SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 1998
Commission file number 0-21630
ACTION PERFORMANCE COMPANIES, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
ARIZONA 86-0704792
(State of Incorporation) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
4707 E. Baseline Road
Phoenix, AZ 85040
(602) 337-3700
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No
- -
As of May 7, 1998, there were outstanding 16,194,905 shares of the registrant's
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share.
<PAGE>
PART I, ITEM 1 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ACTION PERFORMANCE COMPANIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
As of March 31, 1998 and September 30, 1997
(in thousands, except share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
March 31, September 30,
1998 1997
-------- ------------
(Unaudited)
ASSETS
- ------
<S> <C> <C>
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents ....................................... $ 97,405 $ 29,318
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for
doubtful accounts of $1,348 and $837,
respectively ................................................... 27,989 17,802
Inventories, net ................................................ 28,977 17,855
Prepaid royalties ............................................... 5,848 4,967
Prepaid expenses and other assets ............................... 4,113 2,603
-------- --------
Total current assets .......................................... 164,332 72,545
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net ....................................... 29,953 20,017
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES, net ............................... 75,279 46,409
NOTES RECEIVABLE AND OTHER ASSETS ................................. 6,909 2,354
-------- --------
$276,473 $141,325
======== ========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
- ------------------------------------
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable ................................................ $ 13,126 $ 6,680
Accrued royalties ............................................... 6,197 5,098
Accrued expenses and other ...................................... 3,250 2,442
Current portion of long term debt ............................... 24,601 1,350
Line of credit .................................................. 7,100 --
-------- --------
Total current liabilities ..................................... 54,274 15,570
LONG-TERM DEBT:
Convertible subordinated notes .................................. 100,000 --
Other long-term debt ............................................ 9,331 22,586
-------- --------
Total long-term debt .......................................... 109,331 22,586
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock, no par value, 5,000,000 shares
authorized, no shares issued and outstanding ................... -- --
Common stock, $.01 par value, 25,000,000 shares
authorized; 16,183,239 and 15,952,083 shares
issued and outstanding, respectively ........................... 162 160
Additional paid-in capital ...................................... 86,990 84,984
Retained earnings ............................................... 25,716 18,025
-------- --------
Total shareholders' equity .................................... 112,868 103,169
-------- --------
$276,473 $141,325
======== ========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of
these consolidated balance sheets
2
<PAGE>
ACTION PERFORMANCE COMPANIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For The Three Month and Six Month Periods Ended March 31, 1998 and 1997
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
March 31 March 31
---------------------- ----------------------
1998 1997 1998 1997
-------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Sales:
Collectibles ........................... $ 26,291 $ 13,650 $ 46,217 $ 23,522
Apparel and souvenirs .................. 24,235 13,121 45,625 18,334
Promotional ............................ 1,963 1,304 2,977 1,355
Other .................................. 666 227 1,254 267
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net sales ............................ 53,155 28,302 96,073 43,478
Cost of sales ............................ 32,994 17,521 60,855 26,302
-------- -------- -------- --------
Gross profit ............................. 20,161 10,781 35,218 17,176
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and
administrative expenses .............. 10,535 5,857 18,735 9,256
Non-recurring charge for
litigation settlement ................ 950 -- 950 --
Amortization of goodwill
and other intangibles ................ 1,209 341 1,690 495
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total operating expenses ............ 12,694 6,198 21,375 9,751
-------- -------- -------- --------
Income from operations ................... 7,467 4,583 13,843 7,425
Other income (expense):
Interest income and other, net ......... 172 94 464 166
Interest expense ....................... (913) (615) (1,488) (916)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total other income (expense) ......... (741) (521) (1,024) (750)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Income before provision for
income taxes ........................... 6,726 4,062 12,819 6,675
Provision for income taxes ............... 2,690 1,625 5,128 2,670
-------- -------- -------- --------
NET INCOME ............................... $ 4,036 $ 2,437 $ 7,691 $ 4,005
======== ======== ======== ========
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE:
Basic .................................. $ 0.25 $ 0.18 $ 0.48 $ 0.30
======== ======== ======== ========
Diluted ................................ $ 0.24 $ 0.17 $ 0.46 $ 0.29
======== ======== ======== ========
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:
Basic .................................. 16,086 13,579 16,039 13,235
======== ======== ======== ========
Diluted ................................ 16,666 14,129 16,591 13,786
======== ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of
these consolidated financial statements
3
<PAGE>
ACTION PERFORMANCE COMPANIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For The Six Months Ended March 31, 1998 and 1997 (Unaudited)
(in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997
--------- -------
<S> <C> <C>
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income ............................................................ $ 7,691 $ 4,005
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization ....................................... 4,364 1,916
Change in assets and liabilities, net of
businesses acquired:
Accounts receivable ............................................... (6,540) 1,154
Inventories ....................................................... (10,058) (2,794)
Prepaid royalties ................................................. (510) (1,591)
Prepaid expenses and other assets ................................. 1,289 (171)
Accounts payable .................................................. 5,158 (736)
Accrued royalties ................................................. (286) 300
Accrued expenses and other ........................................ 244 402
--------- ---------
Net cash provided by
operating activities ............................................. 1,352 2,485
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchase of property and equipment .................................. (8,871) (3,635)
Deposits on property and equipment .................................. (1,783) --
Proceeds from sale of equipment ..................................... 287 111
Acquisition of businesses and other
intangibles, less cash acquired .................................... (23,091) 1,140
--------- ---------
Net cash used in investing activities ............................. (33,458) (2,384)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Borrowings on line of credit ........................................ 9,600 4,379
Payments on line of credit .......................................... (2,500) (5,279)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock .............................. -- 2,600
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock
upon exercise of stock options ..................................... 1,008 747
Payments on long-term debt .......................................... (4,430) (4,552)
Issuance of convertible subordinated notes .......................... 100,000 --
Payments for offering-related expenses .............................. (3,500) --
Collections on notes receivable ..................................... 15 --
--------- ---------
Net cash provided by (used in)
financing activities ............................................. 100,193 (2,105)
--------- ---------
Net change in cash and cash equivalents ............................. 68,087 (2,004)
Cash and cash equivalents,
beginning of period ................................................ 29,318 4,983
--------- ---------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period ............................ $ 97,405 $ 2,979
========= =========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of
these consolidated financial statements.
4
<PAGE>
ACTION PERFORMANCE COMPANIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 1998
(1) INTERIM FINANCIAL REPORTING
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements for Action
Performance Companies, Inc. (the "Company") have been prepared in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information
and the instructions to Form 10-Q. Accordingly, they do not include all the
information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles
for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments
(which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly
the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods
presented have been made. The results of operations for the six-month period
ended March 31, 1998 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results
that may be expected for the entire year ending September 30, 1998. Certain
prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the March 31, 1998
presentation. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the
Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1997.
(2) SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
The supplemental cash flow disclosures and non-cash transactions for the
six-month periods ended March 31, 1998 and 1997 are as follows (in thousands):
1998 1997
------- -------
Supplemental disclosures:
Interest paid .................................... $ 1,122 $ 428
Income taxes paid ................................ 5,110 2,981
Non-cash transactions:
Common stock issued in acquisitions .............. $ -- $ 9,612
Common stock issued in license agreement ......... 1,000 --
Debt and liabilities incurred or
assumed in acquisitions ........................ 16,014 38,392
Sale of equipment for notes receivable ........... 35 445
Assets acquired under capital lease .............. 183 --
Assets acquired under note ....................... 1,562 --
(3) RECENT ACQUISITIONS AND LICENSE AGREEMENTS
On October 3, 1997, the Company entered into a ten-year license agreement with
Richard Childress Racing Enterprises, Inc. ("RCR") with respect to various
rights used in connection with race vehicles owned by RCR. In connection with
this agreement, the Company paid RCR a license fee consisting of cash plus
34,940 shares of the Company's Common Stock. The license agreement also requires
the Company to pay to RCR royalties based on sales of licensed products in each
year during the term of the agreement.
On December 9, 1997, the Company acquired certain assets and assumed certain
liabilities related to sales of motorsports merchandise licensed by NASCAR
Winston Cup driver Rusty Wallace from an affiliate of Mr. Wallace. The purchase
price paid by the Company for the acquired assets consists of cash of $6.0
million, of which $2.5 million was paid at the closing and the remaining $3.5
million will be paid during fiscal 1998. In connection with the acquisition of
the assets and assumption of the liabilities, the Company
5
<PAGE>
entered into a seven-year license agreement with another affiliate of Mr.
Wallace for the name and likeness of Mr. Wallace and acquired a five-year
sublicense with a wholly owned subsidiary of Penske Motorsports, Inc. The
license agreement and sublicense agreement both contain options that permit the
Company to renew for two five-year terms. The license agreement with the
affiliate of Mr. Wallace requires the Company to pay royalties on sales of
licensed products, plus a license fee if sales of licensed products exceed a
specified amount each year during the initial term of the license.
On December 19, 1997, the Company acquired the assets and assumed certain
liabilities related to the motorsports die-cast collectible product lines of
Revell-Monogram, Inc. ("Revell"). The preliminary price of $24.8 million, which
is subject to certain adjustments, consists of an initial cash payment of $14.8
million and $1.0 million per year for 10 years, which is treated as a note
payable in the accompanying financial statements with an imputed interest rate
of 8%. Revell distributed die-cast collectibles through a network of wholesale
distributors and a collectible club, which together generated die-cast
collectible sales of approximately $20.0 million during 1997. The Company and
Revell also entered into a 10-year license agreement under which the Company has
the right to utilize certain "Revell" trademarks in connection with sales of its
die-cast products.
On January 8, 1998, the Company acquired certain assets and assumed certain
liabilities of Brookfield Collectors Guild, Inc. ("Brookfield"). The purchase
price consisted of (i) approximately $800,000 in cash and (ii) up to 27,397
shares of Common Stock, subject to certain adjustments, to be issued on or
before December 31, 1998. In addition, the Company repaid approximately $1.8
million of the assumed liabilities at the time of closing. Brookfield
distributed various motorsport die-cast collectibles and ensembles as well as
various other die-cast replicas.
(4) UNAUDITED PRO FORMA STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
The following unaudited pro forma income statement data for the six-month
periods ended March 31, 1998 and 1997 present the results of operations of the
Company as if the acquisitions of the businesses acquired during fiscal 1997 and
the first two quarters of fiscal 1998 had occurred as of October 1, 1996. These
acquisitions include Sports Image, Inc., Motorsport Traditions, Ltd., Creative
Marketing & Promotions, Inc., Robert Yates Promotions, Inc., Image Works, Inc.,
the collectibles business of Simpson Products, Inc., the Rusty Wallace
acquisition, the Revell acquisition, and the Brookfield acquisition. Pro forma
results are as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
Six Months Ended Six Months Ended
March 31, 1998 March 31, 1997
---------------- ----------------
Revenues......................... $103,312 $75,947
Net income....................... 8,944(1) 3,806
Net income per common share...... $ 0.54(1) $ 0.27
(1) Excludes a non-recurring legal settlement charge of $950,000 or
$0.03 per share
(5) SALE OF CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTES
On March 24, 1998, the Company sold $100.0 million of 4 3/4% Convertible
Subordinated Notes due 2005 (the "Notes"). The Notes are convertible, at the
option of the holders, into shares of Common Stock at the initial conversion
price of $48.20 per share, subject to adjustments in certain events. The Notes
are general unsecured obligations of the Company, subordinated in right of
payment to all existing and future senior indebtedness of the Company, as
defined in the Notes. The Indenture governing the Notes does not limit or
prohibit the incurrence of additional indebtedness, including senior
6
<PAGE>
indebtedness, by the Company or its subsidiaries. The Company, at its option,
may redeem the Notes in whole or in part at any time on or after April 1, 2001,
at redemption prices set forth in the Indenture governing the Notes. Upon the
occurrence of a "change in control" or a "termination of trading," as defined in
the Indenture, the holders of the Notes will have the right to require the
Company to repurchase all or any part of such holders' Notes at 100% of their
principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The net proceeds to the
Company from this offering were approximately $96.5 million, after deducting
estimated offering expenses and the Initial Purchasers' discount of 3.0%.
(6) CREDIT FACILITY
On January 2, 1997 the Company entered into a credit facility (the "Credit
Facility") with First Union National Bank of North Carolina ("First Union"). The
Credit Facility, as subsequently amended, consists of a revolving line of credit
for up to $10.0 million (the "Line of Credit") and a $15.0 letter of
credit/bankers' acceptances facility (the "Letter of Credit/BA Facility"). The
Line of Credit bears interest, at the Company's option, at a rate equal to
either (i) the greater of (a) the bank's publicly announced prime rate or (b) a
weighted average Federal Funds rate plus 0.5%, or (ii) LIBOR plus 1.9%. The Line
of Credit is guaranteed by the Company's subsidiaries. The Company had
outstanding borrowings of $7.1 million under the Line of Credit as of March 31,
1998, which represents amounts borrowed prior to the sale of the Notes in March
1998. The Company repaid the amounts borrowed under the Line of Credit in April
1998. The Letter of Credit/BA Facility is available for issuances of letters of
credit and eligible bankers' acceptances in an aggregate amount up to $15.0
million to enable the Company to finance purchases of products from its overseas
vendors. The Company had outstanding purchase commitments of approximately $9.7
million under the Letter of Credit/BA Facility as of March 31, 1998. The Credit
Facility contains certain provisions that, among other things, require the
Company to comply with certain financial ratios and net worth requirements and
limit the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to incur additional
indebtedness, to sell assets, or to engage in certain mergers or consolidations.
The Credit Facility matured on March 31, 1998 and has been extended until May
31, 1998. The Company and First Union currently are negotiating the terms of an
extension of the Credit Facility and an increase in the amounts available for
borrowings under the Credit Facility.
(7) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company is subject to certain asserted and unasserted claims encountered in
the normal course of business. The Company believes that the resolution of these
matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial
position or results of operations.
(8) LEGAL SETTLEMENTS
In March 1998, the Company agreed to settle a lawsuit with Petty Enterprises,
Inc. and an affiliate of Petty Enterprises, Inc. Under the financial terms of
the settlement, the Company will pay a total of approximately $700,000 to Petty
Enterprises, Inc. as payment in full for royalties and other fees in connection
with licenses for future sales of licensed products. The settlement is subject
to the execution of definitive settlement agreements. The accompanying financial
statements include a charge of $950,000 incurred as a result of this settlement
and related charges. See Part II, Item 1 "Legal Proceedings."
In March 1998, the Company and other defendants also agreed to settle an
environmental lawsuit with the State of Arizona. Under the agreement, the former
shareholders of F.W. & Associates, Inc., including Fred W. Wagenhals, the
Company's Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer, paid an
aggregate of $800,000 to the state and certain parties seeking
7
<PAGE>
indemnity from the Company. The Company will not incur any costs in connection
with this settlement.
(9) SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On April 20, 1998, the Company announced that it would make a $1.0 million
equity investment in LBE Technologies, Inc. ("LBET") under the terms of a
five-year strategic alliance. The agreement provides the Company with exclusive
merchandising rights at each of LBET's "NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway" centers.
8
<PAGE>
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Overview
The Company designs and markets licensed motorsports products,
including die-cast scaled replicas of motorsports vehicles, apparel, and
souvenirs. The Company also develops promotional programs for sponsors of
motorsports that feature the Company's die-cast replicas or other products and
are intended to increase brand awareness of the products or services of the
corporate sponsors. In addition, the Company represents popular race car drivers
in a broad range of licensing and other revenue-producing opportunities,
including product licenses, corporate sponsorships, endorsement contracts, and
speaking engagements. The Company's motorsports collectibles and most of the
Company's apparel and souvenirs are manufactured by third parties, generally
utilizing the Company's designs, tools, and dies. The Company screen prints and
embroiders a portion of the licensed motorsports apparel that it sells.
The Company was incorporated in Arizona in May 1992 and began marketing
die-cast collectibles in July 1992. In August 1994, the Company acquired certain
assets and liabilities of Fan Fueler, Inc. and began marketing licensed
motorsports consumer products.
In November 1996, the Company acquired Sports Image, Inc. ("Sports
Image") and in January 1997 the Company acquired Motorsport Traditions Limited
Partnership and Creative Marketing and Promotions, Inc. (together "Motorsport
Traditions"), each of which marketed and distributed licensed motorsports
apparel, die-cast collectibles and other souvenir items. In July 1997, the
Company acquired Robert Yates Promotions, Inc. ("RYP"), which had operations
similar to those of Sports Image and Motorsport Traditions, and Image Works,
Inc. ("Image Works"), which manufactures and markets licensed motorsports
apparel through the mass-merchandising markets. The Company acquired certain
assets and assumed certain liabilities related to the mini-helmet collectible
business of Simpson Racing Products, Inc. ("Simpson") in August 1997.
In December 1997, the Company acquired assets related to sales of
motorsports merchandise licensed by NASCAR driver Rusty Wallace (the "Rusty
Wallace Acquisition"). The Company and an affiliate of Rusty Wallace also
entered into a seven-year license agreement. In December 1997, the Company also
acquired the assets related to certain "Revell" trademarked die-cast products
(the "Revell Acquisition"). The Company and Revell also entered into a 10-year
license agreement and a long-term strategic alliance involving extensive
marketing and distribution arrangements. In January 1998, the Company acquired
the assets and assumed certain liabilities of Brookfield, which distributes
various motorsports collectibles and other die-cast replicas.
9
<PAGE>
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the
percentage of total revenue represented by certain expense and revenue items.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
March 31, March 31,
----------------------- ----------------------
1998 1997 1998 1997
---- ---- ---- ----
(Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Sales:
Collectibles ........................................ 49.5% 48.2% 48.1% 54.1%
Apparel and souvenir ................................ 45.6 46.4 47.5 42.2
Promotional ......................................... 3.7 4.6 3.1 3.1
Other ............................................... 1.2 .8 1.3 .6
----- ----- ----- -----
Net sales ......................................... 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Cost of sales ....................................... 62.1 61.9 63.3 60.5
----- ----- ----- -----
Gross Profit ........................................ 37.9 38.1 36.7 39.5
Selling, general and administrative expenses ........ 19.8 20.7 19.5 21.3
Settlement costs .................................... 1.8 0.0 1.0 0.0
Amortization of goodwill and other intangibles ...... 2.3 1.2 1.8 1.1
----- ----- ----- -----
Income from operations .............................. 14.0 16.2 14.4 17.1
Interest income (expense) and other, net ............ (1.4) (1.8) (1.1) (1.7)
----- ----- ----- -----
Income before provision for income taxes ............ 12.6 14.4 13.3 15.4
Provision for income taxes .......................... (5.0) (5.8) (5.3) (6.2)
----- ----- ----- -----
Net income .......................................... 7.6% 8.6% 8.0% 9.2%
===== ===== ===== =====
</TABLE>
Three Months Ended March 31, 1998 Compared with Three Months Ended March 31,
1997
Net sales increased 87.8% to $53.2 million for the three months ended
March 31, 1998 from $28.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 1997. The
Company attributes the improvement in sales during the second quarter of fiscal
1998 primarily to (i) revenue from the Company's acquisitions during the fourth
quarter of fiscal 1997 and the first quarter of fiscal 1998; (ii) the Company's
ability to capitalize on the continued strong growth in the base of motorsports
enthusiasts and to produce and sell increased quantities of souvenirs, apparel,
and die-cast collectible goods; (iii) increased sales of products licensed by
race car drivers with significant accomplishments during the period; (iv) an
increase in membership in the Company's Racing Collectables Club of America to
approximately 123,000 members at March 31, 1998 from approximately 86,000
members at March 31, 1997; and (v) increased sales in conjunction with the new
NASCAR race event in Las Vegas, Nevada in March 1998.
Gross profit increased to $20.2 million in the second quarter of fiscal
1998 from $10.8 million in the second quarter of fiscal 1997, representing 37.9%
and 38.1% of net sales, respectively. The sales mix between die-cast products
and apparel and souvenir products was virtually unchanged during the period.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $10.5 million
in the three-month period ended March 31, 1998 from $5.9 million in the
three-month period ended March 31, 1997, representing 19.8% and 20.7% of net
sales, respectively. The decrease in such expenses as a percentage of sales
resulted primarily from cost savings achieved with the integration of the
businesses acquired in fiscal 1997 and the first quarter of fiscal 1998.
During the three-month period ended March 31, 1998, the Company
recorded a non-recurring charge of $950,000, or $0.03 per share, for the
settlement of a pending lawsuit and related charges. This settlement represents
1.8% of net sales for the three months ended March 31, 1998.
See Part II, Item 1 "Legal Proceedings."
Amortization of goodwill and other intangibles increased to $1.2
million for the three-month period ended March 31, 1998 from $341,000 for the
three-month period ended March 31, 1997. The increase in amortization of
goodwill and other intangibles is related to the acquisitions made during the
fourth quarter of fiscal 1997 and first two quarters of fiscal 1998 as well as
various long term license agreements. The Company recorded goodwill and other
intangibles of $14.1 million in connection with the fourth quarter fiscal 1997
acquisitions, and recorded an additional
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$30.1 million of goodwill and other intangibles from the acquisitions completed
in the six-month period ended March 31, 1998. The Company is amortizing the
goodwill and other intangibles over a period of 3 to 25 years.
The change in interest income (expense) and other, net, was primarily
attributable to an increase in interest expense of approximately $150,000
related to debt incurred in connection with the acquisitions of Image Works and
Revell. Interest expense associated with the Notes issued in March 1998 was
offset by interest income on the related proceeds.
Six Months Ended March 31, 1998 Compared with Six Months Ended March 31, 1997
Net sales increased 121% to $96.1 million for the six months ended
March 31, 1998 from $43.5 million for the six months ended March 31, 1997. The
Company attributes the improvements in sales during the first two quarters of
fiscal 1998 primarily to (i) revenue from the acquisitions completed during
fiscal 1997 and the first quarter of fiscal 1998; (ii) the Company's ability to
capitalize on the continued strong growth in the base of motorsports enthusiasts
and to produce and sell increased quantities of souvenirs, apparel, and die-cast
collectible goods; (iii) increased sales of products licensed by race car
drivers with significant accomplishments during the period; (iv) an increase in
membership in the Company's Racing Collectables Club of America to approximately
123,000 members at March 31, 1998 from approximately 86,000 members at March 31,
1997; and (v) increased sales in conjunction with the new NASCAR race event in
Las Vegas, Nevada in March 1998.
Gross profit increased to $35.2 million in the six months ended March
31, 1998 from $17.2 million in the six months ended March 31, 1997, representing
36.7% and 39.5% of net sales, respectively. The decrease in gross profit as a
percentage of net sales resulted from increased sales of apparel and souvenirs,
which typically provide lower margins than sales of the Company's die-cast
collectible products. Sales of apparel and souvenirs grew to 47.5% of net sales
in the six months ended March 31, 1998 from 42.2% for the six-month period ended
March 31, 1997, primarily as a result of the acquisitions completed in fiscal
1997.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $18.7 million
in the six-month period ended March 31, 1998 from $9.3 million in the six-month
period ended March 31, 1997, representing 19.5% and 21.3% of net sales,
respectively. The decrease in such expenses as a percentage of sales resulted
primarily from cost savings achieved with the integration of the businesses
acquired in fiscal 1997 and the first quarter of fiscal 1998.
During the six-month period ended March 31, 1998, the Company recorded
a non-recurring charge of $950,000, or $0.03 per share, for the settlement of a
pending lawsuit and related charges. This settlement represents 1.0% of net
sales for the six months ended March 31, 1998. See Part II, Item 1 "Legal
Proceedings."
Amortization of goodwill and other intangibles increased to $1.7
million for the six-month period ended March 31, 1998 from $495,000 for the
six-month period ended March 31, 1997. The increase in amortization of goodwill
and other intangibles is related to the acquisitions made during the fourth
quarter of fiscal 1997 and first two quarters of fiscal 1998 as well as various
long-term license agreements. The Company recorded goodwill and other
intangibles of $14.1 million in connection with the fiscal 1997 acquisitions,
and recorded an additional $30.1 million of goodwill and other intangibles from
the acquisitions completed in the six-month period ended March 31, 1998. The
Company is amortizing the goodwill and other intangibles over a period of 3 to
25 years.
The change in interest income (expense) and other, net, was primarily
attributable to an increase in interest expense of approximately $272,000
related to debt incurred in connection with the acquisitions of Sports Image and
Motorsport Traditions, offset by an increase in interest income of approximately
$220,000 related to proceeds from the Company's Common Stock offering in June
1997, and an additional $150,000 of interest expense associated with the Revell
and Image Works acquisitions. Interest expense associated with the Notes issued
in March 1998 was offset by interest income on the related proceeds.
11
<PAGE>
Pro Forma Results of Operations
The following table sets forth the unaudited pro forma income statement
data of the Company for the six-month period ended March 31, 1998 and 1997,
giving effect to the acquisitions of Sports Image, Motorsport Traditions, RYP,
Image Works, Simpson, Brookfield, and the Rusty Wallace Acquisition and Revell
Acquisition, as if they had occurred on October 1, 1996, using the purchase
method of accounting for business combinations. The unaudited pro forma income
statement data presented herein does not purport to represent what the Company's
actual results of operations would have been had those acquisitions occurred on
that date or to project the Company's results of operations for any future
period.
(in thousands, except per share data)
For the Six-Months Ended
-------------------------------------
March 31, 1998 March 31, 1997
-------------- --------------
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
Net sales $103,312 $ 75,947
Net income 8,944(1) 3,806
Net income per common share $ 0.54(1) $ 0.27
(1) Excludes a one-time legal settlement charge of $950,000, or $0.03 per share.
The pro forma results shown above do not account for efficiencies
gained upon the consolidation of operations, including the elimination of
duplicative functions and reduction of salaries expense and other related costs.
The pro forma results of operations for the six-month period ended March 31,
1998 and 1997 reflect the amortization of goodwill and other intangibles arising
from the acquisitions described above and include additional interest expense
associated with the financing of the acquisitions of Sports Image, Motorsport
Traditions, Image Works, Rusty Wallace, and the Revell Acquisition.
Seasonality
Because the auto racing season is concentrated between the months of
February and November, the second and third calendar quarters of each year (the
Company's third and fourth fiscal quarters) generally are characterized by
higher sales of motorsports products. The Company believes, however, that the
acquisitions described above have provided additional distribution channels that
increase holiday sales, with the effect of reducing seasonal fluctuations.
Year 2000 Compliance
Many currently installed computer systems and software products are
coded to accept only two-digit entries to represent years in the date code
field. Computer systems and products that do not accept four-digit year entries
will need to be upgraded or replaced to accept four-digit entries to distinguish
years beginning with 2000 from prior years. The Company recently commenced a
program to install new computer software programs that are intended to integrate
the Company's management information systems throughout its organizational
structure, as well as to comply with "Year 2000" requirements. The Company
anticipates that these software systems, which are designed to improve the
content, quality, and flow of information within the Company, will be
operational in the last quarter of the calendar 1998. The Company believes that
its new software systems will comply with the Year 2000 requirements, and the
Company currently does not anticipate that it will experience any material
disruption to its operations as a result of the failure of any of its systems to
be Year 2000 compliant. There can be no assurance, however, that computer
systems operated by third parties, including customers, vendors, credit card
transaction processors, and financial institutions, with which the Company's
systems interface will continue to properly interface with the Company's systems
and will otherwise be compliant on a timely basis with Year 2000 requirements.
The Company currently is developing a plan to evaluate the Year 2000 compliance
status of third parties with which its computer systems interface. Any failure
of the Company's computer system or the systems of third parties to timely
achieve Year 2000 compliance could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition, and operating results.
12
<PAGE>
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company's working capital position increased to $110.1 million at
March 31, 1998 from $57.0 million at September 30, 1997. The increase of $53.1
million is primarily attributable to the net proceeds of approximately $96.5
million from the private placement of the Notes in March 1998, which was
partially offset by the classification of the Company's Senior Notes (as
described below) becoming classified as current obligations during the quarter
ended March 31, 1998.
Capital expenditures for the six-month period ended March 31, 1998
totaled approximately $10.7 million, of which approximately $5.9 million was
utilized for the Company's continued investment in tooling.
During the six-month period ended March 31, 1998, the Company issued
160,793 shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of stock options, resulting in
total proceeds to the Company of approximately $1.0 million.
On October 3, 1997 the Company issued 34,940 shares of common stock to
RCR as a portion of the license fee pursuant to a license agreement entered into
between the Company and RCR on that date.
The Company has a credit facility (the "Credit Facility") with First
Union National Bank of North Carolina ("First Union"). The Credit Facility, as
amended, currently consists of a revolving line of credit for up to $10.0
million (the "Line of Credit") and a $15.0 letter of credit/bankers' acceptances
facility (the "Letter of Credit/BA Facility"). The Line of Credit bears
interest, at the Company's option, at a rate equal to either (i) the greater of
(a) the bank's publicly announced prime rate or (b) a weighted average Federal
Funds rate plus 0.5%, or (ii) LIBOR plus 1.9%. The Line of Credit is guaranteed
by the Company's subsidiaries. The Company had outstanding borrowings of
approximately $7.1 million under the Line of Credit as of March 31, 1998, which
represents amounts borrowed prior to the sale of the Notes in March 1998. The
Company repaid the amounts borrowed under the Line of Credit in April 1998. The
Letter of Credit/BA Facility is available for issuances of letters of credit and
eligible bankers' acceptances in an aggregate amount up to $15.0 million to
enable the Company to finance purchases of products from its overseas vendors.
The Company had outstanding purchase commitments of approximately $9.7 million
under the Letter of Credit/BA Facility as of March 31, 1998. The Credit Facility
contains certain provisions that, among other things, require the Company to
comply with certain financial ratios and net worth requirements and limit the
ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, to
sell assets, or to engage in certain mergers or consolidations. The Credit
Facility matured on March 31, 1998 and has been extended until May 31, 1998. The
Company and First Union currently are negotiating the terms of an extension of
the Credit Facility and an increase in the amounts available for borrowings
under the Credit Facility.
On January 2, 1997, the Company issued an aggregate of $20.0 million
principal amount of senior notes to three insurance companies (the "Senior
Notes"). The Senior Notes bear interest at the rate of 8.05% per annum, provide
for semi-annual payments of accrued interest, and mature on January 2, 1999. The
Company may not prepay the Senior Notes prior to maturity, but must offer to
redeem the Senior Notes in the event of a "Change of Control" of the Company, as
defined in the Senior Notes. The Senior Notes contain certain provisions that,
among other things, require the Company to comply with certain financial ratios
and net worth requirements and limit the ability of the Company and its
subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, to sell assets or engage in
certain mergers or consolidations and to pay dividends without the consent of
the lenders. The Senior Notes are guaranteed by the Company's subsidiaries.
On December 9, 1997, the Company acquired certain assets and assumed
certain liabilities related to sales of motorsports merchandise licensed by
NASCAR Winston Cup driver Rusty Wallace for approximately $6.0 million in cash.
The Company paid $2.5 million at closing, with the remainder due in four
installments ending September 30, 1998. In connection with the acquisition, the
Company entered into a seven-year license agreement for the name and likeness of
Mr. Wallace. The terms of this acquisition were determined by arms-length
negotiations between representatives of Mr. Wallace and representatives of the
Company.
On December 19, 1997, the Company completed the Revell Acquisition,
pursuant to which the Company acquired the assets and assumed certain
liabilities related to Revell's die-cast collectible product lines. The
preliminary price of $24.8 million, which is subject to certain adjustments,
consists of an initial cash payment of $14.8 million and $1.0 million per year
for 10 years, which is treated as a note payable in the accompanying financial
statements with an
13
<PAGE>
imputed interest rate of 8%. Revell had sales of die-cast collectibles of
approximately $20.0 million during 1997. The Company currently intends to market
the Revell-trademarked products through its existing distribution channels, but
with different features and at different price points from its current lines of
die-cast collectibles. The Company and Revell also entered into a 10-year
license agreement under which the Company has the right to utilize certain
Revell trademarks in connection with sales of its die-cast products. In
addition, the Company and Revell have formed a long-term strategic alliance
under which (i) the Company will assist Revell to obtain licenses with top race
car drivers for Revell's line of plastic model kits; (ii) Revell has appointed
the Company as the exclusive distributor for trackside sales of Revell plastic
model kits and as a non-exclusive distributor for retail sales of Revell plastic
model kits through the Company's wholesale distribution network; and (iii) the
Company will have certain Revell-trademarked die-cast collectibles manufactured
to enable Revell to fulfill commitments for 1998 mass market sales, and the
Company will have other licensed motorsports die-cast products manufactured for
Revell's sales as promotional and premium products. The terms of this
acquisition were determined by arms-length negotiations between representatives
of Revell and representatives of the Company.
On January 8, 1998, the Company acquired the assets and assumed certain
liabilities of Brookfield. The purchased price consisted of (i) approximately
$800,000 in cash and (ii) up to 27,397 shares of Common Stock, subject to
certain adjustments, to be issued on or before December 31, 1998. In addition,
the Company repaid approximately $1.8 million of the assumed liabilities at the
time of closing. Brookfield distributes various motorsport die-cast collectibles
and ensembles as well as various other die-cast replicas.
On March 24, 1998, the Company sold $100.0 million of 4 3/4%
Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2005. The Notes are convertible, at the
option of the holders, into shares of Common Stock at the initial conversion
price of $48.20 per share, subject to adjustments in certain events. Interest on
the Notes is payable semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 of each year,
beginning October 1, 1998. The Notes mature on April 1, 2005. The Notes are
general unsecured obligations of the Company, subordinated in right of payment
to all existing and future senior indebtedness of the Company, as defined in the
Notes. The Indenture governing the Notes does not limit or prohibit the
incurrence of additional indebtedness, including senior indebtedness, by the
Company or its subsidiaries. The Company, at its option, may redeem the Notes in
whole or in part at any time on or after April 1, 2001, at redemption prices set
forth in the Indenture governing the Notes. Upon the occurrence of a "change in
control" or a "termination of trading," as defined in the Indenture, the holders
of the Notes will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any
part of such holders' Notes at 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued and
unpaid interest. The net proceeds to the Company from the offering were
approximately $96.5 million, after deducting estimated offering expenses and the
Initial Purchasers' discount of 3.0%.
The Company is subject to certain asserted and unasserted claims
encountered in the normal course of business. The imposition of damages in
certain of those matters could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
financial position and results of operations.
The Company believes that its current cash resources, the Credit
Facility, and expected cash flow from operations will be sufficient to fund the
Company's capital needs during the next 12 months at its current level of
operations, apart from capital needs resulting from additional acquisitions. The
Company may be required to obtain additional capital to fund its planned growth
during the next 12 months and beyond. Potential sources of any such capital may
include the proceeds from the exercise of outstanding options, bank financing,
strategic alliances, and additional offerings of the Company's equity or debt
securities. There can be no assurance that such capital will be available from
these or other potential sources, and the lack of such capital could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business.
This Report contains forward-looking statements, including statements
regarding the Company's business strategies, the Company's business, and the
industry in which the Company operates. These forward-looking statements are
based primarily on the Company's expectations and are subject to a number of
risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond the Company's control. Actual
results could differ materially from the forward-looking statements as a result
of numerous factors, including those set forth in the Company's Form 10-K for
the year ended September 30, 1997, as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
14
<PAGE>
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings
On May 17, 1993, the state of Arizona (the "State") instituted a
lawsuit against the Company and 29 other defendants in the United
States District Court for the District of Arizona. The State sought
recovery of certain clean-up costs under federal and state
environmental laws. The State alleged that F.W. Leisure Industries,
Inc. and/or F.W. & Associates, Inc. were predecessors of the
Company that produced and arranged for the transportation of
hazardous substances to the property involved in the lawsuit. In
March 1998, the parties settled the lawsuit. Under the terms of the
settlement, the former shareholders of F.W. & Associates, Inc.,
including Fred W. Wagenhals, the Company's Chairman of the Board,
President, and Chief Executive Officer, paid an aggregate of
$800,000 to the State and certain parties seeking indemnity from
the Company. The Company will not incur any costs in connection
with this settlement.
On March 4, 1997, two class action lawsuits were filed against the
Company and approximately 28 other defendants in the United States
District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. The lawsuits
allege that the defendants engaged in price fixing and other
anti-competitive activities in violation of federal anti-trust
laws. The alleged class of plaintiffs consists of all purchasers of
souvenirs or merchandise from licensed vendors at any NASCAR
Winston Cup race or supporting event during the period commencing
January 1, 1991. The Company was named as a defendant based upon
actions alleged to have been taken by Sports Image, Inc., a North
Carolina corporation ("Sports Image N.C.") and Creative Marketing &
Promotions, Inc. ("CMP") prior to the Company's acquisitions of the
assets and capital stock, respectively, of those entities. The
actions were subsequently consolidated by order of the court. The
caption of the consolidated action is "In re Motorsports
Merchandise Antitrust Litigation" and the files are maintained
under Master File No. 1-97-CV-0569-CC. On May 30, 1997, a
consolidated amended complaint was filed, which deleted the Company
as a defendant with respect to claims based upon actions alleged to
have been taken by Sports Image N.C. and which named the Company's
wholly owned subsidiary, Sports Image, Inc., an Arizona corporation
("Sports Image AZ"), as a defendant with respect to those claims.
The Company remains a defendant with respect to claims based upon
actions alleged to have been taken by CMP. On July 31, 1997, the
Company acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of RYP, which
is another defendant in this matter. Accordingly, the Company has
assumed the defense of this matter with respect to claims based
upon actions alleged to have been taken by RYP and will be
responsible for costs, fees, expenses, damages, payments, credits,
rebates, and penalties, if any, arising out of this matter with
respect to RYP. The seller of RYP has agreed to be responsible for
amounts, if any, in excess of $400,000 (the "$400,000 Cap"). The
$400,000 Cap excludes attorneys fees and certain other costs and
expenses that the Company may incur in defending or settling this
matter. The plaintiffs have requested injunctive relief and
monetary damages of three times an unspecified amount of damages
that the plaintiffs claim to have actually suffered. On August 1,
1997, answers were filed on behalf of the Company and Sports Image
AZ denying the allegations of the complaint. Pursuant to an
agreement between the plaintiffs and Sports Image AZ to toll the
running of the statute of limitations with respect to any claims
against Sports Image AZ, on November 17, 1997 the plaintiffs filed
a motion to dismiss Sports Image AZ from the case without
prejudice. On March 20, 1998, the court granted that motion and
Sports Image, AZ was dismissed from the case without prejudice. On
March 2, 1998, the plaintiffs filed, pursuant to an order of the
court, a second consolidated amended complaint intended to set
forth certain of the allegations with greater specificity. The
parties currently are conducting class discovery. The Company
intends to vigorously defend the claims asserted in this lawsuit.
15
<PAGE>
On June 4, 1997, Kellogg Company ("Kellogg") filed a lawsuit
against Fred W. Wagenhals and the Company in the United States
District Court for the Western District of Michigan. The complaint
alleged that after the expiration of its 1996 license agreement
with Kellogg, the Company produced 1997 model year products for
which it did not have a valid license. In October 1997, the
Company, Mr. Wagenhals, and Kellogg settled this lawsuit. Under the
terms of the settlement, (a) the Company paid Kellogg $70,000, (b)
the Company and Kellogg entered into a license agreement with
respect to certain products, and (c) the respective parties entered
into mutual releases.
On June 4, 1997, Petty Enterprises, Inc. Licensing Division filed a
lawsuit against the Company and Fred W. Wagenhals. The plaintiff
alleged that the Company engaged in trademark infringement and
other improper activities with respect to sales of products
licensed by Petty Enterprises, Inc. The Company and Mr. Wagenhals
filed an answer denying the plaintiff's allegations; the Company
filed counterclaims against the plaintiff for various claims,
including breach of contract, defamation and damage to reputation,
and tortious interference with prospective business relationships;
and Mr. Wagenhals filed counterclaims against the plaintiff for
defamation and damage to reputation. In addition, the Company and
Mr. Wagenhals collectively filed a third-party complaint against
Brett Nelson, an affiliate of the plaintiff, for various claims,
including defamation and damage to reputation. Petty Enterprises,
Inc. filed an answer denying the allegations in the counterclaims
and Mr. Nelson filed an answer denying the allegations against him.
The court denied motions to dismiss by all parties, and on March 6,
1998, the parties reached an agreement to resolve their
differences. Under the financial terms of the agreement, the
Company will pay a total of approximately $700,000 to Petty
Enterprises, Inc. as payment in full for royalties and other fees
in connection with licenses for future sales of certain products.
The settlement, however, is subject to the execution of definitive
settlement agreements.
ITEM 2. Changes in Securities
On March 18, 1998, the Company completed a private placement of
$100 million principal amount of 4 3/4 % Convertible Subordinated
Notes due 2005. The initial purchasers of the Notes were
NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC, CIBC Oppenheimer Corp.,
EVEREN Securities, Inc., and Piper Jaffray Inc. (the "Initial
Purchasers"). The Initial Purchasers' discount was 3.0% of the par
value of the Notes. The Company issued the Notes pursuant to the
exemption provided by Rule 506 of Regulation D under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended. The Notes are convertible into shares of
the Company's Common Stock at any time prior to maturity at a
conversion price of $48.20 per share, subject to adjustments in
certain events.
ITEM 3. Defaults Upon Securities
Not applicable
16
<PAGE>
ITEM 4. Submissions of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
The Company's 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders was held on March
2, 1998. The following nominees were elected to the Company's Board
of Directors to serve until their successors are elected or have
been qualified, or until their earlier resignation or removal:
Nominee Votes in Favor Withheld
------- -------------- --------
Fred W. Wagenhals 14,563,579 81,453
Tod J. Wagenhals 14,573,989 71,043
Christopher S. Besing 14,573,989 71,043
Charles C. Blossom, Jr. 14,573,989 71,043
Melodee L. Volosin 14,573,989 71,043
John S. Bickford, Sr. 14,573,989 71,043
John M. Lloyd 14,573,989 71,043
Robert H. Manschot 14,573,989 71,043
The following items were voted upon by the Company's shareholders:
(a) Proposal to ratify the appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP as
the independent auditors of the Company for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 1998.
Votes in Favor Opposed Abstained Broker Non-Vote
-------------- ------- --------- ---------------
14,631,033 6,951 7,048 -0-
ITEM 5. Other Information
Not applicable
ITEM 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
(a) Exhibits
4.2 Indenture dated as of March 24, 1998, between
Action Performance Companies, Inc., and First
Union National Bank, as Trustee, including forms
of Notes
10.42A First Amendment dated as of March 18, 1998 to
Note Purchase Agreement dated as of January 2,
1997, among Action Performance Companies, Inc.,
Jefferson-Pilot Life Insurance Company,
Alexander Hamilton Life Insurance Company of
America, and First Alexander Hamilton Life
Insurance Company
10.43A Amendment and Consent to Credit Agreement dated
March 18, 1998, by and among Action Performance
Companies, Inc., various subsidiary guarantors,
and First Union National Bank of North Carolina
10.52 1998 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan
10.53 Purchase Agreement dated March 18, 1998 among
Action Performance Companies, Inc., NationsBanc
Montgomery Securities LLC, CIBC Oppenheimer
Corp., EVEREN Securities, Inc., and Piper
Jaffray Inc.
10.54 Registration Rights Agreement dated March 24,
1998, by and among Action Performance Companies,
Inc., NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC,
CIBC Oppenheimer Corp., EVEREN Securities, Inc.,
and Piper Jaffray Inc.
11.1 Computation of Basic Earnings Per Share
11.2 Computation of Diluted Earnings Per Share
27 Financial Data Schedule
17
<PAGE>
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
On March 10, 1998, the Company filed a Current
Report on Form 8-K dated March 5, 1998, in which
it filed the press release regarding the
proposed private placement of convertible
subordinated notes. The press release was filed
pursuant to Rule 135(c) under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended.
