SUNOCO INC
8-A12B/A, 2000-02-07
PETROLEUM REFINING
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<PAGE>

                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                            Washington, D.C. 20549

                                  Form 8-A/A

                                AMENDMENT NO. 1

               FOR REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN CLASSES OF SECURITIES
                    PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE
                        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                                 SUNOCO, INC.
        ---------------------------------------------------------------
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

        PENNSYLVANIA                                   23-1743282
     ---------------------------------            ---------------------
     (State or other jurisdiction of                (I.R.S. Employer
     incorporation or organization)                  Identification No.)

       TEN PENN CENTER, 1801 MARKET STREET, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103-1699
       -----------------------------------------------------------------
                   (Address of principal executive offices)
                                  (Zip Code)


       Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

     Title of each class                Name of each exchange on which
     to be so registered                each class is to be registered
     -------------------                ------------------------------
     Series B Participating             New York Stock Exchange
     Cumulative Preference
     Stock Purchase Rights


       Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

                                     None
             -----------------------------------------------------
                               (Title of Class)
<PAGE>

     Item 1.  Description of Registrant's Securities to be Registered.
               -------------------------------------------------------

          On February 1, 1996, the Board of Directors of Sun Company, Inc. (the
     predecessor by name change of Sunoco, Inc., and hereafter, the "Company")
     declared a dividend of one preferred stock purchase right (a "Right") for
     each outstanding share of common stock, par value $1.00 per share (the
     "Common Stock"), of the Company, payable to holders of record as of the
     close of business on February 12, 1996 (the "Record Date"). Shares of
     Common Stock issued after the Record Date and prior to the Distribution
     Date (as defined below) will be issued with a Right attached so that all
     shares of Common Stock outstanding prior to the Distribution Date will have
     Rights attached. The terms and conditions of the Rights are set forth in a
     Rights Agreement between the Company and First Chicago Trust Company of New
     York (predecessor to EquiServe First Chicago Trust Division), as agent (the
     "Rights Agent"), dated as of February 1, 1996, and last amended as of July
     3, 1997 (the "Rights Agreement"). The Rights Agreement, setting forth the
     description and terms of the Rights, was included as Exhibits 1 and 2 to
     the Form 8-A filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange
     Commission on February 1, 1996, and the first Amendment to the Rights
     Agreement was filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Form 8-A filed by the Company
     with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 3,1997, and such
     previous filing, including exhibits (collectively, the "Forms 8-A"), are
     hereby incorporated herein by this reference. The following summary
     description of the Rights does not purport to be complete and is qualified
     in its entirety by reference to the Rights Agreement.

          Prior to the Distribution Date, the Rights will be evidenced by the
     certificates for and will be transferred with the Common Stock, and the
     registered holders of the Common Stock will be deemed to be the registered
     holders of the Rights. After the Distribution Date, the Rights Agent will
     mail certificates evidencing the Rights to each record holder of the Common
     Stock as of the close of business on the Distribution Date, and thereafter
     the Rights will be transferable separately from the Common Stock. The
     "Distribution Date" means the earlier of (i) the 10th day (or such later
     day as may be designated by a majority of the Continuing Directors (as
     hereinafter defined)) after the date (the "Stock Acquisition Date") of the
     first public
<PAGE>

     announcement that a person (other than the Company or any of its
     subsidiaries or any employee benefit plan of the Company or any such
     subsidiary or certain holders of voting stock of the Company at the time of
     the dividend declaration) has acquired beneficial ownership of 15% or more
     of the outstanding shares of voting stock of the Company (an "Acquiring
     Person") and (ii) the 10th business day (or such later day as may be
     designated by a majority of the Continuing Directors) after the date of the
     commencement of a tender or exchange offer by any person which would, if
     consummated, result in such person becoming an Acquiring Person.

          Prior to the Distribution Date, the Rights will not be exercisable.
     After the Distribution Date, each Right will be exercisable to purchase,
     for $100.00 (the "Purchase Price"), one one-hundredth of a share of Series
     B Participating Cumulative Preference Stock, without par value (the "Series
     B Preference Stock"). 1,743,019 shares of Series B Preference Stock have
     been reserved for issuance upon exercise of the Rights.

          If any person becomes an Acquiring Person, each Right (other than
     Rights beneficially owned by the Acquiring Person and certain affiliated
     persons) will entitle the holder to purchase, for the Purchase Price, a
     number of shares of Common Stock having a market value of twice the
     Purchase Price.

