SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): October 26, 1999
SWANK, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Delaware 1-5354 04-1886990
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(State or Other Jurisdiction (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer
of Incorporation) Identification No.)
6 Hazel Street
Attleboro, Massachusetts 02703
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code): (508) 222-3400
Not Applicable
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(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
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Item 5 Other Events.
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On October 26, 1999, the Board of Directors of Swank, Inc. (the
"Company") declared a dividend of one Right for each outstanding share of the
Company's Common Stock, par value $0.10 per share (the "Common Stock"), to
stockholders of record at the close of business on November 12, 1999. Each
Right, when exercisable, entitles the registered holder to purchase from the
Company one one-hundredth of a share of Series D Junior Participating Preferred
Stock, par value $1.00 per share (the "Series D Preferred Stock"), at a Purchase
Price of $5.50 per one one-hundredth of a share of Series D Preferred Stock,
subject to adjustment. The description and terms of the Rights are set forth in
a Rights Agreement (the "Rights Agreement") dated as of October 26, 1999 between
the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Rights Agent.
Initially, the Rights will be attached to all Common Stock certificates
representing shares then outstanding*, and no separate Rights Certificates will
be distributed. A Distribution Date will occur and the Rights will separate from
the Common Stock upon the earlier of (i) 10 days following a public announcement
that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons (an "Acquiring
Person") has acquired, or obtained the right to acquire, beneficial ownership of
15% or more of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding (the "Stock
Acquisition Date") or (ii) 10 business days following the commencement of a
tender offer or exchange offer that would result in a person or group
beneficially owning 15% or more of such outstanding shares of Common Stock
(unless such tender offer or exchange offer is an offer for all outstanding
shares of Common Stock which a majority of the unaffiliated directors who are
not officers of the Company determine to be at a price which is fair to all
stockholders and otherwise in the best interests of the Company and its
stockholders).
Until the Distribution Date, (i) the Rights will be evidenced by the
Common Stock certificates and will be transferred with and only with such Common
Stock certificates, (ii) new Common Stock certificates issued after October 26,
1999 will contain a notation incorporating the Rights Agreement by reference and
(iii) the surrender for transfer of any certificates for Common Stock
outstanding will also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the
Common Stock represented by such certificate.
The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date and will
expire at the close of business on November 11, 2009, unless earlier redeemed by
the Company as described below. At no time will the Rights have any voting
power.
As soon as practicable after the Distribution Date, Rights Certificates
will be mailed to holders of record of the Common Stock as of the close of
business on the Distribution Date and, thereafter, the separate Rights
Certificates alone will represent the Rights. Except (i) with respect to certain
shares of Common Stock issued or sold pursuant to the exercise of stock options
or under any employee plan or arrangement, granted or awarded as of the
Distribution Date, or upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of certain
securities of the Company, or (ii) as otherwise determined by the Board of
Directors, only shares of Common Stock issued prior to the Distribution Date
will be issued with Rights.
__________________
* Under the Rights Agreement, for purposes of calculating percentages of
Common Stock outstanding, shares of Common Stock outstanding shall include
all shares of Common Stock deemed to be beneficially owned by a person and
its affiliates and associates, even if not actually then outstanding.
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In the event that an Acquiring Person becomes the beneficial owner of
15% or more of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock (except pursuant to a
tender or exchange offer for all outstanding shares of Common Stock which a
majority of the unaffiliated directors who are not officers of the Company
determine to be at a price which is fair to all stockholders and otherwise in
the best interests of the Company and its stockholders (a "Qualifying Offer")),
each holder of a Right will thereafter have the right to receive, upon payment
of the Purchase Price, Common Stock (or, in certain circumstances, cash,
property or other securities of the Company) having a value (based on a formula
set forth in the Rights Agreement) equal to two times the Purchase Price of the
Right. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, following the occurrence of the
event set forth in this paragraph (the "Flip-in Event"), all Rights that are, or
(under certain circumstances specified in the Rights Agreement) were,
beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person (or by certain related parties) shall
be null and void. However, Rights are not exercisable following the occurrence
of the Flip-in Event until such time as the Rights are no longer redeemable by
the Company as set forth below.
In the event that, at any time following the Stock Acquisition Date,
(i) the Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination
transaction in which the Company is not the surviving corporation or in which it
is the surviving corporation but its Common Stock is changed or exchanged (other
than a merger consummated pursuant to a Qualifying Offer), or (ii) more than 50%
of the Company's assets or earning power is sold or transferred, each holder of
a Right (except Rights which previously have been voided as set forth above)
shall, after the expiration of the redemption period referred to below, have the
right to receive, upon payment of the Purchase Price, common stock of the
acquiring company having a value equal to two times the Purchase Price. The
events set forth in this paragraph and the Flip-in Event described in the second
preceding paragraph are referred to as the "Triggering Events."
The Purchase Price payable, and the number of one one-hundredths of a
share of Series D Preferred Stock or other securities or property issuable, upon
exercise of the Rights are subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent
dilution (i) in the event of a stock dividend on, or a subdivision, combination
or reclassification of, the Series D Preferred Stock, (ii) if holders of the
Series D Preferred Stock are granted certain rights or warrants to subscribe for
Series D Preferred Stock or convertible securities at less than the current
market price of the Series D Preferred Stock, or (iii) upon the distribution to
holders of the Series D Preferred Stock of evidences of indebtedness or assets
(excluding regular quarterly cash dividends out of the earnings or retained
earnings of the Company) or of subscription rights or warrants (other than those
referred to above).
With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Purchase Price will be
required until cumulative adjustments amount to at least 1% of the Purchase
Price. No fractional shares of Series D Preferred Stock (other than fractions of
one one-hundredth of a share, or integral multiples thereof) will be issued and,
in lieu thereof, an adjustment in cash will be made based on the market price of
the Series D Preferred Stock on the last trading date prior to the date of
exercise.
At any time until ten (10) days following the Stock Acquisition Date,
as such period may be extended or shortened by the Board of Directors, the
Company may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $0.01 per
Right (payable in cash, shares of Common Stock or other consideration deemed
appropriate by the Board of Directors). Immediately upon the action of the Board
of Directors ordering redemption of the Rights, the Rights will terminate and
the only right of the holders of Rights will be to receive the $0.01 redemption
price.
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Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no
rights as a stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right
to vote or to receive dividends. While the distribution of the Rights will not
be taxable to stockholders or to the Company, stockholders may, depending upon
the circumstances, recognize taxable income in the event that the Rights become
exercisable for shares of Common Stock (or other consideration) of the Company
or for shares of common stock of the acquiring company as set forth above, or
are redeemed as provided above.
Other than certain provisions relating to the principal economic terms
of the Rights, any of the provisions of the Rights Agreement may be amended by
the Board of Directors of the Company prior to the Distribution Date. After the
Distribution Date, the provisions of the Rights Agreement may be amended by the
Board in order to cure any ambiguity, to make changes which do not adversely
affect the interests of holders of Rights (other than an Acquiring Person or an
affiliate or associate thereof), or to shorten or lengthen any time period under
the Rights Agreement; provided, however, that no amendment to adjust the time
period governing redemption shall be made at such time as the Rights are not
redeemable.
The Rights have certain anti-takeover effects. Exercise of the Rights
will cause substantial dilution to a person or group that attempts to acquire
the Company on terms not approved by the Company's Board of Directors. The
existence of Rights, however, should not affect an offer at a price which is
fair to all stockholders and otherwise in the best interests of the Company and
its stockholders as determined by the Board of Directors. The Rights should not
interfere with any merger or other business combination approved by the Board of
Directors since the Board of Directors may, at its option, at any time until ten
days following the Stock Acquisition Date, as such period may be extended or
shortened by the Board of Directors, redeem all but not less than all of the
then outstanding Rights at the $0.01 redemption price.
The Rights Agreement, dated as of October 26, 1999, between the Company
and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Rights Agent, specifying the
term of the Rights is attached hereto as Exhibit 4.1 and is incorporated herein
by reference. The foregoing description of the Rights is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such exhibit.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
---------------------------------
(a) Not applicable.
(b) Not applicable.
(c) Exhibits.
Exhibit No. Description
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4.1 Rights Agreement, dated as of October 26, 1999, between
Swank, Inc. and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company,
as Rights Agent.
99.1 Press Release of the Company dated October 26, 1999.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Date: October 29, 1999 SWANK, INC.
/s/ John Tulin
By: __________________________________
Name: John Tulin
Title: President
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EXHIBIT INDEX
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Exhibit
Number Description
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4.1 Rights Agreement, dated as of October 26, 1999, between Swank, Inc.
and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Rights Agent.
99.1 Press Release of the Company dated October 26, 1999.
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EXHIBIT 4.1
SWANK, INC.
and
AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY
Rights Agent
RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Dated as of October 26, 1999
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Section 1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.......................................... 1
Section 2. APPOINTMENT OF RIGHTS AGENT.................................. 5
Section 3. ISSUE OF RIGHTS CERTIFICATES................................. 5
Section 4. FORM OF RIGHTS CERTIFICATES.................................. 7
Section 5. COUNTERSIGNATURE AND REGISTRATION............................ 8
Section 6. TRANSFER, SPLIT UP, COMBINATION AND EXCHANGE
OF RIGHTS CERTIFICATES; MUTILATED, DESTROYED,
LOST OR STOLEN RIGHTS CERTIFICATES........................... 9
Section 7. EXERCISE OF RIGHTS; PURCHASE PRICE; EXPIRATION
DATE OF RIGHTS............................................... 10
Section 8. CANCELLATION AND DESTRUCTION OF RIGHTS
CERTIFICATES................................................. 12
Section 9. RESERVATION AND AVAILABILITY OF CAPITAL STOCK................ 12
Section 10. PREFERRED STOCK RECORD DATE.................................. 14
Section 11. ADJUSTMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE, NUMBER AND
KIND OF SHARES OR NUMBER OF RIGHTS........................... 14
Section 12. CERTIFICATE OF ADJUSTED PURCHASE PRICE OR
NUMBER OF SHARES............................................. 23
Section 13. CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR SALE OR TRANSFER
OF ASSETS OR EARNING POWER................................... 24
Section 14. FRACTIONAL RIGHTS AND FRACTIONAL SHARES...................... 27
Section 15. RIGHTS OF ACTION............................................. 28
Section 16. AGREEMENT OF RIGHTS HOLDERS.................................. 28
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Section 17. RIGHTS CERTIFICATE HOLDER NOT DEEMED A
STOCKHOLDER.................................................. 29
Section 18. CONCERNING THE RIGHTS AGENT.................................. 30
Section 19. MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION OR CHANGE OF NAME OF
RIGHTS AGENT................................................. 30
Section 20. DUTIES OF RIGHTS AGENT....................................... 31
Section 21. CHANGE OF RIGHTS AGENT....................................... 33
Section 22. ISSUANCE OF NEW RIGHTS CERTIFICATES.......................... 34
Section 23. REDEMPTION AND TERMINATION................................... 34
Section 24. EXCHANGE..................................................... 35
Section 25. NOTICE OF CERTAIN EVENTS..................................... 36
Section 26. NOTICES...................................................... 37
Section 27. SUPPLEMENTS AND AMENDMENTS................................... 38
Section 28. SUCCESSORS................................................... 39
Section 29. DETERMINATIONS AND ACTIONS BY THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS, ETC............................................... 39
Section 30. BENEFITS OF THIS AGREEMENT................................... 39
Section 31. SEVERABILITY................................................. 39
Section 32. GOVERNING LAW................................................ 40
Section 33. COUNTERPARTS................................................. 40
Section 34. DESCRIPTIVE HEADINGS......................................... 40
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RIGHTS AGREEMENT
RIGHTS AGREEMENT, dated as of October 26, 1999 (the "Agreement"),
between Swank, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and American Stock
Transfer & Trust Company (the "Rights Agent").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS the Board of Directors of the Company has authorized and
declared a dividend distribution of one preferred share purchase right (a
"Right") for each share of common stock, par value $0.10 per share, of the
Company (the "Common Stock") outstanding at the close of business on November
12, 1999 (the "Record Date"), and has authorized the issuance of one Right (as
such number may hereinafter be adjusted pursuant to the provisions of Section
11(p) hereof) for each share of Common Stock of the Company issued (whether
originally issued or delivered from the Company's treasury) between the Record
Date and the Distribution Date (as defined below), each Right initially
representing the right to purchase one one-hundredth (1/100th) of a share of
Series D Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the Company (the "Series D
Preferred Stock") having the rights, powers and preferences set forth in the
form of Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights attached hereto as
Exhibit A, all upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set
forth (the "Rights");
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
agreements herein set forth, the parties hereby agree as follows:
Section 1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Agreement, the
following terms have the meanings indicated:
(a) "Acquiring Person" shall mean any Person who or which,
together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, shall be
the Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of the shares of Common Stock then
outstanding, but shall not include (i) the Company, (ii) any Subsidiary
of the Company, (iii) any employee benefit plan of the Company or of
any Subsidiary of the Company or (iv) any Person or entity organized,
appointed or established by the Company for or pursuant to the terms of
any such plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Person shall become an
"Acquiring Person" solely as the result of an acquisition of Common
Stock by the Company which, by reducing the number of shares
outstanding, increases the proportionate number of shares beneficially
owned by a Person to 15% or more of the Common Stock of the Company
then outstanding; provided, however, that if a Person becomes the
Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of the Common Stock of the Company then
outstanding solely by reason of purchases of Common Stock by the
Company and shall, after such purchases by the Company, become the
Beneficial Owner of any additional shares of Common Stock, then such
Person shall be deemed to be an "Acquiring Person."
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Board of Directors of the Company
determines in good faith that a Person who would otherwise be an
"Acquiring Person," as defined pursuant to the foregoing provisions of
this paragraph (a), has become an "Acquiring Person" inadvertently, and
such Person divests as promptly as practicable a sufficient number of
shares of Common Stock so that such Person would no longer be an
"Acquiring Person," then such Person shall not be deemed to be an
"Acquiring Person" for any purposes of this Agreement unless and until
such Person shall again become an "Acquiring Person." The term
"outstanding," when used with reference to a Person's Beneficial
Ownership (as defined below) of securities of the Company, shall mean
the number of securities then issued and outstanding together with the
number of such securities not then issued and outstanding which such
Person would be deemed to beneficially own hereunder.
(b) "Affiliate" and "Associate" shall have the respective
meaning ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and
Regulations under the Exchange Act.
(c) A Person shall be deemed the "Beneficial Owner" of, and
shall be deemed to "beneficially own," any securities:
(i) which such Person or any of such Person's
Affiliates or Associates, directly or indirectly, has the
right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable
immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any
agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in
writing) or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange
rights, rights, warrants or options, or otherwise; provided,
however, that a Person shall not be deemed the "Beneficial
Owner" of, or to "beneficially own," (A) securities tendered
pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by such Person or
any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates until such
tendered securities are accepted for purchase or exchange, or
(B) securities issuable upon exercise of Rights at any time
prior to the occurrence of a Triggering Event, or (C)
securities issuable upon exercise of Rights from and after the
occurrence of a Triggering Event which Rights were acquired by
such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates
prior to the Distribution Date or pursuant to Section 3(a) or
Section 22 hereof (the "Original Rights") or pursuant to
Section 11(i) hereof in connection with an adjustment made
with respect to any Original Rights;
(ii) which such Person or any of such Person's
Affiliates or Associates, directly or indirectly, has the
right to vote or dispose of or has "beneficial ownership" of
(as determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and
Regulations under the Exchange Act), including pursuant to any
agreement, arrangement or understanding, whether or not in
writing; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed
the "Beneficial Owner" of, or to "beneficially own," any
security under this subparagraph (ii) as a result of an
agreement, arrangement or understanding to vote such security
if such agreement, arrangement or understanding: (A) arises
solely from a revocable proxy given in response to a public
proxy or consent solicitation made
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pursuant to, and in accordance with, the applicable provisions
of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act,
and (B) is not also then reportable by such Person on Schedule
13D under the Exchange Act (or any comparable or successor
report); or
(iii) which are beneficially owned, directly or
indirectly, by any other Person (or any Affiliate or Associate
thereof) with which such Person (or any of such Person's
Affiliates or Associates) has any agreement, arrangement or
understanding (whether or not in writing), for the purpose of
acquiring, holding, voting (except pursuant to a revocable
proxy or consent as described in the proviso to subparagraph
(ii) of this paragraph (c) or disposing of any voting
securities of the Company; provided, however, that nothing in
this paragraph (c) shall cause a person engaged in business as
an underwriter of securities to be the "Beneficial Owner" of,
or to "beneficially own," any securities acquired through such
person's participation in good faith in a firm commitment
underwriting until the expiration of forty days after the date
of such acquisition.
