Avis Budget Group, Inc 8-K, filed Jul 14, 2023
Avis Budget Group, Inc. (CAR)
About this 8-K
Avis Budget Group, Inc filed this 8-K on July 14, 2023, reporting on events of July 13, 2023.
Items reported
- Item 8.01: Other events
- Item 9.01: Financial statements and exhibits
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
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Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
| Item 8.01 | Other Events |
On July 13, 2023, Avis Budget Finance plc (the “Issuer”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Avis Budget Group, Inc. (the “Company”), issued €400 million aggregate principal amount of 7.25% Senior Notes due 2030 (the “Notes”). The Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture, dated as of July 13, 2023 (the “Indenture”), by and among the Issuer, the Company, the other guarantors party thereto, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee and as registrar, and Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, as paying agent.
The Issuer intends to use the net proceeds from the offering of the Notes to redeem all of the outstanding €300 million aggregate principal amount of the Issuer’s 4.125% Senior Notes due 2024 and pay fees and expenses in connection with the foregoing, with the remainder to be used for general corporate purposes, which may include, without limitation, repayment of indebtedness.
The Notes will mature on July 31, 2030 and bear interest at a rate of 7.25% per annum, payable semi-annually in cash in arrears on January 31 and July 31 of each year, beginning on January 31, 2024. Interest on the Notes will accrue from July 13, 2023.
The Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by the Company, Avis Budget Holdings, LLC, Avis Budget Car Rental, LLC (“ABCR”) and ABCR’s existing and future direct and indirect wholly owned domestic restricted subsidiaries that also guarantee ABCR’s senior secured credit facilities.
The Issuer may redeem all or part of the Notes at any time prior to July 31, 2026 at a price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date, plus a make-whole premium. The Issuer may redeem all or part of the Notes at any time on or after July 31, 2026 at the redemption prices set forth in the Indenture. At any time on or prior to July 31, 2026, up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes may be redeemed with the net cash proceeds that the Issuer or ABCR raises in one or more equity offering, at the redemption price specified in the Indenture.
Upon the occurrence of specified kinds of changes of control, the Issuer must offer to repurchase the Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the repurchase date.
The Indenture limits, among other things, the ability of ABRC and its restricted subsidiaries (including the Issuer) to (i) pay dividends on or make other distributions in respect of equity interests or make other restricted payments; (ii) create liens on certain assets to secure debt; (iii) make certain investments; (iv) sell certain assets; (v) consolidate, merge, sell, or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of ABCR’s or the Issuer’s assets; and (vi) designate ABCR’s subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries. These covenants are subject to a number of important limitations and exceptions. The Indenture provides for customary events of default (subject in certain cases to customary grace and cure periods).
The foregoing summary of the Indenture and the Notes does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete terms of the Indenture and the Notes, which are filed as Exhibits 4.1 and 4.2 hereto, respectively, and incorporated by reference into this Item 8.01.
| Item 9.01. | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d) Exhibits
| Exhibit No. |
Description of Exhibit | |
| 4.1 | Indenture, dated as of July 13, 2023, by and among Avis Budget Finance plc, as issuer, the guarantors party thereto, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee and registrar, and Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, as paying agent. | |
| 4.2 | Form of 7.25% Senior Notes due 2030 (included as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.1). | |
| 104 | The cover page from this Current Report on Form 8-K formatted in Inline XBRL (included as Exhibit 101). | |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| Date: July 14, 2023 | Avis Budget Group, Inc. | |||||
| By: | /s/ Jean Sera | |||||
| Name: | Jean Sera | |||||
| Title: | Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary | |||||
Exhibit 4.1
AVIS BUDGET FINANCE PLC,
as Issuer,
the GUARANTORS from time to time parties hereto,
DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS,
as Trustee and Registrar,
AND
DEUTSCHE BANK AG, LONDON BRANCH,
as Paying Agent
7.25% Senior Notes due 2030
INDENTURE
Dated as of July 13, 2023
Table of Contents
| Page | ||||||
| Article I DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE | 1 | |||||
| SECTION 1.1 |
Definitions |
1 | ||||
| SECTION 1.2 |
Other Definitions |
58 | ||||
| SECTION 1.3 |
Inapplicability of the TIA |
60 | ||||
| SECTION 1.4 |
Rules of Construction |
60 | ||||
| Article II THE NOTES | 61 | |||||
| SECTION 2.1 |
Form, Dating and Terms |
61 | ||||
| SECTION 2.2 |
Execution and Authentication |
69 | ||||
| SECTION 2.3 |
Registrar and Paying Agent |
70 | ||||
| SECTION 2.4 |
Paying Agent To Hold Money in Trust |
70 | ||||
| SECTION 2.5 |
Holder Lists |
71 | ||||
| SECTION 2.6 |
Transfer and Exchange |
71 | ||||
| SECTION 2.7 |
[Reserved] |
75 | ||||
| SECTION 2.8 |
Form of Certificate To Be Delivered in Connection with Transfers to IAIs |
75 | ||||
| SECTION 2.9 |
Form of Certificate To Be Delivered in Connection with Transfers Pursuant to Regulation S |
77 | ||||
| SECTION 2.10 |
[Reserved] |
78 | ||||
| SECTION 2.11 |
Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Notes |
78 | ||||
| SECTION 2.12 |
Outstanding Notes |
79 | ||||
| SECTION 2.13 |
Temporary Notes |
80 | ||||
| SECTION 2.14 |
Cancellation |
80 | ||||
| SECTION 2.15 |
Payment of Interest; Defaulted Interest |
80 | ||||
| SECTION 2.16 |
Common Code and ISIN Numbers |
82 | ||||
| Article III COVENANTS | 82 | |||||
| SECTION 3.1 |
Payment of Notes |
82 | ||||
| SECTION 3.2 |
[Reserved] |
82 | ||||
| SECTION 3.3 |
Limitation on Restricted Payments |
82 | ||||
| SECTION 3.4 |
[Reserved] |
92 | ||||
| SECTION 3.5 |
Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock |
92 | ||||
| SECTION 3.6 |
Limitation on Liens |
96 | ||||
| SECTION 3.7 |
Limitation on Subsidiary Guarantees |
97 | ||||
| SECTION 3.8 |
[Reserved] |
98 | ||||
| SECTION 3.9 |
Change of Control |
98 | ||||
| SECTION 3.10 |
Reports |
101 | ||||
| SECTION 3.11 |
[Reserved] |
103 | ||||
| SECTION 3.12 |
Maintenance of Office or Agency |
103 | ||||
| SECTION 3.13 |
[Reserved] |
104 | ||||
| SECTION 3.14 |
[Reserved] |
104 | ||||
| SECTION 3.15 |
[Reserved] |
104 | ||||
| SECTION 3.16 |
Compliance Certificate |
104 | ||||
| SECTION 3.17 |
[Reserved] |
104 | ||||
| SECTION 3.18 |
[Reserved] |
104 | ||||
| SECTION 3.19 |
Statement by Officers as to Default |
104 | ||||
| SECTION 3.20 |
Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries |
105 | ||||
| SECTION 3.21 |
Suspension of Certain Covenants |
105 | ||||
| SECTION 3.22 |
Termination of Certain Covenants |
106 | ||||
| Article IV SUCCESSOR COMPANY; Successor Person | 107 | |||||
| SECTION 4.1 |
Merger and Consolidation |
107 | ||||
| Article V REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES | 108 | |||||
| SECTION 5.1 |
Notices to Trustee |
108 | ||||
| SECTION 5.2 |
Selection of Notes To Be Redeemed or Purchased |
109 | ||||
| SECTION 5.3 |
Notice of Redemption |
109 | ||||
| SECTION 5.4 |
Effect of Notice of Redemption |
110 | ||||
| SECTION 5.5 |
Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price |
110 | ||||
| SECTION 5.6 |
Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part |
111 | ||||
| SECTION 5.7 |
Optional Redemption |
111 | ||||
| SECTION 5.8 |
Mandatory Redemption |
113 | ||||
| Article VI DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES | 113 | |||||
| SECTION 6.1 |
Events of Default |
113 | ||||
| SECTION 6.2 |
Acceleration |
117 | ||||
| SECTION 6.3 |
Other Remedies |
117 | ||||
| SECTION 6.4 |
Waiver of Past Defaults |
118 | ||||
| SECTION 6.5 |
Control by Majority |
118 | ||||
| SECTION 6.6 |
Limitation on Suits |
118 | ||||
| SECTION 6.7 |
Right of Holders to Receive Payment |
119 | ||||
| SECTION 6.8 |
Collection Suit by Trustee |
119 | ||||
| SECTION 6.9 |
Trustee May File Proofs of Claim |
119 | ||||
| SECTION 6.10 |
Priorities |
120 | ||||
| SECTION 6.11 |
Undertaking for Costs |
120 | ||||
| Article VII TRUSTEE | 120 | |||||
| SECTION 7.1 |
Duties of Trustee |
120 | ||||
| SECTION 7.2 |
Rights of Trustee |
122 | ||||
| SECTION 7.3 |
Individual Rights of Trustee |
123 | ||||
| SECTION 7.4 |
Trustee’s Disclaimer |
124 | ||||
| SECTION 7.5 |
Notice of Defaults |
124 | ||||
| SECTION 7.6 |
[Reserved] |
124 | ||||
| SECTION 7.7 |
Compensation and Indemnity |
124 | ||||
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| SECTION 7.8 |
Replacement of Trustee |
125 | ||||
| SECTION 7.9 |
Successor Trustee by Merger |
126 | ||||
| SECTION 7.10 |
Eligibility; Disqualification |
126 | ||||
| SECTION 7.11 |
[Reserved] |
127 | ||||
| SECTION 7.12 |
Trustee’s Application for Instruction from the Issuer |
127 | ||||
| SECTION 7.13 |
Paying Agent |
127 | ||||
| Article VIII LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE | 131 | |||||
| SECTION 8.1 |
Option To Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance; Defeasance |
131 | ||||
| SECTION 8.2 |
Legal Defeasance and Discharge |
131 | ||||
| SECTION 8.3 |
Covenant Defeasance |
132 | ||||
| SECTION 8.4 |
Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance |
132 | ||||
| SECTION 8.5 |
Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations To Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions |
134 | ||||
| SECTION 8.6 |
Repayment to the Issuer |
134 | ||||
| SECTION 8.7 |
Reinstatement |
134 | ||||
| Article IX AMENDMENTS | 135 | |||||
| SECTION 9.1 |
Without Consent of Holders |
135 | ||||
| SECTION 9.2 |
With Consent of Holders |
136 | ||||
| SECTION 9.3 |
[Reserved] |
138 | ||||
| SECTION 9.4 |
Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers |
138 | ||||
| SECTION 9.5 |
Notation on or Exchange of Notes |
138 | ||||
| SECTION 9.6 |
Trustee and Paying Agent Signs Amendments |
138 | ||||
| Article X GUARANTEE | 139 | |||||
| SECTION 10.1 |
Guarantee |
139 | ||||
| SECTION 10.2 |
Limitation on Liability; Termination, Release and Discharge |
141 | ||||
| SECTION 10.3 |
Right of Contribution |
142 | ||||
| SECTION 10.4 |
No Subrogation |
142 | ||||
| Article XI SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE | 142 | |||||
| SECTION 11.1 |
Satisfaction and Discharge |
142 | ||||
| SECTION 11.2 |
Application of Trust Money |
143 | ||||
| Article XII MISCELLANEOUS | 144 | |||||
| SECTION 12.1 |
[Reserved] |
144 | ||||
| SECTION 12.2 |
Notices |
144 | ||||
| SECTION 12.3 |
[Reserved] |
146 | ||||
| SECTION 12.4 |
Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent |
146 | ||||
| SECTION 12.5 |
Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion |
147 | ||||
| SECTION 12.6 |
When Notes Disregarded |
147 | ||||
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| SECTION 12.7 |
Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar |
147 | ||||
| SECTION 12.8 |
Legal Holidays |
147 | ||||
| SECTION 12.9 |
Governing Law |
148 | ||||
| SECTION 12.10 |
Jurisdiction |
148 | ||||
| SECTION 12.11 |
Waivers of Jury Trial |
148 | ||||
| SECTION 12.12 |
USA PATRIOT Act Section 326 Customer Identification Program |
148 | ||||
| SECTION 12.13 |
No Recourse Against Others |
148 | ||||
| SECTION 12.14 |
Successors |
149 | ||||
| SECTION 12.15 |
Multiple Originals |
149 | ||||
| SECTION 12.16 |
[Reserved] |
149 | ||||
| SECTION 12.17 |
Table of Contents; Headings |
149 | ||||
| SECTION 12.18 |
Force Majeure |
149 | ||||
| SECTION 12.19 |
Severability |
149 | ||||
| EXHIBIT A Form of Global Restricted Note | ||||||
| EXHIBIT B Form of Supplemental Indenture | ||||||
iv
INDENTURE dated as of July 13, 2023 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “Indenture”), among AVIS BUDGET FINANCE PLC, a company organized under the laws of Jersey, Channel Islands (the “Issuer”), the Guarantors (as defined herein), DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, a New York banking corporation, as trustee (the “Trustee”) and Registrar (as defined herein), and DEUTSCHE BANK AG, LONDON BRANCH, as Paying Agent (as defined herein).
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, the Issuer, a wholly owned direct subsidiary of Avis Budget Car Rental, LLC, a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Company”), has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance of (i) the 7.25% Senior Notes due 2030 issued on the date hereof (the “Initial Notes”) and (ii) any additional Notes (“Additional Notes” and, together with the Initial Notes, the “Notes”) that may be issued after the Issue Date;
WHEREAS, the Issuer and each of the Guarantors has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture;
WHEREAS, all things necessary (i) to make the Notes, when executed and duly issued by the Issuer and authenticated and delivered hereunder, the valid obligations of the Issuer, (ii) to make the Guarantees, when this Indenture is executed by each Guarantor, the valid obligation of each Guarantor and (iii) to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Issuer and each of the Guarantors have been done; and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Notes by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders, as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
SECTION 1.1 Definitions.
“Acquired Indebtedness” means Indebtedness (1) of a Person or any of its Subsidiaries existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, or (2) assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from such Person, in each case whether or not Incurred by such Person in connection with such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or such acquisition or (3) of a Person at the time such Person merges with or into or consolidates or otherwise combines with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary. Acquired Indebtedness shall be deemed to have been Incurred, with respect to clause (1) of the preceding sentence, on the date such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary and, with respect to clause (2) of the preceding sentence, on the date of consummation of such acquisition of assets and, with respect to clause (3) of the preceding sentence, on the date of the relevant merger, consolidation or other combination.
“Additional Assets” means:
(1) any property or assets (other than Capital Stock) used or to be used by the Company, a Restricted Subsidiary or otherwise useful in a Similar Business (it being understood that capital expenditures on property or assets already used in a Similar Business or to replace any property or assets that are the subject of such Asset Disposition shall be deemed an investment in Additional Assets);
(2) the Capital Stock of a Person that is engaged in a Similar Business and becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of the acquisition of such Capital Stock by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; or
(3) Capital Stock constituting a minority interest in any Person that at such time is a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.
“Additional Notes” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the second introductory paragraph of this Indenture.
“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person, directly or indirectly, controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
“Agent” or “Agents” means any or all of the Paying Agent(s), Transfer Agent(s) and/or Registrar(s).
“Alternative Currency” means each of Euro, British Pounds Sterling, Australian Dollars, Brazilian Real, Canadian dollars, Chinese Yuan, Danish Kroner, Egyptian Pound, Hong Kong Dollars, Indian Rupee, Indonesian Rupiah, Japanese Yen, Korean Won, Mexican Pesos, New Zealand Dollars, Russian Ruble, Singapore Dollars, Swedish Kroner, Swiss Francs and each other currency (other than U.S. Dollars) that is a lawful currency (other than U.S. Dollars) that is readily available and freely transferable and convertible into U.S. Dollars.
“Applicable Percentage” means 100.0%; provided that, the Applicable Percentage shall be (1) 50.0% if, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the relevant Asset Disposition and the use of proceeds therefrom the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio would be less than or equal to 2.50 to 1.00 but greater than 2.00 to 1.00, or (2) 0.0% if, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the relevant Asset Disposition and the use of proceeds therefrom, the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio would be less than or equal to 2.00 to 1.00. Any Net Available Cash in respect of an Asset Disposition that does not constitute Applicable Proceeds as a result of the application of this definition shall collectively constitute “Total Leverage Excess Proceeds.”
2
“Applicable Premium” means the greater of (A) 1.0% of the principal amount of such Note and (B) on any redemption date, the excess (to the extent positive) of:
(1) the present value at such redemption date of (i) the redemption price of such Note at July 31, 2026 (such redemption price (expressed in percentage of principal amount) being set forth in the table under Section 5.7(d) (excluding accrued but unpaid interest)), plus (ii) all required interest payments due on such Note to and including such date set forth in clause (i) (excluding accrued but unpaid interest), computed upon the redemption date using a discount rate equal to the Applicable Treasury Rate at such redemption date plus 50 basis points; over
(2) the outstanding principal amount of such Note;
in each case, as calculated by the Company or on behalf of the Company by such Person as the Company shall designate.
“Applicable Treasury Rate” means the weekly average for each Business Day during the most recent week that has ended at least two Business Days prior to the redemption date of the yield to maturity at the time of computation of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (or, if such statistical release is not so published or available, any publicly available source of similar market data selected by the Company in good faith)) most nearly equal to the period from the redemption date to July 31, 2026; provided, however, that if the period from the redemption date to July 31, 2026 is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury security for which such a yield is given, the Applicable Treasury Rate shall be obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the yields of United States Treasury securities for which such yields are given, except that if the period from the redemption date to such applicable date is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used.
“Asset Disposition” means:
(a) the voluntary sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, of property or assets (including by way of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction) of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (in each case other than Capital Stock of the Company) (each referred to in this definition as a “disposition”); or
(b) the issuance or sale of Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries or directors’ qualifying shares and shares issued to foreign nationals as required under applicable law), whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions;
3
in each case, other than:
(1) a disposition by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to a Restricted Subsidiary;
(2) a disposition of cash, Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities;
(3) a disposition of inventory, goods or other assets (including abandoned operations) in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice (including allowing any registrations or any applications for registrations of any intellectual property rights to lapse or go abandoned in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice);
(4) a disposition of obsolete, worn-out, uneconomic, damaged, non-core or surplus property or property, equipment or other assets or property, equipment or other assets that are no longer economically practical or commercially desirable to maintain (in the reasonable judgment of the Company) or used or useful in the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, whether now or hereafter owned or leased or acquired in connection with an acquisition or used or useful in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (including by ceasing to enforce, allowing the lapse, abandonment or invalidation of or discontinuing the use or maintenance of or putting into the public domain any intellectual property that is, in the reasonable judgment of the Company or the Restricted Subsidiaries, no longer used or useful, or economically practicable to maintain, or in respect of which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary determines in its reasonable judgment that such action or inaction is desirable);
(5) transactions permitted under Section 4.1 or a transaction that constitutes a Change of Control;
(6) an issuance of Capital Stock by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or to another Restricted Subsidiary or as part of or pursuant to an equity incentive or compensation plan approved by the Board of Directors;
(7) any dispositions of Capital Stock, properties or assets in a single transaction or series of related transactions with a fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Company) of less than the greater of $275.0 million and 1.00% of Total Assets;
(8) any Restricted Payment that is permitted to be made, and is made, pursuant to Section 3.3 and the making of any Permitted Payment or Permitted Investment or, solely for purposes of Section 3.5(a)(3), asset sales, the proceeds of which are used to make such Restricted Payments or Permitted Investments;
(9) dispositions in connection with Permitted Liens, Permitted Intercompany Activities, Permitted Tax Restructuring and related transactions;
4
(10) dispositions of Investments or receivables in connection with the compromise, settlement or collection thereof in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or in bankruptcy or similar proceedings;
(11) the licensing or sub-licensing of intellectual property, or the licensing or sub-licensing of other general intangibles and licenses, sub-licenses, leases or subleases of other property in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;
(12) foreclosure, condemnation, expropriation, forced disposition or any similar action with respect to any property or other assets or the existence of termination rights under any lease, license concession or other agreement;
(13) the sale, discount or other disposition (with or without recourse, and on customary or commercially reasonable terms) of inventory, accounts receivable or notes receivable arising in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice, or the conversion or exchange of accounts receivable for notes receivable;
(14) any issuance or sale of Capital Stock in, or Indebtedness or other securities of, an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any other disposition of Capital Stock, Indebtedness or other securities of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or an Immaterial Subsidiary;
(15) any disposition of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement or other obligation with or to a Person (other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) from whom such Restricted Subsidiary was acquired, or from whom such Restricted Subsidiary acquired its business and assets (having been newly formed in connection with such acquisition), made as part of such acquisition;
(16) (i) dispositions of property to the extent that such property is exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement property that is promptly purchased, (ii) dispositions of property to the extent that the proceeds of such disposition are promptly applied to the purchase price of such replacement property (which replacement property is actually promptly purchased), (iii) to the extent intended to qualify under Section 1031 of the Code (or any successor section), any exchange of like property (excluding any boot thereon) for use in a Similar Business, and (iv) any exchange of equipment to be leased, rented or otherwise used in a Similar Business;
(17) any disposition of receivables, or participations therein, in connection with any Special Purpose Financing, or the disposition of an account receivable in connection with the collection or compromise thereof in the ordinary course of business;
(18) any financing transaction with respect to property constructed, acquired, leased, renewed, relocated, expanded, replaced, repaired, maintained, upgraded or improved (including any reconstruction, refurbishment, renovation and/or development of real property) by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date, including Sale and Leaseback Transactions and asset securitizations;
5
(19) sales, transfers or other dispositions of Investments in joint ventures or similar entities to the extent required by, or made pursuant to customary buy/sell arrangements between, the parties to such joint venture set forth in joint venture arrangements and similar binding arrangements;
(20) the disposition of not more than 5% of the outstanding Capital Stock of a Foreign Subsidiary;
(21) any surrender or waiver of contractual rights or the settlement, release, waiver or surrender of contractual, tort, litigation or other claims of any kind;
(22) the unwinding of any Hedging Obligations;
(23) any swap of assets in exchange for services or other assets in the ordinary course of business of comparable or greater value or usefulness to the business as determined in good faith by the Company;
(24) any “fee in lieu” or other disposition of assets to any Governmental Authority or agency that continue in use by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, so long as the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may obtain title to such assets upon reasonable notice by paying a nominal fee;
(25) any Financing Disposition;
(26) Dispositions for Cash Equivalents of accounts receivable in connection with any receivables financing;
(27) any sale, transfer or other disposition to effect the formation of any Subsidiary that is a Delaware Divided LLC; provided that upon formation of such Delaware Divided LLC, such Delaware Divided LLC shall be a Restricted Subsidiary;
(28) the lease, assignment, license, sublease or sublicense of any real or personal property in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice;
(29) any sale of property or assets, if the acquisition of such property or assets was financed with Excluded Contributions and the proceeds of such sale are used to make a Restricted Payment pursuant to Section 3.3(b)(12)(b);
(30) the disposition of any assets (including Capital Stock) (i) acquired in a transaction after the Issue Date, which assets are not useful in the core or principal business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, or (ii) made in connection with the approval of any applicable antitrust authority or otherwise necessary or advisable in the reasonable determination of the Company to consummate any acquisition; and
(31) any disposition of non-revenue producing assets to a Person who is providing services related to such assets, the provision of which have been or are to be outsourced by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to such Person.
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In the event that a transaction (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of a permitted Asset Disposition and would also be a Permitted Investment or an Investment permitted under Section 3.3, the Company, in its sole discretion, will be entitled to divide and classify such transaction (or a portion thereof) as an Asset Disposition and/or one or more of the types of Permitted Investments or Investments permitted under Section 3.3.
“Associate” means (i) any Person engaged in a Similar Business of which the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries are the legal and beneficial owners of between 20% and 50% of all outstanding Voting Stock and (ii) any joint venture entered into by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.
“Average Book Value” means, for any period, the amount equal to (x) the sum of the respective book values of Rental Vehicles of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the end of each of the most recent thirteen fiscal months of the Company that have ended at or prior to the end of such period, divided by (y) 13.
“Average Interest Rate” means, for any period, the amount equal to (x) the total interest expense of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period (excluding any interest expense on any Indebtedness of any Special Purpose Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary directly or indirectly Incurred to finance or refinance the acquisition of, or secured by, Rental Vehicles and/or related rights and/or assets), divided by (y) the Average Principal Amount of Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period (excluding any Indebtedness of any Special Purpose Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary directly or indirectly Incurred to finance or refinance the acquisition of, or secured by, Rental Vehicles and/or related rights and/or assets).
“Average Principal Amount” means, for any period, the amount equal to (x) the sum of the respective aggregate outstanding principal amounts of the applicable Indebtedness as of the end of each of the most recent thirteen fiscal months of the Company that have ended at or prior to the end of such period, divided by (y) 13.
“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11 of the United States Code or similar federal or state law or provincial law for the relief of debtors.
“Board of Directors” means (1) with respect to the Company or any corporation, the board of directors or managers, as applicable, of the corporation, or any duly authorized committee thereof; (2) with respect to any partnership, the board of directors or other governing body of the general partner of the partnership or any duly authorized committee thereof; (3) with respect to a limited liability company, the managing member or members or any duly authorized controlling committee thereof; and (4) with respect to any other Person, the board or any duly authorized committee of such Person serving a similar function. Whenever any provision requires any action or determination to be made by, or any approval of, a Board of Directors, such action, determination or approval shall be deemed to have been taken or made if approved by a majority of the directors on any such Board of Directors (whether or not such action or approval is taken as part of a formal board meeting or as a formal board approval).
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“Business Day” means each day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in New York, New York, United States or in the jurisdiction of the place of payment are authorized or required by law to close. When the payment of any obligation or the performance of any covenant, duty or obligation is stated to be due or performance required on a day which is not a Business Day, the date of such payment or performance shall extend to the immediately succeeding Business Day and such extension of time shall not be reflected in computing interest or fees, as the case may be.
“Canadian Securitization Entity” means WTH Funding Limited Partnership, an Ontario limited partnership, any other special purpose entity formed for the purpose of engaging in vehicle financing in Canada including, without limitation, any other partnership formed from time to time and each of the special purpose entities that may be partners in WTH Funding Limited Partnership or in any other such partnerships, and any successor of the foregoing.
“Capital Stock” of any Person means any and all shares of, rights to purchase or acquire, warrants, options or depositary receipts for, or other equivalents of or partnership or other interests in (however designated), equity of such Person, including any Preferred Stock, but excluding any debt securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, such equity.
“Captive Insurance Subsidiary” means (i) any Subsidiary of the Company operating for the purpose of (a) insuring the businesses, operations or properties owned or operated by the Parent Entity, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, including their future, present or former employee, director, officer, manager, contractor, consultant or advisor (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members), and related benefits and/or (b) conducting any activities or business incidental thereto (it being understood and agreed that activities which are relevant or appropriate to qualify as an insurance company for U.S. federal or state tax purposes shall be considered “activities or business incidental thereto”) or (ii) any Subsidiary of any such insurance subsidiary operating for the same purpose described in clause (i) above.
“Cash Equivalents” means:
(1) (a) U.S. Dollars, Canadian dollars, pounds sterling, yen, Euro or any national currency of any member state of the European Union; or (b) any other foreign currency held by the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;
(2) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States or Canadian, United Kingdom or Japanese governments, a member state of the European Union or, in each case, or any agency or instrumentality of the foregoing (provided that the full faith and credit obligation of such country or such member state is pledged in support thereof), having maturities of not more than two years from the date of acquisition;
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(3) certificates of deposit, time deposits, eurodollar time deposits, overnight bank deposits or bankers’ acceptances having maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition thereof issued by (a) any lender under the Credit Agreement, or (b) any lender or by any bank, trust company or other financial institution (i) whose commercial paper is rated at least “A-2” or the equivalent thereof by S&P or at least “P-2” or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s (or if at the time neither is issuing comparable ratings, then a comparable rating of another Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization) or (ii) (in the event that the bank or trust company does not have commercial paper which is rated) having combined capital and surplus in excess of $250.0 million;
(4) repurchase obligations for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (2), (3) and (7) entered into with any bank meeting the qualifications specified in clause (3) above;
(5) commercial paper rated at least (A) “A-1” or higher by S&P or “P-1” or higher by Moody’s (or, if at the time, neither is issuing comparable ratings, then a comparable rating of another Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization selected by the Company) maturing within two years after the date of creation thereof or (B) “A-2” or higher by S&P or “P-2” or higher by Moody’s (or, if at the time, neither is issuing comparable ratings, then a comparable rating of another Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization selected by the Company) maturing within one year after the date of creation thereof, or, in each case, if no rating is available in respect of the commercial paper, the issuer of which has an equivalent rating in respect of its long-term debt;
(6) marketable short-term money market and similar securities having a rating of at least “P-2” or “A-2” from either S&P or Moody’s, respectively (or, if at the time, neither is issuing comparable ratings, then a comparable rating of another Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization selected by the Company), and in each case maturing within 24 months after the date of creation or acquisition thereof;
(7) readily marketable direct obligations issued by any state, province, commonwealth or territory of the United States of America or any political subdivision, taxing authority or agency or instrumentality thereof, in each case, having one of the two highest ratings categories by S&P or Moody’s (or, if at the time, neither is issuing comparable ratings, then a comparable rating from another Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization selected by the Company) with maturities of not more than two years from the date of acquisition;
(8) readily marketable direct obligations issued by any foreign government or any political subdivision, taxing authority or agency or instrumentality thereof, in each case, having one of the two highest ratings categories obtainable by S&P or Moody’s (or, if at the time, neither is issuing comparable ratings, then a comparable rating from another Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization selected by the Company) with maturities of not more than two years from the date of acquisition;
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(9) Investments with average maturities of 12 months or less from the date of acquisition in money market funds rated within the three highest ratings categories by S&P or Moody’s (or, if at the time, neither is issuing comparable ratings, then a comparable rating of another Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization selected by the Company);
(10) with respect to any Foreign Subsidiary: (i) obligations of the national government of the country in which such Foreign Subsidiary maintains its chief executive office and principal place of business provided such country is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, in each case maturing within one year after the date of investment therein, (ii) certificates of deposit of, banker’s acceptance of, or time deposits with, any commercial bank which is organized and existing under the laws of the country in which such Foreign Subsidiary maintains its chief executive office and principal place of business provided such country is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and whose short-term commercial paper rating from S&P is at least “A-1” or the equivalent thereof or from Moody’s is at least “P-1” or the equivalent thereof (any such bank being an “Approved Foreign Bank”), and in each case with maturities of not more than 270 days from the date of acquisition and (iii) the equivalent of demand deposit accounts which are maintained with an Approved Foreign Bank;
(11) Indebtedness or Preferred Stock issued by Persons with a rating of (i) “A” or higher from S&P or “A-2” or higher from Moody’s (or, if at the time, neither is issuing comparable ratings, then a comparable rating of another Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization selected by the Company) with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition, or (ii) “A-” or higher from S&P or “A-3” or higher from Moody’s (or, if at the time, neither is issuing comparable ratings, then a comparable rating of another Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization selected by the Company) with maturities of 12 months or less from the date of acquisition;
(12) bills of exchange issued in the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom, a member state of the European Union or Japan eligible for rediscount at the relevant central bank and accepted by a bank (or any dematerialized equivalent);
(13) Cash Equivalents or instruments similar to those referred to in clauses (1) through (12) above denominated in Dollars or any Alternative Currency;
(14) interests in any investment company, money market, enhanced high yield fund or other investment fund which invests 90% or more of its assets in instruments of the types specified in clauses (1) through (13) above; and
(15) for purposes of clause (2) of the definition of “Asset Disposition,” any marketable securities portfolio owned by the Company and its Subsidiaries on the Issue Date.
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In the case of Investments by any Foreign Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary or Investments made in a country outside the United States of America, Cash Equivalents shall also include (a) investments of the type and maturity described in clauses (1) through (8) and clauses (10), (11), (12) and (13) in this definition of foreign obligors, which Investments or obligors (or the parents of such obligors) have ratings described in such clauses or equivalent ratings from comparable foreign rating agencies and (b) other short-term investments utilized by Foreign Subsidiaries that are Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with normal investment practices for cash management in investments analogous to the foregoing investments in clauses (1) through (13) and in this definition. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Cash Equivalents shall include amounts denominated in currencies other than those set forth in clause (1) above; provided that such amounts are converted into any currency listed in clause (1) as promptly as practicable and in any event within 10 Business Days following the receipt of such amounts. For the avoidance of doubt, any items identified as Cash Equivalents under this definition (other than clause (15) in this definition) will be deemed to be Cash Equivalents for all purposes under this Indenture regardless of the treatment of such items under GAAP.
“Cash Management Services” means any of the following to the extent not constituting a line of credit (other than an overnight draft facility that is not in default): automated clearing house transfers of funds, treasury, depository, credit or debit card, purchasing card and/or cash management services, including controlled disbursement services, overdraft facilities, foreign exchange facilities, deposit and other accounts and merchant services.
“Change of Control” means:
(1) the Company or the Issuer becomes aware of (by way of a report or any other filing pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, proxy, vote, written notice or otherwise) any “person” or “group” of related persons (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the Issue Date), other than one or more Permitted Holders, is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act as in effect on the Issue Date), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company or the Issuer other than in connection with any transaction or series of transactions in which the Company or the Issuer shall become the wholly owned Subsidiary of a Parent Entity of which no person or group, as noted above, holds more than 50% of the total voting power (other than a Permitted Holder); or
(2) the sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger, consolidation or other business combination transaction), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole to a Person, other than a Restricted Subsidiary or one or more Permitted Holders.
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“Change of Control Repurchase Event” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Ratings Event.
“Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking, Société anonyme, or any successor securities clearing agency.
“Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Common Depositary” means Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch.
“Company” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the recitals to this Indenture.
“Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the total amount of depreciation and amortization expense and capitalized fees, including the amortization or write-off of (i) intangible assets and non-cash organizational costs, (ii) deferred financing and debt issuance fees, costs and expenses and (iii) capitalized expenditures, customer acquisition costs and incentive payments, media development costs, conversion costs and contract acquisition costs, the amortization of original issue discount resulting from the issuance of Indebtedness at less than par and amortization of favorable or unfavorable lease assets or liabilities, of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period on a consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP and any write-down of assets or asset value carried on the balance sheet.
