As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 2, 1996
Securities Act File No. 333-01431
U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM N-2
/X/ REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
/X/ Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1
Post-Effective Amendment No. _____
EQUUS II INCORPORATED
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
2929 Allen Parkway, Suite 2500
Houston, Texas 77019
(Address of principal executive offices (number, street, city, state, zip code)
(713) 529-0900
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Nolan Lehmann
Equus II Incorporated
2929 Allen Parkway, Suite 2500
Houston, Texas 77019
(Name and address (number, street, city, state, zip code) of agent for service)
With copies to:
John T. Unger
Snell & Smith, P.C.
1000 Louisiana, Suite 3650
Houston, Texas 77002
Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable after
the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If any securities being registered on this form will be offered on a delayed or
continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other
than securities offered in connection with a dividend reinvestment plan, check
the following box. /X/
It is proposed that the filing will become effective when declared effective
(check appropriate box)
/ / when declared effective pursuant to Section 8(c).
If appropriate check the following box:
/ / this [post-effective] amendment designates a new effective date
for a previously filed [post-effective amendment][registration statement].
/ / This Form is filed to register additional securities for an
offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act and the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering is ________________.
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PROPOSED PROPOSED
AMOUNT MAXIMUM MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF
TITLE OF SECURITIES BEING OFFERING PRICE AGGREGATE REGISTRATION
BEING REGISTERED REGISTERED PER UNIT OFFERING PRICE* FEE
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Shares of Common Stock,
par value $.001
per share............... 1,046,191 $12.50 $13,077,377.50 $4,509.44
</TABLE>
* Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended. Based on a discount from the average of the high and low sales price
reported on the American Stock Exchange on February 29, 1996.
The registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates
as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file
a further amendment that specifically states that this Registration Statement
shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until this Registration Statement shall
become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting
pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
<PAGE>
EQUUS II INCORPORATED
Form N-2
Cross-Reference Sheet
Parts A and B of Prospectus
ITEM
NO. CAPTION LOCATION IN PROSPECTUS
1. Outside Front Cover Front Cover Page
2. Inside Front and Outside Back Front Cover Page
Cover Page
3. Fee Table and Synopsis Prospectus Summary; Fee Table;
Available Information
4. Financial Highlights Selected Financial Data; Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations
5. Plan of Distribution Not Applicable
6. Selling Stockholders Not Applicable
7. Use of Proceeds Use of Proceeds
8. General Description of the Front Cover Page; Prospectus Summary;
Registrant The Fund; Risk Factors and Special
Considerations; Description of
Common Stock; Financial Statements
9. Management Management of the Fund
10. Capital Stock, Long-Term Debt and
Other Securities The Offer; Description of Common
Stock; Tax Matters
11. Defaults and Arrears on Senior
Securities Not Applicable
12. Legal Proceedings Not Applicable
13. Table of Contents of the Statement
of Additional Information Table of Contents of the Statement of
Additional Information
<PAGE>
ITEM LOCATION IN STATEMENT
NO. CAPTION OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
14. Cover Page Front Cover Page
15. Table of Contents Front Cover Page
16. General Information and History Not Applicable
17. Investment Objectives and Investment Objectives and
Policies Policies; Investment
Restrictions
18. Management Management of the Fund
19. Control Persons and Principal
Holders of Securities Beneficial Owner
20. Investment Advisory and Other
Services Management of the Fund
21. Brokerage Allocation and Other
Practices Portfolio Transactions
22. Tax Status Tax Matters
23. Financial Statements Financial Statements
PART C
Information required to be included in Part C is set forth under the appropriate
item, so numbered, in Part C to this Registration Statement.
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.
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS Subject to Completion Dated April 2, 1996
1,046,191 SHARES
EQUUS II INCORPORATED
COMMON STOCK
Equus II Incorporated (the "Fund") is issuing to its stockholders of record
("Record Date Stockholders") as of the close of business on April ___, 1996,
transferable rights ("Rights") entitling the holders thereof to subscribe for an
aggregate of 1,046,191 shares (the "Shares") of the Fund's common stock, $.001
par value ("Common Stock") at the rate of one share of Common Stock for each
three Rights held and entitling each holder of Rights to subscribe, subject to
certain limitations and subject to allotment, for any Shares not acquired by
exercise of primary subscription Rights (the "Offer"). No fractional Rights or
Shares will be issued. See "The Offer." The subscription price per Share (the
"Subscription Price") will be $_________.
THE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK TIME, ON MAY ___, 1996, unless
extended as described herein (the "Expiration Date"). Stockholder inquiries
should be directed to the Information Agent, MacKenzie Partners, Inc., at (800)
322-2885.
The Fund is a closed-end, non-diversified management investment company that has
elected to be a business development company. The Fund commenced operations in
1991, and, as of December 31, 1995, had net assets of $61,853,289. The Fund's
investment objective is to achieve capital appreciation by making investments in
equity and equity-oriented securities issued by privately-owned companies in
transactions negotiated directly with such companies. The Fund seeks to invest
primarily in companies that intend to acquire other businesses including through
leveraged buyouts. Equus Capital Management Corporation (the "Investment
Adviser") manages the Fund. The address of the Fund is 2929 Allen Parkway,
Houston, Texas 77019 and its telephone number is (713) 529-0900.
The Fund's currently outstanding shares of Common Stock are, and the Shares
offered hereby will be, listed on the American Stock Exchange (the "AMEX") under
the symbol "EQS." The Fund announced the Offer after the close of trading on the
AMEX on March 5, 1996. The net asset value per share of Common Stock at the
close of business on March 5, 1996, and April __, 1996, was $22.22 and $__.__,
respectively, and the last reported sale price of a share of the Fund's Common
Stock on the AMEX on those dates was $15.50 and $__.__, respectively.
SEE "RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 23 FOR A
DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN MATTERS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY PROSPECTIVE
INVESTORS.
Because the Subscription Price per share is likely to be less than the net asset
value per share, the Offer is likely to result in substantial dilution of the
aggregate net asset value of the shares owned by stockholders who do not fully
exercise their Rights. In addition, as a result of the terms of the Offer,
stockholders who do not fully exercise their Rights should expect that they
will, upon the completion of the Offer, own a smaller proportional interest in
the Fund than would otherwise be the case. The Fund's directors and officers,
individually, as Record Date Stockholders, have advised the Fund that they will
purchase Shares with an aggregate Subscription Price of at least $200,000 in
accordance with the primary subscription and up to an additional $200,000 to the
extent Shares become available to them in accordance with the allotment
provisions of the over-subscription privilege. See "The Offer -- Terms of the
Offer."
This Prospectus sets forth concisely certain information about the Fund that
investors should know before investing and it should be read and retained for
future reference. A Statement of Additional Information dated April __, 1996
(the "SAI"), containing additional information about the Fund has been filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") and is
incorporated by reference in its entirety into this Prospectus. A copy of the
SAI, the table of contents of which appears on page 46 of this Prospectus, may
be obtained without charge by contacting the Fund at (713) 529-0900.
THESE SECURITIES 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.
=============================================================================
Subscription Price Sales Load Proceeds to the Fund (1)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per Share . $ None $
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total . . . $ None $
=============================================================================
(1) Before deduction of offering expenses incurred by the Fund, estimated
at $220,000.
April ___, 1996
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO THE
MORE DETAILED INFORMATION INCLUDED ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS.
TERMS OF THE OFFER
Equus II Incorporated (the "Fund") is issuing to stockholders of record
("Record Date Stockholders") as of the close of business on April _____, 1996
(the "Record Date"), transferable rights ("Rights") to subscribe for an
aggregate of 1,046,191 shares of Common Stock (sometimes referred to herein as
the "Shares") of the Fund. Each Record Date Stockholder is being issued one
Right for each full share of Common Stock owned on the Record Date. The Rights
entitle the holder to acquire at the Subscription Price (as hereinafter defined)
one Share for each three Rights held. Rights may be exercised at any time during
the period (the "Subscription Period"), which commences on April ____, 1996, and
ends at 5:00 p.m., New York time on May ____, 1996, unless extended by the Fund
to a date not later than _________________, 1996 (the "Expiration Date"). The
right to acquire during the Subscription Period at the Subscription Price one
Share for each three Rights held is hereinafter referred to as the "Primary
Subscription." See "The Offer -- Terms of the Offer."
OVER-SUBSCRIPTION PRIVILEGE. In addition, any holder of Rights who fully
exercises all Rights initially issued to or purchased by him or her (other than
those Rights that cannot be exercised because they represent the right to
acquire less than one Share) is entitled to subscribe for Shares that were not
otherwise subscribed for by others on Primary Subscription (the
Over-Subscription Privilege"). For purposes of determining the number of Shares
a Record Date Stockholder may acquire pursuant to the Offer, broker-dealers
whose shares are held of record by Cede & Co., Inc. ("Cede"), nominee for The
Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), or by any other depository or nominee will be
deemed to be the holders of the Rights that are issued to Cede or such other
depository or nominee on their behalf. Shares acquired pursuant to the
Over-Subscription Privilege are subject to allotment, which is more fully
discussed under "The Offer -- Over-Subscription Privilege."
SUBSCRIPTION PRICE. The subscription price per share (the "Subscription
Price") will be $______.
EXERCISING RIGHTS. Rights will be evidenced by subscription certificates
("Subscription Certificates") and may be exercised by completing a Subscription
Certificate and delivering it, together with payment, either by means of a
notice of guaranteed delivery or a check, to First Interstate Bank of Texas,
N.A., Houston, Texas (the "Subscription Agent"). Rights holders will have no
right to rescind a purchase after the Subscription Agent has received payment.
See "The Offer -- Method of Exercise of Rights" and "The Offer -- Payment for
Shares." Shares issued pursuant to an exercise of Rights will be listed on the
AMEX.
SALE OF RIGHTS. The Rights are transferable until the Expiration Date and
have been admitted for trading on the AMEX. Although no assurance can be given
that a market for the Rights will develop, trading in the Rights on the AMEX
will begin three Business Days prior to the Record Date and will continue until
the close of trading on the last AMEX trading day prior to the Expiration Date.
The value of the Rights, if any, will be reflected by the market price. Rights
may be sold by individual holders or may be submitted to the Subscription Agent
for sale. Any Rights submitted to the Subscription Agent for sale must be
received by the Subscription Agent on or before May ____, 1996, one Business Day
(as defined below) prior to the Expiration Date, due to normal settlement
procedures. Trading of the Rights on the AMEX will be conducted on a when issued
basis until and including the date on which the Subscription Certificates are
mailed to Record Date Stockholders and thereafter will be conducted on a regular
way basis until and including the last AMEX trading day prior to the Expiration
Date. The Common Stock will begin trading ex-Rights two Business Days prior to
the Record Date. If the Subscription Agent receives Rights for sale in a timely
manner, it will use its best efforts to sell the Rights on the AMEX. The
Subscription Agent will also attempt to sell any Rights a Rights holder is
unable to exercise because such Rights represent the right to subscribe for less
than one Share. Any commissions will be paid by the selling Rights holders.
Neither the Fund nor the Subscription Agent will be responsible if Rights cannot
be sold and neither has guaranteed any minimum
2
sales price for the Rights. For purposes of this Prospectus, a "Business Day"
shall mean any day on which trading is conducted on the AMEX.
Stockholders are urged to obtain a recent trading price for the Rights on
the AMEX from their broker, bank, financial adviser, or the financial press.
INFORMATION AGENT. Stockholders' inquiries should be directed to:
MacKenzie Partners, Inc.
156 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10010
(800) 322-2885
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
EVENT DATE
Record Date........................................ April ____, 1996
Subscription Period................................ April ____, 1996
through May _____, 1996*
Expiration Date of the Offer....................... May ____, 1996*
Subscription Forms and Payment for Shares Due...... May ____, 1996*
Notices of Guaranteed Delivery Due**............... May ____, 1996*
Payment pursuant to Notices of Guaranteed
Delivery Due.................................. May ____, 1996*
Confirmation to Participants....................... May ____, 1996*
* Unless the Offer is extended to a date not later than __________, 1996.
** A stockholder exercising Rights must deliver to the Subscription Agent by
the Expiration Date either (1) a Subscription Certificate and payment for
Shares or (2) a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
USE OF PROCEEDS - PURPOSE OF THE OFFER
The net proceeds of the Offer will be used to increase the assets of the
Fund in order to repay indebtedness incurred by the Fund to make new investments
and to fulfill commitments that the Fund has made for follow-on investments. In
addition, the Offer affords existing stockholders the opportunity to purchase
additional shares of Common Stock at a price that may be below market value
and/or net asset value without incurring the transaction costs associated with
open-market purchases. The increase in the net assets of the Fund may reduce the
Fund's expense ratio, thus benefitting both participating and non-participating
stockholders. See "Use of Proceeds" and The Offer -- Purpose of the Offer."
INFORMATION REGARDING THE FUND
The Fund is a business development company, incorporated in the State of
Delaware as a corporation in 1991. The Fund's investment objective is to achieve
capital appreciation by making investments in equity and equity-oriented
securities (including common stock and preferred stock, debt securities
convertible into common or preferred stock, or a combination of debt and equity
securities, warrants, options and other rights to acquire such securities or
partnership interests) issued by privately-owned companies in transactions
negotiated directly with such companies. The Fund seeks to invest primarily in
medium-sized companies that intend to acquire other businesses including through
leveraged buyouts. See "The Fund -- Investment Objective and Policies." The
Fund's outstanding common stock, par value $.001 per share (the "Common Stock"),
is listed and traded on the AMEX under the symbol "EQS." The average weekly
trading volume of the Common Stock on the AMEX during the year ended December
31, 1995, was 20,652 shares. As of December 31, 1995, the net assets of the Fund
were approximately $61.9 million. For a discussion of the Fund's investments see
"The Fund -- Current Portfolio Companies."
3
<PAGE>
INFORMATION REGARDING THE INVESTMENT ADVISER
Equus Capital Management Corporation (the "Investment Adviser") has served
as the investment adviser to the Fund since its inception. The Investment
Adviser also provides certain administrative services to the Fund. Sam P.
Douglass, Nolan Lehmann, Gary L. Forbes, and Randall B. Hale, the principal
officers of the Investment Adviser, have an average of more than 20 years
experience in the business of providing investment advisory services with
respect to the acquisition, management, and disposition of private and public
companies in leveraged transactions. The Investment Adviser is currently
affiliated with three investment funds that, as of December 31, 1995, had net
assets of approximately $ 89 million. The Fund pays the Investment Adviser a
quarterly management fee at the annual rate of 2% of the Fund's quarterly net
assets. The Investment Adviser is also entitled to receive an incentive fee
equal to 20% of the net realized capital gains of the Fund less unrealized
depreciation on a cumulative basis. The investment advisory fee is higher than
comparable fees paid by most other investment companies. See "Management of the
Fund -- Investment Adviser." Since the Investment Adviser's management fee is
based on the net assets of the Fund, the Investment Adviser will benefit from
the Offer. In addition, two Directors who are interested persons of the Fund
could benefit indirectly from the Offer because of their relationships with the
Investment Adviser. See "The Offer -- Purpose of the Offer." Equus Capital
Corporation ("ECC") provides certain investment advisory services to the Fund.
See "Management of the Fund -- Sub-Adviser Agreement." The Investment Adviser
pays ECC for its services out of the incentive fee that the Investment Adviser
receives from the Fund.
RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
The following summarizes certain matters that should be considered, among
others, in connection with the Offer. See "Risk Factors and Special
Considerations."
Dilution
An immediate dilution of the aggregate net asset value of the shares owned by
stockholders who do not fully exercise their Rights is likely to be experienced
as a result of the Offer because the Subscription Price will be less than the
then net asset value per share, and the number of shares outstanding after the
Offer is likely to increase in greater percentage than the increase in the size
of the Fund's assets. In addition, as a result of the terms of the Offer,
stockholders who do not fully exercise their Rights should expect that they
will, at the completion of the Offer, own a smaller proportional interest in the
Fund than would otherwise be the case. Although it is not possible to state
precisely the amount of such a decrease in value, because it is not known at
this time what the net asset value per share will be at the Expiration Date,
such dilution could be substantial. For example, assuming that all Rights are
exercised and that the Subscription Price of $____ is ___% below the Fund's then
net asset value per share, the Fund's net asset value per share (before
deduction of expenses incurred in connection with the Offer) would be reduced by
approximately $____ per share.
Discount From
Net Asset Value
Shares of closed-end funds frequently trade at a discount from net asset value.
This characteristic of shares of a closed-end fund is a risk separate and
distinct from the risk that the Fund's net asset value will decrease. The risk
of purchasing shares of a closed-end fund that might trade at a discount is more
pronounced for investors who wish to sell their shares in a relatively short
period of time because for those investors, realization of a gain or loss on
their investments is likely to be more dependent upon the existence of a premium
or discount than upon portfolio performance.
The Fund's shares have traded at a discount to net asset value since inception
of trading. See "Market for Common Stock and Net Asset Value Information."
Non-Diversified
Status The Fund is a non-diversified investment company under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"). The 1940 Act does not limit
the proportion of the Fund's
4
<PAGE>
assets that may be invested in securities of a single issuer. The Fund's
investments are limited, however, in order for the Fund to qualify as a
"registered investment company" for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 (the "Code"). To the extent that the Fund takes large positions in a small
number of issuers, the Fund's net asset value and the market price of Common
Stock may fluctuate as a result of changes in the financial condition of the
market's assessment of such issuers to a greater extent than that of a
diversified investment company. See "Risk Factors and Special Considerations --
Non-Diversified Status."
Speculative Investments
Private equity and leveraged buyout investments involve a high degree of
business and financial risk and can result in substantial losses. In addition,
the portfolio securities acquired by the Fund are initially illiquid. See "Risk
Factors and Special Considerations -- Leveraged Portfolio Investments and --
Lack of Liquidity of Portfolio Investments."
Borrowing
The Fund may borrow funds to make new or follow-on investments, to maintain its
pass- through tax status as a regulated investment company, to pay contingencies
and expenses, or to pay dividends. As a result the Fund is exposed to the risks
of leverage, which may be considered a speculative investment technique. The use
of leverage, even on a short-term basis, could have the effect of magnifying
increases or decreases in the Fund's net asset value. The Fund may borrow funds
in an amount up to 50% of the value of its assets (including investments made
with borrowed funds). See "The Fund -- Investment Objective and Policies --
Borrowing" and "Risk Factors and Special Considerations -- Borrowing."
Repurchase of Shares
The Fund's stockholders will be free to dispose of their Shares on the AMEX or
other markets on which the Shares may trade, but, as a closed-end fund, the
Fund's stockholders do not have the right to redeem their Shares. The Fund is
authorized, but is not required, to repurchase its shares (including by means of
tender offers) in order to attempt to reduce or eliminate any discount in the
market price of shares from net asset value or to increase the net asset value
of its shares, or both. The Fund has from time-to-time repurchased its shares on
the open market. During 1995, the Fund repurchased 145,500 shares of Common
Stock on the open market. See "Market for Common Stock and Net Asset Value
Information -- Repurchase of Shares."
Distributions
The Fund has a policy to pay an annual dividend at a minimum rate of $.50 per
share. In the event that taxable income, including realized capital gains,
exceeds $.50 per share in any year, additional dividends may be declared to
distribute such excess. See "Investment Objective and Policies -- Dividends and
Distributions" for a discussion of the Fund's distribution policies.
Distributions can be made payable by the Fund either in the form of a cash
distribution or a stock dividend. The Fund has not adopted any set policy
concerning whether dividends will be paid only in cash, only in stock, or in
stock or cash by specific election. If the Fund does not have available cash to
pay the minimum dividends it may borrow the required funds or may sell some of
its portfolio investments.
The Fund reserves the right to retain net long-term capital gains in excess of
net short-term capital losses for reinvestment or to pay contingencies and
expenses. Such retained amounts, if any, will be taxable to the Fund as
long-term capital gains and stockholders will be able to claim their
proportionate share of the federal income taxes paid by the Fund on such gains
as a credit against their own federal income tax liabilities. Stockholders also
will be entitled to increase the adjusted tax basis of their Fund shares by the
difference between their undistributed capital gains and their tax credit. See
"Tax Matters."
5
<PAGE>
FEE TABLE
The following table sets forth certain fees and expenses of the Fund.
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES:
Sales Load (as a percentage of offering price)....... 0%
ANNUAL EXPENSES (AS A PERCENTAGE OF NET ASSETS):
Management Fees (1).................................. 2.00%
Interest Payments on Borrowed Funds.................. 0.51%
Other Expenses....................................... 1.47%
Total Annual Expenses................................ 3.98%
EXAMPLE 1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
You would pay the following expenses
on a $1,000 investment assuming
a 5% annual return $39.80 $125.47 $219.92 $500.60
(1) Does not include the management incentive fee payable to the Investment
Adviser equal to 20% of the net realized capital gains less unrealized capital
depreciation of the Fund calculated on a cumulative basis. The Investment
Adviser pays ECC out of its management incentive fee. See "Management of the
Fund."
The purpose of the foregoing table and example is to assist Rights
holders in understanding the various costs and expenses that an investor in the
Fund bears either directly or indirectly. THE EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A
REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES OR RATES OF RETURN. THE ACTUAL
EXPENSES OF THE FUND MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN. The figures
provided under Other Expenses are based upon amounts for the prior fiscal year.
For more complete descriptions of certain of the Fund's cost and expenses, see
"Management of the Fund" in the Prospectus and the SAI.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Fund is subject to the informational requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and in accordance therewith files reports, proxy
statements, and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy and information statements, and other
information filed by the Fund can be inspected and copied at public reference
facilities maintained by the Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Judiciary Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the Commission's Regional Offices
located at Seven World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048 and
Citicorp Plaza, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661.
Copies of such material may also be obtained at prescribed rates from the Public
Reference Section of the Commission at its principal office at 450 Fifth Street,
N.W., Judiciary Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549. The Fund's Common Stock is listed
on the American Stock Exchange and the Fund's registration statements, reports,
proxy and information statements, and other information may be inspected and
copied at the offices of the American Stock Exchange at 86 Trinity Place, New
York, New York 10006-1881.
This Prospectus incorporates documents by reference that are not
presented herein or delivered herewith. These documents are available, without
charge, upon request from Investor Relations Department, Attention: Ms. Tracy H.
Cohen, Equus II Incorporated, 2929 Allen Parkway, Suite 2500, Houston, Texas
77019, telephone number (713) 529-0900.
6
<PAGE>
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Following is a summary of selected financial data and per share data
of the Fund and its predecessors for the five years ended December 31, 1995.
Such information for the two years ended December 31, 1992, has been restated to
reflect the merger of Equus Investments Incorporated with and into the Fund.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------------------------------------
1995 1994 1993 1992(1) 1991
---- ---- ---- ------- ----
(In thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Total investment income............................ $ 3,075 $ 1,921 $ 1,552 $ 1,796 $ 2,814
Net investment income(loss)........................ $ (668) $ 518 $ (2,813) $ (1,403) $ 1,091
Realized gain (loss) on sale
of portfolio securities, net..................... $ 7,669 $ (350) $ (2,458) $ 10,744 $ (1,896)
Increase (decrease) in
unrealized appreciation
of portfolio securities, net..................... $ (1,281) $ (2,563) $ 11,178 $ (6,034) $ 7,029
Total increase (decrease) in
net assets from operations....................... $ 5,720 $ (2,395) $ 5,907 $ 3,307 $ 6,224
Dividends.......................................... $ 5,815 $ 763 $ 2,049 $ 3,228 $ -
Total assets at end of period...................... $ 132,450 $ 109,941 $ 114,411 $ 105,614 $ 85,705
Net assets at end of period........................ $ 61,853 $ 60,880 $ 64,679 $ 59,436 $ 57,750
Net cash provided (used)
by operating activities.......................... $ (672) $ (186) $ (1,962) $ (325) $ 176
Shares outstanding at end of period................ 3,139 3,053 3,099 3,013 2,880
Average shares outstanding during period........... 2,968 3,084 3,013 2,880 2,880
<CAPTION>
PER SHARE DATA:
DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------------------------
1995 1994 1993 1992 1991
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net investment income (loss)..................... $ (0.22) $ 0.17 $ (0.93) $ (0.49) $ 0.38
Realized gain (loss) on sale
of portfolio securities, net.................. $ 2.58 $ (0.12) $ (0.82) $ 3.73 $ (0.66)
Increase (decrease) in
unrealized apprecia-
tion of portfolio
securities, net................................ $ (0.43) $ (0.83) $ 3.71 $ (2.10) $ 2.44
Dividends........................................ $ 2.00 $ 0.25 $ 0.68 $ 1.12 $ -
Net asset value (including
unrealized appreciation),
end of year.................................... $ 19.71 $ 19.94 $ 20.87 $ 19.72 $ 20.05
</TABLE>
(1) The financial data for 1992 and 1991 include the accounts of Equus
Investments II, L.P., the predecessor entity of the Fund.
7
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATION
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Fund was formed as a successor to Equus Investments II, L.P. (the
"Partnership" or "Predecessor Entity") pursuant to a reorganization in which all
of the assets and liabilities of the Partnership were transferred to the Fund on
July 1, 1992, in exchange for 1,866,132 shares of common stock of the Fund (the
"Exchange"). Such shares were then distributed on a pro rata basis to the
partners of the Partnership, effectively liquidating the Partnership. Each
Limited Partner received one share of common stock of the Fund for each unit of
partnership interest owned. The Fund has qualified for pass-through tax
treatment as a "regulated investment company" under Subchapter M of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986. On September 11, 1992, the Fund's shares of common stock
were listed for trading on the American Stock Exchange, under the symbol "EQS".
On March 26, 1993, the Fund and Equus Investments Incorporated ("EQI")
entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, as amended, which called for the
merger of EQI with and into the Fund (the "Merger"). Pursuant to this agreement,
on June 30, 1993, the Fund issued 1,147,137 additional shares of common stock,
net of 130 shares redeemed in lieu of fractional shares, to the stockholders of
EQI in a tax free exchange to acquire all of the outstanding common stock of
EQI. Each share of EQI was converted into 0.54 of a share of the Fund's common
stock.
At December 31, 1995, the Fund had $71,610,360 of its assets invested in
portfolio securities of 21 companies, and has committed to invest up to an
additional $9,615,500 in four of such companies and $8,600,000 in two new
companies under certain conditions. Current temporary cash investments,
anticipated future investment income, proceeds from borrowings, proceeds from
the sale of existing portfolio securities and proceeds from the Offer are
believed to be sufficient to finance these commitments. At December 31, 1995,
the Fund had $5,750,000 outstanding on a $13,000,000 revolving line of credit
loan from a bank. Subsequent to December 31, 1995, the Fund received a
commitment for a new $20,000,000 revolving line of credit with another bank
which will replace the prior revolving line of credit.
On June 22, 1994, the Board of Directors of the Fund approved a stock
repurchase program, pursuant to which the Fund repurchased on the open market
and cancelled 46,200 shares of its stock for $640,159 in 1994. Such stock was
repurchased at an average discount of 28.74% from its net asset value. In 1995,
the Fund repurchased and cancelled 145,500 shares of its stock for $1,993,642.
The stock repurchased in 1995 was repurchased at an average discount of 33.61%
from its net asset value. The Fund has not repurchased any stock since August
1995.
Net cash used by operating activities was $402,820, $185,849 and
$1,962,354 for the three years ended December 31, 1995. Increased expenses paid
during 1993 included $1,346,839 in incentive fees to the Investment Adviser that
were accrued by EQI as of December 31, 1992, and $454,040 in expenses related to
the June 30, 1993 merger of EQI with and into the Fund.
At December 31, 1995, the Fund had $60,232,594 of its total assets of
$132,450,176 invested in temporary cash investments consisting of money market
securities. This amount includes proceeds from a $60,000,000 note payable to a
bank that is utilized to enable the Fund to achieve adequate diversification to
maintain its pass-through tax status as a regulated investment company. Such
amount was repaid to the bank on January 2, 1996.
The Fund has the ability to borrow funds and issue forms of indebtedness,
subject to certain restrictions. Net investment income and net realized gains
from the sales of portfolio investments are intended to be distributed at least
annually, to the extent such amounts are not reserved for payment of
contingencies or to make follow-on or new investments.
8
The Fund reserves the right to retain net long-term capital gains in
excess of net short-term capital losses for reinvestment or to pay contingencies
and expenses. Such retained amounts, if any, will be taxed to the Fund as
long-term capital gains and shareholders will be able to claim their
proportionate share of the federal income taxes paid by the Fund on such gains
as a credit against their own federal income tax liabilities. Stockholders will
also be entitled to increase the adjusted tax basis of their Fund shares by the
difference between their undistributed capital gains and their tax credit.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
INVESTMENT INCOME AND EXPENSE
Net investment income (loss) after all expenses amounted to $(668,114),
$518,473, and $(2,812,912) for the three years ended December 31, 1995. Income
from portfolio securities increased to $2,859,707 in 1995 as compared to
$1,613,414 in 1994 and $1,184,121 in 1993, due to the increase in amounts
invested in interest and dividend-bearing portfolio securities during 1995 and
1994. The Fund also received $593,665 in dividends and payments to induce the
Fund to convert preferred stock to common stock of one portfolio company in
1995, which had paid none in 1994 or 1993. In addition, the Fund accrued
$185,850 of interest income on one portfolio security in 1995 which had been
completely reserved in 1994 as uncollectible. Interest income from temporary
cash investments was $215,527 in 1995, $307,722 in 1994 and $368,289 in 1993.
The decrease in 1995 as compared to 1994 and 1993 was a result of lower
investable balances throughout the year.
The net investment losses in 1995 and 1993 were primarily attributable to
the accrual of $1,277,595 and $1,947,330, respectively, in deferred management
incentive fees caused by the realized gains from the sales of portfolio
securities in 1995 and an increase in the net unrealized appreciation of
portfolio securities during 1993. Also, in 1993, the Fund recorded non-recurring
expenses of $454,040 related to the Merger.
Mailing, printing and other expenses increased to $338,434 during 1995, as
compared to $165,330 during 1994 and $171,308 during 1993, due to the higher
cost for the preparation and distribution of the annual report and proxy
statement for the annual shareholder meeting held in June 1995. Interest expense
increased to $318,048 in 1995 as compared to $135,252 in 1994 and $157,317 in
1993, due to the increase of the average daily balances outstanding on the lines
of credit to $2,839,315 in 1995, from $994,520 in 1994 and $821,918 in 1993.
The Investment Adviser receives management fee compensation at an annual
rate of 2% of the net assets of the Fund. Such fees amounted to $1,237,775,
$1,212,457 and $1,243,559 in 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively.
The Investment Adviser also receives from the Fund or must reimburse to
the Fund a management incentive fee equal to 20% of net realized capital gains
less unrealized capital depreciation, computed on a cumulative basis over the
life of the Fund. Incentive fee reimbursements of $203,250 were received by the
Fund from the Investment Adviser during the year ended December 31, 1993.
Deferred management incentive fee expense (income) for 1995, 1994 and 1993
totaled $1,277,595, $(582,622) and $1,947,330, respectively. The deferred
management incentive fee is reflected as an expense of the Fund when there is an
increase in the Fund's net unrealized appreciation of portfolio securities and
is reflected as a reduction in expense to the Fund when there is a decrease in
the Fund's net appreciation of portfolio securities. Deferred management
incentive fees are not paid until such appreciation is realized.
REALIZED GAINS AND LOSSES ON SALES OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
During the year ended December 31, 1995, the Fund realized net capital
gains of $7,668,524 from the sale of securities of six Portfolio Companies. The
Fund sold 116,590 shares of Allied Waste Industries, Inc. common stock for
$1,049,310, realizing a capital gain of $490,032; 96,000 shares of Garden Ridge
Corporation common stock for $2,928,000, realizing a capital gain of $2,906,667;
175,000 shares of NCI Building Systems, Inc. common stock for $3,064,685,
realizing a capital gain of $2,785,063; 30,000 shares of Tech-Sym Corporation
for $909,433,
9
realizing a capital gain of $801,142 and 49,444 shares of USA Waste Services,
Inc. for $899,218, realizing a capital gain of $685,620.
During the year ended December 31, 1994, the Fund realized $350,309 of net
capital losses from the sale of its investments in the securities of five
Portfolio Companies. During 1994 the Fund sold 37,501 shares of NCI for
$637,517, realizing a net capital gain of $577,596 on such sale. In addition,
the Fund received $213,944 from the escrow account related to the sale of Denver
Technologies, Inc. and received a final payment of $22,138 related to the sale
of Gulf Coast Entertainment Corporation. Such amounts were recorded as capital
gains. On July 19, 1994, the Fund sold its investment in MidCon Bottlers, L. P.
for $950,000, realizing a $910,968 capital gain. The Fund also sold 28 shares of
Travis International, Inc. preferred stock for $28,000 and 5,855 shares of
Garden Ridge Corporation common stock for $5,855, in each case at the Fund's
cost. During 1994, a loss of $2,074,955 on the Fund's investment in Springtime,
Inc. I, was realized when Springtime declared bankruptcy.
During the year ended December 31, 1993, the Fund realized $2,457,906 of
net capital losses from the sale or disposition of its investments of nine
Portfolio Companies. The Fund sold 223,333 shares of A.C. Liquidating
Corporation, 228,076 shares of EnClean, Inc., 441,776 shares of NCI Building
Systems, Inc., 427,000 shares of Springtime, Inc. I, 20,000 shares of USA Waste
Services, Inc., 50,000 shares of Williams & Mettle Co. and 8,439,739 shares of
Yellow Cab Service Corporation ("Yellow Cab"), realizing net capital gains
(losses) of $(1,449,999), $(4,898), $4,725,580, $(1,070,607), $182,350,
$(944,500) and $(4,369,692), respectively. The Fund also wrote off its remaining
514,887 shares of A.C. Liquidating Corporation common stock realizing a capital
loss of $316,140. In addition, $710,000 and $80,000 of payments were received
from Gulf Coast Entertainment Corporation and La Prairie, Inc. and recorded as
capital gains.
UNREALIZED APPRECIATION AND DEPRECIATION OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
Net unrealized appreciation on investments decreased $1,280,549 during the
year ended December 31, 1995, from $9,255,817 to $7,975,268. Such net decrease
resulted from increases in the estimated fair value of securities of six of the
Fund's Portfolio Companies aggregating $13,601,466, decreases in the estimated
fair value of securities of five portfolio Companies aggregating $10,971,005 and
the transfer of $3,911,010 in net unrealized appreciation to net realized gains
from the sale of investments in five companies.
Net unrealized appreciation on investments decreased $2,562,801 during the
year ended December 31, 1994, from $11,818,618 to $9,255,817. Such net decrease
resulted from increases in the estimated fair value of securities of four of the
Fund's Portfolio Companies aggregating $5,432,740, decreases in the estimated
fair value of securities of ten Portfolio Companies aggregating $9,041,307 and a
net transfer of $1,045,766 from unrealized losses to realized losses from the
disposition of investments in three companies.
Net unrealized appreciation on investments increased $11,178,304 during
the year ended December 31, 1993, from $640,314 to $11,818,618. Such net
increase resulted from increases in the estimated fair value of securities of
ten of the Fund's Portfolio Companies aggregating $11,498,594, decreases in the
estimated fair value of securities of six Portfolio Companies aggregating
$4,573,073 and a net transfer of $4,252,783 from unrealized to realized losses
from the disposition of investments in seven companies.
DIVIDENDS
The Fund declared dividends of $5,814,990 ($2.00 per share), $763,268
($0.25 per share) and $2,049,038 ($0.68 per share) during 1995, 1994 and 1993,
respectively. The Fund adopted a policy effective in 1995, to make dividend
distributions of at least $0.50 per share on an annual basis. In the event that
taxable income, including realized capital gains, exceeds $0.50 per share in any
year, additional dividends may be declared to distribute such excess. The 1994
dividend was paid in cash and represented a return of capital. The 1995 and 1993
dividends, which represented the Fund's net capital gains for tax purposes, were
paid in additional shares of common stock or in cash by specific election of the
shareholders in December 1995 and January 1994. The Fund paid $2,753,180
10
and $662,594 in cash and issued 231,080 and 85,981 additional shares of stock at
$13.25 and $16.125 per share, in December 1995 and January 1994, respectively,
in connection with such dividends.
PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS
During the year ended December 31, 1995, the Fund invested $11,917,308 in
five new Portfolio Companies and made follow-on investments in seven Portfolio
Companies of $2,734,411, including $865,909 in accrued interest and dividends
and conversion inducement payments received in the form of additional portfolio
securities.
On May 9, 1995, Garden Ridge Corporation ("GRDG") effected a 4.5-for-1
stock split of its outstanding common stock in connection with an initial public
offering ("IPO") of its common stock. The number of shares held by the Fund has
been adjusted to reflect such stock split. During June 1995, the fund exercised
warrants and options to acquire an additional 107,694 shares of GRDG common
stock for $407,172. Concurrent with the IPO, GRDG redeemed the 59,207 shares of
preferred stock for $355,242 and repaid the $3,195,671 in subordinated notes
held by the Fund.
On June 30, 1995, CogniSeis Development, Inc. was merged into Tech-Sym
Corporation. The Fund received 62,759 shares of Tech-Sym Corporation common
stock in a tax-free exchange for its CogniSeis Development, Inc. common stock.
In addition, on June 30, 1995, Allied Waste Industries, Inc. ("Allied") repaid
in full the $1,000,000 bridge note owed to the Fund. The accrued interest of
$67,494 on the bridge loan was paid to the Fund in August 1995 in the form of
13,864 shares of Allied common stock.
In May 1995, the Fund invested $271,000 in Midway Airlines Corporation
("Midway") in exchange for a 12% subordinated note and $71,000 in A. C.
Liquidating Corporation. in exchange for a 10% promissory note. In connection
with the Midway note, the Fund received warrants to buy up to 203,250 shares of
Class C common stock of Midway for $.01 per share through April 2002. During
June 1995, the Fund reacquired 80,662 shares of Class C common stock and 48,990
shares of junior preferred stock of Midway which it had previously recorded as
sold under a contract for sale to certain other shareholders of Midway.
In July 1995, the Fund acquired 67,500 shares of Series B senior
convertible preferred stock of Industrial Equipment Rentals, Inc. ("IER") for
$250,050 and advanced $499,950 to IER in exchange for a 9% senior subordinated
debenture.