(d) "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday,
Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the State of New York
are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
(e) "Close of business" on any given date shall mean 5:00
P.M., New York City time, on such date; provided, however, that if such
date is not a Business Day it shall mean 5:00 P.M., New York time, on
the next succeeding Business Day.
(f) "Common Stock" shall mean the common stock, par value
$0.10 per share, of the Company, except that "Common Stock" when used
with reference to any Person other than the Company shall mean the
capital stock of such Person with the greatest voting power, or the
equity securities or other equity interest having power to control or
direct the management, of such Person.
(g) "Distribution Date" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3(a) hereof.
(h) "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.
(i) "Expiration Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
(a) hereof.
(j) "Final Expiration Date" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 7(a) hereof.
(k) "Person" shall mean any individual, firm, corporation,
partnership, limited liability company or other entity and shall
include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such entity.
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(l) "Purchase Price" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
4(a) hereof.
(m) "Record Date" shall have the meaning set forth in the
WHEREAS clause at the beginning of this Agreement.
(n) "Redemption Price" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 23(a) hereof.
(o) "Rights" shall have the meaning set forth in the WHEREAS
clause at the beginning of the Agreement.
(p) "Rights Agent" shall have the meaning set forth in the
parties clause at the beginning of this Agreement.
(q) "Rights Certificates" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3(a) hereof.
(r) "Rights Dividend Declaration Date" shall mean October 26,
1999.
(s) "Section 11(a)(ii) Event" shall mean any event described
in Section 11(a)(ii) hereof.
(t) "Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date" shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 11(a)(iii) hereof.
(u) "Section 13 Event" shall mean any event described in
clauses (x), (y) or (z) of Section 13(a) hereof.
(v) "Spread" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
11(a)(iii) hereof.
(w) "Stock Acquisition Date" shall mean the first date of
public announcement (which, for purposes of this definition, shall
include, without limitation, a report filed pursuant to Section 13(d)
under the Exchange Act) by the Company or an Acquiring Person that an
Acquiring Person has become such.
(x) "Subsidiary" shall mean, with reference to any Person, any
corporation or other entity of which an amount of voting securities
sufficient to elect at least a majority of the directors of such
corporation is beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by such
Person, or otherwise controlled by such Person.
(y) "Triggering Event" shall mean any Section 11(a)(ii) Event
or any Section 13 Event.
Section 2. APPOINTMENT OF RIGHTS AGENT. The Company hereby appoints the
Rights Agent to act as agent for the Company and the holders of the Rights (who,
in accordance with
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Section 3 hereof, shall prior to the Distribution Date also be the holders of
the Common Stock) in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof, and the
Rights Agent hereby accepts such appointment. The Company may from time to time
appoint such co-Rights Agents as it may deem necessary or desirable.
Section 3. ISSUE OF RIGHTS CERTIFICATES.
(a) Until the earlier of (i) the close of business on the
tenth day after the Stock Acquisition Date (or, if the tenth day after
the Stock Acquisition Date occurs before the Record Date, the close of
business on the Record Date), or (ii) the close of business on the
tenth business day (or such later date as the Board shall determine)
after the date that a tender or exchange offer by any Person (other
than the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit
plan of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company, or any Person
or entity organized, appointed or established by the Company for or
pursuant to the terms of any such plan) is first published or sent or
given within the meaning of Rule 14d-2(a) of the General Rules and
Regulations under the Exchange Act, if upon consummation thereof such
Person would be the Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of the shares of
Common Stock then outstanding (the earlier of (i) and (ii) being herein
referred to as the "Distribution Date"), (x) the Rights will be
evidenced (subject to the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section
3) by the certificates for the Common Stock registered in the names of
the holders of the Common Stock (which certificates for Common Stock
shall be deemed also to be certificates for Rights) and not by separate
certificates, and (y) the Rights will be transferable only in
connection with the transfer of the underlying shares of Common Stock
(including a transfer to the Company). As soon as practicable after the
Distribution Date, the Rights Agent will send by first-class, insured,
postage prepaid mail, to each record holder of the Common Stock as of
the close of business on the Distribution Date, at the address of such
holder shown on the records of the Company, one or more rights
certificates, in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto (the
"Rights Certificates"), evidencing one Right for each share of Common
Stock so held, subject to adjustment as provided herein. In the event
that an adjustment in the number of Rights per share of Common Stock
has been made pursuant to Section 11(p) hereof, at the time of
distribution of the Rights Certificates, the Company shall make the
necessary and appropriate rounding adjustments (in accordance with
Section 14(a) hereof) so that Rights Certificates representing only
whole numbers of Rights are distributed and cash is paid in lieu of any
fractional Rights. As of and after the Distribution Date, the Rights
will be evidenced solely by such Rights Certificates.
(b) As promptly as practicable following the Record Date, the
Company will send a copy of a Summary of Rights, in substantially the
form attached hereto as Exhibit C (the "Summary of Rights"), to each
record holder of the Common Stock as of the close of business on the
Record Date, at the address of such holder shown on the records of the
Company. With respect to certificates for the Common Stock outstanding
as of the Record Date, until the Distribution Date, the Rights will be
evidenced by such certificates for the Common Stock and the registered
holders of the Common Stock shall also be the registered
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holders of the associated Rights. Until the earlier of the Distribution
Date or the Expiration Date (as such term is defined in Section 7
hereof), the transfer of any certificates representing shares of Common
Stock in respect of which Rights have been issued shall also constitute
the transfer of the Rights associated with such shares of Common Stock.
(c) Rights shall be issued in respect of all shares of Common
Stock which are issued (whether originally issued or from the Company's
treasury) after the Record Date but prior to the earlier of the
Distribution Date or the Expiration Date. Certificates representing
such shares of Common Stock shall also be deemed to be certificates for
Rights, and shall bear a legend reading substantially as follows:
This certificate also evidences and entitles the
holder hereof to certain Rights as set forth in the Rights
Agreement between Swank, Inc. (the "Company") and American
Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the "Rights Agent"), dated as
of October 26, 1999 (the "Rights Agreement"), the terms of
which are hereby incorporated herein by reference and a copy
of which is on file at the principal office of the Company.
Under certain circumstances, as set forth in the Rights
Agreement, such Rights will be evidenced by separate
certificates and will no longer be evidenced by this
certificate. The Company will mail to the holder of this
certificate a copy of the Rights Agreement, as in effect on
the date of mailing, without charge promptly after receipt of
a written request therefor. Under certain circumstances set
forth in the Rights Agreement, Rights issued to, or held by,
any Person who is, was or becomes an Acquiring Person, or any
Affiliate or Associate thereof (as such terms are defined in
the Rights Agreement), whether currently held by or on behalf
of such Person or by any subsequent holder, may become null
and void.
With respect to such certificates containing the foregoing legend, until the
earlier of (i) the Distribution Date or (ii) the Expiration Date, the Rights
associated with the Common Stock represented by such certificates shall be
evidenced by such certificates alone and registered holders of Common Stock also
shall be the registered holders of the associated Rights, and the transfer of
any of such certificates also shall constitute the transfer of the Rights
associated with the Common Stock represented by such certificates.
Section 4. FORM OF RIGHTS CERTIFICATES.
(a) The Rights Certificates (and the forms of election to
purchase and of assignment to be printed on the reverse thereof) each
shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit B hereto and
may have such marks of identification or designation and such legends,
summaries or endorsements printed thereon as the Company may deem
appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this
Agreement, or as may be required to comply with any applicable law or
with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with
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any rule or regulation of any stock exchange on which the Rights may
from time to time be listed, or to conform to usage. Subject to the
provisions of Section 11 and Section 22 hereof, the Rights
Certificates, whenever distributed, shall be dated as of the Record
Date and on their face shall entitle the holders thereof to purchase
such number of one one-hundredths (1/100ths) of a share of Series D
Preferred Stock as shall be set forth therein at the price set forth
therein (such exercise price per one one-hundredth (1/100th) of a
share, the "Purchase Price"), but the amount and type of securities
purchasable upon the exercise of each Right and the Purchase Price
thereof shall be subject to adjustment as provided herein.
(b) Any Rights Certificate issued pursuant to Section 3(a) or
Section 22 hereof that represents Rights beneficially owned by: (i) an
Acquiring Person or any Associate or Affiliate of an Acquiring Person,
(ii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any such Associate or
Affiliate) who becomes a transferee after the Acquiring Person becomes
such, or (iii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any such
Associate or Affiliate) who becomes a transferee prior to or
concurrently with the Acquiring Person becoming such and receives such
Rights pursuant to either (A) a transfer (whether or not for
consideration) from the Acquiring Person to holders of equity interests
in such Acquiring Person or to any Person with whom such Acquiring
Person has any continuing agreement, arrangement or understanding
regarding the transferred Rights or (B) a transfer which the Board of
Directors of the Company has determined is part of a plan, arrangement
or understanding which has as a primary purpose or effect avoidance of
Section 7(e) hereof, and any Rights Certificate issued pursuant to
Section 6 or Section 11 hereof upon transfer, exchange, replacement or
adjustment of any other Rights Certificate referred to in this
sentence, shall contain (to the extent feasible) the following legend:
The Rights represented by this Rights Certificate are
of were beneficially owned by a Person who was or became an
Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring
Person (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement).
Accordingly, this Rights Certificate and the Rights
represented hereby shall become null and void in the
circumstances specified in Section 7(e) of such Agreement.
Section 5. COUNTERSIGNATURE AND REGISTRATION.
(a) The Rights Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the
Company by its Chairman of the Board, its President or any Senior Vice
President, either manually or by facsimile signature, and shall have
affixed thereto the Company's seal or a facsimile thereof which shall
be attested by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company,
either manually or by facsimile signature. The Rights Certificates
shall be countersigned by the Rights Agent, either manually or by
facsimile signature, and shall not be valid for any purpose unless so
countersigned. In case any officer of the Company who shall have signed
any of the Rights Certificates shall cease to be such officer of the
Company before countersignature by the Rights Agent and issuance and
delivery by the Company, such Rights Certificates,
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nevertheless, may be countersigned by the Rights Agent and issued and
delivered by the Company with the same force and effect as though the
person who signed such Rights Certificates had not ceased to be such
officer of the Company; and any Rights Certificates may be signed on
behalf of the Company by any person who, at the actual date of the
execution of such Rights Certificate, shall be a proper officer of the
Company to sign such Rights Certificate, although at the date of the
execution of this Rights Agreement any such person was not such an
officer.
(b) Following the Distribution Date, the Rights Agent will
keep or cause to be kept, at its principal office or offices designated
as the appropriate place for surrender of Rights Certificates upon
exercise or transfer, books for registration and transfer of the Rights
Certificates issued hereunder. Such books shall show the names and
addresses of the respective holders of the Rights Certificates, the
number of Rights evidenced on its face by each of the Rights
Certificates and the date of each of the Rights Certificates.
Section 6. TRANSFER, SPLIT UP, COMBINATION AND EXCHANGE OF RIGHTS
CERTIFICATES; MUTILATED, DESTROYED, LOST OR STOLEN
RIGHTS CERTIFICATES.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b), Section 7(e)
and Section 14 hereof, at any time after the close of business on the
Distribution Date, and at or prior to the close of business on the
Expiration Date, any Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates may be
transferred, split up, combined or exchanged for another Rights
Certificate or Rights Certificates, entitling the registered holder to
purchase a like number of one one-hundredths (1/100ths) of a share of
Series D Preferred Stock (or, following a Triggering Event, shares of
Common Stock, other securities, cash or other assets, as the case may
be) as the Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates surrendered then
entitled such holder (or former holder in the case of a transfer) to
purchase. Any registered holder desiring to transfer, split up, combine
or exchange any Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates shall make
such request in writing delivered to the Rights Agent, and shall
surrender the Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates to be
transferred, split up, combined or exchanged at the principal office or
offices of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose. Neither the
Rights Agent nor the Company shall be obligated to take any action
whatsoever with respect to the transfer of any such surrendered Rights
Certificate until the registered holder shall have completed and signed
the certificate contained in the form of assignment on the reverse side
of such Rights Certificate and shall have provided such additional
evidence of the identity of the Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial
Owner) or Affiliates or Associates thereof as the Company shall
reasonably request. Thereupon the Rights Agent shall, subject to
Section 4(b), Section 7(e) and Section 14, countersign and deliver to
the Person entitled thereto a Rights Certificate or Rights
Certificates, as the case may be, as so requested. The Company may
require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or governmental
charge that may be imposed in connection with any transfer, split up,
combination or exchange of Rights Certificates.
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(b) Upon receipt by the Company and the Rights Agent of
evidence reasonably satisfactory to them of the loss, theft,
destruction or mutilation of a Rights Certificate, and, in case of
loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably
satisfactory to them, and reimbursement to the Company and the Rights
Agent of all reasonable expenses incidental thereto, and upon surrender
to the Rights Agent and cancellation of the Rights Certificate if
mutilated, the Company will execute and deliver a new Rights
Certificate of like tenor to the Rights Agent for countersignature and
delivery to the registered owner in lieu of the Rights Certificate so
lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated.
Section 7. EXERCISE OF RIGHTS; PURCHASE PRICE; EXPIRATION DATE OF
RIGHTS.
(a) Subject to Section 7(e) hereof, the registered holder of
any Rights Certificate may exercise the Rights evidenced thereby
(except as otherwise provided herein including, without limitation, the
restrictions on exercisability set forth in Section 9(c), Section
11(a)(iii) and Section 23(a) hereof) in whole or in part at any time
after the Distribution Date upon surrender of the Rights Certificate,
with the form of election to purchase and the certificate on the
reverse side thereof duly executed, to the Rights Agent at the
principal office or offices of the Rights Agent designated for such
purpose, together with payment of the aggregate Purchase Price with
respect to the total number of one one-hundredths (1/100ths) of a share
(or shares of Common Stock, other securities, cash or other assets, as
the case may be) as to which such surrendered Rights are then
exercisable, at or prior to the earliest of (i) the close of business
on November 11, 2009 (the "Final Expiration Date"), (ii) the time at
which the Rights are redeemed as provided in Section 23 hereof, (iii)
the time at which such Rights are exchanged pursuant to Section 24
hereof or (iv) the time at which the Rights expire pursuant to Section
13(d) hereof (the earliest of (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) being herein
referred to as the "Expiration Date").
(b) The Purchase Price for each one one-hundredth (1/100th) of
a share of Preferred Stock pursuant to the exercise of a Right shall
initially be $5.50, and shall be subject to adjustment from time to
time as provided in Sections 11 and 13(a) hereof and shall be payable
in accordance with paragraph (c) below.
(c) Upon receipt of a Rights Certificate representing
exercisable Rights, with the form of election to purchase and the
certificate duly executed, accompanied by payment, with respect to each
Right so exercised of the Purchase Price per one one-hundredth
(1/100th) of a share of Series D Preferred Stock (or shares of Common
Stock, other securities, cash or other assets, as the case may be) to
be purchased as set forth below and an amount equal to any applicable
transfer tax, the Rights Agent shall, subject to Section 20(k) hereof,
thereupon promptly (i) (A) requisition from any transfer agent of the
shares of Series D Preferred Stock (or make available, if the Rights
Agent is the transfer agent for such shares) certificates for the total
number of one one-hundredths (1/100ths) of a share of Series D
Preferred Stock to be purchased and the Company hereby irrevocably
authorizes its transfer agent to comply
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with all such requests, or (B) if the Company shall have elected to
deposit the total number of shares of Series D Preferred Stock issuable
upon exercise of the Rights hereunder with a depositary agent,
requisition from the depositary agent depositary receipts representing
such number of one one-hundredths (1/100ths) of a share of Series D
Preferred Stock as are to be purchased (in which case certificates for
the shares of Series D Preferred Stock represented by such receipts
shall be deposited by the transfer agent with the depositary agent) and
the Company will direct the depositary agent to comply with such
request, (ii) requisition from the Company the amount of cash, if any,
to be paid in lieu of fractional shares in accordance with Section 14
hereof, (iii) after receipt of such certificates or depositary
receipts, cause the same to be registered in the name of and delivered
to the registered holder of such Rights Certificate or upon the order
of the registered holder of such Rights Certificate, registered in such
name or names as may be designated by such holder, and (iv) after
receipt thereof, deliver such cash, if any, to or upon the order of the
registered holder of such Rights Certificate. The payment of the
Purchase Price (as such amount may be reduced pursuant to Section
11(a)(iii) hereof) shall be made in cash or by certified bank check or
bank draft payable to the order of the Company. In the event that the
Company is obligated to issue other securities (including shares of
Common Stock) of the Company, pay cash and/or distribute other property
pursuant to Section 11(a) hereof, the Company will make all
arrangements necessary so that such shares of Common Stock, other
securities, cash and/or other property are available for distribution
by the Rights Agent, if and when appropriate. The Company reserves the
right to require prior to the occurrence of a Triggering Event that,
upon any exercise of Rights, a number of Rights be exercised so that
only whole shares of Series D Preferred Stock would be issued.