18
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
ACTION PERFORMANCE COMPANIES, INC.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Signature Capacity Date
- --------- -------- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ Fred W. Wagenhals Chairman of the Board, President, and May 14, 1998
______________________ Chief Executive Officer
Fred W. Wagenhals (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Christopher S. Besing Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, May 14, 1998
______________________ Treasurer, and Director
Christopher S. Besing (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
</TABLE>
19
ACTION PERFORMANCE COMPANIES, INC.
and
FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK
as Trustee
INDENTURE
Dated as of March 24, 1998
$100,000,000
4 3/4% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2005
<PAGE>
Certain Sections of this Indenture relating to
Sections 310 through 318 of the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939:
Section 310 (a)(l)....................................... 609
(a)(2)....................................... 609
(a)(3)....................................... Not Applicable
(a)(4)....................................... Not Applicable
(a)(5)....................................... 609
(b).......................................... 608
Section 311 (a).......................................... 613
(b).......................................... 613
Section 312 (a).......................................... 701
(a).......................................... 702(a)
(b).......................................... 702(b)
(c).......................................... 702(c)
Section 313 (a).......................................... 703(a)
(b).......................................... 703(a)
(c).......................................... 703(a)
(d).......................................... 703(b)
Section 314 (a).......................................... 704
(a)(4)....................................... 1004
(b).......................................... Not Applicable
(c)(1)....................................... 102
(c)(2) ...................................... 102
(c)(3)....................................... Not Applicable
(d).......................................... Not Applicable
(e).......................................... 102
Section 315 (a).......................................... 601
(b).......................................... 602
(c).......................................... 601
(d).......................................... 601
(e).......................................... 514
Section 316 (a)(l)(A) ................................... 502
(a)(1)(A).................................... 512
(a)(l)(B).................................... 513
(a)(2) ...................................... Not Applicable
(b) ......................................... 508
(c) ......................................... 104(c)
Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to
be a part of the Indenture
i
<PAGE>
Section 317 (a)(l)....................................... 503
(a)(2)....................................... 504
(b).......................................... 1003
Section 318 (a).......................................... 107
Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to
be a part of the Indenture
ii
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS*
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
Recitals of the Company................................................................ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
ARTICLE ONE.......................................................................................................2
Definitions and Other Provisions of General Application........................................................2
SECTION 101. Definitions......................................................................................2
Act......................................................................................................2
Affiliate................................................................................................2
Authenticating Agent.....................................................................................2
Beneficial Owner.........................................................................................3
Board of Directors.......................................................................................3
Board Resolution.........................................................................................3
Business Day.............................................................................................3
Cedel....................................................................................................3
Change in Control........................................................................................3
Closing Date.............................................................................................3
Commission...............................................................................................3
Common Stock.............................................................................................3
Company..................................................................................................4
Company Request..........................................................................................4
Company Order............................................................................................4
Corporate Trust Office...................................................................................4
Corporation..............................................................................................4
Current Market Price.....................................................................................4
DTC......................................................................................................4
Defaulted Interest.......................................................................................4
Definitive Note..........................................................................................4
Definitive Notes.........................................................................................4
Depositary...............................................................................................4
Designated Senior Indebtedness...........................................................................4
Euroclear................................................................................................5
Event of Default.........................................................................................5
Exchange Act.............................................................................................5
Global Note..............................................................................................5
Global Notes.............................................................................................5
Holder...................................................................................................5
Indenture................................................................................................5
Initial Purchasers.......................................................................................5
Interest Payment Date....................................................................................5
Maturity.................................................................................................5
Notes Custodian..........................................................................................8
Note Register............................................................................................8
Note Registrar...........................................................................................8
Officers' Certificate....................................................................................5
</TABLE>
*Note: This table of contents shall not, for any purpose,
be deemed to be a part of the Indenture
iii
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
144A Global Notes........................................................................................5
Opinion of Counsel.......................................................................................6
Outstanding..............................................................................................6
Paying Agent.............................................................................................6
Person...................................................................................................6
Predecessor Note.........................................................................................6
Purchase Agreement.......................................................................................7
Record Date..............................................................................................7
Redemption Date..........................................................................................7
Redemption Price.........................................................................................7
Registration Rights Agreement............................................................................7
Regular Record Date......................................................................................7
Regulation S.............................................................................................7
Regulation S Global Note.................................................................................7
Repurchase Date..........................................................................................7
Repurchase Event.........................................................................................7
Repurchase Price.........................................................................................7
Resale Restriction Termination Date......................................................................7
Responsible Officer......................................................................................8
Senior Indebtedness......................................................................................8
Shelf Registration Statement.............................................................................8
Special Record Date......................................................................................8
Stated Maturity..........................................................................................8
Subsidiary...............................................................................................9
Termination of Trading...................................................................................9
Transfer Restricted Securities...........................................................................9
Trust Indenture Act......................................................................................9
Trustee..................................................................................................9
Vice President...........................................................................................9
SECTION 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions...........................................................9
SECTION 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee........................................................10
SECTION 104. Acts of Holders; Record Dates.................................................................11
SECTION 105. Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company.........................................................12
SECTION 106. Notice to Holders; Waiver.....................................................................12
SECTION 108. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents......................................................13
SECTION 109. Successors and Assigns........................................................................13
SECTION 110. Separability Clause...........................................................................13
SECTION 111. Benefits of Indenture.........................................................................13
SECTION 112. Governing Law.................................................................................13
SECTION 113. Legal Holidays................................................................................13
SECTION 114. No Security Created...........................................................................14
SECTION 115. Limitation on Individual Liability............................................................14
ARTICLE TWO......................................................................................................14
Security Forms...................................................................................................14
SECTION 201. Forms Generally...............................................................................14
SECTION 202. Form of Face of Note..........................................................................16
</TABLE>
*Note: This table of contents shall not, for any purpose,
be deemed to be a part of the Indenture
iv
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
SECTION 203. Form of Reverse of Global Notes and Definitive Notes..........................................22
SECTION 204. Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication...............................................32
ARTICLE THREE....................................................................................................33
The Securities...................................................................................................33
SECTION 301. Title and Terms...............................................................................33
SECTION 302. Denominations.................................................................................34
SECTION 303. Execution. Authentication, Delivery and Dating...............................................34
SECTION 304. Temporary Notes...............................................................................35
SECTION 305. Registration; Registration of Transfer and Exchange...........................................35
SECTION 306. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Notes...................................................44
SECTION 307. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved................................................45
SECTION 308. Persons Deemed Owners.........................................................................46
SECTION 309. Cancellation..................................................................................46
SECTION 310. Computation of Interest.......................................................................47
ARTICLE FOUR.....................................................................................................48
Satisfaction and Discharge.......................................................................................48
SECTION 401. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.......................................................48
SECTION 402. Application of Trust Money....................................................................49
ARTICLE FIVE.....................................................................................................49
Remedies.........................................................................................................49
SECTION 501. Events of Default.............................................................................49
SECTION 502. Acceleration of Maturity; and Annulment.......................................................51
SECTION 503. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee...............................53
SECTION 504. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim..............................................................53
SECTION 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Notes........................................54
SECTION 506. Application of Money Collected................................................................54
SECTION 507. Limitation on Suits...........................................................................55
SECTION 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium, Interest and
Liquidated Damages and to Convert.............................................................55
SECTION 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies............................................................55
SECTION 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative................................................................56
SECTION 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver..................................................................56
SECTION 512. Control by Holders............................................................................56
SECTION 513. Waiver of Past Defaults.......................................................................57
SECTION 514. Undertaking for Costs.........................................................................57
ARTICLE SIX......................................................................................................57
The Trustee......................................................................................................57
</TABLE>
*Note: This table of contents shall not, for any purpose,
be deemed to be a part of the Indenture
v
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<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
SECTION 601. Certain Duties and Responsibilities...........................................................58
SECTION 602. Notice of Defaults............................................................................58
SECTION 603. Certain Rights of Trustee.....................................................................59
SECTION 604. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Notes.............................................60
SECTION 605. May Hold Notes................................................................................60
SECTION 606. Money Held in Trust...........................................................................60
SECTION 607. Compensation and Reimbursement................................................................60
SECTION 608. Disqualification; Conflicting Interests.......................................................61
SECTION 609. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.......................................................62
SECTION 610. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.............................................62
SECTION 611. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor........................................................63
SECTION 612. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business...................................63
SECTION 613. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.............................................64
SECTION 614. Appointment of Authenticating Agent...........................................................64
ARTICLE SEVEN....................................................................................................67
Holders' Lists and Reports by Trustee and Company................................................................67
SECTION 701. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.....................................67
SECTION 702. Preservation of Information: Communication to Holders.........................................67
SECTION 703. Reports by Trustee............................................................................67
SECTION 704. Reports by Company............................................................................68
SECTION 705. Rule 144A Information Requirement.............................................................68
ARTICLE EIGHT....................................................................................................68
Consolidation, Merger, Conveyance, Transfer or Lease.............................................................68
SECTION 801. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms..........................................68
SECTION 802. Successor Substituted.........................................................................69
ARTICLE NINE.....................................................................................................69
Supplemental Indentures..........................................................................................69
SECTION 901. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders............................................69
SECTION 902. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders...............................................70
SECTION 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures..........................................................71
SECTION 904. Effect of Supplemental Indentures.............................................................71
SECTION 905. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act...........................................................71
SECTION 906. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures............................................71
SECTION 907. Notice of Supplemental Indenture..............................................................71
ARTICLE TEN......................................................................................................72
Covenants........................................................................................................72
</TABLE>
*Note: This table of contents shall not, for any purpose,
be deemed to be a part of the Indenture
vi
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<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
SECTION 1001. Payment of Principal. Premium and Interest..................................................72
SECTION 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency..............................................................72
SECTION 1003. Money for Note Payments to Be Held in Trust..................................................72
SECTION 1004. Statement by Officers as to Default..........................................................74
SECTION 1005. Existence....................................................................................74
SECTION 1006. Waiver of Certain Covenants..................................................................74
ARTICLE ELEVEN...................................................................................................74
Redemption of Notes..............................................................................................74
SECTION 1101. Right of Redemption..........................................................................74
SECTION 1102. Applicability of Article.....................................................................74
SECTION 1103. Election to Redeem; Notice Trustee...........................................................74
SECTION 1104. Selection by Trustee of Notes to be Redeemed.................................................75
SECTION 1105. Notice of Redemption.........................................................................75
SECTION 1106. Deposit of Redemption Price..................................................................76
SECTION 1107. Notes Payable on Redemption Date.............................................................76
SECTION 1108. Notes Redeemed in Part.......................................................................77
ARTICLE TWELVE...................................................................................................77
Subordination of Notes...........................................................................................77
SECTION 1201. Notes Subordinated to Senior Indebtedness....................................................77
SECTION 1202. Payment Over of Proceeds Upon Dissolution. Etc..............................................77
SECTION 1203. Prior Payment to Senior Indebtedness upon Acceleration of Securities.........................78
SECTION 1204. Payment When Designated Senior Indebtedness in Default.......................................79
SECTION 1205. Payment Permitted If No Default..............................................................80
SECTION 1206. Subrogation to Rights of Holders of Senior Indebtedness......................................81
SECTION 1207. Provisions Solely to Define Relative Rights..................................................81
SECTION 1208. Trustee to Effectuate Subordination..........................................................81
SECTION 1209. No Waiver of Subordination Provisions........................................................81
SECTION 1210. Notice to Trustee............................................................................82
SECTION 1211. Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent...............................83
SECTION 1212. Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Indebtedness.....................................83
SECTION 1213. Rights of Trustee as Holder of Senior Indebtedness: Preservation of Trustee's Rights.........83
SECTION 1214. Article Applicable to Paying Agents..........................................................84
SECTION 1215. Certain Conversions Deemed Payment...........................................................84
SECTION 1216. No Suspension of Remedies....................................................................84
ARTICLE THIRTEEN.................................................................................................84
Conversion of Securities.........................................................................................84
SECTION 1301. Conversion Privilege and Conversion Price....................................................84
SECTION 1302. Exercise of Conversion Privilege.............................................................85
SECTION 1303. Fractions of Shares..........................................................................86
SECTION 1304. Adjustment of Conversion Price...............................................................86
</TABLE>
*Note: This table of contents shall not, for any purpose,
be deemed to be a part of the Indenture
vii
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
SECTION 1305. Notice of Adjustments of Conversion Price....................................................93
SECTION 1306. Notice of Certain Corporate Action...........................................................93
SECTION 1307. Company to Reserve Common Stock..............................................................95
SECTION 1308. Taxes on Conversions.........................................................................95
SECTION 1309. Covenant as to Common Stock..................................................................95
SECTION 1310. Cancellation of Converted Securities.........................................................95
SECTION 1311. Provisions of Consolidation. Merger or Sale of Assets.......................................95
SECTION 1312. Trustee's Disclaimer.........................................................................96
ARTICLE FOURTEEN.................................................................................................96
Right to Require Repurchase......................................................................................96
SECTION 1401. Right to Require Repurchase..................................................................97
SECTION 1402. Notice: Method of Exercising Repurchase Right................................................97
SECTION 1403. Deposit of Repurchase Price..................................................................98
SECTION 1404. Notes Not Repurchased on Repurchase Date.....................................................98
SECTION 1405. Notes Repurchased in Part....................................................................98
SECTION 1406. Certain Definitions..........................................................................98
</TABLE>
*Note: This table of contents shall not, for any purpose,
be deemed to be a part of the Indenture
viii
<PAGE>
INDENTURE, dated as of March 24, 1998 between Action Performance Companies,
Inc., an Arizona corporation (herein called the "Company"), having its principal
executive offices at 4707 East Baseline Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85040 and First
Union National Bank, a national banking association, as Trustee (herein called
the "Trustee").
RECITALS OF THE COMPANY
The Company has duly authorized the creation of an issue of its 4 3/4%
Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2005 (herein called the "Notes") of
substantially the tenor and amount hereinafter set forth, and to provide
therefor the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this
Indenture.
All things necessary to make the Notes, when executed by the Company and
authenticated and delivered hereunder and duly issued by the Company, the valid
obligations of the Company, and to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the
Company, in accordance with their and its terms, have been done.
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Notes by
the Holders thereof, it is mutually agreed, for the equal and proportionate
benefit of all Holders of the Notes, as follows:
1
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ARTICLE ONE
Definitions and Other Provisions of General Application
SECTION 101. Definitions.
For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided
or unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in
this Article and include the plural as well as the singular;
(2) all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture
Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them
therein;
(3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings
assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,
and, except as otherwise herein expressly provided, the term "generally accepted
accounting principles" with respect to any computation required and permitted
hereunder shall mean such accounting principles as are generally accepted and
accepted and adopted by the Company at the date of this Indenture; and
(4) the words "herein," "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words of similar
import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article,
Section or other subdivision.
Certain terms used in Articles Twelve, Thirteen and Fourteen are defined in
such Articles.
"Act," when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in
Section 104.
"Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition,
"control" when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to
direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly,
whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise;
and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the
foregoing.
"Authenticating Agent" means any Person authorized by the Trustee pursuant
to Section 614 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Notes.
"Beneficial Owner" means any "beneficial owner" as determined in accordance
with Rule 13d-3, promulgated by the Commission under the Exchange Act.
"Board of Directors" means either the board of directors of the Company or
any duly authorized committee of that board.
2
<PAGE>
"Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary
or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board
of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such
certification and delivered to the Trustee.
"Business Day" means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
which is not a day on which banking institutions in New York, New York or the
city in which the Corporate Trust Office is located are authorized or obligated
to close by law or executive order.
"Cedel" means Cedel Bank societe anonyme.
"Change in Control" has the meaning specified in Section 1406.
"Closing Date" means March 24, 1998.
"Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission as from time to
time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the
execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the
duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body
performing such duties at such time.
"Common Stock" includes any stock of any class of the Company which has no
preference in respect of dividends or of amounts payable in the event of any
voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company
and which is not subject to redemption by the Company. However, subject to the
provisions of Section 1311, shares issuable on conversion of Notes shall include
only shares of the class designated as Common Stock of the Company at the date
of this Indenture or shares of any class or classes resulting from any
reclassification or reclassifications thereof and which have no preference in
respect of dividends or of amounts payable in the event of any voluntary or
involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company and which are
not subject to redemption by the Company; provided, that if at any time there
shall be more than one such resulting class, the shares of each such class then
so issuable shall be substantially in the proportion which the total number of
shares of such class resulting from all such reclassifications bears to the
total number of shares of all such classes resulting from all such
reclassifications.
"Company" means the Person named as the "Company" in the first paragraph of
this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the
applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Company" shall mean
such successor Person.
"Company Request" or "Company Order" means a written request or order
signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its President or
a Vice President, and by its Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, its Secretary or
an Assistant Secretary, and delivered to the Trustee.
"Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Trustee at which at any
particular time its corporate trust business shall principally be administered,
which office at the date as of
3
<PAGE>
which this Indenture is dated, is located at Suite 1100, First Union Plaza, 999
Peachtree St., N.E., Atlanta, Georgia, 30309, Attention: Corporate Trust
Administration.
"Corporation" means a corporation, association, company, joint-stock
company or business trust.
"Current Market Price" has the meaning specified in Section 1304.
"DTC" has the meaning specified in Section 305.
"Defaulted Interest" has the meaning specified in Section 307.
"Definitive Note" or "Definitive Notes" means a Note or Notes that are in
the form of the Note set forth in Sections 202 and 203 hereof, containing the
legend specified for a Definitive Note and not including the additional language
referred to in footnote 1 or the additional schedule referred to in footnote 2.
"Depositary" has the meaning specified in Section 305.
"Designated Senior Indebtedness" means the principal of, premium if any,
and interest, fees, indemnification amounts, reimbursements, damages and other
liabilities payable under the documentation governing indebtedness (a) under any
debt facility with banks or other lenders that provides for revolving credit
loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of
receivables) or letters of credit to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, and
(b) any other Senior Indebtedness the principal amount of which is $5.0 million
or more and that has been designated by the Company as "Designated Senior
Indebtedness."
"Euroclear" means Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, Brussels
office, as operator of the Euroclear System.
"Event of Default" has the meaning specified in Section 501.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
"Global Note" or "Global Notes" means a Note or Notes in the form of the
Note set forth in Sections 202, 203 and 204 hereof containing the legend
specified for a Global Note, the additional language referred to in footnote 1
and the additional schedule referred to in footnote 2.
"Holder" means a Person in whose name a Note is registered in the Note
Register.
"Indenture" means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from
time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental
hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, including, for
all purposes of this instrument and
4
<PAGE>
any such supplemental indenture, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that
are deemed to be a part of and govern this instrument and any such supplemental
indenture, respectively.
"Initial Purchasers" means NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC, CIBC
Oppenheimer Corp., EVEREN Securities, Inc., and Piper Jaffray Inc.
"Interest Payment Date" means the Stated Maturity of an installment of
interest on the Notes.
"Maturity," when used with respect to any Note, means the date on which the
principal of such Note becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided,
whether at the Stated Maturity thereof or by declaration of acceleration,
redemption or otherwise.
"Notes Custodian" means the Trustee, as custodian with respect to the
Notes in global form, or any successor entity thereto.
"Note Register" and "Note Registrar" have the respective meanings
specified in Section 305.
"Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by the Chairman of the
Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or a Vice President, and by
the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary,
of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee. One of the officers signing an
Officers' Certificate given pursuant to Section 1004 shall be the principal
executive, financial or accounting officer of the Company.
"144A Global Note" has the meaning specified in Section 201.
"Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion of counsel who shall be
reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
"Outstanding," when used with respect to Notes, means, as of the date of
determination, all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered under this
Indenture, except:
(i) Notes theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the
Trustee for cancellation;
(ii) Notes, or portions thereof, for the payment or redemption of
which moneys in the necessary amount have been theretofore deposited with the
Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and
segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying
Agent) for the Holders of such Notes; provided, that if such Notes, or portions
thereof, are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given
pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has
been made; and
5
<PAGE>
(iii) Notes which have been paid pursuant to Section 306 or in
exchange for or in lieu of which other Notes have been authenticated and
delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Notes in respect of
which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it
that such Notes are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Notes are
valid obligations of the Company; provided, however, that in determining whether
the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Notes have
given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver
hereunder, Notes owned by the Company or any other obligor the Notes or any
Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and
deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee
shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization,
direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Notes as to which the Trustee has
actual knowledge of such ownership shall be so disregarded. Notes so owned which
have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee
establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee's right so to act
with respect to such Notes and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other
obligor upon the Notes or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.
"Paying Agent" means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the
principal of and premium, if any, interest or liquidated damages, if any, on any
Notes on behalf of the Company.
"Person" means any individual, corporation, limited liability company,
partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization or government or
any agency or political subdivision thereof.
"Predecessor Note" of any particular Note means every previous Note
evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such
particular Note; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Note
authenticated and delivered under Section 306 in exchange for or in lieu of a
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note shall be deemed to evidence the same
debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note.
"Purchase Agreement" means that certain Purchase Agreement dated March _,
1998 between the Company and the Initial Purchasers.
"Record Date" means either a Regular Record Date or a Special Record Date,
as applicable.
"Redemption Date," when used with respect to any Note to be redeemed,
means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.
"Redemption Price," when used with respect to any Note to be redeemed,
means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture on the
applicable Redemption Date.
"Registration Rights Agreement" means that certain Registration Rights
Agreement dated March 24, 1998 between the Company and the Initial Purchasers.
6
<PAGE>
"Regular Record Date," for the interest payable on any Interest Payment
Date means March 15 or September 15 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case
may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date.
"Regulation S" means Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.
"Regulation S Global Note" has the meaning specified in Section 201.
"Repurchase Date" has the meaning specified in Section 1401.
"Repurchase Event" has the meaning specified in Section 1406.
"Repurchase Price" has the meaning specified in Section 1401.
"Resale Restriction Termination Date" means, with respect to any Note, the
date which is two years after the later of (i) the original issue date of such
Note and (ii) the last date on which the Company or any Affiliate of the Company
was the owner of such Note (or any Predecessor Note).
"Responsible Officer" means, when used with respect to the Trustee, an
officer of the Trustee assigned and duly authorized by the Trustee to administer
its corporate trust matters.
"Senior Indebtedness" means the principal of and premium, if any, and
interest on (a) all indebtedness of the Company for money borrowed under the
Company's credit facilities and any predecessor or successor credit facilities
thereto, whether outstanding on the date of execution of the Indenture (such as
the Company's bank credit agreement, any increase in the maximum principal
amount thereof and any predecessor or successor facilities thereto) or
thereafter created, incurred or assumed, (b) any other indebtedness of the
Company for money borrowed, whether outstanding on the date of execution of the
Indenture or thereafter created, incurred or assumed, except any such other
indebtedness that by the terms of the instrument or instruments by which such
indebtedness was created or incurred expressly provides that it (i) is junior in
right of payment to the Notes or (ii) ranks pari passu in right of payment with
the Notes, and (c) any amendments, renewals, extensions, modifications,
refinancings and refundings of any of the foregoing. For the purposes of this
definition, "indebtedness for money borrowed" when used with respect to the
Company means (i) any obligation of, or any obligation guaranteed by, the
Company for the repayment of borrowed money (including without limitation fees,
penalties or other obligations in respect thereof), whether or not evidenced by
bonds, debentures, notes or other written instruments, (ii) any deferred payment
obligation of, or any such obligation guaranteed by, the Company for the payment
of the purchase price of property or assets evidenced by a note or similar
instrument, and (iii) any obligation of, or any such obligation guaranteed by,
the Company for the payment of rent or other amounts under a lease of property
or assets which obligation is required to be classified and accounted for as a
capitalized lease on the balance sheet of the Company under generally accepted
accounting principles.
7
<PAGE>
"Shelf Registration Statement" means the Registration Statement with
respect to the Notes and the Common Stock the Company is required to file
pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.
"Special Record Date" for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a
date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 307.
"Stated Maturity," when used with respect to any Note or any installment of
interest thereon, means the date specified in such Note as the fixed date on
which the principal of such Note or such installment of interest is due and
payable.
"Subsidiary" means a corporation more than 50% of the outstanding voting
stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company or by one or
more other Subsidiaries or by the Company and one or more other Subsidiaries.
For the purposes of this definition, "voting stock" means stock which ordinarily
has voting power for the election of directors, whether at all times or only so
long as no senior class of stock has such voting power by reason of any
contingency.
"Termination of Trading" has the meaning specified in Section 1406.
"Transfer Restricted Securities" means Notes that bear or are required to
bear the legend set forth in Section 305 hereof.
"Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at
the date as of which this instrument was executed; provided, however, that in
the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, "Trust
Indenture Act" means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as so amended.
"Trustee" means the Person named as the "Trustee" in the first paragraph
of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to
the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Trustee" shall mean
such successor Trustee.
"Vice President," when used with respect to the Company means any duly
appointed vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or
words added before or after the title "vice president."
SECTION 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions.
Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any
action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the
Trustee such certificates and opinions as may be required under the Trust
Indenture Act. Each such certificate or opinion shall be given in the form of an
Officers' Certificate, if to be given by an officer of the Company, or an
Opinion of Counsel, if to be given by counsel, and shall comply
8
<PAGE>
with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act and any other requirement set
forth in this Indenture.
Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or
covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include:
(1) a statement that each individual or firm signing such certificate
or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein
relating thereto;
(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or
investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such
certificate or opinion are based;
(3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual or such
firm, he has or they have made such examination or investigation as is necessary
to enable him or them to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such
covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(4) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual
or such firm, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
SECTION 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.
In any case where several matters are required to be certified by or
covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all
such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such
Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one
such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one
or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any Person may certify to
give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.
Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based,
insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certification or opinion of, or
representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of
reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations
with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are
erroneous. Any such certificate or Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as
it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate of public officials or upon a
certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the
Company stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in
the possession of the Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of
reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations
with respect to such matters are erroneous.
Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more
applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other
instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and
form one instrument.
9
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SECTION 104. Acts of Holders; Record Dates.
(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver
or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may
be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar
tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agents duly appointed in writing;
and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become
effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and,
where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or
instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein
sometimes referred to as the "Act" of the Holders signing such instrument or
instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing
appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture
and (subject to Section 601) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company,
if made in the manner provided in this Section.
(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument
or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a
certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take
acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument
or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by
a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such
certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his
authority.
(c) The Company may, in the circumstances permitted by the Trust Indenture
Act, fix any day as the record date for the purpose of determining the Holders
entitled to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice,
consent, waiver or other action, or to vote on any action, authorized or
permitted to be given or taken by Holders. If not set by the Company prior to
the first solicitation of a Holder made by any Person in respect of any such
action, or, in the case of any such vote, prior to such vote, the record date
for any such action or vote shall be the 30th day (or, if later, the date of the
most recent list of Holders required to be provided pursuant to Section 701)
prior to such first solicitation or vote, as the case may be. With regard to any
record date, only the Holders on such date (or their duly designated proxies)
shall be entitled to give or take, or vote on, the relevant action.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not set a record date for, and
the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply with respect to, any Act by the
Holders pursuant to Section 501, 502 or 512.
(d) The ownership of Notes shall be proved by the Note Register.
(e) Any Act of the Holder of any Note shall bind every future Holder of the
same Note and the Holder of every Note issued upon the registration of transfer
therefor or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done,
omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the Company in reliance
thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Note.
(f) Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled hereunder to give or
take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Note may do so with
regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Note or by one or more
duly appointed agents each of which may
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do so pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any different part of
such principal amount.
SECTION 105. Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company.
Any Act of Holders or other documents provided or permitted by this
Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,
(1) the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient
for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing to or
with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, Corporate Trust Administration,
or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Holders and the
Company by the Trustee; or
(2) the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient
for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in
writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Company, addressed to it
at the address of its principal executive offices specified in the first
paragraph of this instrument or at any other address previously furnished in
writing to the Trustee by the Company.
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; three Business
Days after being deposited in the mail, registered or certified with postage
prepaid, if mailed; when answered back if telexed; when receipt acknowledged, if
telecopied; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if
sent by nationally recognized overnight air courier guaranteeing next day
delivery.
SECTION 106. Notice to Holders; Waiver.
Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, such
notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided)
if made, given, mailed or otherwise furnished or filed in writing to each Holder
affected by such event, at his address as it appears in the Note Register, not
later than the latest date (if any), and not earlier than the earliest date (if
any), prescribed for the giving of such notice. Where this Indenture provides
for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person
entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such
waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders
shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition
precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver. All
such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the
time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; two Business Days after being
deposited in the mail, registered or certified with postage prepaid, if mailed;
when answered back if telexed; when receipt acknowledged, if telecopied; and the
next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by nationally
recognized overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.
In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of
any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such
notification as shall be
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made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification
for every purpose hereunder.
SECTION 107. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act. If any provision hereof limits,
qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Trust Indenture Act or another
provision that would be required or deemed under the Trust Indenture Act to be a
part of and govern this Indenture if this Indenture were subject thereto, the
relevant provision of the Trust Indenture Act shall control. If any provision of
this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act
that may be so modified or excluded, the relevant provision of the Trust
Indenture Act shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or to be
excluded, as the case may be.
SECTION 108. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents. The Article and Section
headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not
affect the construction hereof.
SECTION 109. Successors and Assigns. All covenants and agreements in this
Indenture by the Company and the Trustee shall bind each of their respective
successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
SECTION 110. Separability Clause. In case any provision in this Indenture or in
the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and
enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or
impaired thereby.
SECTION 111. Benefits of Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Notes,
express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and
their successors hereunder, the Holders of Notes and, with respect to Article
Twelve, the holders of Senior Indebtedness, any benefit or any legal or
equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.
SECTION 112. Governing Law. This Indenture and, except as may otherwise be
required by mandatory provisions of law, the Notes shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, but without
regard to the principles of conflicts of laws thereof.
SECTION 113. Legal Holidays. In any case where any Interest Payment Date,
Redemption Date or Stated Maturity of any Note or the last date on which a
Holder has the right to convert his Notes shall not be a Business Day, then
(notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Notes) payment
of interest, liquidated damages, if any, or principal and premium if any, or
conversion of the Notes need not be made on such date, but may be made on the
next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the
Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date, or at the Stated Maturity, or on such
last day for conversion; provided, that no interest shall accrue for the period
from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity,
as the case may be, to the next succeeding Business Day.
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SECTION 114. No Security Created. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Notes,
express or implied, shall be construed to constitute a security interest under
the Uniform Commercial Code or similar legislation, as now or hereafter enacted
and in effect in any jurisdiction where property of the Company or its
Subsidiaries is or may be located.
SECTION 115. Limitation on Individual Liability. No recourse under or upon any
obligation, covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in any Note, or
for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, shall be had
against any incorporator, shareholder, officer or director, as such, past,
present or future, of the Company or any successor corporation, either directly
or through the Company, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule
of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it
being expressly understood that this Indenture and the obligations issued
hereunder are solely corporate obligations, and that no such personal liability
whatever shall attach to, or is or shall be incurred by, the incorporators,
shareholders, officers or directors, as such, of the Company or any successor
Person, or any of them, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby
authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements
contained in this Indenture or in any Note or implied therefrom; and that any
and all such personal liability of every name and nature, either at common law
or in equity or by constitution or statute, of, and any and all such rights and
claims against, every such incorporator, shareholder, officer or director, as
such, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or
by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this
Indenture or in any Note or implied therefrom, are hereby expressly waived and
released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this
Indenture and the issuance of such Note.
ARTICLE TWO
Note Forms
SECTION 201. Forms Generally.
The Notes and the Trustee's certificate of authentication shall be in
substantially the forms set forth in this Article, with such appropriate
insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or
permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks
of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be
required to comply with any organizational document, any applicable law or with
the rules of any securities exchange on which the Notes are listed or as may,
consistently herewith, be determined by the Company officers executing such
Notes, as evidenced by their execution of the Notes.
The Notes issued in definitive form shall be substantially in the form set
forth in Section 202 hereof.
Unless issued in definitive form, Notes issued and sold in reliance on Rule
144A shall be issued in the form of one or more global notes (the "144A Global
Note"), the face of which shall be substantially in the form set forth in
Section 202 hereof and the reverse of which shall
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be substantially in the form set forth in Section 203 hereof, which 144A Global
Note shall be deposited on behalf of the holders of the Notes represented
thereby with the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary, and registered in the
name of the nominee of the Depositary, duly executed by the Company and
authenticated as provided for herein.
Notes offered and sold outside the United States in reliance on Regulation
S shall be issued in the form of one or more global notes (the "Regulation S
Global Note"), the face of which shall be substantially in the form set forth in
Section 202 hereof and the reverse of which shall be substantially in the form
set forth in Section 203 hereof, which Regulation S Global Note shall be
deposited on behalf of the holders of the Notes represented thereby with the
Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary, and registered in the name of a
nominee of the Depositary, duly executed by the Company and authenticated as
provided herein, for credit to the accounts of the respective depositaries for
Euroclear and Cedel (or such other accounts as they may direct). Prior to or on
the 40th day after the later of the commencement of the offering of the Notes
and the Closing Date (the "Restricted Period"), beneficial interests in the
Regulation S Global Note may only be held through Morgan Guaranty Trust Company
of New York, Brussels office, as operator of Euroclear or Cedel or another agent
member of the Euroclear System and Cedel acting for and on behalf of them,
unless delivery is made through the 144A Global Note in accordance with the
certification requirements hereof. During the Restricted Period, interests in
the Regulation S Global Note may be exchanged for interests in the 144A Global
Note or for Definitive Notes only in accordance with the certification
requirements described in Section 305 below.
Each Global Note shall represent such of the outstanding Notes as shall be
specified therein and each shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate
amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the
aggregate amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time
be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions.
Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or
decrease in the amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by
the Trustee or the Notes Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in
accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof.
The Definitive Notes shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or produced
by any combination of these methods on steel engraved borders or may be produced
in any other manner permitted by the rules of any securities exchange on which
the Notes may be listed, all as determined by the officers executing such Notes,
as evidenced by their execution of such Notes.
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SECTION 202. Form of Face of Note.
LEGENDS FOR GLOBAL NOTE:
UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN
DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE
DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO
THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY
SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR
DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS NOTE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) ("DTC"), TO THE
COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY
NOTE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS
REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO
CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR
TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO.,
HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S.
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR ANY STATE
SECURITIES LAWS, AND, ACCORDINGLY, NEITHER THIS NOTE, THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS NOTE NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN
OR THEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR
OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH
TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, REGISTRATION. UNLESS THE SHARES
OF COMMON STOCK HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, A HOLDER OF THIS
NOTE WILL BE ABLE TO EXERCISE THE CONVERSION RIGHT ONLY IF THE HOLDER CERTIFIES
THAT IT IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" OR AN INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED
INVESTOR" AS DEFINED BELOW.
THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE, BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, AGREES THAT IT WILL
NOT, PRIOR TO THE DATE WHICH IS TWO YEARS AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE
DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE COMPANY OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE
COMPANY WAS THE OWNER OF THIS NOTE (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH NOTE), RESELL OR
OTHERWISE TRANSFER THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY OR THE COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON
CONVERSION OF SUCH NOTE EXCEPT (A) TO THE COMPANY, OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF,
(B) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE
WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO AN
INSTITUTIONAL
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ACCREDITED INVESTOR THAT, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISHES TO FIRST UNION
NATIONAL BANK, AS TRUSTEE (OR A SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE, AS APPLICABLE), A SIGNED
LETTER CONTAINING CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE
RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY (THE FORM OF WHICH LETTER
CAN BE OBTAINED FROM SUCH TRUSTEE OR SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE, AS APPLICABLE), (D)
OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH
REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM
REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE) OR (F)
PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT (AND WHICH CONTINUES TO BE EFFECTIVE AT THE TIME OF SUCH
TRANSFER); AND AGREES THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THE NOTE
EVIDENCED HEREBY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS
LEGEND. IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER OF THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY, OR THE
SHARES OF COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION THEREOF, WITHIN TWO YEARS AFTER
THE ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF SUCH NOTE, THE HOLDER MUST CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX
SET FORTH ON THE REVERSE HEREOF RELATING TO THE MANNER OF SUCH TRANSFER AND
SUBMIT THIS CERTIFICATE TO FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, AS TRUSTEE (OR A SUCCESSOR
TRUSTEE, AS APPLICABLE). IF THE PROPOSED TRANSFEREE IS AN INSTITUTIONAL
ACCREDITED INVESTOR OR A PURCHASER WHO IS NOT A U.S. PERSON, THE HOLDER MUST,
PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISH TO FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, AS TRUSTEE (OR A
SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE, AS APPLICABLE), SUCH CERTIFICATIONS, LEGAL OPINIONS OR OTHER
INFORMATION AS IT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS BEING
MADE PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED
UPON ANY TRANSFER OF THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY, OR THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
ISSUED UPON CONVERSION THEREOF, AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF TWO YEARS FROM THE
ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS
"OFFSHORE TRANSACTION," "UNITED STATES" AND "U.S. PERSON" HAVE THE MEANINGS
GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.
LEGENDS FOR DEFINITIVE NOTE:
THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S.
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR ANY STATE
SECURITIES LAWS, AND, ACCORDINGLY, NEITHER THIS NOTE, THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS NOTE NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN
OR THEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR
OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH
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TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, REGISTRATION. UNLESS THE SHARES
OF COMMON STOCK HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, A HOLDER OF THIS
NOTE WILL BE ABLE TO EXERCISE THE CONVERSION RIGHT ONLY IF THE HOLDER CERTIFIES
THAT IT IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" OR AN INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED
INVESTOR" AS DEFINED BELOW.
THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE, BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, AGREES THAT IT WILL
NOT, PRIOR TO THE DATE WHICH IS TWO YEARS AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE
DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE COMPANY OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE
COMPANY WAS THE OWNER OF THIS NOTE (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH NOTE), RESELL OR
OTHERWISE TRANSFER THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY OR THE COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON
CONVERSION OF SUCH NOTE EXCEPT (A) TO THE COMPANY, OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF,
(B) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE
WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO AN
INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR THAT, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISHES TO
FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, AS TRUSTEE (OR A SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE, AS APPLICABLE), A
SIGNED LETTER CONTAINING CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE
RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY (THE FORM OF WHICH LETTER
CAN BE OBTAINED FROM SUCH TRUSTEE OR SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE, AS APPLICABLE), (D)
OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH
REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM
REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE) OR (F)
PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT (AND WHICH CONTINUES TO BE EFFECTIVE AT THE TIME OF SUCH
TRANSFER); AND AGREES THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THE NOTE
EVIDENCED HEREBY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS
LEGEND. IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER OF THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY, OR THE
SHARES OF COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION THEREOF, WITHIN TWO YEARS AFTER
THE ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF SUCH NOTE, THE HOLDER MUST CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX
SET FORTH ON THE REVERSE HEREOF RELATING TO THE MANNER OF SUCH TRANSFER AND
SUBMIT THIS CERTIFICATE TO FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, AS TRUSTEE (OR A SUCCESSOR
TRUSTEE, AS APPLICABLE). IF THE PROPOSED TRANSFEREE IS AN INSTITUTIONAL
ACCREDITED INVESTOR OR A PURCHASER WHO IS NOT A U.S. PERSON, THE HOLDER MUST,
PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISH TO FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, AS TRUSTEE (OR A
SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE, AS APPLICABLE), SUCH CERTIFICATIONS, LEGAL OPINIONS OR OTHER
INFORMATION AS IT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS BEING
MADE PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE
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SECURITIES ACT. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON ANY TRANSFER OF THE NOTE
EVIDENCED HEREBY, OR THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK ISSUED UPON CONVERSION THEREOF,
AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF TWO YEARS FROM THE ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF THE NOTE
EVIDENCED HEREBY. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS "OFFSHORE TRANSACTION," "UNITED
STATES" AND `'U.S. PERSON" HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT.
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ACTION PERFORMANCE COMPANIES, INC.
4 3/4% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2005
CUSIP No. 004933107
Action Performance Companies Inc., an Arizona corporation (herein
called the "Company," which term includes any successor Person under the
Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay
to ______________, or its registered assigns, the principal sum of ____________
Dollars [OR SUCH GREATER OR LESSER AMOUNT AS INDICATED ON THE SCHEDULE OF
EXCHANGES OF NOTES ON THE REVERSE HEREOF]1 on April 1, 2005 upon surrender
hereof to the Paying Agent, and to pay interest thereon from the date of
original issuance of Notes pursuant to the Indenture or from and including the
most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly
provided for, semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 in each year, commencing
October 1, 1998 at the rate of 4 3/4% per annum, until the principal hereof is
paid or made available for payment and promises to pay any liquidated damages
which may be payable pursuant to Section 4 of the Registration Rights Agreement
on the Damages Payment Dates. The interest so payable, and punctually paid or
duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such
Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Note (or one or more
Predecessor Notes) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record
Date for such interest, which shall be the March 15 or September 15 (whether or
not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment
Date. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for will
forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may
either be paid to the Person in whose name this Note (or one or more Predecessor
Notes) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the
payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee or be paid at any
time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any
securities exchange on which the Notes may be listed and upon such notice as may
be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in said Indenture.
Notice of a Special Record Date shall be given to Holders of Notes not less than
10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Payment of the principal of and
premium, if any, interest and liquidated damages, if any, on this Note will be
made (i) in respect of Notes held of record by the Depositary or its nominee in
same day funds on or prior to the respective payment dates and (ii) in respect
of Notes held of record by Holders other than the Depositary or its nominee in
same day funds at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that
purpose pursuant to Section 1002 of the Indenture, in each case in such coin or
currency of the United States of America as of the time of payment is legal
tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that at the
option of the Company payment of interest in respect of Notes held of record by
Holders other than the Depositary or its nominee may be made by check mailed to
the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the
Note Register.
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note set
forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes
have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
- ---------------
(1) This phrase should be included only if the Note is issued in global
form.
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Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by
the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Note
shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or
obligatory for any purpose.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly
executed under its corporate seal.
Dated: ACTION PERFORMANCE COMPANIES, INC.
----------------------
By:
------------------------------------
Attest: Title:
---------------------------------
- ------------------------------------
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SECTION 203. Form of Reverse of Global Notes and Definitive Notes.
This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of Notes of the Company
designated as its 4 3/4% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2005 (herein called
the "Notes"), limited in aggregate principal amount to $115,000,000 (including
Notes issuable pursuant to the Initial Purchasers' over-allotment option, as
provided for in the Purchase Agreement dated March 18, 1998 between the Company
and the Initial Purchasers), issued and to be issued under an Indenture, dated
as of March 24, 1998 (herein called the "Indenture"), between the Company and
First Union National Bank, as Trustee (herein called the "Trustee, which term
includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all
indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the
respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of
the Company, the Trustee, the holders of Senior Indebtedness and the Holders of
the Notes and of the terms upon which the Notes are, and are to be,
authenticated and delivered.
Subject to and upon compliance with the provisions of the Indenture, the
Holder of this Note is entitled, at his option, at any time following the date
of original issuance of Notes pursuant to the Indenture and on or before the
close of business on April 1, 2005, or in case this Note or a portion hereof is
called for redemption, then in respect of this Note or such portion hereof until
and including, but (unless the Company defaults in making the payment due upon
redemption) not after, the close of business on the second business day
preceding the Redemption Date, to convert this Note (or any portion of the
principal amount hereof which is $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof), at the
principal amount hereof, or of such portion, into fully paid and nonassessable
shares (calculated as to each conversion to the nearest 1/l00th of a share) of
Common Stock at a conversion price equal to $48.20 principal amount for each
share of Common Stock (or at the current adjusted conversion price if an
adjustment has been made as provided in the Indenture) by surrender of this
Note, duly endorsed or assigned to the Company or in blank, to the Company at
its office or agency maintained for that purpose pursuant to Section 1002 of the
Indenture, accompanied by written notice to the Company in the form provided in
this Note (or such other notice as is acceptable to the Company) that the Holder
hereof elects to convert this Note, or if less than the entire principal amount
hereof is to be converted, the portion hereof to be converted, and, in case such
surrender shall be made during the period from the opening of business on any
Regular Record Date next preceding any Interest Payment Date to the close of
business on such Interest Payment Date (unless this Note or the portion thereof
being converted has been called for redemption), also accompanied by payment in
funds acceptable to the Company of an amount equal to the interest payable on
such Interest Payment Date on the principal amount of this Note then being
converted. Subject to the aforesaid requirement for payment and, in the case of
a conversion after the Regular Record Date next preceding any Interest Payment
Date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, to the right of the Holder of
this Note (or any Predecessor Note) of record at such Regular Record Date to
receive an installment of interest (with certain exceptions provided in the
Indenture), no payment or adjustment is to be made upon conversion on account of
any interest accrued hereon or on account of any dividends on the Common Stock
issued upon conversion. No fractional shares or scrip representing fractions of
shares will be issued on conversion, but instead of any fractional share the
Company shall pay a cash adjustment as provided in the
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Indenture. The conversion price is subject to adjustment as provided in the
Indenture. In addition, the Indenture provides that in case of certain
consolidations or mergers to which the Company is a party or the sale or
transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, the Indenture
shall be amended, without the consent of any Holders of Notes, so that this
Note, if then outstanding, will be convertible thereafter, during the period
this Note shall be convertible as specified above, only into the kind and amount
of securities, cash and other property receivable upon the consolidation,
merger, sale or transfer by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock
into which this Note might have been converted immediately prior to such
consolidation, merger, sale or transfer (assuming such holder of Common Stock
failed to exercise any rights of election and received per share the kind and
amount received per share by a plurality of non-electing shares).