During the third quarter of 1995, the Fund advanced an additional $100,000
to Williams & Mettle Co. on the junior participation prime + 1.75% note. In
addition, the Fund's $204,750 in accrued interest receivable on the Williams &
Mettle Co. 12% subordinated promissory note was rolled into a new $677,250, 12%
subordinated promissory note.
In September 1995, the Fund acquired 2,986,408 shares of common stock and
3,705,900 shares of Series B preferred stock of Strategic Holdings, Inc., for
$2,986,408 and $3,705,900, respectively. In addition, the Fund acquired 1,000
shares of SMIP, Inc. for $150,000 and invested $175,000 in a 15% promissory note
of SMIP, Inc. Strategic Holdings, Inc. was formed to acquire Strategic
Materials, Inc., formerly known as Allwaste Recycling, Inc., the glass recycling
division of Allwaste, Inc.
In October 1995, the Fund invested $2,600,000 in exchange for a 36.11%
limited partnership interest in Summit/DPC Partners, L. P., a limited
partnership created to invest in DPC Acquisition Corp., which was created to
acquire Doane Products Company, which is believed to be the largest manufacturer
in the United States of dry pet food for private label customers. Summit
currently owns approximately 17.5% of the equity of DPC Acquisition Corp.
11
During December 1995, the Fund invested $2,250,000 in Carruth-Doggett
Industries, Inc. ("CDI"), in exchange for a 10% senior subordinated promissory
note. In addition, the Fund received warrants to buy 33,333 shares of common
stock of CDI for $.01 per share through December 14, 2005, and 333 shares of
common stock of CDE Corp for $.01 per share through December 14, 2005. CDI
operates five Case Equipment dealerships in and around the Houston area.
In December 1995, the Fund advanced $50,000 on a $200,000 prime rate
promissory note to American Residential Services, Inc., a company formed to
acquire existing businesses which provide plumbing, heating and air conditioning
and electrical services to the residential community.
On December 31, 1995, the Fund converted its Series C, Series D and 9%
cumulative preferred stock of Allied Waste Industries, Inc. ("AWIN") into
149,250, 398,335 and 421,802 shares of AWIN common stock, respectively. In
addition, the Fund exercised its warrants to buy 48,438 and 22,000 shares of
AWIN common stock for $175,830 and $93,500 respectively.
Also on December 31, 1995 the Fund converted its Series A and Series B
preferred stock of Champion Healthcare Corporation ("CHC") into 603,327 and
58,404 shares of CHC common stock respectively. In addition, the Fund received
171,921 shares of CHC common stock, valued at $593,665, in payment of preferred
stock dividends and as inducement to enter into the transaction and to forego
any additional dividends on the Series C and Series D preferred stock of CHC.
During the year ended December 31, 1994, the Fund made follow-on
investments of $9,532,649 in nine Portfolio Companies.
During the year ended December 31, 1993, the Fund made follow-on
investments of $11,285,430 in six Portfolio Companies and invested $3,974,700 in
two new Portfolio Companies.
For a description of the business of each Portfolio Company in which the
Fund has invested, see "Current Portfolio Companies".
Of the companies in which the Fund has investments at December 31, 1995,
only AWIN, CHC, Drypers Corporation, GRDG, NCI Building Systems, Inc., Sports
and Leisure and Tech-Sym Corporation are publicly-held. The others each have a
small number of shareholders and do not generally make financial information
available to the public. However, each company's operations and financial
information are reviewed by Management to determine the proper valuation of the
Fund's investment. See "Valuation".
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Subsequent to December 31, 1995, the Fund sold 32,759 shares of Tech-Sym
Corporation for $1,029,900, realizing a net capital gain of $911,655 on such
sale.
On January 2, 1996, the Fund exercised its warrants to acquire 163,044
shares of AWIN on a net exercise basis. This resulted in the Fund receiving
56,054 shares of AWIN, which were paid for by tendering the remaining 106,990
shares to AWIN. On January 26, 1996, the Fund sold the 56,054 shares of common
stock along with an additional 70,000 shares of AWIN common stock in AWIN'S
secondary stock offering. The Fund received proceeds of $813,679, resulting in a
realized capital gain of $461,917.
In January 1996, the Fund advanced an additional $100,000 to American
Residential Services, Inc. pursuant to the terms of a $200,000 prime rate
promissory note.
Subsequent to December 31, 1995, the Fund repaid $61,900,000 of notes
payable to the bank.
12
Senior Securities
(at end of fiscal year)
Certain information about the senior securities representing indebtedness
issued by the Fund is set forth in the following table. The Fund had no senior
securities outstanding prior to 1991 and has not issued any class of senior
securities that is preferred stock.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Total Amount
Outstanding Asset Average
Exclusive of Coverage Market Value
YEAR(1) TREASURY SECURITIES(2) PER UNIT(3) PER UNIT(4)
Bank Loans
(Revolving Lines of Credit)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1991................................. $25,000,000 $3,310 N/A
1992................................. 40,750,000 2,459 N/A
1993................................. 45,000,000 2,437 N/A
1994................................. 45,600,000 2,335 N/A
1995................................. 65,750,000 1,941 N/A
</TABLE>
- -------------
(1) The Fund and its predecessors had no senior securities representing
indebtedness outstanding prior to 1991.
(2) Total amount of senior securities outstanding at the end of the year
presented.
(3) The asset coverage ratio for a class of senior securities representing
indebtedness is calculated as the Fund's total assets less all
liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities,
divided by senior securities representing indebtedness. This asset
coverage ratio is multiplied by $1,000 to determine Asset Coverage Per
Unit. The Asset Coverage Per Unit is expressed in terms of dollar
amounts per share.
(4) Not applicable, as senior securities are not registered for public
trading.
MARKET FOR COMMON STOCK AND NET ASSET VALUE INFORMATION
The Fund's outstanding shares of Common Stock are, and the Shares will be,
listed for trading on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol "EQS". The
Fund's shares commenced trading on the AMEX on September 11, 1992. The Fund had
approximately 7,200 stockholders at February 16, 1996, 2,128 of which were
registered holders. Registered holders do not include those stockholders whose
stock has been issued in street name. The net asset value per share of the
Fund's common stock at December 31, 1995, was $19.71.
The following table shows for the period indicated (1) the high and low
sales prices per share of the Fund's Common Stock on the AMEX, (2) the net asset
value per share as determined on the Friday prior to the date of each price
quotation, and (3) the discount to net asset value (expressed as a percentage)
represented by the price quotation.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
QUARTER ENDED 3/31/94 6/30/94 9/30/94 12/31/94 3/31/95 6/30/95 9/30/95 12/31/95
- ------------- ------- ------- ------- -------- ------- ------- ------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
High Sales Price $18.25 $15.50 $14.625 $13.875 $13.125 $14.75 $16.00 $15.875
Net Asset Value $20.98 $20.38 $20.05 $20.29 $19.24 $21.48 $22.26 $22.22
Discount to Net
Asset Value 13.0% 23.9% 27.1% 31.6% 31.8% 31.3% 28.1% 28.6%
Low Sales Price $14.75 $13.25 $13.25 $12.625 $12.25 $12.25 $13.875 $13.00
Net Asset Value $20.23 $19.81 $19.84 $19.76 $19.38 $19.54 $22.13 $19.79
Discount to Net
Asset Value 27.1% 33.1% 33.2% 36.1% 36.8% 37.3% 37.3% 34.3%
</TABLE>
13
The closing sales price for the Common Stock price on AMEX on April ____,
1996, was $__.___ per share, the net asset value on such date was $__.___, and
the discount to net asset value on such date was ___%.
Net asset value per share is determined each quarter by dividing the value
of the net assets of the Fund in dollars (the value of its assets less its
liabilities) by the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding.
Portfolio investments are carried at fair value with the net change in
unrealized appreciation or depreciation included in the determination of net
assets. See "Management of the Fund -- Valuation" for a discussion of how the
Fund's investments are valued.
The shares of Common Stock have historically traded at a discount to net
asset value. During portions of 1994 and 1995 the Fund repurchased shares in an
effort to reduce the discount to net asset value. See "Repurchase of Shares"
below. In the fourth quarter of 1994, the Fund also announced a policy of
distributing a minimum of $.50 per share in dividends each year. In the event
that taxable income, including realized capital gains, exceeds $0.50 per share
in any year, additional dividends may be declared to distribute such excess. See
"Investment Objective and Policies -- Dividends and Distributions."
REPURCHASE OF SHARES
The Fund is a closed-end, management investment company and as such its
stockholders do not, and will not, have the right to redeem its shares. The
Fund, however, may repurchase its shares from time to time as and when it deems
such a repurchase advisable. Pursuant to the 1940 Act, the Fund may repurchase
its shares on a securities exchange (provided that the Fund has informed its
stockholders within the preceding six months of its intention to repurchase such
shares) or as otherwise permitted in accordance with Rule 23c-1 under the 1940
Act. Under that Rule, certain conditions must be met regarding, among other
things, distribution of net income for the preceding fiscal year, identity of
the seller, price paid, brokerage commissions, prior notice to stockholders of
an intention to purchase shares and purchasing in a manner and on a basis which
does not discriminate unfairly against the other stockholders through their
interest in the Fund.
Shares repurchased by the Fund are cancelled at the time of repurchase,
but constitute authorized shares of the Fund available for reissuance.
When the Fund repurchases its shares for a price below their net asset
value, the net asset value of those shares that remain outstanding will be
enhanced, but this does not necessarily mean that the market price of those
outstanding shares will be affected, either positively or negatively. Further,
interest on borrowings to finance share repurchase transactions will reduce the
net income of the Fund.
During the period from June 1994 through August 1995, the Fund repurchased
an aggregate of 191,700 shares of its Common Stock at prices per share ranging
from $12.375 to $14.75 in transactions effected on the AMEX pursuant to
authorization by the Fund's Board of Directors. Such repurchases were effected
at the then prevailing market price, and were not financed with any borrowings.
The Fund does not currently have an established tender offer program or
established schedule for considering tender offers. No assurance can be given
that the Board of Directors of the Fund will decide to undertake any such tender
offers in the future, or, if undertaken, that they will reduce any market
discount.
14
THE OFFER
Terms of the Offer
The Fund is issuing to Record Date Stockholders Rights to subscribe for
the Shares. Each Record Date Stockholder is being issued one transferable Right
for each share of Common Stock owned on the Record Date. The Rights entitle the
holder to acquire at the Subscription Price one Share for each three Rights
held. No Rights will be issued for fractional shares. Rights may be exercised at
any time during the Subscription Period, which commences on April ___, 1996, and
ends at 5:00 p.m., New York time, on May ___, 1996, unless extended by the Fund
to a date not later than ___________, 1996, 5:00 p.m., New York time. See
"Expiration of the Offer."
In addition, any holder of Rights who fully exercises all Rights initially
issued to or purchased by him or her (other than those Rights that cannot be
exercised because they represent the right to acquire less than one Share) is
entitled to subscribe for Shares that were not otherwise subscribed for by
others on Primary Subscription. For purposes of determining the maximum number
of Shares a Record Date Stockholder may acquire pursuant to the Offer,
broker-dealers whose shares are held of record by Cede or by any other
depository or nominee will be deemed to be the holders of the Rights that are
issued to Cede or such other depository or nominee on their behalf. Shares
acquired pursuant to the Over-Subscription Privilege are subject to allotment,
which is more fully discussed below under "Over-Subscription Privilege."
The directors and officers of the Fund, individually, as Record Date
Stockholders, have advised the Fund that they will purchase Shares with an
aggregate Subscription Price of at least $200,000 in accordance with the Primary
Subscription and up to an additional $200,000 to the extent such Shares become
available to them in accordance with the allotment provisions of the
Over-Subscription Privilege. Such over-subscriptions by such directors and
officers may disproportionately increase their existing ownership, resulting in
a higher percentage ownership of outstanding shares of the Fund. Any Shares so
acquired by such directors or officers, as "affiliates" of the Fund as that term
is defined under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"),
may only be sold in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act or
pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act. In
general, under Rule 144, as currently in effect, an "affiliate" of the Fund is
entitled to sell, within any three-month period, a number of shares that does
not exceed the greater of 1% of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock or
the average weekly reported trading volume of the Common Stock during the four
calendar weeks preceding such sale. Sales under Rule 144 are also subject to
certain restrictions on the manner of sale, to notice requirements and to the
availability of current public information about the Fund. In addition, any
profit resulting from the sale of Shares so acquired, if such Shares are held
for a period of less than six months, will be returned to the Fund.
Rights will be evidenced by Subscription Certificates. The number of
Rights issued to each holder will be stated on the Subscription Certificates
delivered to such holder. The method by which Rights may be exercised and Shares
paid for is set forth below in "Method of Exercise of Rights" and "Payment for
Shares." A Rights holder will have no right to rescind a purchase after the
Subscription Agent has received payment. See "Payment for Shares" below.
Shares issued pursuant to an exercise of Rights will be listed on the AMEX.
The Rights are transferable until the Expiration Date and have been
admitted for trading on the AMEX. Assuming a market exists for the Rights, the
Rights may be purchased and sold through usual brokerage channels and sold
through the Subscription Agent. Although no assurance can be given that a market
for the Rights will develop, trading in the Rights on the AMEX will begin on the
Record Date and may be conducted until the close of trading on the last AMEX
trading day prior to the Expiration Date. Trading of the Rights on the AMEX will
be conducted on a when-issued basis until and including the date on which the
Subscription Certificates are mailed to Record Date Stockholders and thereafter
will be conducted on a regular way basis until and including the last AMEX
trading day prior to the Expiration Date. The method by which Rights may be
transferred is set forth below in "Method of Transferring Rights." Currently
outstanding shares of Common Stock will begin trading Ex-Rights one Business Day
after the Record Date. Since fractional Shares will not be issued, Rights
holders who receive, or who are left with, fewer than three Rights will be
unable to exercise such Rights and will not be entitled to receive any cash in
lieu of such fractional Shares. However, the Subscription
15
Agent will automatically attempt to sell the number of Rights, which a Rights
holder is unable to exercise for such reason, after return of a completed and
fully exercised Subscription Certificate, and will remit the proceeds of any
such sale net of commissions to the Rights holder. The underlying Shares will
also be admitted for trading on the AMEX.
Purpose of the Offer
The Board of Directors of the Fund has determined that it would be in the
best interests of the Fund and the stockholders to increase the assets of the
Fund in order to repay indebtedness incurred by the Fund to make investments and
to fulfill commitments that the Fund has made for follow-on investments. The
increase in assets of the Fund should allow the Fund to increase the number of
investments in its portfolio, resulting in more diversification of investments.
The Offer seeks to reward existing stockholders by giving them the right to
purchase additional shares at a price that may be below market and/or net asset
value without incurring transaction costs associated with open market purchases.
The distribution to stockholders of transferable Rights that themselves may have
intrinsic value will also afford non-subscribing stockholders the potential of
receiving a cash payment upon sale of such Rights, receipt of which may be
viewed as compensation for the possible dilution of their interests in the Fund.
In addition, the increase in the net assets of the Fund may reduce the Fund's
expense ratio, thus benefitting both participating and non-participating
stockholders.
The Fund's Investment Adviser will benefit from the Offer because the
Investment Adviser's quarterly management fee is based on the net assets of the
Fund. See "Management of the Fund." It is not possible to state precisely the
amount of additional compensation the Investment Adviser will receive as a
result of the Offer because the proceeds of the Offer will be invested in
additional portfolio securities which will fluctuate in value. However, assuming
all Rights are exercised and that the Fund receives the maximum proceeds of the
Offer, the annual compensation to be received by the Investment Adviser would be
increased by approximately $_______. Three of the Fund's Directors who voted to
authorize the Offer are "interested persons" of the Investment Adviser within
the meaning of the 1940 Act. Two of these Directors, Sam P. Douglass and Nolan
Lehmann, could benefit indirectly from the Offer because of their relationships
with the Investment Adviser. The other five Directors are not "interested
persons" of the Fund. See "Management of the Fund" in the SAI. While it was
cognizant of the possible participation of the directors of the Fund in the
Offer as stockholders, the Fund's Board of Directors nevertheless concluded that
the Offer was in the best interest of stockholders, since all stockholders of
the Fund are treated equally under the terms of the Offer.
The Fund may, in the future and at its discretion, choose to make
additional rights offerings from time to time for a number of shares and on
terms that may or may not be similar to the Offer. Any such future rights
offering will be made in accordance with the 1940 Act. Under the laws of
Delaware, the state in which the Fund is incorporated, the Board of Directors is
authorized to approve rights offerings without obtaining stockholder approval.
The staff of the Commission has interpreted the 1940 Act as not requiring
stockholder approval of a rights offering at a price below the then current net
asset value so long as certain conditions are met, including a good faith
determination by the Fund's board of directors that such offering would result
in a net benefit to existing stockholders. The Fund's Board of Directors has
made this determination with respect to the Offer.
Over-Subscription Privilege
If all of the Rights initially issued are not exercised, any Shares for
which subscriptions have not been received will be offered, by means of the
Over-Subscription Privilege, to holders of Rights who have exercised all the
Rights initially issued to or purchased by them and who wish to acquire more
than the number of Shares for which the Rights issued to them are exercisable.
holders of Rights who exercise all the Rights initially issued to or purchased
by them will have the opportunity to indicate on the Subscription Certificate
how many Shares they are willing to acquire pursuant to the Over-Subscription
Privilege. If sufficient Shares remain after the Primary Subscriptions have been
exercised, all over-subscriptions will be honored in full. If sufficient Shares
are not available to honor all over-subscriptions, the available Shares will be
allocated first among stockholders who subscribe for an aggregate of 250 or
fewer Shares (inclusive of Shares subscribed for by such stockholders in the
Primary Subscription). Shares
16
remaining thereafter will be allocated among those who over-subscribe based on
the number of Rights held. The percentage of remaining Shares each
over-subscribing stockholder may acquire will be rounded down to result in
delivery of whole Shares. The allocation process may involve a series of
allocations in order to assure that the total number of Shares available for
over-subscriptions is distributed on a pro rata basis.
The method by which Shares will be distributed and allocated pursuant to
the Over-Subscription Privilege is as follows. Shares will be available for
purchase pursuant to the Over-Subscription Privilege only to the extent that the
maximum number of Shares is not subscribed for through the exercise of the
Primary Subscription by the Expiration Date. If the Shares so available ("Excess
Shares") are not sufficient to satisfy all subscriptions pursuant to the
Over-Subscription Privilege, the Excess Shares will be allocated pro rata
(subject to the elimination of fractional Shares) among those holders of Rights
exercising the Over-Subscription Privilege, in proportion, not to the number of
Shares requested pursuant to the Over-Subscription Privilege, but to the number
of Rights held; provided, however, that if such pro rata allocation results in
any holder being allocated a greater number of Excess Shares than such holder
subscribed for pursuant to the exercise of such holder's Over-Subscription
Privilege, then such holder will be allocated only such number of Excess Shares
as such holder subscribed for and the remaining Excess Shares will be allocated
among all other holders exercising Over- Subscription Privileges. The formula to
be used in allocating the Excess Shares is as follows:
HOLDER'S RIGHTS POSITION
Total Number of Rights Held X Excess Shares Remaining
by all Over-Subscribers
The Fund will not offer or sell any Shares that are not subscribed for
under the Primary Subscription or the Over-Subscription Privilege.
The Subscription Price
The Subscription Price for the Shares to be issued pursuant to the Rights
will be $_____ per Share.
The Fund announced the Offer after the close of trading on the AMEX on
March 5, 1996. The net asset value per share of Common Stock at the close of
business on March 5, 1996, and April ____, 1996, was $22.22 and $__.__,
respectively. The last reported sale price of a share of the Fund's Common Stock
on the AMEX on those dates was $15.50 and $__.__, respectively, representing a
30.2% discount and a __._% discount, respectively, in relation to the net asset
value per share of Common Stock at the close of business on such dates.
Sales by Subscription Agent
Holders of Rights who do not wish to exercise any or all of their Rights
may instruct the Subscription Agent to sell any unexercised Rights. The
Subscription Certificates representing the Rights to be sold must be received by
the Subscription Agent on or before May ____, 1996. Upon the timely receipt of
appropriate instructions to sell Rights, the Subscription Agent will use its
best efforts to complete the sale and will remit the proceeds of sale, net of
commissions, to the holders and the Subscription Agent will remit the proceeds
of the purchase or sale, net of commissions, to the Record Date Stockholder
three Business Days following the date of such purchase or sale. If the Rights
can be sold, sales of such Rights will be deemed to have been effected at the
weighted average price received by the Subscription Agent on the day such Rights
are sold. The selling Rights holder will pay all brokerage commissions incurred
by the Subscription Agent. In addition, upon return of a completed and fully
exercised Subscription Certificate, the Subscription Agent will automatically
attempt to sell any Rights a Rights holder is unable to exercise because such
Rights will represent the right to subscribe for less than one Share. There can
be no assurance that the Subscription Agent will be able to complete the sale of
any such Rights and neither the Fund nor the Subscription Agent has guaranteed
any minimum sales price for the Rights. All such Rights will be sold at the
market price, if any, on the AMEX.
Method of Transferring Rights
17
The Rights evidenced by a single Subscription Certificate may be
transferred in whole by endorsing the Subscription Certificate for transfer in
accordance with the accompanying instructions. A portion of the Rights evidenced
by a single Subscription Certificate (but not fractional Rights) may be
transferred by delivering to the Subscription Agent a Subscription Certificate
properly endorsed for transfer, with instructions to register such portion of
the Rights evidenced thereby in the name of the transferee (and to issue a new
Subscription Certificate to the transferee evidencing such transferred Rights).
In such event, a new Subscription Certificate evidencing the balance of the
Rights will be issued to the Rights holder or, if the Rights holder so
instructs, to an additional transferee.
Holders wishing to transfer all or a portion of their Rights (but not
fractional Rights) should allow at least three Business Days prior to the
Expiration Date for (i) the transfer instructions to be received and processed
by the Subscription Agent, (ii) a new Subscription Certificate to be issued and
transmitted to the transferee or transferees with respect to transferred Rights,
and to the transferor with respect to retained rights, if any, and (iii) the
Rights evidenced by such new Subscription Certificates to be exercised or sold
by the recipients thereof. Neither the Fund nor the Subscription Agent shall
have any liability to a transferee or transferor of Rights if Subscription
Certificates are not received in time for exercise or sale prior to the
Expiration Date.
Except for the fees charged by the Subscription Agent (which will be paid
by the Fund as described below), all commissions, fees and other expenses
(including brokerage commissions and transfer taxes) incurred in connection with
the purchase, sale or exercise of Rights will be for the account of the
transferor of the Rights, and none of such commissions, fees or expenses will be
paid by the Fund or the Subscription Agent.
The Fund anticipates that the Rights will be eligible for transfer
through, and that the exercise of the Primary Subscription and the
Over-Subscription Privilege may be effected through the facilities of DTC.
Expiration of the Offer
The Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York time, on May ______, 1996,
unless extended by the Fund to a date not later than _______________, 1996, 5:00
p.m., New York time (the "Expiration Date"). Rights will expire on the
Expiration Date and thereafter may not be exercised.
Information Agent
The Information Agent is MacKenzie Partners, Inc. Any questions or request
for assistance or materials may be directed to the Information Agent at its
telephone number and address listed below:
MacKenzie Partners, Inc.
156 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10010
(800) 322-2885
The Information Agent will receive a fee estimated to be $15,000 and
reimbursement for all out-of-pocket expenses related to the Offer.
Stockholders may also contact their brokers or nominees for information
with respect to the Offer.
Subscription Agent
The Subscription Agent is First Interstate Bank of Texas, N.A. The
Subscription Agent will receive from the Fund an amount estimated to be
$100,000, comprised of the fee for its services and the reimbursement for
certain expenses related to the Offer. The Subscription Agent is also the Fund's
dividend disbursing agent, transfer agent and registrar. Inquiries to the
Subscription Agent should be directed to First Interstate Bank of Texas, N.A.,
18
Institutional Trust Department, P.O. Box 4441, MS 189, Houston, Texas
77201-4441, (telephone (800) 507-9357. Facsimile telephone number for Notices of
Guaranteed Delivery is (212) 815-6213.
Method of Exercise of Rights
Rights may be exercised by filling in and signing the reverse side of the
Subscription Certificate and mailing it in the envelope provided, or otherwise
delivering the completed and signed Subscription Certificate to the Subscription
Agent, together with payment for the Shares as described below under "Payment
for Shares." Rights may also be exercised through a Rights holder's broker, who
may charge such Rights holder a servicing fee in connection with such exercise.
Fractional Shares will not be issued, and Rights holders who receive, or who are
left with, fewer than three Rights will not be able to exercise such Rights. The
Subscription Agent will automatically attempt to sell the number of Rights that
a Rights holder is unable to exercise for this reason after return of a
completed and fully exercised Subscription Certificate and will remit the
proceeds of such sale net of commissions to the Rights holder.
Completed Subscription Certificates must be received by the Subscription
Agent prior to 5:00 p.m., New York time, on the Expiration Date (unless payment
is effected by means of a notice of guaranteed delivery as described below under
"Payment for Shares"). The Subscription Certificate and payment should be
delivered to First Interstate Bank of Texas, N.A., Houston, Texas, Attention:
Tender and Exchange Department at the following address:
If By Mail: First Interstate Bank of Texas, N.A.
Tender and Exchange Department
P.O.Box 11248
Church Street Station
New York, New York 10286-1248.
If By Hand or
Overnight Courier: First Interstate Bank of Texas, N.A.
Tender and Exchange Department
101 Barclay Street
Receive and Deliver Window
Ground Level
New York, New York 10286
Payment of Shares
Holders of Rights who acquire Shares on Primary Subscription or pursuant
to the Over-Subscription Privilege may choose between the following methods of
payment:
(1) A subscription will be accepted by the Subscription Agent if, prior
to 5:00 p.m., New York time, on the Expiration Date, the Subscription Agent has
received a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery by telegram or otherwise from a bank, a
trust company, or a New York or American Stock Exchange member, guaranteeing
delivery of (i) payment of the full Subscription Price for the Shares subscribed
for on Primary Subscription and any additional Shares subscribed for pursuant to
the Over-Subscription Privilege and (ii) a properly completed and executed
Subscription Certificate. The Subscription Agent will not honor a Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery if a properly completed and executed Subscription
Certificate and full payment is not received by the Subscription Agent by the
close of business on the third Business Day after the Expiration Date. The
Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be delivered to the Subscription Agent in the
same manner as Subscription Certificates at the addresses set forth above, or
may be transmitted to the Subscription Agent by facsimile transmission (telecopy
number (212) 815-6213; telephone number to confirm receipt is (800) 507-9357).
19
(2) Alternatively, a holder of Rights can send the Subscription
Certificate together with payment in the form of a check for the Shares
subscribed for on Primary Subscription and additional Shares subscribed for
pursuant to the Over-Subscription Privilege to the Subscription Agent based on
the Subscription Price of $___.___ per Share. To be accepted, such payment,
together with the executed Subscription Certificate, must be received by the
Subscription Agent at the addresses noted above prior to 5:00 p.m., New York
time, on the Expiration Date. The Subscription Agent will deposit all stock
purchase checks received by it prior to the final due date into a segregated
interest-bearing account pending proration and distribution of Shares. The
Subscription Agent will not accept cash as a means of payment for Shares. EXCEPT
AS OTHERWISE SET FORTH BELOW, A PAYMENT PURSUANT TO THIS METHOD MUST BE IN
UNITED STATES DOLLARS BY MONEY ORDER OR CHECK DRAWN ON A BANK LOCATED IN THE
CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES, MUST BE PAYABLE TO "FIRST INTERSTATE BANK OF TEXAS,
AS RIGHTS AGENT FOR EQUUS II INCORPORATED," AND MUST ACCOMPANY AN EXECUTED
SUBSCRIPTION CERTIFICATE TO BE ACCEPTED. If the aggregate Subscription Price
paid by a Record Date Stockholder is insufficient to purchase the number of
shares of Common Stock that the holder indicates are being subscribed for, or if
a Record Date Stockholder does not specify the number of shares of Common Stock
to be purchased, then the Record Date Stockholder will be deemed to have
exercised first, the Primary Subscription Rights (if not already fully
exercised) and second, the Over-Subscription Privilege to the full extent of the
payment tendered. If the aggregate Subscription Price paid by a Record Date
Stockholder exceeds the amount necessary to purchase the number of shares of
Common Stock for which the Record Date Stockholder has indicated an intention to
subscribe, then the Record Date Stockholder will be deemed to have exercised
first, the Primary Subscription Rights (if not already fully subscribed) and
second, the Over-Subscription Privilege to the full extent of the excess payment
tendered.
Within ten Business Days following the Expiration Date (the "Confirmation
Date"), a confirmation will be sent by the Subscription Agent to each holder of
Rights (or, if the Fund's shares are held by Cede or any other depository or
nominee, to Cede or such other depository or nominee), showing (i) the number of
Shares acquired pursuant to the Primary Subscription, (ii) the number of Shares,
if any, acquired pursuant to the Over-Subscription Privilege, (iii) the per
Share and total purchase price for the Shares and (iv) any excess to be refunded
by the Fund to such holder as a result of payment for Shares pursuant to the
Over-Subscription Privilege which the holder is not acquiring. Any payment
required from a holder of Rights must be received by the Subscription Agent on
the Expiration Date, or if the Rights holder has elected to make payment by
means of a notice of guaranteed delivery, on the fifth Business Day after the
Expiration Date. Any excess payment to be refunded by the Fund to a holder of
Rights, or to be paid to a holder of Rights as a result of sales of Rights on
his behalf by the Subscription Agent or exercises by Record Date Stockholders of
their Over-Subscription Privileges, will be mailed by the Subscription Agent to
such holder within fifteen Business Days after the Expiration Date. All payments
by a holder of Rights must be in United States dollars by money order or check
drawn on a bank located in the continental United States of America and payable
to "First Interstate Bank of Texas, N.A., as Rights Agent for Equus II
Incorporated."
Whichever of the two methods described above is used, issuance and
delivery of certificates for the Shares purchased are subject to collection of
checks and actual payment pursuant to any notice of guaranteed delivery.
A Rights holder will have no right to rescind a purchase after the
Subscription Agent has received payment either by means of a notice of
guaranteed delivery or a check.
If a holder of Rights who acquires Shares pursuant to the Primary
Subscription or the Over-Subscription Privilege does not make payment of any
amounts due, the Fund reserves the right to take any or all of the following
actions: (i) find other purchasers for such subscribed-for and unpaid-for
Shares; (ii) apply any payment actually received by it toward the purchase of
the greatest whole number of Shares which could be acquired by such holder upon
exercise of the Primary Subscription or the Over-Subscription Privilege; (iii)
sell all or a portion of the Shares purchased by the holder, in the open market,
and apply the proceeds to the amounts owed; and (iv) exercise any and all other
rights or remedies to which it may be entitled, including, without limitation,
the right to set off against payments actually received by it with respect to
such subscribed Shares and to enforce the relevant guaranty of payment.
20
Holders who hold shares of Common Stock for the account of others, such as
brokers, trustees or depositaries for securities, should notify the respective
beneficial owners of such shares as soon as possible to ascertain such
beneficial owners' intentions and to obtain instructions with respect to the
Rights. If the beneficial owner so instructs, the record holder of such Rights
should complete Subscription Certificates and submit them to the Subscription
Agent with the proper payment. In addition, beneficial owners of Common Stock or
Rights held through such a holder should contact the holder and request the
holder to effect transactions in accordance with the beneficial owner's
instructions.
The instructions accompanying the Subscription Certificates should be read
carefully and followed in detail. DO NOT SEND SUBSCRIPTION CERTIFICATES TO THE
FUND.
THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF SUBSCRIPTION CERTIFICATES AND PAYMENT OF THE
SUBSCRIPTION PRICE TO THE SUBSCRIPTION AGENT WILL BE AT THE ELECTION AND RISK OF
THE RIGHTS HOLDERS, BUT IF SENT BY MAIL IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT SUCH CERTIFICATES
AND PAYMENTS BE SENT BY REGISTERED MAIL, PROPERLY INSURED, WITH RETURN RECEIPT
REQUESTED, AND THAT A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF DAYS BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE DELIVERY TO
THE SUBSCRIPTION AGENT AND CLEARANCE OF PAYMENT PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK
CITY TIME, ON THE EXPIRATION DATE. BECAUSE UNCERTIFIED PERSONAL CHECKS MAY TAKE
AT LEAST FIVE BUSINESS DAYS TO CLEAR, YOU ARE STRONGLY URGED TO PAY, OR ARRANGE
FOR PAYMENT, BY MEANS OF A CERTIFIED OR CASHIER'S CHECK OR MONEY ORDER.
All questions concerning the timeliness, validity, form, and eligibility
of any exercise of Rights will be determined by the Fund, whose determinations
will be final and binding. The Fund in its sole discretion may waive any defect
or irregularity, or permit a defect or irregularity to be corrected within such
time as it may determine, or reject the purported exercise of any Right.
Subscriptions will not be deemed to have been received or accepted until all
irregularities have been waived or cured within such time as the Fund determines
in its sole discretion.
Neither the Fund nor the Subscription Agent will be under any duty to give
notification of any defect or irregularity in connection with the submission of
Subscription Certificates or incur any liability for failure to give such
notification.
Delivery of Stock Certificates
Certificates representing Shares purchased pursuant to the Primary
Subscription will be delivered to subscribers as soon as practicable after the
corresponding Rights have been validly exercised and full payment for such
Shares has been received and cleared. Certificates representing Shares purchased
pursuant to the Over-Subscription Privilege will be delivered to subscribers as
soon as practicable after the Expiration Date and after all allocations have
been effected.
Federal Income Tax Consequences
For federal income tax purposes, neither the receipt nor the exercise of
the Rights by Record Date Stockholders will result in taxable income to holders
of the Common Stock, and no loss will be realized if the Rights expire without
exercise.
With respect to Rights issued to Record Date Stockholders that are
subsequently exercised or disposed of, if the fair market value of the Rights on
the date of distribution is equal to 15 percent or more of the fair market value
of the Common Stock, the adjusted basis in the Rights exercised or disposed of
is determined by allocating the adjusted basis in the Common Stock with respect
to which the distribution is made between such Rights and such Common Stock in
proportion to their fair market value on the date of distribution (the "General
Rule"). In these circumstances, the adjusted basis in the Shares acquired
through exercise of the Rights is the Subscription Price plus the adjusted basis
in the Rights exercised. If the fair market value of the Rights on the date of
distribution is less
21
than 15 percent of the fair market value of the Common Stock on that date, in
the absence of an election to apply the General Rule, the adjusted basis in the
Rights exercised or disposed of is zero, and the adjusted basis in the newly
acquired Common Stock is the Subscription Price. An election to apply the
General Rule should be made in the form of a statement attached to the
stockholder's tax return for the year in which the Rights were received and must
be made with respect to all Rights received in this distribution. The election,
once made, is irrevocable with respect to these Rights.
With respect to Rights that are purchased, the basis in the Rights is
their cost, and the basis of the newly acquired Shares issued upon exercise of
such Rights is the Subscription Price for the newly acquired Shares plus the
basis in the Rights exercised. If any purchased Rights expire without exercise,
the Rights holder will recognize a short-term capital loss.
If Rights are sold, the gain or loss will be the difference between their
adjusted basis and their sale price. The gain or loss recognized upon the sale
of the Rights will be capital gain or loss if the Rights were held as a capital
asset at the time of sale and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the
Rights are deemed to have been held at the time of sale for more than one year.
The holding period for the Rights that are sold includes the holding period of
the Common Stock in respect of which the Rights were distributed.
The holding period for a Share acquired upon exercise of a Right begins
with the date of exercise. The gain or loss recognized upon a sale of that Share
will be capital gain or loss if the Share was held as a capital asset at the
time of sale and will be long-term capital gain or loss if it was held at the
time of sale for more than one year.
The foregoing is a general summary of the applicable provisions of the
Code and United States Treasury regulations presently in effect, and does not
cover state or local taxes. The Code and such regulations are subject to change
by legislative or administrative action. Stockholders are advised to consult
their own tax advisers with respect to the particular tax consequences to them
with respect to exercise or transfer of Rights.
Employee Plan Considerations
Stockholders that are employee benefit plans subject to the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA") (including
corporate savings and 401(k) plans), Keogh Plans of self-employed individuals
and Individual Retirement Accounts (collectively, "Benefit Plans") should be
aware that additional contributions of cash in order to exercise Rights would be
treated as Benefit Plan contributions and, when taken together with
contributions previously made, may subject a Benefit Plan to excise taxes for
excess or nondeductible contributions. In the case of Benefit Plans qualified
under Section 401(a) of the Code, additional cash contributions could cause the
maximum contribution limitations of Section 415 of the Code or other
qualification rules to be violated. Benefit Plans contemplating making
additional cash contributions to exercise Rights should consult with their
counsel prior to making such contributions.
Benefit Plans and other tax exempt entities, including governmental plans,
should also be aware that if they borrow in order to finance their exercise of
Rights, they may become subject to the tax on unrelated business taxable income
("UBTI") under Section 511 of the Code. If any portion of an Individual
Retirement Account ("IRA") is used as security for a loan, the portion so used
is also treated as distributed to the IRA depositor.
ERISA contains prudence and diversification requirements and ERISA and the
Code contain prohibited transaction rules that may impact the exercise of
Rights. Among the prohibited transaction exemptions issued by the Department of
Labor that may exempt a Benefit Plan's exercise of Rights are Prohibited
Transaction Exemption 84-24 (governing purchases of shares in investment
companies) and Prohibited Transaction Exemption 75-1 (covering shares of
securities).
Due to the complexity of these rules and the penalties for noncompliance,
Benefit Plans should consult with their counsel regarding the consequences of
their exercise of Rights under ERISA and the Code.
