficial
owner's desire to obtain repayment pursuant to this Section 5.03. Such broker
or other entity will provide to the X-TRAS Paying Agent (i) the Change in
Control Purchase Notice received from such beneficial owner and (ii) a
certificate satisfactory to the X-TRAS Paying Agent from such broker or other
entity stating that it represents such beneficial owner. Such broker or other
entity will be responsible for disbursing any payments it receives pursuant to
this Section 3.01 to such beneficial owner.
(c) Payment to a Certificateholder of the Change in Control Purchase
Price for X-TRAS beneficially owned by it for which a Change in Control
Purchase Notice has been delivered and not withdrawn is conditioned (except in
the case of Certificates represented by one or more Global Certificates) upon
presentation for cancellation of the Certificates in respect of such X-TRAS
(together with necessary endorsements) to the X-TRAS Paying Agent at its office
in Detroit, Michigan, or any other office of the X-TRAS Paying Agent maintained
for such purpose, at any time (whether prior to, on or after the Change in
Control Purchase Date) after the delivery of such Change in Control Purchase
Notice. Payment of the Change in Control Purchase Price for the Certificates
in respect of such X-TRAS will be made promptly following the later of the
Change in Control Purchase Date or the time of presentation for cancellation of
such Certificates. If the X-TRAS Paying Agent holds, in accordance with the
terms of the Indenture, money sufficient to pay the Change in Control Purchase
Price of the Certificates in respect of such X-TRAS on the Business Day
following the Change in Control Purchase Date, then, on and after such date,
interest will cease accruing on such X-TRAS, whether or not such Certificates
are delivered to the X-TRAS Paying Agent, and all other rights of the
Certificateholder shall terminate (other than the right to receive the Change
in Control Purchase Price upon delivery of the Certificates in respect of such
X-TRAS).
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(d) The Company shall comply with the provisions of Regulation 14E and
any other tender offer rules under the Exchange Act which may then be applicable
in connection with any offer by the Company to repurchase X-TRAS beneficially
owned by a Certificateholder at the option of Certificateholder upon a Change in
Control.
(e) No beneficially owned X-TRAS may be repurchased by the Company as
a result of a Change in Control if there has occurred and is continuing an Event
of Default (other than a default in the Payment of the Change in Control
Purchase Price with respect to the X-TRAS).
(f) Upon receipt by the Trustee of the ISDA Amount payable pursuant
to the first sentence of this Section 5.03, such amount shall be deposited
in the ISDA Payment Account and thereafter promptly paid to the Extension
Option Buyer.
Section 5.04 Excess Proceeds of Asset Sales. In the event that the
Company is required under Section 4.05 of the Indenture to make an offer to
purchase from holders of X-TRAS on a pro rata basis an aggregate principal
amount of X-TRAS equal to the Excess Proceeds resulting from an Asset Sale,
each Certificateholder shall have the right to direct the Trustee to require the
Company to repurchase a pro rata portion of the X-TRAS beneficially owned by
such Certificateholder at a repurchase price payable in cash equal to 100% of
the principal amount or portion thereof of the X-TRAS to be repurchased
together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the Excess Proceeds
Purchase Date (as defined herein), plus the ISDA Amount, if any, as of the
Excess Proceeds Purchase Date as determined by the Extension Option Buyer as
of such date and notified to the Company, the Indenture Trustee and the
Trustee by 10 a.m., New York City time, on such date.
(a) Within 30 days after the end of the Application Period, the
Company shall mail a notice (the "Excess Proceeds Repurchase Notice")
to each Certificateholder with copies to the Indenture Trustee,
Trustee and Extension Option Buyer stating:
(i) that the Company is making an Excess Proceeds Offer
pursuant to Section 4.05 of the Sixth Supplemental Indenture;
(ii) the Excess Proceeds Purchase Price;
(iii) the date on which any Exceeds Proceeds Repurchase
shall be made (which shall be no earlier than 60 days nor later
than 90 days from the date such notice is mailed) (the "Excess
Proceeds Purchase Date");
(iv) the name and address of the X-TRAS Paying Agent; and
(v) the procedures that Certificateholders must follow to
cause the X-TRAS to be repurchased, which shall be consistent
with this Section and the Indenture.
(b) Certificateholders electing to have X-TRAS beneficially owned by
them repurchased must deliver a written notice (the "Excess Proceeds
Purchase Notice") to the X-TRAS Paying Agent at its corporate trust office
in Detroit, Michigan, or any other office of the X-TRAS Paying Agent
maintained for such purposes, not later than 30 days prior to the Excess
Proceeds Purchase Date. The Excess Proceeds Purchase Notice shall state:
(i) the portion of the principal amount of any beneficially owned X-TRAS of
the Certificateholder tendered for repurchase, which portion must be $1,000
or an integral multiple thereof; (ii) that such X-TRAS are to be
repurchased by the Company pursuant to the Exceeds Proceeds Offer
provisions of the Indenture; and (iii) unless the Certificates evidencing
beneficial ownership of the X-TRAS to be repurchased are represented by one
or more Global Certificates, the certificate numbers of the Certificates to
be delivered by the Certificateholder thereof for repurchase by the
Company. Any Excess Proceeds Purchase Notice may be withdrawn by the
Certificateholder by a written notice of withdrawal delivered to the X-TRAS
Paying Agent not later than three Business Days prior to the Excess
Proceeds Purchase Date. The notice of withdrawal shall state the principal
amount of beneficially owned X-TRAS as to which the withdrawal notice
relates and the principal amount of such beneficially owned X-TRAS, if any,
which remains subject to a Excess Proceeds Purchase Notice.
If Certificates are represented by a Global Note (as described in
Section 3.05), the Depositary or its nominee will be the Holder of such
Certificates and therefore will be the only entity that may elect an Excess
Proceeds Repurchase of the beneficially owned X-TRAS in respect of such
Certificates. To obtain repayment pursuant to this Section 5.04 with
respect to the X-TRAS in respect of such Certificates, the beneficial owner
of such Certificates must provide to the broker or other entity through
which it holds the beneficial interest in such Certificates (i) the Excess
Proceeds Purchase Notice signed by such beneficial owner, and such
signature must be guaranteed by a member firm of a registered national
securities exchange or of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. or a commercial bank or trust company having an office or
correspondent in the United States, and (ii) instructions to such broker or
other entity to notify the Depositary of such beneficial owner's desire to
obtain repayment pursuant to this Section 5.04. Such broker or other entity
will provide to the X-TRAS Paying Agent (i) the Excess Proceeds Purchase
Notice received from such beneficial owner and (ii) a certificate
satisfactory to the X-TRAS Paying Agent from such broker or other entity
stating that it represents such beneficial owner. Such broker or other
entity will be responsible for disbursing any payments it receives pursuant
to this Section 3.01 to such beneficial owner.
(c) Payment to a Certificateholder of the Excess Proceeds Purchase
Price for beneficially owned X-TRAS for which a Excess Proceeds Purchase
Notice has been delivered and not withdrawn is conditioned (except in the
case of Certificates represented by one or more Global Certificates) upon
presentation for cancellation of the Certificates in respect of such X-TRAS
(together with necessary endorsements) to the X-TRAS Paying Agent at its
office in Detroit, Michigan, or any other office of the X-TRAS Paying Agent
maintained for such purpose, at any time (whether prior to, on or after the
Excess Proceeds Purchase Date) after the delivery of such Excess Proceeds
Purchase Notice. Payment of the Excess Proceeds Purchase Price for the
Certificates in respect of such X-TRAS will be made promptly following the
later of the Excess Proceeds Purchase Date or the time of delivery of such
Certificates. If the X-TRAS Paying Agent holds, in accordance with the
terms of the Indenture, money sufficient to pay the Excess Proceeds
Purchase Price of the Certificates in respect of such X-TRAS on the
Business Day following the Excess Proceeds Purchase Date, then, on and
after such date, interest will cease accruing, and all other rights of the
Holder shall terminate (other than the right to receive the Excess Proceeds
Purchase Price upon delivery of the X-TRAS).
(d) The Company shall comply with the provisions of Regulation 14E and
any other tender offer rules under the Exchange Act, which may then be
applicable in connection with any Excess Proceeds Offer.
(e) Upon receipt by the Trustee of the ISDA Amount payable pursuant to
the first sentence of this Section 5.04, such amount shall be deposited in
the ISDA Payment Account and thereafter promptly paid to the Extension
Option Buyer.
ARTICLE VI
DEFAULT
Section 6.01. Events of Default. If any Indenture Default under the
Indenture (an "Event of Default") shall occur and be continuing, then, and in
each and every case, so long as such Event of Default shall be continuing, the
Trustee may vote the X-TRAS, and upon the direction of Certificateholders
evidencing Fractional Undivided Interests aggregating not less than a majority
in interest in the Assigned Trust Property, the Trustee shall vote, in favor of
directing the Indenture Trustee to declare the unpaid principal amount of the
X-TRAS then outstanding and accrued interest thereon to be due and payable
under, and in accordance with the provisions of, the Indenture. In addition, if
an Indenture Default shall have occurred and be continuing under the Indenture,
the Trustee may in accordance with the Indenture vote the X-TRAS to direct the
Indenture Trustee regarding the exercise of remedies provided in Article IV of
the Indenture. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4.02, if in connection
with any Event of Default as to which moneys are collected by the Trustee the
amounts paid by the Company are less than the amounts due in respect of (i) the
principal of and interest on the X-TRAS and (ii) the Extension Amount, if any,
the amounts received by the Trustee will be distributed on a pro rata basis to
the Certificateholders, on the one hand, and the Extension Option Buyer, on the
other; provided that no such distribution shall affect the right of the Trustee
to demand and receive payment in full of all amounts due from the Company.
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In addition, after an Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing with respect to the X-TRAS, the Trustee may in its discretion, and
upon the direction of the Certificateholders evidencing Fractional Undivided
Interests aggregating not less than a majority in interest in the Assigned Trust
Property shall, by such officer or agent as it may appoint, sell, convey,
transfer and deliver the X-TRAS, without recourse to or warranty by the Trustee
or any Certificateholder, to any Person. In any such case, the Trustee shall
sell, assign, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of and deliver the X-TRAS at
public or private sale, at any location at the option of the Trustee, all upon
such terms and conditions as it may reasonably deem advisable and at such prices
as it may reasonably deem advisable, for cash. If the Trustee so decides or is
required to sell or otherwise dispose of the X-TRAS pursuant to this Section,
the Trustee shall take such of the actions described above as it may reasonably
deem most effectual to complete the sale or other disposition of the X-TRAS, so
as to provide for the payment in full of all amounts due on the Certificates.
The Trustee shall give notice to the Company promptly after any such sale.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any action taken by the Trustee under this
Section shall not, in the reasonable judgment of the Trustee, be adverse to the
best interests of the Certificateholders.
Section 6.02. Incidents of Sale of the X-TRAS. Upon any sale of the
X-TRAS made either under the power of sale given under this Trust Agreement or
otherwise for the enforcement of this Trust Agreement, the following shall be
applicable:
(1) Certificateholders and Trustee May Purchase the X-TRAS. Any
Certificateholder, the Trustee in its individual or any other capacity or
any other Person may bid for and purchase the X-TRAS, and upon compliance
with the terms of sale, may hold, retain, possess and dispose of the
X-TRAS in their or its or his own absolute right without further
accountability.
(2) Receipt of Trustee Shall Discharge Purchaser. The receipt of
the Trustee or of the officer making such sale shall be a sufficient
discharge to any purchaser for his purchase money, and, after paying such
purchase money and receiving such receipt, such purchaser or his personal
representative or assigns shall not be obliged to see to the application
of such purchase money, or be in any way answerable for any loss,
misapplication or non-application thereof.
(3) Application of Moneys Received upon Sale. Any moneys collected
by the Trustee upon any sale made either under the power of sale given by
this Agreement or otherwise for the enforcement of this Agreement, shall
be applied as provided in Section 4.02. If in connection with any Event
of Default as to which moneys are collected by the Trustee the amounts
collected are less than the amounts due in respect of (i) the principal of
and interest on the X-TRAS and (ii) the ISDA Amount, if any, the
amounts received by the Trustee will be distributed on
<PAGE> 41
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a pro rata basis to the Certificateholders, on the one hand, and the
Extension Option Buyer, on the other; provided that no such distribution
shall affect the right of the Trustee to demand and receive payment in full
of all amounts due from the Company.