The Notes are subject to redemption upon not less than 30 and not more than
60 days' notice by mail, at any time on or after April 1, 2001 and prior to
Maturity, as a whole or in part, at the election of the Company, at the
Redemption Prices set forth below (expressed as percentages of the principal
amount), plus accrued interest and liquidated damages, if any, up to, but
excluding the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the
relevant Regular Record Date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date
that is on or prior to the Redemption Date).
If redeemed during the period beginning April 1 in the year indicated, and
ending on the succeeding March 31, the redemption price shall be:
Redemption Year Redemption Price
----------------------------- -----------------------------------
2001 102.71%
2002 102.04
2003 101.36
2004 100.68
2005 100.00
in each case together with accrued and unpaid interest and liquidated damages,
if any, up to but not including the date of redemption.
In certain circumstances involving the occurrence of a Repurchase Event (as
defined in the Indenture), the Holder hereof shall have the right to require the
Company to repurchase this Note at 100% of the principal amount hereof, together
with accrued interest and liquidated damages, if any, to the Repurchase Date,
but interest installments whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to such
Repurchase Date will be payable to the Holders of such Notes, or one or more
Predecessor Notes, of record at the close of business on the relevant Record
Dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the Indenture.
22
<PAGE>
In the event of redemption or conversion of this Note in part only, a new
Note or Notes for the unredeemed or unconverted portion hereof will be issued in
the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.
The indebtedness evidenced by this Note is, in all respects, subordinate
and subject in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior
Indebtedness of the Company, and this Note is issued subject to the provisions
of the Indenture with respect thereto. Each Holder of this Note, by accepting
the same, (a) agrees to and shall be bound by such provisions, (b) authorizes
and directs the Trustee on his behalf to take such action as may be necessary or
appropriate to effectuate the subordination so provided, and (c) appoints the
Trustee his attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.
If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the principal of all
the Notes may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect
provided in the Indenture.
The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the
amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the
Company and the rights of the Holders of the Notes under the Indenture at any
time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of not less
than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time
Outstanding, and, under certain limited circumstances, by the Company and the
Trustee without the consent of the Holders. The Indenture also contains
provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in aggregate
principal amount of the Notes at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders
of all the Notes, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of
the Indenture and to waive certain past defaults and Events of Default under the
Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of
this Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future
Holders of this Note and of any Note issued upon the registration of transfer
hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such
consent or waiver is made upon this Note.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of
the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is
absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and
interest and liquidated damages, if any, on this Note at the times, place and
rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed or to convert this Note as
provided in the Indenture.
As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set
forth, the transfer of this Note is registrable in the Note Register, upon
surrender of this Note for registration of transfer at the office or agency of
the Company in any place where the principal of and any premium and interest on
this Note are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument
of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Note Registrar duly
executed by, the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and
thereupon one or more new Notes, of authorized denominations and for the same
aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or
transferees.
23
<PAGE>
The Notes are issuable only in fully registered form without coupons in
minimum denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. As provided
in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Notes are
exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Notes of a different
authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.
No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or
exchange except as provided in the Indenture, and the Company may require
payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge
payable in connection therewith.
Prior to due presentment of this Note for registration of transfer, the
Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the
Person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for all
purposes, except as provided in this Note, whether or not this Note be overdue,
and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by
notice to the contrary.
All terms used in this Note which are defined in the Indenture shall have
the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture. The Company will furnish to any
Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture and/or
the Registration Rights Agreement.
24
<PAGE>
[FORM OF CONVERSION NOTICE]
TO ACTION PERFORMANCE COMPANIES, INC.
The undersigned registered owner of this Note hereby irrevocably exercises
the option to convert this Note, or the portion hereof (which is $1,000 or a
multiple thereof) designated below, into shares of Common Stock of Action
Performance Companies, Inc. in accordance with the terms of the Indenture
referred to in this Note, and directs that the shares issuable and deliverable
upon the conversion, together with any check in payment for a fractional share
and any Note representing any unconverted principal amount hereof, be issued and
delivered to the registered Holder hereof unless a different name has been
provided below. If this Notice is being delivered on a date after the close of
business on a Regular Record Date and prior to the close of business on the
related Interest Payment Date, this Notice is accompanied by payment in funds
acceptable to the Company, of an amount equal to the interest payable on such
Interest Payment Date on the principal of this Note to be converted (unless this
Note has been called for redemption). If shares or any portion of this Note not
converted are to be issued in the name of a person other than the undersigned,
the undersigned will pay all transfer taxes payable with respect thereto. Any
amount required to be paid by the undersigned on account of interest accompanies
this Note.
Dated:
---------------------- ----------------------------------
Signature(s)
Signature(s) must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (banks,
stockbrokers, savings and loan associations and credit unions with membership in
an approved signature guarantee medallion program) pursuant to S.E.C. Rule
17Ad-15, if shares of Common Stock are to be delivered, or Notes to be issued,
other than to and in the name of the registered Holder.
- -------------------------------------
Signature Guarantee
25
<PAGE>
Fill in for registration of shares of Common Stock if they are to be delivered,
or Notes if they are to be issued, other than to and in the name of the
registered owner:
- -------------------------------
(Name)
- -------------------------------
(Street Address)
- -------------------------------
(City, State and zip code)
(Please print name and
address)
Register: _____ Common Stock
_____ Notes
(Check appropriate line(s)).
Principal amount to be converted (if less than all): $_____________,000
---------------------------------
Social Security or other Taxpayer
Identification Number of owner
[ASSIGNMENT FORM]
If you the holder want to assign this Note, fill in the form below and have your
signature guaranteed:
I or we assign and transfer this Note to
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Insert assignee's social security or tax ID number)
----------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code) and irrevocably appoint
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
agent to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may
substitute another to act for him.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
26
<PAGE>
Date: Your signature:
------------------------ ---------------------------------
(Sign exactly as your name
appears on the face of this Note)
Signature Guarantee:
-----------------------------------------------------------
The signature to this assignment should be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor
institution (banks, stockbrokers, savings and loan associations and credit
unions with membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program)
pursuant to S.E.C. Rule 17Ad-15.
27
<PAGE>
[FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED UPON EXCHANGE OR
REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER OF NOTES]
CERTIFICATE FOR EXCHANGE OR TRANSFER
Re: 4 3/4% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2005
This Certificate relates to $__________ principal amount of Notes held
in **____________ book-entry or **_________________ definitive form by
______________ (the "Transferor").
The Transferor**:
[ ] has requested the Trustee by written order to deliver in exchange for
its beneficial interest in a Global Note held by the Depositary a Note
or Notes in definitive, registered form of authorized denominations and
an aggregate principal amount equal to its beneficial interest in such
Global Note (or the portion thereof indicated above); or
[ ] has requested the Trustee by written order to deliver in exchange for
its Note or Notes a beneficial interest in a Global Note held by the
Depositary in a principal amount equal to the aggregate principal
amount of such Note or Notes; or
[ ] has requested the Trustee by written order to exchange or register the
transfer of a Note or Notes.
[ ] In connection with such request and in respect of each such Note, the
Transferor does hereby certify to the Company and the Trustee that
Transferor is familiar with the Indenture relating to the above
captioned Notes and, as provided in Section 305 of such Indenture, the
transfer of this Note does not require registration under the
Securities Act (as defined below) because**:
[ ] Such Note is being acquired for the Transferor's own account, without
transfer (in satisfaction of Section 305(b)(ii)(A) or Section
305(f)(i)(A) of the Indenture).
[ ] Such Note is being transferred to a "qualified institutional buyer" (as
defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act")) in reliance on Rule 144A or pursuant to an exemption
from registration in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities
Act (in satisfaction of Section 305(b)(ii)(B), Section 305(c)(i),
Section 305(d)(i), Section 305(f)(i)(B), Section 305(g)(iii) or Section
305(h)(iii) of the Indenture). An opinion of counsel to the effect that
such transfer does not require registration under the Securities Act
- -----------------------------
**Check applicable box.
28
<PAGE>
accompanies this Certificate (in satisfaction of Section 305(b)(ii)(B), Section
305(c)(i), Section 305(d)(i), Section 305(f)(i)(B), Section 305(g)(iii) or
Section 305(h)(iii) of the Indenture).
[ ] Such Note is being transferred in accordance with Rule 144 under the
Securities Act, or pursuant to an effective registration statement
under the Securities Act (in satisfaction of Section 305(b)(ii)(B),
Section 305(f)(i)(B) or Section 305(k)(ii) of the Indenture). If such
Note is being transferred in accordance with Rule 144 under the
Securities Act, an opinion of counsel to the effect that such transfer
does not require registration under the Securities Act accompanies this
Certificate (in satisfaction of Section 305(b)(ii)(B), Section
305(f)(i)(B) or Section 305(k)(ii) of the Indenture).
[ ] Such Note is being transferred in reliance on and in compliance with an
exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act,
other than Rule 144A, 144 or Regulation S under the Securities Act. An
opinion of counsel to the effect that such transfer does not require
registration under the Securities Act accompanies this Certificate (in
satisfaction of Section 305(b)(ii)(C) or Section 305(f)(i)(C) of the
Indenture).
You are entitled to rely upon this certificate and you are irrevocably
authorized to produce this certificate or a copy hereof to any interested party
in any administrative or legal proceeding or official inquiry with respect to
the matters covered hereby.
-----------------------------------
[INSERT NAME OF TRANSFEROR]
By:
--------------------------------
Date:
-------------------------------
29
<PAGE>
[OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE]
If you wish to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section
1401 of the Indenture, check the Box: [ ]
If you wish to have a portion of this Note (which is $1,000 or an integral
multiple thereof) purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 1401 of the
Indenture, state the amount you wish to have purchased:
$
------------------
Date: Your Signature(s):
------------------ ------------------------
Tax Identification No.:
-------------------
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)
Signature Guarantee:
------------------------------------------------------------
The signature to this option of holder to elect purchase should be guaranteed by
an eligible guarantor institution (banks, stockbrokers, savings and loan
associations and credit unions with membership in an approved signature
guarantee medallion program) pursuant to S.E.C. Rule 17Ad-15.
30
<PAGE>
[FORM OF SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF DEFINITIVE NOTES2]
The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for Definitive Notes
have been made:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Principal
Amount of Amount of Amount of this Signature of
decrease in increase in Global Note authorized
Principal Principal following such signatory of
Amount of this Amount of this decrease (or Trustee or
Date of Global Note Global Note increase) Notes
Exchange Custodian
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
</TABLE>
SECTION 204. Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication.
The Trustee's certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the
following form:
This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK,
--------------------------
as Trustee
By
---------------------------
Authorized Signatory
- ---------------
(2) This Schedule should be included only if the Note is issued in global
form.
31
<PAGE>
ARTICLE THREE
The Notes
SECTION 301. Title and Terms.
The aggregate principal amount of Notes which may be authenticated and
delivered under this Indenture is limited to $115,000,000 (including $15,000,000
aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be sold to the Initial Purchasers
by the Company upon exercise of the over-allotment option granted pursuant to
the Purchase Agreement), except for Notes authenticated and delivered upon
registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Notes
pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306, 906, 1108, 1302 or 1405.
The Notes shall be known and designated as the "4 3/4% Convertible
Subordinated Notes due 2005" of the Company. Their Stated Maturity shall be
April 1, 2005 and they shall bear interest at the rate of 4 3/4% per annum, from
the date of original issuance of Notes pursuant to this Indenture or from the
most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly
provided for, as the case may be, payable semi-annually on April 1 and October 1
commencing October 1, 1998, until the principal thereof is paid or made
available for payment.
The principal of and premium and liquidated damages, if any, and interest
on the Notes shall be payable (i) in respect of Notes held of record by the
Depositary or its nominee in same day funds on or prior to the respective
payment dates and (ii) in respect of Notes held of record by Holders other than
the Depositary or its nominee in same day funds at the office or agency of the
Company maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 1002; provided, however,
that at the option of the Company payment of interest to Holders of record other
than the Depositary may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person
entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Note Register.
The Notes shall be subject to the transfer restrictions set forth in
Section 305.
The Notes shall be redeemable as provided in Article Eleven.
The Notes shall be subordinated in right of payment to Senior Indebtedness
as provided in Article Twelve.
The Notes shall be convertible as provided in Article Thirteen.
The Notes shall be subject to repurchase at the option of the Holder as
provided in Article Fourteen.
Neither the Company nor the Trustee shall have any responsibility for any
defect in the CUSIP number that appears on any Note, check, advance of payment
or redemption notice, and any such document may contain a statement to the
effect that CUSIP numbers have been assigned by an independent service for
convenience of
32
<PAGE>
reference and that neither the Company nor the Trustee shall be liable for any
inaccuracy in such numbers.
SECTION 302. Denominations.
The Notes shall be issuable only in fully registered form without coupons
and only in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.
SECTION 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.
The Notes shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the
Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its President or one of its Vice Presidents,
under its corporate seal or a facsimile thereof reproduced thereon attested by
its Secretary or one of its Assistant Secretaries. The signature of any of these
officers on the Notes may be manual or facsimile.
Notes bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at
any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company,
notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such
offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Notes or did not hold
such offices at the date of such Notes.
At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this
Indenture, the Company may deliver Notes executed by the Company to the Trustee
for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and
delivery of such Notes; and the Trustee in accordance with such Company Order
shall either at one time or from time to time pursuant to such instructions as
may be described therein authenticate and deliver such Notes as in this
Indenture provided and not otherwise. Such Company Order shall specify the
amount of Notes to be authenticated and the date on which the original issue of
Notes is to be authenticated, and shall certify that all conditions precedent to
the issuance of such Notes contained in this Indenture have been complied with.
The aggregate principal amount of Notes Outstanding at any time may not exceed
the amount set forth above except as provided in Section 306.
Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication.
No Note shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid
or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Note a certificate of
authentication substantially in the form provided for herein duly executed by
the Trustee by manual signature, and such certificate upon any Note shall be
conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Note has been duly
authenticated and delivered hereunder and is entitled to the benefits of the
Indenture. The Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent pursuant to the terms
of Section 614.
SECTION 304. Temporary Notes.
Pending the preparation of Definitive Notes, the Company may execute, and
upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Notes
which are printed,
33
<PAGE>
lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized
denomination, substantially of the tenor of the Definitive Notes in lieu of
which they are issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions,
substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Notes may
determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Notes. Every such temporary
Note shall be executed by the Company and shall be authenticated and delivered
by the Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner,
and with the same effect, as the Definitive Note or Notes in lieu of which it is
issued.
Not including Global Notes, if temporary Notes are issued, the Company will
cause Definitive Notes to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the
preparation of Definitive Notes, the temporary Notes shall be exchangeable for
Definitive Notes upon surrender of the temporary Notes at any office or agency
of the Company designated pursuant to Section 1002, without charge to the
Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Notes the
Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange
therefor one or more Definitive Notes of a like principal amount of authorized
denominations. Until so exchanged the temporary Notes shall in all respects be
entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as Definitive Notes.
SECTION 305. Registration; Registration of Transfer and Exchange.
(a) The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of
the Trustee a register (the register maintained in such office and in any other
office or agency designated pursuant to Section 1002 being herein sometimes
collectively referred to as the "Note Register") in which, subject to such
reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the
registration of Notes and of transfers of Notes. The Note Register shall be in
written form or in any form capable of being converted into written form within
a reasonably prompt period of time. The Trustee is hereby appointed "Note
Registrar" for the purpose of registering Notes and transfers of Notes as herein
provided. At all reasonable times the Note Register shall be open for inspection
by the Company.
The Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") to act
as depositary (the "Depositary") with respect to the Global Note(s).
The Company initially appoints the Trustee to act as Notes Custodian with
respect to the Global Note(s).
(b) With respect to the transfer and exchange of Definitive Notes, when
Definitive Notes are presented to the Note Registrar with the request (x) to
register the transfer of the Definitive Notes or (y) to exchange such Definitive
Notes for an equal principal amount of Definitive Notes of other authorized
denominations, the Note Registrar shall register the transfer or make the
exchange as requested if its requirements for such transactions are met;
provided, however, that the Definitive Notes presented or surrendered for
register of transfer or exchange:
34
<PAGE>
(i) shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written
instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Note Registrar duly executed
by the Holder thereof or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing; and
(ii) shall, in the case of Transfer Restricted Securities that
are Definitive Notes, be accompanied by the following additional information and
documents, as applicable:
(A) if such Transfer Restricted Security is being
delivered to the Note Registrar by a Holder for registration in the name of such
Holder, without transfer, a certification from such Holder to that effect (in
substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto); or
(B) if such Transfer Restricted Security is being
transferred to a "qualified institutional buyer" (as defined in Rule 144A under
the Securities Act) in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act or
pursuant to an exemption from registration in accordance with Rule 144 or
Regulation S under the Securities Act or pursuant to an effective registration
statement under the Securities Act, a certification to that effect (in
substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto) and, in the case of a transfer in
accordance with Rule 144A, Rule 144 or Regulation S under the Securities Act, an
Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such
transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act; or
(C) if such Transfer Restricted Security is being
transferred in reliance on another exemption from the registration requirements
of the Securities Act, a certification to that effect (in substantially the form
of Exhibit A hereto) and an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the
Company to the effect that such transfer is in compliance with the Securities
Act.
(c) The following restrictions apply to any transfer of a Definitive
Security for a beneficial interest in a 144A Global Note. A Definitive Note may
not be exchanged for a beneficial interest in a 144A Global Note except until
and upon satisfaction of the requirements set forth below. Upon receipt by the
Trustee of a Definitive Note, duly endorsed or accompanied by appropriate
instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, together with:
(i) if such Definitive Note is a Transfer Restricted
Security, certification, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, that
such Definitive Note is being transferred to a "qualified institutional buyer"
(as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act) in accordance with Rule 144A
and an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect
that such transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act; and
(ii) whether or not such Definitive Note is a Transfer
Restricted Security, written instructions directing the Trustee to make, or to
direct the Notes Custodian to make, an endorsement on the 144A Global Note to
reflect an increase in the aggregate principal amount of the Notes represented
by the 144A Global Note, then the Trustee shall cancel such Definitive Note and
cause, or direct the Notes Custodian to cause, in accordance with the standing
instructions and procedures existing between the Depositary and the Notes
Custodian,
35
<PAGE>
the aggregate principal amount of Notes represented by the 144A Global Note to
be increased accordingly. If no 144A Global Notes are then outstanding, the
Company shall execute and, upon receipt of an authentication order in the form
of a Company Order in accordance with Section 303, the Trustee shall
authenticate a new 144A Global Note in the appropriate principal amount.
(d) The following restrictions apply to any transfer of a Definitive Note
for a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note. A Definitive Note may
not be exchanged for a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note except
until and upon satisfaction of the requirements set forth below. Upon receipt by
the Trustee of a Definitive Note, duly endorsed or accompanied by appropriate
instruments of transfer, in the form satisfactory to the Trustee, together with:
(i) if such Definitive Note is a Transfer Restricted
Security, certification, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, that
such Definitive Note is being transferred in accordance with Regulation S and an
Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such
transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act; and
(ii) whether or not such Definitive Note is a Transfer
Restricted Security, written instructions directing the Trustee to make, or to
direct the Notes Custodian to make, an endorsement on the Regulation S Global
Note to reflect an increase in the aggregate principal amount of the Notes
represented by the Regulation S Global Note, then the Trustee shall cancel such
Definitive Note and cause, or direct the Notes Custodian to cause, in accordance
with the standing instructions and procedures existing between the Depositary
and the Notes Custodian, the aggregate principal amount of Notes represented by
the Regulation S Global Note to be increased accordingly. If no Regulation S
Global Notes are then outstanding, the Company shall execute and, upon receipt
of an authentication order in the form of a Company Order in accordance with
Section 303, the Trustee shall authenticate a new Regulation S Global Note in
the appropriate principal amount.
(e) The transfer and exchange of Global Notes or beneficial interests
therein shall be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with this
Indenture (including the restrictions on transfer set forth herein) and the
procedures of the Depositary therefor.
(f) With respect to the transfer of a beneficial interest in a 144A Global
Note or a Regulation S Global Note for a Definitive Note:
(i) Any person having a beneficial interest in a 144A Global
Note or a Regulation S Global Note may upon request exchange such beneficial
interest for a Definitive Note. Upon receipt by the Trustee of written
instructions or such other form of instructions as is customary for the
Depositary or its nominee on behalf of any person having a beneficial interest
in a 144A Global Note or a Regulation S Global Note constituting a Transfer
Restricted Security only, and receipt by the Trustee of the following additional
information and documents (all of which may be submitted by facsimile):
36
<PAGE>
(A) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to
the person designated by the Depositary as being the beneficial owner, a
certification from such person to that effect (in substantially the form of
Exhibit A hereto); or
(B) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a
"qualified institutional buyer" (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities
Act) in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act or pursuant to an
exemption from registration in accordance with Rule 144 or Regulation S under
the Securities Act or pursuant to an effective registration statement under the
Securities Act, a certification to that effect from the transferor (in
substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto) and, in the case of a transfer in
accordance with Rule 144A, Rule 144 or Regulation S under the Securities Act, an
Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such
transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act; or
(C) if such beneficial interest is being transferred in
reliance on another exemption from the registration requirements of the
Securities Act, a certification to that effect from the transferee or transferor
(in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto) and an Opinion of Counsel from
the transferee or transferor reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect
that such transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act, then the Trustee or
the Notes Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, will cause, in accordance
with the standing instructions and procedures existing between the Depositary
and the Notes Custodian, the aggregate principal amount of the Global Note to be
reduced and, following such reduction, the Company will execute and, upon
receipt of an authentication order in the form of a Company Order in accordance
with Section 303, the Trustee will authenticate and deliver to the transferee a
Definitive Note.
(ii) Definitive Notes issued in exchange for a beneficial
interest in a 144A Global Note or a Regulation S Global Note pursuant to this
Section 305 shall be registered in such names and in such authorized
denominations as the Depositary, pursuant to instructions from its direct or
indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee. The Trustee
shall deliver such Definitive Notes to the persons in whose names such Notes are
so registered.
(g) With respect to the transfer of a beneficial interest in a Regulation S
Global Note for a beneficial interest in a 144A Global Note, any person having a
beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note may upon request exchange such
beneficial interest for an interest in a 144A Global Note. Upon receipt by the
Trustee of written instructions or such other form of instructions as is
customary for the Depositary or its nominee on behalf of any person having a
beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note constituting a Transfer
Restricted Security only, and receipt by the Trustee of the following additional
information and documents (all of which may be submitted by facsimile):
(i) instructions given in accordance with the procedures of
Euroclear or Cedel, the Depositary and the Notes Custodian, as the case may be,
from or on behalf of a beneficial owner of an interest in the Regulations S
Global Note directing the Trustee, as transfer agent, to credit or cause to be
credited a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note in
37
<PAGE>
an amount equal to the beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note to be
exchanged or transferred,
(ii) a written order given in accordance with the procedures
of Euroclear or Cedel, the Depositary and the Notes Custodian, as the case may
be, containing information regarding the account with the Depositary to be
credited with such increase and the name of such account, and
(iii) a certification from the transferor (in substantially
the form of Exhibit A hereto) to the effect that such beneficial interest is
being transferred to a "qualified institutional buyer" (as defined in Rule 144A
under the Securities Act) in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act
and an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect
that such transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act, then the Trustee,
as transfer agent, shall promptly deliver appropriate instructions to the
Depositary, its nominee, or the custodian for the Depositary, as the case may
be, to reduce or reflect on its records a reduction of the Regulation S Global
Note by the aggregate principal amount of the beneficial interest in such
Regulation S Global Note to be exchanged or transferred, and the Trustee, as
transfer agent, shall promptly deliver appropriate instructions to the
Depositary, its nominee, or the custodian for the Depositary, as the case may
be, concurrently with such reduction, increase or reflect on its records an
increase of the principal amount of the 144A Global Note by the aggregate
principal amount of the beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note to
be so exchanged or transferred, and to credit or cause to be credited to the
account of the person specified in such instructions a beneficial interest in
the 144A Global Note equal to the reduction in the principal amount of the
Regulation S Global Note.
(h) With respect to the transfer of a beneficial interest in a 144A Global
Note for a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note, any person having
a beneficial interest in a 144A Global Note may upon request exchange such
beneficial interest for an interest in a Regulation S Global Note. Upon receipt
by the Trustee of written instructions or such other form of instructions as is
customary for the Depositary or its nominee on behalf of any person having a
beneficial interest in a 144A Global Note constituting a Transfer Restricted
Security only, and receipt by the Trustee of the following additional
information and documents (all of which may be submitted by facsimile):
(i) instructions given in accordance with the procedures of
the Depositary and the Notes Custodian, as the case may be, from or on behalf of
a holder of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note, directing the
Trustee, as transfer agent, to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial
interest in the Regulation S Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial
interest in the 144A Global Note to be exchanged or transferred,
(ii) a written order given in accordance with the procedures
of the Depositary and the Notes Custodian, as the case may be, containing
information regarding the Euroclear or Cedel account to be credited with such
increase and the name of such account, and
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(iii) a certification from the transferor (in substantially
the form of Exhibit A hereto) to the effect that such beneficial interest is
being transferred in accordance with Regulation S and an Opinion of Counsel
reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such transfer is in
compliance with the Securities Act, then the Trustee, as transfer agent, shall
promptly deliver appropriate instructions to the Depositary, its nominee, or the
custodian for the Depositary, as the case may be, to reduce or reflect on its
records a reduction of the 144A Global Note by the aggregate principal amount of
the beneficial interest in such 144A Global Note to be so exchanged or
transferred from the relevant participant, and the Trustee, as transfer agent,
shall promptly deliver appropriate instructions to the Depositary, its nominee,
or the custodian for the Depositary, as the case may be, concurrently with such
reduction, to increase or reflect on its records an increase of the principal
amount of such Regulation S Global Note by the aggregate principal amount of the
beneficial interest in such 144A Global Note to be so exchanged or transferred,
and to credit or cause to be credited to the account of the person specified in
such instructions (who shall be Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York,
Brussels office, as operator of Euroclear or Cedel or another agent member of
Euroclear or Cedel, or both, as the case may be, acting for and on behalf of
them) a beneficial interest in such Regulation S Global Note equal to the
reduction in the principal amount of such 144A Global Note.
(i) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture (other than the
provisions set forth in Clause (j) of this Section 305), a Global Note may not
be transferred as a whole except by the Depositary to a nominee of the
Depositary or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another
nominee of the Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a
successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary.
(j) The following relates to the authentication of Definitive Notes in
absence of the Depositary. If at any time: (i) the Depositary for the Notes
notifies the Company that the Depositary is unwilling or unable to continue as
Depositary for the Global Notes and a successor Depositary for the Global Notes
is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after delivery of such notice; or
(ii) the Company, at its sole discretion, notifies the Trustee in writing that
it elects to cause the issuance of Definitive Notes under this Indenture, then
the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order in
accordance with Section 303 requesting the authentication and delivery of
Definitive Notes, will authenticate and deliver Definitive Notes in an aggregate
principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Notes, in exchange
for such Global Notes.
(k) (i) Except as permitted by the following paragraph (ii), each Note
certificate evidencing the Global Notes and the Definitive Notes (and all Notes
issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear a legend in
substantially the following form:
THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES
ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS,
AND, ACCORDINGLY, NEITHER THIS NOTE, THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON
CONVERSION OF THIS NOTE NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN OR THEREIN MAY
BE REOFFERED,
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SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE
ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT
SUBJECT TO, REGISTRATION. UNLESS THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK HAVE BEEN REGISTERED
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, A HOLDER OF THIS NOTE WILL BE ABLE TO EXERCISE THE
CONVERSION RIGHT ONLY IF THE HOLDER CERTIFIES THAT IT IS A "QUALIFIED
INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" OR AN INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED INVESTOR" AS DEFINED BELOW.
THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE, BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, AGREES THAT IT WILL
NOT, PRIOR TO THE DATE WHICH IS TWO YEARS AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE
DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE COMPANY OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE
COMPANY WAS THE OWNER OF THIS NOTE (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH NOTE), RESELL OR
OTHERWISE TRANSFER THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY OR THE COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON
CONVERSION OF SUCH NOTE EXCEPT (A) TO THE COMPANY, OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF,
(B) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE
WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO AN
INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR THAT, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISHES TO
FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, AS TRUSTEE (OR A SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE, AS APPLICABLE), A
SIGNED LETTER CONTAINING CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE
RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY (THE FORM OF WHICH LETTER
CAN BE OBTAINED FROM SUCH TRUSTEE OR SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE, AS APPLICABLE), (D)
OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH
REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM
REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE) OR (F)
PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT (AND WHICH CONTINUES TO BE EFFECTIVE AT THE TIME OF SUCH
TRANSFER); AND AGREES THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THE NOTE
EVIDENCED HEREBY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS
LEGEND. IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER OF THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY, OR THE
SHARES OF COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION THEREOF, WITHIN TWO YEARS AFTER
THE ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF SUCH NOTE, THE HOLDER MUST CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX
SET FORTH ON THE REVERSE HEREOF RELATING TO THE MANNER OF SUCH TRANSFER AND
SUBMIT THIS CERTIFICATE TO FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, AS TRUSTEE (OR A SUCCESSOR
TRUSTEE, AS APPLICABLE). IF THE PROPOSED TRANSFEREE IS AN INSTITUTIONAL
ACCREDITED INVESTOR OR A PURCHASER WHO IS NOT A U.S. PERSON, THE HOLDER MUST,
PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISH TO FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, AS TRUSTEE (OR A
SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE, AS APPLICABLE), SUCH CERTIFICATIONS, LEGAL OPINIONS OR OTHER
INFORMATION AS IT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT SUCH
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TRANSFER IS BEING MADE PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT
SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. THIS LEGEND
WILL BE REMOVED UPON ANY TRANSFER OF THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY, OR THE SHARES OF
COMMON STOCK ISSUED UPON CONVERSION THEREOF, AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF TWO YEARS
FROM THE ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY. AS USED HEREIN, THE
TERMS "OFFSHORE TRANSACTION," "UNITED STATES" AND "U.S. PERSON" HAVE THE
MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.
(ii) Upon any sale or transfer of a Transfer Restricted
Security (including any Transfer Restricted Security represented by a Global
Note) pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act or an effective registration
statement under the Securities Act (including the Shelf Registration Statement)
or on or after the Resale Restriction Termination Date:
(A) in the case of any Transfer Restricted Security
that is a Definitive Note, the Note Registrar shall permit the Holder thereof to
exchange such Transfer Restricted Security for a Definitive Note that does not
bear the legend set forth above and rescind any restriction on the transfer of
such Transfer Restricted Security; provided, however, that with respect to a
transfer made in reliance upon Rule 144 or an effective registration statement,
the Holders thereof shall certify in writing to the Note Registrar that such
request is being made pursuant to Rule 144 or an effective registration
statement (such Certification to be substantially in the form of Exhibit A
hereto) and, in the case of a transfer made in reliance upon Rule 144, shall be
accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Company to the
effect that such transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act; and
(B) any such Transfer Restricted Security represented
by a Global Note shall not be subject to the provisions set forth in (i) above
(such sales or transfers being subject only to the provisions of Section 305(e)
hereon; provided, however, that with respect to any request for an exchange of a
Transfer Restricted Security that is represented by a Global Note for a
Definitive Note that does not bear a legend, which request is made in reliance
upon Rule 144 or an effective registration statement, the Holder thereof shall
certify in writing to the Note Registrar that such request is being made
pursuant to Rule 144 or an effective registration statement (such certification
to be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto) and, in the case of a
transfer made in reliance upon Rule 144, shall be accompanied by an Opinion of
Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such transfer is
in compliance with the Securities Act.
(1) At such time as all beneficial interests in a Global Note have either
been exchanged for Definitive Notes, redeemed, repurchased or cancelled, such
Global Note shall be returned to or retained and cancelled by the Trustee. At
any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note
is exchanged for Definitive Notes, redeemed, repurchased or cancelled, the
principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced and
an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note, by the Trustee or the Notes
Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, to reflect such reduction.
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(m) All Definitive Notes and Global Notes issued upon any registration of
transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes or Global Notes shall be the valid
obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same
benefits under this Indenture, as the Definitive Notes or Global Notes
surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
(n) To the extent requested by the Trustee, all Notes the transfer,
exchange and/or registration of which is effectuated pursuant to this Section
305 shall be accompanied by an Officers' Certificate of the Company, certifying
that such transfer, exchange and/or registration is authorized by the Company
and permitted hereunder.
To permit registrations of transfer and exchanges, the Company shall
execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Definitive Notes and Global Notes at
the Note Registrar's request.
No service charge to a Holder shall be made for any registration of
transfer or exchange of Notes except as provided in Section 306. The Company may
require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental
charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or
exchange of Notes, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 304, 906, 1108 or
1302 not involving any transfer.
The Company or the Note Registrar shall not be required (i) to issue,
register the transfer of or exchange any Note during a period beginning at the
opening of business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of
redemption of Notes selected for redemption under Section 1104 and ending at the
close of business on the day of such mailing, (ii) to register the transfer of
or exchange any Definitive Note or beneficial interest in any Global Note so
selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of
any Definitive Note being redeemed in part or (iii) to register the transfer of
or exchange of any Definitive Note or beneficial interest in any Global Note
surrendered for conversion pursuant to Article Thirteen or repurchase pursuant
to Article Fourteen.
SECTION 306. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Notes.
If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company shall
execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a
new Note of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not
contemporaneously outstanding.
If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (i) evidence
to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note and (ii)
such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and
any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the
Company or the Trustee that such Note has been acquired by a bona fide
purchaser, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Note, a new Note of like
tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously
outstanding. The Trustee may charge the Company for the Trustee's expenses in
replacing such Note.
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In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note has become
or is about to become due and payable or is about to be converted into Common
Stock, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Note, pay
such Note or convert or authorize the conversion of the same if the applicant
for such payment or conversion shall furnish to the Company or to the Trustee,
if applicable, or to such authenticating agent such security or indemnity as set
forth above.
Upon the issuance of any new Note under this Section, the Company may
require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental
charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including
the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.
Every new Note issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any
destroyed, lost or stolen Note shall constitute an original additional
contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or
stolen Note shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to
all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all
other Notes duly issued hereunder.
The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the
extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or
payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes.
SECTION 307. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.
Interest on any Note which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly
provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose
name that Note (or one or more Predecessor Notes) is registered at the close of
business on the Regular Record Date for such interest. Payment of interest will
be made in same day funds at the office of the Trustee in Atlanta, Georgia or at
such other office or agency of the Company as it shall maintain for that purpose
pursuant to Section 1002, provided, however, that, at the option of the Company,
interest on any Note held of record by Holders other than the Depositary or its
nominee may be paid by mailing checks to the addresses of the Holders thereof as
such addresses appear in the Notes Register.
Any interest on any Note which is payable, but is not punctually paid
or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called "Defaulted
Interest") shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant
Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted
Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided
in Clause (1) or (2) below:
(1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted
Interest to the Persons in whose names the Notes (or their respective
Predecessor Notes) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record
Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be fixed in the
following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount
of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the
proposed
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payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an
amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of
such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee
for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when
deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such
Defaulted Interest as in this Clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a
Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be
not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the
proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of
the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the
Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the
Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest
and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid,
to each Holder at his address as it appears in the Note Register, not less than
10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of
such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been so
mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the
Notes (or their respective Predecessor Notes) are registered at the close of
business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to
the following Clause (2).
(2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest in
any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities
exchange or authorized quotation system on which the Notes may be listed or
designated for listing, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange
or authorized quotation system, if, after notice given by the Company to the
Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this Clause, such manner of payment
shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Note
delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange
for or in lieu of any other Note shall carry the rights to interest accrued and
unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Note. In the case of any
Note which is converted after any Regular Record Date and on or prior to the
Business Day next preceding next succeeding Interest Payment Date (other than
any Note whose Maturity is prior to such Interest Payment Date), interest whose
Stated Maturity is on such Interest Payment Date shall be payable on such
Interest Payment Date notwithstanding such conversion, and such interest
(whether or not punctually paid or duly provided for) shall be paid to the
Person in whose name that Note (or one or more Predecessor Notes) is registered
at the close of business on such Regular Record Date provided, however, that
Notes so surrendered for conversion shall (except in the case of Notes or
portions thereof called for redemption, which is addressed in Article 11 and in
Section 1302 below) be accompanied by payment in funds acceptable to the Company
of an amount equal to the interest payable on such Interest Payment Date on the
principal amount being surrendered for conversion. Except as otherwise expressly
provided above in Clause (2) of this Section 307, in Article 11 and in Section
1302, in the case of any Note which is converted, interest whose Stated Maturity
is after the date of conversion of such Note shall not be payable.
SECTION 308. Persons Deemed Owners. Prior to due presentment of a Note for
registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company
or the Trustee may treat
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the Person in whose name such Note is registered as the owner of such Note for
the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and premium, if any, and
(subject to Section 307) interest on such Note and for all other purposes
whatsoever, whether or not such Note be overdue, and neither the Company, the
Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice
to the contrary.
SECTION 309. Cancellation. All Notes surrendered for payment, redemption,
registration of transfer, exchange or conversion shall, if surrendered to any
Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee and shall be promptly
canceled by it. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for
cancellation any Notes previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which
the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Notes so
delivered shall be promptly canceled by the Trustee. No Notes shall be
authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Notes canceled as provided in
this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. All canceled
Notes held by the Trustee shall be destroyed by the Trustee, unless otherwise
directed by a Company Order.
SECTION 310. Computation of Interest. Interest on the Notes shall be computed on
the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
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ARTICLE FOUR
Satisfaction and Discharge
SECTION 401. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect
(except as expressly provided for in this Article Four), and the Trustee, at the
expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging
satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when (1) either (A) all Notes
theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (i) Notes which have been
destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in
Section 306 and (ii) Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been
deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter
repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section
1003) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
(B) all such Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation
(i) have become due and payable, or
(ii) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity
within one year, or
(iii) are to be called for redemption within one year under
arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption
by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company, or
(iv) are delivered to the Trustee for Conversion in accordance
with Article Thirteen, and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv)
above, has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as
trust funds in trust for the purpose an amount in cash sufficient (without
consideration of any investment of such cash) to pay and discharge the entire
indebtedness on such Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation for principal and premium, if any, and interest to the date of such
deposit (in the case of Notes which have become due and payable) or to the
Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be; provided that the
Trustee shall have been irrevocably instructed to apply such amount to said
payments with respect to the Notes; (2) the Company has paid or caused to be
paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and (3) the Company has
delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel,
each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the
satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the following
rights or obligations under the Notes and this Indenture shall survive until
otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (a) Article Thirteen, Article
Fourteen and the Company's obligations under Sections 304, 305, 306, 1002 and
1003, in each case with respect to any Notes described in subclause (B) of
Clause (1) of this Section, (b) this Article Four, (c) the rights, powers,
trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder, including the
obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 607, and the obligations
of the Trustee to any Authenticating Agent under
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Section 614 and (d) if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant
to subclause (B) of Clause (1) of this Section , the rights of Holders of any
Notes described in subclause (B) of Clause (1) of this Section to receive,
solely from the trust fund described in such subclause (B), payments in respect
of the principal of, and premium (if any), liquidated damages (if any), and
interest on, such Notes when such payment are due.
SECTION 402. Application of Trust Money. Subject to the provisions of the last
paragraph of Section 1003 and Section 506, all money deposited with the Trustee
pursuant to Section 401 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance
with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either
directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own
Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of
the principal and premium, if any, and interest for whose payment such money has
been deposited with the Trustee. All moneys deposited with the Trustee pursuant
to Section 401 (and held by it or any Paying Agent) for the payment of Notes
subsequently converted shall be returned to the Company upon Company Request.
SECTION 403. Reinstatement. If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to
apply any money in accordance with this Article Four by reason of any order or
judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or
otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company's obligations under
this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no
deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article Four until such time as the
Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all money held in trust with
respect to the Notes; provided, however, that if the Company makes any payment
of principal of, or any premium or interest on, any Note following the
reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights
of the Holders of the Notes to receive such payment from the money so held in
trust.
ARTICLE FIVE
Remedies
SECTION 501. Events of Default.
"Event of Default," wherever used herein, means any one of the
following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it
shall be occasioned by the provisions of Article Twelve or be voluntary or
involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment,
decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any
administrative or governmental body);
(1) default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if
any, on any Note at its Maturity, whether or not such payment is prohibited by
the provisions of Article Twelve; or
(2) default in the payment of any interest and liquidated
damages, if any, upon any Note when it becomes due and payable, whether or not
such payment is prohibited by the provisions of Article Twelve, and continuance
of such default for a period of 30 days; or
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(3) failure to provide timely notice of a Repurchase Event as
required in accordance with the provisions of Article Fourteen; or
(4) default in the payment of the Repurchase Price in respect
of any Note on the Repurchase Date therefor in accordance with the provisions of
Article Fourteen, whether or not such payment is prohibited by the provisions of
Article Twelve; or
(5) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or
warranty of the Company in this Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty a
default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section
specifically dealt with), and continuance of such default or breach for a period
of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the
Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at
least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Notes a written notice
specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating
that such notice is a "Notice of Default" hereunder; or
(6) default under one or more bonds, debentures, notes or
other evidences of indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any
Subsidiary or under one or more mortgages, indentures or instruments under which
there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any
indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any Subsidiary, whether such
indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter be created, which default
individually or in the aggregate shall constitute a failure to pay the principal
of indebtedness in excess of $10,000,000 when due and payable after the
expiration of any applicable grace period with respect thereto or shall have
resulted in indebtedness in excess of $10,000,000 becoming or being declared due
and payable prior to the date on which it would otherwise have become due and
payable, without such indebtedness having been discharged, or such acceleration
having been rescinded or annulled, within a period of 30 days after there shall
have been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee
or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal
amount of the Outstanding Notes a written notice specifying such default and
requiring the Company to cause such indebtedness to be discharged or cause such
acceleration to be rescinded or annulled and stating that such notice is a
"Notice of Default" hereunder; provided, however, that this Clause (6) of this
Section 501 shall not apply to the failure to pay any outstanding purchase money
debt incurred by the Company or any Subsidiary in connection with the purchase,
lease, or other acquisition of assets or all or any portion of a business entity
if: (i) the failure to pay such purchase money debt is the result of a bona fide
dispute with respect thereto, (ii) the Company provides written notice to the
Trustee of such dispute with a reasonably detailed explanation of the dispute
and the amount in controversy, (iii) the Company segregates from other funds of
the Company at least the maximum amount payable with respect to the issue in
dispute to be used to pay such purchase money debt if, upon final resolution of
the dispute, it is determined that such debt is due and payable by the Company
or any Subsidiary, and (iv) no other creditor of the Company or any Subsidiary
has the right to accelerate any obligation or to exercise any remedies as a
secured creditor as a result of such default on such purchase money debt; or
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(7) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises
of (A) a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company or any Subsidiary
in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or (B) a decree or
order adjudging the Company or any Subsidiary as bankrupt or insolvent, or
approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement,
adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company or any Subsidiary
under any applicable Federal or State law, or appointing a custodian, receiver,
liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the
Company or any Subsidiary or of any substantial part of its property, or
ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of
any such decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order unstayed
and in effect for a period of 120 consecutive days; or
(8) the commencement by the Company or any Subsidiary of a
voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or of any other case or
proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by it to
the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company or any
Subsidiary in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or
State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or to the
commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against it, or
the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or
relief under any applicable Federal or State law, or the consent by it to the
filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a
custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other
similar official of the Company or any Subsidiary or of any substantial part of
its property, or the making by it of a general assignment for the benefit of
creditors, or the admission by it in writing of its inability to pay its debts
generally as they become due, or the taking of corporate action by the Company
or any Subsidiary in furtherance of any such action.