“Consolidated EBITDA” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period:
(1) increased (without duplication) by:
(a) provision for taxes based on income or profits or capital, including, without limitation, federal, state, provincial, local, foreign, unitary, excise, property, franchise and similar taxes and foreign withholding taxes (including any future taxes or other levies which replace or are intended to be in lieu of such taxes and any penalties and interest related to such taxes or arising from tax examinations) and similar taxes of such Person paid or accrued during such period, including any penalties and interest relating to any tax examinations, deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus
(b) Fixed Charges and any Special Purpose Financing Fees of such Person for such period (including (x) net losses on any Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments entered into for the purpose of hedging interest rate, currency or commodities risk, (y) bank fees and (z) costs of surety bonds in connection with financing activities, plus amounts excluded from the definition of “Consolidated Interest Expense” pursuant to clauses (s) through (z) in clause (1) thereof), in each case to the extent the same were deducted (and not added back) in calculating such Consolidated Net Income; plus
(c) Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense of such Person (excluding Consolidated Vehicle Depreciation) for such period to the extent the same were deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus
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(d) any expenses or charges (other than depreciation or amortization expense) related to any actual, proposed or contemplated Equity Offering, Permitted Investment, acquisition, disposition, recapitalization or the incurrence of Indebtedness permitted to be incurred by this Indenture (including a refinancing thereof) (whether or not successful), including (i) such fees, expenses or charges related to the offering of the Notes, the Credit Agreement, any other Credit Facilities and any Special Purpose Financing Fees, and (ii) any amendment, waiver or other modification of the Notes, the Credit Agreement, receivables facilities, any other Credit Facilities, any Special Purpose Financing Fees, any other Indebtedness permitted to be Incurred under this Indenture or any Equity Offering, in each case, whether or not consummated, to the extent the same were deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus
(e) (i) the amount of any restructuring charge, accrual or reserve (and adjustments to existing reserves), integration cost or other business optimization expense or cost (including charges directly related to the implementation of cost-savings initiatives and tax restructurings) that is deducted (and not added back) in such period in computing Consolidated Net Income, including any one-time costs incurred in connection with acquisitions or divestitures after the Issue Date (whether or not successful), any severance, retention, signing bonuses, relocation, recruiting and other employee related costs, costs in respect of curtailments or modifications to pension and post-retirement employment benefit plans (including any settlement of pension liabilities) and new product introductions (including labor costs, scrap costs and lower absorption of costs, including due to decreased productivity and greater inefficiencies), systems development and establishment costs, operational and reporting systems, technology initiatives, future lease commitments and costs related to the opening and closure and/or consolidation of facilities (including severance, rent termination, moving and legal costs) and to exiting lines of business and consulting fees incurred with any of the foregoing and (ii) fees, costs and expenses associated with acquisition related litigation and settlements thereof; plus
(f) any other non-cash charges, write-downs, expenses, losses or items reducing Consolidated Net Income for such period including any impairment charges or the impact of purchase accounting (excluding any such non-cash charge, write-down or item to the extent it represents an accrual or reserve for a cash expenditure for a future period) or other items classified by the Company as special items less other non-cash items of income increasing Consolidated Net Income (excluding any such non-cash item of income to the extent it represents a receipt of cash in any future period); plus
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(g) the amount of any non-controlling interest or minority interest expense consisting of Subsidiary income attributable to minority equity interests of third parties in any non-wholly owned Subsidiary; plus
(h) the amount of “run-rate” cost savings, operating expense reductions, other operating improvements and initiatives and synergies projected by the Company in good faith to be realizable or for which a plan for realization shall have been established within 24 months of the date thereof, in connection with any Permitted Investment, restructuring initiative, business optimization, cost savings initiative or similar action (including from any actions taken in whole or in part prior to such date), which will be added to Consolidated EBITDA as so projected until fully realized and calculated on a pro forma basis as though such cost savings, operating expense reductions, other operating improvements and initiatives and synergies had been realized on the first day of such period, net of the amount of actual benefits realized prior to or during such period from such actions; provided that the amount of such cost savings added back shall not exceed 20% of the Consolidated EBITDA in such period; and provided, further, that such cost savings are reasonably identifiable and the result of specified actions taken or initiated or to which substantial steps have been taken or initiated or are expected to be taken or initiated (all in the good faith determination of the Company); plus
(i) any costs or expense incurred by any Parent Entity, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement, to the extent that such cost or expenses are funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of any Parent Entity or the Company or net cash proceeds of an issuance of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of any Parent Entity or the Company solely to the extent that such net cash proceeds are excluded from the calculation set forth in Section 3.3(a)(iii) hereof; plus
(j) rent expense as determined in accordance with GAAP not actually paid in cash during such period (net of rent expense paid in cash during such period over and above rent expense as determined in accordance with GAAP); plus
(k) cash receipts (or any netting arrangements resulting in reduced cash expenditures) not representing Consolidated EBITDA or Consolidated Net Income in any period to the extent non-cash gains relating to such income were deducted in the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to clause (2) below for any previous period and not added back; plus
(l) realized foreign exchange losses resulting from the impact of foreign currency changes on the valuation of assets or liabilities on the balance sheet of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; plus
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(m) net realized losses from Hedging Obligations or embedded derivatives that require similar accounting treatment and the application of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 815 and related pronouncements; plus
(n) cost related to the implementation of operational and reporting systems and technology initiatives; plus
(o) the amount of loss on sale of Vehicles or receivables and related assets to a Special Purpose Entity in connection with a Special Purpose Financing; plus
(p) with respect to any joint venture, an amount equal to the proportion of those items described in clauses (a) and (c) above relating to such joint venture corresponding to the Company’s and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ proportionate share of such joint venture’s Consolidated Net Income (determined as if such joint venture were a Restricted Subsidiary) to the extent deducted (and not added back) in calculating Consolidated Net Income; plus
(q) any net loss included in the consolidated financial statements due to the application of Financial Accounting Standards No. 160 “Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements” (“FAS 160”); and
(2) decreased (without duplication) by: (a) non-cash gains increasing Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period, excluding any non-cash gains to the extent they represent the reversal of an accrual or reserve for a potential cash item that reduced Consolidated EBITDA in any prior period and any non-cash gains with respect to cash actually received in a prior period so long as such cash did not increase Consolidated EBITDA in such prior period; plus (b) realized foreign exchange income or gains resulting from the impact of foreign currency changes on the valuation of assets or liabilities on the balance sheet of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; plus (c) any net realized income or gains from Hedging Obligations or embedded derivatives that require similar accounting treatment and the application of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 815 and related pronouncements; plus (d) any net income included in Consolidated Net Income attributable to non-controlling interests pursuant to the application of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 810; and
(3) increased or decreased (without duplication) by, as applicable, any adjustments resulting from the application of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 460 or any comparable regulation.
For purposes of testing the covenants under this Indenture in connection with any transaction, the Consolidated EBITDA of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall be adjusted to reflect such pro forma adjustments as are appropriate and consistent with the pro forma adjustment provisions set forth in the definition of “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.”
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“Consolidated Interest Expense” means, with respect to any Person for any period, without duplication, the sum of:
(1) consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent such expense was deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income (including (a) amortization of original issue discount or premium resulting from the issuance of Indebtedness at less than par, (b) all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit or bankers acceptances, (c) non-cash interest payments (but excluding any non-cash interest expense attributable to the movement in the mark-to-market valuation of any Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments pursuant to GAAP), (d) the interest component of Finance Lease Obligations, and (e) net payments, if any, pursuant to interest rate Hedging Obligations with respect to Indebtedness, and excluding (s) penalties and interest relating to taxes, (t) any additional cash interest owing pursuant to any registration rights agreement, (u) accretion or accrual of discounted liabilities other than Indebtedness, (v) any expense resulting from the discounting of any Indebtedness in connection with the application of purchase accounting in connection with any acquisition, (w) amortization of deferred financing fees, debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses, (x) any expensing of bridge, commitment and other financing fees and (y) interest with respect to Indebtedness of any parent of such Person appearing upon the balance sheet of such Person solely by reason of push-down accounting under GAAP, and (z) Consolidated Vehicle Interest Expense); less
(2) interest income for such period; provided that, notwithstanding the definition of “Consolidated Vehicle Interest Expense,” “Consolidated Interest Expense” shall include the interest expense in respect of Indebtedness that is secured by Liens incurred pursuant to clause (32) of the definition of “Permitted Liens.”
For purposes of this definition, interest on a Finance Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by such Person to be the rate of interest implicit in such Finance Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP.
“Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the net income (loss) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period determined on a consolidated basis on the basis of GAAP; provided, however, that there will not be included in such Consolidated Net Income:
(1) any net income (loss) of any Person if such Person is not a Restricted Subsidiary, except that the Company’s equity in the net income of any such Person for such period will be included in such Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash or Cash Equivalents actually distributed or that (as reasonably determined by an Officer of the Company) could have been distributed by such Person during such period to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution or return on investment (subject, in the case of a dividend or other distribution or return on investment to a Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitations contained in clause (2) below);
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(2) solely for the purpose of determining the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 3.3(a)(iii)(B) hereof, any net income (loss) of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than the Subsidiary Guarantors) if such Subsidiary is subject to restrictions, directly or indirectly, on the payment of dividends or the making of distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor by operation of the terms of such Restricted Subsidiary’s articles, charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute or governmental rule or regulation applicable to such Restricted Subsidiary or its shareholders (other than (a) restrictions that have been waived or otherwise released, (b) restrictions pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Notes, or this Indenture, (c) restrictions in effect on the Issue Date with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary and other restrictions with respect to such Restricted Subsidiary that taken as a whole are not materially less favorable to holders of Notes than such restrictions in effect on the Issue Date, and (d) any encumbrance or restriction arising pursuant to an agreement or instrument relating to any Indebtedness Incurred subsequent to the Issue Date and the encumbrances and restrictions contained in any such agreement or instrument taken as a whole are not materially less favorable to the Holders than the encumbrances and restrictions contained in the Credit Agreement, together with the security documents associated therewith as in effect on the Issue Date), except that the Company’s equity in the net income of any such Restricted Subsidiary for such period will be included in such Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash or Cash Equivalents actually distributed or that could have been distributed by such Restricted Subsidiary during such period to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution (subject, in the case of a dividend to another Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitation contained in this clause);
(3) any net gain (or loss) realized upon the sale or other disposition of any asset (including pursuant to any Sale and Leaseback Transaction) or disposed operations of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiaries which is not sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business (as determined in good faith by an Officer or the Board of Directors of the Company);
(4) any extraordinary, exceptional, unusual or non-recurring gain, loss, charge or expense, including any restructuring costs, charges or reserves (whether or not classified as restructuring expense on the consolidated financial statements), relocation costs, integration and facilities’ or bases’ opening costs, facility consolidation and closing costs, severance costs and expenses, costs relating to pre-opening, opening and conversion costs for facilities, losses, costs or cost inefficiencies related to facility or property disruptions or shutdowns, signing, retention and completion bonuses, recruiting costs, costs incurred in connection with any cost savings initiatives, transition costs, contract terminations, litigation and arbitration fees, costs and charges, expenses in connection with one-time rate changes, management transition costs, losses associated with temporary decreases in work volume and expenses related to maintain underutilized personnel and non-recurring product and intellectual property development, other business optimization expenses or reserves (including costs and expenses relating to business optimization programs and new systems design and costs or reserves associated
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with improvements to IT and accounting functions), retention charges (including charges or expenses in respect of incentive plans), system establishment costs and implementation costs and operating expenses attributable to the implementation of cost-savings initiatives, and curtailments or modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefit plans (including any settlement of pension liabilities and charges resulting from changes in estimates, valuations and judgments) and professional, legal, accounting, consulting and other service fees incurred with any of the foregoing;
(5) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles;
(6) any (i) non-cash compensation charge or expense arising from any grant of stock, stock options or other equity based awards and any non-cash deemed finance charges in respect of any pension liabilities or other provisions and (ii) income (loss) attributable to deferred compensation plans or trusts;
(7) all deferred financing costs written off and premiums paid or other expenses incurred in connection with any early extinguishment of Indebtedness and any net gain (loss) from any write-off or forgiveness of Indebtedness;
(8) any unrealized gains or losses in respect of any Hedging Obligations or any ineffectiveness recognized in earnings related to qualifying hedge transactions or the fair value of changes therein recognized in earnings for derivatives that do not qualify as hedge transactions, in each case, in respect of any Hedging Obligations;
(9) any unrealized foreign currency translation or transaction gains or losses in respect of Indebtedness of any Person denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of such Person and any unrealized foreign exchange gains or losses relating to translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies;
(10) any unrealized gain or loss (after any offset) resulting in such period from currency translation increases or decreases or transaction gains or losses, including those related to currency remeasurements of Indebtedness (including any net loss or gain resulting from Hedging Obligations for currency risk), intercompany balances, other balance sheet items, Hedging Obligations or other obligations of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and any other unrealized gains or losses relating to translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies;
(11) any purchase accounting effects including adjustments to inventory, property and equipment, software and other intangible assets and deferred revenue in component amounts required or permitted by GAAP and related authoritative pronouncements (including the effects of such adjustments pushed down to the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries), as a result of any consummated acquisition, or the amortization or write-off of any amounts thereof (including any write-off of in process research and development);
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(12) any goodwill or other intangible asset impairment charge or write-off;
(13) any after-tax effect of income (loss) from the early extinguishment or cancellation of Indebtedness or any Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments;
(14) accruals and reserves that are established or adjusted within twelve (12) months after the Issue Date that are so required to be established or adjusted as a result of the Transactions in accordance with GAAP;
(15) any net unrealized gains and losses resulting from Hedging Obligations or embedded derivatives that require similar accounting treatment and the application of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 815 and related pronouncements; and
(16) any deferred tax expense associated with tax deductions or net operating losses arising as a result of the Transactions, or the release of any valuation allowances related to such item.
In addition, to the extent not already excluded (or included, as applicable) in the Consolidated Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, Consolidated Net Income shall be increased by the amount of: (i) any expenses, charges or losses that are reimbursed by indemnification or other reimbursement provisions in connection with any investment or any sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of assets permitted hereunder, or, so long as the Company has made a determination that there exists reasonable evidence that such amount will in fact be reimbursed within 365 days of the date of such evidence (net of any amount so added back in a prior period to the extent not so reimbursed within the applicable 365-day period) and (ii) to the extent covered by insurance (including business interruption insurance) and actually reimbursed, or, so long as the Company has made a determination that there exists reasonable evidence that such amount will in fact be reimbursed by the insurer and only to the extent that such amount is in fact reimbursed within 365 days of the date of such evidence (net of any amount so added back in a prior period to the extent not so reimbursed within the applicable 365-day period), expenses, charges or losses with respect to liability or casualty events or business interruption.
“Consolidated Total Indebtedness” means, as of any date of determination, (a) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Indebtedness for borrowed money (other than Permitted Vehicle Indebtedness or Indebtedness with respect to Cash Management Services) of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding on such date minus (b) the aggregate amount of cash and Cash Equivalents included on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the end of the most recent fiscal period for which consolidated financial statements are available (which may, at the Company’s election, be internal financial statements) with such pro forma adjustments as are consistent with the pro forma adjustments set forth in the definition of “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” and as determined in good faith by the Company.
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“Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (x) Consolidated Total Indebtedness as of such date to (y) the aggregate amount of Consolidated EBITDA for the period of the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters ending prior to the date of such determination for which consolidated financial statements of the Company are available (which may, at the Company’s election, be internal financial statements), in each case with such pro forma adjustments as are consistent with the pro forma adjustments set forth in the definition of “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.”
“Consolidated Total Secured Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (x) Consolidated Total Indebtedness secured by a Lien as of such date to (y) the aggregate amount of Consolidated EBITDA for the period of the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters ending prior to the date of such determination for which consolidated financial statements of the Company are available (which may, at the Company’s election, be internal financial statements), in each case with such pro forma adjustments as are consistent with the pro forma adjustments set forth in the definition of “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.”
“Consolidated Vehicle Depreciation” means, for any period, depreciation on all Rental Vehicles (after adjustments thereto), to the extent deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income for such period.
“Consolidated Vehicle Interest Expense” means, for any period, the sum of (a) the aggregate interest expense for such period on any Indebtedness (including costs associated with letters of credit related to such Indebtedness) of any Special Purpose Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary directly or indirectly Incurred to finance or refinance the acquisition of, or secured by, Rental Vehicles and/or related rights and/or assets plus (b) either (x) the aggregate interest expense for such period on other Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries that is attributable to the financing or refinancing of Rental Vehicles and/or any related rights and/or assets, as determined in good faith by the Company (which determination shall be conclusive) or, at the Company’s option, (y) an amount of the total interest expense of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period equal to (i) the Average Interest Rate for such period multiplied by (ii) the amount equal to (1) 90% of the Average Book Value for such period of Rental Vehicles of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries minus (2) the Average Principal Amount for such period of any Indebtedness of any Special Purpose Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary directly or indirectly Incurred to finance or refinance the acquisition of, or secured by, Rental Vehicles and/or related rights and/or assets.
“Contingent Obligations” means, with respect to any Person, any obligation of such Person guaranteeing in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, any operating lease, dividend or other obligation that does not constitute Indebtedness (“primary obligations”) of any other Person (the “primary obligor”), including any obligation of such Person, whether or not contingent:
(1) to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor;
(2) to advance or supply funds:
(a) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation; or
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(b) to maintain the working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor; or
(3) to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof.
“Controlled Investment Affiliate” means, as to any Person, any other Person, which directly or indirectly is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person and is organized by such Person (or any Person controlling such Person) primarily for making direct or indirect equity or debt investments in the Company and/or other companies.
“Credit Agreement” means the sixth amended and restated senior secured credit facilities, dated as of July 9, 2021, entered into by the Company, as borrower, certain of its subsidiaries, as subsidiary borrowers, Direct Parent and Indirect Parent, with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto from time to time, and in each case any Loan Documents (as defined therein), together with the related documents thereto (including the revolving loans thereunder, any letters of credit and reimbursement obligations related thereto, any guarantees and security documents), as amended, extended, supplemented, waived, renewed, restated, refunded, replaced, refinanced, restructured, supplemented, modified or otherwise changed (in whole or in part, and without limitation as to amount, terms, conditions, covenants and other provisions) from time to time, and any one or more agreements (and related documents) governing Indebtedness, including indentures, incurred to refinance, substitute, supplement, replace or add to (including increasing the amount available for borrowing, changing the maturity of any Indebtedness Incurred thereunder or contemplated thereby, or adding or removing any Person as a borrower, issuer or guarantor thereunder, in whole or in part), the borrowings and commitments then outstanding or permitted to be outstanding under such Credit Agreement or one or more successors to the Credit Agreement or one or more new credit agreements.
“Credit Facility” means, with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, one or more debt facilities, indentures or other arrangements (including the Credit Agreement or commercial paper facilities and overdraft facilities) with banks, other financial institutions or investors providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, notes, receivables or fleet financing (including through the sale of receivables or fleet assets to such institutions or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such institutions against such receivables or fleet assets or the creation of any Liens in respect of such receivables or fleet assets in favor of such institutions), letters of credit or other Indebtedness, in each case including all agreements, instruments and documents executed and delivered pursuant to or in connection with the foregoing (including any notes and letters of credit issued pursuant thereto and any guarantee and collateral agreement, copyright, patent or trademark security agreement, mortgages or letter of credit applications and other guarantees, pledges, agreements, security agreements and collateral documents) and in each case as amended, restated, modified, supplemented, renewed, refunded, replaced, restructured, refinanced, repaid, increased or extended in whole or in part from time to time (and whether in whole or in part and whether or not with the original administrative agent and lenders
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or another administrative agent or agents or other banks or institutions and whether provided under the original Credit Facility or one or more other credit or other agreements, indentures, financing agreements or otherwise). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the term “Credit Facility” shall include any agreement or instrument (1) changing the maturity of any Indebtedness Incurred thereunder or contemplated thereby, (2) adding Subsidiaries of the Company as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder, (3) increasing the amount of Indebtedness Incurred thereunder or available to be borrowed thereunder or (4) otherwise altering the terms and conditions thereof.
“Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, custodian or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
“Default” means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default; provided that any Default that results solely from the taking of an action that would have been permitted but for the continuation of a previous Default will be deemed to be cured if such previous Default is cured prior to becoming an Event of Default.
“Definitive Notes” means certificated Notes.
“Depositary” means any of Euroclear, Clearstream and their respective nominees and successors, acting through itself or the Common Depositary.
“Delaware Divided LLC” means any Delaware LLC which has been formed upon the consummation of a Delaware LLC Division.
“Delaware LLC” means any limited liability company organized or formed under the laws of the State of Delaware.
“Delaware LLC Division” means the statutory division of any Delaware LLC into two or more Delaware LLCs pursuant to Section 18-217 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act.
“Derivative Instrument” with respect to a Person, means any contract, instrument or other right to receive payment or delivery of cash or other assets to which such Person or any Affiliate of such Person that is acting in concert with such Person in connection with such Person’s investment in the Notes (other than a Screened Affiliate) is a party (whether or not requiring further performance by such Person), the value and/or cash flows of which (or any material portion thereof) are materially affected by the value and/or performance of the Notes and/or the creditworthiness of the Company and/or any one or more of the Guarantors (the “Performance References”).
“Designated Non-Cash Consideration” means the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Company) of non-cash consideration received by the Company or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Disposition that is so designated as Designated Non-Cash Consideration pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate, setting forth the basis of such valuation, less the amount of cash or Cash Equivalents received in connection with a
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subsequent payment, redemption, retirement, sale or other disposition of such Designated Non-Cash Consideration. A particular item of Designated Non-Cash Consideration will no longer be considered to be outstanding when and to the extent it has been paid, redeemed or otherwise retired or sold or otherwise disposed of in compliance with Section 3.5.
“Designated Preferred Stock” means, with respect to the Company or a Parent Entity, Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) (a) that is issued for cash (other than to the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Company or any such Subsidiary for the benefit of their employees to the extent funded by the Company or such Subsidiary) and (b) that is designated as “Designated Preferred Stock” pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate of the Company at or prior to the issuance thereof, the Net Cash Proceeds of which are excluded from the calculation set forth in Section 3.3(a)(iii)(C).
“Direct Parent” means Avis Budget Holdings, LLC, a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware.
“Disqualified Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock of such Person which by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable) or upon the happening of any event:
(1) matures or is mandatorily redeemable for cash or in exchange for Indebtedness pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise; or
(2) is or may become (in accordance with its terms) upon the occurrence of certain events or otherwise redeemable or repurchasable for cash or in exchange for Indebtedness at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock in whole or in part,
in each case on or prior to the earlier of (a) the Stated Maturity of the Notes or (b) the date on which there are no Notes outstanding; provided, however, that (i) only the portion of Capital Stock which so matures or is mandatorily redeemable, is so convertible or exchangeable or is so redeemable at the option of the holder thereof prior to such date will be deemed to be Disqualified Stock and (ii) any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders thereof have the right to require such Person to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of control or asset sale (howsoever defined or referred to) shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if any such redemption or repurchase obligation is subject to compliance by the relevant Person with Section 3.3 hereof; provided, however, that if such Capital Stock is issued to any future, current or former employee, director, officer, manager, contractor, consultant or advisor (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) (excluding the Permitted Holders (but not excluding any future, current or former employee, director, officer, manager, contractor, consultant or advisor) or Immediate Family Members), of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, any Parent Entity or any other entity in which the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary has an Investment and is designated in good faith as an “affiliate” by the Board of Directors (or the compensation committee thereof) or any other plan for the benefit of current, former or future employees (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) of the
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Company or its Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members), such Capital Stock shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by the Company or its Subsidiaries in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations.
“Dollars” or “$” means the lawful money of the United States of America.
“Domestic Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person other than a Foreign Subsidiary.
“Equity Offering” means (x) a sale of Capital Stock of the Company or the Issuer (other than Disqualified Stock) other than offerings registered on Form S-8 (or any successor form) under the Securities Act or any similar offering in other jurisdictions, or (y) the sale of Capital Stock or other securities, the proceeds of which are contributed to the equity (other than through the issuance of Disqualified Stock or Designated Preferred Stock or through an Excluded Contribution) of the Company or the Issuer or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries.
“Euroclear” means Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System, or any successor securities clearing agency.
“Euros” or “€” means the lawful currency of the member states of the European Union that participate in the third stage of the European Economic and Monetary Union.
“Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder, as amended.
“Excluded Contribution” means Net Cash Proceeds or property or assets received by the Company as capital contributions to the equity (other than through the issuance of Disqualified Stock or Designated Preferred Stock) of the Company after the Issue Date or from the issuance or sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company for the benefit of their employees to the extent funded by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary) of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock or Designated Preferred Stock) of the Company.
“fair market value” may be conclusively established by means of an Officer’s Certificate or resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company setting out such fair market value as determined by such Officer or such Board of Directors in good faith.
“Finance Lease Obligations” means an obligation that is required to be classified and accounted for as a finance lease (and, for the avoidance of doubt, not a straight-line or operating lease) for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP. The amount of Indebtedness represented by such obligation will be the capitalized amount of such obligation at the time any determination thereof is to be made as determined in accordance with GAAP, and the Stated Maturity thereof will be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date such lease may be terminated without penalty; provided that all obligations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries that are or would be characterized as
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an operating lease as determined in accordance with GAAP as in effect on January 1, 2015 (whether or not such operating lease was in effect on such date) shall continue to be accounted for as an operating lease (and not as a Finance Lease Obligation) for purposes of this Indenture regardless of any change in GAAP following January 1, 2015 (that would otherwise require such obligation to be recharacterized as a Finance Lease Obligation).
“Financing Disposition” means any sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of, or creation or incurrence of any Lien on, property or assets by the Company or any Subsidiary thereof to or in favor of any Special Purpose Entity, or by any Special Purpose Subsidiary, in each case in connection with a financing by a Special Purpose Entity or in connection with the Incurrence by a Special Purpose Entity of Indebtedness or obligations to make payments to the obligor on Indebtedness, which may be secured by a Lien in respect of such property or assets.
“Fitch” means Fitch Ratings, Inc. or any of its successors or assigns that is a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization.
“Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means, with respect to any Person on any determination date, the ratio of Consolidated EBITDA of such Person for the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters ending immediately prior to such determination date for which consolidated financial statements are available (which may, at the Company’s election, be internal financial statements) to the Fixed Charges of such Person for four consecutive fiscal quarters. In the event that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary Incurs, assumes, Guarantees, redeems, defeases, retires or extinguishes any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness incurred under any revolving credit facility unless such Indebtedness has been permanently repaid and has not been replaced) or issues or redeems Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated but prior to or simultaneously with the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Calculation Date”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such Incurrence, assumption, Guarantee, redemption, defeasance, retirement or extinguishment of Indebtedness, or such issuance or redemption of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period; provided, however, that the pro forma calculation shall not give effect to any Indebtedness Incurred on such determination date.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in the event any Lien is incurred or other transaction is undertaken in reliance on any ratio based exceptions, thresholds and baskets, such ratio(s) shall be calculated with respect to such incurrence, issuance or other transaction without giving effect to amounts being utilized under any other exceptions, thresholds or baskets (other than ratio based baskets) on the same date. Each Lien incurred and each other transaction undertaken will be deemed to have been incurred, issued or taken first, to the extent available, pursuant to the relevant ratio based test.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in the event any Lien is incurred or other transaction is undertaken in reliance on any ratio based exceptions, thresholds and baskets, such ratio(s) shall be calculated without regard to the incurrence of any Indebtedness under any revolving facility or letter of credit facility (1) immediately prior to or in connection therewith or (2) used to finance working capital needs of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries.
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For purposes of making the computation referred to above, any Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations, operational changes, business expansions and disposed or discontinued operations that have been made by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to or simultaneously with the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Calculation Date shall be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming that all such Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations, operational changes, business expansions and disposed or discontinued operations (and the change in any associated fixed charge obligations and the change in Consolidated EBITDA resulting therefrom) had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period. If since the beginning of such period any Person that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged or amalgamated with or into the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries since the beginning of such period shall have made any Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, amalgamation, consolidation, operational change, business expansion or disposed or discontinued operation that would have required adjustment pursuant to this definition, then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, amalgamation, consolidation, operational change, business expansion or disposed or discontinued operation had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.
Notwithstanding anything in this definition to the contrary, when calculating the Consolidated Total Secured Leverage Ratio, the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio or the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, as applicable, in each case in connection with a Limited Condition Acquisition, the date of determination of such ratio and of any default or event of default blocker shall, at the option of the Company, be the date the definitive agreements for such Limited Condition Acquisition are entered into and such ratios shall be calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Limited Condition Acquisition and the other transactions to be entered into in connection therewith (including any incurrence of Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof) as if they occurred at the beginning of the four-quarter reference period, and, for the avoidance of doubt, (x) if any such ratios are exceeded as a result of fluctuations in such ratio (including due to fluctuations in Consolidated EBITDA of the Company or the target company) at or prior to the consummation of the relevant Limited Condition Acquisition, such ratios will not be deemed to have been exceeded as a result of such fluctuations solely for purposes of determining whether the Limited Condition Acquisition is permitted hereunder and (y) such ratios shall not be tested at the time of consummation of such Limited Condition Acquisition or related transactions; provided, further, that if the Company elects to have such determinations occur at the time of entry into such definitive agreement, any such transaction shall be deemed to have occurred on the date the definitive agreements are entered and outstanding thereafter for purposes of subsequently calculating any ratios under this Indenture after the date of such agreement and before the consummation of such Limited Condition Acquisition and to the extent baskets were utilized in satisfying any covenants, such baskets shall be deemed utilized, but any calculation of Total Assets or Consolidated Net Income for purposes of other incurrences of Indebtedness or Liens or making of Restricted Payments (not related to such Limited Condition Acquisition) shall not reflect such Limited Condition Acquisition until it is closed.
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For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to a transaction, the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a responsible financial or chief accounting officer of the Company (including cost savings and synergies); provided that such cost savings are reasonably identifiable, reasonably attributable to the action specified and reasonably anticipated to result from such actions. If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligations applicable to such Indebtedness). Interest on a Finance Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Company to be the rate of interest implicit in such Finance Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of making the computation referred to above, interest on any Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility computed with a pro forma basis shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period except as set forth in the first paragraph of this definition. Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be determined to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as the Company may designate.
“Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum of:
(1) Consolidated Interest Expense of such Person for such period;
(2) all cash dividends or other distributions paid (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person during such period; and
(3) all cash dividends or other distributions paid (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Disqualified Stock during this period.
“Foreign Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary of such Person that is not organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, and any Subsidiary of such Subsidiary.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect on the date of any calculation or determination required hereunder. Except as otherwise set forth in this Indenture, all ratios and calculations based on GAAP contained in this Indenture shall be computed in accordance with GAAP as in effect on the Issue Date. At any time after the Issue Date, the Company may elect to establish that GAAP shall mean the GAAP as in effect on or prior to the date of such election; provided that any such election, once made, shall be irrevocable. At any time after the Issue Date, the Company may elect to apply IFRS accounting principles in lieu of GAAP and, upon any such election, references herein to GAAP shall thereafter be construed to mean IFRS (except as otherwise provided in this Indenture),
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including as to the ability of the Company to make an election pursuant to the previous sentence; provided that any such election, once made, shall be irrevocable; provided, further, that any calculation or determination in this Indenture that requires the application of GAAP for periods that include fiscal quarters ended prior to the Company’s election to apply IFRS shall remain as previously calculated or determined in accordance with GAAP; provided, further, again, that the Company may only make such election if it also elects to report any subsequent financial reports required to be made by the Company, including pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act and Section 3.10 herein in IFRS. The Company shall give notice of any such election made in accordance with this definition to the Trustee and the Holders.
If there occurs a change in IFRS or GAAP, as the case may be, and such change would cause a change in the method of calculation of any standards, terms or measures (including all computations of amounts and ratios) used in this Indenture (an “Accounting Change”), then the Company may elect that such standards, terms or measures shall be calculated as if such Accounting Change had or had not occurred.
“Governmental Authority” means any nation, sovereign or government, any state, province, territory or other political subdivision thereof, any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, administrative tribunal, central bank, stock exchange or other entity or authority exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory, self-regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government.
“Guarantee” means, any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person, including any such obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person:
(1) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreements to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise); or
(2) entered into primarily for purposes of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part),
provided, however, that the term “Guarantee” will not include (x) endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice and (y) standard contractual indemnities or product warranties provided in the ordinary course of business, and provided, further, that the amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be the lower of (i) an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of which such Guarantee is made and (ii) the maximum amount for which such guaranteeing Person may be liable pursuant to the terms of the instrument embodying such Guarantee or, if such Guarantee is not an unconditional guarantee of the entire amount of the primary obligation and such maximum amount is not stated or determinable, the amount of such guaranteeing Person’s maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by such Person in good faith.. The term “Guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.
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“Guarantor” means the Indirect Parent, the Direct Parent, the Company and each Restricted Subsidiary that Guarantees the Notes, in each case until such Guarantee is released in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.
“Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of such Person under any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, commodity swap agreement, commodity cap agreement, commodity collar agreement, foreign exchange contracts, currency swap agreement or similar agreement providing for the transfer or mitigation of interest rate, commodity price or currency risks either generally or under specific contingencies.
“Holder” means each Person in whose name the Notes are registered on the Registrar’s books, which shall initially be the respective nominee of Euroclear and Clearstream.
“IAI” means an institutional “accredited investor” as described in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act.
“IFRS” means the international financial reporting standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board as in effect from time to time.
“Immaterial Subsidiary” means, at any date of determination, each Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (other than the Issuer) that (i) has not guaranteed any other Indebtedness of the Company and (ii) has Total Assets together with all other Immaterial Subsidiaries (other than Foreign Subsidiaries and Unrestricted Subsidiaries) (as determined in accordance with GAAP) and Consolidated EBITDA together with all Immaterial Subsidiaries (other than Foreign Subsidiaries and Unrestricted Subsidiaries) (as determined in accordance with the definition of Consolidated EBITDA herein) of less than 5.0% of the Company’s Total Assets and Consolidated EBITDA (measured, in the case of Total Assets, at the end of the most recent fiscal period for which consolidated financial statements are available (which may, at the Company’s election, be internal financial statements) and, in the case of Consolidated EBITDA, for the most recently ended four consecutive fiscal quarters ended for which consolidated financial statements are available (which may, at the Company’s election, be internal financial statements), in each case measured on a pro forma basis giving effect to any acquisitions or dispositions of companies, division or lines of business since such balance sheet date or the start of such four quarter period, as applicable, and on or prior to the date of acquisition of such Subsidiary).
“Immediate Family Members” means, with respect to any individual, such individual’s child, stepchild, grandchild or more remote descendant, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, qualified domestic partner, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law and daughter-in-law (including adoptive relationships, the estate of such individual and such other individuals above) and any trust, partnership or other bona fide estate-planning vehicle the only beneficiaries of which are any of the foregoing individuals or any private foundation or fund that is controlled by any of the foregoing individuals or any donor-advised fund of which any such individual is the donor.
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“Incur” means issue, create, assume, enter into any Guarantee of, incur, extend or otherwise become liable for; provided, however, that any Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (whether by merger, amalgamation, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) will be deemed to be Incurred by such Restricted Subsidiary at the time it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; and the terms “Incurred” and “Incurrence” have meanings correlative to the foregoing, and any Indebtedness pursuant to any revolving credit or similar facility shall only be “Incurred” at the time any funds are borrowed thereunder.
“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person on any date of determination (without duplication):
(1) the principal of indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money;
(2) the principal of obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments;
(3) all reimbursement obligations of such Person in respect of letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or other similar instruments (the amount of such obligations being equal at any time to the aggregate then undrawn and unexpired amount of such letters of credit or other instruments plus the aggregate amount of drawings thereunder that have not been reimbursed) (except to the extent such reimbursement obligations relate to trade payables and such obligations are satisfied within 30 days of Incurrence);
(4) the principal component of all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price of property (except trade payables or similar obligations, including accrued expenses owed to a trade creditor), which purchase price is due more than one year after the date of placing such property in service or taking final delivery and title thereto;
(5) Finance Lease Obligations of such Person;
(6) the principal component of all obligations, or liquidation preference, of such Person with respect to any Disqualified Stock or, with respect to any Restricted Subsidiary, any Preferred Stock (but excluding, in each case, any accrued dividends);
(7) the principal component of all Indebtedness of other Persons secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person; provided, however, that the amount of such Indebtedness will be the lesser of (a) the fair market value of such asset at such date of determination (as determined in good faith by the Company) and (b) the amount of such Indebtedness of such other Persons;
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(8) Guarantees by such Person of the principal component of Indebtedness of other Persons to the extent Guaranteed by such Person; and
(9) to the extent not otherwise included in this definition, net obligations of such Person under Hedging Obligations (the amount of any such obligations to be equal at any time to the net payments under such agreement or arrangement giving rise to such obligation that would be payable by such Person at the termination of such agreement or arrangement);
with respect to clauses (1), (2), (4) and (5) above, if and to the extent that any of the foregoing Indebtedness (other than letters of credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP; provided that Indebtedness of any Parent Entity appearing upon the balance sheet of the Company solely by reason of push-down accounting under GAAP shall be excluded.
The term “Indebtedness” shall not include any lease, concession or license of property (or Guarantee thereof) which would be considered an operating lease pursuant to the proviso to the definition of “Finance Lease Obligations,” any prepayments of deposits received from clients or customers in the ordinary course of business, or obligations under any license, permit or other approval (or Guarantees given in respect of such obligations) Incurred prior to the Issue Date or in the ordinary course of business.
The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any time in the case of a revolving credit or similar facility shall be the total amount of funds borrowed and then outstanding. The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date shall be (a) the accreted value thereof in the case of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount and (b) the principal amount of Indebtedness, or liquidation preference thereof, in the case of any other Indebtedness. Indebtedness shall be calculated without giving effect to the effects of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 815 and related interpretations to the extent such effects would otherwise increase or decrease an amount of Indebtedness for any purpose under this Indenture as a result of accounting for any embedded derivatives created by the terms of such Indebtedness.
Notwithstanding the above provisions, in no event shall the following constitute Indebtedness:
(1) Contingent Obligations Incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice, other than assumptions of Indebtedness;
(2) Cash Management Services;
(3) any lease, concession or license of property (or Guarantee thereof) which would be considered an operating lease pursuant to the proviso to the definition of “Finance Lease Obligations” or any prepayments of deposits received from clients or customers in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;
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(4) obligations under any license, permit or other approval (or Guarantees given in respect of such obligations) incurred prior to the Issue Date or in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;
(5) in connection with the purchase by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of any business, any post-closing payment adjustments to which the seller may become entitled to the extent such payment is determined by a final closing balance sheet or such payment depends on the performance of such business after the closing; provided, however, that, at the time of closing, the amount of any such payment is not determinable and, to the extent such payment thereafter becomes fixed and determined, the amount is paid in a timely manner; or
(6) for the avoidance of doubt, any obligations in respect of workers’ compensation claims, early retirement or termination obligations, pension fund obligations or contributions or similar claims, obligations or contributions or social security or wage Taxes.
“Indenture” means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from time to time.
“Indirect Parent” means Avis Budget Group, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware.
“Initial Notes” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the second introductory paragraph of this Indenture.
“Initial Purchasers” means Barclays Bank PLC, Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, BNP Paribas, Citigroup Global Markets Limited, Bank of Montreal, London Branch, Lloyds Securities Inc., Scotiabank (Ireland) Designated Activity Company and UniCredit Bank AG.
“Intercompany License Agreement” means any cost sharing agreement, commission or royalty agreement, license or sublicense agreement, distribution agreement, services agreement, intellectual property rights transfer agreement, any related agreements or similar agreements, in each case where all parties to such agreement are one or more of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary.