(d) In case the registered holder of any Rights Certificate
shall exercise less than all the Rights evidenced thereby, a new Rights
Certificate evidencing Rights equivalent to the Rights remaining
unexercised shall be issued by the Rights Agent and delivered to, or
upon the order of, the registered holder of such Rights Certificate,
registered in such name or names as may be designated by such holder,
subject to the provisions of Section 14 hereof.
(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, from and after the first occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii)
Event, any Rights beneficially owned by (i) an Acquiring Person or an
Associate or Affiliate of an Acquiring Person, (ii) a transferee of an
Acquiring Person (or of any such Associate or Affiliate) who becomes a
transferee after the Acquiring Person becomes such, or (iii) a
transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any such Associate or
Affiliate) who becomes a transferee prior to or concurrently with the
Acquiring Person becoming such and receives such Rights pursuant to
either (A) a transfer (whether or not for consideration) from the
Acquiring Person to holders of equity interests in such Acquiring
Person or to any Person with whom the Acquiring Person has any
continuing agreement, arrangement or understanding regarding the
transferred Rights or (B) a transfer which the Board of Directors of
the Company has determined is part of a plan, arrangement or
understanding which has as a primary purpose or effect the avoidance of
this Section 7(e), shall become null and void without any further
action and no holder of such Rights shall have
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any rights whatsoever with respect to such Rights, whether under any
provision of this Agreement or otherwise. The Company shall use all
reasonable efforts to insure that the provisions of this Section 7(e)
and Section 4(b) hereof are complied with, but shall have no liability
to any holder of Rights Certificates or other Person as a result of its
failure to make any determinations with respect to an Acquiring Person
or any of its respective Affiliates, Associates or transferees
hereunder.
(f) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary
neither the Rights Agent nor the Company shall be obligated to
undertake any action with respect to a registered holder upon the
occurrence of any purported exercise as set forth in this Section 7
unless such registered holder shall have (i) completed and signed the
certificate contained in the form of election to purchase set forth on
the reverse side of the Rights Certificate surrendered for such
exercise, and (ii) provided such additional evidence of the identity of
the Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) or Affiliates or
Associates thereof as the Company shall reasonably request.
Section 8. CANCELLATION AND DESTRUCTION OF RIGHTS CERTIFICATES. All
Rights Certificates surrendered for the purpose of exercise, transfer, split up,
combination or exchange shall, if surrendered to the Company or any of its
agents, be delivered to the Rights Agent for cancellation or in cancelled form,
or, if surrendered to the Rights Agent, shall be cancelled by it, and no Rights
Certificates shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by
any of the provisions of this Agreement. The Company shall deliver to the Rights
Agent for cancellation and retirement, and the Rights Agent shall so cancel and
retire, any other Rights Certificate purchased or acquired by the Company
otherwise than upon the exercise thereof. The Rights Agent shall deliver all
cancelled Rights Certificates to the Company, or shall, at the written request
of the Company, destroy such cancelled Rights Certificates, and in such case
shall deliver a certificate of destruction thereof to the Company.
Section 9. RESERVATION AND AVAILABILITY OF CAPITAL STOCK.
(a) The Company covenants and agrees that it will cause to be
reserved and kept available out of its authorized and unissued shares
of Preferred Stock (and, following the occurrence of a Triggering
Event, out of its authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock and/or
other securities or out of its authorized and issued shares held in its
treasury), the number of shares of Preferred Stock (and, following the
occurrence of a Triggering Event, Common Stock and/or other securities)
that, as provided in this Agreement, including Section 11(a)(iii)
hereof, will be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of all
outstanding Rights.
(b) So long as the shares of Preferred Stock (and, following
the occurrence of a Triggering Event, Common Stock and/or other
securities) issuable and deliverable upon the exercise of the Rights
may be listed on any national securities exchange, the Company shall
use its best efforts to cause, from and after such time as the Rights
become exercisable, all
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shares reserved for such issuance to be listed on such exchange upon
official notice of issuance upon such exercise.
(c) The Company shall use its best efforts to (i) file, as
soon as practicable following the earliest date after the first
occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event on which the consideration to
be delivered by the Company upon exercise of the Rights has been
determined in accordance with this Agreement or as soon as is required
by law following the Distribution Date, as the case may be, a
registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act"),
with respect to the shares of Common Stock or other securities
purchasable upon exercise of the Rights on an appropriate form, (ii)
cause such registration statement to become effective as soon as
practicable after such filing, and (iii) cause such registration
statement to remain effective (with a prospectus at all times meeting
the requirements of the Act) until the earlier of (A) the date as of
which the Rights are no longer exercisable for such securities, and (B)
the Expiration Date. The Company will also take such action as may be
appropriate under, or to ensure compliance with, the securities or
"blue sky" laws of the various states in connection with the
exercisability of the Rights. The Company may temporarily suspend, for
a period of time not to exceed ninety (90) days after the date set
forth in clause (i) of the first sentence of this Section 9(c), the
exercisability of the Rights in order to prepare and file such
registration statement and permit it to become effective. Upon any such
suspension, the Company shall issue a public announcement stating that
the exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily suspended, as
well as a public announcement at such time as the suspension is no
longer in effect. In addition, if the Company shall determine that a
registration statement is required following the Distribution Date, the
Company may temporarily suspend the exercisability of the Rights until
such time as a registration statement has been declared effective.
Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the
Rights shall not be exercisable in any jurisdiction if the requisite
qualification in such jurisdiction shall not have been obtained, the
exercise thereof shall not be permitted under applicable law or a
registration statement shall not have been declared effective.
(d) The Company covenants and agrees that it will take all
such action as may be necessary to ensure that all one one-hundredths
(1/100ths) of a share of Series D Preferred Stock (and, following the
occurrence of a Triggering Event, Common Stock and/or other securities)
delivered upon exercise of Rights shall, at the time of delivery of the
certificates for such shares (subject to payment of the Purchase
Price), be duly and validly authorized and issued and fully paid and
nonassessable.
(e) The Company further covenants and agrees that it will pay
when due and payable any and all federal and state transfer taxes and
charges which may be payable in respect of the issuance or delivery of
the Rights Certificates and of any certificates for a number of one
one-hundredths (1/100ths) of a share of Series D Preferred Stock (or
Common Stock and/or other securities, as the case may be) upon the
exercise of Rights. The Company shall not, however, be required to pay
any transfer tax which may be payable in respect of any
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transfer or delivery of Rights Certificates to a Person other than, or
the issuance or delivery of a number of one one-hundredths (1/100ths)
of a share of Series D Preferred Stock (or Common Stock and/or other
securities, as the case may be) in respect of a name other than that
of, the registered holder of the Rights Certificates evidencing Rights
surrendered for exercise or to issue or deliver any certificates for a
number of one one-hundredths (1/100ths) of a share of Series D
Preferred Stock (or Common Stock and/or other securities, as the case
may be) in a name other than that of the registered holder upon the
exercise of any Rights until such tax shall have been paid (any such
tax being payable by the holder of such Rights Certificate at the time
of surrender) or until it has been established to the Company's
satisfaction that no such tax is due.
Section 10. PREFERRED STOCK RECORD DATE. Each person in whose name any
certificate for a number of one one-hundredths (1/100ths) of a share of Series D
Preferred Stock (or Common Stock and/or other securities, as the case may be) is
issued upon the exercise of Rights shall for all purposes be deemed to have
become the holder of record of such fractional shares of Series D Preferred
Stock (or Common Stock and/or other securities, as the case may be) represented
thereby on, and such certificate shall be dated, the date upon which the Rights
Certificate evidencing such Rights was duly surrendered and payment of the
Purchase Price (and all applicable transfer taxes) was made; provided, however,
that if the date of such surrender and payment is a date upon which the Series D
Preferred Stock (or Common Stock and/or other securities, as the case may be)
transfer books of the Company are closed, such Person shall be deemed to have
become the record holder of such shares (fractional or otherwise) on, and such
certificate shall be dated, the next succeeding Business Day on which the Series
D Preferred Stock (or Common Stock and/or other securities, as the case may be)
transfer books of the Company are open. Prior to the exercise of the Rights
evidenced thereby, the holder of a Rights Certificate shall not be entitled to
any rights of a stockholder of the Company with respect to shares for which the
Rights shall be exercisable, including, without limitation, the right to vote,
to receive dividends or other distributions or to exercise any preemptive
rights, and shall not be entitled to receive any notice of any proceedings of
the Company, except as provided herein.
Section 11. ADJUSTMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE, NUMBER AND KIND OF SHARES OR
NUMBER OF RIGHTS. The Purchase Price, the number and kind of shares covered by
each Right and the number of Rights outstanding are subject to adjustment from
time to time as provided in this Section 11.
(a) (i) In the event the Company shall at any time after the
date of this Agreement (A) declare a dividend on the Series D Preferred
Stock payable in shares of Series D Preferred Stock, (B) subdivide the
outstanding Series D Preferred Stock, (C) combine the outstanding
Series D Preferred Stock into a smaller number of shares, or (D) issue
any shares of its capital stock in a reclassification of the Series D
Preferred Stock (including any such reclassification in connection with
a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing or
surviving corporation), except as otherwise provided in this Section
11(a) and Section 7(e) hereof, the Purchase Price in effect at the time
of the record date for such
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dividend or of the effective date of such subdivision, combination or
reclassification, and the number and kind of shares of Series D
Preferred Stock or capital stock, as the case may be, issuable on such
date, shall be proportionately adjusted so that the holder of any Right
exercised after such time shall be entitled to receive, upon payment of
the Purchase Price then in effect, the aggregate number and kind of
shares of Series D Preferred Stock or capital stock, as the case may
be, which, if such Right had been exercised immediately prior to such
date and at a time when the Series D Preferred Stock transfer books of
the Company were open, he or she would have owned upon such exercise
and been entitled to receive by virtue of such dividend, subdivision,
combination or reclassification. If an event occurs which would require
an adjustment under both this Section 11(a)(i) and Section 11(a)(ii)
hereof, the adjustment provided for in this Section 11(a)(i) shall be
in addition to, and shall be made prior to, any adjustment required
pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof.
(ii) Subject to Sections 23 and 24 hereof, in the
event that any Person (other than the Company, any Subsidiary
of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or of
any Subsidiary of the Company, or any Person or entity
organized, appointed or established by the Company for or
pursuant to the terms of any such plan), alone or together
with its Affiliates and Associates, shall, at any time after
the Rights Dividend Declaration Date, become an Acquiring
Person, unless the event causing the Person to become an
Acquiring Person is (1) a transaction set forth in Section
13(a) hereof or (2) an acquisition of shares of Common Stock
pursuant to a tender offer or an exchange offer for all
outstanding shares of Common Stock at a price and on terms
determined by at least a majority of the members of the Board
of Directors who are not officers of the Company and who are
not representatives, nominees, Affiliates or Associates of an
Acquiring Person, after receiving advice from one or more
investment banking firms, to be (a) at a price which is fair
to stockholders (taking into account all factors which such
members of the Board deem relevant including, without
limitation, prices which could reasonably be achieved if the
Company or its assets were sold on an orderly basis designed
to realize maximum value) and (b) otherwise in the best
interests of the Company and its stockholders (a "Qualifying
Offer"); then, promptly following the occurrence of such
event, proper provision shall be made so that each holder of a
Right (except as provided below and in Section 7(e) hereof)
shall thereafter have the right to receive, upon exercise
thereof at the then current Purchase Price in accordance with
the terms of this Agreement, in lieu of a number of one
one-hundredths (1/100ths) of a share of Series D Preferred
Stock, such number of shares of Common Stock of the Company as
shall equal the result obtained by (x) multiplying the then
current Purchase Price by the then number of one
one-hundredths (1/100ths) of a share of Series D Preferred
Stock for which a Right was exercisable immediately prior to
the first occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, and (y)
dividing that product (which, following such first occurrence,
shall thereafter be referred to as the "Purchase Price" for
each Right and for all purposes of this Agreement) by 50% of
the Current Market Price (determined pursuant to
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Section 11(d) hereof) per share of Common Stock on the date of
such first occurrence (such number of shares, the "Adjustment
Shares").
(iii) In the event that the number of shares of
Common Stock which are authorized by the Company's Restated
Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, but not outstanding
or reserved for issuance for purposes other than upon exercise
of the Rights are not sufficient to permit the exercise in
full of the Rights in accordance with the foregoing
subparagraph (ii) of this Section 11(a), the Company shall (A)
determine the value of the Adjustment Shares issuable upon the
exercise of a Right (the "Current Value"), and (B) with
respect to each Right (subject to Section 7(e) hereof), make
adequate provision to substitute for the Adjustment Shares,
upon the exercise of a Right and payment of the applicable
Purchase Price, (1) cash, (2) a reduction in the Purchase
Price, (3) Common Stock or other equity securities of the
Company (including, without limitation, shares, or units of
shares, of preferred stock, such as the Series D Preferred
Stock, which the Board has deemed to have essentially the same
value or economic rights as shares of Common Stock (such
shares of preferred stock being referred to as "Common Stock
Equivalents")), (4) debt securities of the Company, (5) other
assets, or (6) any combination of the foregoing, having an
aggregate value equal to the Current Value (less the amount of
any reduction in the Purchase Price), where such aggregate
value has been determined by the Board based upon the advice
of a nationally recognized investment banking firm selected by
the Board; provided, however, that if the Company shall not
have made adequate provision to deliver value pursuant to
clause (B) above within thirty (30) days following the later
of (x) the first occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event and
(y) the date on which the Company's right of redemption
pursuant to Section 23(a) expires (the later of (x) and (y)
being referred to herein as the "Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger
Date"), then the Company shall be obligated to deliver, upon
the surrender for exercise of a Right and without requiring
payment of the Purchase Price, shares of Common Stock (to the
extent available) and then, if necessary, cash, which shares
and/or cash have an aggregate value equal to the Spread. For
purposes of the preceding sentence, the term "Spread" shall
mean the excess of (i) the Current Value over (ii) the
Purchase Price. If the Board determines in good faith that it
is likely that sufficient additional shares of Common Stock
could be authorized for issuance upon exercise in full of the
Rights, the thirty (30) day period set forth above may be
extended to the extent necessary, but not more than ninety
(90) days after the Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date, in order
that the Company may seek stockholder approval for the
authorization of such additional shares (such thirty (30) day
period, as it may be extended, is herein called the
"Substitution Period"). To the extent that action is to be
taken pursuant to the first and/or third sentences of this
Section 11(a) (iii), the Company (1) shall provide, subject to
Section 7(e) hereof, that such action shall apply uniformly to
all outstanding Rights, and (2) may suspend the exercisability
of the Rights until the expiration of the Substitution Period
in order to seek such stockholder approval for such
authorization of additional shares and/or to decide the
appropriate
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form of distribution to be made pursuant to such first
sentence and to determine the value thereof. In the event of
any such suspension, the Company shall issue a public
announcement stating that the exercisability of the Rights has
been temporarily suspended, as well as a public announcement
at such time as the suspension is no longer in effect. For
purposes of this Section 11(a)(iii), the value of each
Adjustment Share shall be the Current Market Price per share
of the Common Stock on the Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date and
the per share or per unit value of any Common Stock Equivalent
shall be deemed to equal the Current Market Price per share of
the Common Stock on such date.
(b) In case the Company shall fix a record date for the
issuance of rights (other than the Rights), options or warrants to all
holders of Series D Preferred Stock entitling them to subscribe for or
purchase (for a period expiring within forty-five (45) calendar days
after such record date) Series D Preferred Stock (or shares having the
same rights, privileges and preferences as the shares of Series D
Preferred Stock ("Equivalent Preferred Stock")) or securities
convertible into Series D Preferred Stock or Equivalent Preferred Stock
at a price per share of Series D Preferred Stock or per share of
Equivalent Preferred Stock (or having a conversion price per share, if
a security convertible into Series D Preferred Stock or Equivalent
Preferred Stock) less than the Current Market Price (as determined
pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) per share of Series D Preferred Stock
on such record date, the Purchase Price to be in effect after such
record date shall be determined by multiplying the Purchase Price in
effect immediately prior to such record date by a fraction, the
numerator of which shall be the number of shares of Series D Preferred
Stock outstanding on such record date, plus the number of shares of
Series D Preferred Stock which the aggregate offering price of the
total number of shares of Series D Preferred Stock and/or Equivalent
Preferred Stock so to be offered (and/or the aggregate initial
conversion price of the convertible securities so to be offered) would
purchase at such Current Market Price, and the denominator of which
shall be the number of shares of Series D Preferred Stock outstanding
on such record date, plus the number of additional shares of Series D
Preferred Stock and/or Equivalent Preferred Stock to be offered for
subscription or purchase (or into which the convertible securities so
to be offered are initially convertible). In case such subscription
price may be paid by delivery of consideration part or all of which may
be in a form other than cash, the value of such consideration shall be
as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company,
whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the
Rights Agent and shall be binding on the Rights Agent and the holders
of the Rights. Shares of Series D Preferred Stock owned by or held for
the account of the Company shall not be deemed outstanding for the
purpose of any such computation. Such adjustment shall be made
successively whenever such a record date is fixed, and in the event
that such rights or warrants are not so issued, the Purchase Price
shall be adjusted to be the Purchase Price which would then be in
effect if such record date had not been fixed.