Section 6.03. Judicial Proceedings Instituted by Trustee. (a)
Trustee May Bring Suit. If there shall be a failure to make payment of the
principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any X-TRAS, then the Trustee, as
holder of such X-TRAS, to the extent permitted by and in accordance with the
terms of the Indenture, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any suits,
actions or proceedings at law, in equity or otherwise, for the collection of the
sums so due and unpaid on such X-TRAS and may prosecute any such claim or
proceeding to judgment or final decree with respect to the whole amount of any
such sums so due and unpaid.
(b) Trustee May File Proofs of Claim; Appointment of Trustee as
Attorney-in-Fact in Judicial Proceedings. The Trustee in the name of the Trust
or as attorney-in-fact for the Certificateholders, or in any one or more of such
capacities (irrespective of whether distributions on the Certificates shall then
be due and payable, or the payment of the principal on the X-TRAS shall then be
due and payable, as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and
irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand to the Indenture
Trustee for the payment of overdue principal, premium (if any) or interest on
the X-TRAS), shall be entitled and empowered to file such proofs of claim and
other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the
claims of the Trust and of the Certificateholders allowed in any receivership,
insolvency, bankruptcy, liquidation, readjustment, reorganization or any other
judicial proceedings relative to the Company, its creditors or property. Any
receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator (or similar official) in
any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Certificateholder to
make payments in respect of such claim to the Trustee, and in the event that the
Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the
Certificateholders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the
reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee,
its agents and counsel. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to
give to the Trustee any right to accept or consent to any plan of reorganization
or otherwise by action of any character in any such proceeding to waive or
change in any way any right of any Certificateholder.
Section 6.04. Control by Certificateholders. Subject to Section 6.03
and the Indenture, the Certificateholders holding Certificates evidencing
Fractional Undivided Interests aggregating not less than a majority in interest
in the Assigned Trust Property shall have the right to direct the time, method
and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee
with respect to the Trust or pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, or
exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee under this Agreement or
the Indenture, including any right of the Trustee as holder of the X-TRAS,
provided that
<PAGE> 42
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(1) such Direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of
law or with this Agreement and would not involve the Trustee in
personal liability or expense,
(2) the Trustee shall not determine that the action so
directed would be unjustly prejudicial to the Certificateholders
not taking part in such Direction, and
(3) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by
the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such Direction.
Section 6.05. Waiver of Past Defaults. Subject to the Indenture,
the Certificateholders holding Certificates evidencing Fractional Undivided
Interests aggregating not less than a majority in interest in the Assigned
Trust Property (i) may on behalf of all of the Certificateholders waive any
past Event of Default hereunder and its consequences or (ii) may direct the
Trustee to instruct the Indenture Trustee to waive any past Indenture Default
under the Indenture and its consequences and thereby annul any Direction given
by such Certificateholders or the Trustee to the Indenture Trustee with respect
thereto, except a default:
(1) in the deposit of any Scheduled Payment or Special
Payment under Section 4.01 or in the distribution of any
payment under Section 4.02 on the Certificates, or
(2) in the payment of the principal of (premium, if any) or
interest on the X-TRAS, or
(3) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under
Article X cannot be modified or amended without the consent of each
Certificateholder holding an Outstanding Certificate affected thereby
or the Extension Option Buyer.
Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist with
respect to the Certificates and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be
deemed to have been cured for every purpose and any direction given by the
Trustee on behalf of the Certificateholders to the Indenture Trustee shall be
annulled with respect thereto; but no such waiver shall extend to any
subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent
thereon. Upon any such waiver, the Trustee shall vote the X-TRAS issued under
the relevant Indenture to waive the corresponding Indenture Default.
Section 6.06. Right of Certificateholders to Receive Payments Not
to Be Impaired. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding,
including, without limitation, Section 6.07 hereof, but subject to the
Indenture, the right of any Certificateholder to receive distributions of
payments required pursuant to Section 4.02 hereof on the Certificates when due,
or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or
<PAGE> 43
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after the applicable Regular Distribution Date or Special Distribution Date,
shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such
Certificateholder.
Section 6.07. Certificateholders May Not Bring Suit Except Under
Certain Conditions. A Certificateholder shall not have the right to institute
any suit, action or proceeding at law or in equity or otherwise with respect to
this Agreement, for the appointment of a receiver or for the enforcement of any
other remedy under this Agreement, unless:
(1) such Certificateholder previously shall have given
written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default;
(2) Certificateholders holding Certificates evidencing
Fractional Undivided Interests aggregating not less than 25% of
the Assigned Trust Property shall have requested the Trustee
in writing to institute such action, suit or proceeding and shall
have offered to the Trustee indemnity as provided in Section 7.03(e);
(3) the Trustee shall have refused or neglected to institute
such an action, suit or proceeding for 60 days after receipt of such
notice, request and offer of indemnity; and
(4) no direction inconsistent with such written request shall
have been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by Certificate-
holders holding Certificates evidencing Fractional Undivided Interests
aggregating not less than a majority in interest in the Assigned Trust
Property.
It is understood and intended that no one or more of the
Certificateholders shall have any right in any manner whatsoever hereunder or
under the Certificates to (i) surrender, impair, waive, affect, disturb or
prejudice any property in the Assigned Trust Property or the lien of any
Indenture on any property subject thereto, or the rights of the
Certificateholders or the holders of the X-TRAS, (ii) obtain or seek to obtain
priority over or preference with respect to any other such Certificateholder or
(iii) enforce any right under this Agreement, except in the manner herein
provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all the
Certificateholders subject to the provisions of this Agreement.
Section 6.08. Remedies Cumulative. Every remedy given hereunder
to the Trustee or to any of the Certificateholders shall not be exclusive of
any other remedy or remedies, and every such remedy shall be cumulative and in
addition to every other remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter given by
statute, law, equity or otherwise.
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ARTICLE VII
THE TRUSTEE
Section 7.01. Certain Duties and Responsibilities. (a) Except
during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Trustee undertakes to
perform such duties as are specifically set forth in this Agreement, and no
implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Agreement against the
Trustee.
(b) In case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this
Agreement, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a
prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of
its own affairs.
(c) No provision of this Agreement shall be construed to
relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own
negligent failure to act, or its own wilful misconduct, except that
(1) this Subsection shall not be construed to limit the effect of
Subsection (a) of this Section; and
(2) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made
in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, unless it shall be
proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts.
(d) Whether or not herein expressly so provided, every
provision of this Trust Agreement relating to the conduct or affecting the
liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the
provisions of this Section.
Section 7.02. Notice of Defaults. As promptly as practicable
after, and in any event within 90 days after, the occurrence of any default (as
such term is defined below) hereunder, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to
the Company, the Indenture Trustee and the Certificateholders in accordance
with Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, notice of such default
hereunder known to the Trustee, unless such default shall have been cured or
waived; provided, however, that, except in the case of a default on the payment
of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on any X-TRAS, the Trustee shall
be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of
directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or
Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determine that the
withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Certificateholders. For
the purpose of this Section, the term "default" means any event that is, or
after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default.
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Section 7.03. Certain Rights of Trustee. Subject to the
provisions of Section 315 of the Trust Indenture Act:
(a) The Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or
refraining from acting in reliance upon any resolution, certificate,
statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction,
consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or document believed by
it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper
party or parties;
(b) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein
shall be sufficiently evidenced by a written description of the
subject matter thereof accompanied by an Officer's Certificate and an
Opinion of Counsel as provided in Section 1.02 of this Agreement;
(c) whenever in the administration of this Agreement the Trustee
shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to
taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless
other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of
bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officer's Certificate of the Company or
the Indenture Trustee;
(d) the Trustee may consult with counsel and the advice of such counsel
or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and
protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it
hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;
(e) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the
rights or powers vested in it by this Agreement at the Direction of any of
the Certificateholders pursuant to this Agreement, unless such
Certificateholders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or
indemnity against the cost, expenses and liabilities which might be
incurred by it in compliance with such Direction;
(f) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the
facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement,
instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order,
bond, debenture or other paper or document;
(g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers
under this Agreement or perform any duties under this Agreement either
directly or by or through agents or attorneys, and the Trustee shall not be
responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or
attorney appointed with due care by it under this Agreement;
<PAGE> 46
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(h) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or
omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the Direction of
the Certificateholders holding Certificates evidencing Fractional Undivided
Interests aggregating not less than a majority in interest in the Assigned
Trust Property relating to the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust
or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Agreement; and
(i) the Trustee shall not be required to expend or risk its own funds
in the performance of any of its duties under this Agreement, or in the
exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable
grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity
against such risk is not reasonably assured to it.
Section 7.04. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of
Certificates. The recitals contained herein and in the Certificates, except
the certificates of authentication, shall not be taken as the statements of the
Trustee, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their correctness.
Subject to Section 7.15, the Trustee makes no representations as to the
validity or sufficiency of this Agreement, any X-TRAS or the Certificates,
except that the Trustee hereby represents and warrants that this Agreement has
been and each Certificate will be, executed, authenticated and
delivered by one of its officers who is duly authorized to execute,
authenticate and deliver such document on its behalf.
Section 7.05. May Hold Certificates. The Trustee, any Paying
Agent, Registrar or any of their Affiliates or any other agent in their
respective individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of
Certificates and, subject to Sections 310(b) and 311 of the Trust Indenture
Act, if applicable, may otherwise deal with the Company or the Indenture
Trustee with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Paying
Agent, Registrar or such other agent.
Section 7.06. Money Held in Trust. Money held by the Trustee or
the Paying Agent in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds
except to the extent required herein or by law and neither the Trustee nor the
Paying Agent shall have any liability for interest upon any such moneys except
as provided for herein.
Section 7.07. Compensation and Reimbursement. The Company agrees:
(a) to pay, or cause to be paid, to the Trustee from time to time
reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder as the
Company and the Trustee shall agree in writing (which compensation shall
not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a
trustee of an express trust); and
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41
(b) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse,
or cause to be reimbursed, the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the
Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Agreement (including the
reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents
and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be
attributable to its negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith or as may
be incurred due to the Trustee's breach of its representations and
warranties set forth in Section 7.15; and
(c) to the fullest extent permitted by law, to indemnify the
Trustee or any predecessor Trustee for, and to hold the Trustee
harmless against, any loss, damage, claim, liability, penalty or reasonable
expenses incurred without negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on
its part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or
administration of this Agreement, the Certificates, the ISDA Master
Agreement or the Purchase Agreement, including the reasonable costs and
expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) of defending
itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or
performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except any such cost
or expense as may be attributable to the Trustee's negligence, bad faith or
willful misconduct.
The Trustee shall be entitled to reimbursement from the Company for
any tax incurred without negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct, on its
part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of
such Trust (other than any tax attributable to the Trustee's compensation for
serving as such), including any reasonable costs and expenses incurred in
contesting the imposition of any such tax.
Section 7.08. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility. There
shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be eligible to act as a
trustee under Section 310(a) of the Trust Indenture Act and shall have a
combined capital and surplus of at least $75,000,000 (or a combined capital and
surplus in excess of $5,000,000 and the obligations of which, whether now in
existence or hereafter incurred, are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by a
corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States,
any state or territory thereof or of the District of Columbia and having a
combined capital and surplus of at least $75,000,000). If such corporation
publishes reports of conditions at least annually, pursuant to law or to the
requirements of federal, state, territorial or District of Columbia supervising
or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section 7.08, the
combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its
combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of
conditions so published.
In case at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in
accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.08 to act as Trustee, the
Trustee shall resign immediately as Trustee in the manner and with the effect
specified in Section 7.09.
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Section 7.09. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.
(a) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor
Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of
appointment by the successor Trustee under Section 7.10.
(b) The Trustee may resign at any time as trustee by giving prior
written notice thereof to the Company, the Authorized Agents and the Indenture
Trustee. If an instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee shall not have
been delivered to the Company, the Authorized Agents, the Indenture Trustee and
the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the
resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the
appointment of a successor Trustee.
(c) The Trustee may be removed at any time by Direction of the
Certificateholders holding Certificates evidencing Fractional Undivided
Interests aggregating not less than a majority in interest in the Assigned
Trust Property delivered to the Trustee, the Company and the Indenture
Trustee.
(d) If at any time:
(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 310 of the Trust
Indenture Act, if applicable, after written request therefor by the Company or
by any Certificateholder who has been a bona fide Certificateholder for at
least six months; or
(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 7.08 and
shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any
such Certificateholder; or
(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be
adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its
property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control
of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation,
conservation or liquidation;
then, in any case, (i) the Company may remove the Trustee or (ii) any
Certificateholder who has been a bona fide Certificateholder for at least six
months may, on behalf of itself and all others similarly situated, petition any
court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the
appointment of a successor Trustee.