          If, after any person has become an Acquiring Person, (1) the Company
     is involved in a merger or other business combination in which the Company
     is not the surviving corporation or its Common Stock is exchanged for other
     securities or assets or (2) the Company and/or one or more of its
     subsidiaries sell or otherwise transfer assets or earning power aggregating
     more than 50% of the assets or earning power of the Company and its
     subsidiaries, taken as a whole, then each Right will entitle the holder to
     purchase, for the Purchase Price, a number of shares of common stock of the
     other party to such business combination or sale (or in certain
     circumstances, an affiliate) having a market value of twice the Purchase
     Price.

          At any time after any person has become an Acquiring Person (but
     before any person becomes the beneficial owner of 50% or more of the
     outstanding shares of Common Stock), a majority of the Continuing Directors
     may exchange all or part of the Rights (other than Rights beneficially
     owned by an Acquiring Person and certain affiliated persons) for shares of
     Common Stock at an exchange ratio of one share of Common Stock per Right.
<PAGE>

          The Board of Directors may redeem all of the Rights at a price of $.01
     per Right at any time prior to the close of business on the 10th day after
     the Stock Acquisition Date (or such later date as may be designated by a
     majority of the Continuing Directors).  After any person has become an
     Acquiring Person, the Rights may be redeemed only with the approval of a
     majority of the Continuing Directors.

          "Continuing Director" means any member of the Board of Directors who
     was a member of the Board prior to the time an Acquiring Person becomes
     such or any person who is subsequently elected to the Board if such person
     is recommended or approved by a majority of the Continuing Directors.
     Continuing Directors do not include an Acquiring Person, an affiliate or
     associate of an Acquiring Person or any representative or nominee of the
     foregoing.

          The Rights will expire on February 12, 2006, unless earlier exchanged
     or redeemed.

          Rights holders have no rights as a stockholder of the Company,
     including the right to vote and to receive dividends.

          The Rights Agreement includes antidilution provisions designed to
     prevent efforts to diminish the effectiveness of the Rights.

          The Rights have certain anti-takeover effects.  The Rights may cause
     substantial dilution to a person that attempts to acquire the Company
     without a condition to such an offer that a substantial number of the
     Rights be acquired or that the Rights be redeemed or declared invalid. The
     Rights should not interfere with any merger or other business combination
     approved by the Board of Directors (under some circumstances, with the
     concurrence of the Continuing Directors) since the Rights may be redeemed
     by the Company as described above.

          While the dividend of the Rights was not taxable to stockholders or to
     the Company, stockholders or the Company may, depending upon the
     circumstances, recognize taxable income in the event that the Rights become
     exercisable as set forth above.

          After the Distribution Date, the Rights Agreement may be amended in
     any respect that does not adversely affect Rights holders (other than any
     Acquiring Person and certain affiliated persons).  After any person has
     become an Acquiring Person, the Rights Agreement may be amended only with
     the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors.
<PAGE>

          Effective as of July 3, 1997, the Company and the Rights Agent entered
     into an agreement (the "First Amendment") amending the Rights Agreement
     pursuant to Section 27 of the Rights Agreement, which permits the Company,
     without the consent of the holders of the Rights Certificates, to amend the
     Rights Agreement in any respect prior to the Distribution Date. The First
     Amendment provided that, for a period of 18 months following a change in
     the majority composition of the Board of Directors (resulting from a proxy
     or consent solicitation if any Person participating in such solicitation
     may likely become an Acquiring Person), any amendment of the Rights
     Agreement, or redemption of outstanding Rights, must be authorized by a
     majority of the Continuing Directors.

          Effective as of February 3, 2000, the Company and the Rights Agent
     entered into an agreement (the "Second Amendment") further amending the
     Rights Agreement pursuant to Section 27. A copy of the Second Amendment is
     attached hereto as Exhibit 4.4 and is incorporated by reference herein in
     response to this Item 1. The description contained herein is qualified in
     its entirety by reference to Exhibit 4.4. A copy of the Second Amendment is
     available free of charge from the Rights Agent. The following changes to
     the Rights Agreement were effected by the Second Amendment:

               (1) Section 23 ("Redemption") was amended to provide that any
          redemption of outstanding Rights authorized within 90 days following a
          change in the majority composition of the Board of Directors
          (resulting from a proxy or consent solicitation if it appears that any
          Person participating in such solicitation is likely to become an
          Acquiring Person) must be approved by a majority of the Continuing
          Directors; and