Upon receipt by the Trustee of any Notice of Default pursuant to this
Section 501, a record date shall automatically and without any other action by
any Person be set for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding
Notes entitled to join in such Notice of Default, which record date shall be the
close of business on the day the Trustee receives such Notice of Default. The
Holders of Outstanding Notes on such record date (or their duly appointed
agents), and only such Persons, shall be entitled to join in such Notice of
Default, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date;
provided, that unless such Notice of Default shall have become effective by
virtue of the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Notes on
such record date (or their duly appointed agents) having joined therein on or
prior to the 90th day after such record date, such Notice of Default shall
automatically and without any action by any Person be canceled and of no further
force or effect.
SECTION 502. Acceleration of Maturity; and Annulment.
If an Event of Default (other than as specified in subparagraph (7) or
(8) of Section 501) occurs and is continuing, then and in every such case the
Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the
Outstanding Notes may declare the principal of all the Notes to be due and
payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee
if
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given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal plus any
interest accrued on the Notes to the date of declaration shall become
immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in subparagraph
(7) or (8) of Section 501 occurs and is continuing, then the principal of,
premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, and liquidated
damages, if any, on all of the Notes shall ipso facto become and be immediately
due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee
or any Holder of Notes.
At any time after such a declaration of acceleration has been made and
before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by
the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of a majority
in principal amount of the Outstanding Notes, by written notice to the Company
and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if
(1) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a
sum sufficient to pay
(A) all overdue interest on all Notes,
(B) the principal of and premium, if any, on any
Notes which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration
and interest thereon at the rate borne by the Notes,
(C) to the extent that payment of such interest is
lawful, interest upon overdue interest at the rate borne by the Notes, and
(D) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee and each
predecessor Trustee, their respective agents and counsel hereunder and the
reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee and
each predecessor Trustee, their respective agents and counsel; and
(2) all Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of the
principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes that has become due
solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as
provided in Section 513. No such rescission and waiver shall affect any
subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Upon receipt by the Trustee of any declaration of acceleration, or any
rescission and annulment of any such declaration, pursuant to this Section 502,
a record date shall automatically and without any other action by any Person be
set for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Notes entitled to
join in such declaration, or rescission and annulment, as the case may be, which
record date shall be the close of business on the day the Trustee receives such
declaration, or rescission and annulment, as the case may be. The Holders of
Outstanding Notes on such record date (or their duly appointed agents), and only
such Persons, shall be entitled to join in such declaration, or rescission and
annulment, as the case may be, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after
such record date; provided, that unless such declaration, or rescission and
annulment, as the case may be, shall have become effective by virtue of Holders
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of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Notes on such record date (or
their duly appointed agents) having joined therein on or prior to the 90th day
after such record date, such declaration, or rescission and annulment, as the
case may be, shall automatically and without any action by any Person be
canceled and of no further force or effect.
SECTION 503. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.
The Company covenants that if
(1) default is made in the payment of any interest on any Note when
such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of
30 days, or
(2) default is made in the payment of the principal of or premium, if
any, on any Note at the Maturity thereof, the Company will, upon demand of the
Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of such Notes, the whole
amount then due and payable on such Notes for principal of, and premium, if any,
and interest, and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally
enforceable, interest, on any overdue principal and premium, if any, and on any
overdue interest, at the rate borne by the Notes, and, in addition thereto, such
further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of
collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and
advances of the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee, their respective agents
and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee
under Section 607.
If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand,
the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a
judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid and may
prosecute any such proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce the
same against the Company (or any other obligor the Notes) and collect the moneys
adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the
property of the Company (or any other obligor upon the Notes), wherever
situated.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its
discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the
Holders by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most
effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific
enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the
exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.
SECTION 504. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
In case of any judicial proceeding relative to the Company (or any
other obligor upon the Notes), its property or its creditors, the Trustee shall
be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise, to
take any and all actions authorized under the Trust Indenture Act in order to
have the claims of the Holders and the Trustee allowed in any such proceeding.
In particular, the Trustee shall be authorized to collect and receive any moneys
or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute
the same; and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator,
sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding
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is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in
the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly
to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it and each predecessor
Trustee for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of
the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee and their respective agents and
counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 607.
No provision of this Indenture shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee
to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan
of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or
the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect
of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding; provided, however, that the
Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders, vote for the election of a trustee in
bankruptcy or similar official and may be a member of the Creditors' Committee.
SECTION 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Notes. All rights
of action and claims under this Indenture or the Notes may be prosecuted and
enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Notes or the
production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding
instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an
express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the
payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of
the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee and their respective agents and
counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes in respect of
which such judgment has been recovered.
SECTION 506. Application of Money Collected.
Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be
applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and,
in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal or premium, if
any, or interest, upon presentation of the Notes and the notation thereon of the
payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
FIRST: To payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 607;
SECOND: Subject to Article Twelve, to the holders of Senior
Indebtedness;
THIRD: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal
of and premium, if any, and interest on the Notes in respect of which or for the
benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or
priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Notes for
principal and premium, if any, and interest, respectively; and
FOURTH: The balance, if any, to the Company or any other Person or
Persons determined to be entitled thereto upon provision of an Officer's
Certificate or other evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee by the
Company or such other person verifying such entitlement.
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SECTION 507. Limitation on Suits.
No Holder of any Note shall have any right to institute any proceeding,
judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of
a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless
(1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the
Trustee of a continuing Event of Default;
(2) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of
the Outstanding Notes shall have made written request to the Trustee to
institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as
Trustee hereunder;
(3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee
reasonable indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and
liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;
(4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice,
request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and
(5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has
been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority
in principal amount of the Outstanding Notes; it being understood and intended
that no one or more holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by
virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb
or prejudice the rights of any other Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain
priority or preference over any other Holders or to enforce any right under this
Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable
benefit of all the Holders.
SECTION 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium,
Interest and Liquidated Damages and to Convert. Notwithstanding any other
provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Note shall have the right, which
is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of, premium,
and liquidated damages, if any, and (subject to Section 307) interest on such
Note on the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Note (or, in the case
of redemption, on the Redemption Date or, in the case of a repurchase pursuant
to Article Fourteen, on the Repurchase Date) and to convert such Note in
accordance with Article Thirteen and to institute suit for the enforcement of
any such payment and right to convert, and such rights shall not be impaired
without the consent of such Holder.
SECTION 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies. If the Trustee or any Holder
has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this
Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason,
or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in
every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company,
the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to
their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the
Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been
instituted.
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SECTION 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative. Except as otherwise provided with
respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen
Notes in Section 306, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to
the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or
remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be
cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or
now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or
employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the
concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.
SECTION 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver. No delay or omission of the Trustee
or of any Holder of any Note to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any
Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of
any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy
given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be
exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the
Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.
SECTION 512. Control by Holders.
The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Notes
shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or
power conferred on the Trustee; provided, that
(1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of
law or with this Indenture; and
(2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the
Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction; and
(3) subject to the provisions of Section 601, the Trustee
shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee in
good faith shall determine that the action so directed would involve the Trustee
in personal liability or would be unduly prejudicial to Holders not joining in
such direction.
Upon receipt by the Trustee of any such direction, a record date shall
automatically and without any other action by any Person be set for the purpose
of determining the Holders of Outstanding Notes entitled to join in such
direction, which record date shall be the close of business on the day the
Trustee receives such direction. The Holders of Outstanding Notes on such record
date (or their duly appointed agents), and only such Persons, shall be entitled
to join in such direction, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such
record date; provided, that unless such direction shall have become effective by
virtue of Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Notes on such
record date (or their duly appointed agents) having joined therein on or prior
to the 90th day after such record date, such direction shall automatically and
without any action by any Person be canceled and of no further force or effect.
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SECTION 513. Waiver of Past Defaults.
The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Notes may on behalf of the Holders of all the Notes waive any past
default hereunder and its consequences, except a default
(1) in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or
interest on any Note, or
(2) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under
Article Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of
each Outstanding Note affected.
Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event
of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every
purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or
other default or impair any right consequent thereon.
SECTION 514. Undertaking for Costs. In any suit for the enforcement of any right
or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any
action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, a court may require any
party litigant in such suit to file an undertaking to pay the costs of such
suit, and may assess costs against any such party litigant, in the manner and to
the extent provided in the Trust Indenture Act; provided, that neither this
Section nor the Trust Indenture Act shall be deemed to authorize any court to
require such an undertaking or to make such an assessment in any suit instituted
by the Company, in any suit instituted by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder
pursuant to Section 508, or a suit by a Holder or Holders of more than 10% in
principal amount of the Outstanding Notes.
ARTICLE SIX
The Trustee
SECTION 601. Certain Duties and Responsibilities.
The duties and responsibilities of the Trustee shall be as provided by
this Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act for securities issued pursuant to
indentures qualified thereunder. Except as otherwise provided herein,
notwithstanding the foregoing, no provision of this Indenture shall require the
Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial
liability or risk in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the
exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for
believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity satisfactory to it
against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it. Whether or not
therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the
conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee
shall be subject to the provisions of this Section. The Trustee shall not be
liable (x) for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer
or Responsible Officers of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the
Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts or (y) with respect to
any
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action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the
direction of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Notes at the time Outstanding relating to the time, method and
place of conducting any proceeding or any remedy available to the Trustee, or
exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture.
Prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiving
of all Events of Default which may have occurred: (i) the duties and obligations
of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this
Indenture and in the Trust Indenture Act, and the Trustee shall not be liable
except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically
set forth in this Indenture and in the Trust Indenture Act, and no implied
covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee;
and (ii) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may
conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the
opinions therein, upon any statements, certificates or opinions furnished to the
Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture and believed by the
Trustee to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party
or parties; but in the case of any such statements, certificates or opinions
which by any provisions hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the
Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine
whether or not they conform on their face to the requirements of this Indenture.
If a default or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee
shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the
same degree of care and skill in its exercise thereof as a prudent person would
exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.
SECTION 602. Notice of Defaults. The Trustee shall give the Holders notice of
any default hereunder of which it has actual knowledge as and to the extent
provided by the Trust Indenture Act; provided, however, that in the case of any
default of the character specified in Section 501(5), no such notice to Holders
shall be given until at least 30 days after the occurrence thereof. For the
purpose of this Section, the term "default" means any event which is, or after
notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default.
SECTION 603. Certain Rights of Trustee.
Subject to the provisions of Section 601:
(a) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be protected
in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement,
instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond,
debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document
believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper
party or parties;
(b) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein
shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order (unless
other evidence in respect thereof is specifically prescribed herein or required
by the Trust Indenture Act); and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be
sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;
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(c) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the
Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to
taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other
evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on
its part, rely conclusively upon an Officers' Certificate;
(d) the Trustee may consult with counsel and the written
advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete
authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted
by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;
(e) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any
of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or
direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders
shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity satisfactory
to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it
in compliance with such request or direction;
(f) before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting with
respect to any matter contemplated by this Indenture, it may require an
Officers' Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel, which shall conform to the
provisions of Section 102, and the Trustee shall be protected and shall not be
liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith and without gross
negligence in reliance on such certificate or opinion;
(g) the Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or
surety in respect of the performance of its power and duties hereunder;
(h) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation
into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement,
instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond,
debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but
the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation
into such facts or matters as it may see fit; and
(i) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers
hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through
agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct
or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it
hereunder.
SECTION 604. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Notes. The recitals
contained herein and in the Notes, except the Trustee's certificate of
authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee
and any Authenticating Agent assume no responsibility for their correctness. The
Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this
Indenture or of the Notes. The Trustee and any Authenticating Agent shall not be
accountable for the use or application by the Company of Notes or the proceeds
thereof.
SECTION 605. May Hold Notes. The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying
Agent, any Note Registrar or any other agent of the Company, in its individual
or any other capacity,
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may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and, subject to Sections 608 and 613,
may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it
were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Note Registrar or such
other agent.
SECTION 606. Money Held in Trust. All monies held by the Trustee or any Paying
Agent shall, until used or applied as provided herein, be held in trust for the
purposes for which they were received. Money held in trust hereunder need not be
segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee or
any Paying Agent shall be under no liability for interest on any money received
by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed with the Company.
SECTION 607. Compensation and Reimbursement.
The Company agrees:
(1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable
compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder (including its services
as Note Registrar or Paying Agent, if so appointed by the Company) as may be
mutually agreed upon in writing by the Company and the Trustee (which
compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the
compensation of a trustee of an express trust);
(2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to
reimburse the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee upon its request for all
reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by or on behalf
of it in connection with the performance of its duties under any provision of
this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and
disbursements of its agents and counsel and all other persons not regularly in
its employ) except to the extent any such expense, disbursement or advance may
be attributable to its negligence or bad faith; and
(3) to indemnify the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee
(each an "indemnitee") for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability
or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out of
or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this Indenture or the
trusts hereunder and its duties hereunder (including its services as Note
Registrar or Paying Agent, if so appointed by the Company), including
enforcement of this Section 607 and including the costs and expenses of
defending itself against or investigating any claim or liability in connection
with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. The
Company shall defend any claim or threatened claim asserted against an
indemnitee for which it may seek indemnity, and the indemnitee shall cooperate
in the defense unless, in the reasonable opinion of the indemnitee's counsel,
the indemnitee has an interest adverse to the Company or a potential conflict of
interest exists between the indemnitee and the Company, in which case the
indemnitee may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the reasonable
fees and expenses of such counsel; provided that the Company shall only be
responsible for the reasonable fees and expenses of one law firm (in addition to
local counsel) in any one action or separate substantially similar actions in
the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or
circumstances, such law firm to be designated by the indemnitee.
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As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under
this Section 607, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Notes upon all
property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held
in trust for the benefit of the Holders of particular Notes, and the Notes are
hereby subordinated to such prior lien. The obligations of the Company under
this Section to compensate and indemnify the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee
and to pay or reimburse the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee for expenses,
disbursements and advances, and any other amounts due the Trustee or any
predecessor Trustee under Section 607, shall constitute an additional obligation
hereunder and shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.
When the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee incurs expenses or renders
services in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder
(including its services as Note Registrar or Paying Agent, if so appointed by
the Company) after an Event of Default specified in Section 501(7) or (8)
occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to
constitute expenses of administration under any applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency or other similar federal or state law to the extent provided in
Section 503(b)(5) of Title 11 of the United States Code, as now or hereafter in
effect.
SECTION 608. Disqualification; Conflicting Interests. If the Trustee has or
shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture
Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent
and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust
Indenture Act and this Indenture.
SECTION 609. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility. There shall at all times
be a Trustee hereunder which shall be a Person that (i) is eligible pursuant to
the Trust Indenture Act to act as such, (ii) has (or, in the case of a
corporation included in a bank holding company system, whose related bank
holding company has) a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 and
(iii) has an office where it provides corporate trust services, or at which it
is authorized to receive notices hereunder, in Atlanta, Georgia, or a designated
agent. If such Person publishes reports of conditions at least annually,
pursuant to law or to the requirements of a Federal or state supervising or
examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital
and surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and
surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at
any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the
provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with
the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.
SECTION 610. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.
(a) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a
successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the
acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the
applicable requirements of Section 611.
(b) The Trustee may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof
to the Company. If an instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required
by Section 611 shall
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not have been delivered to the resigning Trustee within 30 days after the giving
of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of
competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
(c) The Trustee may be removed at any time by an Act of the Holders of
a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Notes delivered to the Trustee
and to the Company.
(d) If at any time:
(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 608 after
written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona
fide Holder of a Note for the last six months, or
(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 609
and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any
such Holder, or
(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be
adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver of the Trustee or of its
property shall be appointed, or any public officer shall take charge or control
of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation,
conservation or liquidation, then, in any such case, (i) the Company by a Board
Resolution may remove the Trustee, or (ii) subject to Section 514, any Holder
who has been a bona fide Holder of a Note for at least six months may, on behalf
of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent
jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor
Trustee.
(e) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of
acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, the
Company, by a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee and
such successor Trustee shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section
611. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the
occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee shall be appointed by Act of the
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Notes delivered to
the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall,
forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the
applicable requirements of Section 611 become the successor Trustee and
supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor
Trustee shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders and accepted
appointment in the manner required by Section 611, any Holder who has been a
bona fide Holder of a Note for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and
all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for
the appointment of a successor Trustee.
(f) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal
of the Trustee and each appointment of a successor Trustee to all Holders in the
manner provided in Section 106. Each notice shall include the name of the
successor Trustee and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.
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SECTION 611. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.
Every successor Trustee appointed hereunder shall execute, acknowledge
and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting
such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring
Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further
act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts
and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on request of the Company or the
successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges,
execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the
rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign,
transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by
such retiring Trustee hereunder. Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the
Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly
vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and
trusts.
No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of
such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under
this Article.
SECTION 612. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business. Any
corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it
may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or
consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation
succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the
Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such
corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article,
without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of
any of the parties hereto. In case any Notes shall have been authenticated, but
not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger,
conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such
authentication and deliver the Notes so authenticated with the same effect as if
such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Notes.
SECTION 613. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company. If and when the
Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Company (or any other obligor upon
the Notes), the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of the Trust
Indenture Act regarding the collection of claims against the Company (or any
such other obligor).
SECTION 614. Appointment of Authenticating Agent.
The Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents acceptable to
and at the expense of the Company which shall be authorized to act on behalf of
the Trustee to authenticate Notes issued upon original issue and upon exchange,
registration of transfer, partial conversion or partial redemption or pursuant
to Section 306, and Notes so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of
this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if
authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this
Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Notes by the Trustee or the
Trustee's certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to
include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an
Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of
the Trustee by an Authenticating
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Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall at
all times be a Person organized and doing business under the laws of the United
States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized
under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and
surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination
by Federal or State authority. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of
condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said
supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the
combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be
its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of
condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be
eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating
Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in
this Section.
Any Person into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or
converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any
merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be
a party, or any Person succeeding to the corporate agency or corporate trust
business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating
Agent, provided such Person shall be otherwise eligible under this Section,
without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of
the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.
An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice
thereof to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate
the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such
Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of
resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such
Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the
provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating
Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall mail notice of such
appointment by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to all Holders as their names
and addresses appear in the Note Register. Any successor Authenticating Agent
upon acceptance of its appointment under this Section shall become vested with
all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect
as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating
Agent shall be appointed unless eligible to act as such under the provisions of
this Section.
Any Authenticating Agent by the acceptance of its appointment shall be
deemed to have represented to the Trustee that it is eligible for appointment as
Authenticating Agent under this Section and to have agreed with the Trustee
that: it will perform and carry out the duties of an Authenticating Agent as
herein set forth, including among other things the duties to authenticate Notes
when presented to it in connection with the original issuance and with
exchanges, registrations of transfer or redemptions or conversions thereof or
pursuant to Section 306; it will keep and maintain, and furnish to the Trustee
from time to time as requested by the Trustee, appropriate records of all
transactions carried out by it as Authenticating Agent and will furnish the
Trustee such other information and reports as the Trustee may reasonably
require; and it will notify the Trustee promptly if it shall cease to be
eligible to act as Authenticating Agent in accordance with the provisions of
this Section . Any Authenticating Agent by the acceptance of its appointment
shall be deemed to have agreed with the Trustee to indemnify the Trustee against
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any loss, liability or expense incurred by the Trustee and to defend any claim
asserted against the Trustee by reason of any acts or failures to act of such
Authenticating Agent, but such Authenticating Agent shall have no liability for
any action taken by it in accordance with the specific written direction of the
Trustee.
The Trustee shall not be liable for any act or any failure of the
Authenticating Agent to perform any duty either required herein or authorized
herein to be performed by such person in accordance with this Indenture.
The Company agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to
time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section.
If an appointment is made pursuant to this Section, the Notes may have
endorsed thereon, in addition to the Trustee's certificate of authentication, an
alternative certificate of authentication in the following form:
This is one of the Notes described in the within-mentioned Indenture.
FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK,
--------------------------
As Trustee
By
---------------------------------
As Authenticating Agent
By
---------------------------------
Authorized Officer
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ARTICLE SEVEN
Holders' Lists and Reports by Trustee and Company
SECTION 701. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.
The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee (a)
semi-annually, not more than 15 days after each Regular Record Date, a list, in
such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of
the Holders as of such Regular Record Date, and (b) at such other times as the
Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company
of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more
than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as the Trustee is the Note
Registrar, no such list shall be required to be furnished.
SECTION 702. Preservation of Information; Communication to Holders.
(a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably
practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent
list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 701 and the names and
addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Note Registrar.
The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 701 upon
receipt of a new list so furnished.
(b) The rights of Holders to communicate with other Holders with
respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Notes, and the
corresponding rights and duties of the Trustee, shall be as provided by the
Trust Indenture Act.
(c) Every Holder of Notes, by receiving and holding the same, agrees
with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor
any agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of any
disclosure of information as to names and addresses of Holders made pursuant to
the Trust Indenture Act or otherwise in accordance with this Indenture.
SECTION 703. Reports by Trustee.
(a) Not later than 60 days following each April 1, the Trustee shall
transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee and its actions under
this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the
times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto.
(b) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission
to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange or automated
quotation system upon which the Notes are listed or traded, with the Commission
and with the Company. The Company will
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notify the Trustee when the Notes are listed on any stock exchange or automated
quotation system.
SECTION 704. Reports by Company. The Company shall file with the Trustee and the
Commission, and transmit to Holders, such information, documents and other
reports, and such summaries thereof, as may be required pursuant to the Trust
Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant to such Act;
provided, that any such information, documents or reports required to be filed
with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act shall be
filed with the Trustee within 15 days after the same is so required to be filed
with the Commission.
SECTION 705. Rule 144A Information Requirement. The Company will furnish to the
Holders or beneficial holders of the Notes and prospective purchasers of the
Notes designated by the Holders of the Notes, upon their request, information
required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act
until the earlier of (i) the date on which the Notes and the underlying Common
Stock are registered under the Securities Act or (ii) the Resale Restriction
Termination Date.
ARTICLE EIGHT
Consolidation, Merger, Conveyance, Transfer or Lease
SECTION 801. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.
The Company shall not consolidate with or merge into any other Person
or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an
entirety to any Person, and the Company shall not permit any Person to
consolidate with or merge into the Company, unless:
(1) in case the Company shall consolidate with or merge into
another Person or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its
properties and assets to any Person, the Person formed by such consolidation or
into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or
transfer, or which leases, all or substantially all of the properties and assets
of the Company shall be a corporation, limited liability company, partnership or
trust, shall be organized and validly existing under the laws of the United
States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and shall
expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to
the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment
of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on all the Notes and the
performance or observance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of the
Company to be performed or observed and shall have provided for conversion
rights in accordance with Section 1311;
(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no
Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both,
would become an Event of Default, shall have happened and be continuing;
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(3) such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease
does not adversely affect the validity or enforceability of the Notes; and
(4) the Company or the successor Person has delivered to the
Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that
such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a supplemental
indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental
indenture comply with this Article and that all conditions precedent herein
provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.
SECTION 802. Successor Substituted. Upon any consolidation of the Company with,
or merger of the Company into, any other Person or any conveyance, transfer or
lease of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company in
accordance with Section 801, the successor Person formed by such consolidation
or into which the Company is merged or to which such conveyance, transfer or
lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every
right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if
such successor Person had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter,
except in the case of a transfer by lease, the predecessor Person shall be
relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Notes.
ARTICLE NINE
Supplemental Indentures
SECTION 901. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.
Without the consent of any Holders, the Company, when authorized by a
Board Resolution and the provisions hereunder, at any time and from time to
time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form
satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:
(1) to cause this Indenture to be qualified under the Trust
Indenture Act; or
(2) to evidence the succession of another Person to the
Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company
herein and in the Notes; or
(3) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of
the Holders or an additional Event of Default, or to surrender any right or
power conferred herein or in the Notes upon the Company provided that in respect
of any such additional covenant or Event of Default, such supplemental indenture
may provide for a larger or shorter period of grace after default or may limit
the remedies available to the Trustee upon such default from those that would
otherwise be applicable; or
(4) to secure the Notes; or
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(5) to make provision with respect to the conversion rights of
Holders pursuant to the requirements of Section 1311; or
(6) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment
hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Notes; or
(7) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any
provision herein or in the Notes which may be defective or inconsistent with any
other provision herein or in the Notes, or to make any other provisions with
respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture which shall not be
inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture; provided, that such action
pursuant to this Clause (7) shall not adversely affect the interests of the
Holders in any material respect and the Trustee may rely upon an Opinion of
Counsel to that effect.
SECTION 902. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.
With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in
principal amount of the Outstanding Notes, by Act of said Holders delivered to
the Company and the Trustee, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution,
and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto
for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or
eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any
manner the rights of the Holders under this Indenture; provided, however, that
no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each
Outstanding Note affected thereby,
(1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any
installment of interest on, any Note, or reduce the principal amount thereof or
the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof,
or change the place of payment where, or the coin or currency in which, any Note
or any premium or interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute
suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity
thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date), or
adversely affect the right to convert any Note as provided in Article Thirteen
(except as permitted by Section 901(5)), or modify the provisions of Article
Fourteen, or the provisions of this Indenture with respect to the subordination
of the Notes, in a manner adverse to the Holders, or
(2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the
Outstanding Notes, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such
supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any
waiver of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain
defaults hereunder and their consequences provided for in this Indenture, or
(3) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 513
or Section 1006, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that
certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without
the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Note affected thereby; provided,
however, that this Clause shall not be deemed to require the consent of any
Holder with respect to changes in the references to "the Trustee" and
concomitant changes in this Section and Section 1006, or the deletion of this
proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Section 901(6).
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It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section to
approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall
be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.
SECTION 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures. In executing, or accepting
the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this
Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture,
the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 601) shall be
fully protected in relying upon, an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of
Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized
or permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to,
enter into any such supplemental indenture which adversely affects the Trustee's
own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
SECTION 904. Effect of Supplemental Indentures. Upon the execution of any
supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in
accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this
Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Notes theretofore or thereafter
authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.
SECTION 905. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act. Every supplemental indenture
executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust
Indenture Act.
SECTION 906. Reference in Notes to Supplemental Indentures. Notes authenticated
and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this
Article may, and shall if required by the Company, bear a notation in form
approved by the Company as to any matter provided for in such supplemental
indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Notes so modified as to
conform, in the opinion of the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may
be prepared and executed by the Company and (at the specific direction of the
Company) authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding
Notes.
SECTION 907. Notice of Supplemental Indenture. Promptly after the execution by
the Company and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to Section
902, the Company shall transmit to the Holders a notice setting forth the
substance of such supplemental indenture.
ARTICLE TEN
Covenants
SECTION 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest. The Company will duly
and punctually pay the principal of and premium, if any, interest, and
liquidated damages, if any, on the Notes in accordance with the terms of the
Notes and this Indenture.
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SECTION 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency.
The Company will maintain in New York, New York an office or agency
where Notes may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Notes may be
surrendered for registration of transfer, where Notes may be surrendered for
exchange or conversion and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in
respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Company will give
prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the
location, of any such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to
maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee
with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands
may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the
Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such
presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other
offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or
all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided,
however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the
Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in New York, New York
for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of
any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such
other office or agency.
SECTION 1003. Money for Note Payments to Be Held in Trust.
If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent, it will,
on or before each due date of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest
on any of the Notes, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons
entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal and premium, if any, or
interest so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or
otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of
its action or failure so to act.
Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents, it will, on
or prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on each due date of the principal
of, and premium, if any, or interest on any Notes, deposit with a Paying Agent a
sum in same day funds sufficient to pay the principal and any premium and
interest so becoming due, such sum to be held as provided by the Trust Indenture
Act, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly
notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.
The Company will cause each Paying Agent other than the Trustee or the
Company to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying
Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section,
that such Paying Agent will (i) comply with the provisions of the Trust
Indenture Act and this Indenture applicable to it as a Paying Agent and hold all
sums held by it for the payment of principal of, or any premium or interest on,
the Notes in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such
sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;
(ii) give the Trustee written notice of any default by the Company (or any other
obligor upon the Notes) in the making of any payment in
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respect of the Notes; and (iii) at any time during the continuance of any
default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Notes) in the making of
any payment in respect of the Notes, upon the written request of the Trustee,
forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums held in trust by such Paying Agent for
payment in respect of the Notes, and account for any funds disbursed.
The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the
satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or
by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in
trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee
upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or
such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee,
such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to
such money.
The Trustee shall not be liable for any act or failure to act of any
Paying Agent (other than the Trustee acting in such capacity) to perform any
duty either required herein or authorized herein to be performed by such person
in accordance with this Indenture.
Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held
by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of and premium, if
any, or interest on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such
principal and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be
paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall
be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter, as
an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and
all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust
money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon
cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being
required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to
be published once, in a newspaper published in the English language, customarily
published on each Business Day and of general circulation in New York, New York,
notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified
therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication,
any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the
Company.
SECTION 1004. Statement by Officers as to Default. The Company will deliver to
the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company
ending after the date hereof, an Officers' Certificate stating whether or not to
the best knowledge of the signers thereof the Company is in default in the
performance and observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of
this Indenture (without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice
provided hereunder) and, if the Company shall be in default, specifying all such
defaults and the nature and status thereof of which they may have knowledge.
SECTION 1005. Existence. Subject to Article Eight, the Company will do or cause
to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect
its existence, rights (charter and statutory) and franchises and the existence,
rights (charter and statutory) and franchises of each Subsidiary; provided,
however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right or
franchise if the Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation
thereof is no longer
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desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and that the loss
thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders.
SECTION 1006. Waiver of Certain Covenants. The Company may omit in any
particular instance to comply with any covenant or condition set forth in
Section 1005, if before the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a
majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Notes shall, by Act of such
Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive
compliance with such covenant or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to
or affect such covenant or condition except to the extent so expressly waived,
and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company
and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such covenant or condition shall
remain in full force and effect.
ARTICLE ELEVEN
Redemption of Notes
SECTION 1101. Right of Redemption. The Notes may be redeemed at the election of
the Company, in whole or from time to time in part, at any time on or after
April 1, 2001, at the Redemption Prices specified in the form of Note
hereinbefore set forth, together with accrued and unpaid interest and liquidated
damages, if any, up to but not including the Redemption Date.
SECTION 1102. Applicability of Article. Redemption of Notes at the election of
the Company as permitted by any provision of this Indenture shall be made in
accordance with such provision and this Article.
SECTION 1103. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee. The election of the Company
to redeem any Notes pursuant to Section 1101 shall be evidenced by a Board
Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of less
than all the Notes, the Company shall, at least 60 days prior to the Redemption
Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the
Trustee), notify the Trustee in writing of such Redemption Date and of the
principal amount of Notes to be redeemed. In case of any redemption at the
election of the Company of all of the Notes, the Company shall, at least 45 days
prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter period shall
be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee in writing of such
Redemption Date.
SECTION 1104. Selection by Trustee of Notes to be Redeemed.
If less than all the Notes are to be redeemed, the particular Notes to
be redeemed shall be selected not more than 45 days prior to the Redemption Date
by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption,
by lot.
If any Note selected for partial redemption is converted in part before
termination of the conversion right with respect to the portion of the Note so
selected, the converted portion of such Note shall be deemed (so far as may be)
to be the portion selected for redemption. Notes which have been converted
during a selection of Notes to be redeemed shall be treated by the Trustee as
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Outstanding for the purpose of such selection. In any case where more than one
Note is registered in the same name, the Trustee in its discretion may treat the
aggregate principal amount so registered as if it were represented by one Note.
The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the Note Registrar in
writing of the Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Notes
selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.
For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise
requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Notes shall relate, in
the case of any Notes redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of
the principal amount of such Notes which has been or is to be redeemed.
SECTION 1105. Notice of Redemption.
Notice of redemption shall be given by first-class mail, postage
prepaid, mailed not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption
Date, to the Trustee and to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed, at his address
appearing in the Note Register.
All notices of redemption shall state:
(a) the Redemption Date,
(b) the Redemption Price,
(c) if less than all the Outstanding Notes are to be redeemed, the
identification (and, in the case of partial redemption of any Notes, the
principal amounts) of the particular Notes to be redeemed,
(d) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become due
and payable upon each such Note to be redeemed and that (unless the Company
shall default in payment of the Redemption Price) interest thereon will cease to
accrue on and after said date,
(e) the conversion price, the date on which the right to convert the
Notes to be redeemed will terminate (which right shall extend at least until two
business days prior to the Redemption Date) and the place or places where such
Notes may be surrendered for conversion, and
(f) the place or places where such Notes are to be surrendered for
payment of the Redemption Price.
Notice of redemption of Notes to be redeemed at the election of the
Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company's request received by
the Trustee at least 30 days prior to the Redemption Date, by the Trustee in the
name and at the expense of the Company.
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SECTION 1106. Deposit of Redemption Price.
At or prior to 9:00 a.m. (New York City time) on any Redemption Date,
the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the
Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as
provided in Section 1003) an amount of money in same day funds sufficient to pay
the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest
Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Notes or portions thereof which are
to be redeemed on that date other than any Notes or portions thereof called for
redemption on that date which have been delivered by the Company to the Trustee
for cancellation or converted prior to the date of such deposit.
If any Note called for redemption is converted, any money deposited
with the Trustee or with any Paying Agent or so segregated and held in trust for
the redemption of such Note shall (subject to any right of the Holder of such
Note or any Predecessor Note to receive interest as provided in the last
paragraph of Section 307) be paid to the Company upon Company Request or, if
then held by the Company, shall be discharged from such trust.
SECTION 1107. Notes Payable on Redemption Date.
Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Notes so to be
redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption
Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the Company shall
default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest) such Notes
shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Note for redemption in
accordance with said notice, such Note shall be paid by the Company at the
Redemption Price, together with accrued interest to the Redemption Date;
provided, however, that installments of interest whose Maturity is on or prior
to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Notes, or one or
more Predecessor Notes, registered as such at the close of business on the
relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section
307.
If any Note called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender
thereof for redemption, the principal and premium, if any, shall, until paid,
bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate borne by the Note.
SECTION 1108. Notes Redeemed in Part. Any Note which is to be redeemed only in
part shall be surrendered at an office or agency of the Company maintained for
that purpose pursuant to Section 1002 (with, if the Company or the Trustee so
requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form
satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof
or his attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute, and
the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Note without
service charge, a new Note or Notes, of any authorized denomination as requested
by such Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the
unredeemed portion of the principal of the Note so surrendered.
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ARTICLE TWELVE
Subordination of Notes
SECTION 1201. Notes Subordinated to Senior Indebtedness. The Company covenants
and agrees, and each Holder of a Note, by his acceptance thereof, likewise
covenants and agrees, that, at all times and in all respects, the indebtedness
represented by the Notes and the payment of the principal of and premium, if
any, interest and liquidated damages, if any, on each and all of the Notes are
hereby expressly made subordinate and subject in right of payment to the prior
payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness.
SECTION 1202. Payment Over of Proceeds Upon Dissolution, Etc.
In the event of (a) any insolvency or bankruptcy case or proceeding, or
any receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar case or
proceeding, relative to the Company or to its creditors, as such, or to a
substantial part of its assets, or (b) any proceeding for the liquidation,
dissolution or other winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary
and whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy, or (c) any general
assignment for the benefits of creditors or any other marshalling of assets and
liabilities of the Company, then and in any such event the holders of Senior
Indebtedness shall be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due or
to become due on or in respect of all Senior Indebtedness; or provision shall be
made for such payment in money or money's worth, before the Holders of the Notes
are entitled to receive any payment or distribution of any kind or character,
whether in cash, property or securities, on account of principal of or premium,
if any, or interest on the Notes, and to that end the holders of Senior
Indebtedness shall be entitled to receive, for application to the payment
thereof, any payment or distribution of any kind or character, whether in cash,
property or securities, including any such payment or distribution which may be
payable or deliverable by reason of the payment of any other indebtedness of the
Company being subordinated to the payment of the Notes, which may be payable or
deliverable in respect of the Notes in any such case, proceeding, dissolution,
liquidation or other winding up or event.
In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this
Section, the Trustee or the Holder of any Note shall have received any payment
or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in
cash, property or securities, including any such payment or distribution which
may be payable or deliverable by reason of the payment of any other indebtedness
of the Company being subordinated to the payment of the Notes, before all Senior
Indebtedness is paid in full or payment thereof provided for, and if such fact
shall, at or prior to the time of such payment or distribution, have been made
known to the Trustee or such Holder, as the case may be, then and in such event
such payment or distribution shall be paid over or delivered forthwith to the
trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, liquidating trustee, custodian, assignee, agent
or other Person making payment or distribution of assets of the Company for
application to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid, to the
extent necessary to pay all Senior Indebtedness in full, after giving effect to
any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of Senior
Indebtedness.
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For purposes of this Article only, the words "cash, property or
securities" shall not be deemed to include securities of the Company as
reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Company or any other corporation
provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment, which are subordinated
in right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness which may at the time be
outstanding to substantially the same extent as, or to a greater extent than,
the Notes are so subordinated as provided in this Article. The consolidation of
the Company with, or the merger of the Company into, another Person or the
liquidation or dissolution of the Company following the conveyance or transfer
of its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to another Person upon
the terms and conditions set forth in Article Eight shall not be deemed a
dissolution, winding up, liquidation, reorganization, general assignment for the
benefit of creditors or marshalling of assets and liabilities of the Company for
the purposes of this Section if the Person formed by such consolidation or into
which the Company is merged or which acquires by conveyance or transfer such
properties and assets substantially as an entirety, as the case may be, shall,
as a part of such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer, comply with the
conditions set forth in Article Eight.
SECTION 1203. Prior Payment to Senior Indebtedness upon Acceleration of Notes.
In the event that any Notes are declared due and payable before their
Stated Maturity, then and in such event the holders of Senior Indebtedness
outstanding at the time such Notes so become due and payable shall be entitled
to receive payment in full of all amounts due on or in respect of such Senior
Indebtedness, or provision shall be made for such payment in money or money's
worth, before the Holders of the Notes are entitled to receive any payment
(including any payment which may be payable by reason of the payment of any
other indebtedness of the Company being subordinated to the payment of the
Notes) by the Company on account of the principal of or premium, if any,
interest, or liquidated damages, if any, on the Notes or on account of the
purchase or other acquisition of Notes.
In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall
make any payment to the Trustee or the Holder of any Note prohibited by the
foregoing provisions of this Section, and if such fact shall, at or prior to the
time of such payment, have been made known to the Trustee or such Holder, as the
case may be, then and in such event such payment shall be paid over the
delivered forthwith to the Company.
The provisions of this Section shall not apply to any payment with
respect to which Section 1202 would be applicable.
SECTION 1204. Payment When Designated Senior Indebtedness in Default.
No payment shall be made with respect to the principal of, or premium,
if any, interest or liquidated damages, if any, on any Note (including, but not
limited to, the Redemption Price or the Repurchase Price with respect to the
Note to be called for redemption in accordance with Article 11 or submitted for
repurchase in accordance with Article 14, as the case may be, as provided in
this Agreement), except payments and distributions made by the Trustee as
permitted by Section 1210, if:
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(a) a default in the payment of principal, premium, interest, rent or
other obligations due on any Designated Senior Indebtedness occurs and is
continuing (or, in the case of Senior Indebtedness occurs and is continuing or,
in the case of Designated Senior Indebtedness for which there is a period of
grace, in the event of such a default that continues beyond the period of grace,
if any, specified in the instrument or lease evidencing such Designated Senior
Indebtedness), unless and until such default shall have been cured or waived or
shall have ceased to exist (a "Payment Default"); or
(b) a default, other than a Payment Default, on any Designated Senior
Indebtedness occurs and is continuing that then permits holders of such
Designated Senior Indebtedness to accelerate its maturity (a "Nonpayment
Default") and the Trustee receives a notice of default (a "Payment Blockage
Notice"') from a person who may give it pursuant to Section 1210 hereof.
If the Trustee receives any Payment Blockage Notice pursuant to Clause
(b) above, no subsequent Payment Blockage Notice shall be effective for purposes
of this Section unless and until (1) at least 365 days shall have elapsed since
the effectiveness of the immediately prior Payment Blockage Notice, and (2) all
scheduled payments of principal, premium, interest and liquidated damages, if
any, on the Notes that have come due have been paid in full in cash. No
Nonpayment Default that existed or was continuing on the date of delivery of any
Payment Blockage Notice to the Trustee shall be, or be made, the basis for a
subsequent Payment Blockage Notice.
The Company may and shall resume payments on and distributions in
respect of the Notes upon the earlier of:
(x) the date upon which the default is cured or waived;
(y) the date the applicable Payment Blockage Notice is
retracted by written notice to the Trustee from a
representative of the holders of the Designated
Senior Indebtedness which have given the Payment
Blockage Notice; or
(z) in the case of a default referred to in Clause (b)
above, 179 days pass after notice is received if
the maturity of such Designated Senior Indebtedness
has not been accelerated, unless this Article 12
otherwise prohibits the payment or distribution at
the time of such payment or distribution.
In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall
make any payment to the Trustee or the Holder of any Note prohibited by the
foregoing provisions of this Section, and if such fact shall, at or prior to the
time of such payment, have been made known to the Trustee or such Holder, as the
case may be, then and in such event such payment shall be paid over and
delivered forthwith to the Company.
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The provisions of this Section shall not apply to any payment with
respect to which Section 1202 would be applicable.
SECTION 1205. Payment Permitted If No Default. Nothing contained in this Article
or elsewhere in this Indenture or in any of the Notes shall prevent (a) the
Company, at any time except during the pendency of any case, proceeding,
dissolution, liquidation or other winding up, general assignment for the benefit
of creditors or other marshalling of assets and liabilities of the Company
referred to in Section 1202 or under the conditions described in Section 1203 or
1204, from making payments at any time of principal of and premium, interest or
liquidated damages, if any, on the Notes, or (b) the application by the Trustee
of any money deposited with it hereunder to the payment of or on account of the
principal of and premium, if any, or interest on the Notes or the retention of
such payment by the Holders, if, at the time of such application by the Trustee,
it did not have knowledge that such payment would have been prohibited by the
provisions of this Article.
SECTION 1206. Subrogation to Rights of Holders of Senior Indebtedness. Subject
to the payment in full of all amounts due on or in respect of Senior
Indebtedness, the Holders of the Notes shall be subrogated to the extent of the
payments or distributions made to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness
pursuant to the provisions of this Article (equally and ratably with the holders
of all indebtedness of the Company which by its express terms is subordinated to
other indebtedness of the Company to substantially the same extent as the Notes
are subordinated and is entitled to like rights of subrogation) to the rights of
the holders of such Senior Indebtedness to receive payments and distributions of
cash, property and securities applicable to the Senior Indebtedness until the
principal of and premium, if any, and Interest on the Notes shall be paid in
full. For purposes of such subrogation, no payments or distributions to the
holders of the Senior Indebtedness of any cash, property or securities to which
the Holders of the Notes or the Trustee would otherwise be entitled except for
the provisions of this Article, and no payments over pursuant to the provisions
of this Article to the holders of Senior Indebtedness by Holders of the Notes or
the Trustee, shall, as among the Company, its creditors other than holders of
Senior Indebtedness and the Holders of the Notes, be deemed to be a payment or
distribution by the Company to or on account of the Senior Indebtedness.