(c) In case the Company shall fix a record date for a
distribution to all holders of Series D Preferred Stock (including any
such distribution made in connection with a
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consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing
corporation) of evidences of indebtedness, cash (other than a regular
quarterly cash dividend out of the earnings or retained earnings of the
Company), assets (other than a dividend payable in Series D Preferred
Stock, but including any dividend payable in stock other than Series D
Preferred Stock) or subscription rights or warrants (excluding those
referred to in Section 11(b) hereof), the Purchase Price to be in
effect after such record date shall be determined by multiplying the
Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such record date by a
fraction, the numerator of which shall be the Current Market Price (as
determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) per share of Series D
Preferred Stock on such record date, less the fair market value (as
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company,
whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the
Rights Agent and shall be binding on the Rights Agent and the holders
of the Rights) of the portion of the cash, assets or evidences of
indebtedness so to be distributed or of such subscription rights or
warrants applicable to a share of Series D Preferred Stock and the
denominator of which shall be such Current Market Price (as determined
pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) per share of Series D Preferred
Stock. Such adjustments shall be made successively whenever such a
record date is fixed, and in the event that such distribution is not so
made, the Purchase Price shall be adjusted to be the Purchase Price
which would have been in effect if such record date had not been fixed.
(d) (i) For the purpose of any computation hereunder, other
than computations made pursuant to Section 11(a)(iii) hereof, the
"Current Market Price" per share of Common Stock on any date shall be
deemed to be the average of the daily closing prices per share of such
Common Stock for the thirty (30) consecutive Trading Days immediately
prior to such date, and for purposes of computations made pursuant to
Section 11(a)(iii) hereof, the Current Market Price per share of Common
Stock of any date shall be deemed to be the average of the daily
closing prices per share of such Common Stock for the ten (10)
consecutive Trading Days immediately following such date; provided,
however, that in the event that the Current Market Price per share of
Common Stock is determined during a period following the announcement
by the issuer of such Common Stock of (A) a dividend or distribution on
such Common Stock payable in shares of such Common Stock or securities
convertible into shares of such Common Stock (other than the Rights) or
(B) any subdivision, combination or reclassification of such Common
Stock, and the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution, or
the record date for such subdivision, combination or reclassification
shall not have occurred prior to the commencement of the requisite
thirty (30) Trading Day, or ten (10) Trading Day period, as set forth
above, then, and in each such case, the Current Market Price shall be
properly adjusted to take into account ex-dividend trading. The closing
price for each day shall be the last sale price, regular way, or, in
case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing
bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as reported in the
principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to
securities listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange
or, if the shares of Common Stock are not listed or admitted to trading
on the New York Stock Exchange, as reported in the principal
consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities
listed on the principal national securities exchange on which the
shares of Common Stock are
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listed or admitted to trading or, if the shares of Common Stock are not
listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the
last quoted price or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and
low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation
System ("NASDAQ") or such other system then in use, or, if on any such
date the shares of Common Stock are not quoted by any such
organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as
furnished by a professional market maker making a market in the Common
Stock selected by the Board. If on any such date no market maker is
making a market in the Common Stock, the fair value of such shares on
such date as determined in good faith by the Board shall be used. The
term "Trading Day" shall mean a day on which the principal national
securities exchange on which the shares of Common Stock are listed or
admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business or, if the
shares of Common Stock are not listed or admitted to trading on any
national securities exchange, a Business Day. If the Common Stock is
not publicly held or not so listed or traded, Current Market Price per
share shall mean the fair value per share as determined in good faith
by the Board, whose determination shall be described in a statement
filed with the Rights Agent and shall be conclusive for all purposes.
(ii) For the purpose of any computation hereunder,
the Current Market Price per share of Series D Preferred Stock
shall be determined in the same manner as set forth above for
the Common Stock in clause (i) of this Section 11(d) (other
than the last sentence thereof). If the Current Market Price
per share of Series D Preferred Stock cannot be determined in
the manner provided above or if the Series D Preferred Stock
is not publicly held or listed or traded in a manner described
in clause (i) of this Section 11(d), the Current Market Price
per share of Series D Preferred Stock shall be conclusively
deemed to be an amount equal to 100 (as such number may be
appropriately adjusted for such events as stock splits, stock
dividends and recapitalizations with respect to the Common
Stock occurring after the date of this Agreement) multiplied
by the Current Market Price per share of the Common Stock. If
neither the Common Stock nor the Series D Preferred Stock is
publicly held or so listed or traded, Current Market Price per
share of the Series D Preferred Stock shall mean the fair
value per share as determined in good faith by the Board,
whose determination shall be described in a statement filed
with the Rights Agent and shall be conclusive for all
purposes.
(e) Anything herein to the contrary not withstanding, no
adjustment in the Purchase Price shall be required unless such
adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least one
percent (1%) in the Purchase Price; provided, however, that any
adjustments which by reason of this Section 11(e) are not required to
be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any
subsequent adjustment. All calculations under this Section 11 shall be
made to the nearest cent or to the nearest ten-thousandth of a share of
Common Stock or other share or one-millionth of a share of Series D
Preferred Stock, as the case may be. Notwithstanding the first sentence
of this Section 11(e), any adjustment required by this
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Section 11 shall be made no later than the earlier of (i) three (3)
years from the date of the transaction which mandates such adjustment,
or (ii) the Expiration Date.
(f) If as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to Section
11(a)(ii) or Section 13(a) hereof, the holder of any Right thereafter
exercised shall become entitled to receive any shares of capital stock
other than Series D Preferred Stock, thereafter the number of such
other shares so receivable upon exercise of any Right and the Purchase
Price thereof shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in a
manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as practicable to the
provisions with respect to the Series D Preferred Stock contained in
Sections 11(a), (b), (c), (e), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k) and (m), and the
provisions of Sections 7, 9, 10, 13 and 14 hereof with respect to the
Series D Preferred Stock shall apply on like terms to any such other
shares.
(g) All Rights originally issued by the Company subsequent to
any adjustment made to the Purchase Price hereunder shall evidence the
right to purchase, at the adjusted Purchase Price, the number of one
one-hundredths (1/100ths) of a share of Series D Preferred Stock
purchasable from time to time hereunder upon exercise of the Rights,
all subject to further adjustment as provided herein.
(h) Unless the Company shall have exercised its election as
provided in Section 11(i), upon each adjustment of the Purchase Price
as a result of the calculations made in Sections 11(b) and (c), each
Right outstanding immediately prior to the making of such adjustment
shall thereafter evidence the right to purchase, at the adjusted
Purchase Price, that number of one one-hundredths (1/100ths) of a share
of Series D Preferred Stock (calculated to the nearest one-millionth)
obtained by (i) multiplying (x) the number of one one-hundredths
(1/100ths) of a share covered by a Right immediately prior to this
adjustment, by (y) the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to
such adjustment of the Purchase Price, and (ii) dividing the product so
obtained by the Purchase Price in effect immediately after such
adjustment of the Purchase Price.
(i) The Company may elect on or after the date of any
adjustment of the Purchase Price to adjust the number of Rights, in
lieu of any adjustment in the number of one one-hundredths (1/100ths)
of a share of Series D Preferred Stock purchasable upon the exercise of
a Right. Each of the Rights outstanding after the adjustment in the
number of Rights shall be exercisable for the number of one
one-hundredths (1/100ths) of a share of Series D Preferred Stock for
which a Right was exercisable immediately prior to such adjustment.
Each Right held of record prior to such adjustment of the number of
Rights shall become that number of Rights (calculated to the nearest
one ten-thousandth) obtained by dividing the Purchase Price in effect
immediately prior to adjustment of the Purchase Price by the Purchase
Price in effect immediately after adjustment of the Purchase Price. The
Company shall make a public announcement of its election to adjust the
number of Rights, indicating the record date for the adjustment, and,
if known at the time, the amount of the adjustment to be made. This
record date may be the date on which the Purchase Price is adjusted or
any
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day thereafter, but, if the Rights Certificates have been issued, shall
be at least ten (10) days later than the date of the public
announcement. If Rights Certificates have been issued, upon each
adjustment of the number of Rights pursuant to this Section 11(i), the
Company shall, as promptly as practicable, cause to be distributed to
holders of record of Rights Certificates on such record date Rights
Certificates evidencing, subject to Section 14 hereof, the additional
Rights to which such holders shall be entitled as a result of such
adjustment, or, at the option of the Company, shall cause to be
distributed to such holders of record in substitution and replacement
for the Rights Certificates held by such holders prior to the date of
adjustment, and upon surrender thereof, if required by the Company, new
Right Certificates evidencing all the Rights to which such holders
shall be entitled after such adjustment. Rights Certificates so to be
distributed shall be issued, executed and countersigned in the manner
provided for herein (and may bear, at the option of the Company, the
adjusted Purchase Price) and shall be registered in the names of the
holders of record of Rights Certificates on the record date specified
in the public announcement.
(j) Irrespective of any adjustment or change in the Purchase
Price or the number of one one-hundredths (1/100ths) of a share of
Series D Preferred Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Rights, the
Rights certificates theretofore and thereafter issued may continue to
express the Purchase Price per one one-hundredths (1/100ths) of a share
and the number of one one-hundredths (1/100ths) of a share which were
expressed in the initial Rights Certificates issued hereunder.
(k) Before taking any action that would cause an adjustment
reducing the Purchase Price below the then stated value, if any, of the
number of one one-hundredths (1/100ths) of a share of Series D
Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of the Rights, the Company shall
take any corporate action which may, in the opinion of its counsel, be
necessary in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully
paid and nonassessable such number of one one-hundredths (1/100ths) of
a share of Series D Preferred Stock at such adjusted Purchase Price.
(l) In any case in which this Section 11 shall require that an
adjustment in the Purchase Price be made effective as of a record date
for a specified event, the Company may elect to defer until the
occurrence of such event the issuance to the holder of any Right
exercised after such record date the number of one one-hundredths
(1/100ths) of a share of Series D Preferred Stock and other capital
stock or securities of the Company, if any, issuable upon such exercise
over and above the number of one one-hundredths (1/100ths) of a share
of Series D Preferred Stock and other capital stock or securities of
the Company, if any, issuable upon such exercise on the basis of the
Purchase Price in effect prior to such adjustment; provided, however,
that the Company shall deliver to such holder a due bill or other
appropriate instrument evidencing such holder's right to receive such
additional shares (fractional or otherwise) or securities upon the
occurrence of the event requiring such adjustment.
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<PAGE>
(m) Anything in this Section 11 to the contrary
notwithstanding, the Company shall be entitled to make such reductions
in the Purchase Price, in addition to those adjustments expressly
required by this Section 11, as and to the extent that in their good
faith judgment the Board of Directors of the Company shall determine to
be advisable in order that any (i) consolidation or subdivision of the
Series D Preferred Stock, (ii) issuance wholly for cash of any shares
of Series D Preferred Stock at less than the Current Market Price,
(iii) issuance wholly for cash of shares of Series D Preferred Stock or
securities which by their terms are convertible into or exchangeable
for shares of Series D Preferred Stock, (iv) stock dividends or (v)
issuance of rights, options or warrants referred to in this Section 11,
hereafter made by the Company to holders of its Series D Preferred
Stock shall not be taxable to such stockholders.
(n) The Company covenants and agrees that it shall not, at any
time after the Distribution Date, (i) consolidate with any other Person
(other than a Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction which complies
with Section 11(o) hereof), (ii) merge with or into any other Person
(other than a Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction which complies
with Section 11(o) hereof), or (iii) sell or transfer (or permit any
Subsidiary to sell or transfer), in one transaction, or a series of
related transactions, assets or earning power aggregating more than 50%
of the assets or earning power of the Company and its Subsidiaries
(taken as a whole) to any other Person or Persons (other than the
Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries in one or more transactions each
of which complies with Section 11(o) hereof), if (x) at the time of or
immediately after such consolidation, merger or sale there are any
rights, warrants or other instruments or securities outstanding or
agreements in effect which would substantially diminish or otherwise
eliminate the benefits intended to be afforded by the Rights or (y)
prior to, simultaneously with or immediately after such consolidation,
merger or sale, the shareholders of the Person who constitutes, or
would constitute, the "Principal Party" for purposes of Section 13(a)
hereof shall have received a distribution of Rights previously owned by
such Person or any of its Affiliates and Associates.
(o) The Company covenants and agrees that, after the
Distribution Date, it will not, except as permitted by Section 23 or
Section 27 hereof, take (or permit any Subsidiary to take) any action
if at the time such action is taken it is reasonably foreseeable that
such action will substantially or otherwise eliminate the benefits
intended to be afforded by the Rights.
(p) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary
notwithstanding, in the event that the Company shall at any time after
the Rights Dividend Declaration Date and prior to the Distribution Date
(i) declare a dividend on the outstanding shares of Common Stock
payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding
shares of Common Stock, or (iii) combine the outstanding shares of
Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, the number of Rights
associated with each share of Common Stock then outstanding, or issued
or delivered thereafter but prior to the Distribution Date, shall be
proportionately adjusted so that the number of Rights thereafter
associated with each share of Common Stock following
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any such event shall equal the result obtained by multiplying the
number of Rights associated with each share of Common Stock immediately
prior to such event by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the
total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to
the occurrence of the event and the denominator of which shall be the
total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately
following the occurrence of such event.
Section 12. CERTIFICATE OF ADJUSTED PURCHASE PRICE OR NUMBER OF SHARES.
Whenever an adjustment is made as provided in Section 11 and Section 13 hereof,
the Company shall (a) promptly prepare a certificate setting forth such
adjustment and a brief statement of the facts accounting for such adjustment,
(b) promptly file with the Rights Agent, and with each transfer agent for the
Series D Preferred Stock and the Common Stock, a copy of such certificate, and
(c) mail or cause the Rights Agent to mail a brief summary thereof to each
holder of a Rights Certificate (or, if prior to the Distribution Date, to each
holder of a certificate representing shares of Common Stock) in accordance with
Section 26 hereof. The Rights Agent shall be fully protected in relying on any
such certificate and on any adjustment therein contained.
Section 13. CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR SALE OR TRANSFER OF ASSETS OR
EARNING POWER.
(a) Subject to Section 23 hereof, in the event that, following
the Stock Acquisition Date, directly or indirectly, (x) the Company
shall consolidate with, or merge with and into, any other Person (other
than a Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction which complies with
Section 11(o) hereof), and the Company shall not be the continuing or
surviving corporation of such consolidation or merger, (y) any Person
(other than a Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction which complies
with Section 11(o) hereof) shall consolidate with, or merge with or
into, the Company, and the Company shall be the continuing or surviving
corporation of such consolidation or merger and, in connection with
such consolidation or merger, all or part of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock shall be changed into or exchanged for stock or other
securities of any other Person or cash or any other property, or (z)
the Company shall sell or otherwise transfer (or one or more of its
Subsidiaries shall sell or otherwise transfer), in one transaction or a
series of related transactions, assets or earning power aggregating
more than 50% of the assets or earning power of the Company and its
Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any Person or Persons (other than
the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company in one or more
transactions each of which complies with Section 11(o) hereof), then,
and in each such case (except as may be contemplated by Section 13(d)
hereof), proper provision shall be made so that: (i) each holder of a
Right, except as provided in Section 7(e) hereof, shall, upon the
expiration of the redemption period as provided in Section 23(a),
thereafter have the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof at the
then current Purchase Price in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement, such number of validly authorized and issued, fully paid,
non-assessable and freely tradable shares of Common Stock of the
Principal Party (as such term is hereinafter defined), not subject to
any liens, encumbrances, rights of first refusal or other adverse
claims, as shall be equal to the result
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obtained by (1) multiplying the then current Purchase Price by the
number of one one-hundredths (1/100ths) of a share of Series D
Preferred Stock for which a Right is exercisable immediately prior to
the first occurrence of a Section 13 Event (or, if a Section 11(a)(ii)
Event has occurred prior to the first occurrence of a Section 13 Event,
multiplying the number of such one one-hundredths (1/100ths) of a share
for which a Right was exercisable immediately prior to the first
occurrence of a Section 11(a) (ii) Event by the Purchase Price in
effect immediately prior to such first occurrence) and (2) dividing
that product (which, following the first occurrence of a Section 13
Event, shall be referred to as the "Purchase Price" for each Right and
for all purposes of this Agreement) by 50% of the Current Market Price
(determined pursuant to Section 11(d)(i) hereof) per share of the
Common Stock of such Principal Party on the date of consummation of
such Section 13 Event; (ii) such Principal Party shall thereafter be
liable for, and shall assume, by virtue of such Section 13 Event, all
the obligations and duties of the Company pursuant to this Agreement;
(iii) the term "Company" shall thereafter be deemed to refer to such
Principal Party, it being specifically intended that the provisions of
Section 11 hereof shall apply only to such Principal Party following
the first occurrence of a Section 13 Event; (iv) such Principal Party
shall take such steps (including, but not limited to, the reservation
of a sufficient number of shares of its Common Stock) in connection
with the consummation of any such transaction as may be necessary to
assure that the provisions hereof shall thereafter be applicable, as
nearly as reasonably may be, in relation to its shares of Common Stock
thereafter deliverable upon the exercise of the Rights; and (v) the
provisions of Section 11(a)(ii) hereof shall be of no effect following
the first occurrence of any Section 13 Event.