               (2) Section 27 ("Supplements and Amendments") was amended to
          provide that any amendment of the Rights Agreement authorized within
          90 days following a change in the majority composition of the Board of
          Directors (resulting from a proxy or consent solicitation if it
          appears that any Person participating in such solicitation is likely
          to become an Acquiring Person) must be approved by a majority of the
          Continuing Directors.
<PAGE>

     Item 2.  Exhibits.
               --------

          4.1  Rights Agreement, dated as of February 1, 1996, between the
               Company and First Chicago Trust Company of New York (predecessor
               to EquiServe First Chicago Trust Division), as Rights Agent (the
               "Rights Agreement"), filed as Exhibit 99(b) to the Company's
               Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 2, 1996 (File No. 1-
               6841) is incorporated herein by reference. The Rights Agreement
               includes, as Exhibit B thereto, the form of Rights Certificate.

          4.2  Amendment to Rights Agreement, dated as of July 3, 1997 (the
               "First Amendment"), filed as Exhibit 4 to the Company's Current
               Report on Form 8-K dated July 8, 1997 (File No. 1-6841) is
               incorporated herein by reference.

          4.3  Certificate of Amendment, dated as of February 3, 2000, by the
               Company.

          4.4  Second Amendment to Rights Agreement, dated as of February 3,
               2000 between the Company and EquiServe First Chicago Trust
               Division, as Rights Agent (the "Second Amendment").
<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURE

          Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange
     Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Second Amendment to the
     Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
     thereto duly authorized.


          SUNOCO, INC.

          BY  /s/ THOMAS W. HOFMANN
                 ------------------------
                 Thomas W. Hofmann
                 Vice President and
                 Chief Financial Officer


          DATE  February 4, 2000
<PAGE>

                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
                                 -------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit
Number                                                              Exhibit
- -------                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>
4.1                               Rights Agreement, dated as of February 1, 1996, between the Company and
                                  First Chicago Trust Company of New York (predecessor to EquiServe First
                                  Chicago Trust Division), as Rights Agent (the "Rights Agreement"), filed as
                                  Exhibit 99(b) to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 2,
                                  1996 (File No. 1-6841) is incorporated herein by reference. The Rights
                                  Agreement includes, as Exhibit B thereto, the form of Rights Certificate.

4.2                               Amendment to Rights Agreement, dated as of July 3, 1997 (the "First
                                  Amendment"), filed as Exhibit 4 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K
                                  dated July 8, 1997 (File No. 1-6841) is incorporated herein by reference.

4.3                               Certificate of Amendment, dated as of February 3, 2000, by the Company.

4.4                               Second Amendment to Rights Agreement, dated as of February 3, 2000 between
                                  the Company and EquiServe First Chicago Trust Division, as Rights Agent
                                  (the "Second Amendment").
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.3


                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
                            ------------------------

          Pursuant to Section 27 of the Rights Agreement between Sun Company,
     Inc. (the "Company") and First Chicago Trust Company of New York, as Rights
     Agent (the "Rights Agent"), dated as of February 1, 1996, and last amended
     as of July 3, 1997 (the "Rights Agreement"), Sunoco, Inc., the successor by
     name change to the Company HEREBY CERTIFIES THAT:

          the Second Amendment to the Rights Agreement, attached hereto, is in
          compliance with the terms of said Section 27 of the Rights Agreement,
          as amended.


     Dated as of February 3, 2000.



                                         SUNOCO, INC.

                                         By:  /s/ THOMAS W. HOFMANN
                                              -----------------------
                                              Thomas W. Hofmann
                                              Vice President and
                                              Chief Financial Officer

<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.4

                      SECOND AMENDMENT TO RIGHTS AGREEMENT

          SECOND AMENDMENT, dated as of February 3, 2000 to the Rights Agreement
     between Sun Company, Inc. and First Chicago Trust Company of New York, as
     Rights Agent dated as of February 1, 1996, and last amended July 3, 1997
     (the "Rights Agreement").  Pursuant to Section 27 of the Rights Agreement,
     Sunoco, Inc., the successor by name change to Sun Company, Inc. (the
     "Company") and First Chicago Trust Company of New York (the "Rights Agent")
     shall, if the Company so directs, supplement or amend any provision of the
     Rights Agreement in accordance with the provisions of Section 27 thereof.

          1.  All references to "Sun Company, Inc." in the current text of the
     Rights Agreement are hereby changed to "Sunoco, Inc."