SECTION 1207. Provisions Solely to Define Relative Rights. The provisions of
this Article are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the
relative rights of the Holders of the Notes on the one hand and the holders of
Senior Indebtedness on the other hand. Nothing contained in this Article or
elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Notes is intended to or shall (a) impair,
as among the Company, its creditors other than holders of Senior Indebtedness
and the Holders of the Notes, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute
and unconditional, to pay to the Holders of the Notes the principal of and
premium, if any, and interest on the Notes as and when the same shall become due
and payable in accordance with their terms; or (b) affect the relative rights
against the Company of the Holders of the Notes and creditors of the Company
other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness; or (c) prevent the Trustee or the
Holder of any Note from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by
applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any,
under this Article of the holders of Senior Indebtedness to
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receive cash, property and securities otherwise payable or deliverable to the
Trustee or such Holder.
SECTION 1208. Trustee to Effectuate Subordination. Each holder of a Note by his
acceptance thereof authorizes and directs the Trustee on his behalf to take such
action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination
provided in this Article and appoints the Trustee his attorney-in-fact for any
and all such purposes.
SECTION 1209. No Waiver of Subordination Provisions.
No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness to
enforce subordination as herein provided shall at any time in any way be
prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company
or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any
noncompliance by the Company with the terms, provisions and covenants of this
Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof any such holder may have or be
otherwise charged with.
Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing paragraph,
the holders of Senior Indebtedness may, at any time and from time to time,
without the consent of or notice to the Trustee or the Holders of the Notes,
without incurring responsibility to the Holders of the Notes and without
impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Article or the
obligations hereunder of the Holders of the Notes to the holders of Senior
Indebtedness, do any one or more of the following: (i) change the manner, place
or terms of payment or extend the time of payment of, or renew or alter, Senior
Indebtedness, or otherwise amend or supplement in any manner Senior Indebtedness
or any instrument evidencing the same or any agreement under which Senior
Indebtedness is outstanding; (ii) sell, exchange, release or otherwise deal with
any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing Senior Indebtedness; (iii)
release any Person liable in any manner for the collection of Senior
Indebtedness; and (iv) exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against
the Company and any other Person.
SECTION 1210. Notice to Trustee.
The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any fact
known to the Company which would prohibit the making of any payment to or by the
Trustee in respect of the Notes. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article
or any other provision of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be charged with
knowledge of the existence of any facts which would prohibit the making of any
payment to or by the Trustee in respect of the Notes, unless and until the
Trustee shall have received written notice thereof from the Company or a holder
of Senior Indebtedness or from any trustee therefor; and, prior to the receipt
of any such written notice, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section
601, shall be entitled in all respects to assume that no such facts exist;
provided, however, that if the Trustee shall not have received the notice
provided for in this Section at least four Business Days prior to the date upon
which by the terms hereof any money may become payable for any purpose
(including, without limitation, the payment of the principal of and premium, if
any, or interest on any Note), then, anything herein contained to the contrary
notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to
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receive such money and to apply the same to the purpose for which such money was
received and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary which may be
received by it within four Business Days prior to such date.
Subject to the provisions of Section 601, the Trustee shall be entitled
to rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing
himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness (or a trustee therefor) to
establish that such notice has been given by a holder of Senior Indebtedness (or
a trustee therefor). In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that
further evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder
of Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to
this Article, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the
reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Indebtedness
held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate
in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of
such Person under this Article, and if such evidence is not furnished, the
Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as
to the right of such Person to receive such payment.
SECTION 1211. Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent.
Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this
Article, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 601, and the Holders
of the Notes shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree entered by any
court of competent jurisdiction in which such insolvency, bankruptcy,
receivership, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution, winding up or similar
case or proceeding is pending, or a certificate of the trustee in bankruptcy,
receiver, liquidating trustee, custodian, assignee for the benefit of creditors,
agent or other person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the
Trustee or to the Holders of Notes, for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons
entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of the
Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or
payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other
facts pertinent thereto or to this Article.
SECTION 1212. Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Indebtedness. The
Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior
Indebtedness and shall not be liable to any such holders if it shall in good
faith mistakenly pay over or distribute to Holders of Notes or to the Company or
to any other Person cash, property or securities to which holders of Senior
Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article or otherwise. With
respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, the Trustee undertakes to perform
or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are specifically set
forth in this Article, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to
the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be read into this Article against the
Trustee.
SECTION 1213. Rights of Trustee as Holder of Senior Indebtedness; Preservation
of Trustee's Rights.
The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the
rights set forth in this Article with respect to any Senior Indebtedness which
may at any time be held by it, to the same
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extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness, and nothing in this Indenture
shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder.
Nothing in this Article shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the
Trustee under or pursuant to Section 607.
SECTION 1214. Article Applicable to Paying Agents. In case at any time any
Paying Agent other than the Trustee shall have been appointed by the Company and
be then acting hereunder, the term "Trustee" as used in this Article shall in
such case (unless the context otherwise requires) be construed as extending to
and including such Paying Agent within its meaning as fully for all intents and
purposes as if such Paying Agent were named in this Article in addition to or in
place of the Trustee; provided, however, that Section 1213 shall not apply to
the Company or any Affiliate of the Company if it or such Affiliate acts as
Paying Agent.
SECTION 1215. Certain Conversions Deemed Payment. For the purposes of this
Article only, (l) the issuance and delivery of junior securities upon conversion
of Notes in accordance with Article Thirteen shall not be deemed to constitute a
payment or distribution on account of the principal of or premium or interest on
Notes or on account of the purchase or other acquisition of Notes, and (2) the
payment, issuance or delivery of cash, property or securities (other than junior
securities) upon conversion of a Note shall be deemed to constitute payment on
account of the principal of such Note. For the purposes of this Section, the
term "junior securities" means (a) shares of any class of capital stock of the
Company and (b) any other securities of the Company which are subordinated in
right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness which may be outstanding at the time
of issuance or delivery of such securities to substantially the same extent as,
or to a greater extent than, the Notes are so subordinated as provided in this
Article. Nothing contained in this Article or elsewhere in this Indenture or in
the Notes is intended to or shall impair, as among the Company, its creditors
other than holders of Senior Indebtedness and the Holders of the Notes, the
right, which is absolute and unconditional, of the Holder of any Note to convert
such Note in accordance with Article Thirteen.
SECTION 1216. No Suspension of Remedies. Nothing contained in this Article shall
limit the right of the Trustee or the Holders of the Notes to take any action to
accelerate the maturity of the Notes pursuant to the provisions described under
Article Five and as set forth in this Indenture or to pursue any rights or
remedies hereunder or under applicable law, subject to the rights, if any, under
this Article of the holders, from time to time, of Senior Indebtedness to
receive the cash, property or securities receivable upon the exercise of such
rights or remedies.
ARTICLE THIRTEEN
Conversion of Notes
SECTION 1301. Conversion Privilege and Conversion Price.
Subject to and upon compliance with the provisions of this Article, at
the option of the Holder thereof, any Note or any portion of the principal
amount thereof which equals $1,000 or
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any integral multiple thereof may be converted at any time after the date of
original issuance of Notes under this Indenture at the principal amount thereof,
or of such portion thereof, into fully paid and nonassessable shares (calculated
as to each conversion to the nearest 1/100 of a share) of Common Stock, at the
conversion price, determined as hereinafter provided, in effect at the time of
conversion. Such conversion right shall expire at the close of business on April
1, 2005. In case a Note or portion thereof is called for redemption, such
conversion right in respect of the Note or portion so called shall expire at the
close of business on the second business day next preceding the applicable
Redemption Date, unless the Company defaults in making the payment due upon
redemption.
The price at which shares of Common Stock shall be delivered upon
conversion (herein called the "conversion price") shall be initially $48.20 per
share of Common Stock. The conversion price shall be adjusted in certain
instances as provided in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g) and (i) of
Section 1304.
SECTION 1302. Exercise of Conversion Privilege.
In order to exercise the conversion privilege, the Holder of any Note
shall surrender such Note, duly endorsed or assigned to the Company or in blank,
at any office or agency of the Company maintained pursuant to Section 1002,
accompanied by written notice to the Company in the form provided in the Note
(or such other notice as is acceptable to the Company) at such office or agency
that the Holder elects to convert such Note or, if less than the entire
principal amount thereof is to be converted, the portion thereof to be
converted.
In the case of any Note surrendered for conversion during the period
after the close of business on any Regular Record Date for any Interest Payment
Date to the close of business on the Business Day next preceding the following
Interest Payment Date, interest, the Stated Maturity of which is such Interest
Payment Date, shall be payable on such Interest Payment Date to the Holder of
such Note on such Regular Record Date notwithstanding such conversion. Notes
surrendered for conversion after any Regular Record Date but before the next
Interest Payment Date shall (unless such Note or portion thereof being converted
shall have been called for redemption during the period from the close of
business on such Regular Record Date to the close of business on the second
business day next succeeding the following Interest Payment Date, as described
in the succeeding sentence) be accompanied by payment in funds acceptable to the
Company of an amount equal to the interest payable on such Interest Payment Date
on the principal amount being surrendered for conversion; provided, however,
that no such payment need be made with respect to interest payable on Notes
called for redemption on April 1, 2001. Except as described above, Notes
surrendered for conversion on a date that is not an Interest Payment Date shall
not receive any interest for the period after the Interest Payment Date next
preceding the conversion date to the conversion date or for any later period.
Except as provided above in this Section 1302 and subject to the fourth
paragraph of Section 307, no payment or adjustment shall be made upon any
conversion on account of any interest accrued on the Notes surrendered for
conversion or on account of any dividends on the Common Stock issued upon
conversion.
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Notes shall be deemed to have been converted immediately prior to the
close of business on the day of surrender of such Notes for conversion in
accordance with the foregoing provisions, and at such time the rights of the
Holders of such Notes as Holders shall cease, and the Person or Persons entitled
to receive the Common Stock issuable upon conversion shall be treated for all
purposes of the record holder or holders of such Common Stock as and after such
time. As promptly as practicable on or after the conversion date, the Company
shall issue and shall deliver at such office or agency a certificate or
certificates for the number of full shares of Common Stock issuable upon
conversion, together with payment in lieu of any fraction of a share, as
provided in Section 1303.
In the case of any Note which is converted in part only, upon such
conversion the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver to the Holder thereof, at the expense of the Company, a new Note or
Notes of authorized denominations in aggregate principal amount equal to the
unconverted portion of the principal amount of such Note.
SECTION 1303. Fractions of Shares. No fractional share of Common Stock shall be
issued upon conversion of Notes. If more than one Note shall be surrendered for
conversion at one time by the same Holder, the number of full shares which shall
be issuable upon conversion thereof shall be computed on the basis of the
aggregate principal amount of the Notes (or specified portions thereof) so
surrendered. If any fractional share of stock would be issuable upon the
conversion of any Note or Notes, the Company shall make an adjustment and
payment therefor in cash at the current market value thereof to the holder of
Notes. The current market value of a share of Common Stock shall be the Closing
Price on the first Business Day immediately preceding the day on which the Notes
(or specified portions thereof) are deemed to have been converted.
SECTION 1304. Adjustment of Conversion Price.
(a) In case the Company shall pay or make a dividend or other
distribution on the Common Stock exclusively in Common Stock or shall pay or
make a dividend or other distribution on any other class of capital stock of the
Company which dividend or distribution includes Common Stock, the conversion
price in effect at the opening of business on the day following the date fixed
for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive such dividend or other
distribution shall be reduced by multiplying such conversion price by a fraction
of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
at the close of business on the date fixed for such determination and the
denominator shall be the sum of such number of shares and the total number of
shares constituting such dividend or other distribution, such reduction to
become effective immediately after the opening of business on the day following
the date fixed for such determination. For the purpose of this paragraph (a),
the number of shares of Common Stock at any time outstanding shall not include
shares held in the treasury of the Company. The Company shall not pay any
dividend or make any distribution on shares of Common Stock held in the treasury
of the Company.
(b) Subject to paragraph (h) of this Section, in case the Company shall
pay or make a dividend or other distribution on the Common Stock consisting
exclusively of, or shall otherwise
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issue to all holders of the Common Stock, rights or warrants entitling the
holders thereof to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock (or
securities convertible into Common Stock) at a price per share less than the
Current Market Price (determined as provided in paragraph (i) of this Section)
on the date fixed for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive such
rights or warrants, the conversion price in effect at the opening of business on
the day following the date fixed for such determination shall be reduced by
multiplying such conversion price by a fraction of which the numerator shall be
the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at the close of business on the
date fixed for such determination plus the number of shares of Common Stock
which the aggregate of the offering price of the total number of shares of
Common Stock so offered for subscription or purchase would purchase at such
Current Market Price and the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common
Stock outstanding at the close of business on the date fixed for such
determination plus the number of shares of Common Stock so offered for
subscription or purchase, such reduction to become effective immediately after
the opening of business on the day following the date fixed for such
determination. For the purposes of this paragraph (b), the number of shares of
Common Stock at any time outstanding shall not include shares held in the
treasury of the Company. The Company shall not issue any rights or warrants in
respect of shares of Common Stock held in the treasury of the Company. In
determining whether any rights or warrants entitle the holders to subscribe for
or purchase shares of Common Stock at less than such Current Market Price, and
in determining the aggregate offering price of such shares of Common Stock,
there shall be taken into account any consideration received by the Company for
such rights or warrants, the value of such consideration, if other than cash, to
be determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, whose good faith
determination shall be conclusive and described in a Board Resolution.
(c) In case outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be subdivided into
a greater number of shares of Common Stock, the conversion price in effect at
the opening of business on the day following the day upon which such subdivision
becomes effective shall be proportionately reduced, and, conversely, in case
outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be combined into a smaller number of
shares of Common Stock, the conversion price in effect at the opening of
business on the day following the day upon which such combination becomes
effective shall be proportionately increased, such reduction or increase, as the
case may be, to become effective immediately after the opening of business on
the day following the day upon which subdivision or combination becomes
effective.
(d) Subject to the last sentence of this paragraph (d) and to paragraph
(h) of this Section, in case the Company shall, by dividend or otherwise,
distribute to all holders of the Common Stock evidences of its indebtedness,
shares of any class of its capital stock, cash or other assets (including
securities, but excluding any rights or warrants referred to in paragraph (b) of
this Section, excluding any dividend or distribution in connection with the
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company or paid exclusively in
cash and excluding any dividend or distribution referred to in paragraph (a) of
this Section), the conversion price shall be reduced by multiplying the
conversion price in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the
date fixed for the determination of shareholders entitled to such distribution
by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the Current Market Price
(determined as provided in paragraph (i) of this Section) on such date less the
fair market value (as determined by the Board of
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Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive and described in a Board
Resolution) on such date of the portion of the evidences of indebtedness, shares
of capital stock, cash and other assets to be distributed applicable to one
share of Common Stock and the denominator shall be such Current Market Price,
such reduction to become effective immediately prior to the opening of business
on the day following such date. If the Board of Directors determines the fair
market value of any distribution for purposes of this paragraph (d) by reference
to the actual or when-issued trading market for any securities comprising part
or all of such distribution, it must in doing so consider the prices in such
market over the same period used in computing the Current Market Price pursuant
to paragraph (i) of this Section, to the extent possible. For purposes of this
paragraph (d), any dividend or distribution that includes shares of Common
Stock, rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock or
securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock shall be
deemed to be (x) a dividend or distribution of the evidences of indebtedness,
cash, assets or shares of capital stock other than such shares of Common Stock,
such rights or warrants or such convertible or exchangeable securities (making
any conversion price reduction required by this paragraph (d)) immediately
followed by (y) in the case of such shares of Common Stock or such rights or
warrants, a dividend or distribution thereof (making any further conversion
price reduction required by paragraph (a) and (b) of this Section, except any
shares of Common Stock included in such dividend or distribution shall not be
deemed "outstanding at the close of business on the date fixed for such
determination" within the meaning of paragraph (a) of this Section), or (z) in
the case of such convertible or exchangeable securities, a dividend or
distribution of the number of shares of Common Stock as would then be issuable
upon the conversion or exchange thereof, whether or not the conversion or
exchange of such securities is subject to any conditions (making any further
conversion price reduction required by paragraph (a) of this Section, except the
shares deemed to constitute such dividend or distribution shall not be deemed
"outstanding at the close of business on the date fixed for such determination"
within the meaning of paragraph (a) of this Section).
(e) In case the Company shall, by dividend or otherwise, at any time
distribute to all holders of the Common Stock cash (excluding any cash that is
distributed as part of a distribution referred to in paragraph (d) of this
Section or in connection with a transaction to which Section 1311 applies) in an
aggregate amount that, together with (A) the aggregate amount of any other
distributions to all holders of the Common Stock made exclusively in cash within
the 12 months preceding the date fixed for the determination of shareholders
entitled to such distribution and in respect of which no conversion price
adjustment pursuant to this paragraph (e) has been made previously and (B) the
aggregate of any cash plus the fair market value (as determined by the Board of
Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive and described in a Board
Resolution) as of such date of determination of consideration payable in respect
of any tender offer by the Company or a Subsidiary for all or any portion of the
Common Stock consummated within the 12 months preceding such date of
determination and in respect of which no conversion price adjustment pursuant to
paragraph (f) of this Section has been made previously, exceeds the greater of
(I) 10.0% of the product of the Current Market Price (determined as provided in
paragraph (i) of this Section) on such date of determination times the number of
shares of Common Stock outstanding on such date or (II) the Company's retained
earnings on the date fixed for determining the stockholders entitled to such
distribution, the conversion price shall be
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reduced by multiplying the conversion price in effect immediately prior to the
close of business on such date of determination by a fraction of which the
numerator shall be the Current Market Price (determined as provided in paragraph
(i) of this Section) on such date less the amount of cash to be distributed at
such time applicable to one share of Common Stock and the denominator shall be
such Current Market Price, such reduction to become effective immediately prior
to the opening of business on the day after such date.
(f) In case a tender offer made by the Company or any Subsidiary for
all or any portion of the Common Stock shall be consummated and such tender
offer shall involve an aggregate consideration having a fair market value (as
determined by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive
and described in a Board Resolution) as of the last time (the "Expiration Time")
that tenders may be made pursuant to such tender offer (as it shall have been
amended) that, together with (A) the aggregate of the cash plus the fair market
value (as determined by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be
conclusive and described in a Board Resolution) as of the Expiration Time of the
other consideration paid in respect of any other tender offer by the Company or
a Subsidiary for all or any portion of the Common Stock consummated within the
12 months preceding the Expiration Time and in respect of which no conversion
price adjustment pursuant to this paragraph (f) has been made previously and (B)
the aggregate amount of any distributions to all holders of the Common Stock
made exclusively in cash within the 12 months preceding the Expiration Time and
in respect of which no conversion price adjustment pursuant to paragraph (e) of
this Section has been made previously, exceeds the greater of (I) 10.0% of the
product of the Current Market Price (determined as provided in paragraph (i) of
this Section) immediately prior to the Expiration Time times the number of
shares of Common Stock outstanding (including any tendered shares) at the
Expiration Time or (II) the Company's retained earnings as of the Expiration
Time, the conversion price shall be reduced by multiplying the conversion price
in effect immediately prior to the Expiration Time by a fraction of which the
numerator shall be (x) the product of the Current Market Price (determined as
provided in paragraph (i) of this Section) immediately prior to the Expiration
Time times the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding (including any
tendered shares at the Expiration Time minus (y) the fair market value
(determined as aforesaid) of the aggregate consideration payable to shareholders
upon consummation of such tender offer and the denominator shall be the product
of (A) such Current Market Price times (B) such number of outstanding shares at
the Expiration Time minus the number of shares accepted for payment in such
tender offer (the "Purchased Shares"), such reduction to become effective
immediately prior to the opening of business on the day following the Expiration
Time; provided, that if the number of Purchased Shares or the aggregate
consideration payable therefor have not been finally determined by such opening
of business, the adjustment required by this paragraph (f) shall, pending such
final determination, be made based upon the preliminarily announced results of
such tender offer, and, after such final determination shall have been made, the
adjustment required by this paragraph (f) shall be made based upon the number of
Purchased Shares and the aggregate consideration payable therefor as so finally
determined.
(g) In case a tender offer or exchange offer made by a Person other
than the Company or any Subsidiary, which offer is not recommended for rejection
by the Company's Board of Directors, shall be consummated with respect to such
number of shares of Common Stock which,
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as of the closing date of such tender offer or exchange offer, as amended,
increases the acquiring Person's ownership of Common Stock to more than 25% of
the total shares of Common Stock outstanding and if the cash and fair market
value (as determined by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be
conclusive and described in a Board Resolution) of any other consideration
included in such payment per share of Common Stock exceeds the current market
price per share of Common Stock on the Business Day next succeeding the last
date on which tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to such tender offer or
exchange offer, the conversion price shall be reduced by multiplying the
conversion price in effect immediately prior to the closing of such offer by a
fraction of which the numerator shall be (x) the product of the current market
price (determined as described above in this paragraph (g)) times the number of
shares of Common Stock outstanding (including any tendered or exchanged shares
at the closing) minus (y) the fair market value (determined as aforesaid) of the
aggregate consideration payable to shareholders upon the consummation of such
offer and the denominator shall be the product of (A) the current market price
(as determined above) times (B) such number of outstanding shares at the closing
minus the number of shares accepted for payment in such tender offer or exchange
offer, such reduction to become effective immediately prior to the opening of
business on the day following the closing; provided, that if the number of
shares tendered or exchanged or the aggregate consideration payable therefor has
not been finally determined by such opening of business, the adjustment required
by this paragraph shall, pending such final determination, be made based upon
the preliminarily announced results of such tender or exchange offer, and, after
such final determination shall have been made, the adjustment required by this
paragraph shall be made based upon the number of shares tendered or exchanged
and the aggregate consideration payable therefor as so finally determined. The
adjustment referred to in the paragraph will generally not be made, however, if,
as of the closing of such tender offer or exchange offer, the offering documents
with respect to such offer disclose a plan or an intention to cause the Company
to engage in a consolidation or merger of the Company, or a sale of all or
substantially all of the Company's assets.
(h) The reclassification of Common Stock into securities which include
securities other than Common Stock (other than any reclassification upon a
consolidation or merger to which Section 1311 applies) shall be deemed to
involve (i) a distribution of such securities other than Common Stock to all
holders of Common Stock (and the effective date of such reclassification shall
be deemed to be "the date fixed for the determination of shareholders entitled
to such distribution" within the meaning of paragraph (d) of this Section), and
(ii) a subdivision or combination, as the case may be, of the number of shares
of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to such reclassification into the
number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately thereafter (and the
effective date of such reclassification shall be deemed to be "the day upon
which such subdivision becomes effective" or "the day upon which such
combination becomes effective," as the case may be, and "the day upon which such
subdivision or combination becomes effective" within the meaning of paragraph
(c) of this Section).
Rights or warrants issued by the Company to all holders of the Common
Stock entitling the holders thereof to subscribe for or purchase shares of
Common Stock (either initially or under certain circumstances), which rights or
warrants (i) are deemed to be transferred with such shares
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of Common Stock, (ii) are not exercisable and (iii) are also issued in respect
of future issuances of Common Stock, in each case in Clauses (i) through (iii)
until the occurrence of a specified event or events ("Trigger Event"), shall for
purposes of this Section 1304 not be deemed issued or distributed until the
occurrence of the earliest Trigger Event, whereupon such rights and warrants
shall be deemed to have been distributed and an appropriate adjustment (if any
is required) to the conversion price shall be made under this Section 1304. If
any such rights or warrants, including any such existing rights or warrants
distributed prior to the date of this Indenture are subject to subsequent
events, upon the occurrence of each of which such rights or warrants shall
become exercisable to purchase different securities, evidences of indebtedness
or other assets, then the occurrence of each such event shall be deemed to be
such date of issuance and record date with respect to new rights or warrants
(and a termination or expiration of the existing rights or warrants without
exercise by the holder thereof). In addition, in the event of any distribution
(or deemed distribution) of rights or warrants, or any Trigger Event with
respect thereto, that was counted for purposes of calculating a distribution
amount for which an adjustment to the conversion price under this Section 1304
was made, (1) in the case of any such rights or warrant which shall all have
been redeemed or repurchased without exercise by any holders thereof, the
conversion price shall be readjusted upon such final redemption or repurchase to
give effect to such distribution or Trigger Event, as the case may be, as though
it were a cash distribution, equal to the per share redemption or repurchase
price received by a holder or holders of Common Stock with respect to such
rights or warrants (assuming such holder had retained such rights or warrants),
made to all holders of Common Stock as of the date of such redemption or
repurchase, and (2) in the case of such rights or warrants which shall have
expired or been terminated without exercise by any holders thereof, the
conversion price shall be readjusted as if such rights and warrants had not been
issued.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 1304 to the
contrary, rights, warrants, evidences of indebtedness, other securities, cash or
other assets (including, without limitation, any rights distributed pursuant to
any stockholder rights plan) shall be deemed not to have been distributed for
purposes of this Section 1304 if the Company makes proper provision so that each
holder of Notes who converts a Note (or any portion thereof) after the date
fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to receive such distribution
shall be entitled to receive upon such conversion, in addition to the shares of
Common Stock issuable upon such conversions, the amount and kind of such
distributions that such holder would have been entitled to receive if such
holder had, immediately prior to such determination date, converted such Note
into Common Stock.
(i) For the purpose of any computation under this paragraph and
paragraphs (b), (d) and (e) of this Section, the current market price per share
of Common Stock (the "Current Market Price") on any date shall be deemed to be
the average of the daily Closing Prices for the 10 consecutive Trading Days
immediately prior to the date in question; provided, however, that (i) if the
"ex" date for any event (other than the issuance or distribution requiring such
computation) that requires an adjustment to the conversion price pursuant to
paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f) above occurs during such 10 consecutive
Trading Days, the Closing Price for each Trading Day prior to the "ex" date for
such other event shall be adjusted by multiplying such Closing Price by the same
fraction by which the conversion price is so required to be adjusted as a result
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of such other event, (ii) if the "ex" date for any event (other than the
issuance or distribution requiring such computation) that requires an adjustment
to the conversion price pursuant to paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f)
above occurs on or after the "ex" date for the issuance or distribution
requiring such computation and on or prior to the date in question, the Closing
Price for each Trading Day on and after the "ex" date for such other event shall
be adjusted by multiplying such Closing Price by the reciprocal of the fraction
by which the conversion price is so required to be adjusted as a result of such
other event, and (iii) if the "ex" date for the issuance or distribution
requiring such computation is on or prior to the date in question, after taking
into account any adjustment required pursuant to Clause (ii) of this proviso,
the Closing Price for each Trading Day on or after such "ex" date shall be
adjusted by adding thereto the amount of any cash and the fair market value on
the date in question (as determined by the Board of Directors in a manner
consistent with any determination of such value for purposes of paragraph (d) or
(e) of this Section, whose determination shall be conclusive and described in a
Board Resolution) of the evidences of indebtedness, shares of capital stock or
assets being distributed applicable to one share of Common Stock as of the close
of business on the day before such "ex" date. For the purpose of any computation
under paragraph (f) of this Section, the Current Market Price on any date shall
be deemed to be the average of the daily Closing Prices for such day and the
next two succeeding Trading Days; provided, however, that if the "ex" date for
any event (other than the tender offer requiring such computation) that requires
an adjustment to the conversion price pursuant to paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d),
(e) or (f) above occurs on or after the Commencement Date and prior to the
Expiration Time for the tender offer requiring such computation, the Closing
Price for each Trading Day prior to the "ex" date for such other event shall be
adjusted by multiplying such Closing Price by the same fraction by which the
conversion price is so required to be adjusted as a result of such other event.
The closing price for any Trading Day (the "Closing Price") shall be the last
reported sales price regular way or, in case no such reported sale takes place
on such day, the average of the reported closing bid and asked prices regular
way, in either case on the New York Stock Exchange or, if the Common Stock is
not listed or admitted to trading on such exchange, on the principal national
securities exchange on which the Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading
or, if not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, on
the Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market or, if the Common Stock is not listed
or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange or quoted on such
National Market, the average of the closing bid and asked prices in the
over-the-counter market as furnished by any New York Stock Exchange member firm
selected from time to time by the Company for that purpose. For purposes of this
paragraph, the term "Trading Day" means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,
Thursday and Friday, other than any day on which securities are generally not
traded on the applicable securities exchange or in the applicable securities
market and the term "'ex' date," (i) when used with respect to any issuance or
distribution, means the first date on which the Common Stock trades regular way
on the relevant exchange or in the relevant market from which the Closing Prices
were obtained without the right to receive such issuance or distribution, (ii)
when used with respect to any subdivision or combination of shares of Common
Stock, means the first date on which the Common Stock trades regular way on such
exchange or in such market after the time at which such subdivision or
combination becomes effective, and (iii) when used with respect to any tender
offer means the first date on which the Common Stock trades regular way on such
exchange or in such market
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after the last time that tenders may be made pursuant to such tender offer (as
it shall have been amended).
(j) The Company may make such reductions in the conversion price, in
addition to those required by paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f) and (g) of
this Section, as it considers to be advisable (as evidenced by a Board
Resolution) in order that any event treated for federal income tax purposes as a
dividend of stock or stock rights shall not be taxable to the recipients or, if
that is not possible, to diminish any income taxes that are otherwise payable
because of such event.
(k) No adjustment in the conversion price shall be required unless such
adjustment (plus any other adjustments not previously made by reason of this
paragraph (k)) would require an increase or decrease of at least 1% in the
conversion price; provided, however, that any adjustments which by reason of
this paragraph (k) are not required to be made shall be carried forward and
taken into account in any subsequent adjustment.
(l) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 1304, no
adjustment to the conversion price shall reduce the conversion price below the
then par value per share of the Common Stock, and any such purported adjustment
shall instead reduce the conversion price to such par value. The Company hereby
covenants not to take any action to increase the par value per share of the
Common Stock.
SECTION 1305. Notice of Adjustments of Conversion Price.
Whenever the conversion price is adjusted as herein provided:
(a) the Company shall compute the adjusted conversion price in
accordance with Section 1304 and shall prepare an Officers' Certificate signed
by the Treasurer of the Company setting forth the adjusted conversion price and
showing in reasonable detail the facts upon which such adjustment is based, and
such certificate shall forthwith be filed (with a copy to the Trustee) at each
office or agency maintained for the purpose of conversion of Notes pursuant to
Section 1002; and
(b) a notice stating that the conversion price has been adjusted and
setting forth the adjusted conversion price shall forthwith be prepared, and as
soon as practicable after it is prepared, such notice shall be mailed by the
Company to all Holders at their last addresses as they shall appear in the Note
Register.
SECTION 1306. Notice of Certain Corporate Action.
In case:
(a) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution) on
its Common Stock payable (i) otherwise than exclusively in cash or (ii)
exclusively in cash in an amount that would require a conversion price
adjustment pursuant to paragraph (e) of Section 1304; or
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(b) the Company shall authorize the granting to the holders of its
Common Stock of rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of
capital stock of any class or of any other rights (excluding shares of capital
stock or options for capital stock issued pursuant to a benefit plan for
employees, officers or directors of the Company); or
(c) of any reclassification of the Common Stock (other than a
subdivision or combination of the outstanding shares of Common Stock), or of any
consolidation, merger or share exchange to which the Company is a party and for
which approval of any stockholders of the Company is required, or of the sale or
transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; or
(d) of the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding
up of the Company;
(e) the Company or any Subsidiary shall commence a tender offer for all
or a portion of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (or shall amend any such
tender offer to change the maximum number of shares being sought or the amount
or type of consideration being offered therefor); or
(f) the Company shall receive notice of a tender offer or exchange
offer with respect to 25% or more of its outstanding Common Stock;
then the Company shall cause to be filed (with a copy to the Trustee) at each
office or agency maintained pursuant to Section 1002, and shall cause to be
mailed to all Holders at their last addresses as they shall appear in the Note
Register, at least 21 days (or 11 days in any case specified in Clause (a), (b),
(e), or (f) above) prior to the applicable record, effective or expiration date
hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be
taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution or granting of rights or
warrants, or, if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders
of Common Stock of record who will be entitled to such dividend, distribution,
rights or warrants are to be determined, (y) the date on which such
reclassification, consolidation, merger, share exchange, sale, transfer,
dissolution, liquidation or winding up is expected to become effective, and the
date as of which it is expected that holders of Common Stock of record shall be
entitled to exchange their shares of Common Stock for securities, cash or other
property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, share
exchange, sale, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding up, or (z) the
date on which such tender offer or exchange offer commenced, the date on which
such tender offer is scheduled to expire unless extended, the consideration
offered and the other material terms thereof or exchange offer (or the material
terms of any amendment thereto). Neither the failure to give any such notice nor
any defect therein shall affect the legality or validity of any action described
in Clauses (a) through (e) of this Section 1306.
SECTION 1307. Company to Reserve Common Stock. The Company shall at all times
reserve and keep available, free from preemptive rights, out of the authorized
but unissued Common Stock or out of the shares of Common Stock held in treasury,
for the purpose of effecting the conversion of Notes, the full number of shares
of Common Stock then issuable
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upon the conversion of all outstanding Notes. Shares of Common Stock issuable
upon conversion of Outstanding Notes shall be issued out of the Common Stock
held in Treasury to the extent available.
SECTION 1308. Taxes on Conversions. The Company will pay any and all taxes that
may be payable in respect of the issue or delivery of shares of Common Stock on
conversion of Notes pursuant hereto. The Company shall not, however, be required
to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the
issue and delivery of shares of Common Stock in a name other than that of the
Holder of the Note or Notes to be converted, and no such issue or delivery shall
be made unless and until the Person requesting such issue has paid to the
Company the amount of any such tax, or has established to the satisfaction of
the Company that such tax has been paid.
SECTION 1309. Covenant as to Common Stock. The Company covenants that all shares
of Common Stock which may be issued upon conversion of Notes will upon issue be
fully paid and nonassessable and, except as provided in Section 1308, the
Company will pay all taxes, liens and charges with respect to the issue thereof.
SECTION 1310. Cancellation of Converted Notes. All Notes delivered for
conversion shall be delivered to the Trustee to be canceled by or at the
direction of the Trustee, which shall dispose of the same as provided in Section
309.
SECTION 1311. Provisions of Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets. In case of
any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company into, any other
Person, any merger of another Person into the Company (other than a merger which
does not result in any reclassification, conversion, exchange or cancellation of
outstanding shares of Common Stock) or any sale or transfer of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company, the Person formed by such
consolidation or resulting from such merger or which acquires such assets, as
the case may be, shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental
indenture providing that the Holder of each Note then Outstanding shall have the
right thereafter, during the period such Note shall be convertible as specified
in Section 1301, to convert such Note only into the kind and amount of
securities, cash and other property, if any, receivable upon such consolidation,
merger, sale or transfer by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock
into which such Note might have been converted immediately prior to such
consolidation, merger, sale or transfer, assuming such holder of Common Stock
(i) is not a Person with which the Company consolidated or into which the
Company merged or which merged into the Company or to which such sale or
transfer was made, as the case may be (a "Constituent Person"), or an Affiliate
of a Constituent Person and (ii) failed to exercise his rights of election, if
any, as to the kind or amount of securities, cash and other property receivable
upon such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer (provided that if the kind or
amount of securities, cash and other property receivable upon such
consolidation, merger, sale or transfer is not the same for each share of Common
Stock held immediately prior to such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer by
other than a Constituent Person or an Affiliate thereof and in respect of which
such rights of election shall not have been exercised ("nonelecting share"),
then for the purpose of this Section the kind and amount of securities, cash and
other property receivable upon such consolidation, merger, sale or
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transfer by each nonelecting share shall be deemed to be the kind and amount so
receivable per share by a plurality of the nonelecting shares). Such
supplemental indenture shall provide for adjustments which, for events
subsequent to the effective date of such supplemental indenture, shall be as
nearly equivalent as may be practicable to the adjustments provided for in this
Article. The above provisions of this Section shall similarly apply to
successive consolidations, mergers, sales or transfers.
SECTION 1312. Trustee's Disclaimer.
The Trustee and any other conversion agent shall not at any time be
under any duty or responsibility to any holder of Notes to determine whether any
facts exist that may require any adjustment of the conversion price or notice
thereof, or with respect to the nature or extent or calculation of any such
adjustment when made, or with respect to the method employed, or herein or in
any supplemental indenture provided to be employed, in making the same and shall
be protected in relying upon the Officers' Certificate with respect thereto
which the Company is required to file with the Trustee pursuant to Section 1305.
The Trustee and any other conversion agent shall not be accountable with respect
to the validity or value (or the kind or amount) of any shares of Common Stock,
or of any securities or property, that may at any time be issued or delivered
upon the conversion of any Note; and the Trustee and any other conversion agent
make no representations with respect thereto or any actions or omission by the
Company in such regard. Neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent shall be
responsible for any failure of the Company to issue, transfer or deliver any
shares of Common Stock or stock certificates or other securities or property or
cash upon the surrender of any debenture for the purpose of conversion or to
comply with any of the duties, responsibilities or covenants of the Company
contained in this Article Thirteen.
The Trustee shall not be under any responsibility to determine or
verify the correctness of any provisions contained in any supplemental indenture
executed pursuant to Section 1311, but may accept as conclusive evidence of the
correctness thereof, and shall be protected in relying upon, the Officers'
Certificate with respect thereto which the Company is obligated to file with the
Trustee pursuant to Section 1311.
ARTICLE FOURTEEN
Right to Require Repurchase
SECTION 1401. Right to Require Repurchase. In the event that there shall occur a
Repurchase Event (as defined in Section 1406), then each Holder shall have the
right, at such Holder's option, to require the Company to purchase, and upon the
exercise of such right, the Company shall, subject to the provisions of Section
1203, purchase, all or any part of such Holder's Notes on the date (the
"Repurchase Date") that is 30 days after the date the Company gives notice of
the Repurchase Event as contemplated in Section 1402(a) at a price (the
"Repurchase Price") equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, together with
accrued and unpaid interest to the Repurchase Date.
92
<PAGE>
SECTION 1402. Notice; Method of Exercising Repurchase Right.
(a) On or before the 15th day after the occurrence of a Repurchase
Event, the Company, or at the written request of the Company received by the
Trustee at least 40 days prior to the Repurchase Date, the Trustee (in the name
and at the expense of the Company), in its capacity as tender agent (for which
services it shall be reasonably compensated), shall give notice of the
occurrence of the Repurchase Event and of the repurchase right set forth herein
arising as a result thereof by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the Trustee
and to each Holder of the Notes at such Holder's address appearing in the Note
Register. The Company shall also deliver a copy of such notice of a repurchase
right to the Trustee.
Each notice of a repurchase right shall state:
(1) the event constituting the Repurchase Event and the
date thereof,
(2) the Repurchase Date,
(3) the date by which the repurchase right must be
exercised,
(4) the Repurchase Price, and
(5) the instructions a Holder must follow to exercise a
repurchase right.
No failure of the Company to give the foregoing notice shall limit any
Holder's right to exercise a repurchase right. The Trustee shall have no
affirmative obligation to determine if there shall have occurred a Repurchase
Event.
(b) To exercise a repurchase right, a Holder shall deliver to the
Company (or an agent designated by the Company for such purpose in the notice
referred to in (a) above) and to the Trustee on or before the close of business
on the Repurchase Date (i) written notice of the Holder's exercise of such
right, which notice shall set forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount
of the Note or Notes (or portion of a Note) to be repurchased, and a statement
that an election to exercise the repurchase right is being made thereby, and
(ii) the Note or Notes with respect to which the repurchase right is being
exercised, duly endorsed for transfer to the Company. Such written notice shall
be irrevocable. If the Repurchase Date falls between any Regular Record Date and
the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, Notes to be repurchased must be
accompanied by payment from the Holder of an amount equal to the interest
thereon which the registered Holder thereof is to receive on such Interest
Payment Date.
In the event a repurchase right shall be exercised in accordance with
the terms hereof, the Company shall on the Repurchase Date pay or cause to be
paid in cash to the Holder thereof the Repurchase Price of the Note or Notes as
to which the repurchase right had been exercised.
SECTION 1403. Deposit of Repurchase Price. On or prior to the Repurchase Date,
the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the
Company is acting as
93
<PAGE>
its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003)
an amount of money in same day funds sufficient to pay the Repurchase Price of
the Notes which are to be repaid on the Repurchase Date.
SECTION 1404. Notes Not Repurchased on Repurchase Date. If any Note surrendered
for repurchase shall not be so paid on the Repurchase Date, the principal shall,
until paid, bear interest to the extent permitted by applicable law from the
Repurchase Date at the rate per annum bone by such Note.
SECTION 1405. Notes Repurchased in Part. Any Note which is to be repurchased
only in part shall be surrendered at any office or agency of the Company
designated for that purpose pursuant to Section 1002 (with, if the Company or
the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or written instrument of transfer
in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder
thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall
execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such
Note without service charge, a new Note or Notes of any authorized denomination
as requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal to and in
exchange for the unrepurchased portion of the principal of the Note so
surrendered.
SECTION 1406. Certain Definitions.
For purposes of this Article:
(a) A "Repurchase Event" shall have occurred upon the occurrence of a
Change in Control or Termination of Trading after the date of this Indenture and
on or prior to December 1, 2004.
(b) A "Change in Control" shall occur when:
(i) all or substantially all of the Company's assets are sold
as an entirety to any Person or related group of Persons;
(ii) there shall be consummated any consolidation or merger of
the Company (A) in which the Company is not the continuing or surviving
corporation (other than a consolidation or merger with a wholly owned subsidiary
of the Company in which all shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior
to the effectiveness thereof are changed into or exchanged for the same
consideration) or (B) pursuant to which the Common Stock would be converted into
cash, securities or other property, in each case other than a consolidation or
merger of the Company in which the holders of the Common Stock immediately prior
to the consolidation or merger have, directly or indirectly, at least a majority
of the total voting power of all classes of capital stock entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors of the continuing or surviving
corporation immediately after such consolidation or merger in substantially the
same proportion as their ownership of Common Stock immediately before such
transaction;
94
<PAGE>
(iii) any person, or any persons acting together which would
constitute a "group" for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act (a
"Group"), together with any Affiliates thereof, shall beneficially own (as
defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) at least 50% of the total voting
power of all classes of capital stock of the Company entitled to vote generally
in the election of directors of the Company; or
(iv) at any time during any consecutive two-year period,
individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board of
Directors of the Company (together with any new directors whose election by such
Board of Directors or whose nomination for election by the stockholders of the
Company was approved by a vote of 66 2/3% of the directors then still in office
who were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or
nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to
constitute a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company then in office;
or
(v) the Company is liquidated or dissolved or adopts a plan of
liquidation or dissolution.
(c) A "Termination of Trading" shall occur if the Common Stock (or
other common stock into which the Notes are then convertible) is neither listed
for trading on a U.S. national securities exchange nor approved for trading on
an established automated over-the-counter trading market in the United States.
This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such
counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
95
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be
duly executed, and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed and
attested, all as of the day and year first above written.
ACTION PERFORMANCE COMPANIES, INC.
By /s/ Fred W. Wagenhals
------------------------------------
Name: Fred W. Wagenhals
---------------------------------
Title: Chairman of the Board, President
--------------------------------
and Chief Executive Officer
Attest:
/s/ Tod J. Wagenhals
- ------------------------------
Tod J. Wagenhals
FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK,
--------------------------
as Trustee
By /s/ Teresa L. Davis
------------------------------------
Name: Teresa L. Davis
---------------------------------
Title: Vice President
--------------------------------
Attest:
[Illegible Signature]
- ------------------------------
96
<PAGE>
State of Arizona )
) ss.
County of Maricopa )
--------------
On the 23rd day of March, 1998, before me personally came Fred W.