“Investment” means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the form of any direct or indirect advance, loan or other extensions of credit (other than advances or extensions of credit to customers, suppliers, dealers, licensees, franchisees, future, present or former employees, directors, officers, managers, contractors, consultants or advisors of any Person in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice, and excluding any debt or extension of credit represented by a bank deposit other than a time deposit) or capital contribution to (by means of any transfer of cash or other property to others or any payment for property or services for the account or use of others), or any purchase or acquisition of Capital Stock, Indebtedness or other similar instruments issued by, such other Persons and all other items that are or would be classified as investments on a
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balance sheet prepared on the basis of GAAP; provided, however, that endorsements of negotiable instruments and documents in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice will not be deemed to be an Investment. If the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary issues, sells or otherwise disposes of any Capital Stock of a Person that is a Restricted Subsidiary such that, after giving effect thereto, such Person is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary, any Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Person remaining after giving effect thereto will be deemed to be a new Investment at such time. Guarantees shall not be deemed to be Investments. The amount of any Investment outstanding at any time shall be the original cost of such Investment, reduced (at the Company’s option) by any dividend, distribution, interest payment, return of capital, repayment or other amount or value received in respect of such Investment; provided that to the extent that the amount of Restricted Payments outstanding at any time is so reduced by any portion of any such amount or value that would otherwise be included in the calculation of Consolidated Net Income, such portion of such amount or value shall not be so included for purposes of calculating the amount of Restricted Payments that may be made pursuant to Section 3.3(a).
For purposes of Section 3.3 and Section 3.20 hereof:
(1) “Investment” will include the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in a Restricted Subsidiary to be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of such Restricted Subsidiary of the Company at the time that such Restricted Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that upon a redesignation of such Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, the Company will be deemed to continue to have a permanent “Investment” in an Unrestricted Subsidiary in an amount (if positive) equal to (a) the Company’s “Investment” in such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation less (b) the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets (as conclusively determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith) of such Subsidiary at the time that such Subsidiary is so re-designated a Restricted Subsidiary; and
(2) any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be valued at its fair market value at the time of such transfer, in each case as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company.
“Investment Grade Securities” means:
(1) securities issued or directly and fully Guaranteed or insured by the United States or Canadian government or any agency or instrumentality thereof (other than Cash Equivalents);
(2) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United Kingdom or Japanese governments, a member of the European Union, or any agency or instrumentality thereof (other than Cash Equivalents);
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(3) debt securities or debt instruments with a rating of “BBB-” or higher from S&P or “Baa3” or higher by Moody’s or the equivalent of such rating by such rating organization or, if no rating of Moody’s or S&P then exists, the equivalent of such rating by any other Nationally Recognized Statistical Ratings Organization, but excluding any debt securities or instruments constituting loans or advances among the Company and its Subsidiaries;
(4) investments in any fund that invests exclusively in investments of the type described in clauses (1), (2) and (3) above which fund may also hold cash and Cash Equivalents pending investment or distribution; and
(5) corresponding instruments in countries other than the United States customarily utilized for high quality investments.
“Investment Grade Status” shall occur when the Notes receive two of the following:
(1) a rating of “BBB-” or higher from S&P;
(2) a rating of “Baa3” or higher from Moody’s; or
(3) a rating of “BBB-” or higher from Fitch,
or the equivalent of such rating by such rating organization or, if no rating of S&P, Moody’s or Fitch then exists, the equivalent of such rating by any other Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization.
“Issue Date” means July 13, 2023.
“Issuer” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the recitals to this Indenture.
“Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien, hypothecation or charge of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof).
“Limited Condition Acquisition” means any acquisition, including by means of a merger or consolidation, by the Company or one or more of its Restricted Subsidiaries, the consummation of which is not conditioned upon the availability of, or on obtaining, third-party financing; provided that for purposes of determining compliance with Section 3.3, the Consolidated Net Income (and any other financial defined term derived therefrom) shall not include any Consolidated Net Income of or attributable to the target company or assets associated with any such Limited Condition Acquisition unless and until the closing of such Limited Condition Acquisition shall have actually occurred.
“Long Derivative Instrument” means a Derivative Instrument (i) the value of which generally increases, and/or the payment or delivery obligations under which generally decrease, with positive changes to the Performance References and/or (ii) the value of which generally decreases, and/or the payment or delivery obligations under which generally increase, with negative changes to the Performance References.
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“Management Advances” means loans or advances made to, or Guarantees with respect to loans or advances made to, future, present or former employees, directors, officers, managers, contractors, consultants or advisors (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) of any Parent Entity, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary:
(1) (a) in respect of travel, entertainment, relocation or moving related expenses, payroll advances and other analogous or similar expenses or payroll expenses, in each case Incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or (b) for purposes of funding any such person’s purchase of Capital Stock (or similar obligations) of the Company, its Subsidiaries or any Parent Entity with (in the case of this sub-clause (b)) the approval of the Board of Directors;
(2) in respect of relocation or moving related expenses, payroll advances and other analogous or similar expenses or payroll expenses, in each case Incurred in connection with any closing or consolidation of any facility or office; or
(3) not exceeding the greater of $50.0 million and 0.20% of Total Assets in the aggregate outstanding at any time.
“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any of its successors or assigns that is a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization.
“Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization” means a nationally recognized statistical rating organization within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) under the Exchange Act.
“Net Available Cash” from an Asset Disposition means cash payments received (including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or otherwise and net proceeds from the sale or other disposition of any securities received as consideration, but only as and when received, but excluding any other consideration received in the form of assumption by the acquiring person of Indebtedness or other obligations relating to the properties or assets that are the subject of such Asset Disposition or received in any other non-cash form) therefrom, in each case net of:
(1) all legal, accounting, investment banking, title and recording tax expenses, commissions and other fees and expenses Incurred, and all Taxes paid, reasonably estimated to be actually payable or accrued as a liability under GAAP (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any income, withholding and other Taxes payable as a result of the distribution of such proceeds to the Company and after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing agreements), as a consequence of such Asset Disposition, including distributions for Related Taxes;
(2) all payments made on any Indebtedness which is secured by any assets subject to such Asset Disposition, in accordance with the terms of any Lien upon such assets, or which by applicable law be repaid out of the proceeds from such Asset Disposition;
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(3) all distributions and other payments required to be made to minority interest holders (other than any Parent Entity, the Company or any of its respective Subsidiaries) in Subsidiaries or joint ventures as a result of such Asset Disposition;
(4) the deduction of appropriate amounts required to be provided by the seller as a reserve, on the basis of GAAP, against any liabilities associated with the assets disposed of in such Asset Disposition and retained by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary after such Asset Disposition; and
(5) any funded escrow established pursuant to the documents evidencing any such sale or disposition to secure any indemnification obligations or adjustments to the purchase price associated with any such Asset Disposition; provided, however, that upon the termination of such escrow, Net Available Cash will be increased by any portion of funds therein that are released or otherwise transferred or distributed to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary.
“Net Cash Proceeds,” with respect to any issuance or sale of Capital Stock, means the cash proceeds of such issuance or sale net of attorneys’ fees, accountants’ fees, underwriters’ or placement agents’ fees, listing fees, discounts or commissions and brokerage, consultant and other fees and charges actually Incurred in connection with such issuance or sale and net of Taxes paid or reasonably estimated to be actually payable as a result of such issuance or sale (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any income, withholding and other Taxes payable as a result of the distribution of such proceeds to the Company and after taking into account any available tax credit or deductions and any tax sharing agreements, and including distributions for Related Taxes).
“Net Short” means, with respect to a Holder or beneficial owner, as of a date of determination, either (i) the value of its Short Derivative Instruments exceeds the sum of (x) the value of its Notes plus (y) the value of its Long Derivative Instruments as of such date of determination or (ii) it is reasonably expected that such would have been the case were a Failure to Pay or Bankruptcy Credit Event (each as defined in the 2014 ISDA Credit Derivatives Definitions) to have occurred with respect to the Issuer or any Guarantor immediately prior to such date of determination.
“Non-Guarantor” means any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor, excluding the Issuer.
“Non-U.S. Person” means a Person who is not a U.S. Person (as defined in Regulation S).
“Note Documents” means the Notes (including Additional Notes), the Guarantees and this Indenture.
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“Notes” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the second introductory paragraph of this Indenture.
“Obligations” means any principal, interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the Issuer or any Guarantor whether or not a claim for Post-Petition Interest is allowed in such proceedings), penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements (including, without limitation, reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances), damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.
“Offering” means the offering of the Notes.
“Offering Memorandum” means the final offering memorandum, dated July 6, 2023, relating to the Offering by the Issuer of €400,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.25% Senior Notes due 2030 and any future offering memorandum relating to Additional Notes.
“Officer” means, with respect to any Person, (1) the Chairman of the Board of Directors, any Director, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, any Vice President, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, any Managing Director, the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary, the General Counsel or any Associate General Counsel (a) of such Person or (b) if such Person is owned or managed by a single entity, of such entity, or (2) any other individual designated as an “Officer” for the purposes of this Indenture by the Board of Directors of such Person.
“Officer’s Certificate” means, with respect to any Person, a certificate signed by one Officer of such Person.
“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or its Subsidiaries.
“Parent Entity” means any direct or indirect parent of the Company.
“Parent Entity Expenses” means:
(1) fees, costs and expenses (including all legal, accounting and other professional fees, costs and expenses) Incurred or paid by any Parent Entity in connection with reporting obligations under or otherwise Incurred or paid in connection with compliance with applicable laws, rules or regulations of any governmental, regulatory or self-regulatory body or stock exchange, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument relating to the Notes, the Guarantees or any other Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, including in respect of any reports filed or delivered with respect to the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or the respective rules and regulations promulgated thereunder;
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(2) customary indemnification obligations of any Parent Entity owing to directors, officers, employees or other Persons under its articles, charter, by-laws, partnership agreement or other constating documents or pursuant to written agreements with any such Person;
(3) obligations of any Parent Entity in respect of director and officer insurance (including premiums therefor) to the extent relating to the Company and its Subsidiaries;
(4) (x) general corporate operating and overhead fees, costs and expenses (including all legal, accounting and other professional fees, costs and expenses) and (y) other operational expenses of any Parent Entity related to the ownership or operation of the business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; and
(5) expenses Incurred by any Parent Entity in connection with any offering, sale, conversion or exchange of Capital Stock or Indebtedness; and amounts to finance Investments that would otherwise be permitted to be made pursuant to Section 3.3 if made by the Company; provided that (A) such Restricted Payment shall be made substantially concurrently with the closing of such Investment, (B) such direct or indirect parent company shall, immediately following the closing thereof, cause (1) all property acquired (whether assets or equity interests) to be contributed to the capital of the Company or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (2) the merger, consolidation or amalgamation of the Person formed or acquired into the Company or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries (to the extent not prohibited by Section 4.1) in order to consummate such Investment, (C) such direct or indirect parent company and its Affiliates (other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) receives no consideration or other payment in connection with such transaction except to the extent the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary could have given such consideration or made such payment in compliance with this Indenture and such consideration or other payment is included as a Restricted Payment under this Indenture, (D) any property received by the Company shall not increase amounts available for Restricted Payments pursuant to Section 3.3(a)(iii)(C) and (E) such Investment shall be deemed to be made by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 3.3 or pursuant to the definition of “Permitted Investments.”
“Pari Passu Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of the Company which ranks equally in right of payment to the Notes or of any Subsidiary Guarantor if such Indebtedness ranks equally in right of payment to the Subsidiary Guarantees of the Notes.
“Paying Agent” means any Person authorized by the Issuer to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Note on behalf of the Issuer.
“Performance References” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the definition of Derivative Instrument.
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“Permitted Asset Swap” means the concurrent purchase and sale or exchange of assets used or useful in a Similar Business or a combination of such assets and cash, Cash Equivalents between the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and another Person; provided that any cash or Cash Equivalents received in excess of the value of any cash or Cash Equivalents sold or exchanged must be applied in accordance with Section 3.5 hereof.
“Permitted Holders” means, collectively, (1) the Indirect Parent, (2) the Direct Parent, (3) the Company, (4) any one or more Persons, together with such Persons’ Affiliates, whose beneficial ownership constitutes or results in (x) a Change of Control in respect of which a Change of Control Offer is made in accordance with the requirements of this Indenture or (y) a Change of Control that does not constitute a Change of Control Repurchase Event, (5) members of management of the Company (or any Parent Entity), (6) any Person who is acting solely as an underwriter in connection with a public or private offering of Capital Stock of any Parent Entity or the Company, acting in such capacity, and (7) any group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act or any successor provision) of which any of the foregoing are members; provided that, in the case of such group and without giving effect to the existence of such group or any other group, the Indirect Parent, Direct Parent and members of management, collectively, have beneficial ownership of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company or any of its direct or indirect Parent Entities held by such group.
“Permitted Intercompany Activities” means any transactions (A) between or among the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries that are entered into in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and, in the reasonable determination of the Company are necessary or advisable in connection with the ownership or operation of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, including (i) payroll, cash management, purchasing, insurance and hedging arrangements; (ii) management, technology and licensing arrangements; and (iii) customary loyalty and rewards programs; and (B) between or among the Company, its Restricted Subsidiaries and any Captive Insurance Subsidiary.
“Permitted Investment” means (in each case, by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries):
(1) Investments in (a) a Restricted Subsidiary (including the Capital Stock of, or guarantees of obligations of, a Restricted Subsidiary) or the Company, (b) a Person (including the Capital Stock of any such Person) that will, upon the making of such Investment, become a Restricted Subsidiary, or (c) a Special Purpose Entity;
(2) Investments in another Person (including, to the extent constituting an Investment, in assets of a Person that represent all or substantially all of its assets or a division, business unit, product line or line of business, including research and development and related assets in respect of any product) if such Person is engaged, in any Similar Business and as a result of such Investment such other Person, in one transaction or a series of transactions, is merged, amalgamated, consolidated or otherwise combined with or into, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all its assets (or such division, business unit, product line or business) to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;
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(3) Investments in cash, Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities;
(4) Investments in receivables owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary created or acquired in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;
(5) Investments in payroll, travel, entertainment, relocation, moving-related and similar advances to cover matters that are expected at the time of such advances ultimately to be treated as expenses for accounting purposes and that are made in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;
(6) Management Advances;
(7) Investments received in settlement, compromise or resolution of debts created in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice and owing to, or of other claims asserted by, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or in exchange for any other Investment or accounts receivable, endorsements for collection or deposit held by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary, or as a result of foreclosure, perfection or enforcement of any Lien, or in satisfaction of judgments or pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement including upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of a debtor or litigation, arbitration or other disputes or otherwise with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default;
(8) Investments made as a result of the receipt of promissory notes or other non-cash consideration (including earn-outs) from a sale or other disposition of property or assets, including an Asset Disposition;
(9) Investments (a) existing or pursuant to binding commitments, agreements or arrangements in effect on the Issue Date and any modification, replacement, renewal, reinvestment or extension thereof; provided that the amount of any such Investment may not be increased except (i) as required by the terms of such Investment or binding commitment as in existence on the Issue Date (including in respect of any unused commitment), plus any accrued but unpaid interest (including any accretion of interest, original issue discount or the issuance of pay-in-kind securities) and premium payable by the terms of such Indebtedness thereon and fees and expenses associated therewith as of the Issue Date or (ii) as otherwise permitted under this Indenture and (b) made after the Issue Date in joint ventures of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries existing on the Issue Date;
(10) Hedging Obligations;
(11) endorsements of negotiable instruments and documents in the ordinary course of business, or pledges or deposits with respect to leases or utilities provided to third parties in the ordinary course of business or Liens otherwise described in the definition of “Permitted Liens” or made in connection with Liens permitted under Section 3.6;
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(12) any Investment to the extent made using Capital Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or Capital Stock of any Parent Entity as consideration;
(13) Investments consisting of (i) purchases or other acquisitions of inventory, supplies, materials, equipment and similar assets or (ii) licenses, sublicenses, cross-licenses, leases, subleases, assignments, contributions or other Investments of intellectual property, in each case, in the ordinary course of business pursuant to any joint development, joint venture or marketing arrangements with other Persons and any other Investments reasonably related or ancillary thereto;
(14) (i) keepwells and similar arrangements in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice, and (ii) performance guarantees with respect to obligations that are permitted by this Indenture;
(15) Investments consisting of earnest money deposits required in connection with a purchase agreement, or letter of intent, or other acquisitions to the extent not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture;
(16) Investments of a Restricted Subsidiary acquired after the Issue Date or of an entity merged or amalgamated into or consolidated with the Company or merged or amalgamated into or consolidated with a Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation and were in existence on the date of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation;
(17) Investments consisting of licensing or contribution of intellectual property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other Persons;
(18) contributions to a “rabbi” trust for the benefit of any employee, director, officer, manager, contractor, consultant, advisor or other service providers or other grantor trust subject to claims of creditors in the case of a bankruptcy of the Company, and Investments relating to non-qualified deferred payment plans in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;
(19) Investments in joint ventures and similar entities and Unrestricted Subsidiaries having an aggregate fair market value, when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause that are at the time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of $480.0 million and 1.75% of Total Assets at the time of such Investment (with the fair market value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value) plus the amount of any returns (including dividends, payments, interest, distributions, returns of principal, profits on sale, repayments, income and similar amounts) in respect of such Investments (without duplication for purposes of Section 3.3 of any amounts applied pursuant to Section
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3.3(a)(iii)) with the fair market value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value; provided, however, that if any Investment pursuant to this clause is made in any Person that is not the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary at the date of the making of such Investment and such person becomes the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary after such date, such Investment shall thereafter be deemed to have been made pursuant to clause (1) or (2) above and shall cease to have been made pursuant to this clause;
(20) additional Investments having an aggregate fair market value, taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (20) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of $480.0 million and 1.75% of Total Assets (with the fair market value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), plus the amount of any returns (including dividends, payments, interest distributions, returns of principal, profits on sale, repayments, income and similar amounts) in respect of such Investments (without duplication for purposes of Section 3.3 of any amounts applied pursuant to Section 3.3(a)(iii)) with the fair market value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value; provided that if such Investment is in Capital Stock of a Person that subsequently becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, such Investment shall thereafter be deemed permitted under clause (1) or (2) above and shall not be included as having been made pursuant to this clause (20);
(21) (i) Investments in a Special Purpose Entity or any Investment by a Special Purpose Subsidiary in any other Person in connection with a Special Purpose Financing and (ii) distributions or payments of Special Purpose Financing Fees and purchases of receivables pursuant to a securitization repurchase obligation in connection with a Special Purpose Financing;
(22) repurchases of Notes;
(23) Investments by an Unrestricted Subsidiary entered into prior to the day such Unrestricted Subsidiary is redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 3.20;
(24) any issuance or sale of Capital Stock, options, other equity-related interests or other securities, or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, or entering into, or maintenance of, any employment, consulting, collective bargaining or benefit plan, program, agreement or arrangement, related trust or other similar agreement and other compensation arrangements, options, warrants or other rights to purchase Capital Stock of the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary or any Parent Entity, restricted stock plans, long-term incentive plans, stock appreciation rights plans, participation plans or similar employee benefits or consultants’ plans (including valuation, health, insurance, deferred compensation, severance, retirement, savings or similar plans, programs or arrangements), the payment of compensation, reasonable fees and reimbursement of expenses to, or indemnities provided on behalf of, in each case, officers, employees,
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directors or consultants of any Parent Entity, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (whether directly or indirectly and including through any Person owned or controlled by any of such directors, officers or employees), in each case in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;
(25) any Investments pursuant to transactions arising out of the Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of July 27, 2006 (as amended, modified or supplemented in accordance with its terms), among Avis Budget Group, Inc., Realogy Corporation, Wyndham Worldwide Corporation and Travelport Inc. in existence on the Issue Date, and any payments made pursuant thereto;
(26) the entry into, and payments by the Company (and any Parent Entity) and its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to, any tax sharing agreements or other equity agreements among the Company (and any such Parent Entity) and its Restricted Subsidiaries on customary terms;
(27) (a) Investments in a Subsidiary, consisting of a demand note or promissory note of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary issued in favor of or for the benefit of a Special Purpose Subsidiary and which serves solely as credit enhancement for any vehicle-related financing in such Special Purpose Subsidiary, (b) Investments by a Special Purpose Subsidiary which is a Restricted Subsidiary in any such demand note or other promissory note issued by the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary or any Parent Entity to such Special Purpose Subsidiary which is a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that if such Parent Entity receives cash from the relevant Special Purpose Entity in exchange for such note, an equal cash amount is contributed by any Parent Entity to the Company and (c) Investments made between Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with, or relating to, a Canadian Special Purpose Financing;
(28) Investments consisting of, or arising out of or related to, Vehicle Rental Concession Rights (including any Investments referred to in the definition of the term “Vehicle Rental Concession Rights”);
(29) any Investment in any Subsidiary or any joint venture in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice (including any cash management arrangements, cash pooling arrangements, intercompany loans or activities related thereto);
(30) customary Investments in connection with a receivables financing;
(31) guaranty and indemnification obligations arising in connection with surety bonds issued in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;
(32) Investments (a) consisting of purchases and acquisitions of assets or services in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice, (b) made in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice in connection with obtaining, maintaining or renewing client, franchisee and customer contracts and loans or (c) advances, loans, extensions of credit (including the creation of receivables) or prepayments made to, and guarantees with respect to obligations of, franchisees, distributors, suppliers, lessors, licensors and licensees in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;
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(33) Investments in prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments held for collection and lease, utility and workers compensation, performance and similar deposits entered into as a result of the operations of the business in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;
(34) Investments consisting of UCC Article 3 endorsements for collection or deposit and Article 4 trade arrangements with customers (or any comparable or similar provisions in other applicable jurisdictions) in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practices;
(35) any other Investment so long as, immediately after giving pro forma effect to the Investment and the incurrence of any Indebtedness the net proceeds of which are used to make such Investment, the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio shall be no greater than 5.50 to 1.00; and
(36) non-cash Investments in connection with tax planning and reorganization activities, and Investments in connection with a Permitted Intercompany Activities, Permitted Tax Restructuring and related transactions.
“Permitted Liens” means, with respect to any Person:
(1) Liens on assets or property of a Restricted Subsidiary (other than the Issuer) that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor securing Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than the Issuer) that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor;
(2) pledges, deposits or Liens under workmen’s compensation laws, payroll taxes, unemployment insurance laws, social security laws or similar legislation, or insurance related obligations (including pledges or deposits securing liability to insurance carriers under insurance or self-insurance arrangements), or in connection with bids, tenders, completion guarantees, contracts (other than for borrowed money) or leases, or to secure utilities, licenses, public or statutory obligations, or to secure surety, indemnity, warranty, release, judgment, appeal or performance bonds, advance payment, guarantees of government contracts, completion guarantees or warranties (or other similar bonds, instruments or obligations), or as security for contested taxes or for import or customs duties or the payment of rent, or other obligations of like nature, in each case Incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;
(3) Liens imposed by law or regulation, including carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, landlords’, suppliers’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s, architects’, construction contractors’ or other like Liens, in each case for sums not yet overdue for a period of more than 60 days or that are bonded or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;
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(4) Liens for Taxes which are not overdue for a period of more than 60 days, or the nonpayment of which in the aggregate would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings; provided that appropriate reserves required pursuant to GAAP have been made in respect thereof;
(5) encumbrances, charges, ground leases, easements (including reciprocal easement agreements), survey exceptions, restrictions, encroachments, protrusions, by-law, regulation, zoning restrictions or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights of way, servitudes, sewers, electric lines, drains, telegraph, telephone and cable television lines and other similar purposes, or zoning, building codes or other restrictions (including minor defects and irregularities in title and similar encumbrances) as to the use of real properties, exceptions on title policies insuring liens granted on any mortgaged properties under the Credit Agreement or Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties, including servicing agreements, development agreements, site plan agreements, subdivision agreements, facilities sharing agreements, cost sharing agreements and other similar agreements, charges or encumbrances, which do not in the aggregate materially interfere with the ordinary course conduct of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;
(6) Liens (a) on assets or property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary securing Hedging Obligations or Cash Management Services permitted under this Indenture; (b) that are contractual rights of set-off or, in the case of clause (i) or (ii) below, other bankers’ Liens (i) relating to treasury, depository and cash management services or any automated clearing house transfers of funds in the ordinary course of business and not given in connection with the issuance of Indebtedness, (ii) relating to the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds or relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any Subsidiary or (iii) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business; (c) on cash accounts securing Indebtedness incurred with financial institutions in respect of customer deposits and advance payments received in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice from customers for goods or services purchased in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice; (d) encumbering reasonable customary initial deposits and margin deposits and similar Liens attaching to commodity trading accounts or other brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business; (e) on receivables (including related rights); (f) arising in connection with repurchase agreements on assets that are the subject of such repurchase agreements; and/or (g) (i) of a collection bank arising under Section 4-210 of the Uniform Commercial Code on items in the course of collection and (ii) in favor of a banking
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institution arising as a matter of law encumbering deposits (including the right of set-off) arising in the ordinary course of business in connection with the maintenance of such accounts and (iii) arising under customary general terms of the account bank in relation to any bank account maintained with such bank and attaching only to such account and the products and proceeds thereof, which Liens, in any event, do not to secure any Indebtedness;
(7) leases, licenses, subleases and sublicenses of assets (including real property and intellectual property rights);
(8) Liens arising out of judgments, decrees, orders or awards not giving rise to an Event of Default so long as (a) any appropriate legal proceedings which may have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment, decree, order or award have not been finally terminated or (b) no more than 60 days have passed after (i) such judgment, decree, order or award has become final or (ii) such period within which such proceedings may be initiated has expired;
(9) Liens (i) on assets or property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary for the purpose of securing Finance Lease Obligations (or any interest or title of any lessor thereunder or under any operating lease) or Purchase Money Obligations, and (ii) on any interest or title of a lessor under any Finance Lease Obligations or operating lease;
(10) Liens perfected or evidenced by or Uniform Commercial Code financing statement filings (or similar filings in other applicable jurisdictions) regarding operating leases entered into by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;
(11) Liens existing on, or provided for in written arrangements existing on, the Issue Date, excluding Liens securing the Credit Agreement;
(12) Liens on property, other assets or shares of stock of a Person at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (or at the time the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary acquires such property, other assets or shares of stock, including any acquisition by means of a merger, consolidation or other business combination transaction with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary); provided, however, that such Liens are not created, Incurred or assumed in anticipation of or in connection with such other Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary (or such acquisition of such property, other assets or stock); provided, further, that such Liens are limited to all or part of the same property, other assets or stock (plus improvements, accession, proceeds or dividends or distributions in connection with the original property, other assets or stock) that secured (or, under the written arrangements under which such Liens arose, could secure) the obligations to which such Liens relate;
(13) Liens on assets or property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary securing Indebtedness or other obligations of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary owing to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary, or Liens in favor of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;
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(14) Liens securing Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred to refinance Indebtedness that was previously so secured, and permitted to be secured under this Indenture; provided that any such Lien is limited to all or part of the same property or assets (plus improvements, accessions, proceeds or dividends or distributions in respect thereof) that secured (or, under the written arrangements under which the original Lien arose, could secure) the Indebtedness being refinanced (other than Liens permitted under clauses (6)(a), (9), (19), (26), (33), (35), (36), (37) or (38) of this definition), or is in respect of property that is or could be the security for or subject to a Permitted Lien hereunder;
(15) (a) mortgages, liens, security interests, restrictions, encumbrances or any other matters of record that have been placed by any government, statutory or regulatory authority, developer, landlord or other third party on property over which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company has easement rights or on any leased property and subordination or similar arrangements relating thereto and (b) any condemnation or eminent domain proceedings affecting any real property;
(16) any encumbrance or restriction (including put and call arrangements) with respect to Capital Stock of any joint venture or similar arrangement pursuant to any joint venture or similar agreement;
(17) Liens on property or assets under construction (and related rights) in favor of a contractor or developer or arising from progress or partial payments by a third party relating to such property or assets;
(18) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, hire purchase, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of goods entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(19) Liens securing Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to any Credit Facility (including letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances issued or created under any Credit Facility), and (without limiting the foregoing), in each case, any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof and Guarantees in respect of such Indebtedness in a maximum aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not exceeding (i) $3,500 million plus (ii) in the case of any refinancing of any Indebtedness permitted to be secured under this clause (19) or any portion thereof, the aggregate amount of fees, underwriting discounts, premiums and other costs and expenses Incurred in connection with such refinancing;
(20) Liens to secure Indebtedness of any Non-Guarantors, covering only the assets of such Subsidiary;
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(21) Liens on Capital Stock or other securities or assets of any Unrestricted Subsidiary that secure Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary;
(22) any security granted over the marketable securities portfolio described in clause (9) of the definition of “Cash Equivalents” in connection with the disposal thereof to a third party;
(23) Liens on specific items of inventory of other goods and proceeds of any Person securing such Person’s obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;
(24) Liens on equipment of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and located on the premises of any client or supplier in the ordinary course of business;
(25) Liens on assets or securities deemed to arise in connection with and solely as a result of the execution, delivery or performance of contracts to sell such assets or securities if such sale is otherwise permitted by this Indenture;
(26) Liens arising by operation of law or contract on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof to secure premiums thereunder, and Liens, pledges and deposits in the ordinary course of business securing liability for premiums or reimbursement or indemnification obligations of (including obligations in respect of letters of credit or bank guarantees for the benefits of) insurance carriers;
(27) Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits made in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement permitted by this Indenture;
(28) Liens (i) on cash advances in favor of the seller of any property to be acquired in an Investment permitted pursuant to Permitted Investments to be applied against the purchase price for such Investment, and (ii) consisting of an agreement to sell any property in an asset sale permitted by Section 3.5, in each case, solely to the extent such Investment or asset sale, as the case may be, would have been permitted on the date of the creation of such Lien;
(29) Liens securing Indebtedness and other obligations in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the greater of (a) $400.0 million and (b) 1.50% of Total Assets, at any one time outstanding;
(30) Liens then existing with respect to assets of an Unrestricted Subsidiary on the day such Unrestricted Subsidiary is redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 3.20;
(31) Liens Incurred to secure Obligations in respect of Indebtedness; provided that at the time of Incurrence and after giving pro forma effect thereto, the Consolidated Total Secured Leverage Ratio would be no greater than 4.00 to 1.00;
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(32) Liens securing Indebtedness which is secured by Rental Vehicles in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;
(33) Liens on or under, or arising out of or relating to, any Vehicle Rental Concession Rights;
(34) Liens securing Indebtedness arising from agreements providing for guarantees, indemnification, obligations in respect of earn-outs or other adjustments of purchase price or, in each case, similar obligations, in each case, Incurred or assumed in connection with the acquisition or disposition of any business or assets or Person or any Capital Stock of a Subsidiary;
(35) Liens securing Indebtedness consisting of (a) accommodation guarantees for the benefit of trade creditors of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, (b) Guarantees in connection with the construction or improvement of all or any portion of a Public Facility to be used by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or (c) Guarantees required or reasonably necessary (in the good faith determination of the Company) in connection with Vehicle Rental Concession Rights;
(36) Liens securing Indebtedness (a) of a Special Purpose Subsidiary secured by a Lien on all or part of the assets disposed of in, or otherwise Incurred in connection with, a Financing Disposition, or (b) otherwise Incurred in connection with a Special Purpose Financing; provided that (1) such Indebtedness is not recourse to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Special Purpose Subsidiary (other than with respect to Special Purpose Financing Undertakings or with respect to potential liability of Aviscar Inc. or Budgetcar Inc., or their respective successors, in their capacity as partners in a Canadian Securitization Entity), (2) in the event such Indebtedness shall become recourse to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Special Purpose Subsidiary (other than with respect to Special Purpose Financing Undertakings), the related Liens will be deemed to be, and must be classified by the Company as, Incurred at such time (or at the time initially Incurred) under one or more of the other provisions of this “Permitted Liens” definition, for so long as such Indebtedness shall be so recourse; and (3) in the event that at any time thereafter such Indebtedness shall comply with the provisions of the preceding subclause (1), the Company may classify the related Liens in whole or in part as Incurred under this clause (36);
(37) Liens securing Permitted Vehicle Indebtedness;
(38) Liens securing the Notes and Guarantees;
(39) Liens on receivables and related assets arising in connection with a receivables financing; and
(40) Liens arising in connection with any Permitted Intercompany Activities, Permitted Tax Restructuring and related transactions.
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For purposes of this definition, in the event that a Permitted Lien meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Permitted Liens (at the time of incurrence or at a later date), the Company in its sole discretion may divide, classify or from time to time reclassify all or any portion of such Permitted Lien in any manner that complies with this covenant, and such Permitted Lien shall be treated as having been made pursuant only to the clause or clauses of the definition of “Permitted Lien” to which such Permitted Lien has been classified or reclassified.
For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. Dollar-denominated restriction on the incurrence of Liens with respect to Indebtedness, the U.S. Dollar equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was Incurred, in the case of term debt, or first committed, in the case of revolving credit debt; provided that if such Indebtedness is Incurred to refinance other Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, and such refinancing would cause the applicable U.S. Dollar-denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such U.S. Dollar-denominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed (a) the principal amount of such Indebtedness being refinanced plus (b) the aggregate amount of accrued and unpaid interest, fees, underwriting discounts, premiums (including tender premiums) and other costs and expenses (including original issue discount, upfront fees or similar fees) incurred in connection with such refinancing.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this definition, the maximum amount of Indebtedness with respect to which the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary may Incur Liens under this definition shall not be deemed to be exceeded solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies. The principal amount of any Indebtedness Incurred to refinance other Indebtedness, if Incurred in a different currency from the Indebtedness being refinanced, shall be calculated based on the currency exchange rate applicable to the currencies in which such Refinancing Indebtedness is denominated that is in effect on the date of such refinancing.
“Permitted Tax Restructuring” means any reorganizations and other activities related to Tax planning and Tax reorganization entered into prior to, on or after the Issue Date so long as such Permitted Tax Restructuring is not materially adverse to the holders of the Notes (as reasonably determined by the Company in good faith).
“Permitted Vehicle Indebtedness” means (i) any Indebtedness Incurred in connection with the acquisition, sale, leasing, financing or refinancing of Vehicles and/or related rights (including under leases, manufacturer warranties and buy-back programs, and insurance policies) and/or related assets, including, without limitation, assets that have been transferred to a Special Purpose Entity or made subject to a Lien in a Financing Disposition, and (ii) any refinancing of the Indebtedness under clause (i). The amount of any Permitted Vehicle Indebtedness shall be determined in accordance with the definition of “Indebtedness.”
“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.
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“Post-Petition Interest” means any interest or entitlement to fees or expenses or other charges that accrue after the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, whether or not allowed or allowable as a claim in any such bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding.
“Preferred Stock,” as applied to the Capital Stock of any Person, means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which is preferred as to the payment of dividends or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Person, over shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such Person.
“Public Facility” means (i) any airport; marine port; rail, subway, bus or other transit stop, station or terminal; stadium; convention center; or military camp, fort, post or base or (ii) any other facility owned or operated by any nation or government or political subdivision thereof, or agency, authority or other instrumentality of any thereof, or other entity exercising regulatory, administrative or other functions of or pertaining to government, or any organization of nations (including the United Nations, the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization).
“Public Facility Operator” means a Person that grants or has the power to grant a Vehicle Rental Concession.
“Purchase Money Obligations” means any Indebtedness Incurred to finance or refinance the acquisition, leasing, expansion, construction, installation, replacement, repair or improvement of property (real or personal), equipment or assets (including Capital Stock), and whether acquired through the direct acquisition of such property or assets or the acquisition of the Capital Stock of any Person owning such property or assets, or otherwise.
“QIB” means any “qualified institutional buyer” as such term is defined in Rule 144A.
“Rating Agency” means (1) each of Moody’s and S&P, and (2) if Moody’s or S&P ceases to rate the Notes for reasons outside of the Company’s control, a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization selected by the Company or any parent of the Company as a replacement agency for Moody’s or S&P, as the case may be.
“Ratings Decline Period” means the period that (i) begins on the earlier of (a) a Change of Control or (b) the first public notice of the intention by the Company to affect a Change of Control and (ii) ends 60 days following the consummation of such Change of Control; provided that such period will be extended so long as the rating of the Notes is under publicly announced consideration for a possible downgrade by either of the Rating Agencies.
“Ratings Event” means (x) a downgrade by one or more gradations (including gradations within ratings categories as well as between categories) or withdrawal of the rating of the Notes within the Ratings Decline Period by either of the Rating Agencies if the applicable Rating Agencies shall have put forth a statement to the effect that such downgrade is attributable in whole or in part to the applicable Change of Control and (y) the Notes do not have an Investment Grade Status from any Rating Agency.
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“Refinance” means refinance, refund, replace, renew, repay, modify, restate, defer, substitute, supplement, reissue, resell, extend or increase (including pursuant to any defeasance or discharge mechanism) and the terms “refinances,” “refinanced” and “refinancing” as used for any purpose in this Indenture shall have a correlative meaning.
“Refinancing Indebtedness” means Indebtedness that is Incurred to refund, refinance, replace, exchange, renew, repay or extend (including pursuant to any defeasance or discharge mechanism) any Indebtedness (or unutilized commitment in respect of Indebtedness) existing on the Issue Date or Incurred in compliance with this Indenture (including Indebtedness of the Company that refinances Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary and Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary that refinances Indebtedness of the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary), including Indebtedness that refinances Refinancing Indebtedness, and Indebtedness incurred pursuant to a commitment that refinances an Indebtedness or unutilized commitment; provided, however, that:
(1) if the Indebtedness being refinanced is Subordinated Indebtedness, such Refinancing Indebtedness has a Stated Maturity at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred which is not less than the remaining Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock being refunded or refinanced;
(2) Refinancing Indebtedness shall not include:
(a) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor or the Issuer that refinances Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Company, the Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor; or
(b) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary that refinances Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary; and
(3) such Refinancing Indebtedness has an aggregate principal amount (or if Incurred with original issue discount, an aggregate issue price) that is equal to or less than the aggregate principal amount (or if Incurred with original issue discount, the aggregate accreted value) then outstanding (plus fees, underwriting discounts and expenses, including any premium and defeasance costs) under the Indebtedness being refinanced.
Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of any Credit Facility or any other Indebtedness may be Incurred from time to time after the termination, discharge or repayment of any such Credit Facility or other Indebtedness.
“Regulation S” means Regulation S under the Securities Act.
“Regulation S-X” means Regulation S-X under the Securities Act.
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“Related Taxes” means any and all Taxes required to be paid by any Parent Entity other than Taxes directly attributable to (i) the income of any entity other than any Parent Entity, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) owning stock or other equity interests of any corporation or other entity other than any Parent Entity, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (iii) withholding taxes on payments actually made by any Parent Entity other than to another Parent Entity, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
“Rental Vehicles” means all Vehicles owned by or leased to the Company or any Subsidiary that are or have been offered for lease or rental by any of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in their vehicle rental operations (and not, for the avoidance of doubt, in connection with any business or operations involving the leasing or renting of other types of Vehicles), including any such Vehicles being held for sale.
“Responsible Officer” means any officer with the corporate trust department of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
“Restricted Investment” means any Investment other than a Permitted Investment.
“Restricted Notes” means Initial Notes and Additional Notes bearing one of the restrictive legends described in Section 2.1(d).
“Restricted Notes Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.1(d)(1).
“Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary, including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Issuer.
“Rule 144A” means Rule 144A under the Securities Act.
“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Investors Ratings Services or any of its successors or assigns that is a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization.
“Sale and Leaseback Transaction” means any arrangement providing for the leasing by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any real or tangible personal property, which property has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary to a third Person in contemplation of such leasing.
“Screened Affiliate” means any Affiliate of a Holder (i) that makes investment decisions independently from such Holder and any other Affiliate of such Holder that is not a Screened Affiliate, (ii) that has in place customary information screens between it and such Holder and any other Affiliate of such Holder that is not a Screened Affiliate and such screens prohibit the sharing of information with respect to the Company or its Subsidiaries, (iii) whose investment policies are not directed by such Holder or any other Affiliate of such Holder that is acting in concert with such Holder in connection with its investment in the Notes, and (iv) whose investment decisions are not influenced by the investment decisions of such Holder or any other Affiliate of such Holder that is acting in concert with such Holders in connection with its investment in the Notes.
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“SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor thereto.
“Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder, as amended.
“Short Derivative Instrument” means a Derivative Instrument (i) the value of which generally decreases, and/or the payment or delivery obligations under which generally increase, with positive changes to the Performance References and/or (ii) the value of which generally increases, and/or the payment or delivery obligations under which generally decrease, with negative changes to the Performance References.
“Significant Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02(w)(1)(ii) of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such regulation is in effect on the Issue Date.
“Similar Business” means (a) any businesses, services or activities engaged in by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any Associates on the Issue Date, (b) any businesses, services and activities engaged in by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any Associates that are related, complementary, synergistic, incidental, ancillary or similar to any of the foregoing or are extensions or developments of any thereof and (c) a Person conducting a business, service or activity specified in clauses (a) and (b), and any Subsidiary thereof. For the avoidance of doubt, any Person that invests in or owns Capital Stock or Indebtedness of another Person that is engaged in a Similar Business shall be deemed to be engaged in a Similar Business.
“Special Purpose Entity” means (x) any Special Purpose Subsidiary, (y) any other Person that is engaged in the business of (i) acquiring, selling, collecting, financing or refinancing receivables, accounts (as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in any jurisdiction from time to time), other accounts and/or other receivables, and/or related assets, and/or (ii) acquiring, selling, leasing, financing or refinancing Vehicles and/or related rights (including under leases, manufacturer warranties and buy-back programs, and insurance policies) and/or assets (including managing, exercising and disposing of any such rights and/or assets) or (z) any successor of any of the foregoing.
“Special Purpose Financing” means any financing or refinancing of assets consisting of or including receivables or Vehicles of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that have been transferred to a Special Purpose Entity or made subject to a Lien in a Financing Disposition.
“Special Purpose Financing Fees” means distributions or payments made directly or by means of discounts with respect to any participation interest issued or sold in connection with, and other fees paid to a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with, any Special Purpose Financing.
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“Special Purpose Financing Undertakings” means representations, warranties, covenants, indemnities, guarantees of performance and (subject to clause (b) of the proviso below) other agreements and undertakings entered into or provided by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that the Company determines in good faith (which determination shall be conclusive) are customary or otherwise necessary or advisable in connection with a Special Purpose Financing or a Financing Disposition; provided that (a) it is understood that Special Purpose Financing Undertakings may consist of or include (i) reimbursement and other obligations in respect of notes, letters of credit, surety bonds and similar instruments provided for credit enhancement purposes or (ii) Hedging Obligations entered into by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, in respect of any Special Purpose Financing or Financing Disposition, and (b) subject to the preceding clause (a), any such other agreements and undertakings shall not include any Guarantee of Indebtedness of a Special Purpose Subsidiary by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Special Purpose Subsidiary.
“Special Purpose Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary of the Company that is engaged solely in (x) the business of (i) acquiring, selling, collecting, financing or refinancing receivables, accounts (as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in any jurisdiction from time to time) and other accounts and receivables (including any thereof constituting or evidenced by chattel paper, instruments or general intangibles), all proceeds thereof and all rights (contractual and other), collateral and other assets relating thereto, and/or (ii) acquiring, selling, leasing, financing or refinancing Vehicles and/or related rights (including under leases, manufacturer warranties and buy-back programs, and insurance policies) and/or assets (including managing, exercising and disposing of any such rights and/or assets), all proceeds thereof and all rights (contractual and other), collateral and other assets relating thereto, and (y) any business or activities incidental or related to such business, which shall, for greater certainty, include any Canadian Securitization Entity.
“Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision, but shall not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.
“Subordinated Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person, any Indebtedness (whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter Incurred) which is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes pursuant to a written agreement.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person:
(1) any corporation, association, or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity) of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof;
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(2) any partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity of which:
(a) more than 50% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general or limited partnership interests, as applicable, are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership interests or otherwise; and
(b) such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or otherwise controls such entity; or
(3) at the election of the Company, any partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity of which such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or otherwise controls such entity.
“Subsidiary Guarantee” means any guarantee that may from time to time be entered into by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company on or after the Issue Date.
“Subsidiary Guarantor” means any Restricted Subsidiary that Guarantees the Notes.
“Taxes” means all present and future taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges, assessments, duties and withholdings and any charges of a similar nature (including interest, penalties and other liabilities with respect thereto) that are imposed by any government or other taxing authority, including but not limited to income, sales, use, transfer, rental, ad valorem, value-added, stamp, property consumption, franchise, license, capital, net worth, gross receipts, excise, occupancy, intangibles or similar tax, charges or assessments.
“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
“Total Assets” means, as of any date, the total consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, as shown on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries, determined on a pro forma basis in a manner consistent with the pro forma basis contained in the definition of Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.
“Transactions” means the issuance of the Notes, repayment of existing indebtedness with the proceeds of the Notes and other related transactions.
“Transfer Agent” means any Person authorized by the Company to effect the transfer of any Note on behalf of the Company.
“Trustee” means the party named as such in this Indenture until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor.
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“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means:
(1) any Subsidiary of the Company that at the time of determination is an Unrestricted Subsidiary (as designated by the Company in the manner provided below);
(2) any Special Purpose Subsidiary that is designated by the Board of Directors in the manner provided below; and
(3) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
The Company may designate any Subsidiary of the Company (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary or a Person becoming a Subsidiary through merger, consolidation or other business combination transaction, or Investment therein) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary only if:
(1) such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries does not own any Capital Stock or Indebtedness of, or own or hold any Lien on any property of, the Company or any other Subsidiary of the Company which is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated or otherwise an Unrestricted Subsidiary; and
(2) such designation and the Investment of the Company in such Subsidiary complies with Section 3.3 hereof.
“U.S. Government Obligations” means securities that are (1) direct obligations of the United States of America for the timely payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (2) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the timely payment of which is unconditionally Guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation of the United States of America, which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuers thereof, and shall also include a depositary receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act), as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligations or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such U.S. Government Obligations held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligations or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the U.S. Government Obligations evidenced by such depositary receipt.
“Vehicle Rental Concession” means any right, whether or not exclusive, to conduct a Vehicle rental business at a Public Facility, or to pick up or discharge persons or otherwise to possess or use all or part of a Public Facility in connection with such a business, and any related rights or interests.
“Vehicle Rental Concession Rights” means any or all of the following: (a) any Vehicle Rental Concession, (b) any rights of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof under or relating to (i) any law, regulation, license, permit, request for proposals, invitation to bid, lease, agreement or understanding with a Public Facility Operator in connection with which a Vehicle Rental Concession has been or may be granted to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and
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(ii) any agreement with, or Investment or other interest or participation in, any Person, property or asset required (x) by any such law, ordinance, regulation, license, permit, request for proposals, invitation to bid, lease, agreement or understanding or (y) by any Public Facility Operator as a condition to obtaining or maintaining a Vehicle Rental Concession, and (c) any liabilities or obligations relating to or arising in connection with any of the foregoing.
“Vehicles” means vehicles owned or operated by, or leased or rented to or by, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, including automobiles, trucks, tractors, trailers, vans, sport utility vehicles, buses, campers, motor homes, motorcycles and other motor vehicles.
“Voting Stock” of a Person means all classes of Capital Stock of such Person then outstanding and normally entitled to vote in the election of directors.
“Wholly Owned Domestic Subsidiary” means a Domestic Subsidiary of the Company, all of the Capital Stock of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares or shares required by any applicable law or regulation to be held by a Person other than the Company or another Domestic Subsidiary) is owned by the Company or another Domestic Subsidiary.
SECTION 1.2 Other Definitions.
| Term |
Defined in | |
| “Additional Interest” | 3.10(c) | |
| “Additional Restricted Notes” | 2.1(b) | |
| “Agent Members” | 2.1(e)(2) | |
| “Applicable Premium Deficit” | 8.4(1) | |
| “Applicable Proceeds” | 3.5(a)(3) | |
| “Asset Disposition Offer” | 3.5(b) | |
| “Authenticating Agent” | 2.2 | |
| “Change of Control Offer” | 3.9(a) | |
| “Change of Control Payment” | 3.9(a) | |
| “Change of Control Payment Date” | 3.9(a)(2) | |
| “Covenant Defeasance” | 8.3 | |
| “Default Direction” | 6.1 |
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| “Defaulted Interest” | 2.15 | |
| “Directing Holder” | 6.1 | |
| “Election Date” | 3.3(b) | |
| “Event of Default” | 6.1 | |
| “Excess Proceeds” | 3.5(b) | |
| “Foreign Disposition” | 3.5(e) | |
| “Global Notes” | 2.1(b) | |
| “Guaranteed Obligations” | 10.1 | |
| “Increased Amount” | 3.6 | |
| “Initial Default” | 6.3 | |
| “Initial Lien” | 3.6 | |
| “Institutional Accredited Investor Global Note” | 2.1(b) | |
| “Institutional Accredited Investor Notes” | 2.1(b) | |
| “Issuer Order” | 2.2 | |
| “Legal Defeasance” | 8.2 | |
| “Legal Holiday” | 12.8 | |
| “Notes Register” | 2.3 | |
| “Noteholder Direction” | 6.1 | |
| “Other Guarantee” | 10.2(b) | |
| “Permitted Payments” | 3.3(b) | |
| “Position Representation” | 6.1 | |
| “protected purchaser” | 2.11 | |
| “Redemption Date” | 5.7(a) | |
| “Refunding Capital Stock” | 3.3(b) |
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| “Registrar” | 2.3 | |
| “Regulation S Global Note” | 2.1(b) | |
| “Regulation S Notes” | 2.1(b) | |
| “Resale Restriction Termination Date” | 2.6(b) | |
| “Restricted Payments” | 3.3(a) | |
| “Restricted Period” | 2.1(b) | |
| “Reversion Date” | 3.21(b) | |
| “Rule 144A Global Note” | 2.1(b) | |
| “Rule 144A Notes” | 2.1(b) | |
| “Special Interest Payment Date” | 2.15(a) | |
| “Special Record Date” | 2.15(a) | |
| “Successor Company” | 4.1(a)(1) | |
| “Suspended Covenant” | 3.21(a) | |
| “Suspension Period” | 3.21(b) | |
| “Terminated Covenants” | 3.22(a) | |
| “Verification Covenant” | 6.1 |
SECTION 1.3 Inapplicability of the TIA. No provisions of the TIA are incorporated by reference in or made a part of this Indenture. Unless specifically provided in this Indenture, no terms that are defined in the TIA have the meanings specified therein for purposes of this Indenture.
SECTION 1.4 Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) a term has the meaning assigned to it;
(2) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;
(3) “or” is not exclusive;
(4) “including” means including without limitation;
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(5) words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural include the singular;
(6) “will” shall be interpreted to express a command;
(7) the principal amount of any non-interest bearing or other discount security at any date shall be the principal amount thereof that would be shown on a balance sheet of the issuer dated such date prepared in accordance with GAAP;
(8) the principal amount of any preferred stock shall be (i) the maximum liquidation value of such preferred stock or (ii) the maximum mandatory redemption or mandatory repurchase price with respect to such preferred stock, whichever is greater;
(9) all references to “$” or dollars shall refer to the lawful currency of the United States of America;
(10) all references to “€” shall refer to the lawful currency of the member states of the European Union that adopt the single currency in accordance with the Treaty establishing the European Communities;
(11) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision;
(12) unless otherwise specifically indicated, the term “consolidation” means the consolidation of the accounts of each of the Restricted Subsidiaries with those of the Company in accordance with GAAP; provided that “Consolidation” will not include consolidation of the accounts of any Unrestricted Subsidiary, but the interest of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in any Unrestricted Subsidiary will be accounted for as an investment. The term “Consolidated” has a correlative meaning; and
(13) any calculation or measure that is determined with reference to the Company’s financial statements (including Consolidated EBITDA, Consolidated Interest Expense, Consolidated Net Income, Fixed Charges, Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio and Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio) may be determined with reference to the financial statements of a Parent Entity instead, so long as such Parent Entity does not hold any material assets other than, directly or indirectly, the Capital Stock of the Company.
ARTICLE II
THE NOTES
SECTION 2.1 Form, Dating and Terms.
(a) The aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Initial Notes issued on the date hereof will be in an aggregate principal amount of €400,000,000. In addition, the Issuer may issue, from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, any Additional Notes (as provided herein). Furthermore, Notes may be authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer, exchange or in lieu of, other Notes pursuant to Sections 2.2, 2.6, 2.11, 2.13, 5.6 or 9.5, in connection with an Asset Disposition Offer pursuant to Section 3.5 or in connection with a Change of Control Offer pursuant to Section 3.9.
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With respect to any Additional Notes, the Issuer shall set forth in (i) an Officer’s Certificate or (ii) one or more indentures supplemental hereto, the following information:
(1) the aggregate principal amount of such Additional Notes to be authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture;
(2) the issue price and the issue date of such Additional Notes, including the date from which interest shall accrue; and
(3) whether such Additional Notes shall be Restricted Notes.
In authenticating and delivering Additional Notes, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive and shall be fully protected in relying upon, in addition to the Opinion of Counsel and Officer’s Certificate required by Section 12.4, an Opinion of Counsel as to the due authorization, execution, delivery, validity and enforceability of such Additional Notes.
The Initial Notes and the Additional Notes shall be considered collectively as a single class for all purposes of this Indenture. If any Additional Notes are not fungible with the Initial Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes or if the Issuer otherwise determine that any Additional Notes should be differentiated from the Initial Notes, such Additional Notes will have a separate Common Code or ISIN, as applicable; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, such Additional Notes will otherwise have the same terms as and will still constitute a single series with all other Notes issued under this Indenture for all purposes other than issue date and first interest payment date. Holders of the Initial Notes and the Additional Notes will vote and consent together on all matters to which such Holders are entitled to vote or consent as one class, and none of the Holders of the Initial Notes or the Additional Notes shall have the right to vote or consent as a separate class on any matter to which such Holders are entitled to vote or consent.
(b) The Initial Notes were offered and sold by the Issuer pursuant to a purchase agreement, dated July 6, 2023, among the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers. The Initial Notes and any Additional Notes (if issued as Restricted Notes) (the “Additional Restricted Notes”) will be resold initially only to (A) QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A and (B) Non-U.S. Persons in reliance on Regulation S. Such Initial Notes and Additional Restricted Notes may thereafter be transferred to, among others, QIBs, purchasers in reliance on Regulation S and IAIs in accordance with Rule 501 under the Securities Act, in each case, in accordance with the procedure described herein. Additional Notes offered after the date hereof may be offered and sold by the Issuer from time to time pursuant to one or more purchase agreements in accordance with applicable law.
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Initial Notes and Additional Restricted Notes offered and sold to QIBs in the United States in reliance on Rule 144A (the “Rule 144A Notes”) shall be issued in the form of a permanent global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A, which is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this Indenture, including appropriate legends as set forth in Section 2.1(d) (the “Rule 144A Global Note”). The Rule 144A Global Note shall be deposited with the Common Depositary, for the accounts of Euroclear and Clearstream, duly executed by the Issuer and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. The Rule 144A Global Note may be represented by more than one certificate, if so required by the Depositary’s rules regarding the maximum principal amount to be represented by a single certificate. The aggregate principal amount of the Rule 144A Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Registrar, as hereinafter provided.
Initial Notes and any Additional Restricted Notes offered and sold outside the United States (the “Regulation S Notes”) in reliance on Regulation S shall be issued in the form of a permanent global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A including appropriate legends as set forth in Section 2.1(d) (the “Regulation S Global Note”) within a reasonable period after the expiration of the Restricted Period (as defined below) upon delivery of the certification contemplated by Section 2.8. Each Regulation S Global Note will be deposited upon issuance with, or on behalf of, the Common Depositary, for the accounts of Euroclear and Clearstream, in the manner described in this Article II. Prior to the 40th day after the later of the commencement of the offering of the Initial Notes and the Issue Date (such period through and including such 40th day, the “Restricted Period”), interests in the Regulation S Global Note may only be transferred to Non-U.S. persons pursuant to Regulation S, unless exchanged for interests in a Global Note in accordance with the transfer and certification requirements described herein.
The Regulation S Global Note may be represented by more than one certificate, if so required by the Depositary’s rules regarding the maximum principal amount to be represented by a single certificate. The aggregate principal amount of the Regulation S Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Registrar, as hereinafter provided.
Initial Notes and Additional Restricted Notes resold to IAIs (the “Institutional Accredited Investor Notes”) in the United States shall be issued in the form of a permanent global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A including appropriate legends as set forth in Section 2.1(d) (the “Institutional Accredited Investor Global Note”) deposited with the Common Depositary, for the accounts of Euroclear and Clearstream, duly executed by the Issuer and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. The Institutional Accredited Investor Global Note may be represented by more than one certificate, if so required by the Depositary’s rules regarding the maximum principal amount to be represented by a single certificate. The aggregate principal amount of the Institutional Accredited Investor Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Registrar, as hereinafter provided.
The Rule 144A Global Note, the Regulation S Global Note and the Institutional Accredited Investor Global Note are sometimes collectively herein referred to as the “Global Notes.”
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The principal of (and premium, if any) and interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes shall be payable at the office or agency of Paying Agent designated by the Issuer maintained for such purpose (which shall initially be the office of the Paying Agent maintained for such purpose), or at such other office or agency of the Issuer as may be maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 2.3; provided, however, that each installment of interest, and Additional Interest, if any, may be paid (i) at the option of the Paying Agent, by check mailed to addresses of the Persons entitled thereto as such addresses shall appear on the Notes Register or (ii) by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account located in the United States maintained by the payee, subject to the last sentence of this paragraph. Payments in respect of Notes represented by a Global Note (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Depositary. Payments in respect of Notes represented by Definitive Notes (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) held by a Holder of at least €10,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes represented by Definitive Notes will be made in accordance with the Notes Register, or by wire transfer to an account maintained by the payee if such Holder elects payment by wire transfer by giving written notice to the Trustee or the Paying Agent to such effect designating such account no later than 15 days immediately preceding the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee may accept in its discretion).
The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage, in addition to those set forth on Exhibit A and in Section 2.1(d). The Issuer shall approve any notation, endorsement or legend on the Notes. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The terms of the Notes set forth in Exhibit A are part of the terms of this Indenture and, to the extent applicable, the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to be bound by such terms.
(c) Denominations. The Notes shall be issuable only in fully registered form in minimum denominations of €100,000 and any integral multiple of €1,000 in excess thereof.
(d) Restrictive Legends. Unless and until (i) an Initial Note or an Additional Note issued as a Restricted Note is sold under an effective registration statement or (ii) the Issuer receive an opinion of counsel satisfactory to it to the effect that neither such legend nor the related restrictions on transfer are required in order to maintain compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act:
(1) the Rule 144A Global Note, the Regulation S Global Note and the Institutional Accredited Investor Global Note shall bear the following legend on the face thereof:
“THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”). THE HOLDER HEREOF, BY PURCHASING THIS SECURITY, AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ISSUER THAT THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED PRIOR TO THE LATER OF THE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE ISSUANCE HEREOF AND OF THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE ISSUER OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE ISSUER WAS THE OWNER HEREOF (OR ANY PREDECESSOR SECURITY HERETO), IN EITHER CASE OTHER THAN
(1) TO THE ISSUER,
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(2) SO LONG AS THIS SECURITY IS ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (“RULE 144A”), TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A, PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE RESALE, PLEDGE OR OTHER TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON
RULE 144A (AS INDICATED BY THE BOX CHECKED BY THE TRANSFEROR ON THE CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER ON THE REVERSE OF THIS SECURITY),
(3) IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (AS INDICATED BY THE BOX CHECKED BY THE TRANSFEROR ON THE CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER ON THE REVERSE OF THIS SECURITY),
(4) TO AN INSTITUTION THAT IS AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(a)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF REGULATION D UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (AS INDICATED BY THE BOX CHECKED BY THE TRANSFEROR ON THE CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER ON THE REVERSE OF THIS SECURITY) THAT IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION, AND A CERTIFICATE WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ISSUER OR THE TRUSTEE IS DELIVERED BY THE TRANSFEREE TO THE ISSUER AND THE TRUSTEE,
(5) PURSUANT TO ANY EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 (IF APPLICABLE) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR
(6) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH CASE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES. AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR HOLDING THIS SECURITY AGREES THAT IT WILL FURNISH TO THE ISSUER AND THE TRUSTEE SUCH CERTIFICATES, OPINIONS OF COUNSEL AND OTHER INFORMATION AS THEY MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER BY IT OF THIS SECURITY COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS. THE HOLDER HEREOF, BY PURCHASING THIS SECURITY, REPRESENTS AND AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ISSUER THAT IT IS (1) A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A OR (2) PURCHASING FROM A PERSON NOT PARTICIPATING IN
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THE INITIAL DISTRIBUTION OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR SECURITY), THAT IT IS AN INSTITUTION THAT IS AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(a)(l), (2), (3) OR (7) OF REGULATION D UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND THAT IT IS HOLDING THIS SECURITY FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION OR (3) A NON-U.S. PERSON OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF (OR AN ACCOUNT SATISFYING THE REQUIREMENTS OF PARAGRAPH (k)(2)(i) OF RULE 902 UNDER) REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.”
Each Global Note, whether or not an Initial Note, shall also bear the following legend on the face thereof:
UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE COMMON DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO THE COMMON DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, THE COMMON DEPOSITARY, HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF THE COMMON DEPOSITARY OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN SECTIONS 2.1 AND 2.6 OF THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE.
(e) Book-Entry Provisions. (i) This Section 2.1(e) shall apply only to Global Notes deposited with the Common Depositary, for the accounts of Euroclear and Clearstream.
(1) Each Global Note initially shall (x) be registered in the name of the Common Depositary or the nominee of the Common Depositary, (y) be delivered to the Common Depositary, for the accounts of Euroclear and Clearstream and (z) bear legends as set forth in Section 2.1(d). Transfers of a Global Note (but not a beneficial interest therein) will be limited to transfers thereof in whole, but not in part, to the Common Depositary, its successors or its respective nominees, except as set forth in Section 2.1(e)(4) and 2.1(f). If a beneficial interest in a Global Note is transferred or exchanged
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for a beneficial interest in another Global Note, the Registrar will (x) record a decrease in the principal amount of the Global Note being transferred or exchanged equal to the principal amount of such transfer or exchange and (y) record a like increase in the principal amount of the other Global Note. Any beneficial interest in one Global Note that is transferred to a Person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in another Global Note, or exchanged for an interest in another Global Note, will, upon transfer or exchange, cease to be an interest in such Global Note and become an interest in the other Global Note and, accordingly, will thereafter be subject to all transfer and exchange restrictions, if any, and other procedures applicable to beneficial interests in such other Global Note for as long as it remains such an interest.
(2) Members of, or participants in, Euroclear or Clearstream (“Agent Members”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depositary or its custodian, or under such Global Note, and the Depositary may be treated by the Issuer, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee as the absolute owner of such Global Note for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Issuer, the Trustee or any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the Depositary and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices of the Depositary governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of a beneficial interest in any Global Note.
(3) In connection with any transfer of a portion of the beneficial interest in a Global Note pursuant to Section 2.1(f) to beneficial owners who are required to hold Definitive Notes, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and a decrease in the principal amount of such Global Note in an amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interest in the Global Note to be transferred, and the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, one or more Definitive Notes of like tenor and amount.
(4) In connection with the transfer of an entire Global Note to beneficial owners pursuant to Section 2.1(f), such Global Note shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Depositary for cancellation, and the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, to each beneficial owner identified by the Registrar in exchange for its beneficial interest in such Global Note, an equal aggregate principal amount of Definitive Notes of authorized denominations.
(5) The registered Holder of a Global Note may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any person, including Agent Members and persons that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Notes.
(6) Any Holder of a Global Note shall, by acceptance of such Global Note, agree that transfers of beneficial interests in such Global Note may be effected only through a book-entry system maintained by (i) the Holder of such Global Note (or its agent) or (ii) any holder of a beneficial interest in such Global Note, and that ownership of a beneficial interest in such Global Note shall be required to be reflected in a book entry.
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(f) Definitive Notes. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in Global Notes will not be entitled to receive Definitive Notes. Definitive Notes shall be transferred to all beneficial owners in exchange for their beneficial interests in a Global Note if (A) the Common Depositary notifies the Issuer that it is unwilling or unable to continue as the common depositary for such Global Note or the Depositary ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, at a time when the Depositary is required to be so registered in order to act as depositary, and in each case a successor depositary is not appointed by the Issuer within 120 days of such notice or (B) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing. In the event of the occurrence of any of the events specified in clause (A) or (B) of the preceding sentence, the Issuer shall promptly make available to the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent a reasonable supply of Definitive Notes. In addition, any Note transferred to an affiliate (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) of the Issuer or evidencing a Note that has been acquired by an affiliate in a transaction or series of transactions not involving any public offering must, until one year after the last date on which either the Issuer or any affiliate of the Issuer was an owner of the Note, be in the form of a Definitive Note and bear the legend regarding transfer restrictions in Section 2.1(d). If required to do so pursuant to any applicable law or regulation, beneficial owners may also obtain Definitive Notes in exchange for their beneficial interests in a Global Note upon written request in accordance with the Depositary’s and the Registrar’s procedures.
(1) Any Definitive Note delivered in exchange for an interest in a Global Note pursuant to Section 2.1(e) shall, except as otherwise provided by Section 2.6(d), bear the applicable legend regarding transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Note set forth in Section 2.1(d).
(2) If a Definitive Note is transferred or exchanged for a beneficial interest in a Global Note, the Registrar will (x) cancel such Definitive Note, (y) record an increase in the principal amount of such Global Note equal to the principal amount of such transfer or exchange and (z) in the event that such transfer or exchange involves less than the entire principal amount of the canceled Definitive Note, the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, to the transferring Holder a new Definitive Note representing the principal amount not so transferred.
(3) If a Definitive Note is transferred or exchanged for another Definitive Note, (x) the Registrar will cancel the Definitive Note being transferred or exchanged, (y) the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, one or more new Definitive Notes in authorized denominations having an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such transfer or exchange to the transferee (in the case of a transfer) or the Holder of the canceled Definitive Note (in the case of an exchange), registered in the name of such transferee or Holder, as applicable, and (z) if such transfer or exchange involves less than the entire principal amount of the canceled Definitive Note, the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery to the Holder thereof, one or more Definitive Notes in authorized denominations having an aggregate principal amount equal to the untransferred or unexchanged portion of the canceled Definitive Notes, registered in the name of the Holder thereof.
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(4) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture, in no event shall a Definitive Note be delivered upon exchange or transfer of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note prior to the end of the Restricted Period.
SECTION 2.2 Execution and Authentication. One Officer shall sign the Notes for each of the Issuer by manual, facsimile or electronic signature. If the Officers whose signature are on a Note no longer holds such office at the time the Trustee or Authenticating Agent authenticates the Note, the Note shall be valid nevertheless.
A Note shall not be valid until an authorized officer of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent authenticates the Note. The signature of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent on a Note shall be conclusive evidence that such Note has been duly and validly authenticated and issued under this Indenture. The Trustee may authenticate the Note by manual, facsimile or electronic signature. Electronically imaged signatures such as .pdf files, faxed signatures or other electronic signatures to the Note and the authentication pages to the Note shall have the same effect as original signatures. A Note shall be dated the date of its authentication.
At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery: (1) Initial Notes for original issue on the Issue Date in an aggregate principal amount of €400,000,000 and (2) subject to the terms of this Indenture, Additional Notes for original issue in an unlimited principal amount, in each case upon a written order of the Issuer signed by one Officer (the “Issuer Order”). Such Issuer Order shall specify whether the Notes will be in the form of Definitive Notes or Global Notes, the amount of the Notes to be authenticated, the date on which the original issue of Notes is to be authenticated, the holder of the Notes and whether the Notes are to be Initial Notes or Additional Notes.
The Trustee may appoint an agent (the “Authenticating Agent”) reasonably acceptable to the Issuer to authenticate the Notes. Any such appointment shall be evidenced by an instrument signed by a Responsible Officer, a copy of which shall be furnished to the Issuer. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, any such Authenticating Agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by an Authenticating Agent. An Authenticating Agent has the same rights as any Registrar, Paying Agent or agent for service of notices and demands.
In case any of the Issuer or any Guarantor, pursuant to Article IV or Section 10.2, as applicable, shall be consolidated, merged or amalgamated with or into any other Person or shall convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, and the successor Person resulting from such consolidation, or surviving such merger, or into which any of the Issuer or any Guarantor shall have been merged, or the Person which shall have received a conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition as aforesaid, shall have executed an indenture supplemental hereto with the Trustee pursuant to Article IV,
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any of the Notes authenticated or delivered prior to such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition may (but shall not be required), from time to time, at the request of the successor Person, be exchanged for other Notes executed in the name of the successor Person with such changes in phraseology and form as may be appropriate to reflect such successor Person, but otherwise in substance of like tenor as the Notes surrendered for such exchange and of like principal amount; and the Trustee, upon the Issuer Order of the successor Person, shall authenticate and make available for delivery Notes as specified in such order for the purpose of such exchange. If Notes shall at any time be authenticated and delivered in any new name of a successor Person pursuant to this Section 2.2 in exchange or substitution for or upon registration of transfer of any Notes, such successor Person, at the option of the Holders but without expense to them, shall provide for the exchange of all Notes at the time outstanding for Notes authenticated and delivered in such new name.
SECTION 2.3 Registrar and Paying Agent. The Issuer shall maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (the “Registrar”) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment. The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange (the “Notes Register”). The Issuer may have one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent and the term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar.
The Issuer shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar or Paying Agent not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such agent. The Issuer shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of each such agent. The Issuer or any Guarantor may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or Transfer Agent.
The Issuer initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar and Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch as Paying Agent and Transfer Agent for the Notes. The Issuer may change any agent without prior notice to the Holders, but upon written notice to such agent and to the Trustee; provided, however, that no such removal shall become effective until (i) acceptance of any appointment by a successor as evidenced by an appropriate agreement entered into by the Issuer and such successor agent, as the case may be, and delivered to the Trustee and the passage of any waiting or notice periods required by the Depositary’s procedures or (ii) written notification to the Trustee that the Trustee shall serve as agent until the appointment of a successor in accordance with clause (i) above. The agent may resign at any time upon written notice to the Issuer and the Trustee.
SECTION 2.4 Paying Agent To Hold Money in Trust. By no later than 10:00 a.m (London time) on the Business Day prior to the date on which any principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note is due and payable, the Issuer shall deposit with the Paying Agent a sum sufficient in immediately available funds to pay such principal, premium or interest when due or at the option of the Paying Agent, payment of interest and Additional Interest, if any, may be made by check mailed to the Holders of the Notes at their respective addresses set forth in the register of Holders; provided that all payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to the Notes represented by one or more Global Notes registered in the name of the
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Common Depositary or its nominee will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the clearing systems who will then transfer such payment to the accounts specified by the Holder or Holders thereof. The Issuer shall require each Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) to agree in writing that such Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by such Paying Agent for the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes (whether such assets have been distributed to it by the Issuer or other obligors on the Notes), shall notify the Trustee in writing of any default by the Issuer or any Guarantor in making any such payment and shall during the continuance of any default by the Issuer (or any other obligor upon the Notes) in the making of any payment in respect of the Notes, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith deliver to the Trustee all sums held in trust by such Paying Agent for payment in respect of the Notes together with a full accounting thereof. If the Issuer or a Subsidiary of the Issuer acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate the money held by it as Paying Agent and hold it as a separate trust fund. The Issuer at any time may require a Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds or assets disbursed by such Paying Agent. Upon complying with this Section 2.4, the Paying Agent (if other than the Issuer or a Subsidiary of the Issuer) shall have no further liability for the money delivered to the Trustee. Upon any bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding with respect to the Issuer, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.
SECTION 2.5 Holder Lists. The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Holders. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Issuer, on its own behalf and on behalf of each of the Guarantors, shall furnish or cause the Registrar to furnish to the Trustee, in writing at least five Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of Holders and the Issuer.
SECTION 2.6 Transfer and Exchange.
(a) A Holder may transfer a Note (or a beneficial interest therein) to another Person or exchange a Note (or a beneficial interest therein) for another Note or Notes of any authorized denomination by presenting to the Transfer Agent a written request therefor stating the name of the proposed transferee or requesting such an exchange, accompanied by any certification, opinion or other document required by this Section 2.6. The Transfer Agent will promptly register any transfer or exchange that meets the requirements of this Section 2.6 by noting the same in the Notes Register maintained by the Registrar for the purpose, and no transfer or exchange will be effective until it is registered in such Notes Register. The transfer or exchange of any Note (or a beneficial interest therein) may only be made in accordance with this Section 2.6 and Section 2.1(e) and 2.1(f), as applicable, and, in the case of a Global Note (or a beneficial interest therein), the applicable rules and procedures of the Depositary. The Registrar shall refuse to register any requested transfer or exchange that does not comply with this paragraph.
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(b) Transfers of Rule 144A Notes and Institutional Accredited Investor Notes. The following provisions shall apply with respect to any proposed registration of transfer of a Rule 144A Note or an Institutional Accredited Investor Note prior to the date that is one year after the later of the date of its original issue and the last date on which the Issuer or any Affiliate of the Issuer was the owner of such Notes (or any predecessor thereto) (the “Resale Restriction Termination Date”):
(1) a registration of transfer of a Rule 144A Note or an Institutional Accredited Investor Note or a beneficial interest therein to a QIB shall be made upon the representation of the transferee in the form as set forth on the reverse of the Note that it is purchasing for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A, and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Issuer as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon its foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A; provided that no such written representation or other written certification shall be required in connection with the transfer of a beneficial interest in the Rule 144A Global Note to a transferee in the form of a beneficial interest in that Rule 144A Global Note in accordance with this Indenture and the applicable procedures of the Depositary.
(2) a registration of transfer of a Rule 144A Note or an Institutional Accredited Investor Note or a beneficial interest therein to an IAI shall be made upon receipt by the Registrar or its agent of a certificate substantially in the form set forth in Section 2.8 from the proposed transferee and the delivery of an Opinion of Counsel, certification and/or other information satisfactory to it; and
(3) a registration of transfer of a Rule 144A Note or an Institutional Accredited Investor Note or a beneficial interest therein to a Non-U.S. Person shall be made upon receipt by the Registrar or its agent of a certificate substantially in the form set forth in Section 2.9 from the proposed transferee and the delivery of an Opinion of Counsel, certification and/or other information satisfactory to it.
(c) Transfers of Regulation S Notes. The following provisions shall apply with respect to any proposed transfer of a Regulation S Note prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period:
(1) a transfer of a Regulation S Note or a beneficial interest therein to a QIB shall be made upon the representation of the transferee, in the form of assignment on the reverse of the certificate, that it is purchasing the Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A, is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Issuer as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon its foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A;
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(2) a transfer of a Regulation S Note or a beneficial interest therein to an IAI shall be made upon receipt by the Registrar or its agent of a certificate substantially in the form set forth in Section 2.8 from the proposed transferee and the delivery of an Opinion of Counsel, certification and/or other information satisfactory to the Issuer; and
(3) a transfer of a Regulation S Note or a beneficial interest therein to a Non-U.S. Person shall be made upon receipt by the Registrar or its agent of a certificate substantially in the form set forth in Section 2.9 hereof from the proposed transferee and receipt by the Registrar or its agent of an Opinion of Counsel, certification and/or other information satisfactory to the Issuer.