(e) If a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall obtain actual
knowledge of an Avoidable Tax which has been or is likely to be asserted, the
Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and shall, within 30 days of such
notification, resign hereunder unless within such 30-day period the Trustee
shall have received notice that the Company has
<PAGE> 49
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agreed to pay such tax. The Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee
in a jurisdiction where there are no Avoidable Taxes.
(f) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become
incapable of acting or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of the Trustee
for any cause, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. If,
within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or other
occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee shall be appointed by Direction
of the Certificateholders holding Certificates evidencing Fractional Undivided
Interests aggregating not less than a majority in interest in the Assigned
Trust Property delivered to the Company, the Indenture Trustee and the retiring
Trustee, and the Company approves such appointment, which approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld, then the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith
upon its acceptance of such appointment, become the successor Trustee and
supersede the successor Trustee appointed as provided above. If no successor
Trustee shall have been so appointed as provided above and accepted appointment
in the manner hereinafter provided, any Certificateholder who has been a bona
fide Certificateholder for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and
all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for
the appointment of a successor Trustee.
(g) The successor Trustee shall give notice of the
resignation and removal of the Trustee and appointment of the successor Trustee
by mailing written notice of such event by first-class mail, postage prepaid,
to the Certificateholders as their names and addresses appear in the Register.
Each notice shall include the name of such successor Trustee and the address of
its Corporate Trust Office.
Section 7.10. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor. Every
successor Trustee appointed hereunder shall execute and deliver to the Company,
the Authorized Agents and the Indenture Trustee and to the retiring Trustee an
instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal
of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee,
without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the
rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on request of
the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall execute and
deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all such rights,
powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and
deliver to such successor Trustee all Assigned Trust Property held by such
retiring Trustee hereunder, subject nevertheless to its lien, if any, provided
for in Section 7.07. Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company,
the retiring Trustee and such successor Trustee shall execute and deliver any
and all instruments containing such provisions as shall be necessary or
desirable to transfer and confirm to, and for more fully and certainly vesting
in, such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts.
<PAGE> 50
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No institution shall accept its appointment as a Trustee hereunder
unless at the time of such acceptance such institution shall be qualified and
eligible under this Article VII.
Section 7.11. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to
Business. Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or
with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any
merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or
any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust
business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder,
provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this
Article VII, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on
the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Certificates shall have
been executed or authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in
office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such
authenticating Trustee may adopt such execution or authentication and deliver
the Certificates so executed or authenticated with the same effect as if such
successor Trustee had itself executed or authenticated such Certificates.
Section 7.12. Maintenance of Agencies. (a) There shall at all
times be maintained an office or agency in the location set forth in Section
12.03 where Certificates may be presented or surrendered for registration of
transfer or for exchange, and for payment thereof and where notices and demands
to or upon the Trustee in respect of such certificates or this Agreement may be
served; provided, however, that, if it shall be necessary that the Trustee
maintain an office or agency in another location (e.g., the Certificates shall
be represented by definitive Certificates and shall be listed on a national
securities exchange), the Trustee will make all reasonable efforts to establish
such an office or agency. Written notice of the location of each such other
office or agency and of any change of location thereof shall be given by the
Trustee to the Company, the Indenture Trustee (at its address as may be
notified to the Trustee) and the Certificateholders. In the event that no such
office or agency shall be maintained or no such notice of location or of change
of location shall be given, presentations and demands may be made and notices
may be served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.
(b) There shall at all times be a Registrar and a Paying
Agent hereunder with respect to the Certificates. Each such Authorized Agent
shall be a bank or trust company, shall be a corporation organized and doing
business under the laws of the United States or any state, with a combined
capital and surplus of at least $75,000,000, or, if the Trustee shall be acting
as the Registrar or Paying Agent hereunder, a corporation having a combined
capital and surplus in excess of $5,000,000, the obligations of which are
guaranteed by a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the
United States or any state, with a combined capital and surplus of at least
$75,000,000, and shall be authorized under such laws to exercise corporate
trust powers, subject to supervision by federal or state authorities. The
Trustee shall initially be the Paying Agent and, as provided in Section 3.04,
Registrar hereunder with respect to the Certificates. Each Registrar shall
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furnish to the Trustee, at stated intervals of not more than six months, and at
such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a copy of the Register
maintained by such Registrar.
(c) Any corporation into which any Authorized Agent may be
merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation
resulting from any merger, consolidation or conversion to which any Authorized
Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate trust
business of any Authorized Agent, shall be the successor of such Authorized
Agent hereunder, if such successor corporation is otherwise eligible under this
Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the
part of the parties hereto or such Authorized Agent or such successor
corporation.
(d) Any Authorized Agent may at any time resign by giving written
notice of resignation to the Trustee, the Company and the Indenture Trustee.
The Company may, and at the request of the Trustee shall, at any time terminate
the agency of any Authorized Agent by giving written notice of termination to
such Authorized Agent and to the Trustee. Upon the resignation or termination
of an Authorized Agent or in case at any time any such Authorized Agent shall
cease to be eligible under this Section (when, in either case, no other
Authorized Agent performing the functions of such Authorized Agent shall have
been appointed), the Company shall promptly appoint one or more qualified
successor Authorized Agents, reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, to perform
the functions of the Authorized Agent which has resigned or whose agency has
been terminated or who shall have ceased to be eligible under this Section.
The Company shall give written notice of any such appointment made by it to the
Trustee and the Indenture Trustee; and in each case the Trustee shall mail
notice of such appointment to all Certificateholders as their names and
addresses appear on the Register.
(e) The Company agrees to pay, or cause to be paid, from time to
time to each Authorized Agent reasonable compensation for its services and to
reimburse it for its reasonable expenses.
Section 7.13. Money for Certificate Payments to Be Held in Trust.
All moneys deposited with any Paying Agent for the purpose of any payment on
Certificates shall be deposited and held in trust for the benefit of the
Certificateholders entitled to such payment, subject to the provisions of this
Section. Moneys so deposited and held in trust shall constitute a separate
trust fund for the benefit of the Certificateholders with respect to which such
money was deposited.
The Trustee may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the
satisfaction and discharge of this Agreement or for any other purpose, direct
any Paying Agent to pay to the Trustee all sums held in trust by such Paying
Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon
which such sums were held by such Paying Agent; and,
<PAGE> 52
46
upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall
be released from all further liability with respect to such money.
Section 7.14. [Intentionally Omitted].
Section 7.15. Representations and Warranties of Trustee. The
Trustee hereby represents and warrants that:
(a) the Trustee is a Delaware banking corporation
organized and validly existing in good standing under the laws of
the State of Delaware;
(b) the Trustee has full power, authority and legal
right to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and has taken
all necessary action to authorize the execution, delivery, and
performance by it of this Agreement;
(c) the execution, delivery and performance by the
Trustee of this Agreement (i) will not violate any provision of
United States federal law or the law of the state of the United
States where it is located governing the banking and trust powers
of the Trustee or any order, writ, judgment, or decree of any
court, arbitrator or governmental authority applicable to the
Trustee or any of its assets, (ii) will not violate any provision
of the articles of association or by-laws of the Trustee, or (iii)
will not violate any provision of, or constitute, with or without
notice or lapse of time, a default under, or result in the creation
or imposition of any lien on any properties included in the
Assigned Trust Property pursuant to the provisions of any mortgage,
indenture, contract, agreement or other undertaking to which it is
a party, which violation, default or lien could reasonably be
expected to have an adverse effect on the Trustee's performance or
ability to perform its duties hereunder or thereunder or on the
transactions contemplated herein or therein;
(d) the execution and delivery by the Trustee of this
Agreement will not require the authorization, consent, or approval
of, the giving of notice to, the filing or registration with, or
the taking of any other action in respect of, any governmental
authority or agency of the United States or the state of the United
States where it is located regulating the banking and corporate
trust activities of the Trustee; and
(e) this Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered by the Trustee and, assuming due execution and delivery
thereof by the other parties thereto, constitutes the legal, valid,
and binding agreement of the Trustee, enforceable against it in
accordance with its terms, provided that enforceability may be
limited by (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or similar laws affecting the
rights of creditors generally and (ii) general principles of
equity.
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47
Section 7.16. Withholding Taxes; Information Reporting. The Trust
and the Trustee shall exclude and withhold from each distribution of principal,
premium, if any, and interest and other amounts due under this Agreement or
under the Certificates any and all withholding taxes applicable thereto as
required by law. The Trust shall request, and the Certificateholders shall
provide to the Trust, such forms or certificates as are necessary to establish
an exemption from withholding with respect to each Certificateholder, and any
representations and forms that shall be reasonably required by the Trust to
assist it in determining the extent of, and in fulfilling, its withholding
obligations. The Trustee shall file required forms with applicable
jurisdictions and, unless an exemption from withholding is properly established
by a Certificateholder, shall remit amounts withheld with respect to the
Certificateholder to the applicable jurisdictions. To the extent that the
Trust is required to withhold and pay over any amounts to any authority with
respect to distributions or allocations to any Certificateholder, the amount
withheld shall be deemed to be a distribution in the amount of the withholding
to the Certificateholder. In the event of any claimed over-withholding,
Certificateholders shall be limited to an action against the applicable
jurisdiction. If the amount required to be withheld was not withheld from
actual distributions made, the Trust may reduce subsequent distributions by the
amount of such withholding.
ARTICLE VIII
CERTIFICATEHOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE
Section 8.01. The Company to Furnish Trustee with Names and
Addresses of Certificateholders. The Company will furnish to the Trustee
within 15 days after each Record Date with respect to a Scheduled Payment, and
at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing within 30 days after
receipt by the Company of any such request, a list, in such form as the Trustee
may reasonably require, of all information in the possession or control of the
Company as to the names and addresses of the Certificateholders, in each case
as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;
provided, however, that so long as the Trustee is the sole Registrar, no such
list need be furnished; and provided further, however, that no such list need
be furnished for so long as a copy of the Register is being furnished to the
Trustee pursuant to Section 7.12.
Section 8.02. Preservation of Information; Communications to
Certificateholders. The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is
reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Certificateholders contained
in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 7.12 or
Section 8.01, as the case may be, and the names and addresses of
Certificateholders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Registrar, if so
acting. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in
Section 7.12 or Section 8.01, as the case may be, upon receipt of a new list so
furnished.
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Section 8.03. Reports by Trustee. Within 60 days after May 15 of
each year commencing with the first full year following the issuance of the
Certificates, the Trustee shall transmit to the Certificateholders, as provided
in Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, a brief report dated as of such
May 15, if required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 8.04. Reports by the Company. The Company shall:
(a) file with the Trust, within 30 days after the
Company is required to file the same with the SEC, copies of the
annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports
(or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may
from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the
Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to section 13 or
section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;
or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents
or reports pursuant to either of such sections, then to file with
the Trustee and the SEC, in accordance with rules and regulations
prescribed by the SEC, such of the supplementary and periodic
information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant
to section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
in respect of a security listed and registered on a national
securities exchange as may be prescribed in such rules and
regulations;
(b) file with the Trust and the SEC, in accordance
with the rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC, such
additional information, documents and reports with respect to
compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants
provided for in this Agreement, as may be required by such rules
and regulations, including, in the case of annual reports, if
required by such rules and regulations, certificates or opinions of
independent public accountants;
(c) transmit to all Certificateholders, in the manner
and to the extent provided in Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture
Act such summaries of any information, documents and reports
required to be filed by the Company pursuant to subsections (a) and
(b) of this Section 8.04 as may be required by rules and
regulations prescribed by the SEC; and
(d) furnish to the Trust, not less often than
annually, a brief certificate from the principal executive officer,
principal financial officer or principal accounting officer as to
his or her knowledge of the Company's compliance with all
conditions and covenants under this Agreement (it being understood
that for purposes of this paragraph (d), such compliance shall be
determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of
notice provided under this Agreement).