Wagenhals, to me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he
is an officer of Action Performance Companies, Inc., one of the corporations
described in and which executed the foregoing instrument; that he knows the seal
of said corporation; that the seal affixed to said instrument is such corporate
seal; that it was so affixed by authority of the Board of Directors of said
corporation; and that he signed his name thereto by like authority.
[Notary Seal] /s/ Suzette M. Buron
--------------------
State of Georgia )
) ss.
County of Fulton )
On the 24th day of March, 1998, before me personally came Teresa L. Davis,
to me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that she is a Vice
President of First Union National Bank , a national banking association
described in and which executed the foregoing instrument; that he/she knows the
seal of said association; that the seal affixed to said instrument is such seal;
that it was so affixed by authority of the Board of Directors of said
association; and that he/she signed his/her name thereto by like authority.
[Notary Seal] Brian K. Justice
-------------------------
BRIAN K. JUSTICE
Notary Public, Gwinnett County, Georgia
My Commission Expires September 11, 2000
97
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
[FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED UPON EXCHANGE OR REGISTRATION
OF TRANSFER OF NOTES]
CERTIFICATE FOR EXCHANGE OR TRANSFER
Re 4 3/4% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2005
This Certificate relates to $__________ principal amount of Notes held in
**___________________ book-entry or **________________ definitive form by
____________ (the "Transferor").
The Transferor**:
[ ] has requested the Trustee by written order to deliver in exchange for
its beneficial interest in a Global Note held by the Depositary a Note or Notes
in definitive, registered form of authorized denominations and an aggregate
principal amount equal to its beneficial interest in such Global Note (or the
portion thereof indicated above); or
[ ] has requested the Trustee by written order to deliver in exchange for
its Note or Notes a beneficial interest in a Global Note held by the Depositary
in a principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of such Note or
Notes; or
[ ] has requested the Trustee by written order to exchange or register the
transfer of a Note or Notes.
In connection with such request and in respect of each such Note, the
Transferor does hereby certify to the Company and the Trustee that Transferor is
familiar with the Indenture relating to the above captioned Notes and, as
provided in Section 305 of such Indenture, the transfer of this Note does not
require registration under the Securities Act (as defined below) because*:
[ ] Such Note is being acquired for the Transferor's own account, without
transfer (in satisfaction of Section 305(b)(ii)(A) or Section 305(f)(i)(A) of
the Indenture).
[ ] Such Note is being transferred to a "qualified institutional buyer" (as
defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act")) in reliance on Rule 144A or pursuant to an exemption from
registration in accordance with
- -----------------------------------
**Check applicable box.
<PAGE>
Regulation S under the Securities Act (in satisfaction of Section 305(b)(ii)(B),
Section 305(c)(i), Section 305(d)(i), Section 305(f)(i)(B), Section 305(g)(iii)
or Section 305(h)(iii) of the Indenture). An opinion of counsel to the effect
that such transfer does not require registration under the Securities Act
accompanies this Certificate (in satisfaction of Section 305(b)(ii)(B), Section
305(c)(i), Section 305(d)(i), Section 305(f)(i)(B), Section 305(g)(iii) or
Section 305(h)(iii) of the Indenture).
[ ] Such Note is being transferred in accordance with Rule 144
under the Securities Act, or pursuant to an effective registration statement
under the Securities Act (in satisfaction of Section 305(b)(ii)(B), Section
305(f)(i)(B) or Section 305(k)(ii) of the Indenture). If such Note is being
transferred in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, an opinion of
counsel to the effect that such transfer does not require registration under the
Securities Act accompanies this Certificate (in satisfaction of Section
305(b)(ii)(B), Section 305(f)(i)(B) or Section 305(k)(ii) of the Indenture).
Such Note is being transferred in reliance on and in compliance with an
exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, other than
Rule 144A, 144 or Regulation S under the Securities Act. An opinion of counsel
to the effect that such transfer does not require registration under the
Securities Act accompanies this Certificate (in satisfaction of Section
305(b)(ii)(C) or Section 305(f)(i)(C) of the Indenture).
You are entitled to rely upon this certificate and you are irrevocably
authorized to produce this certificate or a copy hereof to any interested party
in any administrative or legal proceeding or official inquiry with respect to
the matters covered hereby.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[INSERT NAME OF TRANSFEROR]
By:
Date:
2
ACTION PERFORMANCE COMPANIES, INC.
________________________________________
FIRST AMENDMENT
Dated as of MARCH 18, 1998
to
NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
Dated as of JANUARY 2, 1997
________________________________________
Re: $20,000,000 8.05% Senior Notes
Due January 2, 1999
<PAGE>
FIRST AMENDMENT TO NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENTS
This First Amendment dated as of March 18, 1998 (the or this "First
Amendment") to the Note Agreements each dated as of January 2, 1997 is between
Action Performance Companies, Inc., an Arizona Corporation (the "Company"), and
each of the institutions which is a signature to this First Amendment
(collectively, the "Noteholders").
RECITALS:
A. The Company and each of the Noteholders have heretofore entered into
separate and several Note Agreements each dated as of January 2, 1997
(collectively, the "Note Agreements"). The Company has heretofore issued the
$20,000,000 8.05% Senior Notes Due January 2, 1999 (the "Notes") dated January
2, 1997, pursuant to the Note Agreements. The Noteholders are the holders of
100% of the outstanding principal amount of the Notes.
B. The Company and the Noteholders now desire to amend the Note
Agreements in the respects, but only in the respects hereinafter set forth.
C. Capitalized terms used herein shall have the respective meanings
ascribed thereto in the Note Agreements unless herein defined or the context
shall otherwise require.
D. All requirements of law have been fully complied with and all other
acts and things necessary to make this First Amendment a valid, legal and
binding instrument according to its terms for the purposes herein expressed have
been done or performed.
Now, therefore, upon the full and complete satisfaction of the
conditions precedent to the effectiveness of this First Amendment set forth in
ss.3.1 hereof, and in consideration of good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company and the
Noteholders do hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1. AMENDMENTS.
1.1 Section 10.1 of the Note Agreements shall be and is hereby amended
in its entirety to read as follows:
MAINTENANCE OF CONSOLIDATED SENIOR FUNDED
DEBT AND CONSOLIDATED FUNDED DEBT TO
CONSOLIDATED EBITDA.
The company will not permit, at any time:
(a) the ratio of Consolidated Senior Funded Debt to
Consolidated EBITDA to be greater than 2.00 to 1.00;
<PAGE>
(b) the ratio of Consolidated Funded Debt to Consolidated
EBITDA to be greater than 4.00 to 1.00.
1.2 Section 10.2 of the Note Agreements shall be and is hereby amended
by substituting the phrase "3.00 to 1.00" for the phrase "5.00 to 1.00" as such
phrase appears in said Section 10.2.
1.3 The following shall be added as a new definition in alphabetical
order to Schedule II of the Note Agreements:
"Senior Funded Debt" means all Funded Debt which is not expressed to be
subordinated in right of payment of any other Funded Debt.
SECTION 2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY.
2.1 To induce the Noteholders to execute and deliver this First
Amendment (which representations shall survive the execution and delivery of
this First Amendment), the Company represents and warrants to the Noteholders
that:
(a) this First Amendment has been duly authorized, executed and
delivered by it and this First Amendment constitutes the legal, valid and
binding obligation, contract and agreement of the Company enforceable against it
in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement may be limited by
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws or equitable
principles relating to or limiting creditors' rights generally;
(b) the Note Agreements, as amended by this First Amendment, constitute
the legal, valid and binding obligations, contracts and agreements of the
Company enforceable against it in accordance with their respective terms, except
as enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or similar laws or equitable principles relating to or limiting
creditors' rights generally;
(c) the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this
First Amendment (i) has been duly authorized by all requisite corporate action
and, if required, shareholder action (ii) does not require the consent or
approval of any governmental or regulatory body or agency, and (iii) will not
(A) violate (1) any provision of law, statute, rule or regulation or its
certificate of incorporation or bylaws, (2) any order of any court or any rule,
regulation or order of any other agency or government binding upon it, or (3)
any provisions of any material indenture, agreement or other instrument to which
it is a party or by which its properties or assets are or may be bound,
including, without limitation, the Bank Documents, or (B) result in a breach or
constitute (alone or with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under
any indenture, agreement or other instrument referred to in clause (iii)(A)(3)
of this ss.2.1(c);
(d) as of the date hereof and after giving effect to this First
Amendment, no default or Event of Default has occurred which is continuing; and
<PAGE>
(e) except as disclosed in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended
September 30, 1997 and the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1997,
copies of which have been provided to the Noteholders, or except as set forth in
updated Schedules attached to this First Amendment, all the representations and
warranties contained in Article 5 of the Note Agreements and the Schedules
thereto are true and correct in all material respects with the same force and
effect as if made by the Company on and as of the date hereof.
SECTION 3. CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS FIRST AMENDMENT.
3.1 This First Amendment shall not become effective until, and shall
become effective when, each and every one of the following conditions shall have
been satisfied:
(a) executed counterparts of this First Amendment, duly executed by the
Company and the holders of 100% of the outstanding principal of the Notes, shall
have been delivered to the Noteholders;
(b) the Noteholders shall have received a written consent to this First
Amendment duly executed by the Subsidiary Guarantors, which consent shall be in
the form and substance satisfactory to the Noteholders and which shall confirm
the continued effectiveness of each Subsidiary Guaranty;
(c) the Noteholders shall have received evidence satisfactory to them
that the Bank Documents have been amended in a manner substantially consistent
with the terms hereof;
(d) the Noteholders shall have received (i) a copy of the resolutions
of the Board of Directors of the Company authorizing the execution, delivery and
performance by the Company of this First Amendment, certified by its Secretary
or an Assistant Secretary, and (ii) a copy of the resolutions of the Board of
Directors of the Company authorizing execution, delivery and performance by the
Company of the amendment to the Bank Documents certified by its Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary, which resolution shall be satisfactory in form and
substance to the Noteholders;
(e) the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in ss.2
hereof are true and correct on and with respect to the date hereof.
Upon receipt of all the foregoing, this First Amendment shall become
effective.
SECTION 4. PAYMENT OF NOTEHOLDERS' COUNSEL FEES AND EXPENSES.
4.1 The Company agrees to pay upon demand, the reasonable fees and
expenses of Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe, counsel to the Noteholders, in
connection with the negotiation, preparation, approval, execution and delivery
of this First Amendment in the event the Noteholders deem it necessary to retain
such counsel prior to this First Amendment becoming effective as provided in
Section 3.
<PAGE>
SECTION 5. MISCELLANEOUS.
5.1 This First Amendment shall be construed in connection with and as
part of each of the Note Agreements, and except as modified and expressly
amended by this First Amendment, all terms, conditions and covenants contained
in the Note Agreements and the Notes are hereby ratified and shall be and remain
in full force and effect.
5.2 Any and all notices, requests, certificates and other instruments
executed and delivered after the execution and delivery of this First Amendment
may refer to the Note Agreements without making specific reference to this First
Amendment but nevertheless all such references shall include this First
Amendment unless the context otherwise requires.
5.3 The descriptive headings of the various Sections or parts of this
First Amendment are for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or
construction of any of the provisions hereof.
5.4 This First Amendment shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with New York law.
5.5 The execution hereof by you shall constitute a contract between us
for the uses and purposes hereinabove set forth, and this First Amendment may be
executed in any number of counterpart constituting an original, but all together
only one agreement.
ACTION PERFORMANCE COMPANIES, INC.
By: /s/ Tod Wagenhals
Its: Executive V.P.
Accepted and Agreed to:
JEFFERSON-PILOT LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
By: /s/ Richard Kapanka
Its:
ALEXANDER HAMILTON LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY OF AMERICA
By: /s/ Richard Kapanka
Its:
FIRST ALEXANDER HAMILTON LIFE
INSURANCE COMPANY
By: /s/ Richard Kapanka
Its:
<PAGE>
CONSENT
WHEREAS, Action Performance Companies, Inc. (the "Company") entered into a Note
Purchase Agreement Dated as of January 2, 1997 (the "Note Purchase Agreement")
with certain purchasers (the "Noteholders") listed on Schedule I thereto, and
WHEREAS, the Company is seeking to amend the Note Purchase Agreement as set out
in that certain First Amendment Dated as of March 18, 1998 (the "First
Amendment"), and
WHEREAS, the Noteholders, as a condition to execution and delivery of the First
Amendment, require that the Subsidiary Guarantors consent to such First
Amendment and confirm the continued existence, effectiveness and enforceability
of the Subsidiary Guaranties,
NOW THEREFORE, the undersigned, being all of the Subsidiary Guarantors, have
executed this Consent for the purposes set forth herein.
1. All capitalized terms not otherwise defined shall have the meaning set forth
in the Note Purchase Agreement.
2. Each Subsidiary Guarantor does hereby consent to the First Amendment dated as
of March 18, 1998 to the Note Purchase Agreement.
3. Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby confirms the continued existence,
effectiveness and enforceability of its respective Subsidiary Guaranty, executed
in connection with and pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement.
4. Each Subsidiary Guarantor acknowledges that the effectiveness of the First
Amendment will benefit each such Guarantor by making funds available to such
Guarantor through the Company and by enhancing the financial strength of the
consolidated group of which each Guarantor and the Company are members.
5. Each Subsidiary Guarantor acknowledges that the Noteholders are relying on
the continued enforceability of each Subsidiary Guaranty in executing and
delivering the First Amendment.
SPORTS IMAGE, INC. MTL ACQUISITION, INC.
By: /s/ Christopher Besing By: /s/ Christopher Besing
Its Its
<PAGE>
CREATIVE MARKETING & AW ACQUISITION CORP.
PROMOTIONS, INC.
By: /s/ Christopher Besing By: /s/ Christopher Besing
Its Its
RYP, INC. IW ACQUISITION CORP.
By: /s/ Christopher Besing By: /s/ Christopher Besing
Its Its
AMENDMENT AND CONSENT
THIS AMENDMENT AND CONSENT dated as of March 18, 1998 (the "Amendment")
relating to the Credit Agreement referenced below, by and among ACTION
PERFORMANCE COMPANIES, INC., an Arizona corporation (the "Borrower"), the
subsidiaries and affiliates identified as Guarantors on the signature pages
attached hereto (the "Guarantors") and FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, a national
banking association formerly known as First Union National Bank of North
Carolina (the "Bank"). Terms used but not otherwise defined shall have the
meanings provided in the Credit Agreement.
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, a $16 million credit facility has been extended to the
Borrower pursuant to the terms of that Credit Agreement dated as of January 2,
1997 (as amended and modified, the "Credit Agreement") among the Borrower, the
Guarantors and the Bank;
WHEREAS, the Borrower plans to issue $115 million in convertible
subordinated notes and has requested certain consents and modifications to the
Credit Agreement in connection therewith,
WHEREAS, the consents and modifications requested hereby require the
consent of the Bank; and
WHEREAS, the Bank has agreed to the requested contents and
modifications on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION of these premises and other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. The Credit Agreement is amended and modified in the following
respects:
1.1 The following provision is hereby added to the end of the
definition of "Funded Debt" in Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement:
; provided further that Funded Debt shall not include any
Indebtedness which by its terms is expressly subordinated in
right of payment to the prior payment of the obligations under
the Credit Agreement and other Credit Documents on terms and
conditions satisfactory to the Bank, including, without
limitation, the Subordinated Notes.
1.2 The following definition is hereby added to Section 1.1 of
the Credit Agreement:
<PAGE>
"Subordinated Notes" means, collectively, those $115,000,000
aggregate principal amount of 4.75% Convertible Subordinated
Notes due April 1, 2005 issued by the Borrower, as amended and
modified.
1.3 The following provision is hereby added to the end of
Section 8.1 of the Credit Agreement:
(i) the Subordinated Notes.
2. The Bank hereby consents to the amendment or modification of the
terms of any Indenture or other governing document relating to any Funded Debt
permitted under the Credit Agreement to the extent such amendment or
modification relates to the issuance of the Subordinated Notes.
3. Except as modified hereby, all of the terms and provisions of the
Credit Agreement (and Exhibits and Schedules) remain in full force and effect.
4. The Company agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses of the
Bank in connection with the preparation, execution, and delivery of this
Amendment, including without limitation the reasonable fees and expenses of
Moore & Van Allen, PLLC.
5. This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each
of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original and it shall
not be necessary in making proof of this Amendment to produce or account for
more than one such counterpart.
6. This Amendment, and the Credit Agreement as amended hereby, shall be
governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the
State of North Carolina.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
2
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused a counterpart
of this Amendment to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above
written.
BORROWER: ACTION PERFORMANCE COMPANIES, INC.
- -------- an Arizona corporation
By: /s/ Tod Wagenhals
Name: Tod Wagenhals
Title: Exec. V.P.
GUARANTORS:
- ---------- SPORTS IMAGE, INC.
an Arizona corporation
By: /s/ Tod Wagenhals
Name: Tod Wagenhals
Title: Exec. V.P.
MTL ACQUISITIONS, INC.
an Arizona corporation
By: /s/ Tod Wagenhals
Name: Tod Wagenhals
Title: Exec. V.P.
CREATIVE MARKETING & PROMOTIONS, INC.
a North Carolina corporation
By: /s/ Tod Wagenhals
Name: Tod Wagenhals
Title: Exec. V.P.
RYP, INC.
a North Carolina corporation
By: /s/ Tod Wagenhals
Name: Tod Wagenhals
Title: Exec. V.P.
IW ACQUISITION CORP.
an Arizona corporation
By: /s/ Tod Wagenhals
Name: Tod Wagenhals
Title: Exec. V.P.
<PAGE>
AW ACQUISITION CORP.
an Arizona corporation
By: /s/ Tod Wagenhals
Name: Tod Wagenhals
Title: Exec. V.P.
BANK: FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK
- ----
By: /s/ N. Tracey Gillespie
Name: N. Tracey Gillespie
Title: Vice President
ACTION PERFORMANCE COMPANIES, INC.
1998 NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION PLAN
Adopted by the Board of Directors as of March 2, 1998
1. Purpose. The purpose of this 1998 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan
(the "Plan") is to attract, retain, and motivate employees and independent
contractors by providing them with the opportunity to acquire a proprietary
interest in ACTION PERFORMANCE COMPANIES, INC., an Arizona corporation (the
"Company") and to link their interests and efforts to the long-term interests of
the Company's shareholders.
2. Plan Administration
2.1 In General. The Plan shall be administered by the
Company's Board of Directors (the "Board"). Except for the power to amend the
Plan as provided in Section 11, the Board, in its sole discretion, may delegate
its authority and duties under the Plan to a committee appointed by the Board,
under such conditions and limitations as the Board may from time to time
establish. The Board and/or any committee that has been delegated the authority
to administer the Plan shall be referred to as the "Plan Administrator." Except
as otherwise explicitly set forth in the Plan, the Plan Administrator shall have
the authority, in its discretion, to determine all matters relating to options
granted under the Plan, including selection of the individuals to be granted
options, the type of options, the number of shares of the Company's common
stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock") subject to an option,
vesting conditions, and any and all other terms, conditions, restrictions, and
limitations, if any, of an option. All decisions made by the Plan Administrator
pursuant to the Plan and related orders and resolutions shall be final and
conclusive.
2.2 Other Plans. The Plan Administrator shall also have
authority to grant options as an alternative to or as the form of payment for
grants or rights earned or due under other compensation plans or arrangements of
the Company, including the plan of any entity acquired by the Company.
3. Eligibility. Employees of the Company and independent contractors
and consultants shall be eligible to receive options under the Plan, provided
that no person who is a director or executive officer of the Company shall be
eligible to receive options under the Plan. For purposes of this Section 3, the
"Company" includes any entity that is directly or indirectly controlled by the
Company or any entity in which the Company has a significant equity interest, as
determined by the Plan Administrator.
4. Shares Subject to the Plan
4.1 Number and Source. The shares offered under the Plan shall
be shares of the Company's Common Stock and may be unissued shares or shares now
held or subsequently acquired by the Company as treasury shares, as the Plan
Administrator may from time to time determine. Any shares subject to an option
granted under the Plan that is forfeited,
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terminated or canceled, or any shares that do not vest, shall again be available
for the granting of options under the Plan. Subject to adjustment as provided in
Section 4.2, the aggregate number of shares that may be issued under the Plan
shall not exceed 500,000 shares.
4.2 Adjustment of Shares Available. The aggregate number and
type of shares available for issuance under the Plan, the maximum number and
type of shares that may be subject to an option granted to any individual under
the Plan, the number and type of shares covered by each outstanding option, and
the exercise price per share (but not the total price) for an option outstanding
under the Plan shall all be proportionately adjusted for any increase or
decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock resulting from any
split-up, combination or exchange of shares, consolidation, spin-off or
recapitalization of shares or any like capital adjustment or the payment of any
stock dividend.
4.3 Transfer of Control. In the event of a Transfer of
Control, as defined below, the surviving, continuing, successor or purchasing
corporation or parent corporation thereof, as the case may be (the "Acquiring
Corporation") shall either assume the Company's rights and obligations under
outstanding options or substitute for outstanding options substantially
equivalent options for the Acquiring Corporation's stock. In the event the
Acquiring Corporation elects not to assume or substitute for such outstanding
options in connection with the Transfer of Control, the Board may, in its
discretion, provide that any unexercisable and/or unvested portion of the
outstanding options shall be immediately exercisable and vested in full on or
before the date of the Transfer of Control. The exercise and/or vesting of any
option that was permissible solely by reason of this Section 4.3 shall be
conditioned upon the consummation of the Transfer of Control. Any options that
are neither assumed or substituted for by the Acquiring Corporation in
connection with the Transfer of Control nor exercised on or before the date of
the Transfer of Control shall terminate and cease to be outstanding effective as
of the date of the Transfer of Control. Unless otherwise determined by the
Board, a "Transfer of Control" shall be deemed to have occurred in the event of
any of the following: (a) the direct or indirect sale or exchange by the
shareholders of the Company of all or substantially all of the stock of the
Company if the shareholders of the Company before such sale or exchange do not
retain, directly or indirectly, at least a majority of the beneficial interest
in the voting stock of the Company after such sale or exchange; (b) a merger or
consolidation in which the Company is not the surviving corporation; (c) a
merger or consolidation in which the Company is the surviving corporation if the
shareholders of the Company before such merger or consolidation do not retain,
directly or indirectly, at least a majority of the beneficial interest in the
voting stock of the Company after such merger or consolidation; (d) the sale,
exchange or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company;
or (e) a liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
5. Stock Options
5.1 Grants. The Plan Administrator may grant only
"Nonqualified Stock Options" under the Plan. Nonqualified Stock Options are
stock options that do not qualify as "Incentive Stock Options" under Section 422
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The price for which shares may
be purchased upon exercise of a particular option shall be
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determined by the Plan Administrator. For purposes of the Plan, "Fair Market
Value" as to a particular day shall be the closing sales price of the Company's
Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market (or, if the Common Stock is not
traded on the Nasdaq National Market, on the principal trading market for the
Common Stock) as reported for such day (or, if such day is not a trading day,
then the last date on which the Company's Common Stock was traded prior to the
date of grant) in The Wall Street Journal or in such other source as the Plan
Administrator deems reliable. The Plan Administrator shall set the term of each
stock option.
5.2 Individual Option Agreements. Each option shall be
evidenced by an agreement between the Company and the recipient in such form and
content as the Plan Administrator from time to time approves, which agreement
shall substantially comply with and be subject to the terms of the Plan. Each
individual agreement may contain such provisions or conditions as the Plan
Administrator deems necessary or appropriate to effectuate the sense and purpose
of the Plan and may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms
thereof.
6. Option Exercise
6.1 Precondition to Stock Issuance. No shares shall be
delivered pursuant to the exercise of any option, in whole or in part, until
qualified for delivery under such securities laws and regulations as may be
deemed by the Plan Administrator to be applicable thereto and until, in the case
of the exercise of an option, payment in full of the option price thereof (in
cash or stock as provided in Section 6.3) is received by the Company. No holder
of an option, or any legal representative, legatee or distributee shall be or be
deemed to be a holder of any shares subject to such option unless and until such
holder has tendered all documentation necessary to properly effect such
exercise, together with full payment of the exercise price for the number of
shares to be issued.
6.2 No Fractional Shares. No stock option may at any time be
exercised with respect to a fractional share.
6.3 Form of Payment. An optionee may exercise a stock option
using as the form of payment (a) cash or cash equivalent, (b) stock-for-stock
payment (as described below), (c) any combination of the above, or (d) such
other means as the Plan Administrator may approve. Any optionee who owns shares
of the Company's Common Stock may use such shares as a form of payment to
exercise stock options granted under the Plan. The Plan Administrator, in its
discretion, may restrict or rescind this right by notice to optionees. A stock
option may be exercised in such manner only by tendering (actually or by
attestation) to the Company whole shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market
Value equal to or less than the aggregate exercise price for the number of
options to be exercised. If an option is exercised by surrender of shares having
a Fair Market Value less than the aggregate exercise price for the number of
options to be exercised, the optionholder must pay the difference in cash.
7. Transferability. Except as specifically allowed by the Plan
Administrator, options and any of the rights and privileges conferred thereby
shall not be assignable or
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transferable by the recipient other than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution and shall be exercisable during the recipient's lifetime only by
the recipient.
8. Withholding Taxes; Other Deductions. The Company shall have the
right to deduct from any settlement of an option granted under the Plan,
including the delivery or vesting of shares, (a) an amount sufficient to cover
withholding as required by law for any federal, state or local taxes, and (b)
any amounts due from the recipient of such option to the Company or to any
parent or subsidiary of the Company or to take such other action as may be
necessary to satisfy any such withholding or other obligations, including
withholding from any other cash amounts due or to become due from the Company to
such recipient an amount equal to such taxes or obligations.
9. Termination of Services. The terms and conditions under which an
option may be exercised following termination of a recipient's employment,
directorship or independent contractor relationship with the Company shall be
determined by the Plan Administrator.
10. Term of the Plan. The Plan shall become effective as of March 2,
1998, and shall remain in full force and effect through March 2, 2008, unless
sooner terminated by the Board. After the Plan is terminated, no future options
may be granted, but options previously granted shall remain outstanding in
accordance with their applicable terms and conditions and the Plan's terms and
conditions.
11. Plan Amendment. The Board may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan
at any time.
12. Plan Not Exclusive. This Plan is not intended to be the exclusive
means by which the Company may issue options to acquire its Common Stock.
ACTION PERFORMANCE COMPANIES, INC.,
an Arizona corporation
By:________________________________
Tod J. Wagenhals
Secretary
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ACTION PERFORMANCE COMPANIES, INC.
$115,000,000.00 (including $15,000,000.00 over-allotment option)
4 3/4% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2005
PURCHASE AGREEMENT
dated March 18, 1998
NATIONSBANC MONTGOMERY SECURITIES LLC
CIBC OPPENHEIMER CORP.
EVEREN SECURITIES, INC.
PIPER JAFFRAY INC.
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PURCHASE AGREEMENT
March 18, 1998
NATIONSBANC MONTGOMERY SECURITIES LLC
CIBC OPPENHEIMER CORP.
EVEREN SECURITIES, INC.
PIPER JAFFRAY INC.
c/o NATIONSBANC MONTGOMERY SECURITIES LLC
600 Montgomery Street
San Francisco, California 94111
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Introductory. Action Performance Companies, Inc., an Arizona
corporation (the "Company), proposes to issue and sell to the several Initial
Purchasers named in Schedule A (the "Initial Purchasers"), acting severally and
not jointly, the respective amounts set forth in such Schedule A of
$100,000,000.00 aggregate principal amount of the Company's 4 3/4% Convertible
Subordinated Notes due 2005 (the "Firm Offered Notes"). The Company also
proposes to issue and sell to the Initial Purchasers not more than an additional
$15,000,000.00 aggregate principal amount of its 4 3/4% Convertible Subordinated
Notes due 2005 (the "Additional Offered Notes," and collectively with the Firm
Offered Notes, the "Notes") if and to the extent that NationsBanc Montgomery
Securities LLC shall have determined to exercise, on behalf of the Initial
Purchasers, the right to purchase such amount granted to the Initial Purchasers
in Section 2 hereof. NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC, CIBC Oppenheimer
Corp., EVEREN Securities, Inc. and Piper Jaffray Inc. have agreed to act as the
several Initial Purchasers in connection with the offering and sale of the
Notes. The Notes will be convertible into shares of common stock, $.01 par
value, of the Company (the "Underlying Securities" and, together with the Notes,
the "Securities"), as more fully set forth in the Indenture (as defined below).
The Securities will be issued pursuant to an indenture dated as of
March 24, 1998 (the "Indenture") between the Company and First Union National
Bank, as trustee (the "Trustee"). Securities issued in book-entry form will be
issued in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of The Depository Trust Company
(the "Depositary") pursuant to a DTC Agreement, to be dated as of the First
Closing Date (as defined in Section 2) (the "DTC Agreement"), among the Company,
the Trustee and the Depositary.
The holders of the Securities will be entitled to the benefits of a
registration rights agreement to be dated as of March 24, 1998 (the
"Registration Rights Agreement"), among the Company and the Initial Purchasers,
pursuant to which the Company will agree to file, within 60 days of the First
Closing Date, a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") registering the Securities for resale under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act," which term, as used
herein, includes the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated
thereunder).
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The Company understands that the Initial Purchasers propose to make an
offering of the Securities on the terms and in the manner set forth herein and
in the Offering Memorandum (as defined below) and agrees that the Initial
Purchasers may resell, subject to the conditions set forth herein, all or a
portion of the Securities to purchasers (the "Subsequent Purchasers") at any
time after the date of this Agreement. The Securities are to be offered and sold
to or through the Initial Purchasers without being registered with the
Commission under the Securities Act in reliance upon exemptions therefrom. The
terms of the Securities and the Indenture will require that investors that
acquire Securities expressly agree that Securities may only be resold or
otherwise transferred, after the date hereof, if such Securities are registered
for resale under the Securities Act or if an exemption from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act is available (including the exemptions
afforded by Rule 144A ("Rule 144A") or Regulation S ("Regulation S")
thereunder).
The Company has prepared and delivered to each Initial Purchaser copies
of an Offering Memorandum "subject to completion" dated March 4, 1998 (the
"Preliminary Offering Memorandum") and has prepared and will deliver to each
Initial Purchaser, not later than 12:00 p.m. on the second business day after
the date hereof, copies of the Offering Memorandum dated March 18, 1998
describing the terms of the Securities, each for use by such Initial Purchaser
in connection with its solicitation of offers to purchase the Securities. As
used herein, the "Offering Memorandum" shall mean, with respect to any date or
time referred to in this Agreement, the Company's Offering Memorandum dated
March 18, 1998, including amendments or supplements thereto, including any
international supplement thereto, any exhibits thereto, and the Incorporated
Documents (as defined by Section 1(e) below), in the most recent form that has
been prepared and delivered by the Company to the Initial Purchasers in
connection with their solicitation of offers to purchase Securities. Further,
any reference to the Preliminary Offering Memorandum or the Offering Memorandum
shall be deemed to refer to and include any Additional Issuer Information (as
defined in Section 3(g)) furnished by the Company prior to the completion of the
distribution of the Securities.
All references in this Agreement to financial statements and schedules
and other information which is "contained," "included" or "stated" in the
Offering Memorandum (or other references of like import) shall be deemed to mean
and include all such financial statements and schedules and other information
which are incorporated by reference in the Offering Memorandum; and all
references in this Agreement to amendments or supplements to the Offering
Memorandum shall be deemed to mean and include the filing of any document under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act", which term, as used
herein, includes the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated
thereunder) which is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in
the Offering Memorandum.
The Company hereby confirms its agreements with the Initial Purchasers
as follows:
Section 1. Representations and Warranties.
The Company hereby represents, warrants and covenants to each Initial
Purchaser as follows:
(a) No Registration Required. Subject to compliance by the
Initial Purchasers with the representations and warranties set forth in Section
2(e) hereof and with the procedures set forth in Section 7 hereof, it is not
necessary in connection with the offer, sale and delivery of the Securities to
the Initial Purchasers and to each Subsequent Purchaser in the manner
contemplated
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by this Agreement and the Offering Memorandum to register the Securities under
the Securities Act or, until such time as the Securities are registered pursuant
to an effective registration statement, to qualify the Indenture under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 (the "Trust Indenture Act", which term, as used herein,
includes the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder).
(b) No Integration of Offerings or General Solicitation. The
Company has not, directly or indirectly, solicited any offer to buy or offered
to sell, and will not, directly or indirectly, solicit any offer to buy or offer
to sell, in the United States or to any United States citizen or resident, any
security which is or would be integrated with the sale of the Securities in a
manner that would require the Securities to be registered under the Securities
Act. None of the Company, its affiliates (as such term is defined in Rule 501(b)
under the Securities Act (each, an "Affiliate")), or any person acting on its or
any of their behalf (other than the Initial Purchasers, as to whom the Company
makes no representation or warranty) has engaged or will engage, in connection
with the offering of the Securities, in any form of general solicitation or
general advertising within the meaning of Rule 502(c) under the Securities Act.
With respect to those Securities sold in reliance upon Regulation S, (i) none of
the Company, its Affiliates or any person acting on its or their behalf (other
than the Initial Purchasers, as to whom the Company makes no representation or
warranty) has engaged or will engage in any directed selling efforts within the
meaning of Regulation S and (ii) each of the Company and its affiliates and any
person acting on its or their behalf (other than the Initial Purchasers, as to
whom the Company makes no representation or warranty) has complied and will
comply with the offering restrictions set forth in Regulation S. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the Company makes no representation or warranty relating to any
actions taken by the Initial Purchasers.
(c) Eligibility for Resale under Rule 144A. The Notes are
eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A and will not be, at the First Closing
Date and the Second Closing Date, as the case may be, of the same class as
securities listed on a national securities exchange registered under Section 6
of the Exchange Act or quoted in a U.S. automated interdealer quotation system.
(d) The Offering Memorandum. The Offering Memorandum does not,
and at the First Closing Date and the Second Closing, as the case may be, will
not, include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that this
representation, warranty and agreement shall not apply to statements in or
omissions from the Offering Memorandum made in reliance upon and in conformity
with information furnished to the Company in writing by any Initial Purchaser
through NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC expressly for use in the Offering
Memorandum. Each of the Preliminary Offering Memorandum and the Offering
Memorandum, as of its date, contains all the information specified in, and
meeting the requirements of, Rule 144A(d)(4). The Company has not distributed
and will not distribute, prior to the later of the First Closing Date and the
completion of the Initial Purchasers' distribution of the Securities, any
offering material in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities
other than a preliminary Offering Memorandum or the Offering Memorandum.
(e) Incorporated Documents. The Offering Memorandum as
delivered from time to time shall incorporate by reference the most recent
Annual Report of the Company on Form 10-K filed with the Commission and each
Quarterly Report of the Company on Form 10-Q and each Current Report of the
Company on Form 8-K filed with the Commission since the filing of the end of the
fiscal year to which such Annual Report relates. Subject to amendments to be
filed in accordance with the Commission's comment letter dated February 27, 1998
generally in the form of a draft previously provided to counsel for the Initial
Purchasers, the documents
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incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Offering
Memorandum at the time they were or hereafter are filed with the Commission
(collectively, the "Incorporated Documents") complied and will comply in all
material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act and, when read
together with the other information in the Offering Memorandum, at the date of
the Offering Memorandum, the First Closing Date and the Second Closing Date, as
the case may be, do not and will not, as of their respective dates, include an
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(f) The Purchase Agreement. This Agreement has been duly
authorized, executed and delivered by, and is a valid and binding agreement of,
the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as rights to
indemnification hereunder may be limited by applicable law and except as the
enforcement hereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights and
remedies of creditors or by general equitable principles.
(g) The Registration Rights Agreement and DTC Agreement. At
the First Closing Date and the Second Closing Date, as the case may be, each of
the Registration Rights Agreement and the DTC Agreement will be duly authorized,
executed and delivered by, and will be a valid and binding agreement of, the
Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as the rights to
indemnification thereunder may be limited by applicable law and except as the
enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights and
remedies of creditors or by general equitable principles.
(h) Authorization of the Securities . The Notes to be
purchased by the Initial Purchasers from the Company are in the form
contemplated by the Indenture, have been duly authorized for issuance and sale
pursuant to this Agreement and the Indenture and, at the First Closing Date and
the Second Closing Date, as the case may be, will have been duly executed by the
Company and, when authenticated in the manner provided for in the Indenture and
delivered against payment of the purchase price therefor, will constitute valid
and binding agreements of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their
terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or
affecting the rights and remedies of creditors or by general equitable
principles and will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.
(i) Underlying Securities. The Underlying Securities reserved
for issuance upon conversion of the Notes have been duly authorized and reserved
and, when issued upon conversion of such Notes in accordance with the terms of
the Indenture, will be validly issued, fully paid, and non-assessable and will
not be subject to preemptive or similar rights.
(j) Authorization of the Indenture. The Indenture has been
duly authorized by the Company and, at the First Closing Date and the Second
Closing Date, as the case may be, will have been duly executed and delivered by
the Company and will constitute a valid and binding agreement of the Company,
enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as the
enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights and
remedies of creditors or by general equitable principles.
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(k) Description of the Securities and the Indenture. The
Securities and the Indenture will conform in all material respects to the
respective statements relating thereto contained in the Offering Memorandum and
will be in substantially the respective forms previously delivered to the
Initial Purchasers.
(l) No Material Adverse Change. Except as otherwise disclosed
in the Offering Memorandum, subsequent to the respective dates as of which
information is given in the Offering Memorandum: (i) there has been no material
adverse change, or any development that could reasonably be expected to result
in a material adverse change, in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in
the earnings, business, operations or prospects, whether or not arising from
transactions in the ordinary course of business, of the Company and its
subsidiaries, considered as one entity (any such change is called a "Material
Adverse Change"); (ii) the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one
entity, have not incurred any material liability or obligation, indirect, direct
or contingent, not in the ordinary course of business nor entered into any
material transaction or agreement not in the ordinary course of business; and
(iii) there has been no dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or
made by the Company or, except for dividends paid to the Company or other
subsidiaries, any of its subsidiaries on any class of capital stock or
repurchase or redemption by the Company or any of its subsidiaries of any class
of capital stock.
(m) Independent Accountants. Arthur Andersen LLP, which has
expressed its opinion with respect to the financial statements (which term as
used in this Agreement includes the related notes thereto) and supporting
schedules filed with the Commission and included in the Offering Memorandum, are
independent public or certified public accountants within the meaning of
Regulation S-X under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act.
(n) Preparation of the Financial Statements. The financial
statements, together with the related schedules and notes, included or
incorporated by reference in the Offering Memorandum present fairly the
consolidated financial position of the Company and its subsidiaries as of and at
the dates indicated and the results of their operations and cash flows for the
periods specified. Such financial statements have been prepared in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles as applied in the United States
applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved, except as may be
expressly stated in the related notes thereto. The financial data set forth in
the Offering Memorandum under the captions "Summary -- Summary Consolidated
Financial Data", "Capitalization" and "Selected Consolidated Financial Data"
fairly present the information set forth therein on a basis consistent with that
of the audited financial statements contained in the Offering Memorandum. The
pro forma financial data and/or statements of the Company and its subsidiaries
and the related notes thereto included under the caption "Unaudited Pro Forma
Condensed Combined Financial Information" and elsewhere in the Offering
Memorandum present fairly the information contained therein, have been prepared
in accordance with the Commission's rules and guidelines with respect to pro
forma financial statements, and have been properly presented on the bases
described therein, and the assumptions used in the preparation thereof are
reasonable and the adjustments used therein are appropriate to give effect to
the transactions and circumstances referred to therein. The Company's ratios of
earnings to fixed charges set forth in the Offering Memorandum under the
captions "Summary--Summary Consolidated Financial Data", and "Selected
Consolidated Financial Data" have been calculated in compliance with Item 503(d)
of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.
(o) Incorporation and Good Standing of the Company and its
Subsidiaries. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries has been duly
incorporated and is validly existing as a
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corporation in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
incorporation and has corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate
its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Offering
Memorandum and, in the case of the Company, to enter into and perform its
obligations under each of this Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement, the
DTC Agreement, the Securities, and the Indenture. Each of the Company and each
subsidiary is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and
is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is
required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the
conduct of business, except for such jurisdictions where the failure to so
qualify or to be in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate,
result in a Material Adverse Change. All of the issued and outstanding capital
stock of each subsidiary has been duly authorized and validly issued, is fully
paid and nonassessable and is owned by the Company, directly or through
subsidiaries, free and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien,
encumbrance or claim. The Company does not own or control, directly or
indirectly, any corporation, association or other entity other than the
subsidiaries listed on Schedule B hereto.
(p) Capitalization and Other Capital Stock Matters. At
December 31, 1997, on a consolidated basis, after giving pro forma effect to the
issuance and sale of the Securities pursuant hereto, the Company would have an
authorized and outstanding capitalization as set forth in the Offering
Memorandum under the caption "Capitalization" (other than for subsequent
issuances of capital stock, if any, pursuant to employee benefit plans described
in the Offering Memorandum or upon exercise of outstanding options or warrants
described in the Offering Memorandum). The Common Stock conforms in all material
respects to the description thereof set forth in the Offering Memorandum. All of
the outstanding shares of Common Stock have been duly authorized and validly
issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and have been issued in compliance with
federal and state securities laws. None of the outstanding shares of Common
Stock were issued in violation of any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal
or other similar rights to subscribe for or purchase securities of the Company.
There are no authorized or outstanding options, warrants, preemptive rights,
rights of first refusal or other rights to purchase, or equity or debt
securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for, any capital
stock of the Company or any of its subsidiaries other than those accurately
described in the Offering Memorandum. The description of the Company's stock
option, stock bonus and other stock plans or arrangements, and the options or
other rights granted thereunder, set forth in the Offering Memorandum (including
through incorporation by reference) accurately and fairly describes such plans,
arrangements, options and rights.
(q) Stock Exchange Listing. The Common Stock is registered
pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act and is listed on the Nasdaq
National Market, and the Company has taken no action designed to, or likely to
have the effect of, terminating the registration of the Common Stock under the
Exchange Act or delisting the Common Stock from the Nasdaq National Market, nor
has the Company received any notification that the Commission or the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD") is contemplating
terminating such registration or listing.
(r) Non-Contravention of Existing Instruments; No Further
Authorizations or Approvals Required. Neither the Company nor any of its
subsidiaries is in violation of its charter or by-laws or is in default (or,
with the giving of notice or lapse of time, would be in default) ("Default")
under any indenture, mortgage, loan or credit agreement, note, contract,
franchise, lease or other instrument to which the Company or any of its
subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of them may be bound, including,
without limitation, the Company's Credit Facility with First Union National Bank
or the Company's 8.05% Senior Notes due 1999, or to which any of the
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property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject (each,
an "Existing Instrument"), except for such Defaults as would not, individually
or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Change. The Company's
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Registration Rights
Agreement, the DTC Agreement, and the Indenture, and the issuance and delivery
of the Securities and consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby and by the Offering Memorandum (i) will not result in any violation of
the provisions of the charter or by-laws of the Company or any subsidiary, (ii)
will not conflict with or constitute a breach of, or Default or a Debt Repayment
Triggering Event (as defined below) under, or result in the creation or
imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to, or require the consent of any
other part to, any Existing Instrument, except for such conflicts, breaches,
Defaults, liens, charges or encumbrances as would not, individually or in the
aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Change and (iii) will not result in any
violation of any law, administrative regulation or administrative or court
decree applicable to the Company or any subsidiary, except for such violations
as would not result in a Material Adverse Change. No consent, approval,
authorization or other order of, or registration or filing with, any court or
other governmental or regulatory authority or agency, is required for the
Company's execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the
Registration Rights Agreement, the DTC Agreement or the Indenture, or the
issuance and delivery of the Securities, or consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby and by the Offering Memorandum, except such as
have been obtained or made by the Company and are in full force and effect under
the Securities Act, applicable state securities or blue sky laws. As used
herein, a "Debt Repayment Triggering Event" means any event or condition which
gives, or with the giving of notice or lapse of time would give, the holder of
any note, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness (or any person acting on
such holder's behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or
repayment of all or a portion of such indebtedness by the Company or any of its
subsidiaries.