After the expiration of the Restricted Period, interests in the Regulation S Note may be transferred in accordance with applicable law without requiring the certification set forth in Section 2.8, Section 2.9 or any additional certification.
(d) Restricted Notes Legend. Upon the transfer, exchange or replacement of Notes not bearing a Restricted Notes Legend, the Registrar shall deliver Notes that do not bear a Restricted Notes Legend. Upon the transfer, exchange or replacement of Notes bearing a Restricted Notes Legend, the Registrar shall deliver only Notes that bear a Restricted Notes Legend unless (1) an Initial Note is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement or (2) there is delivered to the Registrar an Opinion of Counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Issuer and the Registrar to the effect that neither such legend nor the related restrictions on transfer are required in order to maintain compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act. Any Additional Notes sold in a registered offering shall not be required to bear the Restricted Notes Legend.
(e) [Reserved].
(f) Retention of Written Communications. The Registrar shall retain copies of all letters, notices and other written communications received pursuant to Section 2.1 or this Section 2.6. The Issuer shall have the right to inspect and make copies of all such letters, notices or other written communications at any reasonable time upon the giving of reasonable prior written notice to the Registrar.
(g) Obligations with Respect to Transfers and Exchanges of Notes. To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Issuer shall, subject to the other terms and conditions of this Article II, execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Definitive Notes and Global Notes at the Issuer’s and Registrar’s written request.
No service charge shall be made to a Holder for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Issuer and the Trustee may require the Holder to pay a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax, assessments or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes, assessments or similar governmental charges payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.2, 2.13, 3.5, 5.6 or 9.5).
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The Issuer (and the Registrar) shall not be required to register the transfer of or exchange of any Note (A) for a period beginning (1) 15 calendar days before the mailing of a notice of an offer to repurchase or redeem Notes and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing or (2) 15 calendar days before an interest payment date and ending on such interest payment date or (B) called for redemption, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.
Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Note, the Issuer, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar may deem and treat the person in whose name a Note is registered as the owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of, premium, if any, and (subject to the first paragraph of the form of Note attached hereto as Exhibit A) interest on such Note and for all other purposes whatsoever, including without limitation the transfer or exchange of such Note, whether or not such Note is overdue, and none of the Issuer, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
Any Definitive Note delivered in exchange for an interest in a Global Note pursuant to Section 2.1(f) shall, except as otherwise provided by Section 2.6(d), bear the applicable legend regarding transfer restrictions applicable to the Definitive Note set forth in Section 2.1(d).
All Notes issued upon any transfer or exchange pursuant to the terms of this Indenture shall evidence the same debt and shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Notes surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.
(h) No Obligation of the Trustee. (1) Neither the Trustee, the Registrar nor any other Agent, shall have any responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of a Global Note, a member of, or a participant in, the Depositary or other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depositary or its nominee or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Notes or with respect to the delivery to any participant, member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depositary) of any notice (including any notice of redemption or purchase) or the payment of any amount or delivery of any Notes (or other security or property) under or with respect to such Notes. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders in respect of the Notes shall be given or made only to or upon the order of the registered Holders (which shall be the Common Depositary or its nominee in the case of a Global Note). The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Note shall be exercised only through the Depositary subject to the applicable rules and procedures of the Depositary. The Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depositary with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners.
Neither the Trustee nor the Registrar shall have any obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among the Depositary participants, members or beneficial owners in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof. Neither the Trustee, the Registrar nor any of their respective agents shall have any responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary.
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SECTION 2.7 [Reserved].
SECTION 2.8 Form of Certificate To Be Delivered in Connection with Transfers to IAIs.
[Date]
Avis Budget Finance plc
6 Sylvan Way
Parsippany, NJ 07054
Attention: Treasurer
Facsimile: 502-394-1160
Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch
Winchester House
1 Great Winchester Street
London EC2N 2DB
United Kingdom
| Re: | Avis Budget Finance plc |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This certificate is delivered to request a transfer of €[_________] principal amount of the 7.25% Senior Notes due 2030 (the “Notes”) of Avis Budget Finance plc (the “Issuer”).
Upon transfer, the Notes would be registered in the name of the new beneficial owner as follows:
Name:
Address:
Taxpayer ID Number:
The undersigned represents and warrants to you that:
1. We are an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)) purchasing for our own account or for the account of such an institutional “accredited investor,” and we are acquiring the Notes not with a view to, or for offer or sale in connection with, any distribution in violation of the Securities Act. We have such knowledge and experience in financial and
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business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risk of our investment in the Notes and we invest in or purchase securities similar to the Notes in the normal course of our business. We and any accounts for which we are acting are each able to bear the economic risk of our or its investment.
2. We understand that the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and, unless so registered, may not be sold except as permitted in the following sentence. We agree on our own behalf and on behalf of any investor account for which we are purchasing Notes to offer, sell or otherwise transfer such Notes prior to the Resale Restriction Termination Date only (a) to the Issuer, the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (b) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, (c) in a transaction complying with the requirements of Rule 144A under the Securities Act, to a person we reasonably believe is a “qualified institutional buyer” under Rule 144A of the Securities Act (a “QIB”) that is purchasing for its own account or for the account of a QIB and to whom notice is given that the transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A, (d) pursuant to offers and sales to non-U.S. persons that occur outside the United States within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (e) to an institutional “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act that is purchasing for its own account or for the account of such an institutional “accredited investor,” in each case for investment purposes and not with a view to or for offer or sale in connection with any distribution in violation of the Securities Act or (f) pursuant to any other available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, subject in each of the foregoing cases to any requirement of law that the disposition of our property or the property of such investor account or accounts be at all times within our or their control and in compliance with any applicable state securities laws. The foregoing restrictions on resale will not apply subsequent to the Resale Restriction Termination Date. If any resale or other transfer of the Notes is proposed to be made pursuant to clause (e) above prior to the Resale Restriction Termination Date, the transferor shall deliver a letter from the transferee substantially in the form of this letter to the Issuer and the Trustee and Registrar, which shall provide, among other things, that the transferee is an institutional “accredited investor” (within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act) and that it is acquiring such Notes for investment purposes and not for distribution in violation of the Securities Act. Each purchaser acknowledges that the Issuer and the Trustee and Registrar reserve the right prior to any offer, sale or other transfer prior to the Resale Restriction Termination Date of the Notes pursuant to clauses (d), (e) or (f) above to require the delivery of an opinion of counsel, certifications and/or other information satisfactory to the Issuer.
3. We [are][are not] an Affiliate of the Issuer.
| TRANSFEREE: |
| BY: |
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SECTION 2.9 Form of Certificate To Be Delivered in Connection with Transfers Pursuant to Regulation S.
[Date]
Avis Budget Finance plc
6 Sylvan Way
Parsippany, NJ 07054
Attention: Treasurer
Facsimile: 502-394-1160
Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch
Winchester House
1 Great Winchester Street
London EC2N 2DB
United Kingdom
Re: Avis Budget Finance plc (the “Issuer”) 7.25% Senior Notes due 2030 (the “Notes”)
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In connection with our proposed sale of €[________] aggregate principal amount of the Notes, we confirm that such sale has been effected pursuant to and in accordance with Regulation S under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, we represent that:
(a) the offer of the Notes was not made to a person in the United States;
(b) either (i) at the time the buy order was originated, the transferee was outside the United States or we and any person acting on our behalf reasonably believed that the transferee was outside the United States or (ii) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated off-shore securities market and neither we nor any person acting on our behalf knows that the transaction has been pre-arranged with a buyer in the United States;
(c) no directed selling efforts have been made in the United States in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(a)(2) or Rule 904(a)(2) of Regulation S, as applicable; and
(d) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act.
In addition, if the sale is made during a restricted period and the provisions of Rule 903(b)(2), Rule 903(b)(3) or Rule 904(b)(1) of Regulation S are applicable thereto, we confirm that such sale has been made in accordance with the applicable provisions of Rule 903(b)(2), Rule 903(b)(3) or Rule 904(b)(1), as the case may be.
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We also hereby certify that we [are][are not] an Affiliate of the Issuer and, to our knowledge, the transferee of the Notes [is][is not] an Affiliate of the Issuer.
The Trustee, Registrar and the Issuer are entitled to conclusively rely upon this letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby. Terms used in this certificate have the meanings set forth in Regulation S.
| Very truly yours, | ||
| [Name of Transferor] | ||
| By: | ||
| Authorized Signature | ||
SECTION 2.10 [Reserved].
SECTION 2.11 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Notes. If a mutilated Note is surrendered to the Registrar or if the Holder of a Note claims that the Note has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Issuer shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Note if the requirements of Section 8-405 of the Uniform Commercial Code are met, such that the Holder (a) satisfies the Issuer or the Trustee that such Note has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken within a reasonable time after such Holder has notice of such loss, destruction or wrongful taking and the Registrar has not registered a transfer prior to receiving such notification, (b) makes such request to the Issuer and the Trustee and the Registrar prior to the Note being acquired by a protected purchaser as defined in Section 8-303 of the Uniform Commercial Code (a “protected purchaser”), (c) satisfies any other reasonable requirements of the Trustee; provided, however, that if after the delivery of such replacement Note, a protected purchaser of the Note for which such replacement Note was issued presents for payment or registration such replaced Note, the Trustee and/or the Issuer shall be entitled to recover such replacement Note from the Person to whom it was issued and delivered or any Person taking therefrom, except a protected purchaser, and shall be entitled to recover upon the security or indemnity provided therefor to the extent of any loss, damage, cost or expense incurred by the Issuer or the Trustee in connection therewith. Such Holder shall furnish an indemnity bond sufficient in the judgment of (i) the Trustee to protect the Trustee and (ii) the Issuer to protect the Issuer, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Registrar, from any loss which any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced, and, in the absence of notice to the Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee that such Note has been acquired by a protected purchaser, the Issuer shall execute, and upon receipt of an Issuer Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, in exchange for any such mutilated Note or in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Note, a new Note of like tenor and principal amount, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
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In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note has become or is about to become due and payable, the Issuer in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Note, pay such Note.
Upon the issuance of any new Note under this Section 2.11, the Issuer may require that such Holder pay a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other reasonable expenses (including the fees and expenses of counsel and of the Trustee) in connection therewith.
Subject to the proviso in the initial paragraph of this Section 2.11, every new Note issued pursuant to this Section 2.11, in lieu of any mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Issuer, any Guarantor (if applicable) and any other obligor upon the Notes, whether or not the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Notes duly issued hereunder.
The provisions of this Section 2.11 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes.
SECTION 2.12 Outstanding Notes. Notes outstanding at any time are all Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those cancelled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those paid pursuant to Section 2.11 and those described in this Section 2.12 as not outstanding. A Note does not cease to be outstanding in the event the Issuer or an Affiliate of the Issuer holds the Note; provided, however, that (i) for purposes of determining which are outstanding for consent or voting purposes hereunder, the provisions of Section 12.6 shall apply and (ii) in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in making a determination whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of outstanding Notes are present at a meeting of Holders of Notes for quorum purposes or have consented to or voted in favor of any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver, amendment or modification hereunder, or relying upon any such quorum, consent or vote, only Notes which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee or the Registrar actually knows to be held by the Issuer or an Affiliate of the Issuer shall not be considered outstanding.
If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.11 (other than a mutilated Note surrendered for replacement), it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee or the Registrar and the Issuer receive proof satisfactory to them that the replaced Note is held by a protected purchaser. A mutilated Note ceases to be outstanding upon surrender of such Note and replacement pursuant to Section 2.11.
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If the Paying Agent holds in trust, in accordance with this Indenture, on a Redemption Date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest payable on that date with respect to the Notes (or portions thereof) to be redeemed or maturing, as the case may be, and the Paying Agent is not prohibited from paying such money to the Holders on that date pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, then on and after that date such Notes (or portions thereof) cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.
SECTION 2.13 Temporary Notes. In the event that Definitive Notes are to be issued under the terms of this Indenture, until such Definitive Notes are ready for delivery, the Issuer may prepare and the Trustee or Authenticating Agent shall authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form, and shall carry all rights, of Definitive Notes but may have variations that the Issuer considers appropriate for temporary Notes. Without unreasonable delay, the Issuer shall prepare and the Trustee or Authenticating Agent shall authenticate Definitive Notes. After the preparation of Definitive Notes, the temporary Notes shall be exchangeable for Definitive Notes upon surrender of the temporary Notes at any office or agency maintained by the Issuer for that purpose and such exchange shall be without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Notes, the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee or Authenticating Agent shall, upon receipt of an Issuer Order, authenticate and make available for delivery in exchange therefor, one or more Definitive Notes representing an equal principal amount of Notes. Until so exchanged, the Holder of temporary Notes shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as a Holder of Definitive Notes.
SECTION 2.14 Cancellation. The Issuer at any time may deliver Notes to the Registrar for cancellation. The Registrar shall automatically cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment or cancellation and dispose of such Notes in accordance with its internal policies and customary procedures (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act). If the Issuer or any Guarantor acquires any of the Notes, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the Indebtedness represented by such Notes unless and until the same are surrendered to the Registrar for cancellation pursuant to this Section 2.14. The Issuer may not issue new Notes to replace Notes it has paid or delivered to the Registrar for cancellation for any reason other than in connection with a transfer or exchange.
At such time as all beneficial interests in a Global Note have either been exchanged for Definitive Notes, transferred, redeemed, repurchased or canceled, such Global Note shall be returned by the Common Depositary to the Registrar for cancellation or retained and canceled by the Registrar. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for Definitive Notes, transferred in exchange for an interest in another Global Note, redeemed, repurchased or canceled, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced and an adjustment shall be made on the books and records of the Registrar with respect to such Global Note, by the Registrar, to reflect such reduction.
SECTION 2.15 Payment of Interest; Defaulted Interest. Interest on any Note which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any interest payment date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note (or one or more predecessor Notes) is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such payment at the office or agency of the Issuer maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 2.3.
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Any interest on any Note which is payable, but is not paid when the same becomes due and payable and such nonpayment continues for a period of 30 days shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the regular record date, and such defaulted interest and (to the extent lawful) interest on such defaulted interest at the rate borne by the Notes (such defaulted interest and interest thereon herein collectively called “Defaulted Interest”) shall be paid by the Issuer, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (a) or (b) below:
(a) The Issuer may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Notes (or their respective predecessor Notes) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date (as defined below) for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Issuer shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date (not less than 30 days after such notice) of the proposed payment (the “Special Interest Payment Date”), and at the same time the Issuer shall deposit with the Trustee or Paying Agent an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this Section 2.15(a). Thereupon the Issuer shall fix a record date (the “Special Record Date”) for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which date shall be not more than 20 calendar days and not less than 15 calendar days prior to the Special Interest Payment Date and not less than 10 calendar days after the receipt by the Paying Agent of the notice of the proposed payment. The Issuer shall promptly notify the Trustee and the Paying Agent in writing of such Special Record Date, and in the name and at the expense of the Issuer, the Trustee shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date and Special Interest Payment Date therefor to be given in the manner provided for in Section 12.2, not less than 10 calendar days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date and Special Interest Payment Date therefor having been so given, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid on the Special Interest Payment Date to the Persons in whose names the Notes (or their respective predecessor Notes) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the provisions in Section 2.15(b).
(b) The Issuer may make payment of any Defaulted Interest in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Notes may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after written notice given by the Issuer to the Trustee and the Paying Agent of the proposed payment pursuant to this Section 2.15(b), such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Paying Agent.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.15, each Note delivered under this Indenture upon registration of, transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Note shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Note.
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SECTION 2.16 Common Code and ISIN Numbers. The Issuer in issuing the Notes may use “Common Code” and/or “ISIN” numbers and, if so, the Trustee shall use “Common Code” and/or “ISIN” numbers in notices of redemption or purchase as a convenience to Holders; provided, however, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of a redemption or purchase and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption or purchase shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such Common Code and/or ISIN numbers. The Issuer shall promptly notify the Trustee and Registrar in writing of any change in the Common Code and/or ISIN numbers.
ARTICLE III
COVENANTS
SECTION 3.1 Payment of Notes. The Issuer shall promptly pay principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes at the office or agency of the Issuer maintained for such purpose or, at the option of the Paying Agent, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the Holders of the Notes at their respective addresses set forth in the Notes Register; provided that all payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to Notes represented by one or more Global Notes registered in the name of or held by the Common Depositary or its nominee shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Holders thereof. Until otherwise designated by the Issuer, the Issuer’s office or agency maintained for such purpose will be the office of the Paying Agent.
SECTION 3.2 [Reserved].
SECTION 3.3 Limitation on Restricted Payments.
(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, to:
(1) declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on or in respect of the Company’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s Capital Stock (including any such payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) except:
(A) dividends, payments or distributions payable in Capital Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or in options, warrants or other rights to purchase such Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company; and
(B) dividends, payments or distributions payable to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary (and, in the case of any such Restricted Subsidiary making such dividend or distribution, to holders of its Capital Stock other than the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary on no more than a pro rata basis);
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(2) purchase, repurchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for value any Capital Stock of the Company held by Persons other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;
(3) purchase, repurchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, prior to scheduled maturity, scheduled repayment or scheduled sinking fund payment, any Subordinated Indebtedness (other than (a) any such purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case, due within one year of the date of purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement and (b) any Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary); or
(4) make any Restricted Investment;
(any such dividend, distribution, payment, purchase, redemption, repurchase, defeasance, other acquisition, retirement or Restricted Investment referred to in clauses (1) through (4) above (other than any exceptions thereto) are referred to herein as a “Restricted Payment”), if at the time the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary makes such Restricted Payment:
(i) other than in the case of (i) a Restricted Investment and (ii) amounts attributable to subclauses (A) and (C) through (F) of clause (iii) below, an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (or would result immediately thereafter therefrom);
(ii) [reserved]; or
(iii) the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payment and all other Restricted Payments made subsequent to the Issue Date (and not returned or rescinded) (including Permitted Payments permitted by Section 3.3(b)(1) (without duplication), but excluding all other Restricted Payments permitted by Section 3.3(b)) would exceed the sum of (without duplication):
(A) the greater of $900.0 million and 3.50% of Total Assets;
(B) 50% of Consolidated Net Income for the period (treated as one accounting period) from January 1, 2015 to the end of the most recent fiscal quarter ending prior to the date of such Restricted Payment for which consolidated financial statements of the Company are available (which may, at the Company’s election, be internal financial statements) (or, in the case such Consolidated Net Income is a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit);
(C) 100% of the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds, and the fair market value of property or assets or marketable securities, received by the Company from the issue or sale of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock or Designated Preferred Stock) subsequent to March 11, 2015 or otherwise
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contributed to the equity (other than through the issuance of Disqualified Stock or Designated Preferred Stock) of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary (including the aggregate principal amount of any Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary contributed to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary for cancellation) or that becomes part of the capital of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary through consolidation or merger subsequent to the Issue Date (other than (x) Net Cash Proceeds or property or assets or marketable securities received from an issuance or sale of such Capital Stock to a Restricted Subsidiary or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company for the benefit of its employees to the extent funded by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, (y) Net Cash Proceeds or property or assets or marketable securities to the extent that any Restricted Payment has been made from such proceeds in reliance on Section 3.3(b)(6) and (z) Excluded Contributions);
(D) 100% of the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds, and the fair market value of property or assets or marketable securities, received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from the issuance or sale (other than to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Company or any Subsidiary for the benefit of their employees to the extent funded by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary) by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary subsequent to March 11, 2015 of any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Designated Preferred Stock that has been converted into or exchanged for Capital Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock or Designated Preferred Stock) plus, without duplication, the amount of any cash, and the fair market value of property or assets or marketable securities, received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary upon such conversion or exchange;
(E) 100% of the aggregate amount received in cash and the fair market value, as determined in good faith by the Company, of marketable securities or other property received by means of: (i) the sale or other disposition (other than to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) of, or other returns on Investment from, Restricted Investments made by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries and repurchases and redemptions of, or cash distributions or cash interest received in respect of, such Investments from the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries and repayments of loans or advances, and releases of guarantees, which constitute Restricted Investments by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case after March 11, 2015; or (ii) the sale or other disposition (other than to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) of the Capital Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or a dividend, payment or distribution from an Unrestricted Subsidiary (other than to the extent of the amount of the Investment that constituted a Permitted Investment or was made under Section 3.3(b)(17), which will instead increase the amount available under the applicable clause of the definition of “Permitted Investment” or Section 3.3(b)(17), as the case may be) or a dividend from a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary after March 11, 2015; and
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(F) in the case of the redesignation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary or the merger, amalgamation or consolidation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary into the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or the transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of an Unrestricted Subsidiary to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary after March 11, 2015, the fair market value of the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary (or the assets transferred), as determined in good faith by the Company, at the time of the redesignation of such Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary or at the time of such merger, amalgamation or consolidation or transfer of assets (after taking into consideration any Indebtedness associated with the Unrestricted Subsidiary so designated or merged, amalgamated or consolidated or Indebtedness associated with the assets so transferred), other than to the extent of the amount of the Investment that constituted a Permitted Investment or was made under Section 3.3(b)(17) and will increase the amount available under the applicable clause of the definition of “Permitted Investment” or Section 3.3(b)(17), as the case may be.
(b) The foregoing provisions of Section 3.3(a) will not prohibit any of the following (collectively, “Permitted Payments”):
(1) the payment of any dividend or distribution within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof, if at the date of declaration such payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture or the redemption, repurchase or retirement of Indebtedness if, at the date of any redemption notice, such payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture as if it were and is deemed at such time to be a Restricted Payment at the time of such notice;
(2) any prepayment, purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance, discharge, retirement or other acquisition or retirement of Capital Stock, including accrued and unpaid dividends thereon, or Subordinated Indebtedness made by exchange (including any such exchange pursuant to the exercise of a conversion right or privilege in connection with which cash is paid in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares) for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, Capital Stock of the Company or any Parent Entity to the extent contributed to the Company (in each case, other than Disqualified Stock or Designated Preferred Stock) (“Refunding Capital Stock”) or a substantially concurrent contribution to the equity (other than through the issuance of Disqualified Stock or Designated Preferred Stock or through an Excluded Contribution) of the Company; provided, however, that to the extent so applied, the Net Cash Proceeds, or fair market value of property or assets or of marketable securities, from such sale of Capital Stock or such contribution will be excluded from Section 3.3(a)(iii);
(3) any prepayment, purchase, repurchase, exchange, redemption, defeasance, discharge, retirement or other acquisition of Subordinated Indebtedness made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;
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(4) any prepayment, purchase, repurchase, exchange, redemption, defeasance, discharge, retirement or other acquisition of Preferred Stock of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary made by exchange for or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of Preferred Stock of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be;
(5) any prepayment, purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance, discharge or other acquisition or retirement of Subordinated Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary:
(A) from Net Available Cash to the extent permitted under Section 3.5; or
(B) following the occurrence of (i) a Change of Control (or other similar event described therein as a “change of control”) or (ii) an Asset Disposition (or other similar event described therein as an “asset disposition” or “asset sale”), but only if the Company shall have first complied with Section 3.9 or Section 3.5 and purchased all Notes tendered pursuant to the offer to repurchase all the Notes required thereby, prior to purchasing, repurchasing, redeeming, defeasing or otherwise acquiring or retiring such Subordinated Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock; or
(C) consisting of Acquired Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness Incurred (i) to provide all or any portion of the funds utilized to consummate the transaction or series of related transactions pursuant to which such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary or was otherwise acquired by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) otherwise in connection with or contemplation of such acquisition);
(6) a Restricted Payment to pay for the prepayment, purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance, discharge or other acquisition or retirement for value of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) or equity appreciation rights of the Company or of any Parent Entity or Restricted Subsidiary held by any future, present or former employee, director, officer, manager, contractor, consultant or advisor (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any Parent Entity pursuant to any management equity plan, stock option plan, phantom equity plan or any other management, employee benefit or other compensatory plan or agreement (and any successor plans or arrangements thereto), employment, termination or severance agreement, or any stock subscription or equityholder agreement (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any principal and interest payable on any Indebtedness issued by the Company or any Parent Entity in connection with such prepayment, purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance, discharge, retirement or other acquisition), including any Capital Stock rolled over, accelerated or paid out by or to any employee, director, officer, manager,
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contractor, consultant or advisor (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any Parent Entity in connection with any transaction; provided, however, that the aggregate Restricted Payments made under this clause (6) do not exceed the greater of $20.0 million and 0.10% of Total Assets in any fiscal year (with unused amounts in any fiscal year being carried over to succeeding fiscal years subject to a maximum of the greater of $50.0 million and 0.20% of Total Assets in any fiscal year); provided, further, that such amount in any fiscal year may be increased by an amount not to exceed:
(A) the cash proceeds from the sale of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock or Designated Preferred Stock or Excluded Contributions) or equity appreciation rights or the exercise of options or warrants or other rights to purchase or acquire Capital Stock of the Company and, to the extent contributed to the capital of the Company (other than through the issuance of Disqualified Stock or Designated Preferred Stock or an Excluded Contribution), Capital Stock or equity appreciation rights or the exercise of options or warrants or other rights to purchase or acquire Capital Stock of any Parent Entity, in each case to any future, present or former employee, director, officer, manager, contractor, consultant or advisor (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any Parent Entity that occurred after the Issue Date, to the extent the cash proceeds from the sale of such Capital Stock have not otherwise been applied to the payment of Restricted Payments by virtue of Section 3.3(a)(iii); plus
(B) the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries (or any Parent Entity to the extent contributed to the Company) after the Issue Date; less
(C) the amount of any Restricted Payments made in previous calendar years pursuant to clauses (A) and (B) of this clause (6);
provided that the Company may elect to apply all or any portion of the aggregate increase contemplated by subclauses (A) and (B) of this clause (6) in any fiscal year; and provided, further, that (i) cancellation of Indebtedness owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from any future, present or former employee, director, officer, manager, contractor, consultant or advisor (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) of the Company, or any Parent Entity or Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with a repurchase of Capital Stock of the Company or any Parent Entity and (ii) the repurchase of Capital Stock deemed to occur upon the exercise of options, warrants or similar instruments if such Capital Stock represents all or a portion of the exercise price thereof and payments, in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares of such Capital Stock or withholding to pay other taxes payable in connection therewith, in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii), will not be deemed to constitute a Restricted Payment for purposes of this Section 3.3 or any other provision of this Indenture;
(7) the declaration and payment of dividends on Disqualified Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary;
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(8) payments made or expected to be made by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of withholding or similar taxes payable in connection with the exercise or vesting of Capital Stock or any other equity award by any future, present or former employee, director, officer, manager, contractor, consultant or advisor (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or any Parent Entity and purchases, repurchases, redemptions, defeasances or other acquisitions or retirements of Capital Stock deemed to occur upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of stock options, warrants, equity-based awards or other rights in respect thereof if such Capital Stock represents a portion of the exercise price thereof or payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares of such Capital Stock or in respect of withholding or similar taxes payable upon exercise or vesting thereof;
(9) dividends, loans, advances or distributions to any Parent Entity or other payments by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in amounts equal to (without duplication):
(A) the amounts required for any Parent Entity to make payments pursuant to any tax sharing agreement or to pay any Parent Entity Expenses or any Related Taxes; or
(B) amounts constituting or to be used for purposes of making payments to the extent specified in clauses (6) and (24) of the definition of “Permitted Investments”;
(10) the payment by the Company of, or loans, advances, dividends or distributions by the Company to any Parent Entity to pay, dividends on or purchase or repurchase the common stock or equity of such Parent Entity an amount not to exceed in any fiscal year the greater of $200.0 million and 0.75% of Total Assets;
(11) payments by the Company, or loans, advances, dividends or distributions to any Parent Entity to make payments, to holders of Capital Stock of the Company or any Parent Entity in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares of such Capital Stock; provided, however, that any such payment, loan, advance, dividend or distribution shall not be for the purpose of evading any limitation of this Section 3.3 or otherwise to facilitate any dividend or other return of capital to the holders of such Capital Stock (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors);
(12) Restricted Payments (a) in an amount not to exceed the amount of Excluded Contributions or (b) in an amount equal to the amount of net cash proceeds from an asset sale or disposition in respect of property or assets acquired, if the acquisition of such property or assets was financed with Excluded Contributions;
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(13) (i) the declaration and payment of dividends on Designated Preferred Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary issued after the Issue Date; (ii) the declaration and payment of dividends to a Parent Entity in an amount sufficient to allow the Parent Entity to pay dividends to holders of its Designated Preferred Stock issued after the Issue Date; and (iii) the declaration and payment of dividends on Refunding Capital Stock that is Preferred Stock; provided, however, that, in the case of clause (ii), the amount of all dividends declared or paid pursuant to this clause shall not exceed the Net Cash Proceeds received by the Company or the aggregate amount contributed in cash to the equity (other than through the issuance of Disqualified Stock or an Excluded Contribution of the Company), from the issuance or sale of such Designated Preferred Stock; provided, further, in the case of clauses (i) and (iii), that for the most recently ended four fiscal quarters for which consolidated financial statements are available (which may, at the Company’s election, be internal financial statements) immediately preceding the date of issuance of such Designated Preferred Stock or declaration of such dividends on such Refunding Capital Stock, after giving effect to such payment on a pro forma basis the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries is at least 2.00 to 1.00;
(14) distributions, by dividend or otherwise, or other transfer or disposition of shares of Capital Stock of, or equity interests in, an Unrestricted Subsidiary (or a Restricted Subsidiary that owns one or more Unrestricted Subsidiaries and no other material assets), or Indebtedness owed to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary by an Unrestricted Subsidiary (or a Restricted Subsidiary that owns one or more Unrestricted Subsidiaries and no other material assets), in each case, other than Unrestricted Subsidiaries the primary assets of which are cash and Cash Equivalents or proceeds thereof;
(15) distributions or payments of Special Purpose Financing Fees, sales contributions and other transfers of receivables and purchases of receivables pursuant to a securitization repurchase obligation, in each case in connection with a Special Purpose Financing;
(16) any Restricted Payment made in connection with the Transactions and any fees, costs and expenses (including all legal, accounting and other professional fees, costs and expenses) related thereto or used to fund amounts owed to Affiliates in connection with the Transactions (including dividends to any Parent Entity of the Company to permit payment by such Parent Entity of such amounts);
(17) (i) Restricted Payments (including loans or advances) in an aggregate amount outstanding at the time made not to exceed the greater of $800.0 million and 3.00% of Total Assets at such time, and (ii) so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (or would result therefrom) any Restricted Payments, so long as, after giving pro forma effect to the payment of any such Restricted Payment, the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio shall be no greater than 5.00 to 1.00;
(18) mandatory redemptions of Disqualified Stock issued as a Restricted Payment or as consideration for a Permitted Investment; provided that the amount of such redemptions are no greater than the amount that constituted a Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment;
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(19) distributions by a Special Purpose Entity to its partners pursuant to a financing arrangement solely out of the cash flows of such Special Purpose Entity;
(20) the making of (i) cash payments made by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to satisfy the payment of principal, interest or premium related to, or the conversion or exchange obligation upon conversion or exchange of, convertible or exchangeable Indebtedness (including convertible or exchangeable Indebtedness of any direct or indirect parent of the Company) issued in a convertible or exchangeable notes offering and any payments by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to satisfy the exercise, settlement or termination of any related capped call, hedge, warrant or other similar transactions and (ii) cash payments by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to satisfy the liquidation preference, dividends or premium related to, or the conversion obligation upon conversion of, Preferred Stock (including Preferred Stock of any direct or indirect parent of the Company) and any payments by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to satisfy the exercise, settlement or termination of any related capped call, hedge, warrant or other similar transactions;
(21) payments or distributions to dissenting stockholders pursuant to applicable law (including in connection with, or as a result of, exercise of dissenters’ or appraisal rights and the settlement of any claims or action (whether actual, contingent or potential)), pursuant to or in connection with a merger, amalgamation, consolidation or transfer of assets that complies with Section 4.1;
(22) Restricted Payments to a Parent Entity to finance Investments that would otherwise be permitted to be made pursuant to this covenant if made by the Company; provided that (a) such Restricted Payment shall be made substantially concurrently with the closing of such Investment, (b) such Parent Entity shall, promptly following the closing thereof, cause (1) all property acquired (whether assets or Capital Stock) to be contributed to the capital of the Company or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (2) the merger or amalgamation of the Person formed or acquired into the Company or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries (to the extent not prohibited by Section 4.1) to consummate such Investment, (c) such Parent Entity and its Affiliates (other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) receives no consideration or other payment in connection with such transaction except to the extent the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary could have given such consideration or made such payment in compliance with this Indenture, (d) any property received by the Company shall not increase amounts available for Restricted Payments pursuant to clause (c) of the preceding paragraph, except to the extent the fair market value at the time of such receipt of such property exceeds the Restricted Payment made pursuant to this clause and (e) such Investment shall be deemed to be made by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to another provision of this covenant (other than pursuant to clause (12) hereof) or pursuant to the definition of “Permitted Investment” (other than pursuant to clause (12) thereof);
(23) Investments or other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed an amount equal to the sum of Total Leverage Excess Proceeds and Declined Excess Proceeds; and
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(24) any Restricted Payment made in connection with Permitted Intercompany Activities, Permitted Tax Restructuring or related transactions.
For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 3.3, in the event that a Restricted Payment or Investment (or portion thereof) meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Payments described in the clauses above, or is permitted pursuant to this Section 3.3(a) and/or one or more of the clauses contained in the definition of “Permitted Investment,” the Company will be entitled to divide or classify (or later divide, classify or reclassify in whole or in part in its sole discretion) such Restricted Payment or Investment (or portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this Section 3.3, including as an Investment pursuant to one or more of the clauses contained in the definition of “Permitted Investment.”
The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) shall be the fair market value on the date of such Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or securities proposed to be paid, transferred or issued by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to such Restricted Payment. The fair market value of any cash Restricted Payment shall be its face amount, and the fair market value of any non-cash Restricted Payment, property or assets other than cash shall be determined conclusively by the Company acting in good faith.
In connection with any commitment, definitive agreement or similar event relating to an Investment, the Company or applicable Restricted Subsidiary may designate such Investment as having occurred on the date of the commitment, definitive agreement or similar event relating thereto (such date, the “Election Date”) if, after giving pro forma effect to such Investment and all related transactions in connection therewith and any related pro forma adjustments, the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries would have been permitted to make such Investment on the relevant Election Date in compliance with this Indenture, and any related subsequent actual making of such Investment will be deemed for all purposes under this Indenture to have been made on such Election Date, including for purposes of calculating any ratio, compliance with any test, usage of any baskets hereunder (if applicable) and Consolidated EBITDA and for purposes of determining whether there exists any Default or Event of Default (and all such calculations on and after the Election Date until the termination, expiration, passing, rescission, retraction or rescindment of such commitment, definitive agreement or similar event shall be made on a pro forma basis giving effect thereto and all related transactions in connection therewith).
Unrestricted Subsidiaries may use value transferred from the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in a Permitted Investment to purchase or otherwise acquire Indebtedness or Capital Stock of the Company, any Parent Entity or any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries, and to transfer value to the holders of the Capital Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or any Parent Entity and to Affiliates thereof, and such purchase, acquisition, or transfer will not be deemed to be a “direct or indirect” action by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries.
If the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary makes a Restricted Payment which at the time of the making of such Restricted Payment would in the good faith determination of the Company be permitted under the provisions of this Indenture, such Restricted Payment shall be deemed to have been made in compliance with this Indenture notwithstanding any subsequent adjustments made in good faith to the Company’s financial statements affecting Consolidated Net Income or Consolidated EBITDA of the Company for any period.
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For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 3.3 shall not restrict the making of, or dividends or other distributions in amounts sufficient to make, any “AHYDO catch-up payment” with respect to any Indebtedness of any Parent Entity, the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
SECTION 3.4 [Reserved].
SECTION 3.5 Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock.