(b) "Principal Party" shall mean:
(i) in the case of any transaction described in
clause (x) or (y) of the first sentence of Section 13(a), the
Person that is the issuer of any securities into which shares
of Common Stock of the Company are converted in such merger or
consolidation, and if no securities are so issued, the Person
that is the other party to such merger or consolidation; and
(ii) in the case of any transaction described in
clause (z) of the first sentence of Section 13(a), the Person
that is the party receiving the greatest portion of the assets
or earning power transferred pursuant to such transaction or
transactions;
provided, however, that in any such case, (1) if the Common Stock of
such Person is not at such time and has not been continuously over the
preceding twelve (12) month period registered under Section 12 of the
Exchange Act, and such Person is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of
another Person the Common Stock of which is and has been so registered,
"Principal Party" shall refer to such other Person; and (2) in case
such Person is a Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, of more than one
Person, the Common Stocks of two or more of which
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are and have been so registered, "Principal Party" shall refer to
whichever of such Persons is the issuer of the Common Stock having the
greatest aggregate market value.
(c) The Company shall not consummate any such consolidation,
merger, sale or transfer unless the Principal Party shall have a
sufficient number of authorized shares of its Common Stock which have
not been issued or reserved for issuance to permit the exercise in full
of the Rights in accordance with this Section 13 and unless prior
thereto the Company and such Principal Party shall have executed and
delivered to the Rights Agent a supplemental agreement providing for
the terms set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 13 and
further providing that, as soon as practicable after the date of any
consolidation, merger or sale of assets mentioned in paragraph (a) of
this Section 13, the Principal Party will:
(i) prepare and file a registration statement under
the Act, with respect to the Rights and the securities
purchasable upon exercise of the Rights on an appropriate
form, and will use its best efforts to cause such registration
statement to (A) become effective as soon as practicable after
such filing and (B) remain effective (with a prospectus at all
times meeting the requirements of the Act) until the
Expiration Date; and
(ii) will deliver to holders of the Rights historical
financial statements for the Principal Party and each of its
Affiliates which comply in all respects with the requirements
for registration on Form 10 under the Exchange Act; and
(iii) use its best efforts to obtain any necessary
regulatory approvals in respect of the securities purchasable
upon exercise of outstanding Rights; and
(iv) use its best efforts, if such shares of Common
Stock of the Principal Party shall be listed or admitted to
trading on the New York Stock Exchange or on another national
securities exchange, to list or admit to trading (or continue
the listing of) the Rights and the securities purchasable upon
exercise of the Rights on the New York Stock Exchange or such
securities exchange, or, if the securities of the Principal
Party purchasable upon exercise of the Rights shall not be
listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange
or a national securities exchange, to cause the Rights and the
securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights to be
reported by such other system then in use.
The provisions of this Section 13 shall similarly apply to successive
mergers or consolidations or sales or other transfers. In the event
that a Section 13 Event shall occur at any time after the occurrence of
a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, the Rights which have not theretofore been
exercised shall thereafter become exercisable in the manner described
in Section 13(a).
(d) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, Section 13 shall not be applicable to a transaction described
in subparagraphs (x) and (y) of Section 13(a) if
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(i) such transaction is consummated with a Person or Persons who
acquired shares of Common Stock pursuant to a Qualifying Offer (or a
wholly owned subsidiary of any such Person or Persons), (ii) the price
per share of Common Stock offered in such transaction is not less than
the price per share of Common Stock paid to all holders of shares of
Common Stock whose shares were purchased pursuant to such Qualifying
Offer and (iii) the form of consideration being offered to the
remaining holders of shares of Common Stock pursuant to such
transaction is the same as the form of consideration paid pursuant to
such Qualifying Offer. Upon consummation of any such transaction
contemplated by this Section 13(d), all Rights hereunder shall expire.
Section 14. FRACTIONAL RIGHTS AND FRACTIONAL SHARES.
(a) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of
Rights, except prior to the Distribution Date as provided in Section
11(p) hereof, or to distribute Rights Certificates which evidence
fractional Rights. In lieu of such fractional Rights, there shall be
paid to the registered holders of the Rights Certificates with regard
to which such fractional Rights would otherwise be issuable, an amount
in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of a
whole Right. For purposes of this Section 14(a), the current market
value of a whole Right shall be the closing price of the Rights for the
Trading Day immediately prior to the date on which such fractional
Rights would have been otherwise issuable. The closing price of the
Rights for any day shall be the last sale price, regular way, or, in
case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing
bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as reported in the
principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to
securities listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange
or, if the Rights are not listed or admitted to trading on the New York
Stock Exchange, as reported in the principal consolidated transaction
reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal
national securities exchange on which the Rights are listed or admitted
to trading, or if the Rights are not listed or admitted to trading on
any national securities exchange, the last quoted price or, if not so
quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the
over-the-counter market, as reported by NASDAQ or such other system
then in use or, if on any such date the Rights are not quoted by any
such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as
furnished by a professional market maker making a market in the Rights
selected by the Board of Directors of the Company. If on any such date
no such market maker is making a market in the Rights the fair value of
the Rights on such date as determined in good faith by the Board of
Directors of the Company shall be used.
(b) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of
shares of Series D Preferred Stock (other than fractions which are
integral multiples of one one-hundredth (1/100th) of a share of Series
D Preferred Stock) upon exercise of the Rights or to distribute
certificates which evidence fractional shares of Series D Preferred
Stock (other than fractions which are integral multiples of one
one-hundredth (1/100th) of a share of Series D Preferred Stock). In
lieu of fractional shares of Series D Preferred Stock that are not
integral multiples
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of one one-hundredth (1/100th) of a share of Series D Preferred Stock,
the Company may pay to the registered holders of Rights Certificates at
the time such Rights are exercised, as herein provided, an amount in
cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of one
one-hundredth (1/100th) of a share of Series D Preferred Stock. For
purposes of this Section 14(b), the current market value of one
one-hundredth (1/100th) of a share of Series D Preferred Stock shall be
one one-hundredth (1/100th) of the closing price of a share of Series D
Preferred Stock (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d)(ii) hereof)
for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of such exercise.
(c) Following the occurrence of a Triggering Event, the
Company shall not be required to issue fractions of shares of Common
Stock upon exercise of the Rights or to distribute certificates which
evidence fractional shares of Common Stock. In lieu of fractional
shares of Common Stock, the Company may pay to the registered holders
of Rights Certificates at the time such Rights are exercised as herein
provided an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current
market value of one (1) share of Common Stock. For purposes of this
Section 14(c), the current market value of one share of Common Stock
shall be the closing price of one share of Common Stock (as determined
pursuant to Section 11(d)(i) hereof) for the Trading Day immediately
prior to the date of such exercise.
(d) The holder of a Right by the acceptance of the Rights
expressly waives his or her right to receive any fractional Rights or
any fractional shares upon exercise of a Right, except as permitted by
this Section 14.
Section 15. RIGHTS OF ACTION. All rights of action in respect of this
Agreement, except the rights of action vested in the Rights Agent pursuant to
Section 19 and Section 20 hereof, are vested in the respective registered
holders of the Rights Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the
registered holders of the Common Stock); and any registered holder of any Rights
Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common Stock), without
the consent of the Rights Agent or of the holder of any other Rights Certificate
(or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common Stock), may, in his or her
own behalf and for his or her own benefit, enforce, and may institute and
maintain any suit, action or proceeding against the Company to enforce, or
otherwise act in respect of, his or her right to exercise the Rights evidenced
by such Rights Certificate in the manner provided in such Rights Certificate and
in this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing or any remedies available to
the holders of Rights, it is specifically acknowledged that the holders of
Rights would not have an adequate remedy at law for any breach of this Agreement
and shall be entitled to specific performance of the obligations hereunder and
injunctive relief against actual or threatened violations of the obligations
hereunder of any Person subject to this Agreement.
Section 16. AGREEMENT OF RIGHTS HOLDERS. Every holder of a Right by
accepting the same consents and agrees with the Company and the Rights Agent and
with every other holder of a Right that:
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(a) prior to the Distribution Date, the Rights will be
transferable only in connection with the transfer of Common Stock;
(b) after the Distribution Date, the Rights Certificates are
transferable only on the registry books of the Rights Agent if
surrendered at the principal office or offices of the Rights Agent
designated for such purposes, duly endorsed or accompanied by a proper
instrument of transfer and with the appropriate forms and certificates
fully executed;
(c) subject to Section 6(a) and Section 7(f) hereof, the
Company and the Rights Agent may deem and treat the person in whose
name a Rights Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, the
associated Common Stock certificate) is registered as the absolute
owner thereof and of the Rights evidenced thereby (notwithstanding any
notations of ownership or writing on the Rights Certificates or the
associated Common Stock certificate made by anyone other than the
Company or the Rights Agent) for all purposes whatsoever, and neither
the Company nor the Rights Agent, subject to the last sentence of
Section 7(e) hereof, shall be required to be affected by any notice to
the contrary; and
(d) notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, neither the Company nor the Rights Agent shall have any
liability to any holder of a Right or other Person as a result of its
inability to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement by
reason of any preliminary or permanent injunction or other order,
decree or ruling issued by a court of competent jurisdiction or by a
governmental, regulatory or administrative agency or commission, or any
statute, rule, regulation or executive order promulgated or enacted by
any governmental authority, prohibiting or otherwise restraining
performance of such obligation; provided, however, the Company must use
its best efforts to have any such order, decree or ruling lifted or
otherwise overturned as soon as possible.
Section 17. RIGHTS CERTIFICATE HOLDER NOT DEEMED A STOCKHOLDER. No
holder, as such, of any Rights Certificate shall be entitled to vote, receive
dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the number of one
one-hundredths (1/100ths) of a share of Series D Preferred Stock or any other
securities of the Company which may at any time be issuable on the exercise of
the Rights represented thereby, nor shall anything contained herein or in any
Rights Certificate be construed to confer upon the holder of any Rights
Certificate, as such, any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company or any
right to vote for the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to
stockholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any
corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting
stockholders (except as provided in Section 25 hereof), or to receive dividends
or subscription rights, or otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced by
such Rights Certificate shall have been exercised in accordance with the
provisions hereof.
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Section 18. CONCERNING THE RIGHTS AGENT.
(a) The Company agrees to pay to the Rights Agent reasonable
compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder and, from time
to time, on demand of the Rights Agent, its reasonable expenses and
counsel fees and disbursements and other disbursements incurred in the
administration and execution of this Agreement and the exercise and
performance of its duties hereunder. The Company also agrees to
indemnify the Rights Agent for, and to hold it harmless against, any
loss, liability, or expense, incurred without negligence, bad faith or
willful misconduct on the part of the Rights Agent, for anything done
or omitted by the Rights Agent in connection with the acceptance and
administration of this Agreement, including the costs and expenses of
defending against any claim of liability in the premises.
(b) The Rights Agent shall be protected and shall incur no
liability for or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by
it in connection with its administration of this Agreement in reliance
upon any Rights Certificate or certificate for Common Stock or for
other securities of the Company, instrument of assignment or transfer,
power of attorney, endorsement, affidavit, letter, notice, direction,
consent, certificate, statement, or other paper or document believed by
it to be genuine and to be signed, executed and, where necessary,
verified or acknowledged, by the proper Person or Persons.
Section 19. MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION OR CHANGE OF NAME OF RIGHTS
AGENT.
(a) Any corporation into which the Rights Agent or any
successor Rights Agent may be merged or with which it may be
consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger or
consolidation to which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent
shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate trust
or stockholder services business of the Rights Agent or any successor
Rights Agent, shall be the successor to the Rights Agent under this
Agreement without the execution or filing of any paper or any further
act on the part of any of the parties hereto; provided, however, that
such corporation would be eligible for appointment as a successor
Rights Agent under the provisions of Section 21 hereof. In case at the
time such successor Rights Agent shall succeed to the agency created by
this Agreement, any of the Rights Certificates shall have been
countersigned but not delivered, any such successor Rights Agent may
adopt the countersignature of a predecessor Rights Agent and deliver
such Rights Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time any
of the Rights Certificates shall not have been countersigned, any
successor Rights Agent may countersign such Rights Certificates either
in the name of the predecessor or in the name of the successor Rights
Agent; and in all such cases such Rights Certificates shall have the
full force provided in the Rights Certificates and in this Agreement.
(b) In case at any time the name of the Rights Agent shall be
changed and at such time any of the Rights Certificates shall have been
countersigned but not delivered, the Rights
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Agent may adopt the countersignature under its prior name and deliver
Rights Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time any of
the Rights Certificates shall not have been countersigned, the Rights
Agent may countersign such Rights Certificates either in its prior name
or in its changed name; and in all such cases such Rights Certificates
shall have the full force provided in the Rights Certificates and in
this Agreement.
Section 20. DUTIES OF RIGHTS AGENT. The Rights Agent undertakes the
duties and obligations imposed by this Agreement upon the following terms and
conditions, by all of which the Company and the holders of Rights Certificates,
by their acceptance thereof, shall be bound:
(a) The Rights Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may
be legal counsel for the Company), and the opinion of such counsel
shall be full and complete authorization and protection to the Rights
Agent as to any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and in
accordance with such opinion.
(b) Whenever in the performance of its duties under this
Agreement the Rights Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that
any fact or matter (including, without limitation, the identity of any
Acquiring Person and the determination of Current Market Price) be
proved or established by the Company prior to taking or suffering any
action hereunder, such fact or matter (unless other evidence in respect
thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be
conclusively proved and established by a certificate signed by the
Chairman of the Board, the President or any Senior Vice President of
the Company and delivered to the Rights Agent; and such certificate
shall be full authorization to the Rights Agent for any action taken or
suffered in good faith by it under the provisions of this Agreement in
reliance upon such certificate.
(c) The Rights Agent shall be liable hereunder only for its
own negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.
(d) The Rights Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of
any of the statements of fact or recitals contained in this Agreement
or in the Rights Certificates or be required to verify the same (except
as to its countersignature on such Rights Certificates), but all such
statements and recitals are and shall be deemed to have been made by
the Company only.
(e) The Rights Agent shall not be under any responsibility in
respect of the validity of this Agreement or the execution and delivery
hereof (except the due execution hereof by the Rights Agent) or in
respect of the validity or execution of any Rights Certificate (except
its countersignature thereof); nor shall it be responsible for any
breach by the Company of any covenant or condition contained in this
Agreement or in any Rights Certificate; nor shall it be responsible for
any change in the exercisability of the Rights (including the Rights
becoming void pursuant to Section 7(e) hereof) or any adjustment
required under the provisions of Section 11, Section 13 or Section 24
hereof or responsible for the manner, method or amount of any such
adjustment or the ascertaining of the existence of facts that would
require any
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such adjustment (except with respect to the exercise of Rights
evidenced by Rights Certificates after actual notice of any such
adjustment); nor shall it by any act hereunder be deemed to make any
representation or warranty as to the authorization or reservation of
any shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock to be issued pursuant to
this Agreement or any Rights Certificate or as to whether any shares of
Common Stock or Preferred Stock will, when so issued, be validly
authorized and issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
(f) The Company agrees that it will perform, execute,
acknowledge and deliver or cause to be performed, executed,
acknowledged and delivered all such further and other acts, instruments
and assurances as may reasonably be required by the Rights Agent for
the carrying out or performing by the Rights Agent of the provisions of
this Agreement.
(g) The Rights Agent is hereby authorized and directed to
accept instructions with respect to the performance of its duties
hereunder from the Chairman of the Board, the President or any Senior
Vice President of the Company, and to apply to such officers for advice
or instructions in connection with its duties, and it shall not be
liable for any action taken or suffered to be taken by it in good faith
in accordance with instructions of any such officer.
(h) The Rights Agent and any stockholder, director, officer or
employee of the Rights Agent may buy, sell or deal in any of the Rights
or other securities of the Company or become pecuniarily interested in
any transaction in which the Company may be interested, or contract
with or lend money to the Company or otherwise act as fully and freely
as though it were not Rights Agent under this Agreement. Nothing herein
shall preclude the Rights Agent from acting in any other capacity for
the Company or for any other legal entity.