(s) No Material Actions or Proceedings. Except as otherwise
disclosed in the Offering Memorandum, there are no legal or governmental
actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the best of the Company's
knowledge, threatened (i) against or affecting the Company or any of its
subsidiaries, (ii) which has as the subject thereof any officer or director of,
or property owned or leased by, the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (iii)
relating to environmental or discrimination matters, where in any such case (A)
there is a reasonable possibility that such action, suit or proceeding might be
determined adversely to the Company or such subsidiary and (B) any such action,
suit or proceeding, if so determined adversely, would reasonably be expected to
result in a Material Adverse Change or adversely affect the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. No material labor dispute with the
employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries exists or, to the best of
the Company's knowledge, is threatened or imminent.
(t) Intellectual Property Rights. The Company and its
subsidiaries own or possess sufficient trademarks, trade names, patent rights,
copyrights, licenses, approvals, trade secrets and other similar rights
(collectively, "Intellectual Property Rights") reasonably necessary to conduct
their businesses as now conducted; and the expected expiration of any of such
Intellectual Property Rights would not result in a Material Adverse Change.
Except as disclosed in the Offering Memorandum, neither the Company nor any of
its subsidiaries has received any notice of infringement or conflict with
asserted Intellectual Property Rights of others, which infringement or conflict,
if the subject of an unfavorable decision, would result in a Material Adverse
Change.
(u) All Necessary Permits, etc. The Company and each
subsidiary possess such valid and current certificates, authorizations or
permits issued by the appropriate state, federal or
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foreign regulatory agencies or bodies necessary to conduct their respective
businesses, and neither the Company nor any subsidiary has received any notice
of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of, or non-compliance
with, any such certificate, authorization or permit which, singly or in the
aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, could
result in a Material Adverse Change.
(v) Title to Properties. The Company and each of its
subsidiaries has good and marketable title to all the properties and assets
reflected as owned in the financial statements referred to in Section 1(n)
above, in each case free and clear of any security interests, mortgages, liens,
encumbrances, equities, claims and other defects, except such as do not
materially and adversely affect the value of such property and do not materially
interfere with the use made or proposed to be made of such property by the
Company or such subsidiary. The real property, improvements, equipment and
personal property held under lease by the Company or any subsidiary are held
under valid and enforceable leases, with such exceptions as are not material and
do not materially interfere with the use made or proposed to be made of such
real property, improvements, equipment or personal property by the Company or
such subsidiary.
(w) Tax Law Compliance. The Company and its consolidated
subsidiaries have filed all necessary federal, state and foreign income and
franchise tax returns or have properly requested extensions thereof and have
paid all taxes required to be paid by any of them and, if due and payable, any
related or similar assessment, fine or penalty levied against any of them. The
Company has made adequate charges, accruals and reserves in the applicable
financial statements referred to in Section 1(n) above in respect of all
federal, state and foreign income and franchise taxes for all periods as to
which the tax liability of the Company or any of its consolidated subsidiaries
has not been finally determined.
(x) Company Not an "Investment Company". The Company has been
advised of the rules and requirements under the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended (the "Investment Company Act"). The Company is not, and after receipt
of payment for the Securities will not be, an "investment company" within the
meaning of Investment Company Act and will conduct its business in a manner so
that it will not become subject to the Investment Company Act.
(y) Insurance. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries are
insured by recognized, financially sound institutions with policies in such
amounts and with such deductibles and covering such risks as are generally
deemed adequate and customary for their businessess including, but not limited
to, policies covering real and personal property owned or leased by the Company
and its subsidiaries against theft, damage, destruction, acts of vandalism and
earthquakes. The Company has no reason to believe that it or any subsidiary will
not be able (i) to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such
policies expire or (ii) to obtain comparable coverage from similiar institutions
as may be necessary or appropriate to conduct its business as now conducted and
at a cost that would not result in a Material Adverse Change. Neither of the
Company nor any subsidiary has been denied any insurance coverage which it has
sought or for which it has applied.
(z) No Price Stabilization or Manipulation. The Company has
not taken and will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or
that might be reasonably expected to cause or result in stabilization or
manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale
or resale of the Securities.
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(aa) No Unlawful Contributions or Other Payments. Neither the
Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the best of the Company's knowledge,
any employee or agent of the Company or any subsidiary, has made any
contribution or other payment to any official of, or candidate for, any federal,
state or foreign office in violation of any law or of the character necessary to
be disclosed in the Offering Memorandum in order to make the statements therein
not misleading.
(bb) Company's Accounting System. The Company maintains a
system of accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that
(i) transactions are executed in accordance with management's general or
specific authorization; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit
preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles and to maintain accountability for assets; (iii) access to
assets is permitted only in accordance with management's general or specific
authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with
existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with
respect to any differences.
(cc) Compliance with Environmental Laws. Except as disclosed
in the Offering Memorandum or as otherwise would not, individually or in the
aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Change (i) to the best of the Company's
knowledge, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of
any federal, state, local or foreign law or regulation relating to pollution or
protection of human health or the environment (including, without limitation,
ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata) or
wildlife, including without limitation, laws and regulations relating to
emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of chemicals, pollutants,
contaminants, wastes, toxic substances, hazardous substances, petroleum and
petroleum products (collectively, "Materials of Environmental Concern"), or
otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment,
storage, disposal, transport or handling of Materials of Environment Concern
(collectively, "Environmental Laws"), which violation includes, but is not
limited to, noncompliance with any permits or other governmental authorizations
required for the operation of the business of the Company or its subsidiaries
under applicable Environmental Laws, or noncompliance with the terms and
conditions thereof, nor has the Company or any of its subsidiaries received any
written communication, whether from a governmental authority, citizens group,
employee or otherwise, that alleges that the Company or any of its subsidiaries
is in violation of any Environmental Law; (ii) there is no claim, action or
cause of action filed with a court or governmental authority, no investigation
with respect to which the Company has received written notice, and no written
notice by any person or entity alleging potential liability for investigatory
costs, cleanup costs, governmental responses costs, natural resources damages,
property damages, personal injuries, attorneys' fees or penalties arising out
of, based on or resulting from the presence, or release into the environment, of
any Material of Environmental Concern at any location owned, leased or operated
by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, now or in the past (collectively,
"Environmental Claims"), pending or, to the best of the Company's knowledge,
threatened against the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any person or
entity whose liability for any Environmental Claim the Company or any of its
subsidiaries has retained or assumed either contractually or by operation of
law; and (iii) to the best of the Company's knowledge, there are no past or
present actions, activities, circumstances, conditions, events or incidents,
including, without limitation, the release, emission, discharge, presence or
disposal of any Material of Environmental Concern, that reasonably could result
in a violation of any Environmental Law or form the basis of a potential
Environmental Claim against the Company or any of its subsidiaries or against
any person or entity whose liability for any Environmental Claim the Company or
any of its subsidiaries has retained or assumed either contractually or by
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operation of law.
(dd) ERISA Compliance. The Company and its subsidiaries and
any "employee benefit plan" (as defined under the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the regulations and published
interpretations thereunder (collectively, "ERISA")) established or maintained by
the Company, its subsidiaries or their "ERISA Affiliates" (as defined below) are
in compliance in all material respects with ERISA. "ERISA Affiliate" means, with
respect to the Company or a subsidiary, any member of any group of organizations
described in Sections 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended, and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder
(the "Code") of which the Company or such subsidiary is a member. No "reportable
event" (as defined under ERISA) has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur
with respect to any "employee benefit plan" established or maintained by the
Company, its subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates. No "employee benefit
plan" established or maintained by the Company, its subsidiaries or any of their
ERISA Affiliates, if such "employee benefit plan" were terminated, would have
any "amount of unfunded benefit liabilities" (as defined under ERISA). Neither
the Company, its subsidiaries nor any of their ERISA Affiliates has incurred or
reasonably expects to incur any liability under (i) Title IV of ERISA with
respect to termination of, or withdrawal from, any "employee benefit plan" or
(ii) Sections 412, 4971, 4975 or 4980B of the Code. Each "employee benefit plan"
established or maintained by the Company, its subsidiaries or any of their ERISA
Affiliates that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is
so qualified and nothing has occurred, whether by action or failure to act,
which would cause the loss of such qualification.
Any certificate signed by an officer of the Company and delivered to
the Initial Purchasers or to counsel for the Initial Purchasers shall be deemed
to be a representation and warranty by the Company to each Initial Purchaser as
to the matters set forth therein.
Section 2. Purchase, Sale and Delivery of the Securities.
(a) The Firm Offered Notes. The Company agrees to issue and
sell to the several Initial Purchasers, severally and not jointly, all of the
Firm Offered Notes upon the terms herein set forth. On the basis of the
representations, warranties and agreements herein contained, and upon the terms
but subject to the conditions herein set forth, the Initial Purchasers agree,
severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company the aggregate principal
amount of Firm Offered Notes set forth opposite their names on Schedule A, at a
discounted purchase price of 4 3/4% of the principal amount thereof payable on
the First Closing Date.
(b) The First Closing Date. Delivery of certificates for the
Firm Offered Notes in definitive form to be purchased by the Initial Purchasers
and payment therefor shall be made at the offices of NationsBanc Montgomery
Securities LLC, 600 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, California (or such other
place as may be agreed to by the Company and the Initial Purchasers) at 6:00
a.m. San Francisco time, on March 24, 1998, or such other time and date not
later than 10:30 a.m., San Francisco time, on April 2, 1998 as the Initial
Purchasers shall designate by notice to the Company (the time and date of such
closing are called the "First Closing Date"). Delivery of other closing
documents shall be made at the offices of O'Connor, Cavanagh, Anderson,
Killingsworth & Beshears, P.A., One East Camelback Road, Phoenix, Arizona on the
First Closing Date.
(c) Delivery of the Firm Offered Notes. The Company shall
deliver, or cause to be delivered, to NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC for
the accounts of the several Initial
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Purchasers certificates for the Firm Offered Notes at the First Closing Date
against the irrevocable release of a wire transfer of immediately available
funds for the amount of the purchase price therefor. The certificates for the
Firm Offered Notes shall be in such denominations ($1,000 or integral multiples
thereof) and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of the Depositary,
pursuant to the DTC Agreement and shall be made available for inspection on the
business day preceding the First Closing Date at a location in New York City as
the Initial Purchasers may designate, provided that certificated Securities
originally purchased by or transferred to institutional "accredited investors"
(as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act) who are
also not "qualified institutional buyers" (as defined in Rule 144A under the
Securities Act) will be issued in minimum denominations of $250,000. Time shall
be of the essence, and delivery at the time and place specified in this
Agreement is a further condition to the obligations of the Initial Purchasers.
(d) Delivery of Offering Memorandum to the Initial Purchasers.
Not later than 12:00 p.m. on the second business day following the date of this
Agreement, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered copies of the
Offering Memorandum in such quantities and at such places as the Initial
Purchasers shall reasonably request.
(e) Initial Purchasers as Qualified Institutional Buyers. Each
Initial Purchaser severally and not jointly represents and warrants to, and
agrees with, the Company that it is a "qualified institutional buyer" within the
meaning of Rule 144A (a "Qualified Institutional Buyer") and an "accredited
investor" within the meaning of Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act (an
"Accredited Investor").
(f) Additional Offered Notes; The Second Closing Date. In
addition, on the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements herein
contained, but subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company
hereby grants an option to the several Initial Purchasers to purchase, severally
and not jointly, up to an aggregate principal amount of $15,000,000.00 of
Additional Offered Notes at the purchase price per dollar of original principal
amount to be paid for the Firm Offered Notes, for use solely by the Initial
Purchasers in covering any over-allotments in connection with the sale and
distribution of the Firm Offered Notes. The option granted hereunder may be
exercised at any time (but not more than once) within 30 days after the date of
this Agreement, upon notice by NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC to the
Company setting forth the aggregate principal amount of Additional Offered Notes
as to which the Initial Purchasers are exercising the option, the names and
denominations in which the certificates for such notes are to be registered, and
the time and place at which such certificates will be delivered. Such time of
delivery (which may not be earlier than the First Closing Date), being herein
referred to as the "Second Closing Date," shall be determined by NationsBanc
Montgomery Securities LLC, but if at any time other than the First Closing Date
shall not be earlier than three nor later than five full business days after
receipt by the Company of such notice of exercise. The aggregate principal
amount of Additional Offered Notes to be purchased by each Initial Purchaser
shall be determined by multiplying the aggregate principal amount of Additional
Offered Notes to be sold by the Company pursuant to such notice of exercise by a
fraction, the numerator of which is the aggregate principal amount of Firm
Offered Notes to be purchased by such Initial Purchaser as set forth opposite
its name in Schedule A and the denominator of which is $100,000,000 (subject to
such adjustments to eliminate any fractional note purchases as NationsBanc
Montgomery Securities LLC in its discretion may make). Certificates for the
Additional Offered Notes will be made available for inspection on the business
day preceding the Second Closing Date at a location in New York, New York, as
may be designated by NationsBanc
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Montgomery Securities LLC. The manner of payment for and delivery of the
Additional Offered Notes shall be the same as for the Firm Offered Notes
purchased from the Company as specified in the preceding paragraphs of this
Section 2. At any time before lapse of the option, NationsBanc Montgomery
Securities LLC may cancel such option by giving written notice of such
cancellation to the Company.
Section 3. Additional Covenants.
The Company further covenants and agrees with each Initial Purchaser as
follows:
(a) Initial Purchasers' Review of Proposed Amendments and
Supplements. Prior to amending or supplementing the Offering Memorandum
(including any amendment or supplement through incorporation by reference of any
report filed under the Exchange Act prior to the First Closing Date and the
Second Closing Date, as the case may be), the Company shall furnish to the
Initial Purchasers for review a copy of each such proposed amendment or
supplement, and the Company shall not make or file any such proposed amendment
or supplement to which the Initial Purchasers reasonably object.
(b) Amendments and Supplements to the Offering Memorandum and
Other Securities Act Matters. If, prior to the completion of the placement of
the Securities by the Initial Purchasers with the Subsequent Purchasers (as
evidenced by a notice in writing from the Initial Purchasers to the Company),
any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which it is necessary to
amend or supplement the Offering Memorandum in order to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances when the Offering Memorandum is
delivered to a purchaser, not misleading, or if in the opinion of the Initial
Purchasers it is otherwise necessary to amend or supplement the Offering
Memorandum to comply with law, the Company agrees to promptly prepare (subject
to Section 3(a) hereof), and furnish at its own expense to the Initial
Purchasers, amendments or supplements to the Offering Memorandum so that the
statements in the Offering Memorandum as so amended or supplemented will not, in
the light of the circumstances when the Offering Memorandum is delivered to a
purchaser, be misleading or so that the Offering Memorandum, as amended or
supplemented, will comply with law.
Following the effectiveness of an applicable shelf registration
statement and for so long as the Securities are outstanding if, in the
reasonable judgment of the Initial Purchasers, the Initial Purchasers or any of
their affiliates (as such term is defined in the rules and regulations under the
Securities Act) are required to deliver a prospectus in connection with sales
of, or market-making activities with respect to, such securities, (A) to
periodically amend the applicable registration statement so that the information
contained therein complies with the requirements of Section 10(a) of the
Securities Act, (B) to amend the applicable registration statement or to
supplement the related prospectus or the documents incorporated therein when
necessary to reflect any material changes in the information provided therein so
that the registration statement and the prospectus will not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing
as of the date the prospectus is so delivered, not misleading, and (C) to
provide the Initial Purchasers with copies of each amendment or supplement filed
and such other documents as the Initial Purchasers may reasonably request.
The Company hereby expressly acknowledges that the indemnification and
contribution provisions of Sections 8 and 9 hereof are specifically applicable
and relate to each offering memorandum, registration statement, prospectus,
amendment or supplement referred to in this
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Section 3(b).
(c) Copies of the Offering Memorandum. The Company agrees to
furnish the Initial Purchasers, without charge, as many copies of the Offering
Memorandum and any amendments and supplements thereto as they shall have
reasonably requested.
(d) Blue Sky Compliance. The Company shall cooperate with the
Initial Purchasers and counsel for the Initial Purchasers to qualify or register
the Securities for sale under (or obtain exemptions from the application of) the
Blue Sky or state securities laws of those jurisdictions designated by the
Initial Purchasers, shall comply with such laws and shall continue such
qualifications, registrations and exemptions in effect so long as required for
the distribution of the Securities. Notwithstanding the above, the Company shall
not be required to qualify as a foreign corporation or to take any action that
would subject it to general service of process in any such jurisdiction where it
is not presently qualified or where it would be subject to taxation as a foreign
corporation. The Company will advise the Initial Purchasers promptly of the
suspension of the qualification or registration of (or any such exemption
relating to) the Securities for offering, sale or trading in any jurisdiction or
any initiation or threat of any proceeding for any such purpose, and in the
event of the issuance of any order suspending such qualification, registration
or exemption, the Company shall use its best efforts to obtain the withdrawal
thereof at the earliest possible moment.
(e) Use of Proceeds. The Company shall apply the net proceeds
from the sale of the Securities sold by it in the manner described under the
caption "Use of Proceeds" in the Offering Memorandum.
(f) The Depositary. The Company will cooperate with the
Initial Purchasers and use its best efforts to permit the Securities to be
eligible for clearance and settlement through the facilities of the Depositary.
(g) Additional Issuer Information. Prior to the completion of
the placement of the Securities by the Initial Purchasers with the Subsequent
Purchasers (as evidenced by a notice in writing from the Initial Purchasers to
the Company), the Company shall file, on a timely basis, with the Commission and
the Nasdaq National Market all reports and documents required to be filed under
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Additionally, at any time when the
Company is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, for the
benefit of holders and beneficial owners from time to time of Securities, the
Company shall furnish, at its expense, upon request, to holders and beneficial
owners of Securities and prospective purchasers of Securities information
("Additional Issuer Information") satisfying the requirements of subsection
(d)(4) of Rule 144A.
(h) Agreement Not To Offer or Sell Additional Securities.
During the period of 120 days following the date of the Offering Memorandum, the
Company will not, without the prior written consent of NationsBanc Montgomery
Securities LLC (which consent may be withheld at the sole discretion of
NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC), directly or indirectly, sell, offer,
contract or grant any option to sell, pledge, transfer or establish an open "put
equivalent position" within the meaning of Rule 16a-1(h) under the Exchange Act,
or otherwise dispose of or transfer, or announce the offering of, or file any
registration statement under the Securities Act in respect of, any debt
securities of the Company or securities exchangeable for or convertible into
debt securities of the Company (other than as contemplated by this Agreement).
Notwithstanding the above, this Section 15(h) shall not apply to increases in
amounts available under the Company's existing Revolving Credit Facility with
First Union National Bank.
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(i) Future Reports to the Initial Purchasers. During the
period of five years hereafter the Company will furnish to NationsBanc
Montgomery Securities LLC at 600 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94111,
Attention: Murray C. Huneke, CIBC Oppenheimer Corp., One World Financial Center,
200 Liberty Street, 38th Floor, New York, NY 10281, Attention: Mark Harms,
EVEREN Securities, Inc., 1901 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1460, Los Angeles, CA
90067, Attention: Tod Jadwin, and Piper Jaffray Inc., 222 South 9th Street,
Minneapolis, MN 55402, Attention: Douglas R. Witaker (i) as soon as practicable
after the end of each fiscal year, copies of the Annual Report of the Company
containing the balance sheet of the Company as of the close of such fiscal year
and statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for the year then
ended and the opinion thereon of the Company's independent public or certified
public accountants; (ii) as soon as practicable after the filing thereof, copies
of each proxy statement, Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q, Current Report on Form 8-K or other report filed by the Company with the
Commission, the NASD or any securities exchange; and (iii) as soon as available,
copies of any report or communication of the Company mailed generally to holders
of its capital stock or debt securities (including the holders of the
Securities).
(j) Registration Rights Agreement. The Company shall comply
with all provisions and obligations of the Registration Rights Agreement, and
shall comply with all applicable federal and state securities laws in connection
with the Registration Rights Agreement.
(k) No Integration. The Company agrees that it will not and
will cause its Affiliates not to make any offer or sale of securities of the
Company of any securities if, as a result of the doctrine of "integration"
referred to in Rule 502 under the Securities Act, such offer or sale would
render invalid (for the purpose of (i) the sale of the Securities by the Company
to the Initial Purchasers, (ii) the resale of the Securities by the Initial
Purchasers to Subsequent Purchasers or (iii) the resale of the Securities by
such Subsequent Purchasers to others) the exemption from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act provided by Section 4(2) thereof or by Rule
144A or by Regulation S thereunder or otherwise.
(l) Restriction on Repurchases. Until the expiration of two
years after the original issuance of the Securities, the Company will not, and
will cause its Affiliates not to, purchase or agree to purchase or otherwise
acquire any of the Securities which are "restricted securities" (as such term is
defined under Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act), whether as beneficial
owner or otherwise (except as agent acting as a securities broker on behalf of
and for the account of customers in the ordinary course of business in
unsolicited broker's transactions) unless, immediately upon any such purchase,
the Company or any Affiliate shall submit such Securities to the Trustee for
cancellation.
(m) Legended Securities. Each certificate for a Security will
bear the legend contained in "Transfer Restrictions" in the Offering Memorandum
for the time period and upon the other terms stated in the Offering Memorandum.
(n) PORTAL. The Company will use its best efforts to cause
such Notes to be eligible for the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. PORTAL market (the "PORTAL market").
(o) Form D. The Company will file with the Commission, not
later than 15 days after the First Closing Date and the Second Closing Date, as
the case may be, five copies of a notice on Form D under the Securities Act (one
of which will be manually signed by a person duly
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authorized by the Company); will otherwise comply with the requirements of Rule
503 under the Securities Act; and will furnish promptly to the Initial
Purchasers evidence of each such required timely filing (including a copy
thereof).
(p) Due Diligence. In connection with the original
distribution of the Securities, the Company agrees that, prior to any offer or
resale of the Securities by the Initial Purchasers, the Initial Purchasers and
counsel for the Initial Purchasers shall have the right to make reasonable
inquiries into the business of the Company and its subsidiaries. The Company
also agrees to provide answers to each prospective Subsequent Purchaser of
Securities who so requests concerning the Company and its subsidiaries (to the
extent that such information is available or can be acquired and made available
to prospective Subsequent Purchasers without unreasonable effort or expense and
to the extent the provision thereof is not prohibited by applicable law) and the
terms and conditions of the offering of the Securities, as provided in the
Offering Memorandum.
NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC, on behalf of the several Initial
Purchasers, may, in its sole discretion, waive in writing the performance by the
Company of any one or more of the foregoing covenants or extend the time for
their performance.
Section 4. Payment of Expenses
The Company agrees to pay all costs, fees and expenses incurred in
connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder and in connection
with the transactions contemplated hereby, including without limitation (i) all
expenses incident to the issuance and delivery of the Securities (including all
printing and engraving costs), (ii) all necessary issue, transfer and other
stamp taxes in connection with the issuance and sale of the Securities to the
Initial Purchasers, (iii) all fees and expenses of the Company's counsel,
independent public or certified public accountants and other advisors, (iv) all
costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, printing,
filing, shipping and distribution of each preliminary Offering Memorandum and
the Offering Memorandum (including financial statements and exhibits), and all
amendments and supplements thereto, this Agreement, the Registration Rights
Agreement, the Indenture, the DTC Agreement, and the Notes, (v) all filing fees,
attorneys' fees and expenses incurred by the Company or the Initial Purchasers
in connection with qualifying or registering (or obtaining exemptions from the
qualification or registration of) all or any part of the Securities for offer
and sale under the Blue Sky laws and, if requested by the Initial Purchasers,
preparing and printing a "Blue Sky Survey" or memorandum, and any supplements
thereto, advising the Initial Purchasers of such qualifications, registrations
and exemptions, (vi) the fees and expenses of the Trustee, including the fees
and disbursements of counsel for the Trustee in connection with the Indenture
and the Securities, (vii) any fees payable in connection with the rating of the
Securities with the ratings agencies and the listing of the Securities with the
PORTAL market, (viii) any filing fees incident to, and any reasonable fees and
disbursements of counsel to the Initial Purchasers in connection with the review
by the NASD, if any, of the terms of the sale of the Securities, (ix) all fees
and expenses (including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) of the Company
in connection with approval of the Securities by DTC for "book-entry" transfer,
and (x) the performance by the Company of its other obligations under this
Agreement. Except as provided in this Section 4, Section 6, Section 8 and
Section 9 hereof, the Initial Purchasers shall pay their own expenses, including
the fees and disbursements of their counsel.
Section 5. Conditions of the Obligations of the Initial Purchasers. The
obligations of the several Initial Purchasers to purchase and pay for the
Securities as provided herein on the First Closing Date and, with respect to the
Additional Offered Notes, the Second Closing Date, shall be
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subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties on the part of the
Company set forth in Section 1 hereof as of the date hereof and as of the First
Closing Date as though then made and, with respect to the Additional Offered
Notes, and as of the Second Closing Date as though then made, to the timely
performance by the Company of its covenants and other obligations hereunder, and
to each of the following additional conditions:
(a) Accountants' Comfort Letter. On the date hereof, the
Initial Purchasers shall have received from Arthur Andersen LLP, independent
public or certified public accountants for the Company, a letter dated the date
hereof addressed to the Initial Purchasers, in form and substance satisfactory
to the Initial Purchasers, containing statements and information of the type
ordinarily included in accountant's "comfort letters" to Initial Purchasers,
delivered according to Statement of Auditing Standards Nos. 72 and 76 (or any
successor bulletins), with respect to the audited and unaudited financial
statements and certain financial information contained in the Offering
Memorandum (including such statements and information incorporated by
reference).
(b) No Material Adverse Change or Ratings Agency Change. For
the period from and after the date of this Agreement and prior to the First
Closing Date and, with respect to the Additional Offered Notes, the Second
Closing Date:
(i) in the judgment of the Initial Purchasers there
shall not have occurred any Material Adverse Change; and
(ii) there shall not have occurred any downgrading,
nor shall any notice have been given of any intended or potential
downgrading or of any review for a possible change that does not
indicate the direction of the possible change, in the rating accorded
any securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries by any
"nationally recognized statistical rating organization" as such term is
defined for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Securities Act.
(c) Opinion of Counsel for the Company. On each of the First
Closing Date and the Second Closing Date, the Initial Purchasers shall have
received the favorable opinion of O'Connor, Cavanagh, Anderson, Killingsworth &
Beshears, P.A. counsel for the Company, dated as of such Closing Date, the form
of which is attached as Exhibit A.
(d) Opinion of Counsel for the Initial Purchasers. On each of
the First Closing Date and the Second, the Initial Purchasers shall have
received the favorable opinion of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson,
counsel for the Initial Purchasers, dated as of such Closing Date, with respect
to such matters as may be reasonably requested by the Initial Purchasers.
(e) Officers' Certificate. On each of the First Closing Date
and the Second Closing Date, the Initial Purchasers shall have received a
written certificate executed by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
Officer or President of the Company and the Chief Financial Officer or Chief
Accounting Officer of the Company, dated as of such Closing Date, to the effect
set forth in subsection (b)(ii) of this Section 5, and further to the effect
that:
(i) for the period from and after the date of this
Agreement and prior to the Closing Date there has not occurred any
Material Adverse Change;
(ii) the representations, warranties and covenants of
the Company set forth in Section 1 of this Agreement are true and
correct with the same force and effect as
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though expressly made on and as of the Closing Date; and
(iii) the Company has complied with all the
agreements and satisfied all the conditions on its part to be performed
or satisfied at or prior to the Closing Date.
(f) Bring-down Comfort Letter. On each of the First Closing
Date and the Second Closing Date, the Initial Purchasers shall have received
from Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public or certified public accountants for
the Company, a letter dated such date, in form and substance satisfactory to the
Initial Purchasers, to the effect that they reaffirm the statements made in the
letter furnished by them pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section 5, except
that the specified date referred to therein for the carrying out of procedures
shall be no more than three business days prior to the Closing Date.
(g) PORTAL Listing. At the Closing Date, the Notes shall have
been designated for trading on the PORTAL market.
(h) Registration Rights Agreement. The Company shall have
entered into the Registration Rights Agreement and the Initial Purchasers shall
have received executed counterparts thereof.
(i) Additional Documents. On or before each of the First
Closing Date and the Second Closing Date, the Initial Purchasers and counsel for
the Initial Purchasers shall have received such information, documents and
opinions as they may reasonably require for the purposes of enabling them to
pass upon the issuance and sale of the Securities as contemplated herein, or in
order to evidence the accuracy of any of the representations and warranties, or
the satisfaction of any of the conditions or agreements, herein contained.
If any condition specified in this Section 5 is not satisfied when and
as required to be satisfied, this Agreement may be terminated by the Initial
Purchasers by notice to the Company at any time on or prior to the Closing Date,
which termination shall be without liability on the part of any party to any
other party, except that Section 4, Section 6, Section 8 and Section 9 shall at
all times be effective and shall survive such termination.
Section 6. Reimbursement of Initial Purchasers' Expenses. If this
Agreement is terminated by the Initial Purchasers pursuant to Section 5, Section
10 or Section 16, or if the sale to the Initial Purchasers of the Securities on
the Closing Date is not consummated because of any refusal, inability or failure
on the part of the Company to perform any agreement herein or to comply with any
provision hereof, the Company agrees to reimburse the Initial Purchasers (or
such Initial Purchasers as have terminated this Agreement with respect to
themselves), severally, upon demand for all out-of-pocket expenses that shall
have been reasonably incurred by the Initial Purchasers in connection with the
proposed purchase and the offering and sale of the Securities, including but not
limited to reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel, printing expenses,
travel expenses, postage, facsimile and telephone charges.
Section 7. Offer, Sale and Resale Procedures. Each of the Initial
Purchasers and the Company hereby establish and agree to observe the following
procedures in connection with the offer and sale of the Securities:
(a) Offers and Sales only to Institutional Accredited
Investors or Qualified Institutional Buyers. Offers and sales of the Securities
will be made only by the Initial Purchasers
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or Affiliates thereof qualified to do so in the jurisdictions in which such
offers or sales are made. Each such offer or sale shall only be made (A) to
persons that the offeror or seller reasonably believes to be qualified
institutional buyers (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act), (B) to
other institutional accredited investors (as such term is defined in Rule
501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D) that the offeror or seller
reasonably believes to be and, with respect to sales and deliveries, that are
Accredited Investors ("Institutional Accredited Investors") or (C) non-U.S.
persons outside the United States to whom the offeror or seller reasonably
believes offers and sales of the Securities may be made in reliance upon
Regulation S under the Securities Act, upon the terms and conditions set forth
in Annex I hereto, which Annex I is hereby expressly made a part hereof.
(b) No General Solicitation. The Securities will be offered by
approaching prospective Subsequent Purchasers on an individual basis. No general
solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Rule 502(c) under the
Securities Act) will be used in the United States in connection with the
offering of the Securities.
(c) Purchases by Non-Bank Fiduciaries. In the case of a
non-bank Subsequent Purchaser of a Security acting as a fiduciary for one or
more third parties, in connection with an offer and sale to such purchaser
pursuant to clause (i) above, each third party shall, in the judgment of the
applicable Initial Purchaser, be an Institutional Accredited Investor or a
Qualified Institutional Buyer or a non-U.S. person outside the United States.
(d) Restrictions on Transfer. Upon original issuance by the
Company, and until such time as the same is no longer required under the
applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Notes (and all securities
issued in exchange therefor or in substitution thereof) shall bear the following
legend:
THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE
U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR ANY STATE
SECURITIES LAWS, AND, ACCORDINGLY, NEITHER THIS NOTE, THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS NOTE, NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN
OR THEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR
OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH
TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM OR NOT SUBJECT TO, REGISTRATION. UNLESS THE SHARES OF
COMMON STOCK HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, A HOLDER OF THIS
NOTE WILL BE ABLE TO EXERCISE THE CONVERSION RIGHT ONLY IF THE HOLDER CERTIFIES
THAT IT IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" OR AN INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED
INVESTOR" AS DEFINED BELOW.
THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE, BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, AGREES
THAT IT WILL NOT, PRIOR TO THE DATE WHICH IS TWO YEARS AFTER THE LATER OF THE
ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE COMPANY OR ANY
AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY WAS THE OWNER OF THIS NOTE (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH
SECURITY), RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY OR THE COMMON
STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF SUCH NOTE EXCEPT (A) TO THE COMPANY, OR ANY
SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL
BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) INSIDE THE
UNITED STATES TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR THAT, PRIOR TO SUCH
TRANSFER, FURNISHES TO FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, AS TRUSTEE (OR A SUCCESSOR
TRUSTEE, AS APPLICABLE), A SIGNED LETTER CONTAINING CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND
AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF THE NOTE
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EVIDENCED HEREBY (THE FORM OF WHICH LETTER CAN BE OBTAINED FROM SUCH TRUSTEE OR
SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE, AS APPLICABLE), (D) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE
TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E)
PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE) OR (F) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH
HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (AND WHICH CONTINUES TO BE
EFFECTIVE AT THE TIME OF SUCH TRANSFER); AND AGREES THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH
PERSON TO WHOM THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY
TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER OF THE NOTE
EVIDENCED HEREBY, OR THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION
THEREOF, WITHIN TWO YEARS AFTER THE ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF SUCH NOTE, THE HOLDER
MUST CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX SET FORTH ON THE REVERSE HEREOF RELATING TO THE
MANNER OF SUCH TRANSFER AND SUBMIT THIS CERTIFICATE TO FIRST UNION NATIONAL
BANK, AS TRUSTEE (OR A SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE, AS APPLICABLE). IF THE PROPOSED
TRANSFEREE IS AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR OR A PURCHASER WHO IS NOT A
U.S. PERSON, THE HOLDER MUST, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISH TO FIRST UNION
NATIONAL BANK, AS TRUSTEE (OR A SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE, AS APPLICABLE), SUCH
CERTIFICATIONS, LEGAL OPINIONS OR OTHER INFORMATION AS IT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE
TO CONFIRM THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS BEING MADE PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN
A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES
ACT. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON ANY TRANSFER OF THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY,
OR THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK ISSUED UPON CONVERSION THEREOF, AFTER THE
EXPIRATION OF TWO YEARS FROM THE ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY.
AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS "OFFSHORE TRANSACTION," "UNITED STATES" AND "U.S.
PERSON" HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT.
Following the sale of the Securities by the Initial Purchasers
to Subsequent Purchasers pursuant to the terms hereof, the Initial Purchasers
shall not be liable or responsible to the Company for any losses, damages or
liabilities suffered or incurred by the Company, including any losses, damages
or liabilities under the Securities Act, arising from or relating to any resale
or transfer of any Security.
(e) Delivery of Offering Memorandum. Each Initial Purchaser
will deliver to each purchaser of the Securities from such Initial Purchaser, in
connection with its original distribution of the Securities, a copy of the
Offering Memorandum, as amended and supplemented at the date of such delivery.
Section 8. Indemnification.
(a) Indemnification of the Initial Purchasers. The Company
agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Initial Purchaser, its officers and
employees, and each person, if any, who controls any Initial Purchaser within
the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act against any loss, claim,
damage, liability or expense, as incurred, to which such Initial Purchaser or
such controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act, the
Exchange Act or other federal or state statutory law or regulation, or at common
law or otherwise (including in settlement of any litigation, if such settlement
is effected with the written consent of the Company), insofar as such loss,
claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions in respect thereof as
contemplated below) arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Preliminary
Offering Memorandum or the Offering
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Memorandum (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged
omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading, and to reimburse each Initial Purchaser and each such controlling
person for any and all expenses (including the fees and disbursements of counsel
chosen by NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC) as such expenses are reasonably
incurred by such Initial Purchaser or such controlling person in connection with
investigating, defending, settling, compromising or paying any such loss, claim,
damage, liability, expense or action; provided, however, that the foregoing
indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss, claim, damage, liability or
expense to the extent, but only to the extent, arising out of or based upon any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission
made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to
the Company by the Initial Purchasers expressly for use in any Preliminary
Offering Memorandum or the Offering Memorandum (or any amendment or supplement
thereto); and provided, further, that with respect to any Preliminary Offering
Memorandum, the foregoing indemnity agreement shall not inure to the benefit of
any Initial Purchaser from whom the person asserting any loss, claim, damage,
liability or expense purchased Securities, or any person controlling such
Initial Purchaser, if copies of the Offering Memorandum were timely delivered to
the Initial Purchaser pursuant to Section 2 and a copy of the Offering
Memorandum (as then amended or supplemented if the Company shall have furnished
any amendments or supplements thereto) was not sent or given by or on behalf of
such Initial Purchaser to such person, at or prior to the written confirmation
of the sale of the Securities to such person, and if the Offering Memorandum (as
so amended or supplemented) would have cured the defect giving rise to such
loss, claim, damage, liability or expense. The indemnity agreement set forth in
this Section 8(a) shall be in addition to any liabilities that the Company may
otherwise have.
(b) Indemnification of the Company, its Directors and
Officers. Each Initial Purchaser agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify
and hold harmless the Company and each of its directors and each person, if any,
who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act or the
Exchange Act, against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense, as
incurred, to which the Company or any such director or controlling person may
become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or other federal or
state statutory law or regulation, or at common law or otherwise (including in
settlement of any litigation, if such settlement is effected with the written
consent of such Initial Purchaser), insofar as such loss, claim, damage,
liability or expense (or actions in respect thereof as contemplated below)
arises out of or is based upon any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in any Preliminary Offering Memorandum or the Offering
Memorandum (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or arises out of or is
based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made
in any Preliminary Offering Memorandum or the Offering Memorandum (or any
amendment or supplement thereto), in reliance upon and in conformity with
written information furnished to the Company by the Initial Purchasers expressly
for use therein; and to reimburse the Company, or any such director or
controlling person for any legal and other expenses reasonably incurred by the
Company, or any such director or controlling person in connection with
investigating, defending, settling, compromising or paying any such loss, claim,
damage, liability, expense or action. The Company hereby acknowledges that the
only information that the Initial Purchasers have furnished to the Company
expressly for use in any Preliminary Offering Memorandum or the Memorandum (or
any amendment or supplement thereto) are the statements set forth (A) in the
paragraph on the inside front cover page of the Offering Memorandum concerning
stabilization by the Initial Purchasers and (B) under the caption "Plan of
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Distribution" in the Offering Memorandum; and the Initial Purchasers confirm
that such statements are correct. The indemnity agreement set forth in this
Section 8(b) shall be in addition to any liabilities that each Initial Purchaser
may otherwise have.
(c) Notifications and Other Indemnification Procedures.
Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 8 of notice of
the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in
respect thereof is to be made against an indemnifying party under this Section
8, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof, but the
omission so to notify the indemnifying party will not relieve it from any
liability which it may have to any indemnified party for contribution or
otherwise than under the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 8 or to
the extent it is not prejudiced as a proximate result of such failure. In case
any such action is brought against any indemnified party and such indemnified
party seeks or intends to seek indemnity from an indemnifying party, the
indemnifying party will be entitled to participate in and, to the extent that it
shall elect, jointly with all other indemnifying parties similarly notified, by
written notice delivered to the indemnified party promptly after receiving the
aforesaid notice from such indemnified party, to assume the defense thereof with
counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party; provided, however, if
the defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and the
indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded
that a conflict may arise between the positions of the indemnifying party and
the indemnified party in conducting the defense of any such action or that there
may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties which are
different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, the
indemnified party or parties shall have the right to select separate counsel to
assume such legal defenses and to otherwise participate in the defense of such
action on behalf of such indemnified party or parties. Upon receipt of notice
from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of such indemnifying
party's election so to assume the defense of such action and approval by the
indemnified party of counsel, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such
indemnified party under this Section 8 for any legal or other expenses
subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense
thereof unless (i) the indemnified party shall have employed separate counsel in
accordance with the proviso to the next preceding sentence (it being understood,
however, that the indemnifying party shall not be liable for the expenses of
more than one separate counsel (together with local counsel), approved by the
indemnifying party (NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC in the case of Section
8(b) and Section 9), representing the indemnified parties who are parties to
such action) or (ii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel
satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within
a reasonable time after notice of commencement of the action, in each of which
cases the fees and expenses of counsel shall be at the expense of the
indemnifying party.
(d) Settlements. The indemnifying party under this Section 8
shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its
written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final
judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the
indemnified party against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense by
reason of such settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence,
if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party
to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel as
contemplated by Section 8(c) hereof, the indemnifying party agrees that it shall
be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written
consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 90 days after receipt
by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request and (ii) such indemnifying
party shall not have reimbursed the indemnified party in accordance with such
request prior to the date of such settlement. No indemnifying party shall,
without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any
settlement, compromise or
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consent to the entry of judgment in any pending or threatened action, suit or
proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a
party and indemnity was or could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified
party, unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional
release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the
subject matter of such action, suit or proceeding.
Section 9. Contribution.
If the indemnification provided for in Section 8 is for any reason held
to be unavailable to or otherwise insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified
party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses
referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the
aggregate amount paid or payable by such indemnified party, as incurred, as a
result of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to
therein (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative
benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers,
on the other hand, from the offering of the Securities pursuant to this
Agreement or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not
permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not
only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative
fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other
hand, in connection with the statements or omissions or inaccuracies in the
representations and warranties herein which resulted in such losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand,
and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, in connection with the offering
of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same
respective proportions as the total net proceeds from the offering of the
Securities pursuant to this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by
the Company, and the total discount received by the Initial Purchasers bear to
the aggregate initial offering price of the Securities. The relative fault of
the Company, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand,
shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any such untrue
or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission
to state a material fact or any such inaccurate or alleged inaccurate
representation or warranty relates to information supplied by the Company, on
the one hand, or the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, and the parties'
relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or
prevent such statement or omission.
The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses,
claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to
include, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 8(c), any legal or
other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with
investigating or defending any action or claim. The provisions set forth in
Section 8(c) with respect to notice of commencement of any action shall apply if
a claim for contribution is to be made under this Section 9; provided, however,
that no additional notice shall be required with respect to any action for which
notice has been given under Section 8(c) for purposes of indemnification.
The Company and the Initial Purchasers agree that it would not be just
and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 9 were determined by pro
rata allocation (even if the Initial Purchasers were treated as one entity for
such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account
of the equitable considerations referred to in this Section 9.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 9, no Initial Purchaser
shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the discount received by
such Initial Purchaser in connection with the Securities distributed by it. No
person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the
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meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to
contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation. The Initial Purchasers' obligations to contribute pursuant to
this Section 9 are several, and not joint, in proportion to their respective
commitments as set forth opposite their names in Schedule A. For purposes of
this Section 9, each officer and employee of an Initial Purchaser and each
person, if any, who controls an Initial Purchaser within the meaning of the
Securities Act and the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution
as such Initial Purchaser, and each director of the Company, each officer of the
Company, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of
the Securities Act and the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to
contribution as the Company.
Section 10. Termination of this Agreement. Prior to the Closing Date,
this Agreement maybe terminated by the Initial Purchasers by notice given to the
Company if at any time (i) trading in or quotation of any of the Company's
securities shall have been suspended or limited by the Commission or by the
Nasdaq Stock Market, or trading in securities generally on either the Nasdaq
Stock Market or the New York Stock Exchange shall have been suspended or
limited, or minimum or maximum prices shall have been generally established on
any of such stock exchanges by the Commission or the NASD; (ii) a general
banking moratorium shall have been declared by any of federal, New York,
Delaware or California authorities; (iii) there shall have occurred any outbreak
or escalation of national or international hostilities or any crisis or
calamity, or any change in the United States or international financial markets,
or any substantial change or development involving a prospective substantial
change in United States or international political, financial or economic
conditions, as in the judgment of the Initial Purchasers is material and adverse
and makes it impracticable to market the Securities in the manner and on the
terms described in the Offering Memorandum or to enforce contracts for the sale
of securities; (iv) in the judgment of the Initial Purchasers there shall have
occurred any Material Adverse Change; or (v) the Company shall have sustained a
loss by strike, fire, flood, earthquake, accident or other calamity of such
character as in the judgment of the Initial Purchasers may interfere materially
with the conduct of the business and operations of the Company regardless of
whether or not such loss shall have been insured. Any termination pursuant to
this Section 10 shall be without liability on the part of (a) the Company to any
Initial Purchaser, except that the Company shall be obligated to reimburse the
expenses of the Initial Purchasers pursuant to Sections 4 and 6 hereof, (b) any
Initial Purchaser to the Company, or (c) of any party hereto to any other party
except that the provisions of Section 8 and Section 9 shall at all times be
effective and shall survive such termination.