(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any Asset Disposition unless:
(1) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives consideration (including by way of relief from, or by any other Person assuming responsibility for, any liabilities, contingent or otherwise) at least equal to the fair market value (such fair market value to be determined on the date of contractually agreeing to such Asset Disposition), as determined in good faith by the Company, of the shares and assets subject to such Asset Disposition (including, for the avoidance of doubt, if such Asset Disposition is a Permitted Asset Swap);
(2) in any such Asset Disposition, or series of related Asset Dispositions (except to the extent the Asset Disposition is a Permitted Asset Swap) with a purchase price in excess of the greater of $400.0 million and 1.50% of Total Assets, other than in a sale of the Budget Truck Division for fair market value, at least 75% of the consideration from such Asset Disposition (including by way of relief from, or by any other Person assuming responsibility for, any liabilities, contingent or otherwise), together with all other Asset Dispositions since the Issue Date (on a cumulative basis), received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents; and
(3) an amount equal to the Applicable Percentage of the Net Available Cash (the “Applicable Proceeds”) from such Asset Disposition is applied:
(A) to the extent the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, elects (or is required by the terms of any Indebtedness), (i) to prepay, repay or purchase any Indebtedness of a Non-Guarantor, any Indebtedness that is secured by a Lien (in each case, other than Indebtedness owed to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary) or Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement (or any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof) within 545 days from the later of (A) the date of such Asset Disposition and (B) the receipt of such Net Available Cash; provided, however, that, in connection with any prepayment, repayment or purchase of Indebtedness pursuant to this clause (i), the Company or Restricted Subsidiary shall retire such Indebtedness and shall cause the related commitment (if any) to be reduced in an amount equal to the
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principal amount so prepaid, repaid or purchased or (ii) to prepay, repay or purchase Pari Passu Indebtedness at a price of no more than 100% of the principal amount of such Pari Passu Indebtedness plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of such prepayment, repayment or purchase; provided, further, that, to the extent the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary redeems, repays or repurchases Pari Passu Indebtedness pursuant to this clause (ii), the Issuer shall equally and ratably reduce Obligations under the Notes as provided under Section 5.7 through open-market purchases (to the extent such purchases are at or above 100% of the principal amount thereof) or by making an offer (in accordance with the procedures set forth below for an Asset Disposition Offer) to all Holders to purchase their Notes at 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus the amount of accrued but unpaid interest, if any, on the amount of Notes that would otherwise be prepaid; and/or
(B) to the extent the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary elects, to invest in or commit to invest in Additional Assets (including by means of an investment in Additional Assets by a Restricted Subsidiary equal to the amount of Applicable Proceeds received by the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary) within 545 days from the later of (i) the date of such Asset Disposition and (ii) the receipt of such Applicable Proceeds; provided, however, that a binding agreement shall be treated as a permitted application of Applicable Proceeds from the date of such commitment with the good faith expectation that an amount equal to Applicable Proceeds will be applied to satisfy such commitment within 180 days of such commitment;
provided that, (1) pending the final application of the amount of any such Applicable Proceeds in accordance with clause (A) or (B) of Section 3.5(a)(3), the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may temporarily reduce Indebtedness (including under the Credit Facility) or otherwise use such Applicable Proceeds in any manner not prohibited by this Indenture and (2) the Company (or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) may elect to invest in Additional Assets prior to receiving the Applicable Proceeds attributable to any given Asset Disposition (provided that such investment shall be made no earlier than the earliest of notice to the Trustee of the relevant Asset Disposition, execution of a definitive agreement for the relevant Asset Disposition, and consummation of the relevant Asset Disposition) and deem the amount so invested to be applied pursuant to and in accordance with Section 3.5(a)(3)(B) with respect to such Asset Disposition.
(b) On the 546th day after the later of an Asset Disposition or the receipt of such Applicable Proceeds, if the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds under this Indenture exceeds (i) the greater of $200.0 million and 0.75% of Total Assets, in the case of a single transaction or a series of related transactions, or (ii) the greater of $400.0 million and 1.50% of Total Assets aggregate amount in any fiscal year, (such amount of Applicable Proceeds that do not exceed (i) the greater of $200.0 million and 0.75% of Total Assets, in the case of a single transaction or a series of related transactions, or (ii) the greater of $400.0 million and 1.50% of Total Assets aggregate amount in any fiscal year, “Declined Excess Proceeds” and such amount of Applicable Proceeds that do exceed (i) the greater of $200.0 million and 0.75% of Total Assets, in the case of a single transaction or a series of related transactions, or (ii) the greater of
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$400.0 million and 1.50% of Total Assets aggregate amount in any fiscal year, “Excess Proceeds”), the Issuer will within 10 Business Days be required to make an offer (“Asset Disposition Offer”) to all Holders of Notes issued under this Indenture and, to the extent the Issuer or the Company elects, to all holders of other outstanding Pari Passu Indebtedness, to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes and any such Pari Passu Indebtedness to which the Asset Disposition Offer applies that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds, at an offer price in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof (or in the event such other Indebtedness was issued with original issue discount, 100% of the accreted value thereof) (or such lesser price with respect to Pari Passu Indebtedness, if any, as may be provided by the terms of such other Indebtedness), in each case, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of purchase, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Indenture or the agreements governing the Pari Passu Indebtedness, as applicable, and, with respect to the Notes, in minimum denominations of €100,000 and in integral multiples of €1,000 in excess thereof. The Issuer shall deliver notice of such Asset Disposition Offer electronically or, at the Company’s option, by first-class mail, with a copy to the Trustee, to each Holder of Notes at the address of such Holder appearing in the Notes Register or otherwise in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Depositary, describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Asset Disposition and offering to repurchase the Notes for the specified purchase price on the date specified in the notice, which date will be no earlier than 10 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is delivered, pursuant to the procedures required by this Indenture and described in such notice. The Issuer may satisfy the foregoing obligations with respect to any Applicable Proceeds from an Asset Disposition by making an Asset Disposition Offer with respect to all Applicable Proceeds prior to the expiration of the relevant 545 days (or such longer period provided above) or with respect to any unapplied Excess Proceeds.
(c) To the extent that the aggregate amount (or accreted value, as applicable) of Notes and if applicable, any other Pari Passu Indebtedness so validly tendered and not properly withdrawn in connection with an Asset Disposition Offer made with Excess Proceeds is less than the amount offered in an Asset Disposition Offer, the Issuer or the Company may include any remaining Excess Proceeds in Declined Excess Proceeds and use such Declined Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) of the Notes surrendered in any Asset Disposition Offer by Holders and, if applicable, other Pari Passu Indebtedness surrendered by holders or lenders, collectively, exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Excess Proceeds shall be allocated among the Notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis on the basis of the aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) of tendered Notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness; provided that no Notes or other Pari Passu Indebtedness will be selected and purchased in an unauthorized denomination. Upon completion of any Asset Disposition Offer, the amount of Applicable Proceeds and Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero. Additionally, the Issuer may, at its option, make an Asset Disposition Offer using proceeds from any Asset Disposition at any time after the consummation of such Asset Disposition. Upon consummation or expiration of any Asset Disposition Offer, any Net Available Cash shall not be deemed Excess Proceeds, and the Issuer or the Company may use such Net Available Cash for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture.
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(d) To the extent that any portion of Net Available Cash or Applicable Proceeds payable in respect of the Notes is denominated in a currency other than U.S. Dollars, the amount thereof payable in respect of the Notes shall not exceed the net amount of funds in U.S. Dollars that is actually received by the Company upon converting such portion into U.S. Dollars.
(e) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 3.5, (i) to the extent that any of the Net Available Cash or Applicable Proceeds of any Asset Disposition by a Foreign Subsidiary (a “Foreign Disposition”) is (x) prohibited or delayed by applicable local law, (y) restricted by applicable organizational documents or any agreement or (z) subject to other onerous organizational or administrative impediments, in each case, from being repatriated to the United States, the portion of such Net Available Cash or Applicable Proceeds so affected will not be required to be applied in compliance with this Section 3.5, and such amounts may be retained by the applicable Foreign Subsidiary so long, but only so long, as the applicable local law, documents or agreements will not permit repatriation to the United States (the Company hereby agreeing to use reasonable efforts (as determined in the Company’s reasonable business judgment) to otherwise cause the applicable Foreign Subsidiary to within one year following the date on which the respective payment would otherwise have been required, promptly take all commercially reasonable actions with respect to the applicable local law, applicable organizational impediments or other impediment to permit such repatriation), and if within one year following the date on which the respective payment would otherwise have been required, such repatriation of any of such affected Net Available Cash or Applicable Proceeds is permitted under the applicable local law, applicable organizational impediment or other impediment, such repatriation will be promptly effected and the amount of such repatriated Net Available Cash or Applicable Proceeds will be promptly (and in any event not later than five (5) Business Days after such repatriation could be made) applied (net of additional Taxes payable or reserved against as a result thereof) (whether or not repatriation actually occurs) in compliance with this Section 3.5 and (ii) to the extent that the Company has determined in good faith that repatriation of any of or all the Net Available Cash or Applicable Proceeds of any Foreign Disposition would have an adverse Tax consequence (which for the avoidance of doubt, includes, but is not limited to, any prepayment whereby doing so the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, any Parent Entity or any of their respective affiliates and/or equity owners would incur a tax liability, including a tax dividend, deemed dividend pursuant to Code Section 956 or a withholding tax), the Net Available Cash or Applicable Proceeds so affected may be retained by the applicable Foreign Subsidiary. The non-application of any prepayment amounts as a consequence of the foregoing provisions will not, for the avoidance of doubt, constitute a Default or an Event of Default.
(f) For the purposes of Section 3.5(a)(2), the following will be deemed to be cash:
(1) the assumption by the transferee of Indebtedness or other liabilities, contingent or otherwise, of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary (other than Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor) and the release of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from all liability on such Indebtedness or other liability in connection with such Asset Disposition;
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(2) securities, notes or other obligations received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company from the transferee that are converted by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash or Cash Equivalents, or by their terms are required to be satisfied for cash and Cash Equivalents (to the extent of the cash or Cash Equivalents received), in each case within 180 days following the closing of such Asset Disposition;
(3) Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary that is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such Asset Disposition, to the extent that the Company and each other Restricted Subsidiary are released from any Guarantee of payment of such Indebtedness in connection with such Asset Disposition;
(4) consideration consisting of Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary received after the Issue Date from Persons who are not the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; and
(5) any Designated Non-Cash Consideration received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Asset Dispositions having an aggregate fair market value, taken together with all other Designated Non-Cash Consideration received pursuant to this Section 3.5 that is at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of $480.0 million and 1.75% of Total Assets (with the fair market value of each item of Designated Non-Cash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value).
(g) To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws, rules or regulations, including Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, conflict with the provisions of this Indenture, the Issuer shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations described in this Indenture by virtue of compliance therewith.
The provisions of this Indenture relative to the Issuer’s obligation to make an offer to repurchase the Notes as a result of an Asset Disposition may be waived or modified with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.
SECTION 3.6 Limitation on Liens. The Company and the Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, create, Incur or permit to exist any Lien (except Permitted Liens) (each, an “Initial Lien”) that secures obligations under any Indebtedness or any related guarantee, on any asset or property of the Company and the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor, unless:
(1) in the case of Liens securing Subordinated Indebtedness, the Notes and related Guarantees are secured by a Lien on such property, assets or proceeds that is senior in priority to such Liens; or
(2) in all other cases, the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees are equally and ratably secured, except that the foregoing shall not apply to Liens securing the Notes (other than any Additional Notes) and related Guarantees.
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Any Lien created for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes pursuant to the preceding sentence shall provide by its terms that such Lien shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon (i) the release and discharge of the Initial Lien or (ii) any sale, exchange or transfer (other than a transfer constituting a transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or the Issuer that is governed by Section 4.1) to any Person other than the Company, the Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor of the property or assets secured by such Initial Lien, or of all of the Capital Stock held by the Company, the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor in, or all or substantially all of the assets of, any Subsidiary Guarantor creating such Initial Lien.
With respect to any Lien securing Indebtedness that was permitted to secure such Indebtedness at the time of the Incurrence of such Indebtedness, such Lien shall also be permitted to secure any Increased Amount of such Indebtedness. The “Increased Amount” of any Indebtedness shall mean any increase in the amount of such Indebtedness in connection with any accrual of interest, the accretion of accreted value, the amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, accretion of original issue discount or liquidation preference and increases in the amount of Indebtedness outstanding solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies or increases in the value of property securing Indebtedness.
SECTION 3.7 Limitation on Subsidiary Guarantees.
(a) The Company shall not permit any of its Wholly Owned Domestic Subsidiaries that are Restricted Subsidiaries (and non-Wholly Owned Domestic Subsidiaries if such non-Wholly Owned Domestic Subsidiaries guarantee, or are a co-issuer of, other capital markets debt securities of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or guarantee all or a portion of, or are a co-borrower under, the Credit Agreement), other than a Subsidiary Guarantor, to Guarantee the payment of, assume, or in any other manner become liable with respect to any Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement, in each case, unless:
(1) such Restricted Subsidiary within 60 days executes and delivers a supplemental indenture to this Indenture providing for a senior Guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary; and
(2) such Restricted Subsidiary waives and will not in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any rights of reimbursement, indemnity or subrogation or any other rights against the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary as a result of any payment by such Restricted Subsidiary under its Subsidiary Guarantee until payment in full of Obligations under this Indenture;
provided that this Section 3.7 shall not be applicable (i) to any guarantee of any Restricted Subsidiary that existed at the time such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary and was not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary, or (ii) in the event that the Guarantee of the Issuer’s obligations under the Notes or this Indenture by such Subsidiary would not be permitted under applicable law.
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(b) The Company may elect, in its sole discretion, to cause any Subsidiary that is not otherwise required to be a Subsidiary Guarantor to become a Subsidiary Guarantor, in which case, such Subsidiary shall not be required to comply with the 60-day period set forth in Section 3.7(a), and such Guarantee may be released at any time in the Company’s sole discretion so long as any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary then outstanding could have been incurred by such Subsidiary at the time of the release of such Guarantee, assuming such Subsidiary were not a Guarantor at such time.
(c) If any Subsidiary Guarantor becomes an Immaterial Subsidiary, the Company shall have the right, by execution and delivery of a supplemental indenture to the Trustee, to cause such Immaterial Subsidiary to cease to be a Subsidiary Guarantor, subject to the requirement described in the first paragraph above that such Subsidiary shall be required to become a Subsidiary Guarantor if it ceases to be an Immaterial Subsidiary (except that if such Subsidiary has been properly designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary it shall not be so required to become a Guarantor or execute a supplemental indenture); provided, further, that such Immaterial Subsidiary shall not be permitted to Guarantee, or become a co-borrower under, the Credit Agreement, or other capital markets debt securities of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, unless it again becomes a Subsidiary Guarantor.
SECTION 3.8 [Reserved].
SECTION 3.9 Change of Control.
(a) If a Change of Control Repurchase Event occurs, unless a third party makes a Change of Control Offer or the Issuer has previously or substantially concurrently therewith delivered a redemption notice with respect to all the outstanding Notes pursuant to Section 3.9(c), the Issuer shall make an offer to purchase all of the Notes pursuant to the offer described below (a “Change of Control Offer”) at a price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of repurchase; provided that if the repurchase date is on or after the record date and on or before the corresponding interest payment date, then Holders in whose names the Notes are registered at the close of business on such record date will receive interest on the repurchase date (the “Change of Control Payment”). Within 30 days following any Change of Control Repurchase Event, the Issuer will deliver or cause to be delivered a notice of such Change of Control Offer electronically in accordance with the procedures of Euroclear or Clearstream, as applicable, or, at the Company’s option, by first-class mail, with a copy to the Trustee, to each Holder of Notes at the address of such Holder appearing in the Notes Register or otherwise in accordance with the applicable procedures of Euroclear or Clearstream, as applicable, with the following information (provided that to the extent that the provisions of any securities laws, rules or regulations, including Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, conflict with the provisions of this Section 3.9, the Company shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 3.9 by virtue of compliance therewith):
(1) that a Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 3.9, and that all Notes properly tendered and not validly withdrawn pursuant to such Change of Control Offer will be accepted for payment by the Issuer;
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(2) the purchase price and the purchase date, which will be no earlier than 10 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is delivered (the “Change of Control Payment Date”);
(3) that any Note not properly tendered or validly withdrawn will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest;
(4) that unless the Issuer defaults in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer will cease to accrue interest, on the Change of Control Payment Date;
(5) that Holders electing to have any Notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender such Notes, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of such Notes completed, to the Paying Agent specified in the notice at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date;
(6) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their tendered Notes and their election to require the Issuer to purchase such Notes; provided that the Paying Agent receives, not later than the close of business on the second Business Day prior to the expiration date of the Change of Control Offer, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder of the Notes, the principal amount of Notes tendered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing its tendered Notes and its election to have such Notes purchased;
(7) that Holders whose Notes are being purchased only in part will be issued new Notes and such new Notes will be equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered and that the unpurchased portion of the Notes must be equal to at least €100,000 or any integral multiple of €1,000 in excess of €100,000;
(8) if such notice is delivered prior to the occurrence of a Change of Control, stating that the Change of Control Offer is conditional on the occurrence of such Change of Control;
(9) describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control Repurchase Event; and
(10) the other instructions, as determined by the Issuer, consistent with this Section 3.9, that a Holder must follow.
The Paying Agent will promptly mail to each Holder so tendered the Change of Control Payment for such Notes, and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book-entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any; provided that each such new Note will be in a minimum principal amount of €100,000 or an integral multiple of €1,000 in excess thereof. The Issuer will publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date.
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If the Change of Control Payment Date is on or after an interest record date and on or before the related interest payment date, any accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, will be paid on the relevant interest payment date to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such record date.
(b) On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Issuer will, to the extent permitted by law:
(1) accept for payment all Notes issued by it or portions thereof properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;
(2) deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the aggregate Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions thereof so tendered; and
(3) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Registrar for cancellation the Notes so accepted together with an Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee stating that such Notes or portions thereof have been tendered to and purchased by the Company.
(c) The Issuer will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control Repurchase Event if (1) a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Issuer and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer or (2) a notice of redemption of all outstanding Notes has been given pursuant to Section 5.7, unless and until there is a default in the payment of the redemption price on the applicable redemption date or the redemption is not consummated due to the failure of a condition precedent contained in the applicable redemption notice to be satisfied. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, conditional upon such Change of Control.
(d) In the event that Holders of not less than 90% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes accept a Change of Control Offer and the Issuer purchases all of the Notes held by such Holders, the Issuer will have the right, upon not less than 10 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, given not more than 30 days following the purchase pursuant to the Change of Control Offer described in this Section 3.9, to redeem all of the Notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a redemption price equal to the Change of Control Payment plus, to the extent not included in the Change of Control Payment, accrued and unpaid interest on the notes that remain outstanding, to, but excluding, the date of redemption (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date).
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(e) While the Notes are in global form and the Issuer makes an offer to purchase all of the Notes pursuant to the Change of Control Offer, a Holder may exercise its option to elect for the purchase of the Notes through the facilities of the Depositary, subject to its rules and regulations.
SECTION 3.10 Reports.
(a) Whether or not the Company is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or otherwise required to report on an annual and quarterly basis on forms provided for such annual and quarterly reporting pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, from and after the Issue Date, the Company will furnish to the Trustee, within 15 days after the time periods specified below:
(1) within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year (or if such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day), all financial information that would be required to be contained in an annual report on Form 10-K, or any successor or comparable form, filed with the SEC, including a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and a report on the annual financial statements by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm;
(2) within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year (or if such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day), all financial information that would be required to be contained in a quarterly report on Form 10-Q, or any successor or comparable form, filed with the SEC; and
(3) promptly (and not required to be sooner than the filing deadlines applied to current reports on Form 8-K) after the occurrence of any of the following events, all current reports that would be required to be filed with the SEC on Form 8-K as in effect on the Issue Date (if the Company had been a reporting company under Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act); provided that the foregoing shall not obligate the Company to (i) make available any information otherwise required to be included on a Form 8¬K regarding the occurrence of any such events if the Company determines in its good faith judgment that such event that would otherwise be required to be disclosed is not material to the Holders of the Notes or the business, assets, operations, financial position or prospects of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole or (ii) make available copies of any agreements, financial statements or other items that would be required to be filed as exhibits to a current report on Form 8-K:
(A) the entry into or termination of material agreements;
(B) significant acquisitions or dispositions;
(C) the sale of equity securities;
(D) bankruptcy;
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(E) the incurrence of a direct material financial obligation;
(F) cross-default under direct material financial obligations;
(G) a change in the Company’s certifying independent auditor;
(H) the appointment or departure of directors or executive officers;
(I) non-reliance on previously issued financial statements; and
(J) change of control transactions,
in each case, in a manner that complies in all material respects with the requirements specified in such form, except as described above or below and subject to exceptions consistent with the presentation of information in the Offering Memorandum; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to (i) comply with Regulation G under the Exchange Act or Item 10(e) of Regulation S-K with respect to any “non-GAAP” financial information contained therein, (ii) provide any information that is not otherwise similar to information currently included in the Offering Memorandum or (iii) provide the type of information contemplated by Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X with respect to separate financial statements for Guarantors or the Issuer, any summarized financial information of the Issuer and the Guarantors contemplated by Rule 13-01 of Regulation S-X or any financial statements for unconsolidated subsidiaries or 50% or less owned persons contemplated by Rule 3-09 of Regulation S-X or any schedules required by Regulation S-X, or in each case any successor provisions. In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company will not be required to (i) comply with Sections 302, 906 and 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, or (ii) otherwise furnish any information, certificates or reports required by Items 307 or 308 of Regulation S-K (or any successor provision). To the extent any such information is not so filed or furnished, as applicable, within the time periods specified above and such information is subsequently filed or furnished, as applicable, the Company will be deemed to have satisfied its obligations with respect thereto at such time and any Default with respect thereto shall be deemed to have been cured; provided that such cure shall not otherwise affect the rights of the Holders under Sections 6.1 and 6.2 if Holders of at least 30% in principal amount of the then total outstanding Notes have declared the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other monetary obligations on all the then outstanding Notes to be due and payable immediately and such declaration shall not have been rescinded or cancelled prior to such cure. In addition, to the extent not satisfied by the foregoing, the Company shall agree that, for so long as any Notes are outstanding, it shall furnish to Holders and to securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.
(b) Delivery of the information, documents and reports described in Section 3.10(a) to the Trustee is for informational purposes only, and the Trustee’s receipt of the foregoing shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein, or determinable from information contained therein, including compliance by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries with any of the covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to conclusively rely on an Officer’s Certificate).
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Substantially concurrently with the furnishing or making such information available to the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.10(a), the Company shall also use its commercially reasonable efforts to post copies of such information required by Section 3.10(a) on a website (which may be nonpublic and may be maintained by the Company or a third party) to which access will be given to Holders, bona fide prospective investors in the Notes (which bona fide prospective investors shall be limited to “qualified institutional buyers” within the meaning of Rule 144A of the Securities Act or non-U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) that certify their status as such to the reasonable satisfaction of the Company), and securities analysts (to the extent providing analysis of an investment in the Notes) and market-making financial institutions that are reasonably satisfactory to the Company; provided that the Trustee shall have no responsibility whatsoever to determine whether such filing has occurred.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the sole remedy for an Event of Default relating to the failure to comply with the reporting obligations described under this Section 3.10, will for the 365 days after the occurrence of such an Event of Default consist exclusively, to the extent permitted by applicable law, of the right to receive additional interest on the principal amount of the Notes at a rate equal to 0.50% per annum (such interest, “Additional Interest”). This Additional Interest will be payable in the same manner and subject to the same terms as other interest payable under this Indenture. This Additional Interest will accrue on all outstanding Notes from and including the date on which an Event of Default relating to a failure to comply with the reporting obligations described above under this covenant first occurs to, but excluding, the 365th day thereafter (or such earlier date on which the Event of Default relating to such reporting obligations is cured or waived). If the Event of Default resulting from such failure to comply with the reporting obligations is continuing on such 365th day, such Additional Interest will cease to accrue and the Notes will be subject to the other remedies provided under Sections 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3.
(d) Notwithstanding anything in this Section 3.10 to the contrary, if the Company or any Parent Entity of the Company has furnished the Holders of Notes or filed with the SEC the reports described in this Section 3.10 with respect to the Company or any Parent Entity, the Company shall be deemed to be in compliance with the provisions of this Section 3.10; provided that, if the financial information so furnished or filed relates to any Parent Entity, the same is accompanied by consolidating information, that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to such Parent Entity or Parent Entities, on the one hand, and the information relating to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a standalone basis, on the other hand. For the avoidance of doubt, the consolidating information referred to in the proviso in the preceding sentence need not be audited; provided that the Trustee shall have no responsibility whatsoever to determine whether such filing has occurred.
SECTION 3.11 [Reserved].
SECTION 3.12 Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Issuer will maintain an office or agency where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for payment and where, if applicable, the Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange. The corporate trust office of the Transfer Agent, located at Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, Winchester House, 1 Great Winchester Street, London EC2N 2DB, United Kingdom, shall be such office or agency of
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the Issuer, unless the Issuer shall designate and maintain some other office or agency for one or more of such purposes. The Issuer will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any change in the location of any such office or agency. If at any time the Issuer shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations and surrenders may be made or served at the corporate trust office of the Trustee, and the Issuer hereby appoint the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations and surrenders.
The Issuer may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind any such designation. The Issuer will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and any change in the location of any such other office or agency.
SECTION 3.13 [Reserved].
SECTION 3.14 [Reserved].
SECTION 3.15 [Reserved].
SECTION 3.16 Compliance Certificate. The Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company ending after January 1, 2024, an Officer’s Certificate stating that to the best knowledge of the signer thereof, the Issuer is not in default in the performance and observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided hereunder) and, if the Issuer shall be in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and status thereof of which such signer may have knowledge. The individual signing any certificate given by any Person pursuant to this Section 3.16 shall be the principal executive, financial or accounting Officer or a Director of such Person.
SECTION 3.17 [Reserved].
SECTION 3.18 [Reserved].
SECTION 3.19 Statement by Officers as to Default. The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after the Company becomes aware of the occurrence of any Event of Default under Sections 6.1(4) or 6.1(5) and any event that with the giving of notice or a lapse of time would become an Event of Default under Sections 6.1(3) or 6.1(6), an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the details of such Event of Default or Default, its status and the actions which the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto. The Trustee will not be deemed to have knowledge of any Defaults or Events of Default unless written notice of an event, which is in fact a Default, has been delivered to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee pursuant to the notice provisions in this Indenture.
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SECTION 3.20 Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries. The Company may designate any Restricted Subsidiary other than the Issuer to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary if that designation would not cause an Event of Default. If a Restricted Subsidiary is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the aggregate fair market value of all outstanding Investments owned by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Subsidiary designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be deemed to be an Investment made as of the time of the designation and will reduce the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 3.3 or under one or more clauses of the definition of “Permitted Investments,” as determined by the Company. That designation will only be permitted if the Investment would be permitted at that time and if the Restricted Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
Any designation of a Subsidiary of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be evidenced to the Trustee by delivering to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such designation complies with the preceding conditions and was not prohibited by Section 3.3. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it will thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of this Indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary will be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as of such date.
The Company may at any time designate or redesignate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such designation will only be permitted if no Default or Event of Default would be in existence following such designation or if the Subsidiary will be a Special Purpose Subsidiary. Any such designation by the Company shall be evidenced to the Trustee by delivering to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such designation complies with the preceding conditions.
SECTION 3.21 Suspension of Certain Covenants.
(a) If, on any date following the Issue Date, (i) the Notes have achieved Investment Grade Status; and (ii) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture, then, beginning on that day and continuing until the Reversion Date (as defined below), the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall not be subject to Section 3.7 (the “Suspended Covenant”).
(b) If at any time the Notes cease to have such Investment Grade Status and while the Notes do not have Investment Grade Status the Company issues new capital markets debt securities with Subsidiary Guarantees, then the Suspended Covenant will thereafter be reinstated as if such covenant had never been suspended (the “Reversion Date”) and be applicable pursuant to the terms of this Indenture (including in connection with performing any calculation or assessment to determine compliance with the terms of this Indenture), unless and until the Notes subsequently attain Investment Grade Status and no Event of Default is in existence (in which event the Suspended Covenant shall no longer be in effect for such time that the Notes maintain an Investment Grade Status); provided, however, that no Default, Event of Default or breach of any kind shall be deemed to exist under this Indenture, the Notes or the Guarantees with respect to the Suspended Covenant based on, and none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall bear any liability for, any actions taken or events occurring during the Suspension Period (as defined below), or any actions taken at any time pursuant to any contractual obligation arising prior to the Reversion Date, regardless of whether such actions or events would have been permitted if the Suspended Covenant remained in effect during such period. The period of time between the date of suspension of the covenant and the Reversion Date is referred to as the “Suspension Period.”
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On the Reversion Date, all Liens Incurred during the Suspension Period will be classified to have been Incurred pursuant to the definition of “Permitted Liens” (to the extent such Liens would be permitted to be Incurred thereunder as of the Reversion Date and after giving effect to Liens Incurred prior to the Suspension Period and outstanding on the Reversion Date). To the extent such Liens would not be so permitted to be Incurred pursuant to the definition of “Permitted Liens,” such Liens will be deemed to have been outstanding on the Issue Date, so that they are classified as permitted under clause (11) of the definition of “Permitted Liens.” During the Suspension Period, any future obligation to grant further Guarantees shall be suspended. All such further obligations to grant Guarantees shall be reinstated upon the Reversion Date.
The Company shall give the Trustee written notice of the commencement of any Suspension Period promptly, and in any event not later than five Business Days after the commencement thereof. In the absence of such notice, the Company shall give the Trustee written notice of the termination of any Suspension Period not later than five Business Days after the occurrence thereof. After any such notice of the termination of any Suspension Period, the Trustee shall assume the Suspended Covenants apply and are in full force and effect.
(c) The Trustee shall have no duty to monitor the ratings of the Notes, shall not be deemed to have any knowledge of the ratings of the Notes and shall have no duty to notify Holders if the Notes achieve Investment Grade Status or of the occurrence of a Reversion Date.
SECTION 3.22 Termination of Certain Covenants.
(a) If, on any date following the Issue Date, the Notes have achieved Investment Grade Status; and (ii) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture, then, beginning on that day, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will permanently no longer be subject to Sections 3.3, 3.5 and clause (3) of Section 4.1(a) (collectively, the “Terminated Covenants”).
Following the achievement of Investment Grade Status, notwithstanding that the Notes may cease to have such Investment Grade Status or a Default or Event of Default may occur, the Terminated Covenants will be inapplicable to the parties to this Indenture and have no further force and effect.
(b) The Trustee shall have no duty to monitor the ratings of the Notes, shall not be deemed to have any knowledge of the ratings of the Notes and shall have no duty to notify Holders if the Notes achieve Investment Grade Status, and shall assume the Terminated Covenants are in effect until it is notified in writing that the Notes have achieved Investment Grade Status.
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ARTICLE IV
SUCCESSOR COMPANY; SUCCESSOR PERSON
SECTION 4.1 Merger and Consolidation.
(a) Neither the Company nor the Issuer will consolidate with or merge with or into or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all its assets to, any Person, unless:
(1) the Company or the Issuer, as applicable, is the surviving Person or the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the “Successor Company”) will be a Person organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State of the United States or the District of Columbia, or, in the case of the Issuer, Jersey or Guernsey, Channel Islands, the British Virgin Islands or the Cayman Islands and the Successor Company (if not the Company or the Issuer, as applicable) will expressly assume, via a supplemental indenture, all the obligations of the Company or the Issuer, as applicable, under the Notes and this Indenture and if such Successor Company is not a corporation, a co-obligor of the Notes is a corporation organized or existing under such laws;
(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction (and treating any Indebtedness that becomes an obligation of the applicable Successor Company or any Subsidiary of the applicable Successor Company as a result of such transaction as having been Incurred by the applicable Successor Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction), no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;
(3) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, either (a) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company (or, if applicable, the Successor Company thereto) is at least 2.00 to 1.00 or (b) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company (or, if applicable, the Successor Company thereto) would not be lower than it was immediately prior to giving effect to such transaction; and
(4) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture and an Opinion of Counsel stating that such supplemental indenture (if any) has been duly authorized, executed and delivered and this Indenture and the supplemental indenture are legal, valid and binding agreements enforceable against the applicable Successor Company (in each case, in form satisfactory to the Trustee); provided that in giving an Opinion of Counsel, counsel may rely on an Officer’s Certificate as to any matters of fact, including as to satisfaction of clauses (2) and (3) above.
(b) For purposes of this Section 4.1, the sale, lease, conveyance, assignment, transfer, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of one or more Subsidiaries of the Company, which properties and assets, if held by the Company instead of such Subsidiaries, would constitute all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company on a consolidated basis, shall be deemed to be the transfer of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company.
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(c) The Successor Company will succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company or the Issuer, as applicable, under the Notes or this Indenture but in the case of a lease of all or substantially all its assets, the predecessor company will not be released from its obligations under the Notes or this Indenture.
(d) Notwithstanding the preceding clauses (a)(2), (a)(3) or (a)(4) of this Section 4.1, (1) the Company may consolidate or otherwise combine with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to a Guarantor, (2) the Company or the Issuer, as the case may be, may consolidate or otherwise combine with or merge into an Affiliate incorporated or organized for the purpose of changing the legal domicile of the Company or the Issuer, as applicable, reincorporating the Company or the Issuer, as applicable, in another jurisdiction, or changing the legal form of the Company or the Issuer, as applicable, (3) any Restricted Subsidiary may consolidate or otherwise combine with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to the Company or a Guarantor, (4) any Restricted Subsidiary may consolidate or otherwise combine with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to any other Restricted Subsidiary and (5) the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may complete any Permitted Tax Restructuring.
(e) The foregoing provisions (other than the requirements of clause (a)(2) of this Section 4.1) shall not apply to the creation of a new Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.
ARTICLE V
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
SECTION 5.1 Notices to Trustee. If the Issuer elects to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Section 5.7 hereof, it must furnish to the Trustee and the Paying Agent, at least 10 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, an Officer’s Certificate setting forth:
(1) the clause of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur;
(2) the redemption date;
(3) the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed; and
(4) the redemption price.
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SECTION 5.2 Selection of Notes To Be Redeemed or Purchased. If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed pursuant to Section 5.7 or purchased in an Asset Disposition Offer pursuant to Section 3.5 or a redemption pursuant to Section 5.8, the Registrar will select Notes for redemption or purchase (a) if the Notes are in global form in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Depositary, and an appropriate notation shall be made on such Notes to decrease the principal amount thereof to equal the unredeemed portion thereof (b) if the Notes are in definitive form, by lot or on a pro rata basis (subject to adjustments to maintain the authorized Notes denomination requirements) except:
(1) if the Notes are listed on any foreign securities exchange, in compliance with the requirements of the principal foreign securities exchange on which the Notes are listed; or
(2) if otherwise required by law.
No Notes in an unauthorized denomination of €100,000 in aggregate principal amount or less shall be redeemed in part. In the event of partial redemption, the particular Notes to be redeemed or purchased will be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 10 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption or purchase date by the Trustee from the outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption or purchase.
The Trustee will promptly notify the Issuer in writing of the Notes selected for redemption or purchase and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption or purchase, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed or purchased. Notes and portions of Notes selected will be in amounts of €100,000 or whole multiples of €1,000; except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed or purchased, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder, even if not a multiple of €1,000, shall be redeemed or purchased. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption or purchase also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase.
SECTION 5.3 Notice of Redemption. At least 10 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Issuer will send or cause to be sent, by electronic delivery or, at the Issuer’s option, first class mail, postage prepaid, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at the address of such Holder appearing in the Notes Register or otherwise in accordance with the procedures of the Depositary.
The notice will identify the Notes (including the Common Code or ISIN number) to be redeemed and will state:
(1) the redemption date;
(2) the redemption price;
(3) if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion will be issued upon cancellation of the original Note;
(4) the name and address of the Paying Agent;
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(5) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;
(6) that, unless the Issuer defaults in making such redemption payment, interest and Additional Interest, if any, on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;
(7) the paragraph of the Notes and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed; and
(8) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the Common Code number or the ISIN number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes.
At Issuer’s request, the Trustee will give the notice of redemption in the Issuer’s name and at its expense; provided, however, that the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee, at least 13 days prior to the redemption date (or such shorter period as the Trustee may agree), an Officer’s Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.
SECTION 5.4 Effect of Notice of Redemption. Except as provided for herein, once notice of redemption is sent in accordance with Section 5.3 hereof, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the redemption date at the redemption price. Notice of any redemption of the Notes in connection with a corporate transaction (including, without limitation, an Equity Offering, an incurrence of Indebtedness or a Change of Control) may, at the Issuer’s discretion, be given prior to the completion thereof, and any redemption or notice of redemption may, at the Issuer’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, completion of the related transaction. If such redemption or purchase is so subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall describe each such condition, and if applicable, shall state that, in the Issuer’s discretion, the redemption date may be delayed until such time (including more than 60 days after the date the notice of redemption was mailed or delivered, including by electronic transmission) as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied, or such redemption or purchase may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied by the redemption date, or by the redemption date as so delayed. In addition, the Issuer may provide in such notice that payment of the redemption price and performance of the Issuer’s obligations with respect to such redemption may be performed by another Person.
SECTION 5.5 Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price. By no later than 10:00 a.m. London Time on the Business Day prior to the redemption or purchase date, the Issuer will deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption or purchase price of, and accrued interest and Additional Interest, if any, on, all Notes to be redeemed or purchased on that date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent will promptly return to the Issuer any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Issuer in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption or purchase price of, and accrued interest and Additional Interest, if any, on, all Notes to be redeemed or purchased.
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If the Issuer complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, on and after the redemption or purchase date, interest and Additional Interest, if any, will cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase. If a Note is redeemed or purchased on or after an interest record date but on or prior to the corresponding interest payment date, then any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid on the redemption date to the Holder in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such record date. If the Issuer delivers global notes to the Trustee for cancellation on a date that is on or after the record date and on or before the corresponding interest payment date, then any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Depositary. If any Note called for redemption or purchase is not so paid upon surrender for redemption or purchase because of the failure of the Issuer to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the redemption or purchase date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 3.1 hereof.
SECTION 5.6 Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part. Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed or purchased in part, in the case of Definitive Notes the Issuer will issue and, upon receipt of an Issuer Order, the Trustee will authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Issuer a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered; provided that each such new Note will be in a minimum principal amount of €100,000 or integral multiple of €1,000 in excess thereof.
SECTION 5.7 Optional Redemption.