22
Dilution
An immediate dilution of the aggregate net asset value of the shares owned
by stockholders who do not fully exercise their Rights is likely to be
experienced as a result of the Offer because the Subscription Price is likely to
be less than the then net asset value per share, and the number of shares
outstanding after the Offer is likely to increase in greater percentage than the
increase in the size of the Fund's assets. In addition, as a result of the terms
of the Offer, stockholders who do not fully exercise their Rights will, at the
completion of the Offer, own a smaller proportional interest in the Fund than
would otherwise be the case. Although it is not possible to state precisely the
amount of such a decrease in value, because it is not known at this time what
the net asset value per share will be at the Expiration Date, such dilution
could be substantial. For example, assuming that all Rights are exercised and
that the Subscription Price of $_____ is ___% below the Fund's then net asset
value per share, the Fund's net asset value per share (before deduction of
expenses incurred in connection with the Offer) would be reduced by
approximately $____ per share.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds of the Offer, assuming all Shares offered hereby are
sold, are estimated to be approximately $____________________, after deducting
expenses payable by the Fund estimated at approximately $220,000. The Investment
Adviser anticipates that such proceeds will be used by the Fund, in accordance
with the Fund's investment objective, to repay indebtedness incurred by the Fund
to make new investments and to fulfill commitments that the Fund made for
follow-on investments. The Fund intends to apply substantially all of the
proceeds of the Offer to repay indebtedness outstanding under it's revolving
credit facility. At April __, 1996, the Company had $_________ in indebtedness
outstanding under such facility at a current interest rate of 8.25% per annum.
Such indebtedness matures on April 3, 1997. To the extent the net proceeds of
the Offer exceed the amount required to repay such indebtedness. The Fund
anticipates that such proceeds of the Offer will be invested in ne or follow-on
investments within three months. Pending suchinvestment, in accordance with
the Fund's investment objectives and policies, the proceeds will be held in
securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury or U.S. Government agencies
and other short-term money market instruments. See "Investment Objective and
Policies -- Temporary Investments."
RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Investors should consider the following risk factors and special
considerations associated with an exercise of Rights and an additional
investment in the Fund.
Long-Term Objective
The Fund is intended for investors seeking long-term capital growth. The
Fund is not meant to provide a vehicle for those who wish to play short-term
swings in the stock market. The portfolio securities acquired by the Fund
generally require four to seven years to reach maturity and generally are
illiquid. An investment in shares of the Fund should not be considered a
complete investment program. Each prospective purchaser should take into account
his investment objectives as well as his other investments when considering the
purchase of shares of the Fund.
Non-Diversified Status
The Fund is classified as a "non-diversified" investment company under the
Act, which means the Fund is not limited by the Act in the proportion of its
assets that may be invested in the securities of a single issuer. However, the
Fund has in the past conducted and intends to continue to conduct its operations
so as to qualify as a "regulated investment company" for purposes of the Code,
which will relieve the Fund of any liability for federal income tax to the
extent its earnings are distributed to stockholders. See "Tax Matters." To so
qualify, among other requirements, the Fund will limit its investments so that,
at the close of each quarter of the taxable year, (i) not
23
more than 25% of the market value of the Fund's total assets will be invested in
the securities of a single issuer, and (ii) with respect to 50% of the market
value of its total assets, not more than 5% of the market value of its total
assets will be invested in the securities of a single issuer and the Fund will
not own more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of a single issuer.
The Fund's investments in cash, cash equivalents, and U.S. Government Securities
are not subject to these limitations. To the extent the Fund takes large
positions in the securities of a small number of issuers, the Fund's net asset
value and the market price of its Common Stock may fluctuate as a result of
changes in the financial condition or in the market's assessment of such issuers
to a greater extent than that of a diversified investment company.
Number of Investments; Industry Concentration
The Fund is limited in the amount of its assets it may invest in any one
portfolio company. Generally, the Fund does not intend to initially invest more
than 15% of the value of its assets in a single portfolio company. However,
follow-on investments may result in greater than 15% of the Fund's assets being
invested in a single portfolio company. While these restrictions limit the
exposure of the capital of the Fund in any single investment, the Fund's capital
will be invested in a limited number of portfolio companies and financial
difficulty on the part of any single portfolio company will expose it to a
greater risk of loss than would be the case if it were a "diversified" company
holding numerous investments. The Fund currently has investments in 21 portfolio
companies, of which four exceed 10% of the value of its net assets.
The Fund intends to spread its investments among several industries.
Although Management does not intend to invest more than 25% of the Fund's assets
in portfolio companies in a particular industry or to otherwise concentrate in
any one or a few industries, if the most attractive investments available to
Management and the Fund are concentrated in a small number of industries, the
Fund's portfolio may become concentrated in those industries. In such event, the
Fund would be exposed to the risk of adverse developments in or affecting any
single industry to a greater extent than if its investments were dispersed over
a greater variety of industries.
Leveraged Portfolio Investments
While leveraged buyout investments and investments in highly leveraged
companies offer the opportunity for significant capital gains and current
income, such investments involve a high degree of business and financial risk
and can result in substantial losses. The Fund's portfolio companies incur
substantial indebtedness in connection with leveraged buyout or other highly
leveraged transactions. Such indebtedness generally represents from 66% to 90%
of the capitalization of a portfolio company. See "The Fund -- Investment
Objective and Policies." In the event a portfolio company cannot generate
adequate cash flow to meet the principal and interest payments on such
indebtedness, the Fund's equity investment could be reduced or eliminated
through foreclosure on the portfolio company's assets or the portfolio company's
reorganization or bankruptcy.
A substantial portion of the indebtedness incurred by portfolio companies
may bear interest at rates that will fluctuate in accordance with a stated
interest rate index or the prime lending rate. The cash flow of a portfolio
company may not be sufficient to meet increases in interest payments on its
indebtedness. Accordingly, the profitability of the Fund's portfolio companies,
as well as appreciation of the investments in such companies, will depend in a
significant part upon prevailing interest rates.
Lack of Liquidity of Portfolio Investments
The portfolio investments of the Fund consist principally of securities
that are subject to restrictions on sale because they were acquired from the
issuer in "private placement" transactions or because the Fund is deemed to be
an affiliate of the issuer. Generally, the Fund will not be able to sell these
securities publicly without the expense and time required to register the
securities under the Securities Act, and applicable state securities law or
unless an exemption from such registration requirements is available. The
securities acquired by the Fund generally will not qualify for sale under Rule
144 under the Securities Act, which permits limited sales under specified
conditions.
24
When restricted securities are sold to the public, the Fund may be deemed an
"underwriter" or possibly a controlling person with respect thereto for the
purpose of the Securities Act and may be subject to liability as such under the
Securities Act.
In addition, contractual or practical limitations may restrict the Fund's
ability to liquidate its securities in portfolio companies since in most cases
the securities of such companies will be privately held and the Fund may own a
relatively large percentage of the issuer's outstanding securities. Sales may
also be limited by securities market conditions, which may be unfavorable for
sales of securities of particular issuers or issuers in particular industries.
Furthermore, since many or all of the Fund's investments will be unrated,
certain potential buyers who are restricted to making investments in rated
securities may not be available to purchase any such investment. The above
limitations on liquidity of the Fund's securities could preclude or delay any
disposition of such securities or reduce the amount of proceeds that might
otherwise be realized.
The Fund may, upon (i) the determination of the Board of Directors of the
Fund that it would not be in the best interest of the stockholders of the Fund
to liquidate such securities and distribute the proceeds thereof, and (ii) the
receipt of a no-action letter or exemptive order from the Commission, make
distributions in kind of the portfolio securities of the Fund as the Board of
Directors of the Fund deems advisable. Distributions of securities in kind will
be made only of marketable securities and to the extent permitted under
applicable federal and state securities laws. The sale of any securities
distributed in kind to stockholders may be subject to the same legal,
contractual and practical limitations described above that apply to the Fund.
Transfer of such securities may be legally restricted, there may be no public
market for such securities, each stockholder will hold a relatively small
percentage of such securities, and each stockholder will bear the brokerage and
other expenses involved in disposing of such securities.
Need for Follow-on Investments
After its initial investment in a portfolio company, the Fund may be
called upon from time to time to provide additional funds to such company or
have the opportunity to increase its investment in a successful situation, e.g.,
the exercise of a warrant to purchase common stock. See "The Fund -- Investment
Objective and Policies." There is no assurance that the Fund will make, or have
sufficient funds to make, follow-on investments. Any decision by the Fund not to
make a follow-on investment or any inability on its part to make such an
investment may have a negative impact on a portfolio company in need of such an
investment or may result in a missed opportunity for the Fund to increase its
participation in a successful operation and may dilute the Fund's equity
interest in or reduce the expected yield on its investment.
Competition for Investments
The Fund encounters competition from other persons or entities with
similar investment objectives. These competitors include leveraged buyout
partnerships, other business development companies, investment partnerships and
corporations, small business investment companies, large industrial and
financial companies investing directly or through affiliates, foreign investors
of various types and individuals, and may include Management or their
affiliates. Some of these competitors may have greater financial resources and
more personnel than the Fund and/or the Investment Adviser and may be subject to
different and frequently less stringent regulation.
Borrowing
The Fund may borrow funds to make new or follow-on investments, to
maintain its pass-through tax status as a regulated investment company under
Subchapter M of the Code or to pay contingencies and expenses. The Fund is
permitted under the 1940 Act to borrow funds if, immediately after the
borrowing, it will have an asset coverage (as defined in the 1940 Act) of at
least 200%. That is, the Fund may borrow funds in an amount up to 50% of the
value of its assets (including investments made with borrowed funds). The amount
and nature of any Fund borrowings will depend upon a number of factors over
which neither the Board of Directors nor the Investment
25
Adviser has control, including general economic conditions, conditions in the
financial markets and the impact of the financing on the tax treatment of the
stockholders. See "The Fund -- Investment Objective and Policies -- Borrowing."
The use of leverage, even on a short-term basis, could have the effect of
magnifying increases or decreases in the Fund's net asset value. While the
"spread" between the current yield on the Fund's investments and the cost of any
loan would augment the stockholders' return from the Fund, if the spread narrows
(because of an increase in the cost of debt or insufficient income on the Fund's
investments), distributions to the stockholders would be adversely affected. If
the spread were reversed, the Fund might be unable to meet its obligations to
its lenders, which might then seek to cause the Fund to liquidate some or all of
its investments. There can be no assurance that the Fund would realize full
value for its investments or recoup all of its capital if its portfolio
investments were involuntarily liquidated.
The costs of borrowing money may exceed the income from the portfolio
securities purchased by the Fund with the borrowed money. The Fund will suffer a
decline in net asset value if the investment performance of the additional
securities purchased with borrowed money fails to cover their cost to the Fund
(including any interest paid on the money borrowed). A decline in net asset
value could affect the ability of the Fund to make distributions on the Common
Stock. Failure by the Fund to distribute a sufficient portion of its net
investment income and net realized capital gains could result in a loss of
pass-through tax status or subject the Fund to a 4% excise tax. See "Tax
Matters." If the asset coverage for debt securities issued by the Fund declines
to less than 200 percent (as a result of market fluctuations or otherwise), the
Fund may be required to sell a portion of its investments when it may be
disadvantageous to do so.
Because of the nature and size of its portfolio investments, the Fund
borrows money from time to time to make qualifying investments to maintain its
tax status under the Code. There can be no assurance that debt financing will be
available on terms that the Board of Directors considers to be acceptable and in
the best interests of the Fund. If borrowing is unavailable, the Fund may be
required to make an untimely disposition of an investment or lose its
pass-through tax status. See "Loss of Conduit Tax Treatment" below.
Loss of Conduit Tax Treatment
The Fund may cease to qualify for conduit tax treatment if it is unable to
comply with the diversification requirements contained in Subchapter M of the
Code. Subchapter M requires that at the end of each quarter (i) at least 50% of
the value of the Fund's assets must consist of cash, government securities and
other securities of any one issuer that do not represent more than 5% of the
value of the Fund's total assets and 10% of the outstanding voting securities of
such issuer, and (ii) no more than 25% of the value of the Fund's assets may be
invested in the securities of any one issuer (other than United States
government securities), or of two or more issuers that are controlled by the
Fund and are engaged in the same or similar or related trades or businesses. The
Fund will borrow funds if necessary to make qualifying investments to satisfy
the foregoing diversification requirements. If the Fund fails to satisfy such
diversification requirements and ceases to qualify for conduit tax treatment,
the Fund will be subject to income tax on its income and gains and stockholders
will be subject to income tax on distributions.
The Fund may also cease to qualify for conduit tax treatment, or be
subject to a 4% excise tax, if it fails to distribute a sufficient portion of
its net investment income and net realized capital gains. Under the 1940 Act,
the Fund will not be permitted to make distributions to stockholders unless it
meets certain asset coverage requirements. See "Tax Matters" and "Regulation" in
the SAI.
Market Value and Net Asset Value
The shares of Common Stock are listed on the AMEX. Shares of closed-end
investment companies frequently trade at a discount from net asset value. This
characteristic of shares of a closed-end fund is a risk separate and distinct
from the risk that the Fund's net asset value will decrease. The risk of
purchasing shares of a closed-end
26
fund that might trade at a discount is more pronounced for investors who wish to
sell their shares in a relatively short period of time because for those
investors, realization of a gain or loss on their investments is likely to be
more dependent upon the existence of a premium or discount than upon portfolio
performance. Since the commencement of the Fund's operations, the Fund's shares
have generally traded in the market at a discount to net asset value. The Fund's
shares are not subject to redemption. Investors desiring liquidity may, subject
to applicable securities laws, trade their shares in the Fund on any exchange
where such shares are then trading at current market value, which may differ
from the then current net asset value. For information concerning the trading
history of the Fund's shares, see "Market for Common Stock and Net Asset Value
Information."
The Fund may attempt from time to time to reduce or eliminate a market
value discount from the net asset value of its shares by repurchasing shares on
the open market when it can do so at prices below the then current net asset
value or by making a tender offer at net asset value. The Fund may incur debt to
finance these transactions. During 1994 and 1995, the Fund purchased 191,700
shares of Common Stock on the open market. There can be no assurance that the
prospect of repurchases of shares through open market purchases or tender offers
will cause the Fund's shares to trade at a price equal to their net asset value.
See "Market for Common Stock and Net Asset Value Information - Repurchase of
Shares."
Valuation of Investments
Portfolio investments are carried at fair value with the net change in
unrealized appreciation or depreciation included in the determination of net
assets. Investments in companies whose securities are publicly traded are valued
at their quoted market price, less a discount to reflect the estimated effects
of restrictions on the sale of such securities, if applicable. Cost is used to
approximate fair value of other investments until significant developments
affecting an investment provide a basis for use of an appraisal valuation.
Thereafter, portfolio investments are carried at appraised values as determined
quarterly by ECC, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors. Because of
the inherent uncertainty of the valuation of portfolio securities which do not
have readily ascertainable market values, ECC's estimate of fair value may
significantly differ from the fair value that would have been used had a ready
market existed for the securities. See "Management of the Fund -- Valuation" for
a discussion of how the Fund's investment are valued.
Repurchase Agreements
For cash management purposes, the Fund may engage in repurchase agreement
transactions involving money market instruments with banks, registered
broker-dealers and government securities dealers approved by the Fund's Board of
Directors. The Fund will not enter into repurchase agreements with the
Investment Adviser or any of its affiliates. Under the terms of a typical
repurchase agreement, the Fund would acquire any underlying debt obligation for
a relatively short period (usually not more than one week) subject to an
obligation of the seller to repurchase, and the Fund to resell, the obligation
at an agreed price and time, thereby determining the yield during the Fund's
holding period. Thus, repurchase agreements may be seen to be loans by the Fund
collateralized by the underlying debt obligation. This arrangement results in a
fixed rate of return that is not subject to market fluctuations during the
Fund's holding period. The value of the underlying securities will be at least
equal at all times to the total amount of the repurchase obligation, including
interest. The Fund bears a risk of loss in the event that the other party to a
repurchase agreement defaults on its obligations and the Fund is delayed in or
prevented from exercising its rights to dispose of the collateral securities,
including the risk of a possible decline in the value of the underlying
securities during the period in which the Fund seeks to assert these rights. The
Investment Adviser, acting under the supervision of the Fund's Board of
Directors, reviews the creditworthiness of those banks and dealers with which
the Fund enters into repurchase agreements to evaluate these risks and monitors
on an ongoing basis the value of the securities subject to repurchase agreements
to ensure that the value is maintained at the required level.
27
Regulation
The Fund has elected to be treated as a business development company under
the 1940 Act. The 1940 Act imposes numerous restrictions on the activities of
the Fund, including restrictions on the nature of their investments, their use
of borrowed funds for Fund purposes and their issuance of securities, options,
warrants or rights, and requires that a majority of the Directors be individuals
who are not "interested persons" of the Fund as defined under the 1940 Act. Such
restrictions may prohibit the purchase of certain investments by the Fund that
would otherwise be suitable for investment by the Fund or render such purchases
inadvisable. See "Regulation" in the SAI.
Because there are no judicial and few administrative interpretations of
the provisions of the 1940 Act pertaining to business development companies,
there is no assurance that such provisions will be interpreted or
administratively implemented in a manner consistent with the Fund's investment
objectives and intended manner of operation. In the event that the Board of
Directors of the Fund determines that the Fund cannot economically pursue its
investment objective under the 1940 Act, they may at some future date decide to
withdraw the Fund's election to be treated as a business development company and
convert the Fund into a management investment company or an operating company
not subject to regulation under the 1940 Act, or cause the Fund to liquidate.
These changes may not be effected without the approval of a majority of the
shares of the Fund. See "The Fund -- Investment Objective and Policies."
Dilution
An immediate dilution of the aggregate net asset value of the shares owned
by stockholders who do not fully exercise their Rights is likely to be
experienced as a result of the Offer because the Subscription Price is likely to
be less than the then net asset value per share, and the number of shares
outstanding after the Offer is likely to increase in greater percentage than the
increase in the size of the Fund's assets. In addition, as a result of the terms
of the Offer, stockholders who do not fully exercise their Rights should expect
that they will, at the completion of the Offer, own a smaller proportional
interest in the Fund than would otherwise be the case. Although it is not
possible to state precisely the amount of such a decrease in value, because it
is not known at this time what the net asset value per share will be at the
Expiration Date, such dilution could be substantial. For example, assuming that
all Rights are exercised and that the Subscription Price of $_____ is ___% below
the Fund's then net asset value per share, the Fund's net asset value per share
(before deduction of expenses incurred in connection with the Offer) would be
reduced by approximately $____ per share.
THE FUND
GENERAL
The Fund, incorporated in Delaware on August 16, 1991, is a
non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that has elected to be
a business development company under the 1940 Act. The Fund's Common Stock is
traded on the AMEX under the symbol "EQS." The Fund was organized as a successor
corporate business development company to the Partnership pursuant to a
reorganization in which all of the assets and liabilities of the Partnership
were transferred to the Fund on July 1, 1992, in exchange for shares of Common
Stock of the Fund. On June 30, 1993, Equus Investments Incorporated ("EQI"), a
Delaware corporation and successor business development company to Equus
Investments I, L.P. was merged with and into the Fund. References to the Fund
are intended to include the Partnership and EQI and its predecessor where the
context requires.
28
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
General
The Fund's investment objective is to achieve capital appreciation. The
Fund seeks to achieve its objective principally by making investments in equity
and equity-oriented securities issued by privately-owned companies ("portfolio
companies") in transactions negotiated directly with such companies and
subsequently disposing of such investments. The Fund seeks to invest primarily
in small and medium-sized companies located in the United States that intend to
acquire other businesses including through leveraged buyouts. The Fund may
invest in recapitalizations of existing businesses or special situations from
time to time. The Fund's investments in portfolio companies consist principally
of equity securities such as common or preferred stock or debt combined with
warrants, options, or rights to acquire common or preferred stock. Current
income is not a significant factor in the selection of investments.
The Fund has elected to be treated as a business development company under
the 1940 Act. The Fund will not withdraw such election or change its primary
investment objective unless, in either case, such action is authorized by the
vote of a majority of the shares of the Fund. ALL OTHER INVESTMENT POLICIES OF
THE FUND MAY BE CHANGED WITHOUT A VOTE OF STOCKHOLDERS.
As a business development company, the Fund is limited in its choice of
investments under the 1940 Act. The Fund will not purchase any securities on
margin (except for the use of short-term credit necessary for the clearance of
transactions), make short sales of securities, purchase or sell commodities or
commodity contracts, write put or call options, purchase or sell real estate
(except in connection with leveraged buyout transactions) or real estate
mortgage loans, lend its portfolio securities to any other person or enter into
repurchase agreements with respect to its portfolio securities. See "Regulation"
in the SAI.
Portfolio Companies
The Fund principally makes equity and equity-oriented investments in
negotiated private transactions in companies located in the United States that
intend to acquire other businesses including through leveraged buyouts.
The Fund may make equity and equity-oriented investments in new companies
or companies in an early stage of development that the Investment Adviser
believes have significant growth and profit potential. The Fund may also make
investments in other companies that are marginally profitable or incurring
losses, that have negative net worth or that are involved in bankruptcy,
reorganization or similar proceedings. Such investments would involve businesses
that the Investment Adviser believes have turnaround potential through the
infusion of additional working capital and strengthened management. Investment
in such companies could involve additional elements of risk. Investments in such
special situations will be made only where the Investment Adviser has a specific
plan to improve the operating performance of such companies. It is expected that
the aggregate amount of investments by the Fund of the types described in this
paragraph will represent less than 15% of the total amount of the net assets of
the Fund.
Although investments will be sought on a nationwide basis, it is expected
that the Fund's portfolio companies will be concentrated in the southwestern
United States because of the Investment Adviser's location and business contacts
and experience.
Investment Practices
Substantially all of the net assets of the Fund are invested or committed
to be invested in securities of portfolio companies. The Fund's investments in
portfolio companies are usually structured in private transactions negotiated
directly with the owner or issuer of the securities acquired. Such securities
consist principally of common stock
29
and preferred stock, but may also include equity-oriented securities such as
debt securities convertible into common or preferred stock, or a combination of
debt and equity securities, warrants, options and other rights to acquire such
securities or partnership interests.
A portion of the Fund's investments in a portfolio company may involve the
purchase of short-term or long-term notes or debentures. Such debt instruments
may be subordinated to one or more classes of senior indebtedness of the
portfolio company (such as funds borrowed from financial institutions) and
generally be convertible into common or preferred stock of the portfolio company
or have warrants or options issued in connection therewith which will enable the
Fund to purchase shares of common or preferred stock at a future date.
The Fund concentrates its investment efforts on companies of a type and
size that, in the Investment Adviser's view, provide opportunities for
significant capital appreciation, relative ease of acquisition and disposition,
reduced competition for investment and prudent diversification of risk.
The enterprise value of a portfolio company typically ranges from
$15,000,000 to $75,000,000 at the time of the Fund's initial investment. The
Fund's initial equity investment in a portfolio company typically ranges from
$2,000,000 to $7,000,000. The balance of the purchase price of a portfolio
company is supplied by debt financing and other equity investors, if necessary.
The Fund attempts to reduce certain of the risks inherent in leveraged and
private equity-oriented investments (see "Risk and Other Important Factors") by
investing in a portfolio of companies involved in different industries. The Fund
has limited its initial investment (whether in the form of equity or debt
securities, commitments to purchase securities or debt guaranties) in portfolio
companies to 15% of the Fund's net assets. However, if a follow-on investment is
available or required, as discussed below, the Fund's investment in a particular
portfolio company may exceed these initial investment limitations. Also,
investments in certain portfolio companies may be in excess of the Fund's
initial investment limitations due to increases in the value of such
investments.
The Fund has qualified for the tax treatment applicable to regulated
investment companies under Subchapter M of the Code since its incorporation.
Subchapter M provides that, in order to qualify as a regulated investment
company, at the end of each quarter the Fund's portfolio must meet certain
diversification requirements. See "Tax Matters" and "Risk and Other Important
Factors - Loss of Conduit Tax Treatment." These diversification requirements may
limit the Fund's ability to make new or follow-on investments upon the sale of
other investments, since each new investment would require a revaluation of the
Fund's total assets, including capital appreciation of existing investments. In
addition, the 10% voting securities limitation may affect the size or type of
equity investment that the Fund may make. The Fund may borrow funds to make
investments to satisfy the foregoing diversification requirements. See "Tax
Matters."
The Fund makes equity investments as a sole investor, with other
professional private equity investors or other persons. The Fund ordinarily is
not the sole investor in a portfolio company. Joint equity participants may
include the management of the portfolio company, other business development
companies, small business investment companies, other institutional investors,
and venture capital groups. See "Conflicts of Interest" in the SAI. The Fund
currently co-invests in four portfolio companies with Equus Capital Partners,
L.P. ("ECP"), an affiliated business development company, which investments
represent 38% of the net assets of the Fund. The investment position of the Fund
and its co-investors, if any, in portfolio companies will typically involve a
substantial, and may constitute a controlling, interest in such companies.
Following its initial investment in a portfolio company, the Fund may be
requested to make follow-on investments in the company. Follow-on investments
may be made to take advantage of warrants or other preferential rights granted
to the Fund or otherwise to increase the Fund's position in a successful or
promising portfolio company. The Fund may also be called upon to provide
additional equity or loans needed by a portfolio company to implement fully its
business plans, to develop a new line of business or to recover from unexpected
business problems. The Fund may make follow-on investments in portfolio
companies from funds on hand. In
30
addition, the Fund may borrow to raise all or a portion of the funds required to
make follow-on investments. See "Borrowing" below. The total of the Fund's
initial and follow-on investments in a single portfolio company may exceed the
initial investment limitation described above.
A portion of the Fund's investment in a portfolio company may take the
form of a commitment by the Fund to invest funds in such portfolio company
beyond the initial investment.
Reference should be made to the SAI for additional information concerning
the Fund's investment practices and co-investments.
Borrowing
The Fund may borrow funds to make new or follow-on investments, to
maintain its pass-through tax status as a regulated investment company under
Subchapter M of the Code, to pay contingencies and expenses, or to pay
dividends. The Fund may also commit to invest funds in a portfolio company
beyond its initial investment or guarantee the obligations of a portfolio
company. The Fund is permitted under the 1940 Act to borrow funds in an amount
not to exceed one-half of its available capital (an asset coverage ratio of
200%). The Fund may borrow funds in an amount up to 50% of the value of its
assets (including investments made with borrowed funds). This may be done either
through the issuance of debt securities or by obtaining loans from commercial
banks or other sources. If the Fund borrows funds through the issuance of a
"senior security representing indebtedness" (as defined in the 1940 Act),
distributions to stockholders or the repurchase of shares is prohibited unless
the Fund's asset coverage ratio is 200% at the time of the distribution or
repurchase. See "Regulation" in the SAI. The amount and nature of any borrowings
will depend on a number of factors over which neither the Fund nor the
Investment Adviser has control, including general economic conditions,
conditions in the financial markets, and the impact of the financing on the tax
treatment of the stockholders.
Loans obtained or debt securities issued by the Fund may provide for
interest payable at a floating rate (for example, linked to prime or commercial
rates) or a fixed rate on funds drawn down and a standby commitment fee applied
to any portion of the lending commitment not drawn down. The Fund also expects
that, as a condition to lending, lenders to the Fund may place restrictions on
the Fund, which may include reserve requirements or operating restrictions, and
may limit the ability of the Investment Adviser to control investments or their
refinancing and the ability of the Fund to make distributions to stockholders.
Although the use of leverage entails certain risks, it also enables the
Fund to better control the timing of its purchases and sales of investments by
increasing the Fund's liquidity. There can be no assurance that the Fund will
borrow when considered desirable. The Fund may not be able to arrange debt
financing on terms acceptable to the Board of Directors, or the Board of
Directors may believe borrowings are not in the Fund's best interest. If the
Fund were unable to obtain debt financing, the Fund might be required to sell a
portfolio investment at an inopportune time, or to forego the purchase of an
attractive potential or follow-on investment, due to a short-term liquidity
problem. In either case, the value of the Fund's investment portfolio, and of
the Shares, could be adversely affected. See "Risk Factors and Special
Considerations -- Borrowing."
The Fund had outstanding the following sources of financing as of December
31, 1995:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Average Annual Portfolio
Amount Amount Return To Cover
Class Outstanding Outstanding Annual Rate Of Interest Interest (1)
- ----- ----------- ----------- ----------------------------- ------------------
Initial As Of Dec. 31, 1995
------- -------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revolving line of credit.. $60,000,000 $2,079,452 8.00% 8.50% 0.13%
Revolving line of credit.. 5,750,000 759,863 8.50% 8.50% 0.05%
- ----------
</TABLE>
31
(1) The total annual portfolio return to cover interest ("Annual Return" is
calculated as the total estimated 1995 annual interest payments per class of
financing, divided by total assets at December 31, 1995. The Annual Return
needed to cover all classes of financing as of December 31, 1995, combined is
0.18%.
ILLUSTRATION. The following table is provided to assist the investor in
understanding the effects of leverage. The figures appearing in the table are
hypothetical and the actual return may be greater or less than appearing in the
table. The table assumes that the Fund has an average of $2,000,000 and
$10,000,000 outstanding under its revolving lines of credit.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Assumed return on portfolio
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
(net of expenses).................... -10% -5% 0% 5% 10%
Corresponding return to common
stockholders......................... -23.06% -12.36% -1.65% 9.06% 19.76%
</TABLE>
OPERATING EXPENSES
The Investment Adviser, at its expense, provides the Fund with office
space, facilities, equipment and personnel (whose salaries and benefits will be
paid by the Investment Adviser) necessary for the conduct of the Fund's
business. See "Management of the Fund -- Investment Adviser."
The Fund pays certain expenses relating to its operations, including the
management fees and incentive compensation to the Investment Adviser; fees and
expenses of the outside Directors; finder's fees; direct costs of proposed
investments in portfolio companies; depositary fees of unaffiliated
depositaries; fees of unaffiliated transfer agents, registrars, and disbursing
agents; the administrative fee to the Investment Adviser; portfolio transaction
expenses; interest; legal and accounting expenses; costs of printing and mailing
proxy materials and reports to stockholders; AMEX fees; custodian fees; taxes;
litigation costs; costs of disposing of investments, including brokerage fees
and commissions; and other extraordinary or non-recurring expenses and other
expenses properly payable by the Fund.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The Fund intends to distribute to its stockholders all of its net
investment income at least annually. On November 7, 1994, the Fund announced a
policy of distributing annually a dividend of at least $.50 per share. In the
event that taxable income, including realized capital gains, exceeds $.50 per
share in any year, additional dividends may be declared to distribute such
excess. If, for any calendar year, total distributions exceed net investment
income and net realized capital gains, the excess will generally be treated as a
tax-free return of capital (up to the amount of the stockholder's tax basis in
his shares). The amount treated as a tax-free return of capital will reduce a
stockholders adjusted basis in his shares, thereby increasing his potential gain
or reducing his potential loss on the sale of his shares. Such excess, however,
will be treated as ordinary dividend income up to the amount of the Fund's
current and accumulated earnings and profits. Distributions can be made payable
by the Fund either in the form of a cash distribution or a stock dividend. The
Fund has not adopted any set policy concerning whether dividends will be paid
only in cash, only in stock, or in stock or cash by specific election. If the
Fund does not have available cash to pay the minimum dividends it may borrow
the required funds or may sell some of its portfolio investments.
The Fund may either distribute its net capital gains from the sale of
investments each year or retain and pay income tax on all or a portion of any
net realized long-term capital gains. The Fund may retain net proceeds to pay
contingencies and expenses and make new or follow-on investments. For
information concerning the tax treatment of these distributions to the Fund and
to stockholders, see "Tax Matters." For a discussion of certain possible
restrictions on the Fund's ability to pay dividends on the Shares, see
"Regulation" in the SAI.
The Fund declared dividends of $5,814,990 ($2.00 per share) and
$763,268 ($0.25 per share) during 1995 and 1994, respectively. The 1994 dividend
was paid in cash and represented a return of capital. The 1995 dividend,
32
which represented the Fund's capital gains for tax purposes, was paid in
additional shares of Common Stock or in cash by specific election of the
stockholders in December 1995. The Fund paid $2,753,180 in cash and issued
231,080 additional shares of stock at $13.25 per share in December 1995 in
connection with such dividends.
The Fund is investing in companies that it believes have a high potential
for capital appreciation and the Fund intends to realize the majority of its
profits upon the sale of its investments in portfolio companies. Consequently,
most of the companies in which the Fund invests do not have established policies
of paying annual dividends.
To the extent that the Fund invests in interest-bearing subordinated debt
securities or dividend paying preferred stock, the Fund will distribute net
investment income earned on such investments from time to time, to the extent
not retained for follow-on investments, expenses and contingencies. If net
investment income is retained, the Fund will be subject to Federal income tax.
MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE AND MONITORING OF INVESTMENTS
Successful private equity investments typically require active monitoring
of, and significant participation in, major business decisions of portfolio
companies. In most cases, officers of the Fund serve as members of the boards of
directors of portfolio companies. Such management assistance is required of a
business development company under the 1940 Act and is intended to enable the
Fund to provide guidance and management assistance with respect to such matters
as capital structure, budgets, profit goals, diversification strategy,
financings requirements, management additions or replacements and development of
a public market for the securities of the portfolio company. When necessary, the
Investment Adviser, on behalf of the Fund, may also assign staff professionals
with financial or management expertise to assist portfolio company management on
specific problems.
CURRENT PORTFOLIO COMPANIES
Following is a list of the Fund's portfolio companies at December 31,
1995.
A. C. LIQUIDATING CORPORATION
A. C. Liquidating Corporation ("ACL"), Houston, Texas, has disposed of its
operating businesses and currently holds two parcels of real estate and a note
receivable. ACL is offering the real estate for sale and intends to distribute
the net proceeds of such sale, collections on the note receivable and its
remaining cash to its shareholders as soon as possible. At December 31, 1995,
the Fund's investment in ACL consisted of $188,014 in 10% secured promissory
notes and $488,500 in 10% Series C cumulative preferred stock, and the
investment was valued at $188,014. Stock held by the Fund represents a 49%
fully-diluted equity interest in ACL. Mr. Lehmann, President of the Fund, serves
as a director of ACL.
ALLIED WASTE INDUSTRIES, INC. (NASDAQ: AWIN)
Allied Waste Industries, Inc. ("Allied"), Scottsdale, Arizona, is involved
in the acquisition and management of solid waste disposal operations. The
Company owns or operates 33 collection companies, 21 transfer stations, 18
landfills and 8 recycling facilities located in ten states. The December 31,
1995 closing price of Allied's common stock on the NASDAQ National Market was
$7.125 per share. At December 31, 1995, the Fund's investment in Allied, valued
at $8,768,825 with a cost of $5,316,834, consisted of 1,397,698 shares of
restricted common stock valued at an average of $6.27 per share, and warrants to
buy up to 303,044 shares of common stock at prices ranging from $4.60 to $13.50
per share. The valuation discount, due to restrictions on the Fund's ability to
sell the common stock and warrants, results in an aggregate reduction in value
recorded by the Fund from the market price on December 31, 1995, of $1,867,084.
The Fund's investment in Allied represents an approximate 3% fully-diluted
equity interest in Allied. Mr. Lehmann serves on Allied's Board of Directors.
33
AMERICAN RESIDENTIAL SERVICES, INC.
American Residential Services, Inc. ("ARS"), Houston, Texas, was created
to acquire existing businesses which provide plumbing, heating and air
conditioning and electrical services to the residential community. Through
December 31, 1995, the Fund had advanced $50,000 to ARS as partial funding
pursuant to a $200,000 prime rate promissory note. Subsequent to December 31,
1995, the Fund committed to invest up to an additional $1,400,000 in ARS,
subject to certain conditions.
BSI HOLDINGS, INC., FORMERLY BRAZOS SPORTSWEAR, INC., AND RELATED ENTITIES
BSI Holdings, Inc. ("BSI"), Cincinnati, Ohio, is a licensed sportswear
company with operating facilities in nine states. BSI sells to over 15,000
customers, including Wal-Mart, Target and JC Penney, under seven different
trademarks or labels. At December 31, 1995, the Fund's investment in BSI, valued
at $6,028,500 with a cost of $4,858,500, consisted of 166,250 shares of common
stock, $3,350,000 in a 12% senior subordinated debenture, $178,500 in a 10%
subordinated promissory note and warrants to buy up to 64,715 shares of common
stock for $0.01 per share. In addition, the Fund has committed to invest up to
an additional $5,000,000 in BSI, under certain circumstances. The Fund's
investment in BSI represents an approximate 58% fully-diluted equity interest.
Mr.Lehmann and Mr. Hale, a Vice President of the Fund, serve as directors of BSI
GCS RE, Inc. ("GCS"), Houston, Texas, was formed to be a general partner
of a real estate partnership, which owns a warehouse that is leased to BSI. At
December 31, 1995, the Fund's investment in GCS consisted of 1,000 shares of
common stock that was valued at $132,910, its original cost. The Fund owns 100%
of the stock of GCS, and GCS owns 50% of the real estate partnership. In
addition, the Fund has committed to invest up to an additional $565,500 in GCS,
under certain circumstances. Mr. Douglass, Chairman and CEO of the Fund, and Mr.
Lehmann serve on the Board of Directors of GCS.
Sports/Leisure, Inc. ("SLI"), Boca Raton, Florida, is a distributor of
leisure sporting wear. At December 31, 1995, the Fund's investment in SLI, which
was received in exchange for preferred stock of BSI, was valued at $5,881 with a
cost of $87,739 and consisted of 87,632 shares of common stock and $5,005
outstanding under an 8% unsecured promissory note. The Fund's investment in SLI
represents less than a 1% fully-diluted equity interest.
CARDIOVASCULAR VENTURES, INC.
Cardiovascular Ventures, Inc. ("CVI"), New Orleans, Louisiana, develops
and operates freestanding clinics for cardiac catheterization procedures. CVI
currently operates six clinics in Florida, Maryland and Texas. At December 31,
1995, the Fund's investment in CVI consisted of 150,000, 214,286 and 56,717
shares of Series A, Series B and Series C convertible preferred stock,
respectively, valued at $1,373,138, its original cost. The Fund's investment
represents an approximate 9% fully-diluted equity interest in CVI.
CARRUTH-DOGGETT INDUSTRIES, INC.