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ARTICLE IX
SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENTS
Section 9.01. Supplemental Agreements Without Consent of
Certificateholders. Without the consent of the Certificateholders, the Company
may (but will not be required to), and the Trust (subject to Section 9.03)
shall, at any time and from time to time, enter into one or more agreements
supplemental hereto or, if applicable, to the ISDA Master Agreement in form
satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:
(1) to evidence the succession of another corporation
to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the
covenants of the Company herein contained; or
(2) to add to the covenants, restrictions or obli-
gations of the Company or Trustee; or
(3) to add to or supplement any security for the
benefit of any Certificateholders; or
(4) to cure any ambiguity or correct or supplement
any provision which may be defective or inconsistent with any other
provision in the Agreement, Indenture or the ISDA Master Agreement
or to make such other provisions as the Company deems necessary or
desirable with respect to matters or questions arising under the
Agreement, provided that no such action materially adversely
affects the interests of any Certificateholders; or
(5) to modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of
this Agreement to such extent as shall be necessary to continue the
qualification of this Agreement (including any supplemental
agreement) under the Trust Indenture Act or under any similar
federal statute hereafter enacted, and to add to this Agreement
such other provisions as may be expressly permitted by the Trust
Indenture Act, excluding, however, the provisions referred to in
Section 316(a)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act as in effect at the
date as of which this instrument was executed or any corresponding
provision in any similar federal statute hereafter enacted; or
(6) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of
appointment under this Agreement by the Trustee of a successor
Trustee and to add to or change any of the provisions of this
Agreement as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the
administration of the Trust, pursuant to the requirements of
Section 7.10; or
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(7) to provide the information required under
Section 7.12 and Section 12.03 as to the Trustee; or
(8) to modify or amend any provision of the Agreement
that relates to the ISDA Master Agreement or the Remarketing
Procedure so long as such modification or amendment does not have a
material adverse effect on the Certificateholders; or
(9) to comply with the requirements of the Code;
provided further that no such amendment referred to in the foregoing clauses
(1) through (9) which has a material adverse effect on the Extension Option
Buyer may be entered into without the consent of the Extension Option Buyer,
and no such amendment, as evidenced by an Opinion of Counsel, shall alter the
status of the Trust as a grantor trust under the Code or result in an actual or
constructive sale or exchange of any Certificate for tax purposes.
Section 9.02. Supplemental Agreements with Consent of
Certificateholders. With the consent of the Certificateholders holding
Certificates evidencing Fractional Undivided Interests aggregating not less
than a majority in interest in the Assigned Trust Property, by Direction of
said Certificateholders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company
may, and the Trustee (subject to Section 9.03) shall, enter into an agreement
or agreements for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any
manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Agreement or of modifying
in any manner the rights and obligations of such Certificateholders under this
Agreement, provided, however, that no such agreement which has a material
adverse effect on the Extension Option Buyer may be entered into without the
consent of the Extension Option Buyer; provided further that no such agreement
shall, without the consent of the Certificateholder of each Outstanding
Certificate affected thereby, be entered into which:
(1) alters in any manner the amount or timing of any
receipt by the Trustee of payments on the X-TRAS held in the Trust
or distributions that are required to be made herein on any
Certificate, or changes any date of payment on any Certificate, or
changes the place of payment where, or the coin or currency in
which, any Certificate is payable, or impairs the right to
institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment or
distribution on or after the Regular Distribution Date or Special
Distribution Date applicable thereto; or
(2) permits the disposition of any X-TRAS included in
the Assigned Trust Property except as permitted by this Agreement,
or otherwise deprives such Certificateholder of the benefit of the
ownership of the X-TRAS in the Trust; or
(3) reduces the percentage of the aggregate
Fractional Undivided Interests of the Assigned Trust Property which
is required for any such supplemental
<PAGE> 57
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agreement which adversely affects in any material respect the interests of
the Certificateholders, or reduces such percentage required for any waiver
of compliance with certain provisions of this Agreement or certain defaults
hereunder and their consequences provided for in this Agreement; or
(4) modifies any of the provisions of this Section 9.02 or Section
6.05, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain
other provisions of this Agreement cannot be modified or waived without the
consent of the Certificateholder of each Certificate affected thereby; or
(5) results in the exchange or substitution of any Certificates
pursuant to a plan for the refunding or refinancing of such Certificates;
unless such vote or consent would not, based on the Opinion of Counsel, alter
the status of the Trust as a grantor trust under the Code or result in an
actual or constructive sale or exchange of any X-TRAS for tax purposes.
It shall not be necessary for any Direction of Certificateholders
under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental
agreement, but it shall be sufficient if such Direction shall approve the
substance thereof.
Section 9.03. Documents Affecting Immunity or Indemnity. If in
the opinion of the Trustee any document required to be executed by it pursuant
to the terms of Section 9.01 or 9.02 affects any interest, right, duty,
immunity or indemnity in favor of the Trustee under this Agreement, the Trustee
may in its discretion decline to execute such document.
Section 9.04. Execution of Supplemental Agreements. In executing,
or accepting the additional trusts created by, any agreement permitted by this
Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Agreement,
the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and shall be fully protected in
relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such
supplemental agreement is authorized or permitted by this Agreement.
Section 9.05. Effect of Supplemental Agreements. Upon the
execution of any agreement supplemental to this Agreement under this Article,
this Agreement shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental
agreement shall form a part of this Agreement for all purposes; and every
Holder of a Certificate theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered
hereunder shall be bound thereby.
Section 9.06. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act. Every
supplemental agreement executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the
requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.
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Section 9.07. Reference in Certificates to Supplemental
Agreements. Certificates authenticated and delivered after the execution of
any supplemental agreement pursuant to this Article may bear a notation in form
approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental
agreement; and, in such case, suitable notation may be made upon Outstanding
Certificates after proper presentation and demand.
ARTICLE X
AMENDMENTS TO INDENTURE
Section 10.01. Amendments and Supplements to Indentures. The
Trustee, as holder of the X-TRAS, has the right to vote and give consents and
waivers in respect of the X-TRAS and enforce such other rights of a holder of
the X-TRAS except as otherwise limited by this Agreement or the Indenture.
Each Certificateholder shall be entitled to direct the Trustee to vote a
principal amount of the X-TRAS corresponding to the principal amount of the
Certificates held by such Certificateholder in the manner directed by the
Certificateholder. In the event that the Trust, as holder of any X-TRAS,
receives from the Company or, if applicable, any depositary with respect to the
X-TRAS, a request for the Trustee's consent to any amendment, modification of
the X-TRAS, or any document thereunder, or relating thereto or waiver or
receives any other solicitation for any action with respect to the X-TRAS, the
Trustee shall within five Business Days mail a notice of such proposed
amendment, modification, waiver or solicitation to each Certificateholder
registered on the Register as of the date of such request. The Trustee shall
request from the Certificateholders a Direction as to (a) whether or not to
take or refrain from taking any action which a holder of such X-TRAS has the
option to direct, (b) whether or not to give or execute any waivers, consents,
amendments, modifications or supplements as a holder of such X-TRAS and (c) how
to vote any X-TRAS if a vote has been called for with respect thereto.
Provided such a request for Certificateholder Direction shall have been made,
in directing any action or casting any vote or giving any consent as the holder
of any X-TRAS, the Trust shall consent or vote, or refrain from consenting or
voting, in the same proportion as that of (i) the aggregate face amounts of all
Certificates actually voted or not voted in favor of or for giving consent to
such action by such Direction of Certificateholders to (ii) the aggregate face
amount of all Outstanding Certificates, as of the date determined by the
Trustee prior to the date such vote or consent as a holder of X-TRAS is
required; provided, however, that, the Trustee shall at no time, without the
consent of each Certificateholder, vote in favor or consent to any matter (i)
unless such vote or consent would not, based on an Opinion of Counsel, alter
the status of the Trust as a grantor trust under the Code or result in an
actual or constructive sale or exchange of any X-TRAS for tax purposes, (ii)
which would alter the timing or amount of any payment on the X-TRAS, or (iii)
which would result in the exchange or substitution of any X-TRAS pursuant to a
plan for the refunding or refinancing of such X-TRAS, and without the written
consent of the Company. The Trustee shall have
<PAGE> 59
53
no liability for any failure to act resulting from the Certificateholders' late
return of, or failure to return, directions requested by the Trustee from the
Certificateholders. For purposes of the second immediately preceding sentence,
a Certificate shall have been "actually voted" if the Holder of such
Certificate has delivered to the Trustee an instrument evidencing such Holder's
consent to such Direction prior to two Business Days before the Trustee directs
such action or casts such vote or gives such consent. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, but subject to Section 6.04 and the Indenture, (i) the Trustee may,
in its own discretion and at its own direction, consent and notify the
Indenture Trustee of such consent to any amendment, modification, waiver or
supplement under the Indenture (including, without limitation, in respect of
the obligations relating to payment of the Extension Amount and the provisions
of Article X), if an Event of Default hereunder shall have occurred and be
continuing, or if such amendment, modification or waiver will not adversely
affect the interests of the Certificateholders and (ii) no such amendment,
modification or waiver shall be made that adversely affects in any material
respect the interests of the Extension Option Buyer without its consent.
ARTICLE XI
PAYMENT OF FINAL DISTRIBUTION; TERMINATION OF TRUST
Section 11.01. Payment of Final Distribution. (a) If the X-TRAS
are extended until the Extended Stated Maturity, then, unless the
Company exercises its option to redeem the X-TRAS under Section 7.01(c) of the
Indenture (which option the Company shall be entitled to exercise until the
Remarketing Deadline upon delivery of an irrevocable notice of redemption), the
interest rate borne by the X-TRAS will be reset effective on and as of the
pricing of the remarketing in order that the X-TRAS may be remarketed
so as to yield net proceeds in cash at least equal to the sum of (i) the
principal amount of the X-TRAS plus (ii) the ISDA Amount as of the Exercise
Date as calculated by the Calculation Agent and notified to the Company, the
Indenture Trustee and the Trustee within five Business Days thereafter
(collectively, the "Required Remarketing Proceeds"). As more particularly set
forth in the next two succeeding sentences, it is intended that the portion of
Required Remarketing Proceeds representing the principal amount of the X-TRAS,
together with other amounts payable by the Company, will be sufficient to
enable the Trustee to make the Final Distribution on the Certificates. In the
event that the Trustee ceases to be the holder of record of the X-TRAS pursuant
to the Remarketing Procedure prior to the Record Date for the final Interest
Payment Date (as such terms are defined in the Indenture), the Company shall be
obligated to pay to the Trustee for the benefit of the Certificateholders an
amount equal to (x) the interest that would have accrued on the X-TRAS had they
been held by the Trust to the Final Distribution Date, less (y) any amounts
earned in respect of the investment by the Trustee of the Required Remarketing
Proceeds in Permitted Investments pursuant to clause (iv) below. In the event
that the Trustee ceases to be the holder of record of the X-TRAS pursuant to
the Remarketing Procedure on or after such Record Date, the Company shall be
obligated to pay to the Trustee for the benefit of the Certificateholders, as
holder of record on such Record Date, the entire amount of interest accrued on
the X-TRAS from the previous Interest Payment Date to the Initial Stated
Maturity, and any amounts earned in respect of the investment by the Trustee of
the Required Remarketing Proceeds in Permitted Investments shall be for the
account of the Company. In either such event, the Company shall have no
obligation to pay the principal amount of the X-TRAS to the Trust on the Final
Distribution Date. The X-TRAS will be remarketed in accordance with the
following procedure (the "Remarketing Procedure"):
(i) On the Option Exercise Date and
thereafter on the 75th, 60th, 45th, 30th and 15th
day prior to the Initial Stated Maturity, Morgan
Stanley & Co. Incorporated (or, subsequent to
the Option Exercise Date, such other investment
banking institution as may be selected as the
Remarketing Agent) will provide the Company with
non-binding indications of the interest rate
and discount or premium at which it believes it
could remarket the X-TRAS in order to yield the
Required Remarketing Proceeds.
<PAGE> 60
54
(ii) Morgan Stanley & Co.
Incorporated shall act as the Remarketing Agent
for the X-TRAS unless, no later than 60 days
prior to the Final Distribution Date, the Company
shall select another investment banking
institution to remarket the X-TRAS.
(iii) No later than 15 days prior to
the Remarketing Deadline, the Remarketing Agent
will commence marketing of the X-TRAS to
investors.
(iv) Pricing and closing of the
remarketed X-TRAS shall occur at any time within
10 days prior to the Remarketing Deadline,
subject to then prevailing market conditions and
settlement cycles. The Trustee shall have no
obligation to release the X-TRAS for delivery to
the purchasers thereof pursuant to this Section
11.01(a) unless the net proceeds from such
purchase shall at least equal the Required
Remarketing Proceeds. Upon completion of the
remarketing, the proceeds thereof will be
deposited with the Trustee and shall be invested
in Permitted Investments pending their
distribution on the Final Distribution Date.
(v) On the Final Distribution Date, the
Trustee will distribute (x) an amount equal to
100% of the aggregate principal amount of the
X-TRAS plus accrued interest to the
Certificateholders and (y) an amount equal to
the ISDA Amount to the Extension Option
Buyer in accordance with the ISDA Master
Agreement.