(a) At any time prior to July 31, 2026, the Issuer may redeem the Notes in whole or in part, at its option, upon not less than 10 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice by electronic delivery or, at the Issuer’s option, first class mail, postage prepaid, with a copy to the Trustee, to each Holder of Notes to the address of such Holder appearing in the Notes Register, at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed) equal to 100.000% of the principal amount of Notes redeemed plus the relevant Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of redemption (the “Redemption Date”), subject to the rights of holders of the Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.
(b) At any time and from time to time on or prior to July 31, 2026, the Issuer may, at its option, upon not less than 10 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice by electronic delivery or, at the Issuer’s option, first class mail, postage prepaid, with a copy to the Trustee, to each Holder of Notes to the address of such Holder appearing in the Notes Register, redeem up to 40% of the original aggregate principal amount of Notes (including Additional Notes) issued under this Indenture, at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed) equal to 107.25% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the applicable Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record of the Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, with the Net Cash Proceeds received by the Company or the Issuer of one or more Equity Offerings of the Company or the Issuer; provided that not less than 50% of the aggregate principal amount of the then-outstanding Notes issued under this Indenture
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remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption (including Additional Notes, but excluding Notes held by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), unless all such Notes are redeemed substantially concurrently; provided, further, that each such redemption occurs not later than 180 days after the date of closing of the related Equity Offering. The Trustee shall select the Notes to be purchased in the manner described under Sections 5.1 through 5.6.
(c) Except pursuant to clauses (a), (b) and (f) of this Section 5.7, the Notes will not be redeemable at the Company’s option prior to July 31, 2026.
(d) At any time and from time to time on or after July 31, 2026, the Issuer may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, upon not less than 10 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice by electronic delivery or, at the Issuer’s option, first class mail, postage prepaid, with a copy to the Trustee to each Holder of Notes to the address of such Holder appearing in the Notes Register, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed) set forth in the table below, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to, but excluding, the applicable Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record of the Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on July 31 of each of the years indicated in the table below:
| Period |
Percentage | |||
| 2026 |
103.6250 | % | ||
| 2027 |
101.8125 | % | ||
| 2028 and thereafter |
100.000 | % | ||
(e) Unless the Issuer defaults in the payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on the applicable Redemption Date.
(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with any tender offer for the Notes, including a Change of Control Offer or Asset Disposition Offer, if Holders of not less than 90% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes validly tender and do not withdraw such Notes in such tender offer and the Issuer, or any third party making such tender offer in lieu of the Issuer, purchases all of the Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn by such Holders, the Issuer or such third party will have the right upon not less than 10 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, given not more than 30 days following such purchase date, to redeem all Notes that remain outstanding following such purchase, at a redemption price equal to the price offered to each other Holder (excluding any early tender or incentive fee) in such tender offer plus, to the extent not included in the tender offer payment, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.
In determining whether the Holders of at least 90% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes have validly tendered and not validly withdrawn such Notes in a tender offer, including a Change of Control Offer or Asset Disposition Offer, Notes owned by the Issuer or its Affiliates or by funds controlled or managed by any Affiliate of the Issuer, or any successor thereof, shall be deemed to be outstanding for the purposes of such tender offer.
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(g) Any redemption pursuant to this Section 5.7 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 5.1 through 5.6.
SECTION 5.8 Mandatory Redemption. The Issuer is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes; provided, however, that under certain circumstances, the Issuer may be required to offer to purchase Notes pursuant to Section 3.5 and Section 3.9. The Issuer or its Affiliates may at any time and from time to time purchase Notes in privately negotiated or open market transactions, by tender offer or otherwise.
ARTICLE VI
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
SECTION 6.1 Events of Default. Each of the following is an “Event of Default”:
(1) default in any payment of interest on any Note when due and payable, continued for 30 days;
(2) default in the payment of the principal amount of or premium, if any, on any Note issued under this Indenture when due at its Stated Maturity, upon optional redemption, upon required repurchase, upon declaration or otherwise;
(3) failure to comply for 60 days after written notice by the Trustee on behalf of the Holders or by the Holders of at least 30% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes with any agreement or obligation contained in this Indenture;
(4) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is Guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) other than Indebtedness owed to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary whether such Indebtedness or Guarantee now exists, or is created after the date hereof, which default:
(A) is caused by a failure to pay principal of such Indebtedness, at its stated final maturity (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods) provided in such Indebtedness (“payment default”); or
(B) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its stated final maturity;
and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a payment default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates the greater of $275.0 million and 1.00% of Total Assets (measured at the date of such non-payment or acceleration) or more; provided that no Default or Event of Default shall be deemed to occur with respect to any such accelerated Indebtedness that is paid or otherwise acquired or retired within 30 days after such acceleration;
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(5) failure by the Company, the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary (or group of Restricted Subsidiaries that together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries) would constitute a Significant Subsidiary), to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of the greater of $275.0 million and 1.00% of Total Assets (measured at the date of such judgment) other than to the extent any judgments are covered by indemnities provided by, or insurance policies issued by, reputable and creditworthy companies, which final judgments remain unpaid, undischarged and unstayed for a period of more than 90 days after such judgment becomes final, and in the event such judgment is covered by insurance, an enforcement proceeding has been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or decree which is not promptly stayed;
(6) (a) any Subsidiary Guarantee of the Notes by a Subsidiary Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary ceases to be in full force and effect, other than (1) in accordance with the terms of this Indenture or (2) in connection with the bankruptcy of a Subsidiary Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary, so long as the aggregate assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor and any other Subsidiary Guarantor whose Subsidiary Guarantee ceased or ceases to be in full force as a result of a bankruptcy are less than the greater of $275.0 million and 1.00% of Total Assets (measured at the date of such bankruptcy) or (b) a Subsidiary Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary denies or disaffirms its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee of the Notes, other than in accordance with the terms thereof or upon release of such Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with this Indenture;
(7) the Company, the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Company, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:
(A) commences a voluntary case or proceeding;
(B) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case or proceeding;
(C) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for substantially all of its property;
(D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;
(E) consents to or acquiesces in the institution of a bankruptcy or an insolvency proceeding against it; or
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(F) takes any comparable action under any foreign laws relating to insolvency; and
(8) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(A) is for relief against the Company, the Issuer or Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Company, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, in an involuntary case;
(B) appoints a Custodian of the Company, the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Company, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, for substantially all of its property;
(C) orders the winding up or liquidation of the Company, the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Company, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary; or
(D) any similar relief is granted under any foreign laws and the order, decree or relief remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days.
However, a default under clauses (3), (4) or (5) of this Section 6.1 will not constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee or the Holders of at least 30% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes notify the Issuer of the default and, with respect to clauses (3) and (5) the Issuer does not cure such default within the time specified in clauses (3) or (5), as applicable, of this Section 6.1 after receipt of such notice; provided that a notice of Default may not be given with respect to any action taken, and reported publicly or to Holders, more than two years prior to such notice of Default.
Any notice of Default, notice of acceleration or instruction to the Trustee to provide a notice of Default, notice of acceleration or take any other action (a “Noteholder Direction”) provided by any one or more Holders (each a “Directing Holder”) must be accompanied by a written representation from each such Holder delivered to the Issuer and the Trustee that such Holder is not (or, in the case such Holder is Euroclear or Clearstream (as applicable, the “Relevant Clearing System”) or its nominee, that such Holder is being instructed solely by beneficial owners that are not) Net Short (a “Position Representation”), which representation, in the case of a Noteholder Direction relating to the delivery of a notice of Default (a “Default Direction”) shall be deemed repeated at all times until the resulting Event of Default is cured or otherwise ceases to exist or the Notes are accelerated. In addition, each Directing Holder is deemed, at the time of providing a Noteholder Direction, to covenant to provide the Issuer with such other information as the Issuer may reasonably request from time to time in order to verify the accuracy of such Holder’s Position Representation within five Business Days of request therefor (a “Verification Covenant”). In any case in which the Holder is the Relevant Clearing
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System or its nominee, any Position Representation or Verification Covenant required hereunder shall be provided by the beneficial owner of the Notes in lieu of the Relevant Clearing System or its nominee, and the Relevant Clearing System shall be entitled to conclusively rely on such Position Representation and Verification Covenant in delivering its direction to the Trustee.
If, following the delivery of a Noteholder Direction, but prior to acceleration of the Notes, the Issuer determines in good faith that there is a reasonable basis to believe a Directing Holder was, at any relevant time, in breach of its Position Representation and provides to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that the Issuer has initiated litigation in a court of competent jurisdiction seeking a determination that such Directing Holder was, at such time, in breach of its Position Representation, and seeking to invalidate any Default, Event of Default or acceleration (or notice thereof) that resulted from the applicable Noteholder Direction, the cure period with respect to such Default shall be automatically stayed and the cure period with respect to such Default or Event of Default shall be automatically reinstituted and any remedy stayed pending a final and non-appealable determination of a court of competent jurisdiction on such matter. If, following the delivery of a Noteholder Direction, but prior to acceleration of the Notes, the Issuer provides to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that a Directing Holder failed to satisfy its Verification Covenant, the cure period with respect to such Default shall be automatically stayed and the cure period with respect to any Default or Event of Default that resulted from the applicable Noteholder Direction shall be automatically reinstituted and any remedy stayed pending satisfaction of such Verification Covenant. Any breach of the Position Representation shall result in such Holder’s participation in such Noteholder Direction being disregarded; and, if, without the participation of such Holder, the percentage of Notes held by the remaining Holders that provided such Noteholder Direction would have been insufficient to validly provide such Noteholder Direction, such Noteholder Direction shall be void ab initio, with the effect that such Default or Event of Default shall be deemed never to have occurred, acceleration voided and the Trustee shall be deemed not to have received such Noteholder Direction or any notice of such Default or Event of Default.
Notwithstanding anything in the preceding two paragraphs to the contrary, any Noteholder Direction delivered to the Trustee during the pendency of an Event of Default as the result of a bankruptcy or similar proceeding shall not require compliance with the foregoing paragraphs.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Trustee shall be entitled to conclusively rely on any Noteholder Direction delivered to it in accordance with this Indenture, shall have no duty to inquire as to or investigate the accuracy of any Position Representation, enforce compliance with any Verification Covenant, verify any statements in any Officer’s Certificate delivered to it, or otherwise make calculations, investigations or determinations with respect to Derivative Instruments, Net Shorts, Long Derivative Instruments, Short Derivative Instruments or otherwise. The Trustee shall have no liability to the Issuer, any Holder or any other Person in acting in good faith on a Noteholder Direction.
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SECTION 6.2 Acceleration. If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default described in clause (7) or (8) of Section 6.1 with respect to the Company or the Issuer) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by notice to the Issuer or the Holders of at least 30% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes by written notice to the Issuer and the Trustee, may declare the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Notes to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal, premium and accrued and unpaid interest will be due and payable immediately.
In the event of a declaration of acceleration of the Notes because an Event of Default specified in clause (4) of Section 6.1 has occurred and is continuing, the declaration of acceleration of the Notes shall be automatically annulled if the event of default or payment default triggering such Event of Default pursuant to clause (4) of Section 6.1 shall be remedied or cured, or waived by the holders of the Indebtedness, or the Indebtedness that gave rise to such Event of Default shall have been discharged in full, in each case, within 30 days after the declaration of acceleration with respect thereto and if:
(1) the annulment of the acceleration of the Notes would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction;
(2) all existing Events of Default, except nonpayment of principal, premium or interest on the Notes that became due solely because of the acceleration of the Notes, have been cured or waived; provided that any time period to cure any actual or alleged Default or Event of Default may be extended or stayed by a court of competent jurisdiction; and
(3) there has been paid to or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all amounts due to the Trustee and to reimburse the Trustee for reasonable expenses, disbursements and fees incurred by the Trustee, its agents and its counsel, in such capacity, in connection with such acceleration.
If an Event of Default described in clause (7) or (8) of Section 6.1 with respect to the Company or the Issuer occurs and is continuing, the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Notes will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holders.
SECTION 6.3 Other Remedies. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available contractual remedy under this Indenture by proceeding at law or in equity to collect the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.
The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. No remedy is exclusive of any other remedy. All available remedies are cumulative.
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Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, (i) if a Default for a failure to report or failure to deliver a required certificate in connection with another default (the “Initial Default”) occurs, then at the time such Initial Default is cured, such Default for a failure to report or failure to deliver a required certificate in connection with another default that resulted solely because of that Initial Default will also be cured without any further action and (ii) any Default or Event of Default for the failure to comply with the time periods prescribed in Section 3.10 or otherwise to deliver any notice or certificate pursuant to any other provision of this Indenture shall be deemed to be cured upon the delivery of any such report required by Section 3.10 or such notice or certificate, as applicable, even though such delivery is not within the prescribed period specified in this Indenture.
SECTION 6.4 Waiver of Past Defaults. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes under this Indenture may (a) waive all past or existing Defaults or Events of Default and their consequences under this Indenture (except with respect to nonpayment of principal, premium or interest) and (b) rescind any such acceleration with respect to such Notes and its consequences if (1) rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction and (2) there has been paid to or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all amounts due to the Trustee under this Indenture and to reimburse the Trustee for any and all fees, expenses and disbursements incurred by the Trustee, its agents and its counsel, in such capacity, in connection with such acceleration.
SECTION 6.5 Control by Majority. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee pursuant to this Indenture or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee pursuant to this Indenture. If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall be required in the exercise of its powers to use the degree of care that a prudent person would use in the conduct of its own affairs. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or the Notes or, subject to Sections 7.1 and 7.2, that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holders or would involve the Trustee in personal liability (it being understood that the Trustee has no duty to determine whether any action is prejudicial to any Holder); provided, however, that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction. Prior to taking any such action hereunder, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it against all fees, losses, liabilities and expenses that may be caused by taking or not taking such action.
SECTION 6.6 Limitation on Suits. Subject to Section 7.2, except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal or interest when due, in accordance with Section 6.7, no Holder may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes unless:
(1) such Holder has previously given the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default is continuing;
(2) Holders of at least 30% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have requested in writing the Trustee to pursue the remedy;
(3) such Holders have offered in writing and, if requested, provided to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;
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(4) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt of the written request and the offer of security or indemnity; and
(5) the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a written direction that, in the opinion of the Trustee, is inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.
SECTION 6.7 Right of Holders to Receive Payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture (including, without limitation, Section 6.6), the contractual right of any Holder to receive payment of interest on the Notes held by such Holder after the due date therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or with respect to such Holder’s Notes shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder (and, for the avoidance of doubt, the amendment, supplement or modification in accordance with the terms of this Indenture of Articles III and IV and Section 6.1(3), (4), (5) and (6) and the related definitions shall be deemed not to impair the contractual right of any Holder to receive payments of principal of and interest on such Holder’s Notes on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or with respect to such Holder’s Note).
SECTION 6.8 Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of Default specified in clauses (1) or (2) of Section 6.1 occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Issuer for the whole amount then due and owing (together with interest and Additional Interest, if any, on any unpaid interest to the extent lawful) and the amounts provided for in Section 7.7.
SECTION 6.9 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company, its Subsidiaries or its or their respective creditors or properties and, unless prohibited by law or applicable regulations, may be entitled and empowered to participate as a member of any official committee of creditors appointed in such matter and may vote on behalf of the Holders in any election of a trustee in bankruptcy or other Person performing similar functions, and any Custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its respective agents and its respective counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.7.
No provision of this Indenture shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.
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SECTION 6.10 Priorities.
(a) If the Trustee collects any money or property pursuant to this Article VI, it shall pay out the money or property in the following order:
FIRST: to the Trustee for amounts due to them under Section 7.7;
SECOND: to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal of, or premium, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal of, or premium, if any, and interest, respectively; and
THIRD: to the Issuer, or to the extent the Trustee collects any amount for any Guarantor, to such Guarantor.
(b) The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.10. At least 10 days before such record date, the Company shall send or cause to be sent to each Holder and the Trustee a notice that states the record date, the payment date and amount to be paid.
SECTION 6.11 Undertaking for Costs. In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by the Issuer or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in outstanding principal amount of the Notes.
ARTICLE VII
TRUSTEE
SECTION 7.1 Duties of Trustee.
(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent Person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such Person’s own affairs.
(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default known to the Trustee:
(1) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and
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(2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates, opinions or orders furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture or the Notes, as the case may be. However, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provisions hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall examine such certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture or the Notes, as the case may be (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).
(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own grossly negligent action, its own grossly negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(1) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.1;
(2) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer unless it is proved that the Trustee was grossly negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;
(3) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.5; and
(4) No provision of this Indenture or the Notes shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or thereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds to believe that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
(d) Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 7.1.
(e) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Issuer.
(f) Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
(g) Every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 7.1.
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SECTION 7.2 Rights of Trustee. Subject to Section 7.1:
(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely on and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order or other paper or document (whether in its original or facsimile form) reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document. The Trustee shall receive and retain financial reports and statements of the Company as provided herein, but shall have no duty to review or analyze such reports or statements to determine compliance with covenants or other obligations of the Company.
(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate and/or an Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on an Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.
(c) The Trustee may execute any of the trusts and powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly by or through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder.
(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.
(e) The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection, and the advice or opinion of counsel relating to this Indenture and the Notes shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder or under the Notes in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.
(f) The Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes unless either (1) with respect to any payment default a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge of such Default or Event of Default or (2) a written notice of such Default or Event of Default shall have been given to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at the corporate trust office of the Trustee specified in Section 12.2, and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture.
(g) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee, each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.
(h) The Trustee shall not be under any obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture or the Notes at the request or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered and, if requested, provided to the Trustee indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense which may be incurred therein or thereby.
(i) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any fact or matter unless such fact or matter is known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee.
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(j) Whenever in the administration of this Indenture or the Notes the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder or thereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or willful misconduct on its part, conclusively rely upon an Officer’s Certificate.
(k) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, coupon or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine, during business hours and upon reasonable notice, the books, records and premises of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Company and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.
(l) The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder.
(m) The Trustee may request that the Company or the Issuer deliver an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture or the Notes.
(n) In no event shall the Trustee be liable to any Person for special, punitive, indirect, consequential or incidental loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, lost profits), even if the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage.
(o) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company or the Issuer shall be sufficient if signed by one Officer of the Company or the Issuer.
(p) The Trustee may employ a custodian, agent, nominee or delegate to transact or concur in transacting any business and to do or concur in doing any acts required to be done by the Trustee (including the receipt and payment of money) and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any such agent appointed with due care.
(q) The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for the computation of any interest payments or redemption amounts.
(r) The permissive rights of the Trustee enumerated herein shall not be construed as duties.
SECTION 7.3 Individual Rights of Trustee. The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Issuer, the Guarantors or their Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Paying Agent, Registrar, co-registrar or co-paying agent may do the same with like rights. However, the Trustee must comply with Section 7.10. In addition, the Trustee shall be permitted to engage in transactions with the Company.
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SECTION 7.4 Trustee’s Disclaimer. The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, shall not be accountable for the Issuer’s use of the proceeds from the sale of the Notes, shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee or any money paid to the Issuer pursuant to the terms of this Indenture and shall not be responsible for any statement of the Issuer in this Indenture or in any document issued in connection with the sale of the Notes or in the Notes other than the Trustee’s certificate of authentication.
SECTION 7.5 Notice of Defaults. If a Default occurs and is continuing and a Responsible Officer is informed of such occurrence by the Issuer, the Trustee shall give notice of the Default to the Holders within 60 days after being notified by the Issuer. Except in the case of a Default in payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as it in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of Holders.
SECTION 7.6 [Reserved].
SECTION 7.7 Compensation and Indemnity. The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time compensation for its services hereunder and under the Notes as the Company and the Trustee shall from time to time agree in writing. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred or made by it, including, but not limited to, costs of collection, costs of preparing reports, certificates and other documents, costs of preparation and mailing of notices to Holders. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses, disbursements and advances of the agents, counsel, accountants and experts of the Trustee. The Company shall indemnify each of the Trustee and its officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents from and against any and all loss, liability, damages, claims or expense, including taxes (other than taxes based upon the income of such Person) (including reasonable attorneys’ and agents’ fees and expenses) incurred by it without willful misconduct or gross negligence, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, on its part in connection with the administration of this trust and the performance of its duties hereunder and under the Notes, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture (including this Section 7.7) and the Notes and of defending itself against any claims (whether asserted by any Holder, the Company or otherwise). The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity of which it has received written notice. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall provide reasonable cooperation at the Company’s expense in the defense. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trustee may conduct its own defense in its sole discretion. The Trustee may have one separate counsel and the Company shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel.
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The Issuer need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent may not be unreasonably withheld. For the avoidance of doubt, the Issuer will not, without the prior written consent of the Trustee, and/or the Agents, as applicable, settle any claim in respect of which indemnification may be sought, regardless of whether or not the Trustee, or the Agents are an actual or potential party thereto, unless such settlement (a) includes an express, complete and unconditional release of the Trustee, and/or the Agents, as applicable, with respect to all claims asserted in such litigation or proceeding, or relating to the engagement of the Trustee, or the Agents, such release to be set forth in an instrument signed by all parties to such settlement and (b) does not include a statement as to an admission of fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of the Trustee, and/or the Agents, as applicable, or any of their affiliates. The Issuer shall consult with Trustee, or the Agents, as applicable, regarding any claim or settlement thereof and provide the Trustee, and the Agents, as applicable, with any reasonably requested information or copies of documents relating to a claim or settlement thereof.
To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section 7.7, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee other than money or property held in trust to pay principal of and interest on particular Notes. Such lien shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, of the appointment of any successor Trustee. The Trustee’s right to receive payment of any amounts due under this Section 7.7 shall not be subordinate to any other liability or Indebtedness of the Company.
The Company’s payment and other obligations pursuant to this Section 7.7 shall survive the discharge of this Indenture and any resignation or removal of the Trustee under Section 7.8. Without prejudice to any other rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, when the Trustee incurs fees, expenses or renders services after the occurrence of a Default specified in clause (7) or clause (8) of Section 6.1, the expenses (including the reasonable fees and expenses of its counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.
SECTION 7.8 Replacement of Trustee. The Trustee may resign at any time by so notifying the Issuer in writing not less than 30 days prior to the effective date of such resignation. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the removed Trustee in writing not less than 30 days prior to the effective date of such removal and may appoint a successor Trustee with the Issuer’s written consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld. The Issuer shall remove the Trustee if:
(1) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof;
(2) the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent;
(3) a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or
(4) the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.
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If the Trustee resigns or is removed by the Issuer or by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes and such Holders do not reasonably promptly appoint a successor Trustee pursuant to the preceding paragraph, or if a vacancy exists in the office of the Trustee for any reason (the Trustee in such event being referred to herein as the retiring Trustee), the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee.
A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuer. Thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee shall, at the expense of the Issuer, promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.7, and the recognition thereof by the successor Trustee.
If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Notes may petition, at the Issuer’s expense, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Holder who has been a bona fide holder of a Note for at least six months may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.
Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.8, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.7 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee. The predecessor Trustee shall have no liability for any action or inaction of any successor Trustee.
SECTION 7.9 Successor Trustee by Merger. If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all its corporate trust business or assets to, another corporation or banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.
In case at the time such successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture, any of the Notes shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee, and deliver such Notes so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Notes shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Notes either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee; provided that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee or authenticate Notes in the name of any predecessor Trustee shall only apply to its successor or successors by merger, consolidation or conversion.
SECTION 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification. The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. If the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest, the Trustee must (i) eliminate such conflict within 90 days of acquiring such conflict or (ii) within 10 days of the end of such 90-day period, provide notice of such conflict to the Issuer and resign; provided, however, that the Trustee shall be permitted to engage in transactions with the Company and its Affiliates and Subsidiaries.
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If the Trustee becomes a creditor, directly or indirectly, of the Issuer or the Guarantors within three months before an Event of Default or after an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Trustee will hold in a segregated account for the benefit of the Trustee, in its individual capacity, and the Holders an amount equal to any payment of such creditor claims or any property received in respect thereof.
SECTION 7.11 [Reserved].
SECTION 7.12 Trustee’s Application for Instruction from the Issuer. Any application by the Trustee for written instructions from the Issuer may, at the option of the Trustee, set forth in writing any action proposed to be taken or omitted by the Trustee under this Indenture and the date on and/or after which such action shall be taken or such omission shall be effective. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken by, or omission of, the Trustee in accordance with a proposal included in such application on or after the date specified in such application (which date shall not be less than three Business Days after the date any Officer of the Issuer actually receives such application, unless any such Officer shall have consented in writing to any earlier date) unless prior to taking any such action (or the effective date in the case of an omission), the Trustee shall have received written instructions in response to such application specifying the action to be taken or omitted.
SECTION 7.13 Paying Agent.
(a) Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Paying Agent:
(1) the Paying Agent undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Paying Agent. The Paying Agent shall not be under any fiduciary duty or other obligation towards, or have any relationship of agency or trust, for or with any person other than the Issuer;
(2) no provision of this Indenture shall require the Paying Agent to take any action or fail to take any action that may cause it to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it believes in its absolute discretion that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not assured to it;
(3) the Paying Agent may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties including but not limited to any instruction provided to it by the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Trustee. The Paying Agent may refrain, without liability, from acting under any instructions that it determines, in its sole discretion, are equivocal, unclear or conflicting; and
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(4) the Paying Agent may consult with counsel and the written advice (including by email) of such counsel and any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.
(5) The rights, powers, duties and obligations and actions of each Agent under this Indenture are several and not joint or joint and several.
(6) The Issuer and the Agents acknowledge and agree that in the event of a Default or Event of Default, the Trustee may, by notice in writing to the Issuer and the Agents, require that the Agents act as agents of, and take instructions exclusively from, the Trustee. Prior to receiving such written notice from the Trustee, the Agents shall be the agents of the Issuer and need have no concern for the interests of the Holders.
(7) Any obligation the Agents may have to publish a notice to Holders of Global Notes on behalf of the Issuer will be met upon delivery of the notice to Euroclear and/or Clearstream, as applicable, if and so long as any Notes are represented by one or more Global Notes and ownership of book-entry interests therein are shown on the records of Euroclear or Clearstream, as applicable.
(8) In the event that instructions given to any Agent are not reasonably clear, then such Agent shall be entitled to seek clarification from the Issuer by written request promptly and in any event within one Business Day of receipt by such Agent of such instructions. If an Agent has sought clarification in accordance with this clause (8), then such Agent shall be entitled to take no action until such clarification is provided, and shall not incur any liability for not taking any action pending receipt of such clarification.
(9) No Agent shall be required to make any payment under this Indenture unless and until it has received the full amount to be paid in accordance with the terms of this Indenture. To the extent that an Agent has made a payment for which it did not receive the full amount, the Issuer will reimburse the Agent the full amount of any shortfall.
(10) The Agents shall act solely as agents of the Issuer and shall have no fiduciary or other obligation towards, or have any relationship of agency or trust, for or with any Person other than the Issuer, except as expressly stated elsewhere in this Indenture.
(11) The Issuer shall notify each Agent in the event that it determines that any payment to be made by an Agent under the Notes is a payment which could be subject to FATCA Withholding if such payment were made to a recipient that is generally unable to receive payments free from FATCA Withholding, and the extent to which the relevant payment is so treated; provided, however, that the Issuer’s obligation under this clause (11) shall apply only to the extent that such payments are so treated by virtue of characteristics of the Issuer, the Notes, or both.
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(12) In the event that the Issuer determines in its sole discretion that deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax will be required by Applicable Law in connection with any payment due to any of the Agents on any Notes, then the Issuer will be entitled to redirect or reorganize any such payment in any way that it sees fit in order that the payment may be made without such deduction or withholding; provided that any such redirected or reorganized payment is made through a recognized institution of international standing and otherwise made in accordance with this Indenture and the Applicable Law. The Issuer will promptly notify the Agents and the Trustee of any such redirection or reorganization.
(13) For the purposes of this Section 7.13(a), the following definitions apply:
“Applicable Law” means any law or regulation including, but not limited to: (i) any statute or regulation; (ii) any rule or practice of any Authority by which any Party is bound or with which it is accustomed to comply; (iii) any agreement between any Authorities; and (iv) any customary agreement between any Authority and any Party.
“Authority” means any competent regulatory, prosecuting, Tax or governmental authority in any jurisdiction.
“FATCA Withholding” means any withholding or deduction required pursuant to an agreement described in section 1471(b) of the Code, or otherwise imposed pursuant to sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, any regulations or agreements thereunder, any official interpretations thereof, or any law implementing an intergovernmental approach thereto.
“Party” means any party to this Indenture.
(14) If the introduction of or any change in (or in the interpretation, administration or application of) any law or regulation made after the date of this Agreement; or any change in the status of the Issuer of the composition of the shareholders of the Issuer after the date of this Agreement, obliges the Paying Agent or the Registrar to comply with “know your customer” or similar identification procedures in circumstances where the necessary information is not already available to it, the Issuer shall promptly upon the request of the Paying Agent or the Registrar supply or procure the supply of such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Paying Agent or the Registrar in order for the Paying Agent or Registrar to carry out and be satisfied that it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations.
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(b) The Issuer agrees:
(1) to pay to the Paying Agent from time to time compensation as agreed in a fee letter dated on or about the date hereof between the Issuer and the Paying Agent for all services rendered by the Paying Agent hereunder;
(2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Paying Agent upon its request for all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Paying Agent in accordance with any provision of or in connection with this Indenture (including the compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel); and
(3) to indemnify the Paying Agent for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without gross negligence or willful default on the Paying Agent’s part, arising out of or in connection with its obligations hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder.
The Paying Agent shall not be liable for consequential or indirect loss (which shall include but not be limited to loss of business, goodwill opportunity or profit) of any kind whatsoever. This Section 7.13(b) shall survive the termination of this Indenture and/or the resignation or removal of the Paying Agent.
(c) Resignation or Removal of the Paying Agent
(1) The Paying Agent may resign at any time by giving 30 days written notice thereof to the Issuer;
(2) The Paying Agent may be removed at any time by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes, delivered to the Trustee and to the Issuer. If at any time:
(A) the Paying Agent shall fail to comply with Section 7.13(a) after written request therefor by the Issuer or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Note for at least six months; or
(B) the Paying Agent shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,
then, in any such case, (A) the Issuer may remove the Paying Agent, or (B) subject to Section 6.11, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Note for at least six months may, on behalf of itself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Paying Agent and the appointment of a successor Paying Agent or Paying Agents.
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(3) If the Paying Agent shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor Paying Agent. If no successor Paying Agent shall have been so appointed by the Issuer then the Paying Agent may, on behalf of the Issuer (i) appoint a successor Paying Agent or (ii) petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Paying Agent.
ARTICLE VIII
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
SECTION 8.1 Option To Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance; Defeasance. The Issuer may, at its option and at any time, elect to have either Section 8.2 or 8.3 hereof be applied to all outstanding Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article VIII.
SECTION 8.2 Legal Defeasance and Discharge. Upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.1 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.2, the Issuer and each of the Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.4 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes (including the Guarantees) on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Issuer and the Guarantors will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes (including the Guarantees), which will thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.5 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (1) and (2) below, and to have satisfied all of their other obligations under such Notes, the Guarantees and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on written demand of and at the expense of the Issuer, shall execute such instruments reasonably requested by the Issuer acknowledging the same) and to have cured all then existing Events of Default, except for the following provisions which will survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:
(1) the rights of Holders of Notes issued under this Indenture to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes when such payments are due solely out of the trust referred to in Section 8.4 hereof;
(2) the Issuer’s obligations with respect to the Notes under Article II concerning issuing temporary Notes, registration of such Notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and Section 3.12 hereof concerning the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security payments held in trust;
(3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee and the Issuer’s or Guarantors’ obligations in connection therewith; and
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(4) this Article VIII with respect to provisions relating to Legal Defeasance.
SECTION 8.3 Covenant Defeasance. Upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.1 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.3, the Issuer and each of the Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.4 hereof, be released from each of their obligations under the covenants contained in Section 3.3, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.10, 3.16, 3.19, 3.20, 3.21 and 3.22 and Section 4.1 (except Section 4.1(a)(1) and 4.1(a)(2)) hereof with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.4 hereof are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes will thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but will continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder. For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes and Guarantees, the Issuer and the Guarantors may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.1 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes and Guarantees will be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.1 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.3, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.4 hereof, Sections 6.1(3) (solely with respect to the defeased covenants listed above), 6.1(4), 6.1(5), 6.1(6), 6.1(7) (with respect only to a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that taken together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) and 6.1(8) (with respect only to a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that taken together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) hereof shall not constitute Events of Default.
SECTION 8.4 Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance. In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance under either Section 8.2 or 8.3 hereof:
(1) the Issuer must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee or the Paying Agent, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, cash in Euros, U.S. Dollars, U.S. Government Obligations, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes issued under this Indenture on the stated maturity date or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be; provided that upon any redemption that requires the payment of the Applicable Premium, the amount deposited shall be sufficient for purposes of this Indenture to the extent that an amount is deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent equal to the Applicable Premium calculated as of the date of the notice of redemption, with any deficit as of the date of redemption (any such amount, the “Applicable Premium Deficit”) only required to be deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent on or prior to the date of redemption. Any Applicable Premium Deficit shall be set forth in an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee substantially concurrently with the deposit of such Applicable Premium Deficit that confirms that such Applicable Premium Deficit shall be applied toward such redemption and must specify whether such Notes are being defeased to maturity or to a particular redemption date;
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(2) in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee and the Paying Agent an Opinion of Counsel confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions;
(A) the Issuer have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or
(B) since the Issue Date, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law;
in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the beneficial owners of the Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;
(3) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee and the Paying Agent an Opinion of Counsel confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the beneficial owners of the Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;
(4) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee and Paying Agent an Opinion of Counsel stating that, as of the date of such opinion and subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, following the deposit, the trust funds will not be subject to the effect of Section 546 or 547 of Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended, or any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally under any applicable U.S. federal or state law;
(5) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee and Paying Agent an Officer’s Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Issuer with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying, defrauding or preferring any creditors of the Issuer; and
(6) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee and Paying Agent an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel (which Opinion of Counsel may be subject to customary assumptions and exclusions), each stating that all conditions precedent provided for or relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, have been complied with.
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SECTION 8.5 Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations To Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions. Subject to Section 8.6 hereof, all money and U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.5, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.4 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes will be held in trust and applied by the Trustee or the Paying Agent, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuer acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
The Issuer will pay and indemnify the Trustee and each Paying Agent against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 8.4 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.
Notwithstanding anything in this Article VIII to the contrary, the Trustee or the Paying Agent will deliver or pay to the Issuer from time to time upon the request of the Issuer any money or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 8.4 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee or the Paying Agent (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.4(1) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
SECTION 8.6 Repayment to the Issuer. Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Issuer, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium or interest on, any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Issuer on its written request unless an abandoned property law designates another Person or (if then held by the Issuer) will be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note will thereafter be permitted to look only to the Issuer for payment thereof unless an abandoned property law designates another Person, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Issuer as trustee thereof, will thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee, before being required to make any such repayment, shall at the expense of the Issuer cause to be published once, in the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which will not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Issuer.
SECTION 8.7 Reinstatement. If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or Euros, U.S. Dollars or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 8.2 or 8.3 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or Governmental Authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Issuer’s and the Guarantors’ obligations under this Indenture and the Notes and the Guarantees will be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.2 or 8.3 hereof
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until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.2 or 8.3 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Issuer make any payment of principal of, premium, or interest and Additional Interest, if any, on, any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuer will be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS
SECTION 9.1 Without Consent of Holders. Notwithstanding Section 9.2 of this Indenture, the Issuer, the Trustee and the other parties hereto, as applicable, may amend or supplement any Note Documents to:
(1) cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect, error or inconsistency, conform any provision to any provision under the heading “Description of Notes” in the Offering Memorandum or reduce the minimum denomination of the Notes;
(2) provide for the assumption by a successor Person of the obligations of the Issuer or a Guarantor under any Note Document or to comply with Section 4.1 hereof;
(3) provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes or to alter the provisions of this Indenture relating to the form of the Notes (including related definitions);
(4) add to or modify the covenants or provide for a Guarantee for the benefit of the Holders or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;
(5) make any change (including changing the Common Code or ISIN number or other identifying number on any Notes) that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders or that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder in any material respect;
(6) at the Issuer’s election, comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA, if such qualification is required;
(7) make such provisions as necessary (as determined in good faith by the Issuer) for the issuance of Additional Notes;
(8) add Guarantees with respect to the Notes, to add security to or for the benefit of the Notes, or to confirm and evidence the release, termination, discharge or retaking of any Guarantee or Lien with respect to or securing the Notes when such release, termination, discharge or retaking is provided for under this Indenture;
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(9) evidence and provide for the acceptance and appointment under this Indenture of a successor Trustee or successor Paying Agent hereunder pursuant to the requirements hereof or to provide for the accession by the Trustee to any Note Document;
(10) make any amendment to the provisions of this Indenture relating to the transfer and legending of Notes not prohibited by this Indenture, including, without limitation, to facilitate the issuance and administration of Notes; provided, however, that compliance with this Indenture as so amended would not result in Notes being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any other applicable securities law;
(11) comply with the rules and procedures of any applicable securities depositary; and
(12) make any amendment to the provisions of this Indenture, the Guarantees and/or the Notes to eliminate the effect of any Accounting Change or in the application thereof as described in the last paragraph of the definition of “GAAP.”