(i) The Rights Agent may execute and exercise any of the
rights or powers hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder
either itself by or through its attorneys or agents, and the Rights
Agent shall not be answerable or accountable for any act, default,
neglect or misconduct of any such attorneys or agents or for any loss
to the Company resulting from any such act, default, neglect or
misconduct; provided, however, reasonable care was exercised in the
selection and continued employment thereof.
(j) No provision of this Agreement shall require the Rights
Agent to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial
liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the
exercise of its rights if there shall be reasonable grounds for
believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnification
against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
(k) If, with respect to any Rights Certificate surrendered to
the Rights Agent for exercise or transfer, the certificate attached to
the form of assignment or form of election to purchase, as the case may
be, has either not been completed or indicates an affirmative
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response to clause 1 and/or 2 thereof, the Rights Agent shall not take
any further action with respect to such requested exercise of transfer
without first consulting with the Company.
Section 21. CHANGE OF RIGHTS AGENT. The Rights Agent or any successor
Rights Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties under this Agreement
upon thirty (30) days' notice in writing mailed to the Company, and to each
transfer agent of the Common Stock and Series D Preferred Stock, by registered
or certified mail, and to the holders of the Rights Certificates by first-class
mail. The Company may remove the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent upon
thirty (30) days' notice in writing, mailed to the Rights Agent or successor
Rights Agent, as the case may be, and to each transfer agent of the Common Stock
and Series D Preferred Stock, by registered or certified mail, and to the
holders of the Rights Certificates by first-class mail. If the Rights Agent
shall resign or be removed or shall otherwise become incapable of acting, the
Company shall appoint a successor to the Rights Agent. If the Company shall fail
to make such appointment within a period of thirty (30) days after giving notice
of such removal or after it has been notified in writing of such resignation or
incapacity by the resigning or incapacitated Rights Agent or by the holder of a
Rights Certificate (who shall, with such notice, submit his Rights Certificate
for inspection by the Company), then the Company shall become the Rights Agent
until a successor Rights Agent has been appointed, and any registered holder of
any Rights Certificate may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for the
appointment of a new Rights Agent. Any successor Rights Agent, whether appointed
by the Company or by such a court, shall be (A) a corporation organized and
doing business under the laws of the United States or of the State of New York
(or of any other state of the United States so long as such corporation is
authorized to do business as a banking institution in the State of New York), in
good standing, which is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust
powers or stock transfer powers and is subject to supervision or examination by
federal or state authority and which has at the time of its appointment as
Rights Agent a combined capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000 or (B) a
subsidiary of a corporation described in clause (A) of this sentence. After
appointment, the successor Rights Agent shall be vested with the same powers,
rights, duties and responsibilities as if it had been originally named as Rights
Agent without further act or deed; but the predecessor Rights Agent shall
deliver and transfer to the successor Rights Agent any property at the time held
by it hereunder, and execute and deliver any further assurance, conveyance, act
or deed necessary for the purpose. Not later than the effective date of any such
appointment, the Company shall file notice thereof in writing with the
predecessor Rights Agent and each transfer agent of the Common Stock and the
Series D Preferred Stock, and mail a notice thereof in writing to the registered
holders of the Rights Certificates. Failure to give any notice provided for in
this Section 21, however, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality
or validity of the resignation or removal of the Rights Agent or the appointment
of the successor Rights Agent, as the case may be.
Section 22. ISSUANCE OF NEW RIGHTS CERTIFICATES. Notwithstanding any of
the provisions of this Agreement or of the Rights to the contrary, the Company
may, at its option, issue new Rights Certificates evidencing Rights in such form
as may be approved by its Board of Directors to reflect any adjustment or change
in the Purchase Price and the number or kind or class of shares or other
securities or property purchasable under the Rights Certificates made in
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. In addition, in connection
with the issuance or sale of shares of
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Common Stock following the Distribution Date and prior to the redemption or
expiration of the Rights, the Company (a) shall, with respect to shares of
Common Stock so issued or sold pursuant to the exercise of stock options or
under any employee plan or arrangement, granted or awarded as of the
Distribution Date, or upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of securities
hereinafter issued by the Company, and (b) may, in any other case, if deemed
necessary or appropriate by the Board of Directors of the Company, issue Rights
Certificates representing the appropriate number of Rights in connection with
such issuance or sale; provided, however, that (i) no such Rights Certificate
shall be issued if, and to the extent that, the Company shall be advised by
counsel that such issuance would create a significant risk of material adverse
tax consequences to the Company or the Person to whom such Rights Certificate
would be issued, and (ii) no such Rights Certificate shall be issued if, and to
the extent that, appropriate adjustment shall otherwise have been made in lieu
of the issuance thereof.
Section 23. REDEMPTION AND TERMINATION.
(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 day following the Stock Acquisition Date (or, if the Stock
Acquisition Date shall have occurred prior to the Record Date, the
close of business on the tenth day following the Record Date), or (ii)
the Final Expiration Date, redeem all but not less than all the then
outstanding Rights at a redemption price of $0.01 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"). Notwithstanding anything contained 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. The Company may,
at its option, pay the Redemption Price in cash, shares of Common Stock
(based on the Current Market Price, as defined in Section 11(d)(i)
hereof, of the Common Stock at the time of redemption) or any other
form of consideration deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors.
(b) Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of
the Company ordering the redemption of the Rights, evidence of which
shall have been filed with the Rights Agent and without any further
action and without any notice, the right to exercise the Rights will
terminate and the only right thereafter of the holders of Rights shall
be to receive the Redemption Price for each Right so held. Promptly
after the action of the Board of Directors ordering the redemption of
the Rights, the Company shall give notice of such redemption to the
Rights Agent and the holders of the then outstanding Rights by mailing
such notice to all such holders at each holder's last address as it
appears upon the registry books of the Rights Agent or, prior to the
Distribution Date, on the registry books of the transfer agent for the
Common Stock. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided
shall be deemed given, whether or not the holder receives the notice.
Each such notice of redemption will state the method by which the
payment of the Redemption Price will be made.
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Section 24. EXCHANGE.
(a) The Board of Directors of the Company may, at its option,
at any time after any Person becomes an Acquiring Person, exchange all
or part of the then outstanding and exercisable Rights (which shall not
include Rights that have become void pursuant to the provisions of
Section 7(e) hereof) for shares of Common Stock at an exchange ratio of
one share of Common Stock per Right, appropriately adjusted to reflect
any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after
the date hereof (such exchange ratio being hereinafter referred to as
the "Exchange Ratio").
(b) Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of
the Company ordering the exchange of any Rights pursuant to subsection
(a) of this Section 24 and without any further action and without any
notice, the right to exercise such Rights shall terminate and the only
right thereafter of a holder of such Rights shall be to receive that
number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of such Rights
held by such holder multiplied by the Exchange Ratio. The Company shall
promptly give public notice of any such exchange; provided, however,
that the failure to give, or any defect in, such notice shall not
affect the validity of such exchange. The Company promptly shall mail a
notice of any such exchange to all of the holders of such Rights at
their last addresses as they appear upon the registry books of the
Rights Agent. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided
shall be deemed given, whether or not the holder receives the notice.
Each such notice of exchange will state the method by which the
exchange of the Common Stock for Rights will be effected and, in the
event of any partial exchange, the number of Rights which will be
exchanged. Any partial exchange shall be effected pro rata based on the
number of Rights (other than Rights which have become void pursuant to
the provisions of Section 7(e) hereof) held by each holder of Rights.
(c) In any exchange pursuant to this Section 24, the Company,
at its option, may substitute shares of Series D Preferred Stock (or
Equivalent Preferred Stock, as such term is defined in paragraph (b) of
Section 11 hereof) for shares of Common Stock exchangeable for Rights,
at the initial rate of one one-hundredth (1/100th) of a share of Series
D Preferred Stock (or Equivalent Preferred Stock) for each share of
Common Stock, as appropriately adjusted to reflect adjustments in the
voting rights of the Series D Preferred Stock pursuant to the terms
thereof, so that the fraction of a share of Series D Preferred Stock
delivered in lieu of each share of Common Stock shall have the same
voting rights as one share of Common Stock.
(d) In the event that there shall not be sufficient shares of
Common Stock issued but not outstanding or authorized but unissued to
permit any exchange of Rights as contemplated in accordance with this
Section 24, the Company shall take all such action as may be necessary
to authorize additional shares of Common Stock for issuance upon
exchange of the Rights.
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(e) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of
shares of Common Stock or to distribute certificates which evidence
fractional shares of Common Stock. In lieu of such fractional shares of
Common Stock, there shall be paid to the registered holders of the
Right Certificates with regard to which such fractional shares of
Common Stock would otherwise be issuable an amount in cash equal to the
same fraction of the current market value of a whole share of Common
Stock. For the purposes of this subsection (e), the current market
value of a whole share of Common Stock shall be the closing price of a
share of Common Stock (as determined pursuant to the second sentence of
Section 11(d)(i) hereof) for the Trading Day immediately prior to the
date of exchange pursuant to this Section 24.
Section 25. NOTICE OF CERTAIN EVENTS.
(a) In case the Company shall propose, at any time after the
Distribution Date, (i) to pay any dividend payable in stock of any
class to the holders of Series D Preferred Stock or to make any other
distribution to the holders of Series D Preferred Stock (other than a
regular quarterly cash dividend out of earnings or retained earnings or
the Company), or (ii) to offer to the holders of Series D Preferred
Stock rights or warrants to subscribe for or to purchase any additional
shares of Series D Preferred Stock or shares of stock of any class or
any other securities, rights or options, or (iii) to effect any
reclassification of its Series D Preferred Stock (other than a
reclassification involving only the subdivision of outstanding shares
of Series D Preferred Stock), or (iv) to effect any consolidation or
merger into or with any other Person (other than a Subsidiary of the
Company in a transaction which complies with Section 11(o) hereof), or
to effect any sale or other transfer (or to permit one or more of its
Subsidiaries to effect any sale or other transfer), in one transaction
or a series of related transactions, of more than 50% of the assets or
earning power of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to
any other Person or Persons (other than the Company and/or any of its
Subsidiaries in one or more transactions each of which complies with
Section 11(o) hereof), or (v) to effect the liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Company, then, in each such case, the Company shall
give to each holder of a Rights Certificate, to the extent feasible and
in accordance with Section 26 hereof, a notice of such proposed action,
which shall specify the record date for the purposes of such stock
dividend, distribution of rights or warrants, or the date on which such
reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, liquidation,
dissolution, or winding up is to take place and the date of
participation therein by the holders of the shares of Series D
Preferred Stock, if any such date is to be fixed, and such notice shall
be so given in the case of any action covered by clause (i) or (ii)
above at least twenty (20) days prior to the record date for
determining holders of the shares of Series D Preferred Stock for
purposes of such action, and in the case of any such other action, at
least twenty (20) days prior to the date of the taking of such proposed
action or the date of participation therein by the holders of the
shares of Series D Preferred Stock whichever shall be the earlier.
(b) In case the event set forth in Section 11(a)(ii) hereof
shall occur, (i) the Company shall as soon as practicable thereafter
give to each holder of a Rights Certificate,
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to the extent feasible and in accordance with Section 26 hereof, a
notice of the occurrence of such event, which shall specify the event
and the consequences of the event to holders of Rights under Section
11(a)(ii) hereof, and (ii) all references in the preceding paragraph to
Series D Preferred Stock shall be deemed thereafter to refer to Common
Stock and/or, if appropriate, other securities.
Section 26. NOTICES. Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to
be given or made by the Rights Agent or by the holder of any Rights Certificate
to or on the Company shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class
mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with
the Rights Agent) as follows:
Swank, Inc.
90 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10016
Attention: President
Subject to the provisions of Section 21, any notice or demand authorized by this
Agreement to be given or made by the Company or by the holder of any Rights
Certificate to or on the Rights Agent shall be sufficiently given or made if
sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is
filed in writing with the Company) as follows:
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company
40 Wall Street
46th Floor
New York, New York 10005
Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the
Company or the Rights Agent to the holder of any Rights Certificate (or, if
prior to the Distribution Date, to the holder of certificates representing
shares of Common Stock) shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by
first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to such holder at the address of
such holder as shown on the registry books of the Company.
Section 27. SUPPLEMENTS AND AMENDMENTS. Prior to the Distribution Date
and subject to the penultimate sentence of this Section 27, the Company may (by
resolution of the Board of Directors) 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.
From and after the Distribution Date and subject to the penultimate sentence of
this Section 27, the Company may (by resolution of the Board of Directors) and
the Rights Agent shall, if the Company so directs, supplement or amend this
Agreement without the approval of any holders of Rights Certificates in order
(i) to cure any ambiguity, (ii) to correct or supplement any provision contained
herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provisions herein,
(iii) to shorten or lengthen any time period hereunder or (iv) to change or
supplement the provisions hereunder in any manner which the Company may deem
necessary or desirable and which shall not
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adversely affect the interests of the holders of Rights Certificates (other than
an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person);
provided this Agreement may not be supplemented or amended to lengthen, pursuant
to clause (iii) of this sentence, (A) a time period relating to when the Rights
may be redeemed at such time as the Rights are not then redeemable, or (B) any
other time period unless such lengthening is for the purpose of protecting,
enhancing or clarifying the rights of, and/or the benefits to, the holders of
Rights (other than an Acquiring Person and its Affiliates and Associates). Upon
the delivery of a certificate from an appropriate officer of the Company which
states that the proposed supplement or amendment is in compliance with the terms
of this Section 27, the Rights Agent shall execute such supplement or amendment.
Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, no
supplement or amendment shall be made which changes the Redemption Price, the
Final Expiration Date, the Purchase Price or the number of one one-hundredths of
a share of Series D Preferred Stock for which a Right is exercisable. 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.
Section 28. SUCCESSORS. All the covenants and provisions of this
Agreement by or for the benefit of the Company or the Rights Agent shall bind
and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns hereunder.
Section 29. DETERMINATIONS AND ACTIONS BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,
ETC. For all purposes of this Agreement, any calculation of the number of shares
of Common Stock outstanding at any particular time, including for purposes of
determining the particular percentage of such outstanding shares of Common Stock
of which any Person is the Beneficial Owner, shall be made in accordance with
the last sentence of Rule 13d-3(d)(1)(i) of the General Rules and Regulations
under the Exchange Act. The Board of Directors of the Company shall have the
exclusive power and authority to administer this Agreement and to exercise all
rights and powers specifically granted to the Board or to the Company, or as may
be necessary or advisable in the administration of this Agreement, including,
without limitation, the right and power to (i) interpret the provisions of this
Agreement, and (ii) make all determinations deemed necessary or advisable for
the administration of this Agreement (including a determination to redeem or not
redeem the Rights or to amend the Agreement). All such actions, calculations,
interpretations and determinations (including, for purposes of clause (y) below,
all omissions with respect to the foregoing) which are done or made by the Board
in good faith, shall (x) be final, conclusive and binding on the Company, the
Rights Agent, the holders of the Rights and all other parties, and (y) not
subject the Board to any liability to the holders of the Rights.
Section 30. BENEFITS OF THIS AGREEMENT. Nothing in this Agreement shall
be construed to give to any Person other than the Company, the Rights Agent and
the registered holders of the Rights Certificates (and, prior to the
Distribution Date, registered holders of the Common Stock) any legal or
equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement; but this Agreement shall
be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Company, the Rights Agent and the
registered holders of the Rights Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution
Date, registered holders of the Common Stock).
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Section 31. SEVERABILITY. If any term, provision, covenant or
restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or
other authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the
terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in
full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated;
provided, however, that notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, if any such term, provision, covenant or restriction is held by such
court or authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable and the Board of
Directors of the Company determines in its good faith judgment that severing the
invalid language from this Agreement would adversely affect the purpose or
effect of this Agreement, the right of redemption set forth in Section 23 hereof
shall be reinstated and shall not expire until the close of business on the
tenth day following the date of such determination by the Board of Directors.
Without limiting the foregoing, if any provision requiring a majority of the
members of the Board of Directors who are not officers of the Company and who
are not representatives, nominees, Affiliates or Associates of an Acquiring
Person to act is held by any court of competent jurisdiction or other authority
to be invalid, void or unenforceable, such determination shall be made by the
Board of Directors of the Company in accordance with applicable law and the
Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and bylaws.
Section 32. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement, each Right and each Rights
Certificate issued hereunder shall be deemed to be a contract made under the
laws of the State of Delaware and for all purposes shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of such State applicable to contracts made
and to be performed entirely within such State.
Section 33. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number
of counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed
to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one
and the same instrument.
Section 34. DESCRIPTIVE HEADINGS. Descriptive headings of the several
Sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not
control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.