(vi) The Remarketing Agent will be
entitled to underwriter discounts and
commissions, payable at settlement of the
Remarketing Procedure, which will be determined
at the time the Remarketing Procedure is
commenced and shall be consistent with then
prevailing market practices. In the event that
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated purchases the
X-TRAS pursuant to clause (ix) below, it shall be
entitled to underwriter discounts and
commissions, payable at settlement of such
purchase, which will be determined at the time it
gives notice of its offer pursuant to clause (ix)
below and shall be consistent with then
prevailing market practices.
<PAGE> 61
55
(vii) The Company will cooperate with and
provide information reasonably requested by the
Remarketing Agent and (in the event of an offer
to purchase by Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
made pursuant to clause (ix) below) by Morgan
Stanley & Co. Incorporated in connection with the
remarketing or purchase of the X-TRAS, as
applicable, including, without limitation, (A)
promptly preparing an offering memorandum or
prospectus containing such disclosures as may be
required by applicable law and as may be required
by the Remarketing Agent or Morgan Stanley & Co.
Incorporated, as applicable, in its reasonable
judgment, (B) executing and delivering or causing
to be executed and delivered legal documentation
(including a purchase agreement or underwriting
agreement and registration rights agreement with
customary indemnities, covenants, representations
and warranties, comfort letters and legal
opinions) in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Remarketing Agent or Morgan
Stanley & Co. Incorporated, as applicable, (C)
providing promptly upon request updated
consolidated financial statements to the date of
its latest report filed with the SEC and (D) to
the extent the Company and the Remarketing Agent
or Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, as
applicable, deem reasonably necessary for
successful completion of the Remarketing
Procedure or the purchase by Morgan Stanley & Co.
Incorporated, as applicable, making available
senior management of the Company for road show
and one-on-one presentations.
(viii) The Company may, in its sole
discretion, elect to cause the X-TRAS to be
remarketed by conducting an underwritten offering
or private placement thereof on a firm-commitment
basis. In such event, the Company shall notify
the Remarketing Agent of such request no later
than 70 days prior to the Final Distribution
Date. The Company acknowledges that in no event
shall the Remarketing Agent be deemed by this
provision to have made a commitment to underwrite
or place the X-TRAS.
(ix) Regardless of whether it has been
selected to act as Remarketing Agent, Morgan
Stanley & Co. Incorporated shall at all times be
permitted to make an offer, on not less than
[five] Business Days' notice, to purchase the
X-TRAS on a date not later than the Remarketing
Deadline and bearing a reset interest rate
specified by Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
that would result in net proceeds in cash equal to
the Required Remarketing Proceeds, which offer the
Company and the Trustee shall be required to
accept, unless, on or prior to the date for such
purchase specified in the notice provided by
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, (A) the
Company shall have delivered an irrevocable
notice of redemption pursuant to Section 7.01(c)
of the Indenture and Section 11.01(b) of this
Agreement or
<PAGE> 62
56
(B) any other party shall have remarketed the
X-TRAS bearing a reset interest rate lower than
or equal to that specified by Morgan Stanley &
Co. Incorporated for proceeds in cash at least
equal to the Required Remarketing Proceeds.
(x) The Trustee shall be entitled to an
indemnity, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to it, from the Company against any
loss, liability, damage, claim or expense that it
may incur in connection with the Remarketing
Procedure, whether or not the X-TRAS are
remarketed, including liabilities under the
Securities Act, and to contribution from the
Company in respect of any payments that the
Trustee may be required to make in respect of any
such loss, liability, damage, claim or expense.
In addition, any definitive documentation
executed and delivered in connection with any
remarketing of the X-TRAS shall be in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee
and its legal counsel.
(xi) The remarketed X-TRAS will bear
interest at the reset interest rate commencing
upon the date of pricing of the remarketing. For
the avoidance of doubt, holders of the
remarketed X-TRAS shall not be entitled to
receive any interest thereon for any period
prior to the date of pricing of the remarketing.
(b) If the X-TRAS are extended until the Extended Stated
Maturity, the Company may, in lieu of permitting the X-TRAS to be remarketed,
exercise its option under Section 7.01(c) of the Indenture to redeem the
X-TRAS, in whole, on the Final Distribution Date, by irrevocable notice given
to the Indenture Trustee, the Trustee, the Extension Option Buyer, Morgan
Stanley & Co. Incorporated and the Calculation Agent not later than the
Remarketing Deadline, at a redemption price equal to the sum of (i) 100% of the
aggregate principal amount thereof together with accrued interest, if any,
thereon to the Final Distribution Date plus (ii) the ISDA Amount as of the
Exercise Date as calculated by the Calculation Agent and notified to the
Company, the Indenture Trustee and the Trustee within five Business Days
thereafter, in which case the X-TRAS will not be remarketed. Out of such
amount, the Trustee will distribute on the Final Distribution Date (x) an
amount equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the X-TRAS plus
accrued interest to the Certificateholders and (y) an amount equal to the
ISDA Amount to the Extension Option Buyer in accordance with the ISDA
Master Agreement.
(c) If the X-TRAS are extended until the Extended Stated
Maturity and, for any reason, the Trustee does not receive on or prior to the
Remarketing Deadline an amount in cash equal to sum of (i) 100% of the
aggregate principal amount of the X-TRAS plus accrued interest to the Final
Distribution Date plus (ii) the Extension Amount, the Trustee shall exercise
its option to require the Company to repurchase (the "Put Option"), on the
Final Distribution Date, all of the outstanding X-TRAS at a purchase price
equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of and accrued interest on the
X-TRAS to the Final Distribution Date. The Trustee will distribute such entire
amount to the Certificateholders.
Section 11.02. Termination of the Trust. The respective
obligations and responsibilities of the Company, the Trust and the Trustee (i)
which are for the benefit of the
<PAGE> 63
57
Certificateholders shall terminate upon the distribution to all of the
Certificateholders and the Trustee of all amounts required to be distributed to
them pursuant to this Agreement and the disposition of all property held as
part of the Assigned Trust Property and (ii) which are for the benefit of the
Extension Option Buyer shall terminate upon the payment to the Extension Option
Buyer of all amounts due to it under the ISDA Master Agreement; provided,
however, that in no event shall the Trust continue beyond one hundred ten (110)
years following the date of the earliest execution of this Trust Agreement.
Notice of any termination, specifying the Regular Distribution Date
(or Special Distribution Date, as the case may be) upon which the
Certificateholders may surrender their Certificates to the Trustee for payment
on the final Distribution Date and cancellation, shall be mailed promptly by
the Trustee to Certificateholders not earlier than the 60th day and not later
than the 20th day next preceding such final Distribution Date specifying (A)
the Regular Distribution Date (or Special Distribution Date, as the case may
be) upon which the proposed final payment of the Certificates will be made upon
presentation and surrender of Certificates at the office or agency of the
Trustee therein specified, (B) the amount of any such proposed final payment,
and (C) that the Record Date otherwise applicable to such Regular Distribution
Date (or Special Distribution Date, as the case may be) is not applicable,
payments being made only upon presentation and surrender of the Certificates at
the office or agency of the Trustee therein specified. The Trustee shall give
such notice to the Registrar at the time such notice is given to
Certificateholders. Upon presentation and surrender of the Certificates in
accordance with such notice, the Trustee shall cause to be distributed to
Certificateholders such final payments.
In the event that all of the Certificateholders shall not surrender
their Certificates for cancellation within six months after the date specified
in the above-mentioned written notice, the Trustee shall give a second written
notice to the remaining Certificateholders to surrender their Certificates for
cancellation and receive the final distribution with respect thereto. No
additional interest shall accrue on the Certificates after the Regular
Distribution Date (or Special Distribution Date, as the case may be) specified
in the first written notice. In the event that any money held by the Trustee
for the payment of distributions on the Certificates shall remain unclaimed for
two years (or such lesser time as the Trustee shall be satisfied, after sixty
days' notice from the Company, is one month prior to the escheat period
provided under applicable law) after the final distribution date with respect
thereto, the Trustee shall pay to each Indenture Trustee the appropriate amount
of money relating to such Indenture Trustee and shall give written notice
thereof to the Company.
<PAGE> 64
58
ARTICLE XII
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 12.01. Limitation on Rights of Certificateholders. The
death or incapacity of any Certificateholder shall not operate to terminate
this Agreement or the Trust, nor entitle such Certificateholder's legal
representatives or heirs to claim an accounting or to take any action or
commence any proceeding in any court for a partition or winding up of the
Trust, nor otherwise affect the rights, obligations, and liabilities of the
parties hereto or any of them.
Section 12.02. Certificates Nonassessable and Fully Paid. Except
as set forth in the last sentence of this Section 12.02, Certificateholders
shall not be personally liable for obligations of the Trust, the Fractional
Undivided Interests represented by the Certificates shall be nonassessable for
any losses or expenses of the Trust or for any reason whatsoever, and
Certificates, upon authentication thereof by the Trustee pursuant to Section
3.03, are and shall be deemed fully paid. No Certificateholder shall have any
right (except as expressly provided herein) to vote or in any manner otherwise
control the operation and management of the Assigned Trust Property, the Trust,
or the obligations of the parties hereto, nor shall anything set forth herein,
or contained in the terms of the Certificates, be construed so as to constitute
the Certificateholders from time to time as partners or members of an
association.
Section 12.03. Notices. (a) Unless otherwise specifically
provided herein, all notices required under the terms and provisions of this
Agreement shall be in English and in writing, and any such notice may be given
by United States mail, courier service or telecopy, and any such notice shall
be effective when delivered or received or, if mailed, three days after deposit
in the United States mail with proper postage for ordinary mail prepaid,
<PAGE> 65
59
if to the Company, to:
CMS Energy Corporation
Fairlane Plaza South, Suite 1100
Dearborn, MI 48126
Attention: Chief Financial Officer and
General Counsel
Facsimile: (313) 436-9560
if to the Trust, to:
CMS Energy X-TRAS Pass Through Trust I
c/o Wilmington Trust Company
Rodney Square North
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, DE 19890-0001
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
Facsimile:(302) 651-1576
Telephone:(302) 651-1000
(b) The Company or the Trust, by notice to the other, may
designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or
communications.
(c) Any notice or communication to Certificateholders shall be
mailed by first-class mail to the addresses for Certificateholders shown on the
Register kept by the Registrar. Failure so to mail a notice or communication
or any defect in such notice or communication shall not affect its sufficiency
with respect to other Certificateholders.
(d) If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided
above within the time prescribed, it is conclusively presumed to have been duly
given, whether or not the addressee receives it.
(e) If the Company mails a notice or communication to the
Certificateholders, it shall mail a copy to the Trust and to the Paying Agent
at the same time.
(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing, all communications or notices
to the Trust shall be deemed to be given only when received by a Responsible
Officer of the Trustee.
(g) The Trustee shall promptly furnish the Company with a copy of
any demand, notice or written communication received by the Trust hereunder
from any Certificateholder or Indenture Trustee.
<PAGE> 66
60
Section 12.04. Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND
OBLIGATIONS OF EACH OF THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS, THE TRUST AND THE TRUSTEE WITH
RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE CERTIFICATES SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE WITHOUT REGARD TO
CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES. THE PROVISIONS OF SECTIONS 3540 AND 3561 OF TITLE
12 OF THE DELAWARE CODE ANNOTATED SHALL NOT APPLY TO THE TRUST.
Section 12.05. Severability of Provisions. If any one or more of the
covenants, agreements, provisions or terms of this Agreement shall be for any
reason whatsoever held invalid, then such covenants, agreements, provisions, or
terms shall be deemed severable from the remaining covenants, agreements,
provisions or terms of this Agreement and shall in no way affect the validity
or enforceability of the other provisions of this Agreement or the Trust, or of
the Certificates or the rights of the Certificateholders thereof.
Section 12.06. Trust Indenture Act Controls. This Agreement is
subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act and shall, to the extent
applicable, be governed by such provisions.
Section 12.07. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents. The Article
and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only
and shall not affect the construction hereof.
Section 12.08. Successors and Assigns. All covenants, agreements,
representations and warranties in this Agreement by the Trustee and the Company
shall bind and, to the extent permitted hereby, shall inure to the benefit of
and be enforceable by their respective successors and assigns, whether so
expressed or not.
Section 12.09. Benefits of Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement or
in the Certificates, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than
the parties hereto and their successors hereunder, and the Certificateholders,
any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this
Agreement, except that each of the Extension Option Buyer and Morgan Stanley &
Co. Incorporated (as Remarketing Agent) shall be a third party beneficiary of
this Agreement and may enforce the obligations of the Company running in favor
of the Extension Option Buyer and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, as
applicable.