Carruth-Doggett Industries, Inc. ("CDI"), Houston, Texas, operates five
Case Equipment dealerships in the Houston area, which are involved in the sale
or rental of new and used equipment, parts and services. Case is the second
largest manufacturer of farm equipment in North America and the largest
manufacturer of light and medium-sized equipment in the world. At December 31,
1995, the Fund's investment in CDI, valued at its original cost of $2,250,000,
consisted of a $2,250,000, 10% senior subordinated promissory note, a warrant to
buy up to 33,333 shares of CDI for $.01 per share and a warrant to buy up to 333
shares of CDE Corp for $.01 per share. The Fund's investment in CDI represents a
25% fully-diluted equity interest. Mr. Forbes, a Vice President of the Fund,
serves on CDI's Board of Directors.
34
CHAMPION HEALTHCARE CORPORATION (AMEX: CHC)
Champion Healthcare Corporation ("CHC"), Houston, Texas, was organized to
acquire acute care hospitals in suburban markets, with primary emphasis given to
hospitals that have significant opportunity for improving market share and cash
flow. In December 1994, CHC merged into AmeriHealth Corporation, which was
renamed Champion Healthcare Corporation. Champion currently operates nine
hospitals in seven states. The December 31, 1995 closing price of CHC's common
stock on the American Stock Exchange was $5.3125 per share. At December 31,
1995, the Fund's investment in CHC, valued at $7,357,347 with a cost of
$6,436,207, consisted of 1,038,944 shares of restricted common stock, 3,601 and
83,333 shares of Series C and D convertible preferred stock, respectively, a
$1,500,000, 11% senior subordinated note and warrants to buy 50,246 shares of
common stock from $5.90 to $9.00 per share. The Series C and D preferred stock
are convertible into 7,202 and 166,666 shares of common stock, respectively. The
common stock of CHC was valued by the Fund at an average of $4.13 per share at
December 31, 1995, due to restrictions on the Fund's ability to sell such stock,
which resulted in an aggregate reduction in value from the market price on such
date of $1,226,855. The Fund's investment in CHC represents an approximate 6%
fully-diluted equity interest in CHC. Mr. Lehmann serves on CHC's Board of
Directors.
DAVID'S SUPERMARKETS, INC.
David's Supermarkets, Inc. ("David's"), Grandview, Texas, operates a
chain of twenty-one grocery stores located in small towns in North Central
Texas. At December 31, 1995, the Fund's investment in David's, valued at
$3,334,450, with a cost of $4,069,450, consisted of 735,000 shares of common
stock, 333,445 shares of 3.5% junior preferred stock and warrants to buy up to
538,462 shares of common stock for $1 per share. The Fund's investment in
David's represents a 14% fully-diluted equity interest. Mr. Douglass and Mr.
Forbes serve on David's Board of Directors.
DRYPERS CORPORATION (NASDAQ: DYPR)
Drypers Corporation ("Drypers"), Houston, Texas, manufactures and
distributes disposable diapers and baby wipes sold under the trade name Drypers.
Drypers is believed to be the third leading branded diaper manufacturer in the
United States, and has manufacturing facilities in Marion, Ohio; Vancouver,
Washington; Buenos Aires, Argentina and Puerto Rico. The December 31, 1995
closing price of Drypers' common stock on the NASDAQ National Market was $3.125
per share. At December 31, 1995, the Fund's investment in Drypers, valued at
$2,838,162 with a cost of $6,400,132, consisted of 1,096,892 shares of
restricted common stock and warrants to buy 6,634 shares of common stock for $4
per share. The stock was valued at an average of $2.59 per share of common stock
due to restrictions on the Fund's ability to sell such stock, which resulted in
an aggregate reduction in value from the market price on such date of $589,626.
The Fund's investment in Drypers represents an approximate 14% fully-diluted
equity interest in Drypers. Mr. Lehmann serves as a director of Drypers. The
Fund has committed to make a follow-on investment of up to $2,500,000 in Drypers
in 1996, subject to certain conditions.
GARDEN RIDGE CORPORATION (NASDAQ: GRDG)
Garden Ridge Corporation ("GRDG"), Houston, Texas, is a specialty retailer
of crafts and home decorative items. GRDG operates eleven megastores in
Kentucky, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas and is continuing its expansion into
other areas of the United States. GRDG completed its initial public offering of
common stock in May 1995. The December 31, 1995 closing price of GRDG on the
NASDAQ National Market was $38.75 per share. At December 31, 1995, the Fund's
investment in GRDG, valued at $10,963,284 with a cost of $1,061,018, consisted
of 333,471 shares of common stock. The stock was valued at an average of $32.875
per share due to restrictions on the Fund's ability to sell such stock, which
resulted in an aggregate reduction in value from the market price on such date
of $1,958,717. The Fund's investment in GRDG represents an approximate 4%
fully-diluted equity interest in GRDG. Mr. Lehmann serves on GRDG's Board of
Directors.
35
INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT RENTALS, INC.
Industrial Equipment Rentals, Inc. ("IER"), Houma, Louisiana, rents
industrial equipment from locations in Texas, Louisiana, Alabama and
Mississippi, primarily to refineries, petrochemical plants and oil and gas
operations. At December 31, 1995, the Fund's investment in IER, valued at its
original cost of $2,366,700, consisted of 182,230 shares of common stock, 5,371
shares of junior preferred stock, 67,500 shares of Series B senior convertible
preferred stock, $1,077,778 in a 12% subordinated debenture and a $499,950, 9%
senior subordinated debenture. The Fund's investment in IER represents a 18%
fully-diluted equity interest. Mr. Lehmann and Mr.
Hale serve on IER's Board of Directors.
MIDWAY AIRLINES CORPORATION
Midway Airlines Corporation ("Midway"), Chicago, Illinois, is a commercial
airline which began service out of Midway Airport in Chicago in the fall of
1993. Midway now serves markets on the east coast of the U. S. from its home
base at the Raleigh-Durham Airport. At December 31, 1995, the Fund's investment
in Midway, valued at $771,000 with a cost of $4,214,226, consisted of 452,392
shares of Class C common stock, 274,761 shares of junior preferred stock,
$271,000 in a 12% subordinated note and warrants to buy up to 203,250 shares of
Class C common stock for $.01 per share. The Fund's investment in Midway
represents an approximate 4.5% fully-diluted equity interest in Midway.
NCI BUILDING SYSTEMS, INC. (NASDAQ: BLDG)
NCI Building Systems, Inc. ("NCI"), Houston, Texas, manufactures and
distributes pre-engineered metal buildings and components. NCI operates
facilities in Alabama, Indiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Tennessee and Texas.
The December 31, 1995 closing price of NCI's common stock on the NASDAQ National
Market was $24.75 per share. At December 31, 1995, the Fund's investment in NCI
consisted of 100,000 shares of common stock valued at $2,475,000 with a cost of
$159,783, which represents a 1.6% fully-diluted equity interest in NCI.
Mr. Forbes serves as a director of NCI.
RESTAURANT DEVELOPMENT GROUP, INC.
Restaurant Development Group, Inc. ("RDG"), Houston, Texas, was the South
Florida franchisee of Rally's Inc., a drive-through restaurant chain. RDG sold
its restaurants to Checkers Drive-in Restaurants, Inc. in 1994 for 676,751
shares of common stock of Checkers (NASDAQ: CHKR) and a note receivable in the
amount of $1,693,225. RDG intends to distribute to its shareholders any proceeds
from collections on the note receivable and the sale of Checkers stock. At
December 31, 1995, the Fund's investment in RDG, valued at $1,689,122 with a
cost of $3,805,278, consisted of 610,909 shares of Class A common stock, a
$639,122 prime +2% promissory note, a $350,000, 14% promissory note and warrants
to buy up to 212,500 shares of common stock for $2.80 to $3.00 per share. The
Fund's investment in RDG represents a 42% fully-diluted equity interest. Mr.
Douglass and Mr. Lehmann serve on RDG's Board of Directors.
STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC. AND RELATED ENTITY
Strategic Holdings, Inc. ("SHI"), Houston, Texas, was formed to acquire
Strategic Materials, Inc., formerly known as Allwaste Recycling, Inc., the glass
recycling division of Allwaste, Inc. SHI receives and processes used glass,
which is then sold to the container, fiberglass and bead industries as a raw
material source. At December 31, 1995, the Fund's investment in SHI was valued
at $6,692,308, its original cost. The Fund's investment in SHI consisted of
2,986,408 shares of common stock and 3,705,900 shares of Series B preferred
stock. Mr. Lehmann and Mr. Hale serve as directors of SHI.
SMIP, Inc. ("SMIP"), Houston, Texas, was formed to be the general
partner of a limited partnership which owns an 18% fully-diluted interest in
SHI. Management personnel of Strategic Materials, Inc. are the limited
36
partners of the partnership. At December 31, 1995, the Fund's investment in SMIP
was valued at $325,000, its original cost. The Fund's investment in SMIP
consists of 1,000 shares of common stock and a $175,000, 15% promissory note.
SMIP is wholly-owned by the Fund. Mr. Lehmann and Mr. Hale serve as directors of
SMIP.
The Fund's investment in SHI and SMIP represents an approximate 50%
fully-diluted equity interest in SHI.
SUMMIT/DPC PARTNERS, L. P.
Summit/DPC Partners, L. P. ("DPC"), Houston, Texas, was formed to invest
in DPC Acquisition Corp, which was created to acquire Doane Products Company,
which is believed to be the largest manufacturer of private label dry pet food
in the United States. At December 31, 1995, the Fund's investment in Summit/DPC
was valued at $2,600,000, its original cost. The Fund's investment consists of
an approximate 36% limited partnership interest in DPC, which in turn owns an
approximate 17% fully-diluted interest in DPC Acquisition Corp.
TECH-SYM CORPORATION (NYSE:TSY)
CogniSeis Development, Inc. ("CogniSeis"), Houston, Texas, develops and
markets specialized computer systems consisting of geophysical application
software and appropriately configured computer equipment. On June 30, 1995,
CogniSeis was merged into Tech-Sym Corporation ("TSY"), a corporation engaged in
the design and manufacture of various products for the defense and electronics
industries. The Fund received 62,759 shares of TSY common stock in a tax-free
exchange for its CogniSeis common stock. The Fund sold 30,000 shares of TSY
during November 1995, and the remaining 32,759 shares in January 1996. The
closing market price of TSY on December 31, 1995, on the New York Stock Exchange
was $31.625. At December 31, 1995, the Fund's investment in TSY, valued at
$1,036,003 with a cost of $118,245, consisted of 32,759 shares of common stock,
which represents a fully-diluted equity interest in TSY of less than 1%.
TRAVIS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Travis International, Inc. ("Travis"), Houston, Texas, distributes
specialty products for industrial and commercial use, including o-rings, gaskets
and sealants, builders' hardware and various other products used in the
construction industry. At December 31, 1995, the Fund's investment in Travis,
valued at $3,853,890 with a cost of $560,290, consisted of 171,284 shares of
common stock, which represents an approximate 15% fully-diluted equity interest
in Travis. Mr. Lehmann serves as a director of Travis.
VIDEO RENTAL OF PENNSYLVANIA, INC. AND RELATED ENTITY
Video Rental of Pennsylvania, Inc. ("VRP"), Houston, Texas, is the general
partner of a limited partnership that has franchise rights to operate
BLOCKBUSTER(R) Entertainment Corporation video cassette stores in the
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area. At December 31, 1995, the Fund's investment in
VRP, valued at $3,150,000 with a cost of $2,775,000, consisted of 125,000 shares
of common stock, 125,000 shares of 9% redeemable preferred stock and a
$2,525,000, 10% secured promissory note. The Fund's investment in VRP represents
a 50% fully-diluted equity interest. Messrs. Douglass, Lehmann, Tucker, a Vice
President of the Fund, and Dr. Williams, a director of the Fund, serve as
directors of VRP.
Equus Video Corporation ("Video"), Houston, Texas, was formed by the Fund
to own a 50% limited partnership interest in a partnership whose sole general
partner is a corporation owned by VRP. The limited partnership is developing
additional BLOCKBUSTER(R) Entertainment Corporation video cassette stores in and
around Pittsburgh. At December 31, 1995, the Fund's investment in 10,000 shares
of common stock of Video was valued at $25,000, its original cost. Mr. Douglass
and Mr. Lehmann serve as directors of Video.
37
WILLIAMS & METTLE CO.
Williams & Mettle Co. ("W&M"), Houston, Texas, manufactures and
distributes wire cloth products and products used in industrial filtering and
screening applications in oil and gas production and in water pollution
monitoring wells. At December 31, 1995, the Fund's investment in W&M, valued at
$1,585,826 with a cost of $2,146,305, consisted of 657,895 shares of common
stock, 138,475 shares of Series A convertible preferred stock, 237,126 shares of
Series B convertible preferred stock, a $677,250, 12% subordinated promissory
note, a $512,576 junior participation in a prime +1.75% note and a warrant to
buy 456,718 shares of common stock for $0.01 per share. The fund's investment in
W&M represents an approximate 55% fully-diluted equity interest. Mr. Forbes
serves on the Board of Directors of W&M.
YELLOW CAB SERVICE CORPORATION
Yellow Cab Service Corporation, ("Yellow Cab"), Houston, Texas, is engaged
in taxi and transportation services in Houston and Austin, Texas and Colorado
Springs, Colorado, primarily through independent driver- owners. At December 31,
1995, the Fund's investment in Yellow Cab, valued at $1,750,000 with a cost of
$5,134,515, consisted of 1,006,701 shares of common stock and two 3%
subordinated notes with principal balances totaling $5,172,097. The Fund's
investment in Yellow Cab represents an approximate 5% fully-diluted equity
interest in Yellow Cab.
TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS
Pending investment in portfolio companies, the Fund invests its available
funds in interest-bearing bank accounts, money market mutual funds, U.S.
Treasury securities, securities issued or guaranteed as to interest and
principal by the United States or by a person or entity controlled or supervised
by and acting as an instrumentality of the government of the United States,
and/or certificates of deposit with maturities of less than one year
(collectively, "Temporary Investments"). Temporary Investments may also include
commercial paper (rated or unrated) and other short-term securities or other
short-term, highly liquid investments providing, in the opinion of the
Investment Adviser, appropriate safety of principal. Temporary Investments
constituting cash, cash items, securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
Treasury or U.S. Government agencies and high quality debt securities
(commercial paper rated in the two highest rating categories by Moody's Investor
Services, Inc. or Standard & Poor's Corporation, or if not rated, issued by a
company having an outstanding debt issue so rated, or corporate bonds rated at
least A) with maturities of less than one year at the time of investment will
qualify for determining whether the Fund has 70% of its total assets invested in
managed companies or in qualified Temporary Investments for purposes of the
business development company provisions of the 1940 Act. See "Regulation" below.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
Overall responsibility for management and supervision of the Fund rests
with the Board of Directors. The day-to-day operations of the Fund are delegated
to the Investment Adviser and ECC.
The Board of Directors of the Fund currently has eight members. Five
non-interested individuals (the "Independent Directors") and three interested
persons, as defined by the 1940 Act, serve as directors of the Fund. The
directors are responsible for providing overall guidance and supervision of the
Fund, approving the Fund's investments, and performing various duties imposed on
directors of a business development company by the 1940 Act. Among other things,
the Independent Directors supervise the management arrangements of the Fund, the
custody arrangements with respect to portfolio securities, the selection of
independent accountants, fidelity bonding, and any transactions with affiliates.
The investments and business of the Fund are managed by the Investment
Adviser pursuant to a Management Agreement (the "Management Agreement"). The
Management Agreement provides that the Investment Adviser shall
38
provide, or arrange for suitable third parties to provide, any and all
management and administrative services reasonably necessary for the operation of
the Fund and the conduct of their business. Such management and administrative
services include, without limitation, providing the Fund with office space,
equipment, facilities and supplies and clerical services; keeping and
maintaining the books and records of the Fund, and handling communications and
correspondence with stockholders; preparing accounting, management and other
reports; and providing such other managerial and administrative services as may
be reasonably requested by the Fund to identify, evaluate, structure, monitor
and dispose of its investments. The Investment Adviser also manages the Fund's
cash and short-term, interest bearing investments. In return for its services
and the expenses which the Investment Adviser assumes under the Management
Agreement, the Fund pays the Investment Adviser, on a quarterly basis, a
management fee equal to 0.5% of the net assets of the Fund on the last day of
each calendar quarter (2% per annum). The management fees are payable quarterly
in arrears. The Investment Adviser earned management fees from the Fund of
$1,237,775 for the year ended December 31, 1995. The net assets of the Fund as
of December 31, 1995, were approximately $61.9 million. The management fees
charged by the Investment Adviser are higher than the fee paid by most
investment companies.
Under the Management Agreement, the Fund is obligated to bear all costs
and expenses directly allocable and identifiable to the Fund or its businesses
or investments, including, but not limited to, all expenses with respect to
investments or dispositions thereof, acquisition of portfolio securities,
dispositions of portfolio securities, expenses of registering the shares under
federal and state securities laws, costs of printing proxies and other expenses
related to meetings of stockholders, litigation expenses, costs of third party
evaluations or appraisals of the Fund (or its assets) or its actual investments,
fees of transfer agents and custodians, legal fees, fees of independent public
accountants, expenses of printing or distributing reports to stockholders,
securities holders and regulatory bodies, federal, state and local taxes, and
other costs and expenses directly allocable and identifiable to the Fund or its
business or investments.
In addition to the management fee, the Fund has agreed to pay the
Investment Adviser quarterly and at the final dissolution or liquidation of the
Fund if the Fund is dissolved on a date other than the end of a fiscal quarter,
an incentive fee in an amount equal to (i) 20% of the net realized capital gains
less unrealized capital depreciation of the Partnership and the Fund on a
cumulative basis from inception through the end of the fiscal quarter, less (ii)
the aggregate amount of the incentive fee payments and special allocation
distributions to the Investment Adviser or ECC in prior periods. If the amount
of the incentive fee in any fiscal quarter is a negative number, or cumulative
net realized capital gains less unrealized capital depreciation at the end of
any period is less than such amount calculated at the end of the previous
period, the Investment Adviser will be required to repay to the Fund all or a
portion of the incentive fee previously paid. No management incentive fees were
paid for the year ended December 31, 1995. Deferred management incentive fees of
$4,295,335 have been accrued by the Fund at December 31, 1995, based on gross
unrealized appreciation of portfolio securities. The deferred incentive fees
will not be paid until such unrealized appreciation is realized.
The Investment Adviser also provides certain administrative services to
the Fund, primarily related to investor communications, pursuant to a service
agreement with the Fund. The Investment Adviser received service fees from the
Fund of $50,000 for the year ended December 31, 1995.
INVESTMENT ADVISER
The Investment Adviser was organized as a Delaware corporation on
September 27, 1983 and maintains its offices at 2929 Allen Parkway, Suite 2500,
Houston, Texas 77019. The Investment Adviser's sole activity is to perform
management, administrative and investment advisory services for the Fund, ECP,
and other investment partnerships or corporations to be formed by the Investment
Adviser. The Investment Adviser is a registered investment adviser under the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the "Advisers Act").
The following directors, officers, and employees of the Fund and the
Investment Adviser are primarily responsible for the day-to-day operations of
the Fund:
39
Sam P. Douglass, age 63, has been Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer of the Investment Adviser since its formation in September
1983. Mr. Douglass is also Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of
ECC. Since December 1978, he has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
of Equus Corporation International ("ECI"), a privately owned corporation
engaged in a variety of investment activities, including leveraged buyouts. Mr.
Douglass has also been Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the
Fund since August 1991. Mr. Douglass is a licensed attorney.
Nolan Lehmann, age 51, has been the President and director of the
Investment Adviser since September 1983. Mr. Lehmann has been President and a
director of the Fund since August 1991 and is also President and a director of
ECC. He is a director of Charter National Bank-Colonial, located in Houston,
Texas and Allied Waste Industries, Inc., Champion Healthcare Corporation,
Drypers Corporation, and Garden Ridge Corporation. Mr. Lehmann is a certified
public accountant.
Gary L. Forbes, age 52, has been Vice President of the Investment
Adviser and ECC since November 1991 and a Vice President of the Fund since
December 1991. Mr. Forbes was President of Coal & Timber, Inc., a natural
resources investment company, from January 1991 to November 1991. Mr. Forbes was
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Elders Resources North America,
Inc. from 1988 to 1991. He is a director of Consolidated Graphics, Inc. and NCI
Building Systems, Inc. Mr. Forbes is a certified public accountant.
Randall B. Hale, age 33, has been Vice President of the Fund, Investment
Adviser, and ECC since November 1992. He has been a director of the Investment
Adviser and ECC since February 1996 and Secretary of the Investment Adviser
since March 1996. From June 1985 to October 1992, he was employed by Arthur
Andersen LLP. Mr. Hale is a certified public accountant.
Patrick M. Cahill, age 35, has been a Vice President of the Fund since May
1994. He has also been the Controller of the Investment Adviser and ECC since
May 1987. He has been the Treasurer of the Fund and ECC since March 1996. From
June 1982 to May 1987, he was employed by Ernst & Young. Mr. Cahill is a
certified public accountant.
Tracy H. Cohen, age 29, has been a Vice President of the Fund since May
1995 and a Vice President of ECC since April 1995. She is also Investor
Relations Manager of the Investment Company where she has been employed since
April 1995. She has been the Secretary of The fund and ECC since March 1996.
From September 1990 to April 1995, she was employed by Arthur Andersen LLP. Ms.
Cohen is a certified public accountant.
As a result of its stock ownership in the Investment Adviser, ECI has 80%
voting control of the Investment Adviser. ECI is a privately owned corporation
engaged in a variety of investment activities. ECI is owned by trusts
established for the benefit of members of Mr. Douglass's family.
SUB-ADVISER AGREEMENT
The Investment Adviser entered into a Sub-Adviser Agreement (the
"Sub-Adviser Agreement") with Equus Capital Corporation ("ECC") pursuant to
which ECC provides certain investment advisory services for the Fund. The
Sub-Adviser Agreement provides that ECC is responsible for approving the Fund's
quarterly net asset valuations and arranging any necessary financing for the
Fund or leveraged buyout transactions. In return for its services, the
Investment Adviser has agreed to pay ECC quarterly and at the final dissolution
or liquidation of the Fund, if the Fund is dissolved on a date other than the
end of a fiscal quarter, an incentive fee in an amount equal to (i) ten percent
of the net realized capital gains less unrealized capital depreciation of the
Fund on a cumulative basis from inception through the end of each fiscal
quarter, less (ii) the aggregate amount of the incentive fee payments and
special incentive allocation distributions to ECC in prior periods. If the
amount of the incentive fee in any period is a negative number, or cumulative
net realized capital gains less unrealized capital depreciation at the end of
any fiscal quarter is less than such amount calculated at the end of the
previous fiscal quarter, ECC will be required to repay to the Investment Adviser
all or a portion of the incentive fee previously paid. No fees have been paid to
date under the Sub\Adviser Agreement.
40
EQUUS CAPITAL CORPORATION
ECC is a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware in
September 1983. ECC was organized to serve as managing general partner of the
Partnership and other similar partnerships. ECC is a registered investment
adviser under the Advisers Act.
As a result of its stock ownership in ECC, the Investment Adviser has 100%
voting control of ECC. As a result of its stock ownership in the Investment
Adviser, ECI has 80% voting control of the Investment Adviser.
VALUATION
Valuations of the Fund's portfolio investments are made quarterly by ECC
subject to the approval of the Directors. One of the purposes of such valuations
is to determine the amount of the management fee payable to the Investment
Adviser. See "Net Asset Value" in the SAI.
Net asset value per share is determined each quarter by dividing the value
of the net assets of the Fund in dollars (the value of its assets less its
liabilities) by the total number of shares outstanding. Portfolio investments
are carried at fair value with the net change in unrealized appreciation or
depreciation included in the determination of net assets. ECC performs the
valuations of the investments in portfolio securities of the Fund, subject to
the approval of the Board of Directors of the Fund. Valuations of portfolio
securities are done in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
and the financial reporting policies of the Commission. The applicable methods
prescribed by such principles are described below.
The fair market value of investments for which no market exists (including
most investments made by the Fund) are determined on the basis of procedures
established in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Fund. As a general
principle, the current "fair value" of an investment being valued by ECC would
be the amount which the Fund might reasonably expect to receive for it upon its
current sale. There is a range of values that are reasonable for such
investments at any particular time. Generally, pursuant to procedures
established by the Board of Directors, the fair value of each investment
initially is based primarily upon its original cost to the Fund. Cost is the
primary factor used to determine fair value until significant developments
affecting the portfolio company (such as results of operations or changes in
general market conditions) provide a basis for use of an appraisal valuation.
Appraisal valuations are based upon such factors as the portfolio
company's earnings, cash flow, and net worth, the market prices for similar
securities of comparable companies and an assessment of the company's future
financial prospects. In the case of unsuccessful operations, the appraisal may
be based upon liquidation value.
Appraisal valuations are necessarily subjective.
The Fund may also use, when available, third-party transactions in a
portfolio company's securities as the basis of valuation (the "private market
method"). The private market method will be used only with respect to completed
transactions or firm offers made by sophisticated, independent investors.
Securities with legal, contractual or practical restrictions on transfer may be
valued at a discount from their value determined by the foregoing methods to
reflect such restrictions.
Investments for which market quotations are readily available and which
are freely transferable will be valued as follows: (i) securities traded on a
securities exchange or the NASDAQ National Market will be valued at the closing
price on the last trading day prior to the date of valuation and (ii) securities
traded in the over-the-counter market will be valued at the average of the
closing bid and asked prices for the last trading day prior to the date of
valuation. Certificates of deposit purchased by the Fund generally will be
valued at their face value, plus interest accrued to the date of valuation. For
securities which are in a class of public securities but are restricted from
free trading (such as Rule 144 stock), valuation will be set by discounting the
closing sales or bid price to reflect the
41
illiquidity caused by such restrictions. The fair values of debt securities,
which are generally held to maturity, are determined on the basis of the terms
of the debt securities and the financial condition of the issuers.
The Board of Directors of the Fund reviews and approves the valuation
policies at each regular board meeting to determine their appropriateness. The
Board of Directors may also hire independent firms to review ECC's methodology
of valuation or to conduct a valuation.
On a weekly basis, the Fund adjusts its net asset value for the changes in
the value of its publicly held securities and material changes in the value of
its private securities and reports those amounts to Lipper Analytical Services,
Inc. Such weekly net asset values appear in various publications including
BARRON'S and THE WALL STREET JOURNAL.
Shares of closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a discount
to net asset value, but in certain instances have traded above net asset value.
It is not possible to predict whether the Shares will trade at, above or below
net asset value.
CUSTODIAN
The Fund acts as the custodian of its securities to the extent permitted
under the 1940 Act and is subject to the restrictions imposed on self-custodians
by the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. The Fund has entered
into an agreement with Southwest Guaranty Trust Company, Houston, Texas, with
respect to the safekeeping of such securities. The principal business office of
such trust company is 2121 Sage Road, Suite 150, Houston, Texas 77056.
REGULATION
The Investment Advisers Act generally prohibits investment advisers from
entering into investment advisory contracts with an investment company that
provides for compensation to the investment adviser on the basis of a share of
capital gains upon or capital appreciation of the funds or any portion of the
funds of the investment company. The Investment Advisers Act, however, does
permit the payment of compensation based on capital gains in an investment
advisory contract between an investment adviser and a business development
company. The Fund has elected to be treated as a business development company in
order to provide for incentive compensation to the Investment Adviser and ECC
based on the capital appreciation of the investments of the Fund. The Fund may
not withdraw its election to be treated as a business development company
without first obtaining the approval of a majority in interest of its security
holders. For additional information on the regulation of the Fund under the 1940
Act refer to "Regulation" in the SAI.
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
GENERAL
The authorized capital stock of the Fund is ten million (10,000,000)
shares of common stock, par value of $.001 (the "Common Stock") and five million
(5,000,000) shares of preferred stock, par value of $.001. All shares of Common
Stock have equal rights as to earnings, assets, dividends and voting privileges
and, when issued, will be fully paid and nonassessable. Shares of Common Stock
have no preemptive, conversion or redemption rights and are freely transferable.
In the event of liquidation, each share of Common Stock is entitled to its
proportion of the Fund's assets after debts and expenses. Stockholders are
entitled to one vote per share of Common Stock and do not have cumulative voting
rights, which means that holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock, if
they so choose, could elect all of the Directors, and holders of less than a
majority of the shares would, in that case, be unable to elect any Director.
42
The issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock are freely transferrable
and are listed for trading on the AMEX.
Pursuant to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Fund, the
following are the authorized classes of securities of the Fund as of December
31, 1995:
(3) (4)
Amount Held by Amount Outstanding
(1) (2) Fund or for its Exclusive of Amount
TITLE OF CLASS AMOUNT AUTHORIZED ACCOUNT SHOWN UNDER(3)
Common Stock 5,000,000 0 3,138,575
Preferred Stock 10,000,000 0 0
ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS IN CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
The Fund's Restated Certificate of Incorporation does not include any
provisions (such as supermajority voting requirements on matters related to
merger, consolidation, sale of assets or liquidation or classification of
directors with staggered terms of office) that are generally considered to have
the effect of limiting the ability of other entities or persons to acquire
control of the Fund.
The Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that a favorable vote
of a majority of the shares of the Fund are required to authorize the conversion
of the Fund into an open-end management investment company or to change the
nature of the business of the Fund so that it ceases to be a business
development company.
Reference should be made to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation on
file with the Commission (as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which
this Prospectus is a part) for the full text of these provisions.
TRANSFER AND DISBURSING AGENT
The Fund has employed First Interstate Bank of Texas, N.A. ("First
Interstate") as its transfer agent to record transfers of the shares of Common
Stock, maintain proxy records, and to process distributions. The principal
business office of First Interstate is 1000 Louisiana Street, Suite 700,
Houston, Texas 77002.
TAX MATTERS
The Fund has qualified for and elected to be treated as a "regulated
investment company" under Subchapter M of the Code. If the Fund qualifies as a
regulated investment company and distributes to stockholders in a timely manner
at least 90% of its "investment company taxable income" each year, it will not
be subject to federal income tax on the portion of its taxable income and gains
it distributes to stockholders. In addition, if the Fund distributes in a timely
manner 98% of its net capital gain income for each one-year period ending on
October 31 and 98% of its ordinary income for each calendar year (as well as any
portion of the respective 2% balances not distributed in the previous year), it
will not be subjected to the 4% nondeductible federal excise tax on certain
undistributed income of regulated investment companies.
Under the 1940 Act, the Fund will not be permitted to make distributions
to stockholders unless it meets certain asset coverage requirements. See
"Regulation" in the SAI. If the Fund is unable to make the required
distributions, it may fail to qualify as a regulated investment company, or be
subjected to a nondeductible 4% excise tax.
For any period during which the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment
company for tax purposes, distributions to stockholders of the Fund's ordinary
income (including dividends, interest and original issue discount) and any net
43
short-term capital gain generally will be taxable as ordinary income to
stockholders to the extent of the Fund's current or accumulated earnings and
profits. To the extent that the Fund's distributions are not taxable to
stockholders as ordinary income or capital gains, they will be treated as a
return of capital and will reduce the stock- holder's basis in his Shares and,
to the extent that they exceed his basis, will be treated as a gain from the
sale of his Shares as discussed below. Distributions which are taxable to
stockholders as ordinary income will constitute dividends for federal income tax
purposes. Distributions received by corporate stockholders will be subject to
the 70% dividend received deduction (i) if, and to the extent that such
distributions are made out of dividend income of the Fund and (ii) the requisite
holding period set forth in Sections 246 and 246A of the Code is satisfied. The
dividends-received deduction is currently 70%.
The Fund reserves the right to retain net long-term capital gains in
excess of net short-term capital losses for reinvestment or to pay contingencies
and expenses. Such retained amounts, if any, will be taxed to the Fund as
long-term capital gains and stockholders will be able to claim their
proportionate share of the federal income taxes paid by the Fund on such gains
as a credit against their own federal income tax liabilities. Stockholders also
will be entitled to increase the adjusted tax basis of their Fund shares by the
difference between their undistributed capital gains and their tax credit.
Sections 246 and 246A of the Code contain limitations on the eligibility
of dividends for the dividends-received deduction for corporations in addition
to the limitations discussed. Depending upon the corporate stockholder's
circumstances (including whether it has a 45-day holding period for its Shares
and whether its Shares are debt financed), these limitations may be applicable
to dividends received by the corporate stockholder that would otherwise qualify
for the dividends-received deduction under the principles discussed above.
Accordingly, stockholders should consult their own tax advisers in this regard.
Stockholders who are not subject to tax on their income will not be
required to pay tax on amounts distributed to them.
Distributions of the Fund's net capital gain (designated by the Fund as
capital gain dividends) will be taxable to stockholders as long-term capital
gain regardless of the stockholder's holding period in his Shares. Capital
losses realized by the Fund may offset the Fund's capital gains but not its
ordinary income. Stockholders are not entitled to include any portion of a net
capital loss for a Fund tax year on their individual returns.
The federal tax status of each year's distributions will be reported to
the stockholders and the IRS. Distributions may also be subject to additional
state, local and foreign taxes depending on each stockholder's particular
situation. Stockholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with
respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund.
For additional information on various tax matters related to the Fund
refer to "Tax Matters" in the SAI.
LEGAL MATTERS
With respect to matters of United States law, the validity of the shares
offered hereby will be passed on for the Fund by Snell & Smith, P.C., Houston,
Texas. Snell & Smith, P.C. from time to time also serves as counsel to the
Investment Adviser or its affiliates.
44
FURTHER INFORMATION
This Prospectus constitutes a part of a registration statement on Form N-2
(together with the SAI and all the exhibits and the appendix thereto, the
"Registration Statement") filed by the Fund with the Commission under the
Securities Act and the 1940 Act. This Prospectus and the SAI do not contain all
of the information set forth in the Registration Statement. Reference is hereby
made to the Registration Statement and related exhibits for further information
with respect to the Fund and the Shares offered hereby. Statements contained
herein concerning the provisions of documents are necessarily summaries of such
documents, and each statement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
copy of the applicable document filed with the Commission.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Fund's financial statements and schedules at December 31, 1995 and
1994 and for the three years in the period ended December 31, 1995 and the
report thereon of Arthur Andersen LLP are incorporated by reference to the
Fund's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995 (the
"Annual Report"), filed by the Fund with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange
Act and provided to stockholders of the Fund as part of the Fund's annual report
to stockholders. A copy of the Annual Report is being provided with this
Prospectus to all Record Date Stockholders and beneficial owners and will be
provided with the Prospectus to all transferees of Subscription Certificates
during the Subscription Period. A copy of the Annual Report, may be obtained,
without charge, upon request from Investor Relations Department, Attention Tracy
H. Cohen, Equus II Incorporated, 2929 Allen Parkway, Suite 2500, Houston, Texas
77019, telephone number (713) 529-0900.
The financial statements of the Fund as of December 31, 1995, incorporated
by reference herein and into the SAI have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP,
independent public accountants, as indicated in their report with respect
thereto, and are incorporated herein upon the authority of said firm as experts
in giving said report. Arthur Andersen LLP is expected to be retained as the
independent public accountants for the Fund for the year ending December 31,
1996. The general business address for Arthur Andersen LLP is 711 Louisiana,
Suite 1300, Houston, Texas 77002.
45
TABLE OF CONTENTS
OF
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
PAGE
----
Investment Objective and Policies............................. B-2
General.................................................... B-2
Investment Criteria........................................ B-2
Investment Operations...................................... B-3
Co-Investment Conditions................................... B-4
Borrowing.................................................. B-6
Management of the Fund........................................ B-7
Directors and Officers of the Fund......................... B-7
Remuneration of Directors and Officers..................... B-9
Limitation of Officers' and Directors' Liability........... B-10
Investment Advisory and Administrative Arrangements........ B-11
Conflicts of Interest......................................... B-14
Determination of Net Asset Value.............................. B-16
Portfolio Transactions........................................ B-17
Share Repurchases and Tender Offers........................... B-18
Tax Matters................................................... B-19
Regulation.................................................... B-22
Beneficial Ownership.......................................... B-25
Financial Statements.......................................... B-25
46
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
The following is a description of the meanings of certain terms that
are used throughout the Prospectus and investors are urged to consult this
glossary if they have questions about the meaning of a defined term used herein.
TERM DEFINITION
Advisers Act The Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as
amended, which regulates the operations of
investment advisers.
Affiliate or Affiliated Person Any person (i) directly or indirectly
owning, controlling, or holding with power
to vote, five percent or more of the
outstanding voting securities of another
person; (ii) five percent or more of whose
voting securities are directly or indirectly
owned, controlled, or held with power to
vote, by another person; (iii) directly or
indirectly controlling, controlled by, or
under common control with, another person
or; (iv) who is an officer, director,
partner or employee of another person.
AMEX The American Stock Exchange.
Asset Coverage The ratio which the value of the total
assets of the Fund, less all liabilities and
indebtedness not represented by senior
securities, bears to the aggregate amount of
senior securities representing indebtedness
of the Fund.
Business Day Any day on which trading is conducted on the
AMEX.
Business Development Any closed-end company which elects to be
Company subject to the provisions of Sections 55
through 65 of the 1940 Act and is operated
for the purpose of making investments in
Qualifying Assets and makes available
significant managerial assistance with
respect to the issuers of such securities.
Cede Cede & Co., Inc., nominee for DTC.
Closed-End Company A management investment company which does
not offer for sale and does not have
outstanding any redeemable security of which
it is the issuer.
Code The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended.
Commission The Securities and Exchange Commission.
Common Stock The common stock, $.001 par value, of the
Fund.
Custodian Southwest Guaranty Trust Company, Houston,
Texas which will act as custodian of the
Funds securities.
DTC The Depository Trust Company.
DTC Exercised Rights Rights exercised through DTC.
47
ECC Equus Capital Corporation, a Delaware
corporation and the Managing General Partner
of the Partnership and the sub-adviser of
the Fund.
ECI Equus Corporation International, a Delaware
corporation and the parent of the Investment
Adviser.
Eligible Portfolio Company A Company that (i) is organized under the
laws of, and has its principal place of
business in, any state or states, (ii) is
not an investment company (except for wholly
owned small business investment corporations
licensed by the Small Business
Administration) and (iii)(a) does not have a
class of securities registered on an
exchange or included in the Federal Reserve
Board's over-the-counter margin list, (b) is
actively controlled by the business
development company acting either alone or
as part of a group acting together and an
affiliate of the business development
company is a member of the portfolio
company's board of directors or (c) meets
such other criteria as may be established by
the Commission. Control is presumed to exist
where the business development company owns
more than 25% of the outstanding voting
securities of a portfolio company.