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<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Rights
Agreement 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.
Attest: SWANK, INC.
By: /s/ Jerold R. Kassner By: /s/ John Tulin
--------------------------------- ------------------------------
Name: Jerold R. Kassner Name: John Tulin
Title: Secretary Title: President
Attest: AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER
& TRUST COMPANY
By: /s/ Susan Silber By: /s/ Herbert J. Lemmer
--------------------------------- -------------------------------
Name: Susan Silber Name: Herbert J. Lemmer
Title: Assistant Secretary Title: Vice President
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<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION,
PREFERENCES AND RIGHTS OF SERIES D JUNIOR
PARTICIPATING PREFERRED STOCK
of
SWANK, INC.
Pursuant to Section 151 of the General Corporation Law
of the State of Delaware
The undersigned officers of Swank, Inc., a corporation organized and
existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the
"Corporation"), in accordance with the provisions of Section 103 thereof, DO
HEREBY CERTIFY:
That pursuant to the authority conferred upon the Board of Directors by
the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the "Restated
Certificate of Incorporation"), of the said Corporation, the said Board of
Directors, by unanimous written consent dated October 26, 1999, adopted the
following resolution creating a series of 430,000 shares of Preferred Stock
designated as Series D Junior Participating Preferred Stock:
RESOLVED, that pursuant to the authority vested in the Board of
Directors of this Corporation in accordance with the provisions of its Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, a series of Series D Preferred Stock
of the Corporation be and it hereby is created, and that the designation and
amount thereof and the voting powers, preferences and relative, participating,
optional and other special rights of the shares of such series, and the
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof are as follows:
Section 1. DESIGNATION AND AMOUNT. The shares of such series shall be
designated as "Series D Junior Participating Preferred Stock" and the number of
shares constituting such series shall be 430,000.
Section 2. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS.
(A) Subject to the prior and superior rights of the holders of
any shares of any series of Preferred Stock ranking prior and superior
to the shares of Series D Junior Participating Stock, the holders of
shares of Series D Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall be
entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors
out of funds legally available for the purpose, quarterly dividends
payable in cash on the last day of March,
<PAGE>
June, September and December in each year (each such date being
referred to herein as a "Quarterly Dividend Payment Date"), commencing
on the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date after the first issuance
of a share or fraction of a share of Series D Junior Participating
Preferred Stock, in an amount per share (rounded to the nearest cent)
equal to the greater of (a) $0.01 or (b) subject to the provision for
adjustment hereinafter set forth, 100 times the aggregate per share
amount of all cash dividends, and 100 times the aggregate per share
amount (payable in kind) of all non-cash dividends or other
distributions other than a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock
or a subdivision of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by
reclassification or otherwise), declared on the Common Stock, par value
$0.10 per share, of the Corporation (the "Common Stock") since the
immediately preceding Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, or, with respect
to the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, since the first issuance
of any share or fraction of a share of Series D Junior Participating
Preferred Stock. In the event the Corporation shall at any time after
October 26, 1999 (the "Rights Declaration Date") (i) declare any
dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii)
subdivide the outstanding Common Stock, or (iii) combine the
outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each
such case the amount to which holders of shares of Series D Junior
Participating Preferred Stock were entitled immediately prior to such
event under clause (b) of the preceding sentence shall be adjusted by
multiplying such amount by a fraction the numerator of which is the
number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such
event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common
Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.
(B) The Corporation shall declare a dividend or distribution
on the Series D Junior Participating Preferred Stock as provided in
Paragraph (A) above immediately after it declares a dividend or
distribution on the Common Stock (other than a dividend payable in
shares of Common Stock); provided that, in the event no dividend or
distribution shall have been declared on the Common Stock during the
period between any Quarterly Dividend Payment Date and the next
subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, a dividend of $0.01 per
share on the Series D Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall
nevertheless be payable on such subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment
Date.
(C) Dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative on
outstanding shares of Series D Junior Participating Preferred Stock
from the Quarterly Dividend Payment Date next preceding the date of
issue of such shares of Series D Junior Participating Preferred Stock,
unless the date of issue of such shares is prior to the record date for
the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in which case dividends on
such shares shall begin to accrue from the date of issue of such
shares, or unless the date of issue is a Quarterly Dividend Payment
Date or is a date after the record date for the determination of
holders of shares of Series D Junior Participating Preferred Stock
entitled to receive a quarterly dividend and before such Quarterly
Dividend Payment Date, in either of which events such dividends shall
begin to accrue and be cumulative from such Quarterly Dividend Payment
Date. Accrued but unpaid dividends shall not bear interest. Dividends
paid on the shares of Series D Junior Participating Preferred Stock in
an amount less than the total amount of such dividends at the time
accrued
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<PAGE>
and payable on such shares shall be allocated pro rata on a
share-by-share basis among all such shares at the time outstanding. The
Board of Directors may fix a record date for the determination of
holders of shares of Series D Junior Participating Preferred Stock
entitled to receive payment of a dividend or distribution declared
thereon, which record date shall be no more than 30 days prior to the
date fixed for the payment thereof.
Section 3. VOTING RIGHTS. The holders of shares of Series D Junior
Participating Preferred Stock shall have the following voting rights:
(A) Subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set
forth, each share of Series D Junior Participating Preferred Stock
shall entitle the holder thereof to 100 votes on all matters submitted
to a vote of the stockholders of the Corporation. In the event the
Corporation shall at any time after the Rights Declaration Date (i)
declare any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock,
(ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock, or (iii) combine the
outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each
such case the number of votes per share to which holders of shares of
Series D Junior Participating Preferred Stock were entitled immediately
prior to such event shall be adjusted by multiplying such number by a
fraction the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which
is the number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding
immediately prior to such event.
(B) Except as otherwise provided herein or by law, the holders
of shares of Series D Junior Participating Preferred Stock and the
holders of shares of Common Stock shall vote together as one class on
all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Corporation.
(C) Except as set forth herein or as provided by law, holders
of Series D Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall have no special
voting rights and their consent shall not be required (except to the
extent they are entitled to vote with holders of Common Stock as set
forth herein) for taking any corporate action.
Section 4. CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS.
(A) Whenever quarterly dividends or other dividends or
distributions payable on the Series D Junior Participating Preferred
Stock as provided in Section 2 are in arrears, thereafter and until all
accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions, whether or not
declared, on shares of Series D Junior Participating Preferred Stock
outstanding shall have been paid in full, the Corporation shall not:
(i) declare or pay dividends on, make any other
distributions on, or redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire
for consideration any shares of stock ranking junior (either
as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding
up) to the Series D Junior Participating Preferred Stock;
-3-
<PAGE>
(ii) declare or pay dividends on or make any other
distributions on any shares of stock ranking on a parity
(either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or
winding up) with the Series D Junior Participating Preferred
Stock, except dividends paid ratably on the Series D Junior
Participating Preferred Stock and all such parity stock on
which dividends are payable or in arrears in proportion to the
total amounts to which the holders of all such shares are then
entitled;
(iii) redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for
consideration shares of any stock ranking on a parity (either
as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding
up) with the Series D Junior Participating Preferred Stock,
provided that the Corporation may at any time redeem, purchase
or otherwise acquire shares of any such parity stock in
exchange for shares of any stock of the Corporation ranking
junior (either as to dividends or upon dissolution,
liquidation or winding up) to the Series D Junior
Participating Preferred Stock; or
(iv) purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration
any shares of Series D Junior Participating Preferred Stock,
or any shares of stock ranking on a parity with the Series D
Junior Participating Preferred Stock, except in accordance
with a purchase offer made in writing or by publication (as
determined by the Board of Directors) to all holders of such
shares upon such terms as the Board of Directors, after
consideration of the respective annual dividend rates and
other relative rights and preferences of the respective series
and classes, shall determine in good faith will result in fair
and equitable treatment among the respective series or
classes.
(B) The Corporation shall not permit any subsidiary of the
Corporation to purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any
shares of stock of the Corporation unless the Corporation could, under
Paragraph (A) of this Section 4, purchase or otherwise acquire such
shares at such time and in such manner.
Section 5. REACQUIRED SHARES. Any shares of Series D Junior
Participating Preferred Stock purchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation
in any manner whatsoever shall be retired and canceled promptly after the
acquisition thereof. All such shares shall upon their cancellation become
authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock and may be reissued as part of
a new series of Preferred Stock to be created by resolution or resolutions of
the Board of Directors, subject to the conditions and restrictions on issuance
set forth herein.
Section 6. LIQUIDATION, DISSOLUTION OR WINDING UP. (A) Upon any
liquidation (voluntary or otherwise), dissolution or winding up of the
Corporation, no distribution shall be made to the holders of shares of stock
ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or
winding up) to the Series D Junior Participating Preferred Stock unless, prior
thereto, the holders or shares of Series D Junior Participating Preferred Stock
shall have received $100.00 per share, plus an amount equal to accrued and
unpaid dividends and distributions thereon, whether or not declared, to the date
of such payment (the "Series D Liquidation Preference"). Following the payment
of the
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<PAGE>
full amount of the Series D Liquidation Preference, no additional distributions
shall be made to the holders of shares of Series D Junior Participating
Preferred Stock unless, prior thereto, the holders of shares of Common Stock
shall have received an amount per share (the "Common Adjustment") equal to the
quotient obtained by dividing (i) the Series D Liquidation Preference by (ii)
100 (as appropriately adjusted as set forth in subparagraph (C) below to reflect
such events as stock splits, stock dividends and recapitalization with respect
to the Common Stock) (such number in clause (ii), the "Adjustment Number").
Following the payment of the full amount of the Series D Liquidation Preference
and the Common Adjustment in respect of all outstanding shares of Series D
Junior Participating Preferred Stock and Common Stock, respectively, holders of
Series D Junior Participating Preferred Stock and holders of shares of Common
Stock shall receive their ratable and proportionate share of the remaining
assets to be distributed in the ratio of the Adjustment Number to one (1) with
respect to such Preferred Stock and Common Stock, on a per share basis,
respectively.
(B) In the event, however, that there are not sufficient
assets available to permit payment in full of the Series D Liquidation
Preference and the liquidation preferences of all other series of
preferred stock, if any, which rank on a parity with the Series D
Junior Participating Preferred Stock, then such remaining assets shall
be distributed ratably to the holders of such parity shares in
proportion to their respective liquidation preferences. In the event,
however, that there are not sufficient assets available to permit
payment in full of the Common Adjustment, then such remaining assets
shall be distributed ratably to the holders of Common Stock.
(C) In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the
Rights Declaration Date (i) declare any dividend on Common Stock
payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding
Common Stock, or (iii) combine the outstanding Common Stock into a
smaller number of shares, then in each such case the Adjustment Number
in effect immediately prior to such event shall be adjusted by
multiplying such Adjustment Number by a fraction the numerator of which
is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after
such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of
Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.
Section 7. CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, ETC. In case the Corporation shall
enter into any consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction in which
the shares of Common Stock are exchanged for or changed into other stock or
securities, cash and/or any other property, then in any such case the shares of
Series D Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall at the same time be
similarly exchanged or changed in an amount per share (subject to the provision
for adjustment hereinafter set forth) equal to 100 times the aggregate amount of
stock, securities, cash and/or any other property (payable in kind), as the case
may be, into which or for which each share of Common Stock is changed or
exchanged. In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the Rights
Declaration Date (i) declare any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of
Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock, or (iii) combine the
outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each such case
the amount set forth in the preceding sentence with
-5-
<PAGE>
respect to the exchange or change of shares of Series D Junior Participating
Preferred Stock shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction the
numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of
shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.
Section 8. NO REDEMPTION. The shares of Series D Junior Participating
Preferred Stock shall not be redeemable. However, the Company may purchase
Series D Preferred Stock in the open market or pursuant to an offer to a holder
or holders of Series D Preferred Stock.
Section 9. RANKING. The Series D Junior Participating Preferred Stock
shall rank junior to all other series of the Corporation's Preferred Stock as to
the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets, unless the terms of any
such series shall provide otherwise. The Series D Junior Participating Preferred
Stock shall rank senior to the Corporation's Common Stock.
Section 10. AMENDMENT. The Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall
not be further amended in any manner which would alter or change the powers,
preferences or special rights of the Series D Junior Participating Preferred
Stock so as to affect them adversely without the affirmative vote of the holders
of a majority or more of the outstanding shares of Series D Junior Participating
Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class.
-6-
<PAGE>
Section 11. FRACTIONAL SHARES. Series D Junior Participating Preferred
Stock may be issued in fractions of a share which shall entitle the holder, in
proportion to such holder's fractional shares, to exercise voting rights,
receive dividends, participate in distributions and to have the benefit of all
other rights of holders of Series D Junior Participating Preferred Stock.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have executed and subscribed this Certificate
and do affirm the foregoing as true under the penalties of perjury as of the
____ day of October 1999.
SWANK, INC.
---------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
Attest:
- ---------------------------
Secretary
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<PAGE>
EXHIBIT B
(FORM OF RIGHTS CERTIFICATE)
Certificate No. R- __________ Rights
NOT EXERCISABLE AFTER NOVEMBER 11, 2009 OR EARLIER IF REDEEMED BY THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY. THE RIGHTS ARE SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION, AT THE OPTION OF
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY, AT $0.01 PER RIGHT ON THE TERMS SET FORTH
IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, RIGHTS BENEFICIALLY OWNED
BY AN ACQUIRING PERSON (AS SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT) AND
ANY SUBSEQUENT HOLDER OF SUCH RIGHTS MAY BECOME NULL AND VOID. [THE RIGHTS
REPRESENTED BY THIS RIGHTS CERTIFICATE ARE OR WERE BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY A
PERSON WHO WAS OR BECAME AN ACQUIRING PERSON OR AN AFFILIATE OR ASSOCIATE OF AN
ACQUIRING PERSON (AS SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT).
ACCORDINGLY, THIS RIGHTS CERTIFICATE AND THE RIGHTS REPRESENTED HEREBY SHALL
BECOME NULL AND VOID IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES SPECIFIED IN SECTION 7(e) OF SUCH
AGREEMENT.]1
Rights Certificate
SWANK, INC.
This certifies that ___________________, or registered assigns, is the
registered owner of the number of Rights set forth above, each of which entitles
the owner thereof, subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the Rights
Agreement, dated as of October 26, 1999 (the "Rights Agreement"), between Swank,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and American Stock Transfer &
Trust Company (the "Rights Agent"), to purchase from the Company at any time
prior to 5:00 P.M. (New York City time) on November 11, 2009 at the office or
offices of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, or its successors as
Rights Agent, one one-hundredth (1/100th) of a fully paid, non-assessable share
of Series D Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the Company (the "Series D
Preferred Stock"), at a purchase price of $5.50 per one one-hundredth (1/100th)
of a share (the "Purchase Price"), upon presentation and surrender of this
Rights Certificate with the Form of Election to Purchase and related Certificate
duly executed. The number of Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate (and
the number of shares which may be purchased upon exercise thereof) set forth
above, and the Purchase Price per share set forth above, are the number and
Purchase Price as of November 12, 1999 based on the Series D Preferred Stock as
constituted at such date. The Company reserves the right to require prior to the
occurrence of a Triggering Event (as such term is defined in the Rights
Agreement) that a number of Rights be exercised so that only whole shares of
Series D Preferred Stock will be issued.
- -------------------
1 The portion of the legend in brackets shall be inserted only if applicable
and shall replace the preceding sentence.
<PAGE>
Upon the occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event (as such term is
defined in the Rights Agreement), if the Rights evidenced by this Rights
Certificate are beneficially owned by (i) an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or
Associate of any such Acquiring Person (as such terms are defined in the Rights
Agreement), (ii) a transferee of any such Acquiring Person, Associate or
Affiliate, or (iii) under certain circumstances specified in the Rights
Agreement, a transferee of a person who, after such transfer, became an
Acquiring Person, or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person, such
Rights shall become null and void and no holder hereof shall have any right with
respect to such Rights from and after the occurrence of such Section 11(a)(ii)
Event.
As provided in the Rights Agreement, the Purchase Price and the number
and kind of shares of Series D Preferred Stock or other securities which may be
purchased upon the exercise of the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate
are subject to modification and adjustment upon the happening of certain events,
including Triggering Events.
This Rights Certificate is subject to all of the terms, provisions and
conditions of the Rights Agreement, which terms, provisions and conditions are
hereby incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof and to which
Rights Agreement reference is hereby made for a full description of the rights,
obligations, duties and immunities hereunder of the Rights Agent, the Company
and the holders of the Rights Certificates, which limitations of rights include
the temporary suspension of the exercisability of such Rights under the specific
circumstances set forth in the Rights Agreement. Copies of the Rights Agreement
are on file at the above-mentioned office of the Rights Agent and are also
available upon written request to the Rights Agent.