Section 12.10. Legal Holidays. In any case where any Regular
Distribution Date or Special Distribution Date relating to any Certificate
shall not be a Business Day, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement) payment need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next
succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on such
Regular Distribution Date or Special Distribution Date, and no interest shall
accrue during the intervening period.
<PAGE> 67
61
Section 12.11. Counterparts. For the purpose of facilitating the
execution of this Agreement and for other purposes, this Agreement may be
executed simultaneously in any number of counterparts, each of which
counterparts shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which counterparts
shall constitute but one and the same instrument.
Section 12.12. Acceptance of Terms of This Agreement and Indenture.
THE RECEIPT AND ACCEPTANCE OF A CERTIFICATE OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN BY OR ON
BEHALF OF A CERTIFICATEHOLDER OR ANY BENEFICIAL HOLDER, WITHOUT ANY SIGNATURE
OR FURTHER MANIFESTATION OF ASSENT, SHALL CONSTITUTE THE UNCONDITIONAL
ACCEPTANCE BY THE CERTIFICATEHOLDER AND ALL OTHERS HAVING A BENEFICIAL
INTEREST IN SUCH CERTIFICATE OF ALL THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT,
AND SHALL CONSTITUTE THE AGREEMENT OF THE TRUST, SUCH
<PAGE> 68
62
CERTIFICATEHOLDER AND SUCH OTHERS THAT THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THIS
AGREEMENT SHALL BE BINDING, OPERATIVE AND EFFECTIVE AS BETWEEN THE TRUST AND
SUCH CERTIFICATEHOLDER AND SUCH OTHERS.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the day
and year first written above.
CMS ENERGY CORPORATION
By______________________
Name:
Title:
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
as Trustee
By______________________
Name:
Title:
<PAGE> 69
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF CERTIFICATE
REGISTERED
No. ______________
THIS CERTIFICATE MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THE
FOLLOWING SENTENCE. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE CERTIFICATEHOLDER (1)
REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" (AS DEFINED IN RULE
144A UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"))
OR (B) IT IS AN INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED INVESTOR" (AS DEFINED IN RULE
501(a)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF REGULATION D UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) (AN
"INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR"), (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT RESELL OR
OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS CERTIFICATE EXCEPT (A) TO THE COMPANY, (B) TO A
QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER, OR (C) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR,
AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS CERTIFICATE IS
TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND.
UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION ("DTC"), TO THE TRUSTEE OR ITS
AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE
ISSUED IN EXCHANGE FOR THIS CERTIFICATE IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO.
OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC
(AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS
REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR
OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL
INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL CERTIFICATE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE,
BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC
<PAGE> 70
A-2
OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR'S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF
PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL CERTIFICATE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN SECTIONS 3.05 AND 3.06
OF THE PASS THROUGH TRUST AGREEMENT REFERRED TO HEREIN.
[GLOBAL CERTIFICATE]
CMS ENERGY X-TRAS PASS THROUGH TRUST I
CMS ENERGY Pass Through Certificate
Series I
Final Distribution Date: _______ __, 2005
evidencing a fractional undivided interest in a trust, certain property of
which includes certain notes of CMS Energy Corporation.
$____________ Fractional Undivided Interest
representing .________% of the Trust per $1,000 face amount
CMS Energy X-TRAS Pass Through Trust I, a statutory business trust
formed under the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby certifies
that ______________________, for value received, is the registered owner of a
$____________ (________________ dollars) Fractional Undivided Interest in the
Assigned Trust Property (as defined herein) created pursuant to an Amended and
Restated Pass Through Trust Agreement, dated as of _____________________ ___,
1998 (the "Agreement"), between Wilmington Trust Company (the "Trustee") and
CMS Energy, a corporation incorporated under Michigan law (the "Company"), a
summary of certain of the pertinent provisions of which is set forth below. To
the extent not otherwise defined herein, the capitalized terms used herein have
the meanings assigned to them in the Agreement. This Certificate is one of the
duly authorized Certificates designated as "CMS Energy Pass Through
Certificates Series I" (herein called the "Certificates"). This Certificate is
issued under and is subject to the terms, provisions, and conditions of the
Agreement. By virtue of its acceptance hereof the Certificateholder of this
Certificate assents to and agrees to be bound by the provisions of the
Agreement. The property of the Trust includes certain X-TRAS and all rights of
the Trust to receive payments under the Indenture, except as set forth therein
with respect to the ISDA Amount under the ISDA Master Agreement (the "Assigned
Trust Property").
The Certificates represent fractional undivided interests in the
Assigned Trust Property, and have no rights, benefits or interest in respect of
any assets or property other than the Assigned Trust Property.
<PAGE> 71
A-3
Subject to and in accordance with the terms of the Agreement and the
Indenture from and to the extent of funds then available to the Trustee, in
respect of the Assigned Trust Property, there will be distributed on each
_____ __ and _______ __ (a "Regular Distribution Date"), commencing on ______,
1998, to the Person in whose name this Certificate is registered at the close
of business on the 15th day preceding the Regular Distribution Date, an amount
in respect of the Scheduled Payments on the X-TRAS due on such Regular
Distribution Date, the receipt of which has been confirmed by the Trustee,
equal to the product of the percentage interest in the Assigned Trust Property
evidenced by this Certificate and an amount equal to the sum of such Scheduled
Payments. Subject to and in accordance with the terms of the Agreement and
the Indenture, in the event that Special Payments on the X-TRAS are received
by the Trustee, from funds in respect of the Assigned Trust Property then
available to the Trustee, there shall be distributed on the applicable Special
Distribution Date, to the Person in whose name this Certificate is registered
at the close of business on the 15th day preceding the Special Distribution
Date, an amount in respect of such Special Payments on the X-TRAS, the receipt
of which has been confirmed by the Trustee, equal to the product of the
percentage interest in the Trust evidenced by this Certificate and an amount
equal to the sum of such Special Payments so received. If a Regular
Distribution Date or Special Distribution Date is not a Business Day,
distribution shall be made on the immediately following Business Day with the
same force and effect as if made on such Regular Distribution Date or Special
Distribution Date and no interest shall accrue during the intervening period.
The Trustee shall mail notice of each Special Payment and the Special
Distribution Date therefor to the Certificateholder of this Certificate.
Except as otherwise provided in the Agreement and notwithstanding the
above, the final distribution on this Certificate will be made after notice
mailed by the Trustee of the pendency of such distribution and only upon
presentation and surrender of this Certificate at the office or agency of the
Trust specified in such notice.
THE AGREEMENT AND THIS CERTIFICATE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this
Certificate set forth in the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for
all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
<PAGE> 72
A-4
Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the
Trustee, by manual signature, this Certificate shall not be entitled to any
benefit under the Agreement or be valid for any purpose.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trustee has caused this Certificate to be duly
executed.
Dated: CMS ENERGY X-TRASsm
PASS THROUGH TRUST 1997-1
By: Wilmington Trust Company
Attest: By:________________________
Name:
____________________ Title:
Authorized Signature
<PAGE> 73
A-5
[FORM OF THE TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION]
This is one of the Certificates referred
to in the within-mentioned Agreement.
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
not in its individual capacity but
solely as Trustee
By:______________________________
Authorized Officer
<PAGE> 74
A-6
[REVERSE OF CERTIFICATE]
The Certificates do not represent a direct obligation of, or an
obligation guaranteed by, or an interest in, the Company or the Trustee or any
of their affiliates. The Certificates are limited in right or payment, all as
more specifically set forth on the face hereof and in the Agreement. All
payments or distributions made to Certificateholders under the Agreement shall
be made only from the Assigned Trust Property and only to the extent that the
Trust shall have sufficient income or proceeds from the Assigned Trust Property
to make such payments in accordance with the terms of the Agreement. Each
Certificateholder of this Certificate, by its acceptance hereof, agrees that it
will look solely to the income and proceeds from the Assigned Trust Property to
the extent available for distribution to such Certificateholder as provided in
the Agreement. This Certificate does not purport to summarize the Agreement
and reference is made to the Agreement for information with respect to the
interests, rights, benefits, obligations, proceeds, and duties evidenced
hereby. A copy of the Agreement may be examined during normal business hours
at the principal office of the Trustee, and at such other places, if any,
designated by the Trustee, by any Certificateholder upon request.
The Agreement permits, with certain exceptions therein provided, the
amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the
Company and the rights of the Certificateholders under the Agreement at any
time by the Company and the Trust with the consent of the Certificateholders
holding Certificates evidencing Fractional Undivided Interests aggregating not
less than a majority in interest in the Assigned Trust Property. Any such
consent by the Certificateholder of this Certificate shall be conclusive and
binding on such Certificateholder and upon all future Certificateholders of
this Certificate and of any Certificate issued upon the transfer hereof or in
exchange hereof or in lieu hereof whether or not notation of such consent is
made upon this Certificate. The Agreement also permits the amendment thereof,
in certain limited circumstances, without the consent of the Certificateholders
of any of the Certificates.
As provided in the Agreement and subject to certain limitations
therein set forth, the transfer of this Certificate is registrable in the
Register upon surrender of this Certificate for registration of transfer at the
offices or agencies maintained by the Trustee in its capacity as Registrar, or
by any successor Registrar, in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York,
duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form
satisfactory to the Trustee and the Registrar duly executed by the
Certificateholder hereof or such Certificateholder's attorney duly authorized
in writing, and thereupon one or more new Certificates of authorized
denominations evidencing the same aggregate Fractional Undivided Interest in
the Trust will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.
The Certificates are issuable only as registered Certificates without
coupons in minimum denominations of $250,000 Fractional Undivided Interest and
integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. As provided in the Agreement
and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the Certificates are
exchangeable for new Certificates of authorized denominations
<PAGE> 75
A-7
evidencing the same aggregate Fractional Undivided Interest in the Assigned
Trust Property, as requested by the Certificateholder surrendering the same.
No service charge will be made for any such registration of transfer
or exchange, but the Trustee shall require payment by the Holder of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or governmental charge payable in connection
therewith.
The Trust, the Trustee, the Registrar and any agent of the Trust, the
Trustee or the Registrar may treat the person in whose name this Certificate is
registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, and the Trust, the Trustee,
the Registrar or any such agent shall not be affected by any notice to the
contrary.
The obligations and responsibilities for the benefit of the
Certificateholders created by the Agreement and the Trust created thereby shall
terminate upon the distribution to Certificateholders of all amounts required
to be distributed to them pursuant to the Agreement and the disposition of all
property held as part of the Assigned Trust Property.
<PAGE> 76
A-8
FORM OF TRANSFER NOTICE
FOR VALUE RECEIVED the undersigned registered holder hereby sell(s),
assign(s) and transfer(s) unto
Insert Taxpayer Identification No.
_______________________________
_______________________________
please print or typewrite name and address including zip code of assignee
_______________________________
the within Certificate and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably
constituting and appointing
_______________________________
attorney to transfer said Certificate on the books of the Trust with full power
of substitution in the premises.
Date: [Name of Transferor
----------------------------
NOTE: The signature must
correspond with the name
as written upon the face
of the within-mentioned
instrument in every
particular, without
alteration or any change
whatsoever.
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT (5)(a)
December 2, 1997
CMS Energy Corporation
Fairlane Plaza South
330 Town Center Drive
Suite 1100
Dearborn, MI 48126
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am the Assistant General Counsel of CMS Energy Corporation, a
Michigan corporation (the "Company"), and have acted as such in connection with
the combined Registration Statement on Form S-3 and Form S-1 (the "Registration
Statement") being filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), relating to the registration of $150,000,000 of (i) ___% Extendible
Tenor Rate-Adjusted Securities due 2005 of the Company ("X-TRAS(sm)"); and
Pass-Through Certificates of CMS Energy X-TRAS(sm) Pass-Through Trust I (the
"Certificates" and collectively with the X-TRAS(sm), the "Securities"). The
X-TRAS(sm) are to be issued under an indenture entered into between the
Company and NBD Bank, as trustee ( the "Indenture Trustee"), and a supplemental
indenture thereto (collectively, the "Indenture"). The Certificates are to be
issued pursuant to an Amended and Restated Trust Agreement between the Company
and Wilmington Trust Company, as pass-through trustee (as amended and restated,
the "Trust Agreement"). Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein have the
respective meanings specified in the Registration Statement.