Equity and equity-oriented The Fund invests in equity and
securities equity-oriented securities. Equity
securities consist principally of common
stock and preferred stock. Equity-oriented
securities include debt securities
convertible into common or preferred stock,
or a combination of debt and equity
securities, warrants, options and other
rights to acquire such securities or
partnership interests.
EQS The symbol under which the Fund's Shares are
listed on the AMEX.
ERISA The Employee Retirement Income Security Act
of 1974, as amended, which regulates
pension, profit-sharing and other employee
benefit plans.
Exchange Act The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
Expiration Date May ____, 1996, unless extended by the Fund
to a date not later than May, __, 1996.
Fund Equus II Incorporated, a Delaware
corporation.
Follow-on Investment Additional funds provided to a portfolio
company when a subsequent financing is
planned, to protect the Fund's investment
when a portfolio company's cash flow does
not meet expectations or to increase the
Fund's investment in a successful portfolio
company.
Information Agent MacKenzie Partners, Inc.
48
Interested Person Of the Fund means --
(i) any affiliated person of the Fund;
(ii) any member of the immediate family of
any natural person who is an affiliated
person of the Fund;
(iii) any interested person of any
investment adviser of or principal
underwriter for the Fund;
(iv) any person or partner or employee of
any person who at any time since the
beginning of the last two completed fiscal
years of the Fund has acted as legal counsel
for the Fund;
(v) any broker or dealer registered under
the Exchange Act or any affiliated person of
such a broker or dealer; and
(vi) any natural person whom the Commission
by order shall have determined to be an
interested person by reason of having had,
at any time since the beginning of the last
two completed fiscal years of the Fund, a
material business or professional
relationship with the Fund or with the
principal executive officer of the Fund or
with any other investment company having the
same investment adviser or principal
underwriter or with the principal executive
officer of such other investment company.
PROVIDED, That no person shall be deemed to
be an interested person of the Fund solely
by reason of (aa) his being a member of its
board of directors or advisory board or an
owner of its securities, or (bb) his
membership in the immediate family of any
person specified in clause (aa).
Investment Adviser Equus Capital Management Corporation, a
Delaware corporation and the investment
adviser to the Fund.
IRA An individual retirement account.
IRS The Internal Revenue Service.
49
Making available significant (1) Any arrangement whereby the Fund,
managerial assistance through its directors, officers or
employees, offers to provide and, if
accepted, does provide significant guidance
and counsel concerning the management,
operations, business objectives or policies
of a portfolio company, (2) the exercise of
a controlling influence over the management
or policies of a portfolio company by the
Fund acting individually or as part of a
group of which the Fund is a member acting
together which controls such company, or (3)
with respect to SBICs, the making of loans
to a portfolio company. The Fund may satisfy
the requirements of clause (1) with respect
to a portfolio company by purchasing
securities of such a company as part of a
group of investors acting together if one
person in such group provides the type of
assistance described in such clause.
However, the Fund will not satisfy the
general requirement of making available
significant managerial assistance if it only
provides such assistance indirectly through
an investor group.
Management Refers to the Investment Adviser and ECC
collectively.
Management Agreement The Management Agreement between the Fund
and the Investment Adviser.
Net Asset Value The total assets of the Fund valued with
respect to securities for which market
quotations are readily available, at their
market value, less appropriate discounts, if
applicable, and with respect to other
securities and assets, at their fair value
less all liabilities of the Fund.
Non-interested Directors Directors of the Fund who are not
"interested persons" of the Fund as defined
in the 1940 Act.
1940 Act The Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended by the Small Business Investment
Incentive Act of 1980, which regulates the
operation of investment companies and
business development companies.
Offer The Fund's issuance to Record Date
Shareholders of transferable Rights
entitling such holders to subscribe for
Common Stock of the Fund at the rate of one
share of Common Stock for each three Rights
held and entitling each Record Date
Stockholder to the Over-Subscription
Privilege.
Over-Subscription Privilege The right of each holder of Rights who fully
exercised all Rights initially issued to or
purchased by him or her to subscribe,
subject to certain limitations and
allotment, for any Shares not acquired by
the exercise of Primary Subscription rights.
Portfolio Companies Companies in which the Fund has an
investment.
Primary Subscription The right of each Record Date Shareholder to
subscribe for one share of Common Stock for
each three Rights held.
Qualified Plans Any pension, profit sharing or stock bonus
plans, including a Keogh plan, subject to
ERISA.
50
Qualifying Assets Include (i) securities of companies that
were eligible portfolio companies at the
time that the Fund acquired their
securities; (ii) securities of companies
which are actively controlled by the Fund;
(iii) securities of bankrupt or insolvent
companies that are not otherwise eligible
portfolio companies; (iv) securities
acquired as follow-on investments in
companies that were eligible portfolio
companies at the time of the Fund's initial
acquisition of their securities but are no
longer eligible portfolio companies,
provided that the Fund has maintained a
substantial portion of its initial
investment in such companies; (v) securities
received in exchange for or distributed on
or with respect to any of the foregoing; and
(vi) cash items, government securities and
high-quality, short-term debt. The 1940 Act
also places restrictions on the nature of
the transactions in which, and the persons
from whom, securities can be purchased in
order for such securities to be considered
Qualifying Assets. As a general matter,
Qualifying Assets may only be purchased from
the issuer or an affiliate in a transaction
not constituting a public offering.
Record Date April , 1996.
Record Date Stockholders Stockholders of record of the Fund on the
Record Date.
Regulations Regulations issued by the Department of
Labor providing guidance with respect to the
determination of whether the assets of the
Fund are deemed to be "plan assets" under
ERISA.
Regulated Investment Investment companies that qualify for
Company pass-through tax treatment under Subchapter
M of the Code.
Rights Transferable rights entitling the holders
thereof to subscribe for shares of Common
Stock at the rate of one share of Common
Stock for each three Rights held.
SAI The Fund's Statement of Additional
Information.
Securities Act The Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Shares Shares of Common Stock of the Fund.
Sub-Adviser Agreement The Sub-Adviser Agreement between the
Investment Adviser and ECC in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit C.
Subscription Agent First Interstate Bank of Texas, N.A.
Subscription Certificates Certificate issued to the Record Date
Stockholders evidencing the Rights.
Subscription Period April _____, 1996 to May ___, 1996, unless
extended by the Fund.
Subscription Price $__.__ per Share.
Transfer Agent First Interstate Bank of Texas, N.A.
UBTI Unrelated business taxable income under
Section 511 of the Code
51
No dealer, salesman, or other person has been authorized to give any information
or to make any representation not contained in this Prospectus. If given or
made, such information or representation must not be relied upon as having been
authorized by the Fund or the Fund's investment advisers. This Prospectus does
not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any
security other than the shares of Common Stock offered by this Prospectus, nor
does it constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy
shares of Common Stock by anyone in any jurisdiction in which such offer or
solicitation would be unlawful. Neither the delivery of this Prospectus nor any
sale made hereunder shall, under any circumstances, create an implication that
there has been no change in the facts as set forth in the Prospectus or in the
affairs of the Fund since the date hereof. However, if any material change
occurs while this Prospectus is required by law to be delivered, this Prospectus
will be amended or supplemented accordingly.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
----
Prospectus Summary......................................... 2
Fee Table ................................................. 6
Available Information...................................... 6
Selected Financial Data.................................... 7
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operation............. 8
Market for Common Stock and Net Asset Value
Information.............................................. 13
The Offer ................................................. 15
Use of Proceeds ........................................... 23
Risk Factors and Special Considerations.................... 23
The Fund .................................................. 28
Investment Objectives and Policies......................... 29
Management of the Fund .................................... 38
Description of Common Stock................................ 42
Tax Matters ............................................... 43
Legal Matters ............................................. 44
Further Information ....................................... 44
Financial Statements....................................... 44
Table of Contents of Statement of Additional
Information ............................................ 45
Glossary of Terms.......................................... 46
EQUUS II INCORPORATED
PART B
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
April ____, 1996
Equus II Incorporated (the "Fund") is a non-diversified, closed-end
management investment company that has elected to be a business development
company. The Fund's investment objective is to achieve capital appreciation by
making investments in equity and equity-oriented securities issued by
privately-owned companies in transactions negotiated directly with such
companies. The Fund seeks to invest primarily in medium-sized companies that
intend to acquire other businesses including through leveraged buyouts. Equus
Capital Management Corporation (the "Investment Adviser") serves as the Fund's
investment adviser. Equus Capital Corporation (the "Sub-Adviser") serves as a
secondary investment adviser to the Fund. The Investment Adviser and the
Sub-Adviser are referred to herein collectively as "Management."
This Statement of Additional Information ("SAI"), which is not a
prospectus, supplements and should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus of
the Fund dated April ____, 1996 (the "Prospectus"). This SAI does not include
all information that a prospective investor should consider before purchasing
shares of the Fund, and investors should obtain and read the Prospectus prior to
purchasing shares. To obtain a copy of the Fund's Prospectus, without charge,
please write to the Fund at 2929 Allen Parkway, Suite 2500, Houston, Texas 77019
or call (713) 529-0900. This SAI incorporates by reference the entire
Prospectus.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
----
Investment Objective and Policies................................... B-2
General.......................................................... B-2
Investment Criteria.............................................. B-2
Investment Operations............................................ B-3
Co-Investment Conditions......................................... B-4
Borrowing........................................................ B-6
Management of the Fund.............................................. B-7
Directors and Officers of the Fund............................... B-7
Remuneration of Directors and Officers........................... B-9
Limitation of Officers' and Directors' Liability................. B-10
Investment Advisory and Administrative Arrangements.............. B-11
Conflicts of Interest............................................... B-14
Determination of Net Asset Value.................................... B-16
Portfolio Transactions.............................................. B-17
Share Repurchases and Tender Offers................................. B-18
Tax Matters......................................................... B-19
Regulation.......................................................... B-22
Beneficial Ownership................................................ B-25
Financial Statements................................................ B-25
The Prospectus and this SAI omit certain of the information contained
in the Registration Statement on Form N-2 filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission"), Washington, D.C. The Registration Statement may
be obtained from the Commission upon payment of the fee prescribed, or inspected
at the Commission's office at no charge.
This SAI incorporates documents by reference that are not presented
herein. These documents are available, without charge, upon request from
Investor Relations Department, Attention: Tracy Cohen, Equus II Incorporated,
2929 Allen Parkway, Suite 2500, Houston, Texas 77019, telephone number (713)
529-0900.
This Statement of Additional Information is dated April __, 1996.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION SUPPLEMENTS AND SHOULD BE READ IN
CONJUNCTION WITH THE SECTIONS IN THE FUND'S PROSPECTUS ENTITLED "INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES."
GENERAL
The Fund's investment objective is to achieve capital appreciation by
making investments in equity and equity-oriented securities issued by
privately-owned companies in transactions negotiated directly with such
companies and subsequently disposing of such investments. The Fund seeks to
invest primarily in medium-sized companies located in the United States that
intend to acquire other businesses including through leveraged buyouts. The
Fund's investments in portfolio companies consist principally of equity
securities such as common and preferred stock, but may also include other
equity-oriented securities such as debt convertible into common or preferred
stock or debt combined with warrants, options or other rights to acquire common
or preferred stock. Current income is not a significant factor in the selection
of investments.
The Fund has elected to be treated as a business development company
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company
Act"). The Fund will not withdraw such election or change its objective of
seeking capital appreciation by investing in EQUITY AND EQUITY-ORIENTED
SECURITIES ISSUED BY PRIVATELY-OWNED COMPANIES IN TRANSACTIONS NEGOTIATED
DIRECTLY WITH SUCH COMPANIES INCLUDING INVESTING IN leveraged buyout and
recapitalization investments unless, in either case, such action is authorized
by the vote of a majority of the Shares of the Fund. ALL OTHER INVESTMENT
POLICIES AND PRACTICES OF THE FUND MAY BE CHANGED WITHOUT A VOTE OF
STOCKHOLDERS.
As a business development company, the Fund is limited in its choice
of investments under the Investment Company Act. The Fund will not purchase any
securities on margin (except for the use of short-term credit necessary for the
clearance of transactions), make short sales of securities, purchase or sell
commodities or commodity contracts, write put or call options, purchase or sell
real estate (except in connection with portfolio investments) or real estate
mortgage loans, lend its portfolio securities to any other person or enter into
repurchase agreements with respect to its portfolio securities. See
"Regulation."
INVESTMENT CRITERIA
Prospective investments will be evaluated by the Investment Adviser
based upon criteria that may be modified from time to time. The criteria that is
currently used by the Investment Adviser in determining whether to make an
investment in a prospective portfolio company include:
(1) The presence or availability of competent management;
(2) The existence of a substantial market for the products
or services of the company characterized by favorable growth
potential, or a substantial market position in a stable industry;
(3) The existence of a history of profitable operations or
a reasonable expectation that operations can be conducted at a level
of profitability acceptable in relation to the proposed investment;
and
B-2
(4) The willingness of the company to permit the Fund and
its co-investors, if any, to take a substantial position in the
company and have representation on its board of directors, so as to
enable the Fund to influence the selection of management and basic
policies of the company.
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
The investment operations of the Fund generally consist of the
following activities:
IDENTIFYING INVESTMENTS. Investment opportunities are identified for
the Fund principally by the Investment Adviser, the Sub-Adviser, and their
officers and directors. Investment proposals may, however, come to the Fund from
many other sources, and may include unsolicited proposals from the public and
referrals from banks, lawyers, accountants and members of the financial
community. Subject to approval by the Board of Directors (including the approval
of the disinterested Directors), the Fund may pay such persons (including
affiliates of Management other than directors, officers and employees of the
Sub-Adviser and the Investment Adviser) finder's fees to the extent permissible
under applicable law, consistent with industry practice.
EVALUATING INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES. Prior to committing funds to an
investment opportunity, investigation and research are conducted to assess the
prospects and risks of the potential investment. See "Investment Criteria"
above.
STRUCTURING INVESTMENTS. The terms of the Fund's investments
typically will be negotiated directly with the prospective portfolio company or
its affiliates. The Investment Adviser structures the terms of a proposed
investment, including the purchase price, the type of security to be purchased
and the future involvement of the Fund and affiliates in the portfolio company's
business (including representation on its board of directors). The Investment
Adviser seeks to structure the terms of the investment so as to provide for the
capital needs of the portfolio company and at the same time maximize the Fund's
opportunities for capital appreciation on its investment.
SELECTION AND FINANCING. The Investment Adviser, subject to the
approval of the Board of Directors, has responsibility for selecting the
investments that the Fund ultimately will make. The Sub-Adviser is responsible
for arranging any financing for the Fund.
PROVIDING MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE AND MONITORING OF INVESTMENTS.
Successful private equity investments typically require active monitoring of,
and significant participation in, major business decisions of portfolio
companies. In most cases, officers of the Fund serve as members of the boards of
directors of portfolio companies. Such management assistance is required of a
business development company under the Investment Company Act and is intended to
enable the Fund to exercise significant influence and provide management
assistance with respect to such matters as capital structure, budgets, profit
goals, diversification strategy, financing requirements, management additions or
replacements and development of a public market for the securities of the
portfolio company. In connection with their service as directors of portfolio
companies, officers and directors of the Fund, the Investment Adviser, and the
Sub-Adviser may receive and retain directors' fees or reimbursement for expenses
incurred. When necessary, the Investment Adviser, on behalf of the Fund, may
also assign staff professionals with financial or management expertise to assist
portfolio company management on specific problems.
DISPOSITION OF INVESTMENTS. The method and timing of the disposition
of the Fund's portfolio investments will be critical to the realization of
capital appreciation. The Investment Adviser expects to dispose of the Fund's
portfolio investments through a variety of transactions, including sales of
portfolio
B-3
companies to third parties, sales of portfolio securities in underwritten public
offerings, public sales of such securities pursuant to exemptions from
registration requirements and negotiated private sales of such securities to the
portfolio company itself or to other investors. In addition, the Fund may
distribute its portfolio securities in-kind to stockholders. Sales of such
securities by the stockholders may be subject to legal or practical
restrictions. In structuring investments, the Fund endeavors to reach such
agreements or understandings with a prospective portfolio company as may be
appropriate with respect to the method and timing of the disposition of the
Fund's investment and, if appropriate, will seek to obtain registration rights
at the expense of the portfolio company. The Fund bears the cost of disposing of
an investment to the extent not paid by the portfolio company.
TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS. Pending investment in portfolio companies, the
Fund invests its available funds in interest-bearing bank accounts, money market
mutual funds, U.S. Treasury securities and/or certificates of deposit with
maturities of less than one year (collectively, "Temporary Investments").
Temporary Investments may also include commercial paper (rated or unrated) and
other short-term securities. Temporary Investments constituting cash, cash
items, securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury or U.S. Government
agencies and high quality debt securities (commercial paper rated in the two
highest rating categories by Moody's Investor Services, Inc. or Standard &
Poor's Corporation, or if not rated, issued by a company having an outstanding
debt issue so rated, or corporate bonds rated at least A) with maturities of
less than one year at the time of investment will qualify for determining
whether the Fund has 70% of its total assets invested in Managed Companies (as
hereafter defined) or in qualified Temporary Investments for purposes of the
business development company provisions of the Investment Company Act. See
"Regulation" below.
FOLLOW-ON INVESTMENTS. Following its initial investment in a
portfolio company, the Fund may be requested to make follow-on investments in
the company. Follow-on investments may be made to take advantage of warrants or
other preferential rights granted to the Fund or otherwise to increase the
Fund's position in a successful or promising portfolio company. The Fund may
also be called upon to provide additional equity or loans needed by a portfolio
company to implement fully its business plans, to develop a new line of business
or to recover from unexpected business problems. The Fund may make follow-on
investments in portfolio companies from funds on hand or may borrow all or a
portion of the funds required to make such follow-on investments.
CO-INVESTMENT CONDITIONS
The Fund has co-invested in certain portfolio companies with Equus
Capital Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("ECP"). The Fund
obtained an order from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission")
exempting the Fund from certain prohibitions contained in the Investment Company
Act relating to co-investments by the Fund and ECP. Under the terms of the
exemptive order issued by the Commission, the following conditions must be met
in order for the Fund to invest with ECP or any other affiliates (the Fund and
ECP are each referred to below as a "Fund, the Directors of the Fund and the
Independent General Partners of ECP are referred to below as "Independent
Directors," and any person affiliated with the Fund, ECP, the Investment
Adviser, or the Sub-Adviser is referred to below as an "Equus Affiliate"):
1. Before a co-investment transaction is effected, the
Investment Adviser must make an initial determination on
behalf of each Fund regarding investment suitability. The
Investment Adviser must then make a written investment
presentation regarding the proposed co-investment to the
Independent Directors of each Fund that has funds available
for
B-4
investment setting forth the identity of each Fund and Equus
Affiliate that proposes to co-invest with the Fund
(collectively, including each Fund, the "Co-Investor").
2. The Independent Directors of each Fund must review the
Investment Adviser's initial determination and, prior to
committing to a co-investment, a majority of the Independent
Directors of each Fund must conclude that:
(a) the terms of the transaction, including the
consideration to be paid, are reasonable and fair
to the limited partners or stockholders, as the
case may be (hereinafter collectively referred to
as "Shareholders"), and the Fund and do not
involve overreaching of the Shareholders or the
Fund on the part of any person concerned;
(b) the transaction is consistent with the interests
of the Shareholders of the Fund and is consistent
with the investment objectives and policies of the
Fund; and
(c) the investment by one or more of the other
Co-Investors would not disadvantage the Fund in
making such investment, maintaining its investment
position, or disposing of such investment, and
that participation by the Fund would not be on a
basis different from or less advantageous than
that of other Co-Investors.
3. Each Fund that has funds available for investment will be
entitled to purchase a portion of each co-investment
transaction equal to the ratio of that Fund's net assets to
the total assets of all Funds that have determined to
participate in the co-investment transaction. A Fund may
decline to purchase the security, or to purchase less than
its full allocation, if a majority of its Independent
Directors determine that such action is in the best
interests of the Fund, it is reasonable and fair to the
Shareholders and the Fund, and does not involve overreaching
of the Shareholders and the Fund on the part of any person
concerned. If a Fund declines to participate in a
co-investment transaction or determines to participate to a
lesser extent than its full allocation, the other Funds may
acquire any amount declined. Equus Affiliates other than the
Funds will be permitted to invest only to the extent that
the total investment opportunity exceeds the amount that the
Funds determine to invest.
4. If a Fund engages in a co-investment transaction: (a) each
Co-Investor will acquire securities of each class acquired
by any other Co-Investor; (b) the ratio of the amount of
securities of a class acquired by each Co-Investor to the
amount of the securities of such class acquired by all
Co-Investors will be the same for every class acquired; and
(c) the terms of the purchase, including price, settlement
date, registration rights (if any), and any other rights
provided to the purchasers of such investments, will be the
same for each Co-Investor.
5. If any Co-Investor determines to make a follow-on investment
in any issuer whose securities were purchased in a
co-investment transaction, notice of the proposed Follow-On
Investment will be given to each Fund that participated in
the original co-investment transaction at the earliest
practical time. Follow-on investments will be reviewed,
approved, allocated, and disposed of in the same manner as
prescribed for initial co-investments.
6. If any Co-Investor elects to sell, exchange, or otherwise
dispose of any interest in a security purchased in a
co-investment transaction, notice of the proposed
disposition will be given to each Fund holding such security
at the earliest practical time. The Investment Adviser will
provide a written recommendation to the Independent
Directors of each Fund concerning the
B-5
proposed disposition. Each such Fund will participate in the
disposition at the same time as the other Co-Investors, on a
proportionate basis, and on the same terms and conditions;
provided that a required majority of the Independent
Directors may decide that a Fund will not participate in the
proposed disposition or will dispose of less than its
proportionate interest if they determine that such action is
in the best interest of such Fund, is reasonable and fair to
the Shareholders and such Fund, and does not involve
overreaching of the Shareholders of such Fund on the part of
any person concerned.
BORROWING
The Fund may borrow funds to facilitate the making of new or
follow-on investments, to maintain its pass-through tax status as a regulated
investment company under Subchapter M of the Code or to pay contingencies and
expenses. The Fund may also commit to invest funds in a portfolio company beyond
its initial investment or guarantee the obligations of a portfolio company. The
Fund is permitted under the Investment Company Act to borrow funds in an amount
not to exceed one-half of its total assets (including investments made with
borrowed money) (an asset coverage ratio of 200%). This may be done either
through the issuance of debt securities or by obtaining loans from commercial
banks or other sources. If the Fund borrows through the issuance of a "senior
security representing indebtedness" (as defined in the Investment Company Act),
distributions to stockholders or the repurchase of shares is prohibited unless
the Fund's asset coverage ratio is 200% at the time of the distribution or
repurchase. See "Regulation" in the SAI. The amount and nature of any borrowings
will depend on a number of factors over which neither the Fund nor the
Investment Adviser has control, including general economic conditions,
conditions in the financial markets, and the impact of the financing on the tax
treatment of the stockholders.
Loans obtained or debt securities issued by the Fund may provide for
interest payable at a floating rate (for example, linked to prime or commercial
rates) or a fixed rate on funds drawn down and a standby commitment fee applied
to any portion of the lending commitment not drawn down. The Fund also expects
that, as a condition to lending, lenders to the Fund may place restrictions on
the Fund, which may include reserve requirements or operating restrictions, and
may limit the ability of Management to control investments or their refinancing
and the ability of the Fund to make distributions to stockholders.
The use of leverage could have the effect of magnifying any capital
gains or losses. While the "spread" between the current yield on the Fund's
investments and the cost of any loan would augment the stockholders' return from
the Fund, if the spread narrows (because of an increase in the cost of debt or
insufficient income on the Fund's investments), distributions to the
stockholders would be adversely affected. If the spread were reversed, the Fund
might be unable to meet its obligations to its lenders, which might then seek to
cause the Fund to liquidate some or all of its investments. There can be no
assurance that the Fund would realize full value for its investments or recoup
all of its capital if its portfolio investments were involuntarily liquidated.
Although the use of leverage entails certain risks, it also enables
the Fund to better control the timing of its purchases and sales of investments
by increasing the Fund's liquidity.
There can be no assurance that the Fund will borrow when considered
desirable. The Fund may not be able to arrange debt financing on terms
acceptable to the Board of Directors, or the Board of Directors may believe
borrowings are not in the Fund's best interest. If the Fund were unable to
obtain debt financing, the Fund might be required to sell a portfolio investment
at an inopportune time, or to forego the purchase of an attractive potential or
follow-on investment, due to a short-term liquidity problem. In either case, the
value of the Fund's investment portfolio, and of the Fund's common stock, could
be adversely affected.
B-6
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
Overall responsibility for management and supervision of the Fund
rests with its Board of Directors. The Board of Directors approves all
significant agreements between the Fund and the companies that furnish the Fund
with services, including agreements with the Investment Adviser, the Fund's
custodian and the Fund's transfer agent. The Independent Directors supervise the
management arrangements for the Fund, the custody arrangements with respect to
portfolio securities, the selection of independent accountants, fidelity bonding
and any transactions with affiliates. The day-to-day operations of the Fund are
delegated to the Investment Adviser.
The names and business addresses of the Directors and principal
officers of the Fund are set forth in the following table, together with the
information as to their principal business occupations during the past five
years and, in the case of the Directors, their positions with certain other
organizations and companies. Each Director who is an "interested person" of the
Fund, as defined in the Investment Company Act, is indicated by an asterisk.
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE FUND
Position(s)
Held Principal Occupation(s)
NAME, ADDRESS AND AGE WITH REGISTRANT DURING PAST 5 YEARS
- --------------------- --------------- -------------------
Sam P. Douglass* Chairman of the Chairman and Chief Executive
2929 Allen Parkway Board and Chief Officer of the Investment
Suite 2500 Executive Officer Adviser and the Sub-Adviser.
Houston, Texas 77019
Age 63
Nolan Lehmann* President and President and a director of
2929 Allen Parkway Director the Investment Adviser and
Suite 2500 the Sub-Adviser.
Houston, Texas 77019
Age 51
Gregory J. Flanagan Director Senior Vice President of
6655 1st Park Ten Alexander & Alexander, Inc.
Park Terrace Bldg., Suite 100 since March 1990. President
San Antonio, Texas 782313 of Bank of Oklahoma, N.A.
Age 50 from September 1986 to
February 1990.
Robert L. Knauss Director Chairman and Chief Executive
1990 Post Oak, Suite 1630 Officer of Baltic
Houston, Texas 77056 International USA, Inc. since
Age 64 January 1994. Dean and
Distinguished Professor
University of Houston Law
Center from 1981 to 1993.
B-7
John W. Storms Director Managing General Partner of
1980 Post Oak Blvd. Storms & Critz, Certified
Suite 2110 Public Accountants.
Houston, Texas 77056
Age 51
Dr. Francis D. Tuggle Director Dean of Kogod College of
4400 Massachusetts Business Administration at
Avenue, N.W. The American University
Washington, D.C. 2001 since July 1990. Professor
Age 53 of Management at Jesse H.
Jones Graduate School of
Administration at Rice
University from 1981 to 1990
Dr. Edward E. Williams* Director Professor and Director of
13231 Champions Forest Dr. Entrepreneurship Program of
Suite 110 the Jesse H. Jones Graduate
Houston, Texas School of Administration of
Age 50 Rice University.
Gary R. Petersen Director Partner of EnCap Investments
1100 Louisiana, Suite 3150 ,L.C.
Houston, Texas 77002
Age 49
Gary L. Forbes Vice President Vice President of the
2929 Allen Parkway Investment Adviser and
Suite 2500 Sub-Adviser since November
Houston, Texas 77019 1991. President of Coal &
Age 52 Timber, Inc. during 1991.
Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of Elders
Resources North America,
Inc. from 1988 to 1991.
Randall B. Hale Vice President Vice President of the
2929 Allen Parkway Investment Adviser and the
Suite 2500 Sub-Adviser since November
Houston, Texas 77019 1992. Certified Public
Age 33 Accountant with Arthur
Andersen LLP from June 1985
to October 1992.
Patrick M. Cahill Vice President Controller of the Investment
2929 Allen Parkway Treasurer Adviser and the Sub-Adviser
Suite 2500 since May 1987. Vice
Houston, Texas 77019 President of the Sub-Adviser
Age 35 since March 1996.
Tracy H. Cohen Vice President Investment Relations Manager
2929 Allen Parkway Secretary of the Investment Adviser
Suite 2500 and Vice President of the
Houston, Texas 77019 Sub-Adviser since April 1995
Age 29 From September 1990 to April
1995, she was employed by
Arthur Andersen LLP from
June 1985 to October 1992.
B-8
* "Interested person" of the Fund, as defined in the Investment Company Act.
Messrs. Douglass and Lehmann are "interested persons" of the Fund as a result of
their employment as officers of the Fund and the Investment Adviser.
REMUNERATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
As compensation for services rendered to the Fund, each director who
is not an officer of the Fund receives an annual fee of $20,000 paid quarterly
in arrears, a fee of $2,000 for each meeting of the Board of Directors attended
in person, a fee of $1,000 for participation in each telephonic meeting of the
Board of Directors and for each committee meeting attended ($500 for each
committee meeting if attended on the same day as a Board Meeting), and
reimbursement of all out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at such
meetings. The disinterested directors will not receive any additional
compensation from the Fund or its portfolio companies for any additional
services rendered. Officers and directors of the Fund who are affiliated with
the Investment Adviser serve as directors of certain portfolio companies and in
such capacities may receive and retain directors' fees and other compensation
from portfolio companies. The Fund currently has no bonus, profit-sharing,
pension, or retirement plans, but in the future may establish a stock option
plan.
B-9
The following table shows certain compensation information for the
Directors of the Fund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995. None of the
Fund's executive officers and Directors who are also officers or directors of
the Investment Adviser received any compensation from the Fund for such period.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name of Person, Position Aggregate TOTAL Compensation
Compensation From From Registrant and
FUND Fund Complex Paid
to Directors
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gregory J. Flanagan, DIRECTOR $34,500 $34,500
======= =======
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ROBERT L. Knauss, Director 31,000 31,000
======= =======
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GARY R. PETERSEN, DIRECTOR 30,000 30,000
======= =======
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JOHN W. STORMS, DIRECTOR 34,500 34,500
======= =======
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FRANCIS D. Tuggle, Director 33,000 33,000
======= =======
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EDWARD E. Williams, DIRECTOR 33,500 33,500
======= =======
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOLAN Lehmann, President and 0 0
DIRECTOR ======= =======
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SAM P. Douglass, Chairman of the 0 0
Board and Chief Executive Officer ======= =======
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Fund does not currently maintain any pension or retirement plans for its
officers and directors.
LIMITATION OF OFFICERS' AND DIRECTORS' LIABILITY
The Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the By-Laws of the Fund
provide that the Fund, subject to the limitations of the Investment Company Act
will indemnify its Directors, officers, employees, or agents against liabilities
and expenses incurred in connection with litigation in which they may be
involved because of their offices with the Fund, to the fullest extent permitted
by law except that such indemnity shall not protect any such person against any
liability to the Fund or its stockholders to which such person would otherwise
be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence, or breach of
fiduciary duty in the performance of his duty to the Fund. In addition, the
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Fund provides that the Fund's
Directors will not be liable to the Fund and its stockholders for money damages,
except in limited instances. However, nothing in the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation or the By-Laws protects or indemnifies a Director, officer,
employee, or agent of the Fund against any liability to which such person would
otherwise be subject for any breach of the Director's duty of loyalty to the
Fund or its stockholders, for acts or omissions not in good faith or which
involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, or for any
transaction from which the Director derived an improper personal benefit. In
addition, indemnification is not permitted for any act or omission committed in
bad faith and opposed to the best interests of the Fund or, with respect to any
criminal proceeding, if the person had reasonable cause to believe that the act
or omission was unlawful.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS
Equus Capital Management Corporation (the "Investment Adviser")
manages the investments and business of the Fund pursuant to a Management
Agreement (the "Management Agreement"). Under the terms
B-10
of the Management Agreement the Investment Adviser provides, or arranges for
suitable third parties to provide, any and all management and administrative
services reasonably necessary for the operation of the Fund and the conduct of
its business. Such management and administrative services include, without
limitation, providing the Fund with office space, equipment, facilities and
supplies and clerical services; keeping and maintaining the books and records of
the Fund, and handling communications and correspondence with stockholders;
preparing accounting, management and other reports; and providing such other
managerial and administrative services as may be reasonably requested by the
Fund to identify, evaluate, structure, monitor and dispose of its investments.
The Investment Adviser also manages the Fund's cash and short-term, interest
bearing investments. In return for its services and the expenses which the
Investment Adviser assumes under the Management Agreement, the Fund pays the
Investment Adviser, on a quarterly basis, a management fee equal to 0.5% of the
net assets of the Fund on the last day of each calendar quarter (2% per annum).
The management fees are payable quarterly in arrears. The Investment Adviser
earned management fees from the Fund of $1,237,775, $1,212,457, and $1,243,559
for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994, and 1993. The management fees
charged by the Investment Adviser are higher than the fee paid by most
investment companies.
Under the Management Agreement, the Fund is obligated to bear all
costs and expenses directly allocable and identifiable to the Fund or its
businesses or investments, including, but not limited to, all expenses with
respect to investments or dispositions thereof, acquisitions of portfolio
companies, dispositions of portfolio companies, expenses of registering the
shares under federal and state securities laws, costs of printing proxies and
other expenses related to meetings of stockholders, litigation expenses, costs
of third party evaluations or appraisals of the Fund or its actual investments,
fees of transfer agents and custodians, legal fees, fees of independent public
accountants, expenses of printing or distributing reports to stockholders,
securities holders and regulatory bodies, federal, state and local taxes, and
other costs and expenses directly allocable and identifiable to the Fund or its
business or investments.
In addition to the management fee, the Fund has agreed to pay the
Investment Adviser quarterly and at the final dissolution or liquidation of the
Fund if the Fund is dissolved on a date other than the end of a fiscal quarter,
an incentive fee in an amount equal to (i) 20% of the net realized capital gains
less unrealized capital depreciation of the Fund and its
predecessors-in-interest on a cumulative basis from October 23, 1987 (November
14, 1984, in the case of certain investments held by Equus Investments
Incorporated), through the end of each fiscal quarter, less (ii) the aggregate
amount of the incentive fee payments and special allocation distributions to the
Investment Adviser or the Sub-Adviser in prior periods. If the amount of the
incentive fee in any fiscal quarter is a negative number, or cumulative net
realized capital gains less unrealized capital depreciation at the end of any
fiscal quarter is less than such amount calculated at the end of the previous
quarter , the Investment Adviser will be required to repay to the Fund all or a
portion of the incentive fee previously paid. No management incentive fees were
paid for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994 and deferred management
incentive fees of $4,295,335 have been accrued by the Fund at December 31, 1995,
on gross unrealized appreciation of portfolio securities. The deferred incentive
fees will not be paid until such unrealized appreciation is realized.
The Investment Adviser also provides certain administrative services
to the Fund, primarily related to investor communications, pursuant to a service
agreement with the Fund. The Investment Adviser received service fees from the
Fund of $50,000 for the year ended December 31, 1995.
The Management Agreements also provide for indemnification by the
Fund of the Investment Adviser and its officers and directors from any
threatened, pending or completed action to the extent that the activities giving
rise to such action were performed in good faith either on behalf of the Fund or
in furtherance of the interests of the Fund and in a manner reasonably believed
by such person to be within the scope of the
B-11
authority conferred by the Management Agreement or by law, so long as such
person's conduct did not constitute bad faith, negligence, misconduct or any
breach of fiduciary duty owed to the Fund. In the absence of a determination by
a court that the person seeking indemnification is not liable by reason of
disabling conduct, such indemnification may be authorized by a reasonable
determination, based upon a review of the facts, by the disinterested Directors
or by independent counsel in a written opinion. Indemnification is limited by
Section 17(i) of the Investment Company Act.
Pursuant to its terms, the Management Agreement will continue in
effect from year to year provided such continuation is approved at least
annually by (i) a vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund or
(ii) a majority of the Directors who are not "interested persons" of the Fund,
at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Management
Agreements may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by
the Board of Directors of the Fund or a vote of the holders of a majority of the
Fund's shares on 60 days' written notice to the Investment Adviser, and
terminates automatically in the event of its "assignment" (as defined in the
Investment Company Act).
INVESTMENT ADVISER
The Investment Adviser was organized as a Delaware corporation on
September 27, 1983 and maintains its offices at 2929 Allen Parkway, Suite 2500,
Houston, Texas 77019. The Investment Adviser's sole activity is to perform
management, administrative and investment advisory services for the Sub-Adviser,
the Fund, ECP, and other investment partnerships or corporations to be formed by
the Sub-Adviser. The Investment Adviser is a registered investment adviser under
the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the "Advisers Act").
The directors and officers of the Investment Adviser are: Sam P.
Douglass, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer; Nolan Lehmann,
President and director; Gary L. Forbes, Vice President; Randall B. Hale, Vice
President and director; Paula T. Douglass, director; and S. Preston Douglass,
director. There is no family relationship between any Independent Director of
the Fund and any director or officer of the Investment Adviser. Paula T.
Douglass is the wife of Sam P. Douglass and S. Preston Douglass, Jr. is the son
of Sam P. Douglass.
The business address of Messrs. Douglass, Lehmann, Tucker, Forbes,
and Hale and Ms. Douglass is 2929 Allen Parkway, Suite 2500, Houston, Texas
77019. The business address of Mr. S. Preston Douglass, Jr. is 820 Main Street,
Suite 100, Kerrville, Texas 78028.
For biographical information on Messrs. Douglass, Lehmann, Tucker,
Forbes, and Hale, please refer to "Management of the Fund -- Investment Adviser"
in the Prospectus.