Section 11. Representations and Indemnities to Survive Delivery. The
respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and other
statements of the Company, of its officers and of the several Initial Purchasers
set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full force and
effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Initial
Purchaser or the Company or any of its or their partners, officers or directors
or any controlling person, as the case may be, and will survive delivery of and
payment for the Securities sold hereunder and any termination of this Agreement.
Section 12. Notices. All communications hereunder shall be in writing
and shall be mailed, hand delivered or telecopied and confirmed to the parties
hereto as follows:
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If to the Initial Purchasers:
NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC
600 Montgomery Street
San Francisco, California 94111
Facsimile: 415-249-5558
Attention: Richard A. Smith
with a copy to:
NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC
600 Montgomery Street
San Francisco, California 94111
Facsimile: (415) 249-5553
Attention: David A. Baylor, Esq.
If to the Company:
Action Performance Companies, Inc.
4707 East Baseline Road
Phoenix, Arizona 85040
Facsimile: (602) 337-3780
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
with a copy to:
O'Connor, Cavanagh, Anderson, Killingsworth & Beshears, P.A.
One East Camelback Road, Suite 1100
Phoenix, Arizona 85012-1656
Facsimile: (602) 263-2900
Attention: Robert S. Kant, Esq.
Any party hereto may change the address for receipt of communications by giving
written notice to the others.
Section 13. Successors. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and
be binding upon the parties hereto, including any substitute Initial Purchasers
pursuant to Section 16 hereof, and to the benefit of the employees, officers and
directors and controlling persons referred to in Section 8 and Section 9, and in
each case their respective successors, and no other person will have any right
or obligation hereunder. The term "successors" shall not include any purchaser
of the Securities as such from any of the Initial Purchasers merely by reason of
such purchase.
Section 14. Partial Unenforceability. The invalidity or
unenforceability of any Section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement shall
not affect the validity or enforceability of any other Section, paragraph or
provision hereof. If any Section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement is
for any reason determined to be invalid or unenforceable, there shall be deemed
to be made such minor changes (and only such minor changes) as are necessary to
make it valid and enforceable.
24
<PAGE>
Section 15. Governing Law Provisions. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED
BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN SUCH STATE.
Section 16. Default of One or More of the Several Initial Purchasers.
If any one or more of the several Initial Purchasers shall fail or refuse to
purchase Securities that it or they have agreed to purchase hereunder on the
Closing Date or the Second Closing Date, and the aggregate number of Securities
which such defaulting Initial Purchaser or Initial Purchasers agreed but failed
or refused to purchase does not exceed 10% of the aggregate number of the
Securities to be purchased on such date, the other Initial Purchasers shall be
obligated, severally, in the proportions that the number of Securities set forth
opposite their respective names on Schedule A bears to the aggregate number of
Securities set forth opposite the names of all such non-defaulting Initial
Purchasers, or in such other proportions as may be specified by the Initial
Purchasers with the consent of the non-defaulting Initial Purchasers, to
purchase the Securities which such defaulting Initial Purchaser or Initial
Purchasers agreed but failed or refused to purchase on such date. If any one or
more of the Initial Purchasers shall fail or refuse to purchase Securities and
the aggregate number of Securities with respect to which such default occurs
exceeds 10% of the aggregate number of Securities to be purchased on the Closing
Date, and arrangements satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers and the Company,
including the substitution of a new Initial Purchaser for the defaulting Initial
Purchaser, for the purchase of such Securities are not made within 48 hours
after such default, this Agreement shall terminate without liability of any
party to any other party except that the provisions of Section 4, Section 6,
Section 8 and Section 9 shall at all times be effective and shall survive such
termination. In any such case either the Initial Purchasers or the Company shall
have the right to postpone the Closing Date or the Second Closing Date, as the
case may be, but in no event for longer than seven days in order that the
required changes, if any, to the Offering Memorandum or any other documents or
arrangements may be effected.
As used in this Agreement, the term "Initial Purchaser" shall be deemed
to include any person substituted for a defaulting Initial Purchaser under this
Section 16. Any action taken under this Section 16 shall not relieve any
defaulting Initial Purchaser from liability in respect of any default of such
Initial Purchaser under this Agreement.
Section 17. General Provisions. This Agreement constitutes the entire
agreement of the parties to this Agreement and supersedes all prior written or
oral and all contemporaneous oral agreements, understandings and negotiations
with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may be executed in two
or more counterparts, each one of which shall be an original, with the same
effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.
This Agreement may not be amended or modified unless in writing by all of the
parties hereto, and no condition herein (express or implied) may be waived
unless waived in writing by each party whom the condition is meant to benefit.
The Table of Contents and the section headings herein are for the convenience of
the parties only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this
Agreement.
Each of the parties hereto acknowledges that it is a sophisticated
business person that was adequately represented by counsel during negotiations
regarding the provisions hereof, including, without limitation, the
indemnification provisions of Section 8 and the contribution provisions of
Section 9, and is fully informed regarding said provisions. Each of the parties
hereto further acknowledges that the provisions of Sections 8 and 9 hereto
fairly allocate the risks in light of the
25
<PAGE>
ability of the parties to investigate the Company, its affairs and its business
in order to assure that adequate disclosure has been made in any registration
statement, any preliminary Offering Memorandum and the Offering Memorandum (and
any amendments and supplements thereto), as required by the Securities Act and
the Exchange Act.
If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our
agreement, kindly sign and return to the Company the enclosed copies hereof,
whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts hereof, shall become a
binding agreement in accordance with its terms.
Very truly yours,
ACTION PERFORMANCE COMPANIES, INC.
By: /s/ Fred W. Wagenhals
------------------------------
Name: Fred W. Wagenhals
Title: Chairman of the Board, President
and Chief Executive Officer
The foregoing Purchase Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted by the Initial
Purchasers in San Francisco, California as of the date first above written.
NATIONSBANC MONTGOMERY SECURITIES LLC
CIBC OPPENHEIMER CORP.
EVEREN SECURITIES, INC.
PIPER JAFFRAY INC.
As the several Initial Purchasers
By NATIONSBANC MONTGOMERY SECURITIES LLC
By: /s/ Lew Coleman
------------------------------
Name: Lew Coleman
Title: Sr. Managing Director
26
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
by and among
Action Performance Companies, Inc.
and
NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC
CIBC Oppenheimer Corp.
EVEREN Securities, Inc.
Piper Jaffray Inc.
Dated as of March 24, 1998
<PAGE>
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Registration Rights Agreement (this "Agreement") is made and
entered into as of March 24, 1998, by and among Action Performance Companies,
Inc., an Arizona corporation (the "Company"), and NationsBanc Montgomery
Securities LLC, CIBC Oppenheimer Corp., EVEREN Securities, Inc. and Piper
Jaffray Inc. (each an "Initial Purchaser" and, collectively, the "Initial
Purchasers"), each of whom has agreed to purchase the Company's 4 3/4%
Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2005 (the "Initial Notes") pursuant to the
Purchase Agreement (as defined below).
This Agreement is made pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, dated as of
March 18, 1998 (the "Purchase Agreement"), by and among the Company and the
Initial Purchasers (i) for your benefit and for the benefit of each other
Initial Purchaser and (ii) for the benefit of the holders from time to time of
the Securities, as defined below, (including you and each other Initial
Purchaser). In order to induce the Initial Purchasers to purchase the Notes, the
Company has agreed to provide the registration rights set forth in this
Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition to the
obligations of the Initial Purchasers set forth in Section 5(h) of the Purchase
Agreement.
The parties hereby agree as follows:
Section 1. Definitions
As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have
the following meanings:
Closing Date: The date of this Agreement.
Commission: The Securities and Exchange Commission.
Damages Payment Date: Each of the semi-annual interest payment dates
provided in the Indenture.
Effectiveness Target Date: As defined in Section 5.
Exchange Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Exempt Resales: The transactions in which the Initial Purchasers
propose to sell the Securities to certain "qualified institutional
buyers," as such term is defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act,
and to certain institutional "accredited investors," as such term is
defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) and (7) of Regulation D under the
Securities Act ("Accredited Institutions"), and to certain non-U.S.
persons outside the United States in reliance on Regulation S under the
Securities Act.
Holders: As defined in Section 2(b) hereof.
Indemnified Holder: As defined in Section 7(a) hereof.
<PAGE>
Indenture: The Indenture, dated as of March 24, 1998, among the Company
and First Union National Bank, as trustee (the "Trustee"), pursuant to
which the Securities are to be issued, as such Indenture is amended or
supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.
Initial Purchaser: As defined in the preamble hereto.
Initial Placement: The issuance and sale by the Company of the Initial
Notes to the Initial Purchasers pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.
Interest Payment Date: As defined in the Indenture and the Notes.
Liquidated Damages: As defined in Section 4 hereof.
NASD: National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
Notes: The 4 3/4% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2005, issued
pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, for so long as such securities
constitute Transfer Restricted Securities, as defined below.
Person: An individual, partnership, corporation, trust or
unincorporated organization, or a government or agency or political
subdivision thereof.
Prospectus: The prospectus included in a Registration Statement, as
defined below, as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement
and by all other amendments thereto, including post-effective
amendments, and all material incorporated by reference into such
Prospectus.
Record Holder: With respect to any Damages Payment Date relating to the
Notes, each Person who is a Holder of Notes on the record date with
respect to the Interest Payment Date on which such Damages Payment Date
shall occur.
Registration Default: As defined in Section 4 hereof.
Registration Statement: Any registration statement of the Company
relating to the registration for resale of Transfer Restricted
Securities, as defined below, pursuant to the Shelf Registration
Statement, which is filed pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement,
including the Prospectus included therein, all amendments and
supplements thereto (including post-effective amendments) and all
exhibits and material incorporated by reference therein.
Securities: The Notes and the Underlying Securities, as defined below.
Securities Act: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Shelf Filing Deadline: As defined in Section 3 hereof.
Shelf Registration Statement: As defined in Section 3 hereof.
Special Counsel: Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson or such other
counsel as shall be specified by the Holders of a majority in principal
amount of the Transfer Restricted
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<PAGE>
Securities and shall be acceptable to the Company (based on, among
other factors, the anticipated costliness thereof) acting in good
faith, the fees and expenses of which will be paid by the Company
pursuant to Section 6(b) hereof.
Trust Indenture Act: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Section
77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the Indenture.
Transfer Restricted Securities: Each Security, until the earliest to
occur of (a) the date on which such Security has been effectively
registered under the Securities Act and disposed of in accordance with
a Shelf Registration Statement, (b) the date on which such Security is
distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities
Act, and (c) the date on which such Security may be sold or transferred
pursuant to Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act.
Underlying Securities: The Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of
the Company into which the Notes are convertible.
Underwritten Registration or Underwritten Offering: A registration in
which securities of the Company are sold to an underwriter for
reoffering to the public.
Section 2. Securities Subject To This Agreement
(a) Transfer Restricted Securities. The securities entitled to
the benefits of this Agreement are the Transfer Restricted Securities
(b) Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities. A Person is
deemed to be a holder of Transfer Restricted Securities (each, a "Holder")
whenever such Person owns Transfer Restricted Securities.
Section 3. Shelf Registration
(a) Shelf Registration. The Company shall (i) cause to be
filed a shelf registration statement pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities
Act (the "Shelf Registration Statement") as soon as practicable but in any event
on or prior to 60 days after the Closing Date (such date being the "Shelf Filing
Deadline") on Form S-1 or Form S-3, if the use of such form is then available,
or another appropriate form permitting registration of the Transfer Restricted
Securities, and as determined by the Company, which Shelf Registration Statement
shall provide for resales of all Transfer Restricted Securities by the Holders
thereof who shall have provided the information required pursuant to Section
3(b) hereof; and (ii) use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Shelf
Registration Statement to be declared effective by the Commission on or prior to
120 days after the Closing Date (the "Effectiveness Target Date").
The Company shall use its best efforts to keep such Shelf Registration
Statement continuously effective, supplemented, and amended as required by the
provisions of Sections 5(a) and (b) hereof to the extent necessary to ensure
that it is available for resales of Securities by the Holders of Transfer
Restricted Securities entitled to the benefit of this Section 3(a), and to
ensure that it conforms with the requirements of this Agreement, the Securities
Act and the policies, rules, and regulations of the Commission as announced from
time to time, for a period of at least two years following the effective date of
such Shelf Registration Statement (or shorter period that will terminate when
each of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Shelf Registration
-3-
<PAGE>
Statement have been sold pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be obligated to maintain
the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement if it has obtained an
opinion of counsel that the Transfer Restricted Securities may be freely offered
and sold in the public markets without the continued effectiveness of the Shelf
Registration Statement.
(b) Provision by Holders of Certain Information in Connection
with the Shelf Registration Statement. No Holder of Transfer Restricted
Securities may include any of its Transfer Restricted Securities in any Shelf
Registration Statement pursuant to this Agreement unless and until such Holder
furnishes to the Company in writing, within 10 business days after receipt of a
request therefor, such information as the Company may reasonably request for use
in connection with any Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus or preliminary
Prospectus included therein. Each Holder as to which any Shelf Registration
Statement is being effected agrees to furnish promptly to the Company all new
information required to be disclosed in order to make the information previously
furnished to the Company by such Holder not misleading.
Section 4. Liquidated Damages
If (i) the applicable Shelf Registration Statement required by this
Agreement is not filed with the Commission on or prior to the Shelf Filing
Deadline, (ii) the applicable Shelf Registration Statement has not been declared
effective by the Commission on or prior to the Effectiveness Target Date, or
(iii) the applicable Shelf Registration Statement required by this Agreement is
filed and declared effective but shall thereafter cease to be effective or fail
to be usable for its intended purpose for a period of time which shall exceed 60
days in the aggregate in any twelve-month period without being succeeded
promptly by a post-effective amendment to such Shelf Registration Statement that
cures such failure and that is itself declared effective (each such event
referred to in clauses (i) through (iii), a "Registration Default"), the Company
hereby agrees to pay, as liquidated damages, and not as a penalty, during any
period during which a Registration Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, an additional amount (the "Liquidated Damages") which is equal to
one-quarter of one percent (25 basis points) per $1,000 principal amount of
Notes or $2.50 per 20.7469 shares of Common Stock (subject to adjustment in the
event of stock splits, stock recombination's, stock dividends and the like)
constituting Transfer Restricted Securities for each 90-day period until the
applicable Registration Statement is filed and the applicable Registration
Statement is declared effective or the Shelf Registration Statement again become
effective or usable, as the case may be, but in no event shall the amount of
Liquidated Damages exceed one and one-quarter percent (125 basis points) per
$1,000 principal amount of Notes or $12.50 per 20.7469 shares of Common Stock
(subject to adjustments in certain instances as set forth above) constituting
Transfer Restricted Securities. All accrued Liquidated Damages shall be paid by
the Company to the Record Holders by wire transfer of immediately available
funds or by federal funds check on each Damages Payment Date.
All obligations of the Company set forth in the preceding paragraph
that are outstanding with respect to any Transfer Restricted Security at the
time such security ceases to be a Transfer Restricted Security shall survive
until such time as all such obligations with respect to such Note shall have
been satisfied in full.
Section 5. Registration Procedures
(a) Shelf Registration Statement. In connection with the Shelf
Registration
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<PAGE>
Statement, the Company shall comply with all the provisions of
Section 5(b) below and shall use its best efforts to effect such registration to
permit the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities being sold in accordance
with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof, and pursuant
thereto the Company will as expeditiously as possible prepare and file with the
Commission a Registration Statement relating to the registration on any
appropriate form under the Securities Act, which form shall be available for the
sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities in accordance with the intended
method or methods of distribution thereof.
(b) General Provisions. In connection with any Registration
Statement and any Prospectus required by this Agreement to permit the sale or
resale of Transfer Restricted Securities, the Company shall:
(i) use its best efforts to keep such Registration
Statement continuously effective and provide all requisite financial statements
for the period specified in Section 3 of this Agreement; upon the occurrence of
any event that would cause any such Registration Statement or the Prospectus
contained therein (A) to contain a material misstatement or omission or (B) not
to be effective and usable for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities during
the period required by this Agreement, the Company shall file promptly an
appropriate amendment to such Registration Statement, in the case of clause (A),
correcting any such misstatement or omission, and, in the case of either clause
(A) or (B), use its best efforts to cause such amendment to be declared
effective and such Registration Statement and the related Prospectus to become
usable for their intended purpose(s) as soon as practicable thereafter;
(ii) prepare and file with the Commission such
amendments and post-effective amendments to the Registration Statement as may be
necessary to keep the Registration Statement effective for the applicable period
set forth in Section 3 hereof, or such shorter period as will terminate when all
Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been
sold or cease to be Transfer Restricted Securities; cause the Prospectus to be
supplemented by any required Prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented to be
filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act, and to comply fully with
the applicable provisions of Rules 424 and 430A under the Securities Act in a
timely manner; and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect
to the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement
during the applicable period in accordance with the intended method or methods
of distribution by the sellers thereof set forth in such Registration Statement
or supplement to the Prospectus;
(iii) advise the underwriter(s), if any, and selling
Holders promptly and, if requested by such Persons, to confirm such advice in
writing, (A) when the Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or post-effective
amendment has been filed, and, with respect to any Registration Statement or any
post-effective amendment thereto, when the same has become effective, (B) of any
request by the Commission for amendments to the Registration Statement or
amendments or supplements to the Prospectus or for additional information
relating thereto, (C) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order
suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement under the Securities
Act or of the suspension by any state securities commission of the qualification
of the Transfer Restricted Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction,
or the initiation of any proceeding for any of the preceding purposes, (D) of
the existence of any fact or the happening of any event that makes any statement
of a material fact made in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any
amendment or supplement thereto, or any document incorporated by reference
therein untrue, or that requires the making of any additions to or changes in
the
-5-
<PAGE>
Registration Statement or the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein
not misleading. If at any time the Commission shall issue any stop order
suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, or any state
securities commission or other regulatory authority shall issue an order
suspending the qualification or exemption from qualification of the Transfer
Restricted Securities under state securities or Blue Sky laws, the Company shall
use its best efforts to obtain the withdrawal or lifting of such order at the
earliest possible time;
(iv) furnish without charge to each of the Initial
Purchasers, each selling Holder named in any Registration Statement, and each of
the underwriter(s), if any, before filing with the Commission, copies of any
Registration Statement or any Prospectus included therein or any amendments or
supplements to any such Registration Statement or Prospectus (including all
documents incorporated by reference after the initial filing of such
Registration Statement), which documents will be subject to the review of such
Holders and underwriter(s) in connection with such sale, if any, for a period of
at least five business days, and the Company will not file any such Registration
Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any such Registration
Statement or Prospectus to which an Initial Purchaser of Transfer Restricted
Securities covered by such Registration Statement or the underwriter(s), if any,
shall reasonably object in writing within five business days after the receipt
thereof (such objection to be deemed timely made upon confirmation of telecopy
transmission within such period). The objection of an Initial Purchaser or
underwriter, if any, shall be deemed to be reasonable if such Registration
Statement, amendment, Prospectus or supplement, as applicable, as proposed to be
filed, contains a material misstatement or omission;
(v) within two business days following the filing of
any document that is to be incorporated by reference into a Registration
Statement or Prospectus, provide copies of such document (or to provide
notification of the fact and nature of the filing) to the Initial Purchasers,
the Special Counsel, and to the underwriter(s), if any, participating in a
disposition pursuant to such Registration Statement or Prospectus;
(vi) make available at reasonable times for
inspection by the Initial Purchasers, any managing underwriter participating in
any disposition pursuant to such Registration Statement, the Special Counsel and
any attorney or accountant retained by such Initial Purchasers or any of the
underwriter(s), all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents
and properties of the Company and cause the Company's officers, directors and
employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such Initial
Purchaser, underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with such
Registration Statement subsequent to the filing thereof and prior to its
effectiveness; following the effectiveness of such Registration Statement, make
appropriate representatives of the Company available at reasonable times and on
reasonable notice to the Special Counsel and to representatives of the
underwriter(s), if any, participating in a disposition pursuant to such
Registration Statement for reasonable and customary due diligence discussions
relating to the Registration Statement, including any disclosure incorporated
therein by reference;
(vii) if requested by any selling Holders or the
underwriter(s), if any, promptly incorporate in any Registration Statement or
Prospectus, pursuant to a supplement or post-effective amendment if necessary,
such information regarding the selling Holders or the underwriters as such
selling Holders and underwriter(s), if any, may reasonably request to have
included therein, including, without limitation, information relating to the
"Plan of Distribution" of the Transfer Restricted Securities, information with
respect to the principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities being sold to
such underwriter(s), the purchase price being paid therefor, and
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<PAGE>
any other terms of the offering of the Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold
in such offering; and make all required filings of such Prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment as soon as practicable after the Company is notified of
the matters to be incorporated in such Prospectus supplement or post-effective
amendment;
(viii) cause the Transfer Restricted Securities
covered by the Registration Statement to be rated with the appropriate rating
agencies, if so requested by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of Notes covered thereby or the underwriter(s), if any, provided that the
requesting Holders will reimburse the Company for any out of pocket expenses
incurred in connection with such rating;
(ix) furnish to each selling Holder and each of the
underwriter(s), if any, without charge, at least one copy of the Registration
Statement, as first filed with the Commission, and of each amendment thereto,
including financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated by
reference therein and all exhibits (including exhibits incorporated therein by
reference), provided that the Company need not furnish documents or exhibits
incorporated by reference if previously furnished to such Persons or filed with
the Commission more than one year prior to such filing;
(x) deliver to each selling Holder and each of the
underwriter(s), if any, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus
(including each preliminary prospectus) and any amendment or supplement thereto
as such Persons reasonably may request; the Company hereby consents to the use
of the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling
Holders and each of the underwriter(s), if any, in connection with the offering
and the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Prospectus or
any amendment or supplement thereto;
(xi) enter into such agreements (including a
customary underwriting agreement), and make such customary representations and
warranties, and take all such other reasonable actions in connection therewith
in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of the Transfer Restricted
Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement contemplated by this
Agreement, all to such extent as may reasonably be requested by any Initial
Purchaser or by any Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities or underwriter in
connection with any sale or resale pursuant to any Registration Statement
contemplated by this Agreement; and whether or not an underwriting agreement is
entered into and whether or not the registration is an Underwritten
Registration, the Company shall:
(A) furnish to each Initial Purchaser, the
Special Counsel, and to the extent requested in writing, each
selling Holder and each underwriter, if any, in such substance
and scope as they may reasonably request and as are
customarily made by issuers to underwriters in primary
underwritten offerings, upon the date of the effectiveness of
the Shelf Registration Statement:
(1) a certificate, dated the date of
effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement signed by
(y) the President or any Vice President and (z) a principal
financial or accounting officer of the Company confirming, as
of the date thereof, the matters set forth in paragraphs (i),
(ii) and (iii) of Section 5 (e) of the Purchase Agreement and
such other matters as such parties may reasonably request;
-7-
<PAGE>
(2) a customary opinion, dated the
date of effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement of
counsel for the Company, covering the matters set forth in
paragraph (c) of Section 5 of the Purchase Agreement (to the
extent applicable to any sale or resale contemplated by this
Agreement) and such other matters as such parties may
reasonably request, and in any event including a statement to
the effect that such counsel has participated in conferences
with officers and other representatives of the Company,
representatives of the independent public accountants for the
Company, the Initial Purchasers' representatives and the
Initial Purchasers' counsel in connection with the preparation
of such Registration Statement and the related Prospectus and
have considered the matters required to be stated therein and
the statements contained therein, although such counsel has
not independently verified the accuracy, completeness or
fairness of such statements; and that such counsel advises
that, on the basis of the foregoing (relying as to materiality
upon facts provided to such counsel by officers and other
representatives of the Company and without independent check
or verification), no facts came to such counsel's attention
that caused such counsel to believe that the applicable
Registration Statement, at the time such Registration
Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto became
effective, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or
omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or
that the Prospectus contained in such Registration Statement,
as of its date, contained an untrue statement of a material
fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading. Without limiting
the foregoing, such counsel may state further that such
counsel assumes no responsibility for, and has not
independently verified, the accuracy, completeness or fairness
of the financial statements, notes and schedules and other
financial data included in any Registration Statement
contemplated by this Agreement or the related Prospectus; and
(3) a customary comfort letter,
dated as of the date of effectiveness of the Shelf
Registration Statement, from the Company's independent
accountants, in the customary form and covering matters of the
type customarily covered in comfort letters by underwriters in
connection with primary underwritten offerings, and affirming
the matters set forth in the comfort letters delivered
pursuant to Section 5(a) of the Purchase Agreement, without
exception;
(B) set forth in full or incorporate by
reference in the underwriting agreement, if any, the
indemnification provisions and procedures of Section 8 hereof
with respect to all parties to be indemnified pursuant to said
Section; and
(C) deliver such other documents and
certificates as may be reasonably requested by such parties to
evidence compliance with clause (A) above and with any
customary conditions contained in the underwriting agreement
or other agreement entered into by the Company pursuant to
this clause (xi), if any.
If at any time the representations and warranties of the Company
contemplated in clause (A)(1) above cease to be true and correct, the Company
shall so advise the Initial Purchasers and the underwriter(s), if any, and each
selling Holder promptly and, if requested by such Persons, shall
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<PAGE>
confirm such advice in writing;
(xii) prior to any public offering of Transfer Restricted
Securities, cooperate with the selling Holders, the underwriter(s), if any, and
their respective counsel in connection with the registration and qualification
of the Transfer Restricted Securities under the securities or Blue Sky laws of
such jurisdictions as the selling Holders or underwriter(s) may reasonably
request and do any and all other acts or things reasonably necessary or
advisable to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Transfer
Restricted Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement; provided,
however, that the Company shall not be required to register or qualify as a
foreign corporation where it is not then so qualified or to take any action that
would subject it to the service of process in suits or to taxation, other than
as to matters and transactions relating to the Registration Statement, in any
jurisdiction where it is not then so subject;
(xiii) cooperate with the selling Holders and the
underwriter(s), if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of
certificates representing Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold and not
bearing any restrictive legends; and enable such Transfer Restricted Securities
to be in such denominations and registered in such names as the Holders or the
underwriter(s), if any, may request at least five business days prior to any
sale of Transfer Restricted Securities made by such underwriter(s);
(xiv) use its best efforts to cause the Transfer Restricted
Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or
approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary
to enable the seller or sellers thereof or the underwriter(s), if any, to
consummate the disposition of such Transfer Restricted Securities;
(xv) if any fact or event contemplated by Section 5(b)(iii)(D)
above shall exist or have occurred, prepare a supplement or post-effective
amendment to the Registration Statement or related Prospectus or any document
incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document so that,
as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of Transfer Restricted Securities, the
Prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;
(xvi) provide a CUSIP number for all Transfer Restricted
Securities not later than the effective date of the Registration Statement and
provide the Trustee under the Indenture with printed certificates for the
Transfer Restricted Securities which are in a form eligible for deposit with the
Depository Trust Company;
(xvii) cooperate and assist in any filings required to be made
with the NASD and in the performance of any due diligence investigation by any
underwriter (including any "qualified independent underwriter") that is required
to be retained in accordance with the rules and regulations of the NASD, and use
its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become
effective and approved by such governmental agencies or authorities as may be
necessary to enable the Holders selling Transfer Restricted Securities to
consummate the disposition of such Transfer Restricted Securities;
(xviii) otherwise use its best efforts to comply with all
applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make generally available
to its security holders, as soon as practicable, a consolidated earnings
statement meeting the requirements of Rule 158 (which need not be audited) for
the twelve-month period (A) commencing at the end of any fiscal quarter in
-9-
<PAGE>
which Transfer Restricted Securities are sold to underwriters in a firm or best
efforts Underwritten Offering or (B) if not sold to underwriters in such an
offering, beginning with the first month of the Company's first fiscal quarter
commencing after the effective date of the Registration Statement;
(xix) cause the Indenture to be qualified under the Trust
Indenture Act not later than the effective date of the first Registration
Statement required by this Agreement, and, in connection therewith, cooperate
with the Trustee and the Holders of Securities to effect such changes to the
Indenture as may be required for such Indenture to be so qualified in accordance
with the terms of the Trust Indenture Act; and to execute and use its best
efforts to cause the Trustee to execute all documents that may be required to
effect such changes and all other forms and documents required to be filed with
the Commission to enable such Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner;
(xx) cause all Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the
Registration Statement to be listed on each securities exchange or other trading
market on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed if
requested by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of
Securities or the managing underwriter(s), if any; and
(xxi) provide promptly to each Holder upon request each
document filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to the requirements
of Section 13 and Section 15 of the Exchange Act.
Each Holder agrees by acquisition of a Transfer Restricted Security
that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the existence of any fact
of the kind described in Section 5(b)(iii)(D) hereof, such Holder will forthwith
discontinue disposition of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the
applicable Registration Statement until such Holder's receipt of the copies of
the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 5(b)(xv) hereof,
or until it is advised in writing (the "Advice") by the Company that the use of
the Prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any additional or
supplemental filings that are incorporated by reference in the Prospectus. If so
directed by the Company, each Holder will deliver to the Company (at the
Company's expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies then in such
Holder's possession, of the Prospectus covering such Transfer Restricted
Securities that was current at the time of receipt of such notice. In the event
the Company shall give any such notice, the time period regarding the
effectiveness of such Registration Statement set forth in Section 3 hereof shall
be extended by the number of days during the period from and including the date
of the giving of such notice pursuant to Section 5(b)(iii)(D) hereof to and
including the date when each selling Holder covered by such Registration
Statement shall have received the copies of the supplemented or amended
Prospectus contemplated by Section 5(b)(xv) hereof or shall have received the
Advice; however, no such extension shall be taken into account in determining
whether Liquidated Damages are due pursuant to Section 4 hereof or the amount of
such Liquidated Damages, it being agreed that the Company's option to suspend
use of a Registration Statement pursuant to this paragraph shall be treated as a
Registration Default for purposes of Section 4.
-10-
<PAGE>
Section 6. Registration Expenses
(a) Subject to Section 6(b) below, all expenses incident to
the Company's performance of or compliance with this Agreement will be borne by
the Company regardless of whether a Registration Statement becomes effective,
including without limitation: (i) all registration and filing fees and expenses
(including filings made by any Initial Purchaser or Holder with the NASD (and,
if applicable, the fees and expenses of any "qualified independent underwriter"
and its counsel that may be required by the rules and regulations of the NASD));
(ii) all fees and expenses of compliance with federal securities and state Blue
Sky or securities laws; (iii) all expenses of printing, messenger and delivery
services and telephone; (iv) all fees and disbursements of counsel for the
Company and, subject to Section 6(b) below, the Holders of Transfer Restricted
Securities; and (v) all fees and disbursements of independent certified public
accountants of the Company (including the expenses of any special audit and
comfort letters required by or incident to such performance).
The Company will, in any event, bear its internal expenses
(including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and
employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expenses of any annual
audit and the fees and expenses of any Person, including special experts,
retained by the Company.
(b) In connection with any Registration Statement required by
this Agreement, the Company will reimburse the Initial Purchasers and the
Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities being registered pursuant to the Shelf
Registration Statement, for the reasonable fees and disbursements of not more
than one counsel, who shall be the Special Counsel.
Section 7. Indemnification
(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless (i) each
Holder and (ii) each person, if any, who controls (within the meaning of Section
15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) any Holder (any of
the persons referred to in this clause (ii) being hereinafter referred to as a
"controlling person") and (iii) the respective officers, directors, partners,
employees, representatives and agents of any Holder or any controlling person
(any person referred to in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) may hereinafter be referred
to as an "Indemnified Holder"), to the fullest extent lawful, from and against
any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, actions and
expenses (including without limitation and as incurred, reimbursement of all
reasonable costs of investigating, preparing, pursuing, settling, compromising,
paying or defending any claim or action, or any investigation or proceeding by
any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, including the
reasonable fees and expenses of counsel to any Indemnified Holder), joint or
several, directly or indirectly caused by, related to, based upon, arising out
of or in connection with any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in any Registration Statement or Prospectus (or any
amendment or supplement thereto), or any omission or alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or expenses are caused by an untrue statement or omission
or alleged untrue statement or omission that is made in reliance upon and in
conformity with information relating to any of the Holders furnished in writing
to the Company by any of the Holders expressly for use therein. This indemnity
agreement shall be in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise
have.
In case any action or proceeding (including any governmental
or regulatory
-11-
<PAGE>
investigation or proceeding) shall be brought or asserted against any of the
Indemnified Holders with respect to which indemnity may be sought against the
Company such Indemnified Holder (or the Indemnified Holder controlled by such
controlling person) shall promptly notify the Company in writing (provided, that
the failure to give such notice shall not relieve the Company of its obligations
pursuant to this Agreement except to the extent the Company is prejudiced by the
failure to give such notice). Such Indemnified Holder shall have the right to
employ its own counsel in any such action and the reasonable fees and expenses
of such counsel shall be paid, as incurred, by the Company (until it is
determined that an Indemnified Holder is not entitled to indemnification
hereunder). The Company shall not, in connection with any one such action or
proceeding or separate but substantially similar or related actions or
proceedings in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations
or circumstances, be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than
one separate firm of attorneys (in addition to any local counsel) at any time
for such Indemnified Holders, which firm shall be designated by the Holders. The
Company shall be liable for any settlement of any such action or proceeding
effected with the Company's prior written consent, which consent shall not be
withheld unreasonably, and the Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless any
Indemnified Holder from and against any loss, claim, damage, liability or
expense by reason of any settlement of any action effected with the written
consent of the Company. The Company shall not, without the prior written consent
of each Indemnified Holder, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of
judgment in or otherwise seek to terminate any pending or threatened action,
claim, litigation or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or
contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not any Indemnified Holder is a
party thereto), unless such settlement, compromise, consent or termination
includes an unconditional release of each Indemnified Holder from all liability
arising out of such action, claim, litigation or proceeding.
(b) Each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities agrees,
severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and its
directors, officers of the Company who sign a Registration Statement, and any
person controlling (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or
Section 20 of the Exchange Act) the Company, and the respective officers,
directors, partners, employees, representatives and agents of each such person,
to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company to each of the
Indemnified Holders, but only with respect to claims and actions based on
information relating to such Holder furnished in writing by such Holder
expressly for use in any Registration Statement. In case any action or
proceeding shall be brought against the Company or its directors or officers or
any such controlling person in respect of which indemnity may be sought against
a Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities, such Holder shall have the rights
and duties given the Company and the Company or its directors or officers or
such controlling person shall have the rights and duties given to each Holder by
the preceding paragraph. In no event shall the liability of any selling Holder
hereunder be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the proceeds received
by such Holder upon the sale of the Securities giving rise to such
indemnification obligation.
(c) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 7 is
unavailable to an indemnified party under Section 7(a) or Section 7(b) hereof
(other than by reason of exceptions provided in those Sections) in respect of
any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, actions or expenses
referred to therein, then each applicable indemnifying party, in lieu of
indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or
payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the
relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand, and the Holders on
the other hand, from the Initial Placement (which in the case of the Company
shall be deemed to be equal to the total net proceeds from the Initial Placement
as set forth on the cover page of the
-12-
<PAGE>
Offering Memorandum), the amount of Liquidated Damages which did not become
payable as a result of the filing of the Registration Statement resulting in
such losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments actions or expenses, and
such Registration Statement, or if such allocation is not permitted by
applicable law, the relative fault of the Company on the one hand, and of the
Indemnified Holder, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or
omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative
fault of the Company on the one hand and of the Indemnified Holder on the other
shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission
to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or by
the Indemnified Holder and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to
information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims,
damages, liabilities and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include,
subject to the limitations set forth in the second paragraph of Section 7(a),
any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in
connection with investigating or defending any action or claim.
The Company and each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities
agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this
Section 7(c) were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Holders were
treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation
which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the
immediately preceding paragraph. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified
party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses
referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include,
subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating
or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this
Section 7, none of the Holders (and its related Indemnified Holders) shall be
required to contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in excess of the amount by
which the total discount received by such Holder or the Initial Purchaser from
whom it ultimately acquired the Notes exceeds the amount of any damages which
such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of
fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the
Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not
guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Holders' obligations to
contribute pursuant to this Section 7(c) are several in proportion to the
respective principal amount of Notes held by each of the Holders hereunder and
not joint.
Section 8. Rule 144A
The Company hereby agrees with each Holder, for so long as any Transfer
Restricted Securities remain outstanding, to make available to any Holder or
beneficial owner of Transfer Restricted Securities in connection with any sale
thereof and any prospective purchaser of such Transfer Restricted Securities
from such Holder or beneficial owner, the information required by Rule
144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act in order to permit resales of such Transfer
Restricted Securities pursuant to Rule 144A.
-13-
<PAGE>
Section 9. Participation In Underwritten Registrations
No Holder may participate in any Underwritten Registration hereunder
unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holder's Transfer Restricted
Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by
the Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes
and executes all reasonable questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities,
underwriting agreements, lock-up letters and other documents required under the
terms of such underwriting arrangements.
Section 10. Selection Of Underwriters
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Holders of
Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement who
desire to do so may sell such Transfer Restricted Securities in an Underwritten
Offering, provided that the Company shall not be required to file more than one
Shelf Registration Statement for an Underwritten Offering pursuant to this
Agreement. In any such Underwritten Offering, the investment banker or
investment bankers and manager or managers that will administer the offering
will be selected by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the Transfer Restricted Securities included in such offering; provided, that
such investment bankers and managers must be reasonably satisfactory to the
Company.
Section 11. Miscellaneous
(a) Remedies. The Company hereby agrees that monetary damages
would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach
by it of the provisions of this Agreement and hereby agrees to waive the defense
in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.
(b) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company will not on or
after the date of this Agreement enter into any agreement with respect to its
securities that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders in this
Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. Except as disclosed
in the Company's filings with the Commission or as otherwise disclosed to the
Initial Purchasers or their counsel prior to the date of this Agreement, the
Company has not previously entered into any agreement granting any registration
rights with respect to its securities to any Person. The rights of Holders under
this Agreement shall be subject to any limitations and restrictions required in
order to comply with the terms of any registration right previously granted by
the Company and disclosed in its filings with the Commission or as otherwise
disclosed to the Initial Purchasers or their counsel prior to the date of this
Agreement. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, with respect
to any other securities of the Company for which the Company has granted
registration rights prior to the date of this Agreement, the Transfer Restricted
Securities shall not be registered and sold at the same time as such other
securities are being sold pursuant to an underwritten offering if the managing
underwriter of such offering believes that the sale of the Transfer Restricted
Securities could have a material adverse effect on the amount of, or price at
which, such other securities being registered can be sold; provided that any
such limitations on the ability of Holders to sell Transfer Restricted
Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement shall be taken into account for
purposes of determining whether there has been a Registration Default.
(c) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement
may not be
-14-
<PAGE>
amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to or departures from
the provisions hereof may not be given unless the Company has obtained the
written consent of Holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of
Transfer Restricted Securities; provided that, with respect to any matter that
directly or indirectly affects the rights of any Initial Purchaser hereunder,
the Company shall obtain the written consent of each such Initial Purchaser with
respect to which such amendment, qualification, supplement, waiver, consent or
departure is to be effective.
(d) Notices. All notices and other communications provided for
or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, first-class
mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), telex, telecopier, or
air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery:
(i) if to a Holder, at the address set forth on the
records of the Registrar under the Indenture, with a copy to the
Registrar under the Indenture; and
(ii) if to the Company
Action Performance Companies, Inc.
4707 East Baseline Road
Phoenix, Arizona 85040
Telecopier No.: (602) 337-3780
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
With a copy to:
O'Connor, Cavanagh, Anderson,
Killingsworth & Beshears
One East Camelback Road
Suite 1100
Phoenix, Arizona 85012
Telecopier No.: (602) 263-2900
Attention: Robert S. Kant, Esq.
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five business days
after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when answered
back, if telexed; when receipt acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the next
business day, if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight
delivery.
Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be
concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee at the
address specified in the Indenture.
(e) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the
parties, including without limitation and without the need for an express
assignment, subsequent Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities; provided,
however, that this Agreement shall not inure to the benefit of or be binding
upon a successor or assign of a Holder unless and to the extent such successor
or assign acquired Transfer Restricted Securities from such Holder.
-15-
<PAGE>
(f) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number
of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of
which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
(g) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for
convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the
meaning hereof.
(h) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD
TO THE CONFLICT OF LAW RULES THEREOF.
(i) Severability. In the event that any one or more of the
provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is
held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and
enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining
provisions contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.
(j) Entire Agreement. This Agreement is intended by the
parties as a final expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete
and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto
in respect of the subject matter contained herein. There are no restrictions,
promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to
herein with respect to the registration rights granted by the Company with
respect to the Transfer Restricted Securities. This Agreement supersedes all
prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such
subject matter.
-16-
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date
first written above.
Action Performance Companies, Inc.
By: /s/ Fred W. Wagenhals
-------------------------------
Name: Fred W. Wagenhals
Title: Chairman of the Board,
President, and Chief
Executive Officer
The foregoing Registration Rights Agreement is hereby
confirmed and accepted as of the date first above written.
NATIONSBANC MONTGOMERY SECURITIES LLC
CIBC Oppenheimer Corp.
EVEREN Securities, Inc.
Piper Jaffray Inc.
By: NATIONSBANC MONTGOMERY SECURITIES LLC
By: /s/ Lew Coleman
-------------------------------
Name: Lew Coleman
Title: Senior Managing Director
-17-
EXHIBIT 11.1
COMPUTATION OF BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE
(in thousands, except per share data)
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
March 31, March 31,
------------------ ----------------
1998 1997 1998 1997
---- ---- ---- ----
Shares
Weighted average shares outstanding 16,086 13,579 16,039 13,235
======= ======= ======= =======
Net Income $ 4,036 $ 2,437 $ 7,691 $ 4,005
======= ======= ======= =======
Basic Earnings Per Share $ 0.25 $ 0.18 $ 0.48 $ 0.30
======= ======= ======= =======
EXHIBIT 11.2
COMPUTATION OF DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE
(in thousands, except per share data)
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
March 31, March 31,
------------------ ----------------
1998 1997 1998 1997
---- ---- ---- ----
Shares
Weighted average number of common
shares outstanding 16,086 13,579 16,039 13,235
Additional shares assuming
conversion of Stock Options: 580 550 552 551
------- ------- ------- -------
Weighted average shares outstanding 16,666 14,129 16,591 13,786
======= ======= ======= =======
Net Income $ 4,036 $ 2,437 $ 7,691 $ 4,005
======= ======= ======= =======
Diluted Earnings Per Share $ 0.24 $ 0.17 $ 0.46 $ 0.29
======= ======= ======= =======
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This exhibit contains summary financial
information extracted from the Registrant's
financial statements for the period ended March
31, 1998, and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements. This
exhibit shall not be deemed filed for purposes of
Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 and
Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
or otherwise subject to the liability of such
Sections, nor shall it be deemed a part of any
other filing which incorporates this report by
reference, unless such other filing expressly
incorporates this Exhibit by reference.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1997
<PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 1
<CASH> 97,405
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 29,337
<ALLOWANCES> 1,348
<INVENTORY> 28,977
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 164,332
<PP&E> 38,622
<DEPRECIATION> 8,669
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 276,473
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 54,274
<BONDS> 109,331
0
0
<COMMON> 162
<OTHER-SE> 86,990
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 276,473
<SALES> 96,073
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 96,073
<CGS> 60,855
<TOTAL-COSTS> 60,855
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 21,375
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,488
<INCOME-PRETAX> 12,819
<INCOME-TAX> 5,128
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 7,691
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 7,691
<EPS-PRIMARY> 0.48
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.46
</TABLE>