This Rights Certificate, with or without other Rights Certificates,
upon surrender at the principal office or offices of the Rights Agent designated
for such purpose, may be exchanged for another Rights Certificate or Rights
Certificates of like tenor and date evidencing Rights entitling the holder to
purchase a like aggregate number of one one-hundredths (1/100ths) of a share of
Series D Preferred Stock as the Rights evidenced by the Rights Certificate or
Rights Certificates surrendered shall have entitled such holder to purchase. If
this Rights Certificate shall be exercised in part, the holder shall be entitled
to receive upon surrender hereof another Rights Certificate or Rights
Certificates for the number of whole Rights not exercised.
Subject to the provisions of the Rights Agreement, the Rights evidenced
by this Certificate may be redeemed by the Company at its option at a redemption
price of $0.01 per Right at any time prior to the earlier of the close of
business on (i) the tenth day following the Stock Acquisition Date (as such time
period may be changed in the discretion of the Board of Directors pursuant to
the Rights Agreement), and (ii) the Final Expiration Date (as such term is
defined in the Rights Agreement). In addition, the Rights may be exchanged, in
whole or in part, for shares of Common Stock, or shares of preferred stock of
the Company having essentially the same value or economic rights as such shares.
Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the Company authorizing
any such exchange, and without any further action or any notice, the Rights
(other than Rights which are not subject to such exchange) will terminate and
the Rights will only enable holders to receive the shares issuable upon such
exchange.
No fractional shares of Series D Preferred Stock will be issued upon
the exercise of any Right or Rights evidenced hereby (other than fractions which
are integral multiples of one one-hundredth
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<PAGE>
(1/100th) of a share of Series D Preferred Stock, which may, at the election of
the Company, be evidenced by depositary receipts), but in lieu thereof a cash
payment will be made, as provided in the Rights Agreement.
No holder of this Rights Certificate shall be entitled to vote or
receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of shares of Series D
Preferred Stock or of any other securities of the Company which may at any time
be issuable on the exercise hereof, nor shall anything contained in the Rights
Agreement or herein be construed to confer upon the holder hereof, as such, any
of the rights of a stockholder of the Company or any right to vote for the
election of directors or upon any matter submitted to stockholders at any
meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action, or to
receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting stockholders (except as
provided in the Rights Agreement), or to receive dividends or subscription
rights, or otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced by this Rights
Certificate shall have been exercised as provided in the Rights Agreement.
This Rights Certificate shall not be valid or obligatory for any
purpose until it shall have been countersigned by the Rights Agent.
WITNESS the facsimile signature of the proper officers of the Company
and its corporate seal.
Dated as of ______________, _____
ATTEST: SWANK, INC.
__________________________________ By: _______________________________
Secretary Title:
Countersigned:
AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER
& TRUST COMPANY
By: ______________________________
Authorized Signature
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<PAGE>
(FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF RIGHTS CERTIFICATE)
FORM OF ASSIGNMENT
(To be executed by the registered holder if
such holder desires to transfer the Rights
Certificate.)
FOR VALUE RECEIVED _______________________________________________ hereby sells,
assigns and transfer unto
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Please print name and address of transferee)
this Rights Certificate, together with all right, title and interest therein,
and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint ____________________
Attorney, to transfer the within Rights Certificate on the books of the within
named Company, with full power of substitution.
Dated: _______________________, _____
___________________________________________
Signature
Signature Guaranteed:
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<PAGE>
CERTIFICATE
The undersigned hereby certifies by checking the appropriate boxes
that:
(1) this Rights Certificate ( ) is ( ) is not being sold, assigned and
transferred by or on behalf of a Person who is or was an Acquiring Person or an
Affiliate or Associate of any such Acquiring Person (as such terms are defined
pursuant to the Rights Agreement);
(2) after due inquiry and to the best knowledge of the undersigned, it
( ) did ( ) did not acquire the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate from
any Person who is, was or subsequently became an Acquiring Person or an
Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person.
Dated: _____________________, _____
________________________________________
Signature
Signature Guaranteed:
NOTICE
The signature to the foregoing Assignment and Certificate must correspond to the
name as written upon the face of this Rights Certificate in every particular,
without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.
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<PAGE>
FORM OF ELECTION TO PURCHASE
(To be executed if holder desires to
exercise Rights represented by the
Rights Certificate.)
To: SWANK, INC.
The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise __________ Rights
represented by this Rights Certificate to purchase the shares of Series D Junior
Participating Preferred Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Rights (or such
other securities of the Company or of any other person which may be issuable
upon the exercise of the Rights) and requests that certificates for such shares
be issued in the name of and delivered to:
Please insert social security
or other identifying number ____________________
(Please print name and address)
If such number of Rights shall not be all the Rights evidenced by this
Rights Certificate, a new Rights Certificate for the balance of such Rights
shall be registered in the name of and delivered to:
Please insert social security
or other identifying number ____________________
________________________________________________
(Please print name and address)
Dated: _____________________, _____
_____________________________________________
Signature
Signature Guaranteed:
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<PAGE>
CERTIFICATE
The undersigned hereby certifies by checking the appropriate boxes
that:
(1) the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate ( ) are ( ) are not
being exercised by or on behalf of a Person who is or was an Acquiring Person or
an Affiliate or Associate of any such Acquiring Person (as such terms are
defined pursuant to the Rights Agreement);
(2) after due inquiry and to the best knowledge of the undersigned, it
( ) did ( ) did not acquire the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate from
any Person who is, was or became an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or
Associate of an Acquiring Person.
Dated: _________________, _____
________________________________________
Signature
Signature Guaranteed:
NOTICE
The signature to the foregoing Election to Purchase and Certificate
must correspond to the name as written upon the face of this Rights Certificate
in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.
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<PAGE>
EXHIBIT C
DETAILED SUMMARY OF RIGHTS TO PURCHASE
SERIES D JUNIOR PARTICIPATING PREFERRED STOCK
On October 26, 1999, the Board of Directors of Swank, Inc. (the
"Company") declared a dividend of one Right for each outstanding share of the
Company's Common Stock, par value $0.10 per share (the "Common Stock"), to
stockholders of record at the close of business on November 12, 1999. Each
Right, when exercisable, entitles the registered holder to purchase from the
Company one one-hundredth of a share of Series D Junior Participating Preferred
Stock, par value $1.00 per share (the "Series D Preferred Stock"), at a Purchase
Price of $5.50 per one one-hundredth of a share of Series D Preferred Stock,
subject to adjustment. The description and terms of the Rights are set forth in
a Rights Agreement (the "Rights Agreement") dated as of October 26, 1999 between
the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Rights Agent.
Initially, the Rights will be attached to all Common Stock certificates
representing shares then outstanding*, and no separate Rights Certificates will
be distributed. A Distribution Date will occur and the Rights will separate from
the Common Stock upon the earlier of (i) 10 days following a public announcement
that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons (an "Acquiring
Person") has acquired, or obtained the right to acquire, beneficial ownership of
15% or more of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding (the "Stock
Acquisition Date") or (ii) 10 business days following the commencement of a
tender offer or exchange offer that would result in a person or group
beneficially owning 15% or more of such outstanding shares of Common Stock
(unless such tender offer or exchange offer is an offer for all outstanding
shares of Common Stock which a majority of the unaffiliated directors who are
not officers of the Company determine to be at a price which is fair to all
stockholders and otherwise in the best interests of the Company and its
stockholders).
Until the Distribution Date, (i) the Rights will be evidenced by the
Common Stock certificates and will be transferred with and only with such Common
Stock certificates, (ii) new Common Stock certificates issued after October 26,
1999 will contain a notation incorporating the Rights Agreement by reference and
(iii) the surrender for transfer of any certificates for Common Stock
outstanding will also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the
Common Stock represented by such certificate.
The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date and will
expire at the close of business on November 11, 2009, unless earlier redeemed by
the Company as described below. At no time will the Rights have any voting
power.
________________________
* Under the Rights Agreement, for purposes of calculating percentages of
Common Stock outstanding, shares of Common Stock outstanding shall include
all shares of Common Stock deemed to be beneficially owned by a person and
its affiliates and associates, even if not actually then outstanding.
<PAGE>
As soon as practicable after the Distribution Date, Rights Certificates
will be mailed to holders of record of the Common Stock as of the close of
business on the Distribution Date and, thereafter, the separate Rights
Certificates alone will represent the Rights. Except (i) with respect to certain
shares of Common Stock issued or sold pursuant to the exercise of stock options
or under any employee plan or arrangement, granted or awarded as of the
Distribution Date, or upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of certain
securities of the Company, or (ii) as otherwise determined by the Board of
Directors, only shares of Common Stock issued prior to the Distribution Date
will be issued with Rights.
In the event that an Acquiring Person becomes the beneficial owner of
15% or more of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock (except pursuant to a
tender or exchange offer for all outstanding shares of Common Stock which a
majority of the unaffiliated directors who are not officers of the Company
determine to be at a price which is fair to all stockholders and otherwise in
the best interests of the Company and its stockholders (a "Qualifying Offer")),
each holder of a Right will thereafter have the right to receive, upon payment
of the Purchase Price, Common Stock (or, in certain circumstances, cash,
property or other securities of the Company) having a value (based on a formula
set forth in the Rights Agreement) equal to two times the Purchase Price of the
Right. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, following the occurrence of the
event set forth in this paragraph (the "Flip-in Event"), all Rights that are, or
(under certain circumstances specified in the Rights Agreement) were,
beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person (or by certain related parties) shall
be null and void. However, Rights are not exercisable following the occurrence
of the Flip-in Event until such time as the Rights are no longer redeemable by
the Company as set forth below.
For example, at a Purchase Price of $5.50 per Right, each Right not
owned by an Acquiring Person (or by certain related parties) following a Flip-in
Event would entitle its holder to purchase $11.00 worth of Common Stock (or
other consideration, as noted above) determined pursuant to a formula set forth
in the Rights Agreement, for $5.50. Assuming that the Common Stock had a per
share value of $1.00 at such time (as determined pursuant to such formula), the
holder of each valid Right would be entitled to purchase 11 shares of Common
Stock for $5.50.
In the event that, at any time following the Stock Acquisition Date,
(i) the Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination
transaction in which the Company is not the surviving corporation or in which it
is the surviving corporation but its Common Stock is changed or exchanged (other
than a merger consummated pursuant to a Qualifying Offer), or (ii) more than 50%
of the Company's assets or earning power is sold or transferred, each holder of
a Right (except Rights which previously have been voided as set forth above)
shall, after the expiration of the redemption period referred to below, have the
right to receive, upon payment of the Purchase Price, common stock of the
acquiring company having a value equal to two times the Purchase Price. The
events set forth in this paragraph and the Flip-in Event described in the second
preceding paragraph are referred to as the "Triggering Events."
The Purchase Price payable, and the number of one one-hundredths of a
share of Series D Preferred Stock or other securities or property issuable, upon
exercise of the Rights are subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent
dilution (i) in the event of a stock dividend on, or a subdivision, combination
or reclassification of, the Series D Preferred Stock, (ii) if holders of the
Series D Preferred Stock are granted certain rights or warrants to subscribe for
Series D Preferred
-2-
<PAGE>
Stock or convertible securities at less than the current market price of the
Series D Preferred Stock, or (iii) upon the distribution to holders of the
Series D Preferred Stock of evidences of indebtedness or assets (excluding
regular quarterly cash dividends out of the earnings or retained earnings of the
Company) or of subscription rights or warrants (other than those referred to
above).
With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Purchase Price will be
required until cumulative adjustments amount to at least 1% of the Purchase
Price. No fractional shares of Series D Preferred Stock (other than fractions of
one one-hundredth of a share, or integral multiples thereof) will be issued and,
in lieu thereof, an adjustment in cash will be made based on the market price of
the Series D Preferred Stock on the last trading date prior to the date of
exercise.
At any time until ten (10) days following the Stock Acquisition Date,
as such period may be extended or shortened by the Board of Directors, the
Company may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $0.01 per
Right (payable in cash, shares of Common Stock or other consideration deemed
appropriate by the Board of Directors). Immediately upon the action of the Board
of Directors ordering redemption of the Rights, the Rights will terminate and
the only right of the holders of Rights will be to receive the $0.01 redemption
price.
Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no
rights as a stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right
to vote or to receive dividends. While the distribution of the Rights will not
be taxable to stockholders or to the Company, stockholders may, depending upon
the circumstances, recognize taxable income in the event that the Rights become
exercisable for shares of Common Stock (or other consideration) of the Company
or for shares of common stock of the acquiring company as set forth above, or
are redeemed as provided above.
Other than certain provisions relating to the principal economic terms
of the Rights, any of the provisions of the Rights Agreement may be amended by
the Board of Directors of the Company prior to the Distribution Date. After the
Distribution Date, the provisions of the Rights Agreement may be amended by the
Board in order to cure any ambiguity, to make changes which do not adversely
affect the interests of holders of Rights (other than an Acquiring Person or an
affiliate or associate thereof), or to shorten or lengthen any time period under
the Rights Agreement; provided, however, that no amendment to adjust the time
period governing redemption shall be made at such time as the Rights are not
redeemable.
The Rights have certain anti-takeover effects. Exercise of the Rights
will cause substantial dilution to a person or group that attempts to acquire
the Company on terms not approved by the Company's Board of Directors. The
existence of Rights, however, should not affect an offer at a price which is
fair to all stockholders and otherwise in the best interests of the Company and
its stockholders as determined by the Board of Directors. The Rights should not
interfere with any merger or other business combination approved by the Board of
Directors since the Board of Directors may, at its option, at any time until ten
days following the Stock Acquisition Date, as such period may be extended or
shortened by the Board of Directors, redeem all but not less than all of the
then outstanding Rights at the $0.01 redemption price.
-3-
<PAGE>
A copy of the Rights Agreement is available free of charge from the
Company. This summary description of the Rights does not purport to be complete
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Rights Agreement, which is
incorporated herein by reference.
-4-
EXHIBIT 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: JEROLD R. KASSNER
OCTOBER 26, 1999 SWANK, INC.
ATTLEBORO, MA 02703
(508) 222-3400
SWANK, INC.
ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS
SWANK, INC. RETIREMENT PLAN TO PURCHASE
SHARES OF COMMON STOCK;
SWANK, INC. ADOPTS STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN
SWANK, INC. (NASDAQ:SNKI), announced today that the 401(k) Savings and
Stock Ownership Plan Committee of The New Swank, Inc. Retirement Plan, has
authorized the repurchase by the Retirement Plan of up to 600,000 shares of the
Company's Common Stock. Purchases would be made in the discretion of the
Trustees of the Retirement Plan from time to time in the open market and through
privately negotiated transactions, subject to general market and other
conditions. Repurchases are intended to be financed by the Retirement Plan from
its own funds and from any future cash contributions by the Company to the
Retirement Plan. Shares acquired would be used to provide benefits to employees
under the terms of the Retirement Plan.
Swank also announced today that its Board of Directors has adopted a
Stockholder Rights Plan. Under the terms of the Rights Plan, the Company will
distribute to its stockholders Rights to purchase one one-hundredth of a share
of newly created Series D Junior Participating Preferred Stock at an initial
exercise price of $5.50. One Right will be distributed for each share of the
Company's common stock outstanding on November 12, 1999. The Stockholder Rights
Plan succeeds Swank's prior rights plan, which originally was adopted in 1988
but had expired by its terms last year.
Commenting on the adoption of the Stockholders Rights Plan, John Tulin,
President of the Company, stated "We believe the Rights Plan, like our prior
rights plan, is in the best interests of the stockholders, as it contains
provisions to protect stockholders and the Company from coercive or unfair
takeover tactics." He noted that the Rights Plan was not adopted in response to
any specific offer or effort to acquire control of the Company.
-- continued --
<PAGE>
OCTOBER 26, 1999 SWANK, INC.
PAGE 2
SWANK, INC. RETIREMENT PLAN TO PURCHASE
SHARES OF COMMON STOCK;
SWANK, INC. ADOPTS STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN (CONTINUED)
Swank manufactures and markets men's belts, personal leather goods and
jewelry and women's jewelry. The Company distributes its products to retail
outlets throughout the United States and in numerous foreign countries. These
products, which are known throughout the world, are distributed under the names
"Kenneth Cole", "DKNY", "Claiborne", "Guess?", "Anne Klein", "Anne Klein II",
"Geoffrey Beene", "Yves Saint Laurent", "Pierre Cardin", "Colours by Alexander
Julian", and "Swank". Swank also manufactures jewelry and leather items for
distribution under private labels.
This press release contains forward-looking statements which are based
upon current expectations and involve certain risks and uncertainties. Under the
safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995,
readers should note that these statements may be impacted by, and the Company's
actual performance and results may vary as a result of, a number of factors,
including general economic and business conditions, competition in the men's and
women's accessories and jewelry markets, continuing sales trends, pricing and
consumer preferences.
* * * * *