Paula T. Douglass, age 43, has been a director of the Management
Company since July 1993. Since July 1991, she has been Chairman and CEO of DOVA
Production and Entertainment Company. From September 1989 to September 1990 she
was employed as an attorney by Fulbright & Jaworski LLP. Since December 1978,
she has been a director of Equus Corporation International ("ECI") and is
Chairman and a director of Iwerks Entertainment, Inc. She is a licensed
attorney.
S. Preston Douglass, Jr. age 33, has been a director of the
Management Company since July 1993. He is a partner in the law firm of Wallace,
Mosty, Machann, Jackson & Williams, Kerrville, Texas where he began in January
1989. He was a prosecutor in the 216th Judicial District in Kerrville, Texas
from December 1987 to December 1988. He is a licensed attorney and former
President of the Kerr County Bar Association. He currently serves as President
of the Hill Country Court Appointed Special Advocates. He is
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also a member of the Board of the Hill Country YMCA, MO-Ranch Presbyterian
Assembly, and the Kerrville Public School Foundation.
As a result of its stock ownership in the Investment Adviser, ECI has
80% voting control of the Investment Adviser. ECI is a privately owned
corporation engaged in a variety of investment activities. ECI is owned by
certain trusts for the benefit of Mr. Douglass and members of his family.
SUB-ADVISER AGREEMENT
The Investment Adviser has entered into a Sub-Adviser Agreement (the
"Sub-Adviser Agreement") with the Sub-Adviser pursuant to which the Sub-Adviser
provides certain investment advisory services for the Fund. The Sub-Adviser
Agreement provides that the Sub-Adviser is responsible for approving the Fund's
quarterly net asset valuations and arranging any necessary financing for the
Fund. In return for its services, the Investment Adviser has agreed to pay the
Sub-Adviser quarterly and at the final dissolution or liquidation of the Fund,
if the Fund is dissolved on a date other than the end of a fiscal quarter, an
incentive fee in an amount equal to (i) ten percent of the net realized capital
gains less unrealized capital depreciation of the Fund on a cumulative basis
from October 23, 1987 (November 14, 1984, in the case of certain investments
held by Equus Investments Incorporated), through the end of each fiscal quarter,
less (ii) the aggregate amount of the incentive fee payments and special
incentive allocation distributions to the Sub-Adviser in prior periods. If the
amount of the incentive fee in any period is a negative number, or cumulative
net realized capital gains less unrealized capital depreciation at the end of
any fiscal quarter is less than such amount calculated at the end of the
previous fiscal quarter, the Sub-Adviser will be required to repay to the
Investment Adviser all or a portion of the incentive fee previously paid. No
fees have been paid to date under the Sub-Adviser Agreement.
The Sub-Adviser Agreement also provides for indemnification by the
Fund of the Sub-Adviser and its officers and directors from any threatened,
pending or completed action to the extent that the activities giving rise to
such action were performed in good faith either on behalf of the Fund or in
furtherance of the interests of the Fund and in a manner reasonably believed by
such person to be within the scope of the authority conferred by the Sub-Adviser
Agreement or by law, so long as such person's conduct did not constitute bad
faith, negligence, misconduct or any breach of fiduciary duty owed to the Fund.
In the absence of a determination by a court that the person seeking
indemnification is not liable by reason of disabling conduct, such
indemnification may be authorized by a reasonable determination, based upon a
review of the facts, by the disinterested Directors or by independent counsel in
a written opinion. Indemnification is limited by Section 17(i) of the Investment
Company Act.
Pursuant to its terms, the Sub-Adviser Agreement will continue in
effect from year to year provided such continuance is approved at least annually
by (i) a vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund or (ii) a
majority of the Directors who are not "interested persons" of the Fund, at a
meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Sub-Adviser
Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by
the Board of Directors of the Fund or a vote of holders of a majority of the
Fund's shares on 60 days' written notice to the Sub-Adviser, and would
automatically terminate in the event of its "assignment" (as defined in the
Investment Company Act).
THE SUB-ADVISER
The Sub-Adviser is a corporation organized under the laws of the
State of Delaware in September 1983. The Sub-Adviser was organized to serve as
managing general partner of the Partnership and other similar partnerships and
is a registered investment adviser under the Advisers Act.
B-13
The directors and officers of the Sub-Adviser and their principal
occupations are respectively as follows: Sam P. Douglass, Chairman of the Board
and a director; Nolan Lehmann, President and a director; Patrick M. Cahilll,
Vice President and Treeasurer; Tracy H. Cohen, Vice President and Secretary Gary
L. Forbes , Vice President; Randall B. Hale, Vice President and director Paula
T. Douglass, director; and S. Preston Douglass, director. The business address
of Messrs. Douglass, Lehmann, Tucker, Forbes, Hale, and Cahill and of Ms. Cohen
and Douglass is 2929 Allen Parkway, Suite 2500, Houston, Texas 77019. The
business address of Mr. S. Preston Douglass, Jr. is 820 Main Street, Suite 100,
Kerrville, Texas 78028.
There is no family relationship between any disinterested Director of
the Fund or director or officer of the Sub-Adviser.
As a result of its stock ownership in the Sub-Adviser, the Investment
Adviser has 100% voting control of the Sub-Adviser. As a result of its stock
ownership in the Investment Adviser, ECI has 80% voting control of the
Investment Adviser. ECI has its principal offices at 2929 Allen Parkway, 25th
Floor, Houston, Texas 77019.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
The Investment Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and their affiliates may be
subject to various conflicts of interest in connection with their relationships
and transactions with the Fund. The contractual and other arrangements between
the Fund and the Investment Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and their affiliates have
not been established by arms-length negotiations. Such conflicts of interest may
include:
TRANSACTIONS WITH THE FUND AND PORTFOLIO COMPANIES. The Investment
Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and their affiliates may perform various services for
the Fund and its portfolio companies. In consideration for such services, such
persons may receive various fees, commissions and reimbursements to the extent
permitted under applicable law. Depending upon Management's influence and
control with respect to portfolio companies, the selection of such persons to
perform such services for portfolio companies may not be a disinterested
decision and the terms and conditions for the performance of such services, and
the amounts and terms of such compensation, may not be determined in
arm's-length negotiations.
The Investment Company Act contains restrictions as to certain
transactions among the Fund, Management, and their affiliates. See "Regulation."
Generally, transactions involving the Fund and Management, or certain of their
affiliates must receive the prior approval of the Commission or Board of
Directors. There can be no assurance that such prior approval of the Commission
will be obtained.
The Investment Adviser and the Sub-Adviser provide services to other
investors, including other investment partnerships or corporations and other
business development companies organized by the Sub-Adviser, the Investment
Adviser or their affiliates. The Fund has no contractual or other right to such
services prior to any such other investors.
CONFLICTS AS TO INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES. Affiliates of the
Investment Adviser and the Sub-Adviser may make private equity investments for
their own account and may be in competition with the Fund for such investments.
In addition, the Investment Adviser may serve as investment adviser of other
private or public limited partnerships or corporations which will have
investment objectives identical with or similar to those of the Fund. Although
the Investment Adviser and the Sub-Adviser are obligated to use their best
efforts to provide the Fund with continuing and suitable investment
opportunities consistent with its investment objective and policies, the
Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser are not required to present to the Fund any
particular investment opportunity that has come to their attention, even if such
opportunity is within the investment
B-14
objective and policies of the Fund. Accordingly, the Fund may not be given the
opportunity to participate in certain investments made by affiliates of the
Investment Adviser and the Sub-Adviser. In addition, if the Fund rejects an
investment opportunity for any reason, the Investment Adviser, the Sub-Adviser
and its affiliates would be permitted to accept it. Within 10 days after the end
of each fiscal year of the Fund, the Investment Adviser and the Sub-Adviser will
furnish the Board of Directors of the Fund with information on a confidential
basis as to any investments made by Investment Adviser, the Sub-Adviser or their
affiliates for the previous fiscal year. Management will endeavor to resolve
conflicts with respect to investment opportunities in a manner deemed equitable
to all to the extent possible under the prevailing facts and circumstances.
JOINT INVESTMENTS IN PORTFOLIO COMPANIES. Management and its
Affiliates may participate with the Fund as co-investors in portfolio companies.
Such participation will be required to be on a basis which, in the judgment of
the Board of Directors, is not more advantageous to such other persons than the
basis upon which the Fund participates in such joint investments, and will
require the prior approval of the Board of Directors. In some instances, prior
approval of the Commission of such joint investments may be required.
There can be no assurance that such approval will be obtained.
TIMING OF DISPOSITION OF INVESTMENTS. The Investment Adviser and the
Sub-Adviser receive incentive compensation measured by the net realized capital
gains of the Fund. The interests of the Sub-Adviser and the Investment Adviser
may conflict with the interests of the stockholders with respect to the timing
of the disposition of the Fund investments. However, the acts of Management are
subject to supervision by the Board of Directors.
ALLOCATION OF MANAGEMENT TIME AND SERVICES. The Fund does not have
independent management or employees and relies on the Investment Adviser, the
Sub-Adviser, and their affiliates for management and administration of the Fund
and its assets. Management believes that it and its affiliates have or can
attract sufficient personnel to discharge all of their responsibilities to the
Fund. Conflicts of interest may arise in allocating management, time, services
or functions between the Fund and other entities for which Management and its
affiliates may provide similar services. The officers and directors of the
Investment Adviser and the Sub-Adviser and their affiliates will devote such
time to the affairs of the Fund as they, in their sole discretion, determine to
be necessary for the conduct of the business of the Fund.
OTHER RELATIONSHIPS WITH PORTFOLIO COMPANIES. Management and their
affiliates may have other relationships on an on-going basis with portfolio
companies in which the Fund has invested. Such relationships could influence
Management to take actions, or forbear from taking actions, which an independent
investment adviser might not take or forbear from taking.
LACK OF SEPARATE REPRESENTATION. The Board of Directors of the Fund,
the Investment Adviser and the Sub-Adviser are represented by the same legal
counsel. Separate counsel will be retained by the Board of Directors for the
Fund in connection with any dispute which may arise between the Fund, the
Investment Adviser, the Sub-Adviser or any of their affiliates.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
Net asset value per share is determined each quarter by dividing the
value of the net assets of the Fund in dollars (the value of its assets less its
liabilities) on the last day of the quarter by the total number of shares
outstanding. The Sub-Adviser performs the valuations of the investments in
portfolio securities of the Fund, subject to the approval of the Board of
Directors of the Fund. Valuations of portfolio securities are done in accordance
with recommended accounting and reporting principles and practices and the
financial
B-15
reporting policies of the Commission. The applicable methods prescribed by such
principles and policies are described below.
The fair market value of investments for which no market exists
(including most investments made by the Fund) are determined on the basis of
procedures established in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Fund. As a
general principle, the current "fair value" of an investment being valued by the
Sub-Adviser would be the amount which the Fund might reasonably expect to
receive for it upon its current sale. There is a range of values that are
reasonable for such investments at any particular time. Generally, pursuant to
procedures established by the Board of Directors, the fair value of each
investment initially is based upon its original cost to the Fund. Cost is the
primary factor used to determine fair value until significant developments
affecting the portfolio company (such as results of operations or changes in
general market conditions) provide a basis for use of an appraisal valuation.
Appraisal valuations are based upon such factors as the portfolio
company's earnings, cash flow, and net worth, the market prices for similar
securities of comparable companies and an assessment of the company's future
financial prospects. In the case of unsuccessful operations, the appraisal may
be based upon liquidation value. Appraisal valuations are necessarily
subjective.
The Fund may also use, when available, third-party transactions in a
portfolio company's securities as the basis of valuation (the "private market
method"). The private market method is used only with respect to completed
transactions or firm offers made by sophisticated, independent investors.
Securities with legal, contractual or practical restrictions on transfer may be
valued at a discount from their value determined by the foregoing methods to
reflect such restrictions. The Fund investments for which market quotations are
readily available and which are freely transferable are valued as follows: (i)
securities traded on a securities exchange or the Nasdaq National Market will be
valued at the closing price on the date of valuation and (ii) securities traded
in the over-the-counter market will be valued at the average of the closing bid
and asked prices on the date of valuation. The fair value of debt securities,
which are generally held to maturity, are determined on the basis of the terms
of the debt securities and the financial conditions of the issuers. Certificates
of deposit purchased by the Fund are valued at their face value, plus interest
accrued to the date of valuation. For securities that are in a class of public
securities but are restricted from free trading (such as Rule 144 stock),
valuation is set by applying an estimated discount to the closing sales or bid
price to reflect the illiquidity caused by such restrictions.
The Board of Directors reviews the valuation policies on a quarterly
basis to determine their appropriateness and may also hire independent firms to
review the Sub-Adviser's methodology of valuation or to conduct an independent
valuation.
Shares of closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a
discount to net asset value, but in certain instances have traded above net
asset value. The Fund's shares have traded at a discount to net asset value
since inception of trading on the American Stock Exchange. It is not possible to
predict whether the Shares will trade at, above or below net asset value.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
Although the Fund invests primarily in securities issued in private
transactions, to the extent permitted by law and consistent with its investment
objectives and policies, it may from time to time make investments in publicly
traded securities. In addition, a portfolio company in which the Fund invests
may "go public" subsequent to the Fund's investment by registering its
securities under the Securities Act of 1933 and/or the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934. The Investment Adviser will make purchases and sales of publicly traded
B-16
securities in the manner it deems most beneficial to the Fund, taking into
account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or
dealer spread), size of order, difficulty of execution, operational facilities
of the brokerage firm involved and the firm's risk in positioning a block of
securities. Although the Investment Adviser will seek competitive commission
rates, it will not necessarily pay the lowest commission or spread available.
Transactions in securities of the companies in which the Fund may invest may
involve specialized services on the part of the broker or dealer and entail
higher commissions or spreads than those available for transactions involving
more widely traded securities of more established companies.
The Fund has no obligation to deal with any broker in execution of
transactions for its portfolio securities.
Transactions in listed equity securities may be effected on the New
York Stock Exchange and the American Stock Exchange and will involve the payment
of negotiated brokerage commissions. Transactions in the over-the-counter market
(including the Nasdaq National Market and Small-Cap Market) are typically
principal transactions with dealers and the costs of such transactions involve
dealer spreads rather than brokerage commissions. When possible, the Fund will
deal directly with the dealers who make a market in the securities involved
except in those circumstances where better prices and execution are available
elsewhere. Under the Investment Company Act, the Sub-Adviser and the Investment
Adviser and their affiliates generally are prohibited from dealing with the Fund
as a principal in the purchase and sale of securities unless they receive an
appropriate exemptive order from the Commission.
The aggregate amount of brokerage commissions paid by the Fund during
the three years ended December 31, 1995, were $4,831, $0, and $0, respectively.
No brokerage commissions were paid during such period to any broker that: (1) is
an affiliated person of the Fund, (2) is an affiliated person of an affiliated
person of the Fund, or (3) has an affiliated person that is an affiliated person
of the Fund, the Investment Adviser, or the Sub-Adviser.
Subject to obtaining the best price and execution, brokers who
provide supplemental research, market and statistical information to the
Investment Adviser or its affiliates may receive orders for transactions by the
Fund. The term "research, market and statistical information" includes advice as
to the value of securities, and advisability of investing in, purchasing or
selling securities, the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of
securities, furnishing analyses and reports concerning issues, industries,
securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy and the performance
of accounts. Information so received will be in addition to and not in lieu of
the services required to be performed by the Investment Adviser under the
Management Agreement and the expenses of the Investment Adviser will not
necessarily be reduced as a result of the receipt of such supplemental
information. Such information may be useful to the Investment Adviser and its
affiliates in providing services to clients other than the Fund, and not all
such information is used by the Investment Adviser in connection with the Fund.
Conversely, such information provided to the Investment Adviser and its
affiliates by brokers and dealers through whom other clients of the Investment
Adviser and its affiliates effect securities transactions may be useful to the
Investment Adviser in providing services to the Fund.
Although investment decisions for the Fund are made independently
from those of the other accounts managed by the Investment Adviser and its
affiliates, investments of the kind made by the Fund may also be made by certain
other accounts. When the same securities are purchased for or sold by the Fund
and any of such other accounts, it is the policy of the Investment Adviser and
its affiliates to allocate such purchases and sales in the manner deemed fair
and equitable to all of the accounts, including the Fund.
Portfolio Turnover
B-17
Because private equity investments generally require relatively long
periods of time to reach maturity, the rate of turnover of the Fund's
investments in portfolio companies is low. The short-term securities in which
the Fund invests have a high rate of turnover.
SHARE REPURCHASES AND TENDER OFFERS
The Fund is a closed-end business development company and, as such,
stockholders have no right to present their shares to the Fund for redemption.
Shares of closed-end companies generally sell at market prices varying from
their net asset value, frequently at a discount from net asset value, but in
some cases at a premium over net asset value. The Board of Directors of the Fund
has determined that it would be in the best interest of stockholders for the
Fund to be authorized to attempt to reduce or eliminate a market value discount
from net asset value. Accordingly, the Fund from time to time may, but is not
required to, repurchase its shares (including by means of tender offers) in
order to attempt to reduce or eliminate any discount or to increase the net
asset value of its shares, or both. The Fund's Board of Directors at any time,
however, may decide that the Fund should not make share repurchases. Repurchased
shares will be retired thereby reducing the common stock issued and outstanding
and capital in excess of par. The Fund may borrow money to finance share
repurchases, subject to compliance with the Investment Company Act, discussed
under "Investment Objective and Policies -- Borrowing".
There can be no assurance that repurchases will eliminate or reduce
the discount from net asset value on the Fund's price per share. The market
price of the shares of the Fund is determined by, among other things, the
relative demand for and supply of such shares in the market, the Fund's
investment performance, the Fund's dividends and yield and investor perception
of the Fund's overall attractiveness as an investment as compared with other
investment alternatives. Nevertheless, the fact that the Fund's shares may be
the subject of repurchases from time to time may enhance its attractiveness to
investors and thus reduce the spread between market price and net asset value
that may otherwise exist.
Although the Board of Directors of the Fund believes that share
repurchases generally would have a favorable effect on the market price of the
Fund's shares, it should be recognized that an acquisition of shares by the Fund
will decrease the total assets of the Fund and therefore may increase the Fund's
expense ratio. Furthermore, if the Fund borrows to finance share repurchases or
tender offers, interest on that borrowing will reduce the Fund's net investment
income. If the Fund must liquidate investments to finance a share repurchase,
such liquidation might be at a time when independent investment judgment might
not dictate such action. Such liquidation could also affect the Fund's status as
a regulated investment company.
See "Tax Matters."
It is the present policy of the Board of Directors of the Fund, which
may be changed by the Board of Directors at any time without notice to
stockholders, not to effect share repurchases or accept tenders if (1) such
transactions, if consummated, would (a) result in the delisting of the Fund's
shares from any exchange on which the shares are listed or quoted, or (b)
disqualify the Fund as a regulated investment company under the Code (which
would make the Fund a taxable entity, causing the Fund's income to be taxed at
the corporate level in addition to the taxation of stockholders who receive
dividends and distributions from the Fund); (2) the Fund would not be able to
liquidate portfolio securities in a manner that is orderly and consistent with
the Fund's investment objective and policies in order to purchase shares
tendered; or (3) there is, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, any (a)
legal action or proceeding instituted or threatened challenging such
transactions or otherwise materially adversely affecting the Fund, (b)
suspension of or limitation on prices for trading securities generally on the
New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, or the Nasdaq Stock
Market, (c) declaration of a banking moratorium by Federal or state
B-18
authorities or any suspension of payment by banks in the United States or the
State of Texas, (d) material limitation imposed by Federal or state authorities
on the extension of credit by lending institutions, (e) commencement of war,
armed hostilities or other international or national calamity directly or
indirectly involving the United States or other countries in which the Fund
invests, which is material to the Fund, or (f) other events or conditions that
would have a material adverse effect on the Fund or its stockholders if shares
tendered were purchased. The Fund's Board of Directors may modify these
conditions in light of circumstances existing at the time.
Each tender offer for the Fund's shares, if any, will be made and
stockholders notified in accordance with requirements of the Exchange Act and
the Investment Company Act, either by publication or mailing or both. Each
offering document will contain such information as is prescribed by such laws
and the rules land regulations promulgated thereunder.
The Fund will not specify a record date for the tender offer which
will not permit a stockholder of record on the effective date of the tender
offer to tender his shares. Each person tendering shares will pay to the Fund a
reasonable service charge to help defray certain costs, including the processing
of tender forms, effecting payment, postage and handling. Any such service
charge will be paid directly by the tendering stockholder and will not be
deducted from the proceeds of the purchase. The Fund's transfer agent will
receive the fee as an offset to these costs. The Fund expects the cost to the
Funds of effecting a tender offer will exceed the aggregate of all service
charges received from those who tender their shares. Costs associated with a
tender will be charged against capital. During the pendency of any tender offer,
stockholders may ascertain the net asset value of the Fund's shares by calling a
telephone number as provided in any tender offer materials.
TAX MATTERS
The Fund intends to continue to qualify for and elect to be treated
as a "regulated investment company" under Subchapter M of the Code. If the Fund
qualifies as a regulated investment company and distributes to stockholders in a
timely manner at least 90% of its "investment company taxable income" each year,
it will not be subject to federal income tax on the portion of its taxable
income and gains it distributes to stockholders. In addition, if the Fund
distributes in a timely manner 98% of its net capital gain income for each
one-year period ending on October 31 and 98% of its investment company taxable
income for each calendar year (as well as any portion of the respective 2%
balances not distributed in the previous year), it will not be subjected to the
4% nondeductible federal excise tax on certain undistributed income of regulated
investment companies.
Under the Investment Company Act, the Fund is not permitted to make
distributions to stockholders unless it meets certain asset coverage
requirements. See "Regulation". If the Fund is unable to make the required
distributions, it may fail to qualify as a regulated investment company, or be
subjected to a nondeductible 4% excise tax.
For any period during which the Fund qualifies as a regulated
investment company for tax purposes, distributions to stockholders of the Fund's
ordinary income (including dividends, interest and original issue discount) and
any net short-term capital gain generally will be taxable as ordinary income to
stockholders to the extent of the Fund's current or accumulated earnings and
profits. To the extent that the Fund's distributions are not taxable to
stockholders as ordinary income or capital gains, they will be treated as a
return of capital and will reduce the stockholder's basis in his shares and, to
the extent that they exceed his basis, will be treated as a gain from the sale
of his shares as discussed below. Distributions which are taxable to
stockholders as ordinary income will constitute dividends for federal income tax
purposes. Distributions
B-19
received by corporate stockholders will be subject to the 70% dividend received
deduction (i) if,and to the extent that such distributions are made out of
dividend income of the Fund and (ii) the requisite holding period set forth in
Sections 246 and 246A of the Code is satisfied. The dividends-received deduction
is currently 70%.
Sections 246 and 246A of the Code contain limitations on the
eligibility of dividends for the dividends-received deduction for corporations
in addition to the limitations discussed. Depending upon the corporate
stockholder's circumstances (including whether it has a 45-day holding period
for its shares and whether its shares are debt financed), these limitations may
be applicable to dividends received by the corporate stockholder that would
otherwise qualify for the dividends-received deduction under the principles
discussed above. Accordingly, stockholders should consult their own tax advisers
in this regard.
Stockholders who are not subject to tax on their income will not be
required to pay tax on amounts distributed to them.
Investors should be careful to consider the tax implications of
buying shares just prior to a distribution. Even if the price of the shares
includes the amount of the forthcoming distribution, the stockholder will be
taxed upon receipt of the distribution and will not be entitled to offset the
distribution against tax basis in the shares. So long as the Fund is a regulated
investment company, the investment fees and expenses incurred by the Fund will
reduce the Fund's income and will not be deemed to be distributed to
stockholders or subject to the limitation on miscellaneous itemized deductions
imposed on individual stockholders.
Distribution of the Fund's net capital gain (designated by the Fund
as capital gain dividends) will be taxable to stockholders as long-term capital
gain regardless of the stockholder's holding period in his Shares.
Capital losses realized by the Fund may offset the Fund's capital
gains but not its ordinary income. Stockholders are not entitled to include any
portion of a net capital loss for a Fund tax year on their individual returns.
Net capital losses may be carried over by the Fund to the next eight years as
short-term capital losses. However, such losses may not reduce the earnings and
profits realized by the Fund in a carryover year. Rather, they reduce the Fund's
accumulated earnings and profits at the start of the year and the amount of
dividends distributed out of current year earnings and profits that may be
designated as capital gain dividends.
The Fund may be required to withhold 20% of all taxable distributions
payable to stockholders who fail to provide the Fund with their correct taxpayer
identification number or to make required certifications, or regarding whom the
Fund has been notified by the IRS that they are subject to backup withholding.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax and any amounts withheld may be
credited against a stockholder's United States Federal Income tax liability.
Federal withholding taxes at a 30% rate (or a lesser rate established
by treaty) may apply to distributions to stockholders that are nonresident
aliens or foreign partnerships, trusts or corporations. Foreign investors should
consult their tax advisers with respect to the possible United States federal,
state and local and foreign tax consequences of an investment in the Fund.
The federal tax status of each year's distributions will be reported
to the stockholders and the IRS. Distributions may also be subject to additional
state, local and foreign taxes, depending on each stockholder's particular
situation. Stockholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with
respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund.
B-20
If the Fund acquires debt obligations that were originally issued at
a discount, or that bear stated interest rates that do not call for payments at
fixed rates (or certain "qualified variable rates") at regular intervals over
the life of the obligation, it will be required to include in income each year a
portion of the "original issue discount" that accrues over the life of the
obligation regardless of whether the income is received by the Fund and to make
distributions accordingly. In this event, the Fund may borrow funds or sell its
investments to meet these distribution requirements. See "Investment Objective
and Policies --Borrowing."
Any dividend declared by the Fund in October, November or December of
any calendar year, payable to stockholders of record on a specified date in any
such month and actually paid before February 1 of the following year, will be
treated as if it were received on December 31 of the previous year.
Pursuant to Section 852(b)(3) of the Code, the Fund may elect to
retain and pay income tax on net long-term capital gains it receives during a
tax year. If the Fund elects to retain any long-term capital gains, stockholders
must include in their income as long-term capital gains their proportionate
share of such undistributed long term capital gains as designated by the Fund.
The Fund is required to give each stockholder written notice within 60 days of
the close of its taxable year designating the amount of any undistributed
capital gains. Each stockholder is deemed to have paid his share of the income
taxes paid by the Fund on the undistributed long-term capital gain, which can be
credited or refunded to the stockholder. The basis of each stockholder's Shares
is increased by the difference between the undistributed long-term capital gains
and their tax credit or refund. Any undistributed long-term capital gains
retained by the Fund on which income tax is paid by the Fund under Section
852(b)(3) of the Code are treated as a distributed amount for purposes of
determining the amounts subject to the 4% excise tax. Qualified Plans (including
IRAs), certain trusts and other organizations or persons who are not subject to
federal income tax on capital gains will be entitled to a refund of their pro
rata share of such taxes paid by the Fund upon filing appropriate returns or
claims for refund with the proper tax authorities. Although Qualified Plans and
IRAs are not taxable on capital gains derived from the Fund, distributions to
beneficiaries from such entities will be taxable at ordinary income rates
regardless of the character of income when received by the Qualified Plan or
IRA.
In order to qualify as a regulated investment company for federal
income tax purposes, among other things the Fund must (a) derive at least 90% of
its gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities
loans, gains from the sale of stock or securities, certain foreign currency
gains, or other income derived with respect to its business of investing in such
stock, securities or currencies; (b) derive less than 30% of its gross income
from the sale of stock or securities held for less than 3 months; and (c)
diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter, (i) at least 50% of
the value of the Fund's assets consists of cash, government securities and other
securities if such other securities of any one issuer do not represent more than
5% of the Fund's assets or 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the
issuer and (ii) no more than 25% of the value of the Fund's assets are invested
in the securities of one issuer (other than United States Government
securities), or of two or more issuers that are controlled by the Fund and are
engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses. The foregoing
diversification requirements may affect the size and type of investments that
the Fund will make. The appreciation of a group of investments could distort the
Fund's overall diversification. In this event, the Fund may borrow to make
qualifying investments (i.e. in cash, certificates of deposit or government
securities) or sell certain of its investments.
The Fund may receive or be deemed to receive certain income that
would not constitute the type of income that would satisfy the 90% test
described in clause (a) in the preceding paragraph. If more than 10%of the
Fund's gross income arose from these sources, the Fund could become ineligible
for taxation as a regulated investment company in that year. In addition, if the
Fund were to sell participations in its loans, it could be deemed to have
disposed of a security held for less than three months. If as a result of such
sales,
B-21
at least 30% of the Fund's income were derived from the sale of stock or
securities held for less than three months, the Fund could become ineligible for
taxation as a regulated investment company in that year.
If, in any taxable year, the Fund fails to qualify to be treated as a
regulated investment company for federal tax purposes, the Fund will be taxed in
the same manner as an ordinary corporation regardless of whether it distributes
its income to its stockholders. In addition, if the Fund fails to qualify as a
regulated investment company, distributions to stockholders will generally be
taxable as ordinary dividends to the extent of the Fund's current or accumulated
earnings and profits, regardless of whether the distributions are designated as
"capital gain dividends" by the Fund.
In order to requalify as a regulated investment company in subsequent
years, the Fund would be required to first pay out its earnings and profits from
the year of disqualification. In addition, the IRS has announced that it will
issue regulations providing that a corporation that seeks to qualify for
treatment as a regulated investment company that has not previously qualified to
be so taxed (or that has so qualified and subsequently failed to requalify for a
period exceeding a year) must recognize the net unrealized appreciation in its
assets of the end of the taxable year prior to the taxable year in which it
seeks to qualify as a regulated investment company. The IRS has announced,
however, that these regulations will not apply to any entity that has previously
qualified to be taxed as a regulated investment company that seeks to requalify
as a regulated investment company in the taxable year immediately following the
year in which it failed to so qualify.
A stockholder may recognize taxable gain or loss if he sells,
exchanges or redeems his shares. Except in the case of dealers and financial
institutions, any gain or loss arising from (or, in the case of distributions in
excess of earnings and profits, treated as arising from) the sale, exchange or
redemption of shares generally will be treated as a long-term capital gain or
loss, if the stockholder has held his shares for more than one year. However,
any capital loss arising from the sale, exchange or redemption of shares held
for 6 months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent
of the amount of capital gain dividends received; for this purpose, the special
rules of Section 246(c)(3) and (4) of the Code generally apply in determining
the holding period of shares.
REGULATION
The Investment Advisers Act generally prohibits investment advisers
from entering into investment advisory contracts with an investment company that
provides for compensation to the investment adviser on the basis of a share of
capital gains upon or capital appreciation of the funds or any portion of the
funds of the investment company. However, the Investment Advisers Act does
permit the payment of compensation based on capital gains in an investment
advisory contract between an investment adviser and a business development
company." The Fund has elected to be treated as a business development company
in order to provide for incentive compensation to the Investment Adviser and the
Sub-Adviser based on the capital appreciation of the Fund's investments.
By electing to be treated as a business development company, the Fund
is subject to various provisions of the Investment Company Act. The Fund may not
withdraw its election to be treated as a business development company without
first obtaining the approval of a majority in interest of its security holders.
The Fund's Certificate of Incorporation requires the approval of a majority of
the Fund's outstanding voting securities for the Fund to change the nature of
its business so as to cease to be a business development company. The following
is a brief description of the Investment Company Act, and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the full text of the Investment Company Act and the
rules thereunder.
B-22
A business development company must be operated for the purpose of
investing in the securities of certain present and former "eligible portfolio
companies" or certain bankrupt or insolvent companies and must make available
significant managerial assistance to portfolio companies. An eligible portfolio
company generally is a company that (i) is organized under the laws of, and has
its principal place of business in, any state or states, (ii) is not an
investment company (except for wholly owned small business investment
corporations licensed by the Small Business Administration) ("SBICs") and
(iii)(a) does not have a class of securities registered on an exchange or
included in the Federal Reserve Board's over-the-counter margin list, (b) is
actively controlled by the business development company acting either alone or
as part of a group acting together and an affiliate of the business development
company is a member of the portfolio company's board of directors or (c) meets
such other criteria as may be established by the Commission. Control is presumed
to exist where the business development company owns more than 25% of the
outstanding voting securities of a portfolio company.
"Making available significant managerial assistance" is defined under
the Investment Company Act to mean (1) any arrangement whereby a business
development company, through its directors, officers, or employees, offers to
provide and, if accepted, does provide significant guidance and counsel
concerning the management, operations, business objectives or policies of a
portfolio company, (2) the exercise of a controlling influence over the
management or policies of a portfolio company by the business development
company acting individually or as part of a group of which the business
development company is a member acting together which controls such company, or
(3) with respect to SBICs, the making of loans to a portfolio company. A
business development company may satisfy the requirements of clause (1) with
respect to a portfolio company by purchasing securities of such a company as
part of a group of investors acting together if one person in such group
provides the type of assistance described in such clause. However, the business
development company will not satisfy the general requirement of making available
significant managerial assistance if it only provides such assistance indirectly
through an investor group. A business development company need only extend
significant managerial assistance with respect to portfolio companies which are
treated as Qualifying Assets (as defined below) for the purpose of satisfying
the 70% test discussed below.
The Investment Company Act prohibits or restricts the Fund from
investing in certain types of companies, such as brokerage firms, insurance
companies, investment banking firms and investment companies. Moreover, the
Investment Company Act limits the type of assets that the Fund may acquire to
"Qualifying Assets" and certain assets necessary for its operations (such as
office furniture, equipment and facilities) if, at the time of the acquisition,
less than 70% of the value of the Fund's total assets consist of qualifying
assets. Qualifying Assets include (i) securities of companies that were eligible
portfolio companies at the time that the Fund acquired their securities; (ii)
securities of companies which are actively controlled by the Fund; (iii)
securities of bankrupt or insolvent companies that are not otherwise eligible
portfolio companies; (iv) securities acquired as follow-on investments in
companies that were eligible portfolio companies at the time of the Fund's
initial acquisition of their securities but are no longer eligible portfolio
companies, provided that the Fund has maintained a substantial portion of its
initial investment in such companies; (v) securities received in exchange for or
distributed on or with respect to any of the foregoing; and (vi) cash items,
government securities and high-quality, short-term debt. See "Investment
Objective and Policies." The Investment Company Act also places restrictions on
the nature of the transactions in which, and the persons from whom, securities
can be purchased in order for such securities to be considered Qualifying
Assets. As a general matter, Qualifying Assets may only be purchased from the
issuer or an affiliate in a transaction not constituting a public offering. The
Fund may not purchase any security on margin, except such short-term credits as
are necessary for the clearance of portfolio transactions, or engage in short
sales of securities.
B-23
The Fund is permitted by the Investment Company Act, under specified
conditions, to issue multiple classes of senior debt and a single class of
securities senior to the Shares if its asset coverage, as defined in the
Investment Company Act, is at least 200% after the issuance of the debt or the
senior securities. In addition, while senior stock or publicly distributable
debt is outstanding, provision must be made to prohibit any distribution to
stockholders or the repurchase of any Shares unless the asset converge ratio is
at least 200% at the time of the distribution or repurchase.
The Fund may not sell its securities at a price that is below the
prevailing net asset value per share without the approval of the policy by
security holders holding a majority of the shares issued by the Fund, including
a majority of shares held by nonaffiliated security holders except in connection
with an offering to its stockholders (including a rights offering), upon
conversion of a convertible security, or upon exercise of certain warrants. In
addition, the Fund may repurchase its shares, subject to the restrictions of the
Investment Company Act.
Many of the transactions involving the Fund and its affiliates (as
well as affiliates of such affiliates) which were prohibited without the prior
approval of the Commission under the Investment Company Act prior to its
amendment by the Small Business Investment Incentive Act of 1980 now require the
prior approval of a majority of the disinterested Directors and a majority of
the Directors having no financial interest in the transactions. However, certain
transactions involving closely affiliated persons of the Fund, including its
investment advisers, still require the prior approval of the Commission. In
general (a) any person who owns, controls or holds with power to vote more than
5% of the outstanding Shares, (b) any director, executive officer or general
partner of such person and (c) any person who directly or indirectly controls,
is controlled by or is under common control with such person, must obtain the
prior approval of a majority of the Directors and, in some situations, the prior
approval of the Commission, before engaging in certain transactions involving
the Fund or any company controlled by the Fund. In accordance with the
Investment Company Act, a majority of the Directors must be persons who are not
"interested persons" as defined in such act. Except for certain transactions
which must be approved by the Directors, the Investment Company Act generally
does not restrict transactions between the Fund and its portfolio companies.
The Fund, the Sub-Adviser, and the Investment Adviser have received
an order from the Commission exempting the Fund from certain prohibitions
contained in the Investment Company Act relating to investments by the Fund in
transactions in which ECP or certain affiliates of the Sub-Adviser are also
participants. Under the terms of the order, investments in companies in which an
affiliate is also an investor either must meet certain guidelines or be approved
in advance by a majority of the disinterested Directors. See "Investment
Objective and Policies -- Co-Investment Opportunities" above.
B-24
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP
The only person known to the Fund who may be deemed to be a
beneficial owner of 5% or more of shares of the Fund's Common Stock because they
possessed or shared voting or investment power with respect to shares of the
Fund's Common Stock is Wachovia Corporation, 301 North Main Street, Winston
Salem, North Carolina 27150, which has reported that it beneficially owns
170,000 shares of Common Stock or 5.4% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock
of the Fund. As of February 29, 1996, the officers and Directors of the Fund, as
a group, beneficially owned 53,057 shares of the Fund, representing
approximately 1.7% of the Fund's outstanding shares.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Fund's financial statements and schedules at December 31, 1995
and 1994 and for the three years ended December 31, 1995 and the report thereon
by Arthur Andersen LLP are incorporated by reference to the Fund's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995, filed by the Fund with the
Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act. The Fund will furnish, without charge,
a copy of the foregoing documents upon request from Investor Relations
Department, Equus II Incorporated, 2929 Allen Parkway, Suite 2500, Houston,
Texas 77019, telephone number (713) 529-0900.