Subject to Section 9.2, upon the request of the Issuer, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Sections 9.6 and 12.6 hereof, the Trustee will join with the Issuer and the Guarantors in the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture unless such amended or supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties, liabilities or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but will not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental Indenture.
SECTION 9.2 With Consent of Holders. Except as provided below in this Section 9.2, the Issuer, the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Paying Agent may amend, supplement or otherwise modify this Indenture, any Guarantee and the Notes issued hereunder with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding and issued under this Indenture (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes) and, subject to Section 6.4 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default (other than a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Notes, except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded) or compliance with any provision of this Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding issued under this Indenture (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes). Section 2.12 hereof and Section 12.6 hereof shall determine which Notes are considered to be “outstanding” for the purposes of this Section 9.2.
Upon the request of the Issuer, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of the Holders of Notes as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Sections 9.6 and 12.6 hereof, the Trustee will join with the Issuer and the Guarantors in the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture unless such amended or supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties, liabilities or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but will not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental Indenture.
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Without the consent of each Holder of Notes affected, an amendment or waiver may not, with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder:
(1) reduce the principal amount of such Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment;
(2) reduce the stated rate of or extend the stated time for payment of interest on any such Note (other than provisions relating to Section 3.5 and Section 3.9);
(3) reduce the principal of or extend the Stated Maturity of any such Note (other than provisions relating to Section 3.5 and Section 3.9);
(4) reduce the premium payable upon the redemption of any such Note or change the time at which any such Note may be redeemed, in each case as set forth in Section 5.7;
(5) make any such Note payable in currency other than that stated in such Note;
(6) impair the right of any Holder to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment of principal of and interest on such Holder’s Notes on or after the due dates therefor;
(7) waive a Default or Event of Default with respect to the nonpayment of principal, premium or interest (except pursuant to a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of such Notes outstanding and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration); or
(8) make any change in the amendment or waiver provisions which require the Holders’ consent described in this Section 9.2.
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Indenture to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof. A consent to any amendment or waiver under this Indenture by any Holder of the Notes given in connection with a tender of such Holder’s Notes will not be rendered invalid by such tender.
After an amendment or supplement under this Section 9.2 becomes effective, the Issuer shall mail to Holders a notice briefly describing such amendment or supplement. The failure to give such notice to all Holders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment or supplement.
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SECTION 9.3 [Reserved].
SECTION 9.4 Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers. Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent or waiver is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder of a Note or subsequent Holder of a Note may revoke the consent or waiver as to such Holder’s Note or portion of its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.
The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to give their consent or take any other action described above or required or permitted to be taken pursuant to this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to give such consent or to revoke any consent previously given or to take any such action, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date.
SECTION 9.5 Notation on or Exchange of Notes. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Issuer in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Issuer Order, authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.
Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note will not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.
SECTION 9.6 Trustee and Paying Agent Signs Amendments. The Trustee and Paying Agent shall sign any amended or supplemental indenture authorized pursuant to this Article IX if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee or Paying Agent. In executing any amended or supplemental indenture, the Trustee or Paying Agent will be entitled to receive and (subject to Sections 7.1 and 7.2 hereof) shall be fully protected in conclusively relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 12.4 hereof, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and is valid, binding and enforceable against the Issuer in accordance with its terms. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Opinion of Counsel shall be required in connection with the addition of a Guarantor under this Indenture upon (i) execution and delivery by such Guarantor and the Trustee of a supplemental indenture to this Indenture, the form of which is attached as Exhibit B hereto and (ii) delivery of an Officer’s Certificate complying with the provisions of Sections 9.6, 12.4 and 12.5 hereof.
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ARTICLE X
GUARANTEE
SECTION 10.1 Guarantee. Subject to the provisions of this Article X, each Guarantor hereby fully, unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees, as primary obligor and not merely as surety, jointly and severally with each other Guarantor, to each Holder of the Notes, and the Trustee the full and punctual payment when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes and all other obligations and liabilities of the Issuer under this Indenture (including without limitation interest accruing after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy, or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like proceeding, relating to the Issuer or any Guarantor whether or not a claim for post-filing or Post-Petition Interest is allowed in such proceeding and the obligations under Section 7.7) (all the foregoing being hereinafter collectively called the “Guaranteed Obligations”). Each Guarantor agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations will rank equally in right of payment with other Indebtedness of such Guarantor, except to the extent such other Indebtedness is subordinate to the Guaranteed Obligations, in which case the obligations of the Guarantors under the Guarantees will rank senior in right of payment to such other Indebtedness.
To evidence its Guarantee set forth in this Section 10.1, each Guarantor hereby agrees that this Indenture shall be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by an Officer of such Guarantor.
Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Guarantee set forth in this Section 10.1 shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the absence of the endorsement of any notation of such Guarantee on the Notes.
If an Officer whose signature is on this Indenture no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note, the Guarantee shall be valid nevertheless.
Each Guarantor further agrees (to the extent permitted by law) that the Guaranteed Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice or further assent from it, and that it will remain bound under this Article X notwithstanding any extension or renewal of any Guaranteed Obligation.
Each Guarantor waives presentation to, demand of payment from and protest to the issuer of any of the Guaranteed Obligations and also waives notice of protest for nonpayment. Each Guarantor waives notice of any default under the Notes or the Guaranteed Obligations.
Each Guarantor further agrees that its Guarantee herein constitutes a Guarantee of payment when due (and not a Guarantee of collection) and waives any right to require that any resort be had by any Holder to any security held for payment of the Guaranteed Obligations.
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Except as set forth in Section 10.2, the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason (other than payment of the Guaranteed Obligations in full), including any claim of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise, and shall not be subject to any defense of setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever or by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations or otherwise. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Guaranteed Obligations of each Guarantor herein shall not be discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by (a) the failure of any Holder to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy against the Issuer or any other person under this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement or otherwise; (b) any extension or renewal of any thereof; (c) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement; (d) the release of any security held by any Holder for the Guaranteed Obligations; (e) the failure of any Holder to exercise any right or remedy against any other Guarantor; (f) any change in the ownership of the Issuer; (g) any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the performance of the Guaranteed Obligations, or (h) any other act or thing or omission or delay to do any other act or thing which may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of any Guarantor or would otherwise operate as a discharge of such Guarantor as a matter of law or equity.
Each Guarantor agrees that its Guarantee herein shall remain in full force and effect until payment in full of all the Guaranteed Obligations or such Guarantor is released from its Guarantee in compliance with Section 10.2, Article VIII or Article XI. Each Guarantor further agrees that its Guarantee herein shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of principal of, premium, if any, interest and Additional Interest, if any, on any of the Guaranteed Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by any Holder upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of the Issuer or otherwise.
In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right which any Holder has at law or in equity against any Guarantor by virtue hereof, upon the failure of the Issuer to pay any of the Guaranteed Obligations when and as the same shall become due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, each Guarantor hereby promises to and will, upon receipt of written demand by the Trustee, forthwith pay, or cause to be paid, in cash, to the Holders or the Trustee on behalf of the Holders an amount equal to the sum of (i) the unpaid amount of such Guaranteed Obligations then due and owing and (ii) accrued and unpaid interest (including Additional Interest) on such Guaranteed Obligations then due and owing (but only to the extent not prohibited by law) (including interest accruing after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like proceeding relating to the Issuer or any Guarantor whether or not a claim for post-filing or Post-Petition Interest is allowed in such proceeding).
Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between such Guarantor, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in this Indenture for the purposes of its Guarantee herein and (y) in the event of any such declaration of acceleration of such Guaranteed Obligations, such Guaranteed Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantor for the purposes of this Guarantee.
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Each Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all fees, costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by the Trustee or the Holders in enforcing any rights under this Section.
SECTION 10.2 Limitation on Liability; Termination, Release and Discharge.
(a) Any term or provision of this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder will be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor and after giving effect to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under its Guarantee or pursuant to its contribution obligations under this Indenture, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under federal, foreign or state law and not otherwise being void or voidable under any similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.
(b) Any Guarantee of a Guarantor shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon:
(1) a sale, exchange, transfer or other disposition (including by way of merger, amalgamation, consolidation or dividend distribution) of the Capital Stock of a Subsidiary Guarantor or the sale, exchange, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Subsidiary Guarantor to a Person other than to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary and as otherwise not prohibited by this Indenture;
(2) the designation in accordance with this Indenture of a Subsidiary Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or the occurrence of any event after which the Subsidiary Guarantor is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary;
(3) defeasance or discharge of the Notes pursuant to Article VIII or Article XI;
(4) to the extent that such Subsidiary Guarantor is not an Immaterial Subsidiary solely due to the operation of clause (i) of the definition of “Immaterial Subsidiary,” upon the release of the guarantee referred to in such clause;
(5) such Guarantor, other than the Indirect Parent, the Direct Parent or the Company, being (or being substantially concurrently) released or discharged from all of (i) its obligations under all of its Guarantees of payment by the Company of any Indebtedness of the Company under the Credit Agreement or (ii) in the case of a Guarantee made by a Guarantor (each, an “Other Guarantee”) as a result of its guarantee of other Indebtedness of the Company or a Guarantor pursuant to Section 3.7, the relevant Indebtedness, except in the case of (i) or (ii), a release as a result of the repayment in full of the Indebtedness specified in clause (i) or (ii) (it being understood that a release subject to a contingent reinstatement is still considered a release, and if any such Indebtedness of such Guarantor under the Credit Agreement or any Other Guarantee is so reinstated, such Guarantee shall also be reinstated);
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(6) upon the merger, amalgamation or consolidation of any Guarantor with and into the Company or another Guarantor or upon the liquidation of such Guarantor, in each case, in compliance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture;
(7) in the case of the Subsidiary Guarantees, the achievement of Investment Grade Status by the Notes; provided that such Guarantees shall be reinstated upon the Reversion Date pursuant to Section 3.21; and
(8) pursuant to Article IX.
SECTION 10.3 Right of Contribution. Each Guarantor hereby agrees that to the extent that any Guarantor shall have paid more than its proportionate share of any payment made on the obligations under the Guarantees, such Guarantor shall be entitled to seek and receive contribution from and against the Issuer or any other Guarantor who has not paid its proportionate share of such payment. The provisions of this Section 10.3 shall in no respect limit the obligations and liabilities of each Guarantor to the Trustee and the Holders and each Guarantor shall remain liable to the Trustee and the Holders for the full amount guaranteed by such Guarantor hereunder.
SECTION 10.4 No Subrogation. Notwithstanding any payment or payments made by each Guarantor hereunder, no Guarantor shall be entitled to be subrogated to any of the rights of the Trustee or any Holder against the Issuer or any other Guarantor or any collateral security or guarantee or right of offset held by the Trustee or any Holder for the payment of the Guaranteed Obligations, nor shall any Guarantor seek or be entitled to seek any contribution or reimbursement from the Issuer or any other Guarantor in respect of payments made by such Guarantor hereunder, until all amounts owing to the Trustee and the Holders by the Issuer on account of the Guaranteed Obligations are paid in full. If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor on account of such subrogation rights at any time when all of the Guaranteed Obligations shall not have been paid in full, such amount shall be held by such Guarantor in trust for the Trustee and the Holders, segregated from other funds of such Guarantor, and shall, forthwith upon receipt by such Guarantor, be turned over to the Trustee in the exact form received by such Guarantor (duly indorsed by such Guarantor to the Trustee, if required), to be applied against the Guaranteed Obligations.
ARTICLE XI
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
SECTION 11.1 Satisfaction and Discharge. This Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all Notes issued hereunder, when:
(a) either:
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(1) all Notes that have been authenticated and delivered (except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes and Notes for which provision for payment was previously made and thereafter the funds have been released to the Issuer) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
(2) all Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (i) have become due and payable, (ii) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year or (iii) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense of the Issuer;
(b) the Company has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee, money in Euros, U.S. Dollars, U.S. Government Obligations, or a combination thereof, as applicable, in such amounts as will be sufficient to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on such Notes not previously delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal, premium, if any, and interest to the date of deposit (in the case of Notes that have become due and payable), or to the Stated Maturity or redemption date, as the case may be; provided that upon any redemption that requires the payment of the Applicable Premium, the amount deposited shall be sufficient for purposes of this Indenture to the extent that an amount is deposited with the Trustee equal to the Applicable Premium calculated as of the date of the notice of redemption, as calculated by the Company or on behalf of the Company by such Person as the Company shall designate, with any Applicable Premium Deficit only required to be deposited with the Trustee on or prior to the date of redemption, and any Applicable Premium Deficit shall be set forth in an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee substantially concurrently with the deposit of such Applicable Premium Deficit that confirms that such Applicable Premium Deficit shall be applied toward such redemption;
(c) the Issuer has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable by the Issuer under this Indenture; and
(d) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied; provided that any such counsel may rely on any Officer’s Certificate as to matters of fact (including as to compliance with clauses (a), (b) and (c) in this Section 11.1).
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, if money has been deposited with the Registrar pursuant to clause (b) of this Section 11.1, the provisions of Sections 11.2 and 8.6 hereof will survive.
SECTION 11.2 Application of Trust Money. Subject to the provisions of Section 8.6 hereof, all money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent pursuant to Section 11.1 hereof shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium) and interest and Additional Interest, if any, for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
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If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 11.1 hereof by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or Governmental Authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Issuer’s and any Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 11.1 hereof; provided that if the Company has made any payment of principal of, or premium or interest on, any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuer shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or the Paying Agent.
ARTICLE XII
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 12.1 [Reserved].
SECTION 12.2 Notices. Any notice, request, direction, consent or communication made pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture or the Notes shall be in writing and delivered in person, delivered by commercial courier service, sent by facsimile, electronic mail or mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
if to the Issuer or to any Guarantor:
Avis Budget Finance plc
c/o Avis Budget Car Rental, LLC
6 Sylvan Way
Parsippany, NJ 07054
Attention: Treasurer
Facsimile: 502-394-1160
with a copy to:
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
601 Lexington Ave
New York, New York 10022
Attention: Joshua N. Korff and Alborz Tolou
Facsimile: 212-446-4900
if to the Trustee or Registrar, at its corporate trust office, which corporate trust office for purposes of this Indenture is at the date hereof located at:
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas
Trust & Agency Services
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1 Columbus Circle, 17th Floor
Mail Stop: NYC01-1710
New York, NY 10019
Attn: Corporates Team, Avis Budget Finance PLC AA5593
Facsimile: (732) 578-4635
If to the Paying Agent:
Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch
Winchester House
1 Great Winchester Street,
EC2N 2DB, London
United Kingdom
The Issuer or the Trustee by written notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
All notices or other communications required or permitted to be given by the Issuer to any Paying Agent or Registrar under this Indenture shall be in the English language or, if not in English and if so required by the Paying Agent or Registrar, be accompanied by a certified English translation.
All notices to Holders of Notes shall be validly given if electronically delivered or mailed to the Holders at their respective addresses in the Notes Register and shall be sufficiently given if so sent within the time prescribed. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Note, for so long as any Notes are represented by Global Notes and where this Indenture or any Note provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption or purchase) to Holders of Notes (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary (or its designee), pursuant to the standing instructions from the Depositary or its designee, which will give such notices to the Holders of book-entry interests.
Any notice or communication to the Issuer, the Guarantors or Holders of Notes shall be deemed to have been given on the date of such publication or, if published more than once on different dates, on the first date on which publication is made; provided that, if notices are mailed, such notice shall be deemed to have been given on the earlier of such publication and the fifth day after being so mailed. Any notice or communication mailed to a Holder shall be mailed to such Person by first-class mail or other equivalent means and shall be sufficiently given to such Holder if so mailed within the time prescribed.
Failure to electronically deliver or mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders. If a notice or communication is electronically delivered or mailed in the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it, except that notices to the Trustee shall be effective only upon receipt.
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Facsimile, documents executed, scanned and transmitted electronically and electronic signatures, including those created or transmitted through electronic mail (with an attachment in .PDF or similar format) or a software platform or application, shall be deemed original signatures for purposes of this Indenture and all matters and agreements related thereto, with such facsimile, scanned and electronic signatures having the same legal effect as original signatures. The parties agree that this Indenture or any instrument, agreement or document necessary for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Indenture or related hereto or thereto (including, without limitation, addendums, amendments, notices, instructions, communications with respect to the delivery of securities or the wire transfer of funds or other communications) (“Executed Documentation”) may be accepted, executed or agreed to through the use of an electronic signature in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations in effect from time to time applicable to the effectiveness and enforceability of electronic signatures. Any Executed Documentation accepted, executed or agreed to in conformity with such laws, rules and regulations will be binding on all parties hereto to the same extent as if it were physically executed and each party hereby consents to the use of any third party electronic signature capture service providers as may be reasonably chosen by a signatory hereto or thereto. When the Trustee acts on any Executed Documentation sent by electronic transmission, the Trustee will not be responsible or liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from its reliance upon and compliance with such Executed Documentation, notwithstanding that such Executed Documentation (a) may not be an authorized or authentic communication of the party involved or in the form such party sent or intended to send (whether due to fraud, distortion or otherwise) or (b) may conflict with, or be inconsistent with, a subsequent written instruction or communication; it being understood and agreed that the Trustee shall conclusively presume that Executed Documentation that purports to have been sent by an authorized officer of a Person has been sent by an authorized officer of such Person. The party providing Executed Documentation through electronic transmission or otherwise with electronic signatures agrees to assume all risks arising out of such electronic methods, including, without limitation, the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties.
SECTION 12.3 [Reserved].
SECTION 12.4 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent. Upon any request or application by the Issuer or any of the Guarantors to the Trustee to take or refrain from taking any action under this Indenture, the Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall furnish to the Trustee:
(1) an Officer’s Certificate in form satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 12.5 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and
(2) an Opinion of Counsel in form satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 12.5 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been satisfied and all covenants have been complied with; provided, however, that such opinion shall not be required for the initial issuance of the Notes.
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SECTION 12.5 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a covenant or condition provided for in this Indenture shall include:
(1) a statement that the individual making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;
(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(3) a statement that, in the opinion of such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such individual, such covenant or condition has been complied with.
In giving such Opinion of Counsel, counsel may rely as to factual matters on an Officer’s Certificate or on certificates of public officials.
SECTION 12.6 When Notes Disregarded. In determining whether the Holders of the required aggregate principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Issuer, any Guarantor or any Affiliate of them shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except that, for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Also, subject to the foregoing, only Notes outstanding at the time shall be considered in any such determination.
SECTION 12.7 Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by, or at meetings of, Holders. The Registrar and the Paying Agent may make reasonable rules for their functions.
SECTION 12.8 Legal Holidays. A “Legal Holiday” is a Saturday, a Sunday or other day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law to be closed in New York, New York or the jurisdiction of the place of payment. If a payment date or Redemption Date is a Legal Holiday, payment shall be made on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period (unless otherwise required). If a regular record date is a Legal Holiday, the record date shall not be affected.
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SECTION 12.9 Governing Law. THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE GUARANTEES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
SECTION 12.10 Jurisdiction. The Issuer and the Guarantors agree that any suit, action or proceeding against the Issuer or any Guarantor brought by any Holder, the Trustee arising out of or based upon this Indenture, the Guarantee or the Notes may be instituted in any state or Federal court in the Borough of Manhattan, New York, New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, and each of them irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any suit, action or proceeding. The Issuer and the Guarantors irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection to any suit, action, or proceeding that may be brought in connection with this Indenture, the Guarantee or the Notes, including such actions, suits or proceedings relating to securities laws of the United States of America or any state thereof, in such courts whether on the grounds of venue, residence or domicile or on the ground that any such suit, action or proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum. The Issuer and the Guarantors agree that final judgment in any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such court shall be conclusive and binding upon the Issuer or the Guarantors, as the case may be, and may be enforced in any court to the jurisdiction of which the Issuer or the Guarantors, as the case may be, are subject by a suit upon such judgment.
SECTION 12.11 Waivers of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AND EACH HOLDER BY ITS ACCEPTANCE OF A NOTE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE GUARANTEES AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.
SECTION 12.12. USA PATRIOT Act Section 326 Customer Identification Program. In order to comply with the laws, rules, regulations and executive orders in effect from time to time applicable to banking institutions, including, without limitation, those relating to the funding of terrorist activities and money laundering, including Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act of the United States (the “Applicable AML Law”), the Trustee is required to obtain, verify, record and update certain information relating to individuals and entities which maintain a business relationship with the Trustee. Accordingly, each of the parties to this Indenture agrees to provide to the Trustee, upon its request from time to time, such identifying information and documentation as may be available for such party in order to enable the Trustee to comply with the Applicable AML Law.
SECTION 12.13 No Recourse Against Others. No director, officer, employee, incorporator, stockholder or shareholder of the Issuer, the Company or any of their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under the Notes, the Guarantees or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.
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SECTION 12.14 Successors. All agreements of the Issuer and each Guarantor in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind their respective successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.
SECTION 12.15 Multiple Originals. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF or other electronic signatures shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.
SECTION 12.16 [Reserved].
SECTION 12.17 Table of Contents; Headings. The table of contents, cross-reference table and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not intended to be considered a part hereof and shall not modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
SECTION 12.18 Force Majeure. In no event shall the Trustee, Paying Agent or any other Agent be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, pandemics, epidemics, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services, it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable best efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
SECTION 12.19 Severability. In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
[Signatures on following pages]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly executed all as of the date and year first written above.
| AVIS BUDGET FINANCE PLC | ||
| By: | /s/ David Calabria | |
| Name: David Calabria | ||
| Title: Director | ||
| AVIS BUDGET CAR RENTAL, LLC | ||
| AVIS BUDGET FINANCE, INC. | ||
| AB CAR RENTAL SERVICES, INC. | ||
| AVIS BUDGET GROUP, INC. | ||
| AVIS BUDGET HOLDINGS, LLC | ||
| AVIS CAR RENTAL GROUP, LLC | ||
| AVIS CARIBBEAN, LIMITED | ||
| AVIS GROUP HOLDINGS, LLC | ||
| AVIS INTERNATIONAL, LTD. | ||
| AVIS RENT A CAR SYSTEM, LLC | ||
| BUDGET RENT A CAR SYSTEM, INC. | ||
| BUDGET TRUCK RENTAL LLC | ||
| PR HOLDCO, INC. | ||
| WIZARD CO., INC. | ||
| WIZARD SERVICES, INC. | ||
| ZIPCAR, INC., as Guarantors | ||
| By: | /s/ David Calabria | |
| Name: David Calabria | ||
| Title: Senior Vice President and Treasurer | ||
| DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Trustee and Registrar | ||
| By: | /s/ Sebastian Hidalgo | |
| Name: Sebastian Hidalgo | ||
| Title: Assistant Vice President | ||
| By: | /s/ Jackie Bartnick | |
| Name: Jackie Bartnick | ||
| Title: Director | ||
| DEUTSCHE BANK AG, LONDON BRANCH, as Paying Agent | ||
| By: | /s/ Lauren Taylor | |
| Name: Lauren Taylor | ||
| Title: Vice President | ||
| By: | /s/ Ranjit Mather | |
| Name: Ranjit Mather | ||
| Title: Director | ||
EXHIBIT A
Form of Note1
AVIS BUDGET FINANCE PLC.
7.25% Senior Notes due 2030
| Common Code No. |
No. | |
| € |
Avis Budget Finance plc, a company duly organized and existing under the laws of Jersey, Channel Islands (the “Issuer,” which term includes its successors and assigns), promise to pay to ___________, or registered assigns, the principal sum of €___________________ ([ ] Euros) [(or such lesser or greater amount as shall be outstanding hereunder from time to time in accordance with Sections 2.1 and 2.6 of the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof)]2 (the “Principal Amount”) on July 31, 2030. The Issuer promises to pay interest semi-annually in cash on January 31 and July 31 of each year, commencing January 31, 2024, at the rate of 7.25% per annum, until the Principal Amount is paid or made available for payment. [Interest on this Note will accrue from the most recent date to which interest on this Note or any of its predecessor Notes has been paid or duly provided for or, if no interest has been paid, from the Issue Date.]3 [Interest on this Note will accrue (or will be deemed to have accrued) from the most recent date to which interest on this Note or any of its predecessor Notes has been paid or duly provided for or, if no such interest has been paid, from ________4.]5 Interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Note (or one or more predecessor Notes) is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest, which shall be the January 15 or July 15 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for will forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such regular record date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this Note (or one or more predecessor Notes) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Notes not more than 15 days nor less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Notes may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in said Indenture.
| 1 | Insert any applicable legends from Article II. |
| 2 | Include only if the Note is issued in global form. |
| 3 | Include only for Initial Notes. |
| 4 | Insert the Interest Payment Date immediately preceding the date of issuance of the applicable Additional Notes, or if the date of issuance of such Additional Notes is an Interest Payment Date, such date of issuance. |
| 5 | Include only for Additional Notes. |
A-1
Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this Note will be made at the office of the applicable Paying Agent, or such other office or agency of the Issuer maintained for that purpose; provided, however, that at the option of the Issuer payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Notes Register or by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Holders.
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the attached Additional Terms of the Notes, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to herein in accordance with Section 2.2 of the Indenture, this Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
A-2
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer has caused this instrument to be duly executed.
| AVIS BUDGET FINANCE PLC | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
A-3
This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
| DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Trustee | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
Dated:
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Additional Terms of the Notes
This Note is one of the duly authorized issue of 7.25% Senior Notes due 2030 of the Issuer (herein called the “Notes”), issued under an Indenture, dated as of July 13, 2023 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, herein called the “Indenture,” which term shall have the meanings assigned to it in such instrument), among the Issuer, the Guarantors from time to time parties thereto (the “Guarantors”), Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee (herein called the “Trustee,” which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture) and Registrar, and Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, as Paying Agent, and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Issuer, any other obligor upon this Note, the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes and of the terms upon which the Notes are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture for a statement of such terms. Additional Notes may be issued under the Indenture which will vote as a class with the Notes and otherwise be treated as Notes for purposes of the Indenture.
All terms used in this Note that are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
This Note is entitled to certain Guarantees made for the benefit of the Holders as set forth in Article X of the Indenture. Reference is made to Article X of the Indenture for terms relating to such Guarantees, including the release, termination and discharge thereof. Neither the Issuer nor any Guarantor shall be required to make any notation on this Note to reflect any Guarantee or any such release, termination or discharge.
The Notes will be redeemable, at the Issuer’s option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time on or after July 31, 2026, and prior to maturity at the applicable redemption price set forth below. Such redemption may be made upon not less than 10 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice by electronic delivery or, at the Issuer’s option, first class mail, postage prepaid, with a copy to the Trustee, to each Holder’s registered address in accordance with the Indenture. The Issuer may provide in such notice that the payment of the redemption price and the performance of the Issuer’s obligations with respect to such redemption may be performed by another Person. Any such redemption and notice may, in the Issuer’s discretion, be subject to the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, including but not limited to the occurrence of a Change of Control. The Notes will be so redeemable at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed) set forth in the table below, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to, but excluding, the applicable Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record of the Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on July 31 of each of the years indicated in the table below:
| Period |
Redemption Price | |||
| 2026 |
103.6250 | % | ||
| 2027 |
101.8125 | % | ||
| 2028 and thereafter |
100.000 | % | ||
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In addition, at any time and from time to time on or prior to July 31, 2026, the Issuer at its option may redeem up to 40% of the original aggregate principal amount of Notes (including Additional Notes) issued under the Indenture, at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed) equal to 107.25% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the applicable Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record of the Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, with the Net Cash Proceeds received by the Company or the Issuer of one or more Equity Offerings of the Company or the Issuer; provided that not less than 50% of the aggregate principal amount of the then-outstanding Notes issued under this Indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption (including Additional Notes but excluding Notes held by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), unless all such Notes are redeemed substantially concurrently. The Issuer may make such redemption upon not less than 10 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice by electronic delivery or, at the Issuer’s option, first class mail, postage prepaid, with a copy to the Trustee, to each Holder’s registered address in accordance with the Indenture (but in no event more than 180 days after the date of closing of the related Equity Offering). The Issuer may provide in such notice that payment of the redemption price and performance of the Issuer’s obligations with respect to such redemption may be performed by another Person.
At any time prior to July 31, 2026, Notes may also be redeemed by the Issuer in whole or in part, at the Issuer’s option, at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed) equal to 100.000% of the principal amount of Notes redeemed plus the relevant Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of the Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date. Such redemption or purchase may be made upon not less than 10 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice by electronic delivery or, at the Issuer’s option, first class mail, postage prepaid, with a copy to the Trustee, to each Holder’s registered address in accordance with the Indenture. The Issuer may provide in such notice that payment of the redemption price and performance of the Issuer’s obligations with respect to such redemption or purchase may be performed by another Person.
Notice of any redemption of the Notes may, at the Issuer’s discretion, be given prior to the completion of a transaction (including, without limitation, an Equity Offering, an incurrence of Indebtedness, a Change of Control or other transaction) thereof and any redemption or notice of redemption may, at the Issuer’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, completion of a related transaction. If such redemption or purchase is so subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall describe each such condition, and if applicable, shall state that, in the Issuer’s discretion, the redemption date may be delayed until such time (including more than 60 days after the date the notice of redemption was mailed or delivered, including by electronic transmission) as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied, or such redemption or purchase may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied by the redemption date, or by the redemption date as so delayed. In addition, the Issuer may provide in such notice that payment of the redemption price and performance of the Issuer’s obligations with respect to such redemption may be performed by another Person.
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The Indenture provides that, upon the occurrence after the Issue Date of a Change of Control, each Holder will have the right to require that the Issuer repurchase all or any part of such Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of such repurchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date); provided, however, that the Issuer shall not be obligated to repurchase the Notes in the event it has previously or concurrently exercised its right to redeem all the outstanding Notes as described above.
The Notes will not be entitled to the benefit of a sinking fund.
The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of the entire indebtedness of this Note or certain restrictive covenants and certain Events of Default with respect to this Note, in each case upon compliance with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.
The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Issuer and the rights of the Holders of the Notes to be effected under the Indenture at any time by the Issuer and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding to be affected. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Notes, to waive compliance by the Issuer with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Note and of any Note issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Note.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Issuer, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on this Note at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.
As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Note is registrable in the Notes Register, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Issuer in a place of payment, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuer and the Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Notes of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.
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The Notes are issuable only in fully registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of €100,000 and any integral multiple of €l,000 in excess thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the Notes are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Notes of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.
No service charge shall be made for any such registration, transfer or exchange, but the Issuer may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
Prior to due presentment of this Note for registration or transfer, the Issuer, any other obligor in respect of this Note, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer, such other obligor or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Note be overdue, and none of the Issuer, any other obligor upon this Note, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
No director, officer, employee, incorporator, equity holder, member, stockholder or shareholder of the Issuer, the Guarantors or any of their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates, as such (other than the Issuer and the Guarantors) shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer or the Guarantors under the Notes, the Guarantees or the Indenture, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note, waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.
THE INDENTURE AND THE NOTES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. THE TRUSTEE, THE ISSUER, ANY OTHER OBLIGOR IN RESPECT OF THE NOTES AND (BY THEIR ACCEPTANCE OF THE NOTES) THE HOLDERS, AGREE TO SUBMIT TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY UNITED STATES FEDERAL OR STATE COURT LOCATED IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE GUARANTEES.
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[FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER]
FOR VALUE RECEIVED the undersigned Holder hereby sell(s), assign(s) and
transfer(s) unto
Insert Taxpayer Identification No.
(Please print or typewrite name and address including zip code of assignee)
the within Note and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting and appointing
attorney to transfer such Note on the books of the Issuer with full power of substitution in the premises.
This Note is being sold, assigned and transferred (check one):
| [ ] | (a) | to the Issuer; | ||
| or | ||||
| [ ] | (b) | to a person whom the Holder reasonably believes is a qualified institutional buyer within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, purchasing for its own account or for the account of a qualified institutional buyer to whom notice is given that the resale, pledge or other transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933; | ||
| or | ||||
| [ ] | (c) | in an offshore transaction in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933; | ||
| or | ||||
| [ ] | (d) | to an institution that is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933 that is acquiring this Note for investment purposes and not for distribution; | ||
| or | ||||
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| [ ] | (e) | pursuant to any exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 provided by Rule 144 (if applicable) under the Securities Act of 1933; | ||
| or | ||||
| [ ] | (f) | pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933; | ||
| or | ||||
| [ ] | (g) | this Note is being transferred other than in accordance with (a), (b) or (f) above and documents are being furnished which comply with the conditions of transfer set forth in this Note and the Indenture. | ||
If none of the foregoing boxes is checked, the Trustee or other Registrar shall not be obligated to register this Note in the name of any Person other than the Holder hereof unless and until the conditions to any such transfer of registration set forth herein and in Section 2.6 of the Indenture shall have been satisfied.
Date:
| NOTICE: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the within-mentioned instrument in every particular, without alteration or any change whatsoever. |
Signature Guarantee:
Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
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TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (a) ABOVE IS CHECKED.
The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Issuer as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the undersigned’s foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A.
| Dated: | ||||||
| NOTICE: To be executed by an executive officer |
A-11
OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
If you wish to have this Note purchased by the Issuer pursuant to Section 3.5 or 3.9 of the Indenture, check the box: [ ].
If you wish to have a portion of this Note purchased by the Issuer pursuant to Section 3.5 or 3.9 of the Indenture, state the amount (in principal amount) below:
€_______________
Date:
Your Signature:
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note)
Signature Guarantee:
Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
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SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL NOTE
The following increases or decreases in this Global Note have been made:
| Date of Exchange |
Amount of decreases in Principal Amount of this Global Note |
Amount of increases in Principal Amount of this Global Note |
Principal amount of this Global Note following such decreases or increases |
Signature of authorized officer of Trustee or Notes Custodian |
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EXHIBIT B
[FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE]
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of [_________] (this “Supplemental Indenture”), among [name of Subsidiary Guarantor(s)] (the “Subsidiary Guarantor(s)”), Avis Budget Finance plc, a company duly organized and existing under the laws of Jersey, Channel Islands (the “Issuer,” which term includes its successors and assigns), Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee (“the Trustee”) and registrar and Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, as paying agent under the Indenture referred to below.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Issuer and the Trustee have heretofore become parties to an Indenture, dated as of July 13, 2023 (as amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified, the “Indenture”), providing for the issuance of 7.25% Senior Notes due 2030 of the Issuer (the “Notes”);
WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances each Subsidiary Guarantor shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which such Subsidiary Guarantor shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Issuer’s obligations under the Notes and the Indenture pursuant to a Subsidiary Guarantee on the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Indenture;
WHEREAS, each Subsidiary Guarantor desires to enter into such supplemental indenture for good and valuable consideration, including substantial economic benefit in that the financial performance and condition of such Subsidiary Guarantor is dependent on the financial performance and condition of Avis Budget Car Rental, LLC (the “Company”), the obligations hereunder of which such Subsidiary Guarantor has guaranteed, and on such Subsidiary Guarantor’s access to working capital through the Company’s access to revolving credit borrowings under the Credit Agreement; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.1 of the Indenture, the parties hereto are authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture to amend the Indenture, without the consent of any Holder;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Subsidiary Guarantor(s), the Issuer and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:
1. Defined Terms. As used in this Supplemental Indenture, terms defined in the Indenture or in the preamble or recitals hereto are used herein as therein defined. The words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereby” and other words of similar import used in this Supplemental Indenture refer to this Supplemental Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Section hereof.
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2. Agreement to Guarantee. [The] [Each] Subsidiary Guarantor hereby agrees, jointly and severally with all other Subsidiary Guarantors and irrevocably, fully and unconditionally, to Guarantee the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations under the Indenture and the Notes on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in Article X of the Indenture and to be bound by (and shall be entitled to the benefits of) all other applicable provisions of the Indenture as a Subsidiary Guarantor.
3. Termination, Release and Discharge. [The] [Each] Subsidiary Guarantor’s Subsidiary Guarantee shall terminate and be of no further force or effect, and [the] [each] Subsidiary Guarantor shall be released and discharged from all obligations in respect of such Subsidiary Guarantee, as and when provided in Section 10.2 of the Indenture.
4. Severability. In case any provision in this Supplemental Indenture shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability.
5. Parties. Nothing in this Supplemental Indenture is intended or shall be construed to give any Person, other than the Holders and the Trustee, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of [the] [each] Subsidiary Guarantor’s Subsidiary Guarantee or any provision contained herein or in Article X of the Indenture.
6. Governing Law. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. THE TRUSTEE, THE ISSUER, ANY OTHER OBLIGOR IN RESPECT OF THE NOTES AND (BY THEIR ACCEPTANCE OF THE NOTES) THE HOLDERS AGREE TO SUBMIT TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY UNITED STATES FEDERAL OR STATE COURT LOCATED IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE.
7. Ratification of Indenture; Supplemental Indentures Part of Indenture. Except as expressly amended hereby, the Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect. This Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture for all purposes, and every Holder of Notes heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered shall be bound hereby. The Trustee makes no representation or warranty as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or as to the accuracy of the recitals to this Supplemental Indenture.
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8. Counterparts. The parties hereto may sign one or more copies of this Supplemental Indenture in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement. The exchange of copies of this Supplemental Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Supplemental Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF or other electronic signatures shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.
9. Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed to alter or affect the meaning or interpretation of any provisions hereof.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
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| AVIS BUDGET FINANCE PLC | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| [NAME OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR(S)], as Subsidiary Guarantor | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Trustee and Registrar | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| DEUTSCHE BANK AG, LONDON BRANCH, as Paying Agent | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
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