          2.  Paragraph (a) of Section 23 of the Rights Agreement is hereby
     amended to read in its entirety as follows:

          Section 23.  Redemption.  (a) The Board of Directors of the Company
     may, at its option, at any time prior to the earlier of (i) the close of
     business on the tenth (10th) day after the Stock Acquisition Date (or such
     later date as a majority of the Continuing Directors may designate prior to
     such time as the Rights are no longer redeemable), and (ii) the Final
     Expiration Date, redeem all but not less than all of the then outstanding
     Rights at a redemption price of $.01 per Right, as such amount may be
     appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or
     similar transaction occurring after the date hereof (such redemption price
     being hereinafter referred to as the "Redemption Price"); provided,
     however, that if the Board of Directors of the Company authorizes
     redemption of the Rights in either of the circumstances set forth in
     clauses (x) or (y) below, then there must be Continuing Directors in office
     and such authorization shall require the concurrence of a majority of the
     Continuing Directors:  (x) such authorization occurs on or after the Stock
     Acquisition Date, or (y) such authorization occurs on or within ninety (90)
     days of the date of a change (resulting from a proxy or consent
     solicitation) in a majority of the directors of the Company in office at
     the commencement of such solicitation if any Person who is a participant in
     such solicitation has stated (or if upon the commencement of such
     solicitation, a majority of the directors of the Company has determined in
     good
<PAGE>

     faith) that such Person (or any of its Affiliates or Associates) intends to
     take, or may consider taking, any action which would result in such Person
     becoming an Acquiring Person or which would cause the occurrence of a
     Triggering Event.  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
     contrary, the Rights shall not be exercisable after the first occurrence of
     a Section 11(a)(ii) Event until such time as the Company's right of
     redemption hereunder has expired.

          2.  Section 27 of the Rights Agreement is hereby amended to read in
     its entirety as follows:

          Section 27.  Supplements and Amendments.  The Company and the Rights
     Agent shall, if the Company so directs, supplement or amend any provision
     of this Agreement without the approval of any holders of certificates
     representing shares of Common Stock or Series A Preference Stock. From and
     after the Distribution Date, the Company and the Rights Agent shall, if the
     Company so directs, supplement or amend this Agreement without the approval
     of any holders of Rights Certificates in order (a) to cure any ambiguity,
     (b) to correct or supplement any provision contained herein which may be
     defective or inconsistent with any other provisions herein, or (c) to
     change or supplement the provisions hereof in any manner which the Company
     may deem necessary or desirable and which shall not adversely affect the
     interests of the holders of Rights (other than an Acquiring Person or an
     Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person). Notwithstanding the
     foregoing, (x) after the Stock Acquisition Date or (y) on or within ninety
     (90) days of the date of a change (resulting from a proxy or consent
     solicitation) in a majority of the directors of the Company in office at
     the commencement of such solicitation, if any Person who is a participant
     in such solicitation has stated (or if upon the commencement of such
     solicitation, a majority of the directors of the Company has determined in
     good faith) that such Person (or any of its Affiliates or Associates)
     intends to take, or may consider taking, any action which would result in
     such Person becoming an Acquiring Person or which would cause the
     occurrence of a Triggering Event, any supplement or amendment shall be
     effective only if there are Continuing Directors then in office, and such
     supplement or amendment shall have been approved by a majority of such
     Continuing Directors.  Upon the delivery of a certificate from an
<PAGE>

     appropriate officer of the Company that states that the proposed supplement
     or amendment is in compliance with the terms of this Section, the Rights
     Agent shall execute such supplement or amendment.  Prior to the
     Distribution Date, the interests of the holders of Rights shall be deemed
     coincident with the interests of the holders of Common Stock and Series A
     Preferred Stock.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly
     executed under its corporate seal by its authorized officers.

     Dated as of February 3, 2000.

                                         SUNOCO, INC.

                                    By:  s/ THOMAS W. HOFMANN
     {SEAL}                              -----------------------
                                         Thomas W. Hofmann
                                         Vice President and
                                         Chief Financial Officer

     Attest:

          s/ ANN C. MULE'
          ---------------
          Ann C. Mule'
          General Attorney and
          Corporate Secretary
          Sunoco, Inc.

     Countersigned:


     FIRST CHICAGO TRUST DIVISION
     (f/k/a FIRST CHICAGO TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK),
     as Rights Agent

          By:  s/ MICHAEL S. DUNCAN
               --------------------
               Michael S. Duncan
               Director, Corporate Actions


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