B-25
EQUUS II INCORPORATED
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 24. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(1) Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995*
Report of Independent Public Accountants
Balance Sheets at December 31, 1995 and 1994
Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994
and 1993
Statements of Changes in Net Assets for the years ended December 31,
1995, 1994 and 1993
Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994
and 1993
Supplemental Information-Selected Per Share Data and Ratios for the
five years ended December 31, 1995
Schedule of Portfolio Securities at December 31, 1995
Schedule of Portfolio Securities at December 31, 1994
Notes to Financial Statements
* Incorporated by reference to the Fund's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1995, filed on March 1, 1996 (EDGAR
Accession No. 0000890566-96-000122).
(2) Exhibits
(a)(1) -- Restated Certificate of Incorporation [Incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 3(a) to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1991]
(2) -- Certificate of Merger dated June 30, 1993, between the Fund and Equus
Investments Incorporated [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(c) to
the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1993]
(b) -- Amended and Restated By-Laws [Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3(c) to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1995]
(c) -- Not applicable
(d)(1) -- Specimen certificate for Common Stock, par value $.001 per share
[Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to the Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form N-14, file No. 33-42621]
(2) -- Form of Subscription Certificate+
(3) -- Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery+
(4) -- Form of DTC Participant Oversubscription Exercise Form+
(5) -- Form of Beneficial Owner Instruction and Exercise Form+
(6) -- Form of Nominee Subscription Rights Exercise Form Certificate+
(7) -- Form of Rights Agent Agreement+
(e) -- Not applicable
(f) -- Not applicable
(g)(1) -- Form of Management Agreement between the Fund and Equus Capital
Management Corporation. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6(c)
to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-14, file number
33-60118]
(2) -- Form of Sub-Adviser Agreement between Equus Capital Management
Corporation and Equus Capital Corporation. [Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 5(c) to the Registrant's Registration Statement
on Form N-14, file number 33-42621]
(h) -- Not applicable
(i) -- Not applicable
(j) -- Form of Safekeeping Agreement between the Fund and Southwest
Guaranty Trust Company [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6 to
the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-14, file number
33-42621]
(k) -- Not applicable
(l) -- Opinion and consent of Snell & Smith, P.C.
(m) -- Not applicable
(n) -- Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
(o) -- Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995
(p) -- Not applicable
(q) -- Not applicable
(r) -- Financial Data Schedule
+ Filed herewith.
C-2
Item 25. Marketing Arrangements
Not applicable
Item 26. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
The following table sets forth the estimated expenses to be incurred
in connection with the Offer described in this Registration Statement:
Registration fees $ 4,509
American Stock Exchange listing fee 20,924
Printing (other than stock certificates) 12,000*
Fees and expenses of qualification under
state securities laws (including fees of counsel) 7,500*
Auditing fees and expenses 7,500*
Legal fees and expenses 35,000*
Subscription Agent's fees and expenses 100,000*
Information Agent 15,000*
Postage 5,000*
Miscellaneous 12,567
---------
Total $220,000*
* Estimated
Item 27. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with Registrant
None.
Item 28. Number of Holders of Securities
Common Stock, par value $.001 per share: 2,128 record holders as of
February 16, 1996.
Item 29. Indemnification
Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
provides as follows:
(a) A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person
who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether
civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an
action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact
that he 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
expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts
paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good
faith and in
C-3
a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal
action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct
was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by
judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo
contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a
presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a
manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the
best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal
action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his
conduct was unlawful.
(b) A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person
who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right
of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of
the fact that he 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 expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably
incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such
action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of
the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in
respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall
have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only
to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such
action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that,
despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the
circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably
entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery
or such other court shall deem proper.
(c) To the extent that a director, officer, employee or
agent of a corporation has been successful on the merits or
otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to
in subsections (a) and (b), or in defense of any claim, issue or
matter therein, he shall be indemnified against expenses (including
attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection therewith.
(d) Any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b)
(unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation only as
authorized in the specific case upon a determination that
indemnification of the director, officer, employee or agent is
proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable
standard of conduct set forth in subsections (a) and (b). Such
determination shall be made (1) by the board of directors by a
majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not
parties to such action, suit or proceeding, or (2) if such a quorum
is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable a quorum of disinterested
directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written
opinion, or (3) by the stockholders.
(e) Expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by an
officer or director in defending any civil, criminal,
administrative, or investigative action, suit or proceeding may be
paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such
action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on
behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall
ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified
by the corporation as authorized in this Section. Such expenses
(including attorneys' fees) incurred by other employees and agents
may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the board
of directors deems appropriate.
(f) The indemnification and advancement of expenses
provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other subsections of this
section shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which
those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be
entitled under any by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or
disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his
official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding
such office.
C-4
(g) A corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain
insurance 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 him and incurred
by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such,
whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him
against such liability under the provisions of this section.
(h) For purposes of this Section, references to "the
corporation" shall include, in addition to the resulting
corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent
of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if
its separate existence had continued, would have had power and
authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or
agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer,
employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was
serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand
in the same position under the provisions of this Section with
respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he would have
with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate
existence had continued.
(i) For purposes of this Section, references to "other
enterprises" shall include employee benefit plans; references to
"fines" shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with
respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to "serving at
the request of the corporation" shall include any service as a
director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation which
imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer,
employee, or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its
participants, or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith
and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the interest of the
participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be
deemed to have acted in a manner "not opposed to the best interests
of the corporation" as referred to in this Section.
(j) The indemnification and advancement of expenses
provided by, or granted pursuant to, this section shall, unless
otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a
person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent
and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and
administrators of such a person.
Article Eleventh of the Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation
filed as Exhibit 1 provides as follows:
Eleventh: A. Subject to any limitation imposed pursuant to
the 1940 Act, the Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is
a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending
or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the
right of the Corporation) by reason of the fact that he 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, par- tnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including
attorneys' fees), judg- ments, fines and amounts paid in settlement
actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such
action, suit, or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner
he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests
of the Corporation, and with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was
unlawful, except that (i) no indemnification shall be made in respect
of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been
adjudged to be liable for bad faith, negligence, willful misconduct or
breach of
C-5
fiduciary duty in the performance of his duty to the Corporation
unless and only to the extent the Court of Chancery or the court in
which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon
application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view
of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and
reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court
of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper, and (ii) no such
person shall be entitled to indemnification in connection with any
lawsuit in which the violation of any federal or state securities
laws is alleged unless (a) if such person is successful in defending
against such lawsuit, a court approves indemnification for the costs
of such defense or (b) if the lawsuit is settled, a court approves
the settlement and finds that indemnification for the settlement
costs and expenses related to the lawsuit should be made. The
satisfaction of any indemnification hereunder shall be limited to
Corporation assets. The termination of any action, suit or
proceeding by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a
plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself,
create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and
in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to
the best interests of the Corporation, and with respect to any
criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that
his conduct was unlawful.
B. Subject to any limitation imposed by the 1940 Act, the
Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
completed action or suit by or in the right of the Corporation to
procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he 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 expenses (including
attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if
he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be
in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and
except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any
claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been
adjudged to be liable for bad faith, negligence, willful misconduct
or breach of fiduciary duty in the performance of his duty to the
Corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery
or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall
determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of
liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such
person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such
expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem
proper.
C. To the extent that a director, officer, employee or
agent of the Corporation has been successful on the merits or
otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to
in subsections A and B, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter
therein, he shall be indemnified against expenses (including
attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in
connection therewith.
D. Any indemnification under subsection A and B (unless
ordered by a court) shall be made by the Corporation only as
authorized in the specific case upon a determination that
indemnification of the officer, director, employee or agent, is
proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable
standard of conduct set forth in subsections A and B. Such
determination shall be made (1) by the Board of Directors by a
majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not
parties to such action, suit or proceeding, or (2) if such quorum is
not obtainable, or even if obtainable a quorum of disinterested
directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written
opinion, or (3) by the stockholders.
C-6
E. Expenses incurred by an officer or director in defending
a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding shall be paid by the
Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit
or proceeding as authorized by the Board of Directors in the
specific case upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the
director or officer to repay such amount unless it shall ultimately
be determined that he is entitled to be indemnified by the
Corporation as authorized in Section 145 of The General Corporation
Law of Delaware provided that at least one of the following
conditions precedent has occurred in the specific case: (1) the
officer or director has provided security for his undertaking; (2)
the Corporation is insured against losses arising by reason of any
lawful advances; or (3) a majority of a quorum of the disinterested
non-party directors of the Corporation or an independent legal
counsel in a written opinion shall determine, based upon a review of
readily available facts, that there is reason to believe that such
officer or director ultimately will be found entitled to
indemnification. Such expenses incurred by other employees and
agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the
Board of Directors deems appropriate.
F. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided
by this Article shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to
which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may
be entitled under any by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or
disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his
official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding
such office, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be
a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the
benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
The Corporation shall be permitted to enter into contracts directly
with its officers and directors providing the maximum indemnity and
relief from liability permitted under Delaware law.
G. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance 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 him and incurred by him in
any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or
not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify him against
such liability under the provisions of this Article; provided,
however, that the Corporation may not purchase and maintain
insurance that will protect or purport to protect any person against
any liability for willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence
or reckless disregard of duty.
H. For purposes of this Article, references to "other
enterprises" shall include employee benefit plans; references to
"fines" shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with
respect to any employee benefit plan; and references to "serving at
the request of the Corporation" shall include any service as a
director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation which
imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer,
employee, or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its
participants, or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith
and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the interest of the
participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be
deemed to have acted in a manner "not opposed to the best interests
of the Corporation" as referred to in this Article.
I. No provision of this Certificate of Incorporation shall
be effective to protect or purport to protect any director or
officer of the Corporation against any liability to the Corporation
or its security holders to which he would otherwise be subject by
reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or reckless
disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office.
C-7
Sections 8 and 9 of the Management Agreement between the Registrant
and Equus Capital Management Corporation provide as follows:
8. Liability Of The Management Company. The Management
Company, its officers, directors, employees, agents and affiliates
(collectively, "Affiliates") shall not be liable to the Fund, or any
stockholder of the Fund, for any error of judgment or mistake of law
or any loss or damage with respect to any investment of the Fund or
arising from any act or omission of the Management Company or any of
the Affiliates in the performance of its obligations hereunder,
unless such loss or damage is the result of bad faith, negligence,
misconduct or any breach of fiduciary duty, disregard of any duties
or obligations owed to the Fund by the Management Company or such
Affiliates by reason of this Agreement or any relation created
hereby.
9. Indemnification Of The Management Company. The Fund
shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the extent permitted by law,
the Management Company and any of its affiliates, who was or is a
party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending
or completed action, suit or proceeding whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative (including any action by or in the
right of the Fund), by reason of any acts or omissions or alleged
acts or omissions arising out of the activities of such person, if
such activities were performed in good faith either on behalf of the
Fund or in furtherance of the interest of the Fund, and in a manner
reasonably believed by such person to be within the scope of the
authority conferred by this Agreement or by law against losses,
damages or expenses for which such person has not otherwise been
reimbursed (including, but not limited to, accountants' and
attorneys' fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement)
actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with
such action, suit or proceeding, so long as such conduct did not
constitute bad faith, negligence, misconduct or any other breach of
fiduciary duty with respect to such acts or omissions and, with
respect to any criminal action or proceedings, had no reasonable
cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The satisfaction of any
indemnification and any holding harmless hereunder shall be from and
limited to Fund assets. Notwithstanding the foregoing, absent a
court determination that the person seeking indemnification was not
liable by reason of "disabling conduct" within the meaning of
Section 17(h) of the Act, the decision by the Fund to indemnify such
person shall be based upon the reasonable determination, after
review of the facts, of the non-party Directors of the Fund, or of
independent legal counsel in a written opinion that such person was
not liable by reason of such disabling conduct.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), may be permitted to Directors,
officers and controlling persons of the Fund, pursuant to the foregoing
provisions or otherwise, the Fund has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other
than the payment by the Fund of expenses incurred or paid by a Director, officer
or controlling person of the Fund 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 Fund will, unless in the
opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
Item 30. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser
Registrant is fulfilling the requirement of this Item 30 to provide
a list of the officers and directors of its investment advisers, together with
information as to any other business, profession, vocation or
C-8
employment of a substantial nature engaged in by that entity or those of its
officers and directors during the past two years, by incorporating by reference
the information contained in the Form ADVs filed with the Commission pursuant to
the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 by Equus Capital Management Corporation and
Equus Capital Corporation (SEC File Nos. 801-21468 and 801-21467).
Item 31. Location of Accounts and Records
Equus Capital Management Corporation
2929 Allen Parkway, Suite 2500
Houston, Texas 77019
(with respect to its services as Investment Adviser)
First Interstate Bank of Texas, N.A.
1000 Louisiana, Suite 700
Houston, Texas 77002
(with respect to its services as transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and
registrar)
Southwest Guaranty Trust Company
2121 Sage Road, Suite 150,
Houston, Texas 77056.
(with respect to its services as custodian)
Item 32. Management Services
Not applicable.
Item 33. Undertakings
(a) Registrant undertakes to suspend offering its shares until it
amends its prospectus contained herein if (1) subsequent to the effective date
of its Registration Statement, the net asset value per share declines more than
10 percent from its net asset value per share as of the effective date of this
Registration Statement, or (2) the net asset value per share increases to an
amount greater than its net proceeds as stated in the prospectus contained
herein.
(b) Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
(i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Act;
C-9
(ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration
Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of
securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not
exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of
the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus
filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the
maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration
Fee" table in the effective Registration Statement; or
(iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan
of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any
material change to such information in the Registration Statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.
(c) Registrant hereby undertakes that:
(1) 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.
(2) 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.
(d) Registrant hereby undertakes to send by first class mail or
other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery, within two business days
of receipt of a written or oral request, a Statement of Additional Information.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and/or
the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on the 1st day of
April, 1996.
EQUUS II INCORPORATED
NOLAN LEHMANN
Nolan Lehmann, President
C-10
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated and on the dates indicated.
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ----- ----
GREGORY J. FLANAGAN* Director April 1, 1996
(Gregory J. Flanagan)
ROBERT L. KNAUSS* Director April 1, 1996
(Robert L. Knauss)
GARY J. PETERSEN* Director April 1, 1996
(Gary R. Petersen)
JOHN W. STORMS* Director April 1, 1996
(John W. Storms)
FRANCIS D. TUGGLE* Director April 1, 1996
(Francis D. Tuggle)
EDWARD E. WILLIAMS* Director April 1, 1996
(Edward E. Williams)
NOLAN LEHMANN President and Director April 1, 1996
(Nolan Lehmann) (principal financial and
accounting officer)
SAM P. DOUGLASS Chairman of the Board and Chief April 1, 1996
(Sam P. Douglass) Executive Officer (principal
executive officer)
* By: NOLAN LEHMANN
(Nolan Lehmann)
Agent and Attorney-in-Fact
C-11
Exhibit Index
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
(a)(1) -- Restated Certificate of Incorporation [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(a)
to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1991]
(2) -- Certificate of Merger dated June 30, 1993, between the Fund and Equus
Investments Incorporated [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(c) to the
Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1993]
(b) -- Amended and Restated By-Laws [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(c) to the
Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1995]
(c) -- Not applicable
(d)(1) -- Specimen certificate for Common Stock, par value $.001 per share [Incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 4 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-
14, file No. 33-42621]
(2) -- Form of Subscription Certificate+
(3) -- Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery+
(4) -- Form of DTC Participant Oversubscription Exercise Form+
(5) -- Form of Beneficial Owner Instruction and Exercise Form+
(6) -- Form of Nominee Subscription Rights Exercise Form Certificate+
(7) -- Form of Rights Agent Agreement+
(e) Not applicable
(f) -- Not applicable
(g)(1) -- Form of Management Agreement between the Fund and Equus Capital
Management Corporation. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6(c) to
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-14, file number 33-60118]
(2) -- Form of Sub-Adviser Agreement between Equus Capital Management
Corporation and Equus Capital Corporation. [Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 5(c) to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-14, file number
33-42621]
(h) -- Not applicable
(i) -- Not applicable
(j) -- Form of Safekeeping Agreement between the Fund and Southwest
Guaranty Trust Company [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6 to the
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-14, file number
33-42621]
(k) -- Not applicable
(l) -- Opinion and consent of Snell & Smith, P.C.
(m) -- Not applicable
(n) -- Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
(o) -- Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995
(p) -- Not applicable
(q) -- Not applicable
(r) -- Financial Data Schedule
</TABLE>
+ Filed herewith.
EXHIBIT 99.2D(2)
SUBSCRIPTION CERTIFICATE NUMBER: ________
NUMBER OF RIGHTS: ________ CUSIP NO.:
EQUUS II INCORPORATED
SUBSCRIPTION RIGHT FOR SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
(and additional Shares subject to allotment)
This Subscription Certificate represents the number of Rights set forth
above. Subject to the terms and limitations set forth in the Prospectus dated
__________________, 1996, of Equus II Incorporated (the "Fund"), and pursuant to
the instructions relating hereto, the registered holder hereof (the "Holder") is
entitled to acquire one (1) share of the Common Stock, $.001 par value, of the
Fund for each three (3) Rights held. By executing this Subscription Certificate,
the undersigned acknowledges having received and read the Prospectus. The
Subscription Price is $____ per share of Common Stock.
TO SUBSCRIBE FOR SHARES OF COMMON STOCK, THE HOLDER MUST PRESENT TO FIRST
INTERSTATE BANK OF TEXAS, N.A. (THE "SUBSCRIPTION AGENT"), PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M.,
NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON ______________, 1996, (THE "EXPIRATION DATE"), EITHER:
(1) a properly completed and executed Subscription Certificate and a
money order or check drawn on a bank located in the United States and
payable to the order of "First Interstate Bank of Texas, N.A., as Rights
Agent for Equus II Incorporated" for an amount equal to the number of
Shares subscribed for in the Primary Subscription (Form 1)(and, if such
Holder is a Record Date Stockholder electing to exercise the
Over-Subscription Privilege, under the Over-Subscription Privilege (Form
2)) multiplied by the Subscription Price; or
(2) a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery guaranteeing delivery of (i) a
properly completed and executed Subscription Certificate; and (ii) a money
order or check drawn on a bank located in the United States and payable to
the order of "First Interstate Bank of Texas, N.A., as Rights Agent for
Equus II Incorporated" for an amount equal to the number of shares
subscribed for in the Primary Subscription (Form 1)(and, if such Holder is
a Record Date Stockholder electing to exercise the Over-Subscription
Privilege (Form 2), pursuant to the Over-Subscription Privilege) multiplied
by the Subscription Price (which certificate and money order or check must
then be delivered by the close of business on the third Business Day after
the Expiration Date).
If the Holder of this Subscription Certificate wishes to subscribe for
additional shares pursuant to the Over-Subscription Privilege, Form 2 of this
Subscription Certificate must be completed to indicate the maximum number of
shares for which such privilege is being exercised.
An Exercising Rights Holder will have no right to rescind or modify a
purchase after the Subscription Agent has received a properly completed and
executed Subscription Certificate or a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
THIS SUBSCRIPTION RIGHT IS TRANSFERABLE (FORM 3) AND MAY BE COMBINED OR
DIVIDED (BUT ONLY INTO SUBSCRIPTION CERTIFICATES EVIDENCING A WHOLE NUMBER OF
RIGHTS) AT THE OFFICE OF THE SUBSCRIPTION AGENT. ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS
SUBSCRIPTION CERTIFICATE AND THE OFFER MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION AGENT,
MACKENZIE PARTNERS, INC. TOLL FREE AT (800) 322-2885.
THE SUBSCRIPTION AGENT IS FIRST INTERSTATE BANK OF TEXAS, N.A.
By Mail: By Facsimile Transmission:
Tender & Exchange Department (212) 815-6213
P.O. Box 11248, Church Street Station Confirm by Telephone
New York, New York 10286-1248 (800) 507-9357
By Hand or Overnight Courier:
Tender & Exchange Department
101 Barclay Street, Receive and Deliver Window
New York, New York 10286
By EQUUS II INCORPORATED
By FIRST INTERSTATE BANK OF TEXAS, N.A.,
as Subscription Agent
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Form 1 -- TO SUBSCRIBE FOR SHARES (Primary Subscription)
I hereby irrevocably subscribe for the dollar amount of Common Stock indicated
below:
/ 3 = X $ = $
- ------------------ --------------- --------------- --------------
(Rights Exercised) (Full Shares of (Subscription (Total
Common Stock) Price per Share) Subscription
Price)
Signature(s) _______________________________ Day Phone ( ) __________
Eve Phone ( ) __________
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Form 2 -- TO SUBSCRIBE FOR ADDITIONAL SHARES (Over-Subscription Privilege)(*)
I hereby irrevocably subscribe to buy, if available, the dollar amount of
additional shares of Common Stock indicated below:
X $ = $
- ---------------- -------------------- ----------------------------
(Full shares of (Subscription Price (Total Over-Subscription
Common Stock) per Share) Price)
Signatures(s) _________________________________________
(*) The Over-Subscription Privilege can be exercised only if the Primary
Subscription is exercised in full, as described in the Prospectus.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PLEASE READ BEFORE SIGNING:
All Signature(s) must correspond with the name(s) of the registered holder on
the face hereof or of the Transferee(s) in Form 3. If a joint account, each must
sign. Persons signing in a representative or fiduciary capacity must indicate
their capacity when signing.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amount of Check or Money Order Enclosed (total of Form 1 and 2) = $
------------
MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO FIRST INTERSTATE BANK OF TEXAS, N.A., AS RIGHTS
AGENT FOR EQUUS II INCORPORATED
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
____ Check here if Rights are being exercised pursuant to a Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery delivered to the Subscription Agent prior to the date
hereof and complete the following:
Names(s) of registered
Owners(s):__________________________________________ Window Ticket
Number (if any):___________________________________________ Date of
Execution of Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery:__________________________ Name of Institution which
Guaranteed Delivery:________________________________
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Form 3 -- TO SELL RIGHTS THROUGH YOUR BANK OR BROKER OR TO TRANSFER RIGHTS TO A
SPECIFIED PERSON
For value received the Rights represented by this Subscription Certificate are
assigned as follows:
Name(s) of Transferee(s):______________________________________________________
Address of Transferee(s):______________________________________________________
Social Security Number or Taxpayer
Identification Number of Transferee(s): ____________________________________
Number of Rights Assigned: ________________________________
Signature of Transferor(s):____________________________________________________
Signature(s) Guaranteed:_______________________________________________________
IMPORTANT: For Transfer, a Signature Guarantee must be provided by an eligible
financial institution as defined in Rule 17Ad-15 of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended, subject to the standards and procedures adopted by the
issuer.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Form 4 -- TO SELL RIGHTS THROUGH THE SUBSCRIPTION AGENT
The undersigned hereby requests the Subscription Agent to sell the number of
Rights specified below and to send to the undersigned a check for the proceeds,
calculated as set forth in the Prospectus, if any following the completion of
the offering. [NOTE: The Subscription Agent will sell Rights without regard to
market price fluctuations. Rights may be sold through your bank or broker. See
Form 3.]
[Check appropriate box]
[ ] Sell any remaining unexercised Rights [ ] Sell _____________ Rights
Signature(s): __________________________________________________________________
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS Fill out only if delivery of any new Subscription
Certificate or return of proceeds from the sale of Rights by or through the
Subscription Agent is to be made to a person or an address other than that shown
on the face hereof or in Form 3.
Name: _________________________________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________________
EXHIBIT 99.2D(3)
NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY
WITH RESPECT TO RIGHTS
OF
EQUUS II INCORPORATED
As set forth in the Prospectus under "The Offer--Payment for Shares,"
this form, or one substantially equivalent hereto, may be used by a holder of
Rights who wishes to subscribe and pay for Shares of Equus II Incorporated
Common Stock subscribed for in the Primary Subscription and the
Over-Subscription Privilege, but who cannot deliver to the Subscription Agent
his or her Subscription Certificates on or before 5:00 p.m. New York time on
_____________, 1996 (the "Expiration Date"). Unless otherwise defined herein,
all capitalized terms used herein have the same meaning as set forth in the
Prospectus of Equus II Incorporated dated ________, 1996.
The Subscription Agent is:
FIRST INTERSTATE BANK OF TEXAS, N.A.
BY MAIL: BY FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION:
TENDER & EXCHANGE DEPARTMENT (212) 815-6213
P.O. BOX 11248, CHURCH STREET STATION WITH THE ORIGINAL SUBSCRIPTION
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10286-1248 CERTIFICATE TO BE SENT BY MAIL,
HAND OR OVERNIGHT COURIER.
CONFIRM BY TELEPHONE TO
(800) 507-9357
BY HAND OR OVERNIGHT COURIER:
TENDER & EXCHANGE DEPARTMENT
101 BARCLAY STREET, RECEIVE AND
DELIVER WINDOW
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10286
All questions or requests for assistance should be directed to
MacKenzie Partners, Inc., the Information Agent for the Rights
Offering, at the following telephone number: 800-322-2885
DELIVERY OF THIS INSTRUMENT TO AN ADDRESS, OR TRANSMISSION OF
INSTRUCTIONS VIA A TELECOPY OR FACSIMILE NUMBER, OTHER THAN AS SET
FORTH ABOVE, DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY
The national securities exchange or NASD member firm or commercial
bank or trust company that completes this form must communicate the guarantee
and the number of Shares subscribed for (under both the Primary Subscription and
the Over-Subscription Privilege) to the Subscription Agent and must deliver this
Notice of Guaranteed Delivery guaranteeing delivery of (i) payment in full for
all subscribed Shares and (ii) a properly completed and executed Subscription
Certificate (which certificate and full payment must then be delivered by the
close of business on the third business day after the Expiration Date) to the
Subscription Agent prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration
Date (______________________, 1996, unless extended). Failure to do so will
result in a forfeiture of the Rights.
(over)
<PAGE>
GUARANTEE
The undersigned, a member firm of a national securities exchange, a
member of the NASD, or a commercial bank or trust company with an office in the
U.S., guarantees delivery to the Subscription Agent by the close of business
(5:00 p.m., New York City time) on the [_____] Business Day after the Expiration
Date (__________________, 1996, unless extended) of (A) a properly completed and
executed Subscription Certificate and (B) payment of the full Subscription Price
for Shares subscribed for in the Primary Subscription and pursuant to the
Over-Subscription Privilege, if applicable, as subscription for such Shares is
indicated herein or in the Subscription Certificate.
Number of Shares subscribed for in Number of Shares subscribed for
the Primary Subscription for which pursuant to the Over-Subscription
you are guaranteeing delivery of Privilege for which you are
Rights and payment _____________ guaranteeing delivery of Rights and
payment _______________
Number of Rights to be delivered: ____________________
Total Subscription Price payment to be delivered: $____________________
Method of Delivery circle one A. Through DTC
B. Direct to Subscription Agent
Name of Firm: _________________ Authorized Signature__________________
Address _______________________ Title ________________________________
Zip Code______________________________________
Date ________________________________________
Telephone Number______________________________
Name, address, and phone number of beneficial owner of Rights for whom the
undersigned is guaranteeing delivery of Rights or payment:
________________________________________________
(Name) (Address)
________________________________________________
(City) (State) (Phone No.)
C-2
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 99.2D(4)
EQUUS II INCORPORATED RIGHTS OFFERING
DTC PARTICIPANT OVERSUBSCRIPTION EXERCISE FORM
THIS FORM IS TO BE USED ONLY BY DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY PARTICIPANTS TO
EXERCISE THE OVERSUBSCRIPTION PRIVILEGE IN RESPECT OF RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO
WHICH THE PRIMARY SUBSCRIPTION WAS EXERCISED AND DELIVERED THROUGH THE
FACILITIES OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY. ALL OTHER EXERCISES OF
OVERSUBSCRIPTION PRIVILEGES MUST BE EFFECTED BY THE DELIVERY OF THE SUBSCRIPTION
CERTIFICATES.
THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE RIGHTS OFFERING ARE SET FORTH IN THE PROSPECTUS
DATED APRIL ___, 1995 (THE "PROSPECTUS"), OF EQUUS II INCORPORATED (THE
"COMPANY") AND ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE. COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS
ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST FROM THE COMPANY AND THE SUBSCRIPTION AGENT.
VOID UNLESS RECEIVED BY THE SUBSCRIPTION AGENT BY 5:00 PM, NEW YORK CITY TIME,
ON MAY ___, 1995, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED, (THE "EXPIRATION DATE").
----------
1. The undersigned hereby certifies to the Company and the Subscription Agent
that it is a participant in The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") and that it has
either (i) fully exercised its Rights under the Primary Subscription and
delivered such exercised Rights to the Subscription Agent by means of transfer
to the DTC account of the Subscription Agent or (ii) delivered to the
Subscription Agent a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery in respect of the exercise of
the Rights under the Primary Subscription and will deliver the Rights called for
in such Notice of Guaranteed Delivery to the Subscription Agent by means of
transfer to such DTC account of the Subscription Agent.
2. The undersigned hereby exercises the Oversubscription Privilege to purchase,
to the extent available, ____________ shares of Common Stock and certifies to
the Company and the Subscription Agent that such Oversubscription Privilege is
being exercised for the account or accounts of persons (which may include the
undersigned) on whose behalf all Primary Subscription Rights have been
exercised.
3. The undersigned understands that payment of the Subscription Price of
$_____________ per share for each share of Common Stock subscribed for pursuant
to the Oversubscription Privilege must be received by the Subscription Agent at
or before 5:00 pm New York City time, on the Expiration Date and represents that
such payment, in the aggregate amount of $__________________, either (check
appropriate box):
[ ] Has been or is being delivered to the Subscription Agent pursuant to the
Notice of Guaranteed Delivery referred to above
or
[ ] Is being delivered to the Subscription Agent herewith
or
[ ] Has been delivered separately to the Subscription Agent;
(continued on other side)
and, in the case of funds not delivered pursuant to a Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery, is or was delivered in the manner set forth below (check appropriate
box and complete information relating thereto):
[ ] uncertified check
[ ] certified check
[ ] bank draft
Primary Subscription Confirmation Number _____________________
DTC Participant Number ________________________________
Name of DTC Participant _______________________________
For allocation purposes, the total number of record date shares owned by the
persons on whose behalf this over-subscription is being exercised were
Registration into which shares, interest and/or refund checks should be issued.
Name: ________________________________________
Address: _________________________________________
Certified TIN: ____________________________________
By: ___________________________________________
Name: ___________________________________________
Title: ___________________________________________
Contact Name: _____________________________________
Phone Number: _____________________________________
EXHIBIT 99.2D(5)
EQUUS II INCORPORATED RIGHTS OFFERING
BENEFICIAL OWNER INSTRUCTION AND EXERCISE FORM
TO THE RECORD HOLDER:
This form contains my/our instruction to you as the financial institution or
securities broker or dealer ("Record Holder") holding shares of Equus II
Incorporated ("EQS") Common Stock that I/we beneficially own, regarding my/our
rights ("Rights") to subscribe to purchase EQS Common Stock pursuant to EQS's
Prospectus dated _____________, 1996 (the "Prospectus"). Capitalized terms have
the meanings set forth in the Prospectus unless otherwise indicated.
I/we acknowledge receipt from you of this form accompanied by a copy of the
Chairman's Letter dated __________, 1996, the Prospectus, and related
information.
I/we understand that I/we are entitled to one Right for each share of Common
Stock beneficially owned on April ____, 1996 (the "Record Date"). I/we
understand Rights may be exercised to subscribe to purchase EQS Common Stock at
$_____ per share on the basis of one share of EQS Common Stock for each three
Rights, and that I/we may exercise my/our Rights in whole or part.
I/we further understand that, if I/we choose to exercise ALL Rights which I/we
own on the date hereof (the "Primary Subscription") including Rights, if any,
that I/we may have purchased from others (other than those Rights that cannot be
exercised because they represent the right to acquire less than one Share), I/we
may also exercise my/our Over-Subscription Privilege to subscribe for additional
shares of EQS Common Stock (subject to certain limitations and allotment as
described in the Prospectus), by completing the information below under Items 2.
and 2.a. I/WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE OVER-SUBSCRIPTION PRIVILEGE IS NOT AVAILABLE
TO ME/US IF I/WE ELECT TO EXERCISE LESS THAN ALL OF MY/OUR RIGHTS COVERED BY THE
PRIMARY SUBSCRIPTION (I.E., RIGHTS WHICH I/WE OWN ON THE DATE HEREOF).
I/we understand that if the "Sell all unexercised Rights" box is checked, the
Record Holder will attempt to sell on my/our behalf, all (or if the "Sell ____
(no fractions) unexercised Rights" box is checked, the number that I/we indicate
in the blank space following such box) of my/our Rights covered by the Primary
Subscription. I/we understand that there is no assurance that unexercised Rights
can be sold or, if sold, the price at which they can be sold.
[ ] Sell all unexercised Rights
--OR--
[ ] Sell ______ (no fractions) unexercised Rights
(Number must be inserted if box is checked.)
Finally, if this form is not returned, I/we understand that the Record Holder
will conclusively presume that I/we desire neither to exercise, nor to sell, any
of my/our Rights.
EXERCISE OF RIGHTS
1. I AM/WE ARE ENTITLED TO ____________ RIGHTS
(Number of Rights is equal to number of
shares of EQS Common Stock owned at 5:00
p.m., New York time, on the Record Date and
which have not been sold or transferred as
of the date hereof. If you need information
as to the number of shares of EQS Common
Stock owned at such time, please call us).
I/we also own + ____________ RIGHTS
(Number of Rights purchased or acquired in
addition to those show above).
= ____________ TOTAL RIGHTS
1.a Please exercise (check one)
[ ] ALL of my/our Rights set forth in item 1.
above (other than those Rights that cannot
be exercised because they represent the
right to acquire less than one Share, which
Rights you are authorized to sell).
--OR--
1.b
[ ]________of my/our Rights (no fractions) set forth in
item 1. above (Number must be inserted if
box is checked and should be divisible by
three). (One share of EQS Common Stock may
be purchased for every three Rights
exercised).
(COMPLETE AND SIGN ON REVERSE SIDE)
2. Over-Subscription Privilege to Purchase Additional Shares - NOT EXERCISABLE
UNLESS ALL RIGHTS COVERED BY THE PRIMARY SUBSCRIPTION WERE EXERCISED BY CHECKING
ITEM 1.A ON THE PREVIOUS PAGE. DO NOT MAKE ANY ENTRY IF YOU EXERCISE LESS THAN
ALL RIGHTS HELD BY YOU PURSUANT TO THE PRIMARY SUBSCRIPTION (AS SET FORTH IN THE
TOTAL RIGHTS ENTRY ON ITEM 1. ON THE PREVIOUS PAGE).
2.a Please subscribe on my/our behalf to purchase an additional
__________ shares (no fractions) of EQS Common Stock pursuant to my/our
Over-Subscription Privilege. I/we understand that the exercise of
my/our Over- Subscription Privilege is subject to certain limitations
and allotment as described in the Prospectus, and that any payment for
unfilled subscriptions to purchase shares pursuant to the
Over-Subscription Privilege will be refunded after the close of the
Rights Offering, without interest.
3. SHARE AND PAYMENT COMPUTATION
Primary Subscription: ____________
Share Subscriptions (Rights exercised from
Item 1.a or 1.b on other side divided by
three) (No fractions) (Fractional shares
will not be issued, Rights holders who
receive or are left with fewer than three
Rights will not be able to exercise such
Rights)
Over-Subscription Privilege: + ____________
Share Subscriptions
(from 2.a on this side)
= ____________
Total Number of Shares
Subscribed for
x $____ per Share exercise price = $ ____________ Total Payment
[ ] Check enclosed for $_____________
[ ] Deduct payment of $_____________ from my/our account number __________
Total Payment $______________ (must equal Total Payment computed above)
4. HOW TO MAKE PAYMENT
This form properly completed, and accompanied by a check if indicated
above, MUST BE RETURNED TO THE RECORD HOLDER, for whom it was received, so as to
be in the Record Holder's hand IN ENOUGH TIME TO ALLOW THE RECORD HOLDER TO
EXECUTE THE ABOVE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK TIME, ON ____________,
1996, THE EXPIRATION DATE OF THE RIGHTS OFFERING. IF AN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE IS
NOT POSSIBLE, PLEASE CALL THE RECORD HOLDER TO LEARN THE LATEST TIME BY WHICH
YOUR RESPONSE MUST BE RECEIVED. If an UNCERTIFIED check is sent, it should (if
possible) be drawn on a New York bank, and extra time should be allowed (at
least five business days) for cleared funds to become available to the Record
Holder in time for execution of the above instruction before _______________,
1996.
5. OVER-SUBSCRIPTION PRIVILEGE CERTIFICATION
If subscribing to purchase shares of EQS Common Stock purchase to the
Over-Subscription Privilege, the undersigned hereby certifies that the number of
Rights set forth in the "Total Rights" entry in Item 1. on the prior page
reflects all of the Rights that the undersigned owns as of the date hereof and
that the undersigned has elected to exercise all of such Rights pursuant to Item
1.a on the prior page.
- ---------------------------------- -----------------------------------
(Signature) (Signature)
- ---------------------------------- -----------------------------------
(Print Name) (Print Name)
Dated:_________________________________
My/our telephone number (in case there are any questions regarding the manner in
which I/we completed this form) is: (include are code) (____)________________
THIS FORM MUST BE RETURNED TO THE RECORD HOLDER.
DO NOT SEND IT TO EQUUS II INCORPORATED OR THE SUBSCRIPTION AGENT.