In rendering this opinion, I have examined and relied upon a copy of
the Registration Statement. I have also examined, or have arranged for the
examination by an attorney or attorneys under my general supervision, originals,
or copies of originals certified to my satisfaction, of such agreements,
documents, certificates and other statements of governmental officials and other
instruments, and have examined such questions of law and have satisfied myself
as to such matters of fact, as I have considered relevant and necessary as a
basis for this opinion. I have assumed the authenticity of all documents
submitted to me as originals, the genuineness of all signatures, the legal
capacity of all natural persons and the conformity with the original documents
of any copies thereof submitted to me for examination.
<PAGE> 2
Based on the foregoing it is my opinion that:
1. The Company is duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of
the State of Michigan.
2. The Company has corporate power and authority (i) to execute and
deliver the Indenture, (ii) to authorize and sell the X-TRAS(sm)
pursuant to the Indenture, and (iii) to execute and deliver the Trust
Agreement.
3. The X-TRAS(sm) will be legally issued and binding obligations of the
Company (except to the extent enforceability may be limited by
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium,
fraudulent transfer or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of
creditors' rights generally and by the effect of general principles of
equity, regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a
proceeding in equity or at law) when (i) the Registration Statement, as
finally amended (including any necessary post- effective amendments)
shall have become effective under the Securities Act, and the Indenture
shall have been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and duly
executed and delivered by the Company and the Indenture Trustee; (ii)
an appropriate prospectus with respect to the X-TRAS(sm) shall have
been filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424 under the
Securities Act; (iii) the Company's Board of Directors or duly
authorized committee thereof shall have duly adopted final resolutions
authorizing the issuance and sale of the X-TRAS(sm), as contemplated by
the Registration Statement and the Indenture, and (iv) the supplemental
indenture under which such X-TRAS(sm) are to be issued shall have been
duly executed and authenticated as provided in the Indenture and such
resolutions, and shall have been duly delivered to the purchasers
thereof against payment of the agreed consideration therefor.
For purposes of this opinion, I have assumed that there will be no
changes in the laws currently applicable to the Company and that such laws will
be the only laws applicable to the Company.
I do not find it necessary for the purposes of this opinion to cover,
and accordingly I express no opinion as to, the application of the securities or
blue sky laws of the various states to the sale of the Securities.
I am a member of the bar of the State of Michigan and I express no
opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Michigan and
the federal law of the United States of America.
I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Company's Registration Statement relating to the Securities and any related
registration statement filed pursuant to Rule
<PAGE> 3
462 (b) under the Securities Act, and to all references to me included in or
made apart of the Registration Statement.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Michael D. Van Hemert
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 5(b)
[RICHARDS, LAYTON & FINGER LETTERHEAD]
December 1, 1997
CMS Energy X-TRAS Pass-Through Trust I
c/o CMS Energy Corporation
Fairlane Plaza South, Suite 1100
330 Town Center Drive
Dearborn, Michigan 48126
Re: CMS Energy X-TRAS Pass-Through Trust I
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special Delaware counsel for CMS Energy
Corporation, a Michigan corporation (the "Company"), and CMS Energy X-TRAS
Pass-Through Trust I, a Delaware business trust (the "Trust"), in connection
with the matters set forth herein. At your request, this opinion is being
furnished to you.
For purposes of giving the opinions hereinafter set forth, our
examination of documents has been limited to the examination of originals or
copies of the following:
(a) The Certificate of Trust of the Trust (the "Certificate of
Trust") as filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware (the "Secretary of State") on November 21, 1997;
(b) The Declaration of Trust of the Trust, dated as of
November 21, 1997, among the Company, as Sponsor, and the trustees of the Trust
named therein;
(c) The Registration Statement (the "Registration Statement")
on Form S-3, including a preliminary prospectus and preliminary prospectus
supplement (the "Prospectus") relating to the Pass-Through Certificates of the
Trust representing preferred undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the
Trust (each, a "Pass-Through Certificate" and collectively, the
<PAGE> 2
CMS Energy X-TRAS Pass-Through Trust I
December 1, 1997
Page 2
"Pass-Through Certificates"), as proposed to be filed by the Company, the
Trust and others as set forth therein with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on or about December 1, 1997;
(d) A form of Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the
Trust, to be entered into among the Company, as Sponsor, the trustees of the
Trust named therein, and the holders, from time to time, of undivided beneficial
interests in the assets of the Trust (including Annex A and Exhibits A-1 and A-2
thereto) (the "Declaration"), attached as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement; and
(e) A Certificate of Good Standing for the Trust, dated
December 1, 1997, obtained from the Secretary of State.
Initially capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise
defined are used as defined in the Declaration.
For purposes of this opinion, we have not reviewed any
documents other than the documents listed in paragraphs (a) through (e) above.
In particular, we have not reviewed any document (other than the documents
listed in paragraphs (a) through (e) above) that is referred to in or
incorporated by reference into the documents reviewed by us. We have assumed
that there exists no provision in any document that we have not reviewed that is
inconsistent with the opinions stated herein. We have conducted no independent
factual investigation of our own but rather have relied solely upon the
foregoing documents, the statements and information set forth therein and the
additional matters recited or assumed herein, all of which we have assumed to be
true, complete and accurate in all material respects.
With respect to all documents examined by us, we have assumed
(i) the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as authentic originals,
(ii) the conformity with the originals of all documents submitted to us as
copies or forms, and (iii) the genuineness of all signatures.
For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed (i) that the
Declaration and the Certificate of Trust are in full force and effect and have
not been amended, (ii) except to the extent provided in paragraph 1 below, the
due creation or due organization or due formation, as the case may be, and valid
existence in good standing of each party to the documents examined by us under
the laws of the jurisdiction governing its creation, organization or formation,
(iii) the legal capacity of natural persons who are parties to the documents
examined by us, (iv) that each of the parties to the documents examined by us
has the power and authority to execute and deliver, and to perform its
obligations under, such documents, (v) the due authorization, execution and
delivery by all parties thereto of all documents examined by us, (vi) the
receipt by each Person to whom a Pass-Through Certificate is to be issued by the
Trust (collectively, the "Pass-Through Certificate Holders") of a Pass-Through
Certificate for such
<PAGE> 3
CMS Energy X-TRAS Pass-Through Trust I
December 1, 1997
Page 3
Pass-Through Certificate and the payment for the Pass-Through Certificate
acquired by it, in accordance with the Declaration and the Registration
Statement, and (vii) that the Pass-Through Certificates are issued and sold to
the Pass-Through Certificate Holders in accordance with the Declaration and the
Registration Statement. We have not participated in the preparation of the
Registration Statement and assume no responsibility for its contents.
This opinion is limited to the laws of the State of Delaware
(excluding the securities laws of the State of Delaware), and we have not
considered and express no opinion on the laws of any other jurisdiction,
including federal laws and rules and regulations relating thereto. Our opinions
are rendered only with respect to Delaware laws and rules, regulations and
orders thereunder which are currently in effect.
Based upon the foregoing, and upon our examination of such
questions of law and statutes of the State of Delaware as we have considered
necessary or appropriate, and subject to the assumptions, qualifications,
limitations and exceptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:
1. The Trust has been duly created and is validly existing in
good standing as a business trust under the Delaware Business Trust Act.
2. The Pass-Through Certificates will represent valid and,
subject to the qualifications set forth in paragraph 3 below, fully paid and
nonassessable undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust.
3. The Pass-Through Certificate Holders, as beneficial owners
of the Trust, will be entitled to the same limitation of personal liability
extended to stockholders of private corporations for profit organized under the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. We note that the Pass-Through
Certificate Holders may be obligated to make payments as set forth in the
Declaration.
We consent to the filing of this opinion with the Securities
and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In
addition, we hereby consent to the use of our name under the heading "Validity
of the Certificates" in the Prospectus. In giving the foregoing consents, we do
not thereby admit that we come within the category of Persons whose consent is
required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules
and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder. Except as
stated above, without our prior written consent, this opinion may not be
furnished or quoted to, or relied upon by, any other Person for any purpose.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Richards, Layton & Finger
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 8
[LETTERHEAD OF SHEARMAN & STERLING]
December 3, 1997
CMS Energy X-TRAS Pass-Through Trust I
c/o Wilmington Trust Company
Rodney Square North
1100 Market Street
Wilmington, DE 19890-0001
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special federal income tax counsel for CMS Energy
X-TRAS Pass-Through Trust I (the "Pass-Through Trust") in connection with the
Registration Statement on Form S-3 and Form S-1 (the "Registration Statement")
being filed by CMS Energy Corporation, a Michigan corporation (the "Company")
and the Pass-Through Trust with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), relating to the registration of $150,000,000 principal amount of
Pass-Through Certificates due 2005 (the "Certificates"), issued by Wilmington
Trust Company, not in its individual capacity but solely as trustee (the
"Trustee") under a trust agreement dated November 21, 1997 (as to be amended
and restated, the "Trust Agreement") between the Trustee and the Company,
relating to the creation and the administration of the Pass-Through Trust. The
sole assets of the Pass-Through Trust from which holders of the Certificates
will receive any distributions on the Certificates will be $150,000,000 in
aggregate principal amount of the Company's __% Extendible Tenor Rate-Adjusted
Securities due , 2005 ("X-TRAS(SM)" or the "Notes"). The Notes will
be issued under an Indenture (the "Indenture") dated as of September 15, 1992,
as supplemented by a Sixth Supplemental Indenture (the "Supplemental
Indenture") dated as of 199_, between the Company and NBD Bank, as indenture
trustee. The Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture are hereinafter referred
to collectively as the "Senior Debt Indenture." Capitalized terms used herein
without definitions have the meanings specified therefor in the Registration
Statement. You have requested our opinion concerning certain United States
federal income tax consequences of the issuance of the Certificates.
In rendering this opinion, we have reviewed and relied upon facts and
descriptions set forth in the Registration Statement. We have assumed that (i)
neither the Company nor the Pass-Through Trust has defaulted on any of its
obligations with respect to the Trust Agreement, the Senior Debt Indenture, the
Underwriting Agreement and the ISDA Master Agreement (the "Transaction
Agreements"), (ii) all of the parties to the Transaction
<PAGE> 2
Agreements have complied with, and at all times will comply with, the
provisions of the Transaction Agreements, (iii) the terms, conditions and
obligations contained in the Transaction Agreements are enforceable under
applicable law, (iv) the transactions contemplated by the Transaction
Agreements (the "Transactions") were consummated, and will continue to be
consummated, in accordance with the terms, conditions and obligations contained
in the Transaction Agreements, (v) the facts, recitals and representations
contained in the Transaction Agreements and the facts, recitals and
representations contained in the certificates signed by the officers or
representatives of the parties to the Transactions were and continue to be
correct and complete, (vi) the terms, conditions and obligations contained in
the Transaction Agreements represent the entire understandings and agreements
among the parties, no informal agreements or representations have been or will
be made that are not reflected in the Transaction Agreements, and no additional
rights or obligations have been or will be created by the course of
performance, estoppel, representation, oral contract or local statute, (vii)
none of the material terms, conditions and obligations contained in the
Transaction Agreements have been, or will be, waived or modified, and (viii)
the parties have treated and reported, and will continue to treat and report,
the Transactions consistently with the facts assumed herein or certified to us
by knowledgeable representatives of the parties and contemplated by the opinion
hereinafter set forth.
Based on the foregoing and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"), the Income Tax Regulations issued by the United States
Treasury Department thereunder (the "Regulations"), administrative rulings of
the Internal Revenue Service (the "Service") and judicial decisions, all as in
effect on the date hereof, we are of the opinion that for federal income tax
purposes the discussion entitled "Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations" in
the Registration Statement, insofar as it relates to statements of law or legal
conclusions, is correct in all material respects.
We express no opinion as to tax laws other than as to the U.S. federal
income tax laws, and we express no opinion as to any matters other those
specifically addressed above. Further, our opinion is based upon areas in
which the Code and Regulations do not provide clear guidance, and the
administrative rulings and judicial decisions do not provide a clear
resolution. The Pass-Through Trust has not obtained, nor does it intend to
obtain, a ruling from the Service with respect to the federal income tax
consequences of the issuance of the Certificates, and it is possible that the
Service may take a different position. We caution that our opinion is not
binding on the Service or the courts and is based on the Code, the Regulations
and the administrative and judicial interpretations thereof, all as in effect
on the date hereof. The conclusions reached in this opinion may change as a
result of legislative, administrative or judicial actions or other
changes in any of the foregoing, and we do not undertake any obligation to
update or supplement this opinion in the future. Any change in the facts,
statements or assumptions as described above or any inaccuracy in the
assumptions, statements or facts upon which we have relied may affect the
validity of the opinion set forth herein.