EXHIBIT 99.2D(6)
NOMINEE SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS EXERCISE FORM CERTIFICATE
(TO BE COMPLETED ONLY ON THE LAST PAGE SUBMITTED)
The undersigned, a securities dealer, broker, commercial bank, trust company or
other holder in a nominee capacity ("Nominee") of shares of Common Stock of
Equus II Incorporated ("EQS"), hereby certifies as follows to EQS and to First
Interstate Bank of Texas, N.A., as Subscription Agent for EQS ("Subscription
Agent"), in connection with the offering by EQS of Common Stock through the
exercise of rights ("Rights Offering"):
1. Listed on each Nominee Subscription Rights Exercise Form ("Form")
submitted by the undersigned to the Subscription Agent in connection
with the Rights Offering is the following information:
a. In each line of column (a), a serial number or other reference
number ("Identification Number") which will allow the
undersigned to identify the account or accounts of each person
or entity ("Beneficial Owner") that was the beneficial owner
on the exercise date ("Exercise Date") for the Rights, of
shares of EQS Common Stock held of record by the undersigned
on the Exercise Date;
b. In each line of column (b)(i), the number of Rights owned by
the Beneficial Owner referenced by the relevant Identification
Number on the Exercise Date, in each line of column (b)(ii),
the number thereof that such Beneficial Owner instructed the
undersigned to exercise on its behalf, and in each column
(b)(iii), the number of shares of EQS Common Stock that such
Benficial Owner proposes to purchase; and
c. In each line of column (c), the number, if any, of shares of
EQS Common Stock that the Beneficial Owner referenced by the
relevant Identification Number instructed the undersigned to
purchase on its behalf pursuant to its Over-Subscription
Privilege.*
2. All Rights are being exercised by the undersigned solely at the
request, and for the benefit, of the Beneficial Owner(s) entitled
thereto, and in this regard, the undersigned has verified that any
Beneficial Owner that has instructed the exercise of his
Over-Subscription Privilege to purchase additional shares of EQS Common
Stock has also instructed the exercise of the Primary Subscription in
full (i.e., the Beneficial Owner has exercised all Rights owned by such
Beneficial Owner on the Exercise Date).
3. The accounts of any Beneficial Owner that maintains more than one
account with the undersigned containing share of EQS Common Stock have
been aggregated for purposes of completing each Form, so that the
column (b)(i), (b)(ii), (b)(iii), and (c) entries for all such accounts
together appear on a single Identification Number line in the relevant
Form.
The undersigned acknowledges that the information in each Form is being relied
on by EQS and the Subscription Agent for purposes of administering the Rights
Offering in accordance with its terms, and agrees to provide EQS and the
Subscription Agent with such information as either of them deems necessary to
verify the accuracy and completeness of any of the above information.
To complete this Certification, the undersigned has signed, and supplied the
requested information, below.
Dated:_________________________ _____________________________________________
Name of Nominee
By:__________________________________________
---------------------------------------------
(Print Name)
Title:_______________________________________
Address:_____________________________________
=============================================
Telephone:___________________________________
DTC Participant No.__________________________
- ------------------------
* A Beneficial Owner may only exercise its Over-Subscription Privilege if
it has exercised its Primary Subscription in full.
<PAGE>
EQUUS II INCORPORATED RIGHTS OFFERING
NOMINEE SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS EXERCISE FORM
COPIES OF THIS PAGE MAY BE MADE IF NECESSARY Serial No. _____
Page ____ of ____ pages
The following information is presented in support of the exercise of
Rights in the Subscription Certificate bearing the above serial number, to which
this Nominee Subscription Rights Form is attached:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A) (b) (c) (d)
PRIMARY SUBSCRIPTION OVER-SUBSCRIPTION
----------------------------------------------------------- PRIVILEGE
------------------------
Serial Number or (i) (ii) (iii) Shares subscribed Payment Received
other Rights Shares to be for pursuant to Over- (Sum of entries
non-private reference beneficially owned on Rights Exercised Purchased (Column Subscription Privilege in columns (b)
number for each Exercise Date* (b)(ii)/3) (must be blank or zero (iii) and (c)
account unless (b)(ii) entry x $______)
equals (b)(i) entry
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
===================================================================================================================================
Carried forward from prior page
===================================================================================================================================
Cumulative Totals
===================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
* Does not include Rights sold or otherwise transferred by the holder
prior to the date of exercise.
CERTIFICATION ON REVERSE OF LAST-NUMBERED PAGE
MUST BE COMPLETED AND SIGNED
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 99.2D(7)
RIGHTS AGENT AGREEMENT
This RIGHTS AGENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement) is made and entered into as
of _______________ by and between EQUUS II INCORPORATED, a Delaware Corporation
(the "Corporation") and FIRST INTERSTATE BANK OF TEXAS, N.A., (the "Rights
Agent"), with reference to the following:
A. The Corporation filed a Registration Statement relating to the
Rights, the Over-Subscription Rights Privilege, and the shares of Common Stock
to be issued pursuant to the Rights and the Over-Subscription Rights Privilege (
the "Underlying Shares") with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act") on March 5, 1996. Said Registration Statement
became effective on ___________, 1996.
B. The Corporation is distributing to the holders of its outstanding
Common Stock, $.001 par value (the "Common Stock"), of record at the close of
business on _______________, 1996 (the "Record Date"), transferable Rights (the
"Rights") to subscribe for and purchase 1,046,191 shares of Common Stock at the
price of $__________ per share (the "Subscription Price") on the basis that
three Rights will be required to purchase one share of Common Stock (the
"Primary Subscription"). The subscription offer (the "Offering") will expire on
____________, 1996, unless extended by the Corporation (the "Expiration Date").
The Rights and payment equal to the amount of the Subscription Price times the
number of shares of subscribed Common Stock ("Payment") must be received by
First Interstate Bank of Texas, N.A. (the "Rights Agent") before 5:00 P.M., New
York City time, on the Expiration Date.
C. Subject to allocation and possible reduction as set forth herein,
Record Date Holders who exercise their Primary Subscription in full, will also
be entitled (the '"Over-Subscription Rights Privilege") to subscribe at the
Subscription Price to purchase additional shares of Common Stock, if any,
remaining after satisfaction of all subscriptions pursuant to the Primary
Subscription (the "Excess Shares").
D. The Corporation wishes the Rights Agent to act on its behalf in
connection with the Offering as set forth herein, and the Rights Agent is
willing so to act,
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1. APPOINTMENT OF RIGHTS AGENT. The Corporation hereby appoints
the Rights Agent to act as agent in accordance with the instructions set forth
in this Agreement, and the Rights Agent hereby accepts such appointment and
shall take such actions as may be necessary to effectuate the terms of the
Agreement. The Corporation may from time to time appoint such co-exercise agents
as it may deem necessary or desirable.
SECTION 2. DISTRIBUTION OF RIGHTS. The Corporation has authorized the
distribution of the Rights and, following the effectiveness of the Final
Prospectus and the Record Date, will issue such Rights to Record Date Holders as
contemplated by the Final Prospectus. The Corporation will promptly notify the
Rights Agent upon the effectiveness of the Final Prospectus. The Rights Agent
will provide assistance in distributing the Final Prospectus, the Rights
Certificates evidencing the Rights (the "Rights Certificates") and a copy of the
Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year ended December 31,
1995, (i) to each assignee or transferee of Rights upon the transfer thereof and
(ii) with certificates for Common Stock when such Common Stock is issued to
persons other than the registered holder of the Rights. The Rights Certificates
will be substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.
SECTION 3. OVER-SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS PRIVILEGE. If there are
insufficient Excess Shares to satisfy all exercised Over-Subscription Rights
Privileges, Excess Shares will be allocated among Rights Holders, including
Qualified Financial Institutions (as defined below) that hold Rights for
beneficial owners, who exercise the Over-Subscription Rights Privilege. Subject
to the allocation and possible deduction described in Section 7(i) below, Excess
Shares will be allocated, first, among the stockholders who subscribe for an
aggregate 250 or fewer shares (including shares subscribed in the Primary
Subscription) and then pro rata among such Rights Holders based upon the number
of Rights issued to such Record Date Holder. To the extent that such pro rata
allocation results in any Rights Holder being allocated more Excess Shares than
such Rights Holder subscribed for pursuant to the Over-Subscription Rights
Privilege, then such Rights Holder will be allocated only the number of Excess
Shares subscribed for, and the remaining Excess Shares will be similarly and
successively reallocated among all other Rights Holders exercising the
Over-Subscription Rights Privilege until all unsubscribed shares of Common Stock
are allocated. It will be the responsibility of Rights Holders to allocate
prorated Excess Shares among any beneficial owners for which such Rights Holders
are acting. The exercise of the Over-Subscription Privilege is irrevocable.
SECTION 4. SIGNATURE AND REGISTRATION.
(a) The Rights Certificates will be executed on behalf of the
Corporation by its President, Chief Executive Officer or Chairman of the Board
by facsimile signature. Any Rights Certificate may be signed on behalf of the
Corporation by any person who, at the actual date of execution of such facsimile
signature, is a proper officer of the Corporation to sign such Rights
Certificate, even if at the date of the execution of this Agreement or the date
of actual issuance of such certificate such person is not such an officer.
(b) The Rights Agent will keep or cause to be kept, at its
principal offices in the State of Texas, books for registration and transfer of
the Rights issued hereunder. Such books will show the names and addresses of the
respective Rights Holders and the number of Rights evidenced by each outstanding
Rights Certificate.
SECTION 5. DIVISION, COMBINATION AND EXCHANGE OF RIGHTS CERTIFICATES;
MUTILATED, DESTROYED, LOST OR STOLEN RIGHTS CERTIFICATES.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 9 hereof, any Rights
Certificate, or any two or more Rights Certificates, may be divided, combined or
exchanged for any number of Rights Certificates or for a single Rights
Certificate of different denominations; provided, however, that the aggregate
number of Rights evidenced by the Rights Certificate or Certificates so issued
does not exceed the aggregate number of Rights evidenced by the Rights
Certificate or Certificates surrendered in exchange therefor. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, a registered broker-dealer. commercial bank or trust company,
securities depository or participant therein, or nominee therefor (each a
"Qualified Financial Institution") holding shares of Common Stock on the Record
Date for more than one beneficial owner may, upon delivery of a duly completed
and executed certification to the Rights Agent on or before 5:00 p.m., Eastern
time, on ____________, 1996, exchange its Rights Certificate to obtain a Rights
Certificate for the number of Rights to which all such beneficial owners in the
aggregate would have been entitled had each been a Record Date Holder. The
Rights Agent will, upon request, promptly deliver to each person making a
request therefor a form of the certification referred to in the preceding
sentence. No Rights Certificates evidencing fractional Rights will be issued
upon division combination or exchange of other Rights Certificates, and any
instructions to divide, combine or exchange Rights Certificates that would
result in the issuance of Rights Certificates evidencing fractional Rights are
to be rejected.
(b) Any Rights Holder desiring to divide, combine or exchange
any Rights Certificate or Certificates must make such requests in writing to the
Rights Agent and surrender the Rights Certificate or Certificates to be divided,
combined or exchanged to the Rights Agent. Thereupon the Rights Agent will
deliver to the person, entitled thereto a Rights Certificate or Certificates, as
the case may be, as so requested. In all cases of transfer by an
attorney-in-fact, the original power of attorney, duly approved, or a copy
thereof, duly certified, must be deposited and remain with the Rights Agent. In
case of transfer by executors, administrators, guardians or other legal
representatives, duly authenticated evidence of their authority satisfactory to
the Rights Agent must be produced and may be required to be deposited and to
remain with the Rights Agent in its discretion. The Corporation may require
payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or governmental charge that may be
imposed in connection with any division, combination or exchange of Rights
Certificates.
(c) Upon receipt by the Corporation and the Rights Agent of
evidence reasonably satisfactory to them of the loss, theft destruction or
mutilation of a Rights Certificate, and. in case of loss, theft or destruction,
of indemnity and/or security satisfactory to them in their sole discretion, and
reimbursement to the Corporation and the Rights Agent of all reasonable expenses
incidental thereto, and upon surrender and cancellation of the Rights
Certificate, if mutilated, the Rights Agent will make and deliver a new Rights
Certificate of like tenor to the registered Rights Holder in lieu of the Rights
Certificate so lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated. If required by the
Corporation or the Rights Agent, an indemnity bond must be sufficient in the
judgment of each party to protect the Corporation, the Rights Agent or any agent
thereof from any loss which any of them may suffer if a lost, stolen, destroyed
or mutilated Rights Certificate is replaced.
SECTION 6. SUBSEQUENT ISSUE OF RIGHTS CERTIFICATES. Subsequent to the
original issuance of the Rights Certificates, no Rights Certificates will be
issued except as provided herein.
SECTION 7.EXERCISE OF RIGHTS; EXERCISE PRICE; EXPIRATION DATE;
LIMITATIONS.
(a) Subject to the allocation and possible reduction described
in Section 7(i) below, a Rights Holder may exercise Rights held by such Rights
Holder by properly completing, signing and delivering the Rights Certificate
representing such Rights, with any required signature guarantees, together with
payment in full of the Subscription Price for the aggregate number of Underlying
Shares subscribed for pursuant to such Rights Holder's exercise of the Primary
Subscription and the Over-Subscription Rights Privilege before any proration or
reduction with respect to the Over-Subscription Rights Privilege. Subject to the
allocation and possible reduction described in Section 7(i) below, a Rights
Holder may also exercise Primary Subscriptions by complying with the procedures
described in Section 7(f) below, with respect to DTC Exercised Rights (as
hereinafter defined). Except as provided in Sections 7(d) and 7(f) below, and
subject to Section 12(b) below, Rights Certificates and payment of the
Subscription Price must be received by the Rights Agent before 5:00 p.m.,
Eastern time, on ___________, 1996, or such later date and time to which the
Rights may be extended by the Corporation at its option (the "Expiration Date"),
and Rights will not be deemed exercised until the Rights Agent receives both
payment of the Subscription Price and a duly executed Rights Certificate (or
until the Guaranteed Delivery Procedures set forth in Section 7(d) below, or the
procedures with respect to DTC Exercised Rights set forth in Section 7(f) below,
have been complied with). A Rights Holder's Over-Subscription Rights Privilege
must be exercised concurrently with such Rights Holder's Primary Subscription,
except for DTC Exercised Rights, as described in Section 7(f) below. Once a
Rights Holder has exercised a Right, such exercise may not be revoked. The
Rights will expire on the Expiration Date. The Corporation may notify the Rights
Agent either orally or in writing of any extension of the Expiration Date. If
the Corporation gives an oral notice of an extension, it will confirm such
extension in writing.
(b) Unless a Rights Certificate (i) provides that the Underlying
Shares to be issued pursuant to the exercise of Rights represented thereby are
to be registered in the name of and delivered to the registered holder of such
Rights Certificate, or (ii) is submitted for the account of a member firm of a
Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (each an "Eligible Institution"),
signatures on such Rights Certificate must be guaranteed by an Eligible
Guarantor Institution, as defined in Rule 17Ad-15(a)(2) of the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
(c) The Subscription Price shall be payable in United States
dollars by check, certified check or bank draft drawn upon a United States bank,
or postal, telegraphic or express money order payable to the order of the Rights
Agent.
BY HAND BY MAIL
First Interstate Bank of Texas, N.A. First Interstate Bank of Texas, N.A.
Tender and Exchange Department Tender and Exchange Department
101 Barclay Street Ground Level P.O. Box 11248
Receive and Deliver Window Church Street Station
New York, NY 10286 New York, NY 10286-1248
The Subscription Price will be deemed to have been received by the Rights Agent
upon (i) clearance of any uncertified check, (ii) receipt by the Rights Agent of
any certified check or bank draft drawn upon a United States bank or any postal,
telegraphic or express money order, or (iii) receipt of collected funds in the
Rights Agent' s account designated above, in payment of the Rights Price.
(d) If a Rights Holder wishes to exercise Rights, but time
will not permit such Rights Holder to cause the Rights Certificate or
Certificates evidencing such Rights to reach the Rights Agent at or prior to the
Expiration Date, such Rights may nevertheless be exercised if all of the
following conditions (the "Guaranteed Delivery Procedures") are met:
(i) Such Rights Holder has caused payment in full of
the Subscription Price for the aggregate number of Underlying
Shares subscribed for pursuant to such Rights Holder's
exercise of the Primary Subscription and, if applicable, the
Over-Subscription Rights Privilege, before any proration or
reduction with respect to the Over-Subscription Rights
Privilege, to be received as set forth in Section 7(c) above,
by the Rights Agent at or before the Expiration Date;
(ii) The Rights Agent receives, at or prior to the
Expiration Date, a guarantee notice (a "Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery"), substantially in the form distributed with the
Rights Certificates, from an Eligible Institution, stating the
name of the exercising Rights Holder, the number of Rights
represented by the Rights Certificate or Certificates held by
such exercising Rights Holder, the number of Underlying Shares
being subscribed for pursuant to the Primary Subscription and
the number of Underlying Shares, if any, being subscribed for
pursuant to the Over-Subscription Rights Privilege, and
guaranteeing the delivery to the Rights Agent of the Rights
Certificate or Certificates evidencing such Rights within
three (3) trading days following the date of the Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery; and
(iii) The properly completed Rights Certificate, or
Certificates evidencing the Rights being exercised, with any
required signatures guarantee, are received by the Rights
Agent within three (3) Trading Days following the date of the,
Notice of Guaranteed Delivery relating thereto. The Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery may be delivered to the Rights Agent in
the same manner as Rights Certificates, or may be transmitted
to the Rights Agent by telegram or facsimile transmission
(telecopy no. (212) 815-6213).
(e) If a Rights Certificate does not indicate the number of
Underlying Shares subscribed for or if the Rights Price payment forwarded to the
Rights Agent is insufficient to purchase the number of Underlying Shares
subscribed for, the Rights Holder will be deemed to have exercised the Primary
Subscription with respect to the maximum number of whole Underlying Shares that
may be subscribed for based on the Rights Price delivered to the Rights Agent
and, to the extent that the payment delivered by such Rights Holder exceeds the
aggregate Subscription Price with respect to the Primary Subscription, the
Rights Holder will be deemed to have exercised the Over-Subscription Rights
Privilege with respect to the maximum number of whole Underlying Shares that may
be subscribed for with such excess amount. If a Record Date Holder (other than a
Qualified Financial Institution) exercises an Over-Subscription Rights Privilege
without exercising its Primary Subscription in full, such Rights Holder will be
deemed to have exercised such Primary Subscription to the fullest possible
extent, and the Over-Subscription Rights Privilege will be deemed exercised only
to the extent of payments received from such Rights Holder in excess of the
aggregate Rights Price applicable to such deemed Primary Subscription exercise.
(f) Rights may be transferred, and the exercise of the Primary
Subscription and the Over-Subscription Rights Privilege may be effected, through
the facilities of THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (Rights so exercised are referred
to as "DTC Exercised Rights"). A holder of DTC Exercised Rights may exercise the
Over-Subscription Rights Privilege in respect thereof by properly executing and
delivering to DTC, at or before the Expiration Date, a DTC Participant
Over-Subscription Rights Exercise Form, together with payment of the appropriate
Subscription Price for the number of Underlying Shares for which the
Over-Subscription Rights Privilege is to be exercised, before any proration or
reduction.
(g) The Rights Agent will hold in trust for the Corporation as
directed by the Cash Management Funds letter, (Exhibit B) and pay to, credit to
the account of, or otherwise transfer to the Corporation all funds received by
the Rights Agent in payment of the Subscription Price for Underlying Shares
subscribed for pursuant to the Primary Subscription at the termination of the
offer.
(h) Funds received by the Rights Agent in payment of the
Subscription Price for Excess Shares subscribed for pursuant to the
Over-Subscription Rights Privilege will be held in a segregated account pending
issuance of such Excess Shares. The Rights Agent will hold in trust for the
Corporation, as directed by the Cash Management Funds letter (Exhibit B) and pay
to, credit to the account of, or otherwise transfer to the Corporation all funds
received in payment of the Subscription Price pursuant to the Over-Subscription
Rights Privilege as soon as practicable following the Expiration Date and
allocation of Excess Shares for purchase pursuant to the Over-Subscription
Rights Privilege.
(i) The Corporation may notify the Rights Agent either orally
or in writing that (1) it will not issue shares of Common Stock to any Rights
Holder who is required, in the Corporation's sole judgment and discretion, to
obtain prior clearance. approval or disapproval from any state or federal bank
regulatory authority to own or control such shares unless, prior to the
Expiration Date, evidence of such clearance, approval or nondisapproval has been
provided to the Corporation or (2) it will limit the number of shares issuable
to any Rights Holder if, as a result of exercises of Rights (pursuant to the
Primary Subscription or the Over-Subscription Rights Privilege), in the
aggregate or to any Rights Holder, there exists a risk, in the Corporation's
sole judgment and discretion that certain tax benefits will be subject to
limitation under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the "Code") or there exists a risk of any other adverse tax consequence to the
Corporation.
SECTION 8. DELIVERY OF STOCK CERTIFICATES; REFUNDS. The Rights Agent
will furnish the Transfer Agent with such information as the Transfer Agent may
reasonably require, and in such form as the Transfer Agent may reasonably
request, to allow the Transfer Agent to issue certificates representing all
Underlying Shares to be issued pursuant to Primary Subscriptions and any Excess
Shares purchased pursuant to Over-Subscription Rights Privileges. Unless the
Rights certificates provides otherwise, certificates for Underlying Shares
purchased pursuant to the exercise of Rights will be registered in the name of
the Rights Holder exercising such Rights. Any refund, without interest, of the
Rights Price for Excess shares subscribed for but not sold due to proration or
otherwise will be mailed or delivered by the Rights Agent to the Rights Holder
to whom such refund is due as soon as practicable after the Expiration Date.
SECTION 9.FRACTIONAL RIGHTS AND SHARES. Fractional Rights or cash in
lieu thereof will not be issued or paid. The number of Rights distributed to
each Record Date Holder or beneficial owner holding through a Qualified
Financial Institution that complies with the procedures set forth in Section
5(a) above will be rounded down to the next whole number. All questions as to
the validity and eligibility of any rounding of fractional Rights (including,
without limitation in connection with the surrender by a Qualified Financial
Institution of a Rights Certificate, as set forth in Section 5(a) hereof will be
determined by the Corporation in its sole discretion, and its determination will
be final and binding.
SECTION 10. TRANSFER OF RIGHTS.
(a) Any Rights Holder may transfer (i) all of the Rights
evidenced by a Rights Certificate by properly endorsing the Rights Certificate
for transfer in accordance with the Instructions or (ii) some of the Rights
evidenced by a Rights Certificate (but not fractional Rights) by delivering to
the Rights Agent such Rights Certificate properly endorsed for transfer, with
instructions to register the Rights to be transferred in the name of the
transferee and to issue a new Rights Certificate to the transferee evidencing
such transferred Rights. The Rights Agent will issue a new Rights Certificate
evidencing any Rights not so transferred to the Rights Holder or, if so
instructed, to an additional transferee. For purposes of this Agreement, the
term "properly endorsed for transfer" means that each and every signature of a
registered Rights Holder or Rights Holders or assigns must be made or guaranteed
by an Eligible Guarantor Institution.
(b) Upon delivery to the Rights Agent of a Rights Certificate
executed for sale by any Rights Holder, the Rights Agent will endeavor to sell
the number of such Rights the Rights Holder has elected to sell, as designated
on the Rights Certificate. Rights Certificates so executed must be received by
the Rights Agent prior to 5:00 p.m., Eastern time , on _________, 1996. Upon
receipt of appropriate instructions to sell Rights, the Rights Agent will use
its best efforts to complete the sale and will remit the proceeds of the sale,
net of commissions, to the holders three Business Days following the date of
such sale. If the Rights can be sold, sales of such Rights will be deemed to
have been effected at the weighted average price received by the Rights Agent on
the day such Rights are sold. The selling Rights holder will pay all brokerage
commissions incurred by the Rights Agent. In addition, upon return of a
completed and fully exercised Rights Certificate, the Rights Agent will
automatically attempt to sell any Rights a Rights holder is unable to exercise
because such Rights will represent the right to subscribe for less than one
Share. All such Rights will be sold at market price, if any, on the AMEX. In
connection therewith the Rights Agent agrees that it (i) is acting solely on
behalf and for the benefit of such Rights Holders who wish to sell their Rights
and not as agent for or on behalf of, the Corporation (ii) will not accept any
instruction from the Corporation with respect to the timing or manner of any
such sales, (iii) will effect all such sales in accordance, with applicable law
and (iv) will not effect any such sales in a manner that would cause a material
adverse change in the market for the Rights.
SECTION 11. FOREIGN AND CERTAIN OTHER SHAREHOLDERS. Rights Certificates
will not be mailed to Record Date Holders whose registered addresses are outside
the United States and Canada or who have an APO or FPO address (collectively,
"Foreign Record Date Holders"). A copy of the Final Prospectus will be mailed by
airmail to each holder of Common Stock of record on the Record Date whose
address of record is outside the continental United States and Canada, or is an
A.P.O. or F.P.O. address. Rights Certificates evidencing Rights otherwise
distributable to Foreign Record Date Holders will be delivered to the Rights
Agent, which will hold such Rights Certificates for the account of such Foreign
Record Date Holders and upon notice from such Foreign Record Date Holders will
exercise the Rights on their behalf. To so exercise their Rights, Foreign Record
Date Holders must notify the Rights Agent not later than 5:.00 p.m., Eastern
time, on ___________, 1996. If no such instructions have been received by the
Rights Agent by such Date, the Rights Agent will endeavor to sell such Rights
for the benefit of such Foreign Record Date Holders. Promptly following the
Expiration Date, the Rights Agent will remit to such Foreign Record Date Holders
the weighted average net sale price of any Rights sold, calculated in the manner
set forth in Section 10(b) above. If the Rights Agent is unable to sell all such
Rights, the net proceeds from such sales as can be made will be allocated pro
rata among such Foreign Record Date Holders based on the number of unexercised
Rights issued in the name of each such Foreign Record Date Holder (as
represented by the Rights Certificate delivered to the Rights Agent) relative to
the aggregate number of all such Rights. In connection with any such sales, the
Rights Agent (i) is acting solely on behalf and for the benefit of the Foreign
Record Date Holders and not as agent for, or on behalf of the Corporation, (ii)
will not accept any instruction from the Corporation with respect to the timing
or manner of any such sales, (iii) will effect all such sales in accordance with
applicable law, and (iv) will not effect any such sales in a manner that would
cause a material adverse change in the market for the Rights.
SECTION 12. AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS; TERMINATION.
(a) The Corporation reserves the Rights to extend the Expiration
Date, and to amend the terms and conditions of the Offering, whether the amended
terms are more or less favorable to Rights Holders.
(b) All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility
(including Date of receipt and record ownership) and acceptance of any exercise
of Rights will be determined by the Corporation in its sole discretion, and the
Corporation reserves the right to reject any exercise if such exercise is not in
accordance with the terms of the Offering or is not in proper form or if the
acceptance thereof or the issuance of Underlying Shares pursuant thereto could
be deemed unlawful. The Corporation also reserves the right to waive any
deficiency or irregularity (including, without limitation, any deficiency with
respect to time of receipt of a Rights Certificate or the Rights Price for all
Underlying Shares subscribed for pursuant thereto) or to permit a defect or
irregularity to be corrected within such Date as it may determine. Rights will
not be deemed to have been received or accepted until all irregularities have
been waived or cured within such time as the Corporation determines in its sole
discretion. Neither the Corporation nor the Rights Agent will be under any duty
to give notification of any defect or irregularity in connection with the
submission of Rights certificates or incur any liability for failure to give
such notification.
(c) The Rights Agent is hereby authorized and directed to accept
instructions with respect to the performance of its duties hereunder from the
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, any Vice President
(including any Senior or Executive Vice President), the Treasurer, any Assistant
Treasurer, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Corporation, or any
other person designated by any of them, and to apply to such officers for advice
or instructions in connection with its duties, and it will not be liable for any
action taken or suffered to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the
instructions of any such officer.
SECTION 13. REPORTS. The Rights Agent will notify the Corporation and
its designated representatives by telephone each business day during the period
commencing on _____________, 1996, and ending at the Expiration Date (and in the
case of deliveries pursuant to the Guaranteed Delivery Procedure, the period
ending three (3) Trading Days after the Expiration Date), which notice will
thereafter be confirmed in writing, of (i) the number of Rights exercised each
day, (ii) the number of Underlying Shares subscribed for pursuant to the Primary
Subscription each day and the number of such shares for which payment has been
received, (iii) the number of Underlying Shares subscribed for pursuant to the
Over-Subscription Rights Privilege each day and the number of such Underlying
Shares for which payment has been received, (iv) the number of Rights exercised
pursuant to the Guaranteed Delivery Procedure each day, (v) the number of Rights
sold each day on behalf of Foreign Record Date Holders, in accordance with
Section 11 above, (vi) the number of Rights requested to be sold and actually
sold by the Rights Agent each day in accordance with Section 10(b) above, (vii)
the number of Rights for which defective Rights Certificates have been received
each day, (viii) the number of requests from Qualified Financial Institutions
holding Rights on behalf of more than one beneficial holder to effect an
exchange of a Rights Certificate or Certificates so as to obtain additional
Rights to which such beneficial holders are entitled, as set forth in Section
5(a) above, and the increase in the number of Rights that would result from such
exchange, and (ix) cumulative totals with respect to the information set forth
in each of the clauses (i) through (viii) above. At or before 5:00 p.m., Eastern
time, on the first Trading Day following the Expiration Date, the Rights Agent
will certify in writing to the Corporation the cumulative totals through the
Expiration Date with respect to the information set forth in clauses (i) through
(iv) above, The Rights Agent will also maintain and update a listing of Rights
Holders who have fully or partially exercised their Rights and Rights Holders
who have not exercised their Rights. The Rights Agent will provide the
Corporation and their respective designated representatives with the information
compiled pursuant to this Section 13 and any Rights Certificates or other
documents or date from which such information derived, as any of them may
request. The Rights Agent hereby represents and warrants that the information
contained in notification referred to in this Section 13 will be accurate in all
material respects.
SECTION 14. PAYMENT OF TAXES. The Corporation will pay when due all document,
stamp and other taxes, if any, that may be payable with respect to the issuance
or delivery of any Rights or the issuance of any Underlying Shares upon the
exercise of Rights; provided, however, that the Corporation will not be liable
for any tax arising out of any transaction that results in, or is deemed to
constitute, an exchange of Rights or 'Underlying Shares or a constructive
dividend with respect to the Rights or Underlying Shares. Except as provided
above, all transfer and other taxes incurred in connection with the purchase,
sale or exercise of Rights will be for the account of the transferor of the
Rights, and no such taxes will be paid by the Corporation or the Rights Agent.
If any transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the issuance of
Underlying Shares to a Rights Holder upon exercise of Rights by such Rights
Holder, the amount of any such transfer taxes (whether imposed on such Rights
Holder or any other person) will be payable by such person and the Rights Agent
will be entitled to refuse to implement such exercise or other requested action
unless it is furnished with proof satisfactory to it of the payment of such
transfer taxes by such Rights Holder or other person.
SECTION 15. CANCELLATION AND DESTRUCTION OF RIGHTS CERTIFICATES. All
Rights Certificates surrendered for the purpose of exercise, exchange,
substitution or transfer will be canceled by the Rights Agent, and no Rights
Certificates will be issued in lieu thereof, except as expressly permitted by
this Agreement. The Corporation will deliver to the Rights Agent for
cancellation and retirement and the Rights Agent will so cancel and retire, any
Rights Certificates purchased or acquired by the Corporation otherwise than upon
the exercise thereof. The Rights Agent will either deliver all canceled Rights
Certificates to the Corporation or, at the written request of the Corporation,
destroy such canceled Rights Certificates, and in such case will deliver a
certificate of destruction thereof to the Corporation.
SECTION 16. FEES OF THE RIGHTS AGENT; INDEMNIFICATION.
(a) The Corporation shall pay to the Rights Agent compensation
in accordance with the fee schedule attached hereto as Exhibit C for all
services rendered by it hereunder and, from time to time, on demand of the
Rights Agent, its reasonable expenses and other disbursements incurred in the
administration and execution of this Agreement and the exercise and performance
of its duties hereunder.
(b) The Corporation shall indemnify and hold the Rights Agent
harmless against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses
(including reasonable fees and disbursements of legal counsel) which the Rights
Agent may incur or become subject to arising from or out of any claim or
liability resulting from actions taken as Rights Agent pursuant to this
Agreement; provided, however, that indemnity does not extend to, and the Rights
Agent will not be indemnified or held harmless with respect to such losses,
claims, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses incurred or suffered by the
Rights Agent as a result, or arising out of the Rights Agent's negligence,
misconduct, bad faith or breach of this Agreement. In connection therewith, (i)
in no case will the Corporation be liable with respect to any claim against the
Rights Agent unless the Rights Agent notifies the Corporation in writing of the
assertion of a claim against it or of any action commenced against it promptly
after the Rights Agent has notice of any such assertion of a claim or has been
served with the summons or other first legal process giving information as to
the nature and basis of the claim; (ii) the Corporation will be entitled to
participate at its own expense in the defense of any suit brought to enforce any
such claim and if the Corporation so elects, it will assume the defense of any
such suit, in which event the Corporation will not thereafter be liable for the
fees and expenses of any additional counsel that the Rights Agent may retain so
long as the Corporation retains counsel satisfactory to the Rights Agent in the
exercise of the Rights Agent's reasonable judgment, to defend such suit; and
((iii) the Rights Agent agrees not to settle any litigation in connection with
any claim or liability with respect to which it may seek indemnification from
the Corporation without the prior written consent of the Corporation.
(c) The Rights Agent will be protected and will incur no
liability for or with respect to any action taken, suffered or omitted by it
without negligence and in good faith in connection with its administration of
this Agreement in reliance upon any Rights Certificate, instrument of assignment
or waiver, power of attorney, endorsement, affidavit, letter, notice, direction,
consent, certificate, statement or other paper or document reasonably believed
by it to be genuine and to be signed, executed and, where necessary, verified or
acknowledged by the proper person or persons.
(d) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding,
in no event, will the Rights Agent be liable for special, indirect or
consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited
to lost profits), even if the Rights Agent has been advised of the likelihood of
such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.
SECTION 17. MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION OF RIGHTS AGENT. Any corporation
into which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent may be merged or with
which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger or
consolidation to which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent may be a
party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate trust business of the
Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent, will be the successor to the Rights
Agent under this Agreement without the execution or filing of any paper or any
further act on the part of any of the parties hereto.
SECTION 18. CONCERNING THE RIGHTS AGENT. The Rights Agent undertakes
the duties and obligations imposed by this Agreement upon the following terms
and conditions:
(a) The Rights Agent may consult with legal counsel acceptable
to the Corporation (who may be, but is not required to be, legal counsel for the
Corporation), and the opinion of such counsel will be full and complete
authorization and protection to the Rights Agent as to any action taken or
omitted by it in good faith and in accordance with such opinion.
(b) Whenever in the performance of its duties under this
Agreement the Rights Agent may deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or
matter be proved or established by the Corporation prior to taking or suffering
any action hereunder, such fact or matter (unless other evidence in respect
thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively
proved and established by a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board,
President and Chief Executive Officer, any Vice President (including any Senior
or Executive Vice President), the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer, or the
Secretary of the Corporation and delivered to the Rights Agent, and such
certificate will be full authorization to the Rights Agent for any action taken
or suffered in good faith by it under the provisions of this Agreement in
reliance upon such certificate.
(c) The Rights Agent will have no responsibility with respect
to the validity of this Agreement or the execution and delivery hereof (except
the due execution hereof by the Rights Agent), or with respect to the validity
or execution of any Rights Certificate.
(d) Nothing herein precludes the Rights Agent from acting in
any other capacity for the Corporation.
(e) The Rights Agent shall not, and shall not permit any
affiliate of the Rights Agent to , sell or purchase any Rights (or,
from the date hereof to the Expiration Date, any Common Stock), or
establish any short or long position with respect thereto, for its own
account or the account of any affiliate of the Rights Agent.
SECTION 19. CERTIFICATE TAX MATTERS.
(a) The Rights Agent shall comply with the information
reporting and backup withholding requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code"), including without limitation, where appropriate,
on a timely basis, filing with the Internal Revenue Service and furnishing to
Rights Holders duly completed Forms 1099B. The Rights Agent will also collect
and duly preserve Forms W-8 and W-9 and other forms or information necessary to
comply with the backup withholding requirement of the Code. The Corporation will
provide the Rights Agent with information regarding the fair market value of the
Rights as of the date on which trading of the Rights commences as soon as
practicable after the Record Date.
(b) The Rights Agent shall withhold from payments made to
Rights Holders amounts sufficient to comply with the backup withholding
requirements of the Code.
SECTION 20. NOTICES TO THE CORPORATION, THE RIGHTS AGENT AND RIGHTS
HOLDERS. All notices and other communications provided for or permitted
hereunder are to be by hand delivery prepaid first class mail, telex or
telecopier:
(a) If to the Corporation, to:
Nolan Lehmann, President
Equus II, Incorporated
2929 Allen Parkway
Suite 2500
Houston, Texas 77019
Telecopier # (713) 529-9545
(b) If to the Rights Agent:
First Interstate Bank of Texas, N.A.
1000 Louisiana Suite 700
Houston, Texas 77002
Telecopier # (713) 250-7929
(c) If to a Rights Holder, to the address shown on the registry
books of the Corporation.
All such notices and communications will be deemed to have been duly
given when delivered by hand, if personally delivered; two business days after
being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed as aforesaid; when
answered back if telexed; and when receipt is acknowledged, if telecopied.
SECTION 21. SUPPLEMENTS AND AMENDMENTS. The Corporation and the Rights
Agent may from time to time supplement or amend this Agreement without the
approval of any Rights Holders.
SECTION 22. SUCCESSORS. All the covenants and provisions of the
Agreement by or for the benefit of the Corporation or the Rights Agent will bind
and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns hereunder.
SECTION 23. TERMINATION. This Agreement will terminate at 5:00 p.m.,
Eastern time, on the thirtieth day following the Expiration Date.
SECTION 24. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement will be deemed to be a
contract made under the laws of the State of Texas and for all purposes is to be
construed in accordance with the internal laws of said State.
SECTION 25. BENEFITS OF THIS AGREEMENT. Except as set forth in Section
13, nothing in this Agreement is to be construed to give to any person or
corporation other than the Corporation, the Rights Agent and the Rights Holders
any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement; but this
Agreement is for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Corporation, the Rights
Agent and the Rights Holders.
SECTION 26. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number
of counterparts and each of such counterparts will for all purposes be deemed to
be an original, but all such counterparts will together constitute one and the
same instrument.
SECTION 27. DESCRIPTIVE HEADINGS. Descriptive headings of the several
Sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not control
or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provision hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused the Agreement
to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
EQUUS II INCORPORATED
By ____________________________________
Name__________________________________
Title___________________________________
FIRST INTERSTATE BANK OF TEXAS, N.A.
By ____________________________________
Name__________________________________
Title___________________________________