2
<PAGE> 3
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and any related registration statement filed pursuant to
Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act and to the reference to this firm under
the caption "Legal Matters" in the Registration Statement. In giving such
consent, we do not thereby admit that we come within the category of
persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the
rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
This opinion has been delivered to you solely for the purpose of being
included as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. It may not be relied
upon for any other purpose or by any other person or entity, other than the
holders of Certificates, and may not be made available to any other person or
entity without our prior written consent.
Very truly yours,
/s/ SHEARMAN & STERLING
3
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit (12)
CMS ENERGY CORPORATION
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
(Millions of Dollars)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Nine Months
Ended Years Ended December 31
September 30, 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
------------------ ---- ---- ---- ---- -----
(b)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Earnings as defined (a)
- -------------------------------
Consolidated net income (loss) $ 204 $240 $204 $179 $155 $(297)
Income taxes 107 139 118 92 75 (146)
Exclude equity basis subsidiaries (61) (85) (57) (18) (6) 10
Fixed charges as defined, adjusted to
exclude capitalized interest of $11, $8,
$8, $6, $5, and $3 million for the nine
months ended September 30, 1997 and for the
years ended December 31, 1996, 1995,
1994, 1993 and 1992, respectively 228 275 268 226 241 225
------------------------------------
Earnings as defined $ 478 $569 $533 $479 $465 $(208)
====================================
Fixed charges as defined (a)
- ----------------------------
Interest on long-term debt $198 $230 $224 $193 $204 $169
Estimated interest portion of lease rental 6 10 9 9 11 16
Other interest charges 34 43 42 30 32 43
-----------------------------------
Fixed charges as defined $238 $283 $275 $232 $247 $228
===================================
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 2.01 2.01 1.94 2.07 1.88 -
===================================
</TABLE>
NOTES:
(a) Earnings and fixed charges as defined in instructions for Item 503 of
Regulation S-K.
(b) For the year ended December 31, 1992, fixed charges exceeded earnings by
$441 million. Earnings as defined include a $520 million pretax loss on the
settlement of MCV Power Purchases, $(15) million for potential customer refunds
and other reserves related to 1992 but recorded in 1991, and $6 million
relating to CMS Generation Company's reduction in its investment in The Oxford
Energy Company. The ratio of earnings to fixed charges would have been 1.33
excluding these amounts.
<PAGE> 1
[ARTHUR ANDERSEN LETTERHEAD]
Exhibit (15)
To CMS Energy Corporation:
We are aware that CMS Energy Corporation has incorporated by reference
in this registration statement its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31,
1997, its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1997, and its Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended September 30, 1997, which include our reports dated May 9,
1997, August 11, 1997, and November 10, 1997, respectively, covering the
unaudited interim financial information contained therein. Pursuant to
Regulation C of the Securities Act of 1933, this report is not considered a part
of the registration statement prepared or certified by our Firm or report
prepared or certified by our Firm within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the
Act.
/s/ Arthur Andersen
Detroit, Michigan,
November 26, 1997.
<PAGE> 1
[ARTHUR ANDERSEN LETTERHEAD]
Exhibit (23)(d)
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the
incorporation by reference in this registration statement of our reports dated
January 24, 1997, included or incorporated by reference in CMS Energy
Corporation's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996, and to all
references to our Firm included in this registration statement.
/s/ Arthur Andersen
Detroit, Michigan,
November 26, 1997.
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT (24)
[CMS ENERGY LETTERHEAD]
October 24, 1997
Mr. Alan M. Wright and
Mr. Thomas A. McNish
CMS Energy Corporation
Fairlane Plaza South, Suite 1100
330 Town Center Drive
Dearborn, MI 48126
We hereby appoint each of you lawful attorney for each of us and in each of our
names to sign and cause to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
registration statement(s) and/or any amendments thereto, including
post-effective amendment or amendments, to be accompanied in each case by a
prospectus or supplemental prospectus and any necessary exhibits with respect to
the issue and sale of up to $400 million of debt securities of the Corporation,
including but not limited to unsecured senior or subordinated debt securities
(plus an additional 20% for the purpose of covering underwriters'
over-allotments, price adjustments, or sale of additional securities).
Very truly yours,
/s/ Earl D. Holton
- --------------------------- ---------------------------
William T. McCormick, Jr. Earl D. Holton
/s/ John M. Deutch /s/ W. U. Parfet
- --------------------------- ---------------------------
John M. Deutch William U. Parfet
/s/ James J. Duderstadt
- --------------------------- ---------------------------
James J. Duderstadt Percy A. Pierre
/s/ K Whipple
- --------------------------- ---------------------------
Kathleen R. Flaherty Kenneth Whipple
/s/ Victor J. Fryling /s/ John B. Yasinsky
- --------------------------- ---------------------------
Victor J. Fryling John B. Yasinsky
<PAGE> 2
EXHIBIT (24)
Extract from the minutes of a meeting of the Board of Directors of CMS Energy
Corporation (the "Corporation") held on October 24, 1997.
- - - - - - - -
Proposed Issue and Sale of Securities
To have funds available for general corporate purposes, it was
recommended that the Corporation offer, from time to time, at private placement
or public sale, up to $400 million net aggregate principal amount of (i) debt
securities including but not limited to unsecured senior or subordinated debt
securities, (ii) trust securities ("Trust Securities") of one or more trusts
(the "Trust"), (iii) debt securities issued solely in connection with the sale
of the Trust Securities, and (iv) the Corporation's guarantee of Trust
Securities of the Trust (plus an additional 20% for the purpose of covering
underwriters' over-allotments, price adjustments, or sale of additional
securities). One or more Trusts would be formed by the Company. The Trust may
offer Trust Securities representing interests in the Trust or Trust assets. Any
of the foregoing securities issued in a private placement may be offered with
registration rights. Management further recommended the appointment of a Special
Committee of the Board of Directors to take any and all action to facilitate the
proposed offering(s) and to assure that the securities are sold for the best
price and on the best terms obtainable in the judgment of a Special Committee of
the Board of Directors appointed for such purposes.
The matter was fully discussed.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, the following resolutions
were thereupon unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED: That the Board of Directors authorizes the issue and
sale, from time to time, at private placement or public sale, of up to
$400 million net aggregate principal amount of the Corporation's (i) debt
securities, including but not limited to unsecured senior or subordinated
debt securities, (ii) Trust Securities of the Trust, (iii) debt securities
issued solely in connection with the sale of the Trust Securities and (iv)
the Corporation's guarantee of Trust Securities of the Trust (plus an
additional 20% for the purpose of covering underwriters' over-allotments,
price adjustments, or sale of additional securities) (collectively, the
"Securities"), as discussed at the meeting, each to be sold for the best
price and on the best terms obtainable in the judgment of a Special
Committee of the Board of Directors appointed for such purposes; and
RESOLVED FURTHER: That Victor J. Fryling with William T.
McCormick, Jr., as alternate, is appointed to a Special Committee of this
Board of Directors, which shall have the full authority to act on behalf
of the Board for the purposes stated in the foregoing resolution with
respect to (a) determining the offering price, any underwriting discounts
and the proceeds to the Corporation of the proposed issue and sale of the
Securities and (b) authorizing the officers to take such further actions
as they may deem advisable to carry out the issue and sale of such
Securities; and
RESOLVED FURTHER: That Messrs. Alan M. Wright and Thomas A.
McNish (or successors, appointed in writing, by the Chairman of the Board,
Vice Chairman of the Board or the President of the Corporation, and filed
in the Corporate Secretary's office) are appointed to serve, at the
Corporation's request, and are authorized and empowered, for and on behalf
of the Corporation, to act as the Corporation's trustees in accordance
with the trust agreement, and any amendments thereto, of the Trust; and
<PAGE> 3
RESOLVED FURTHER: That the officers of the Corporation, and each
of them, are authorized and empowered, for and on behalf of the
Corporation, to establish one or more trusts, for the purpose of issuing
and selling Trust Securities; and
RESOLVED FURTHER: That the above-designated Corporation trustees,
and each of them, are authorized and empowered, to execute and deliver all
documents, papers, applications, agreements and instruments, including but
not limited to, a declaration of trust, and any amendments thereto, and to
do all acts and things they deem necessary or appropriate and as counsel
may advise to carry out the intent and purpose of the foregoing
resolutions; and
RESOLVED FURTHER: That the officers of the Corporation, and each
of them, are authorized and empowered to prepare, execute, and file, or
cause to be prepared and filed, one or more Registration Statement with
the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, ("Registration Statement") together with all documents
required as exhibits to such Registration Statement, with respect to the
issue and sale of the Securities, such registration to be in such form as
may be approved by the officers executing the same, and to do all other
things necessary to make such registration effective, including the
execution and filing of any necessary or appropriate amendments, including
post-effective amendments; and
RESOLVED FURTHER: That any Securities issued in a private
placement may be offered with registration rights permitting the
Corporation to (i) file a Registration Statement, for the resale of such
Securities, or (ii) exchange, in a registered exchange offer pursuant to a
Registration Statement, such Securities for substantially similar
securities; and
RESOLVED FURTHER: That the officers of the Corporation, and each
of them, are authorized and empowered to appoint an institutional trustee,
and any agent or trustees necessary or appropriate in connection with the
issuance and sale of the Securities; and
RESOLVED FURTHER: That the officers of the Corporation, and each
of them, are authorized and directed to determine the jurisdictions in
which appropriate action shall be taken to qualify or register for sale
all or such part of the Securities of the Corporation as they may deem
advisable; to perform on behalf of the Corporation any and all such acts
as they may deem necessary or advisable in order to comply with the
applicable laws of any such jurisdictions, and in connection therewith, to
execute and file all requisite papers and documents, including but not
limited to, applications, reports, surety bonds, irrevocable consents and
appointments of attorneys for service of process; and the execution by
such officers or any of them of any such paper or document or the doing by
them of any act in connection with the foregoing matters shall
conclusively establish their authority therefor from the Corporation; and
RESOLVED FURTHER: That the officers of the Corporation, and each
of them, are authorized and empowered to cause the Corporation to make
application to the New York Stock Exchange, or on such other exchange as
the officers may decide, for the listing on such Exchange, upon notice of
issuance of the Securities, and to represent the Corporation in connection
with any application or applications for listing and to appear on behalf
of the Corporation before such official
<PAGE> 4
or body of said Exchange as may be appropriate, with authority to make
such changes, upon the advice of counsel, in said application(s) or in any
agreements or other papers relating thereto as may be necessary or
appropriate to conform with the requirements for listing; and
RESOLVED FURTHER: That the officers of the Corporation, and each
of them, are authorized and empowered to execute and deliver on behalf of
the Corporation (i) an indenture or indentures, including one or
more supplements to any indenture, in the form approved or authorized by
the Special Committee under the corporate seal to be thereto affixed and
attested, with the trustee or trustees appointed, such indenture or
indentures, supplement or supplements and (ii) Corporation guarantee or
guarantees relating to the Trust Securities, each to be in such form and
content and bear such date as may be approved by the officer of the
Corporation executing the same, such approval to be conclusively
evidenced by the execution of said indenture or indentures, or supplement
or supplements, guarantee or guarantees; and
RESOLVED FURTHER: That the officers of the Corporation, and each
of them, are authorized and empowered to execute one or more underwriting
agreements, purchase agreements, or any other type of agreements between
the Corporation and the underwriter or representatives of the
underwriters (or any agents) or an other purchaser appointed or named in
such agreement or agreements, as they may deem appropriate for the
proposed sale of the Securities; and
RESOLVED FURTHER: That the officers of the Corporation, and each
of them, are authorized and empowered to do and to perform, or cause to
be done and performed, all such acts, deeds, and things and to make,
execute, and deliver, or cause to be made, executed, and delivered, all
such agreements, undertakings, documents, instruments, or certificates in
the name and on the behalf of the Corporation or otherwise as each such
officer may deem necessary or appropriate to effectuate or carry out
fully the purpose and intent of the foregoing resolutions, including the
performance of the obligations of the Corporation under purchase
agreements, underwriting agreements and sales agreements, indentures,
registration rights agreements, or other similar agreements, certificates
or declarations, the Securities, any Registration Statement or any other
agreements related to the issuance and sale of the Securities.
- - - - - - - -
I, Thomas A. McNish, Vice President and Secretary of CMS Energy Corporation,
CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of resolutions duly and
regularly adopted at a meeting of the Board of Directors of CMS Energy
Corporation duly held on October 24, 1997 at which a quorum was in attendance
and voting throughout, and that said resolutions have not since been rescinded
but are still in full force and effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the
Corporation this 20th day of November 1997.
/s/ Thomas A. McNish
-----------------------------
Thomas A. McNish
Vice President and Secretary
