HLT 8-K
Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (HLT)
8-K
2024-03-27
For: 2024-03-26
View Original
Added on
April 11, 2026
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
Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): March 26, 2024
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
| (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) | (Commission File Number) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) | ||||||||||||
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
(703 ) 883-1000
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Not Applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
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:
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||||||||
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 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
Indenture with respect to 5.875% Senior Notes due 2029 and 6.125% Senior Notes due 2032
On March 26, 2024, Hilton Domestic Operating Company Inc. (the “Issuer”), an indirect subsidiary of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (the “Company”), issued and sold $550 million aggregate principal amount of 5.875% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “2029 Notes”) and $450 million aggregate principal amount of 6.125% Senior Notes due 2032 (the “2032 Notes” and, together with the 2029 Notes, the “Notes”), in each case, under an Indenture, dated as of March 26, 2024 (the “Indenture”), by and among the Issuer, the Company, as a guarantor, the other guarantors party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (in such capacity, the “Trustee”). The Notes were sold only to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and to non-U.S. persons outside the United States in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act.
The Notes were issued at 100% of their par value and bear interest at a rate of 5.875% per annum, in the case of the 2029 Notes, and 6.125% per annum, in the case of the 2032 Notes. Interest on each series of Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1, beginning October 1, 2024. The 2029 Notes mature on April 1, 2029 and the 2032 Notes mature on April 1, 2032.
The net proceeds of the offering of the Notes will be used for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of $200 million of indebtedness under the senior secured revolving credit facility, investments and acquisitions.
Ranking; Guarantees
The Notes are the Issuer’s senior unsecured obligations, ranking equally in right of payment with all of the Issuer’s existing and future senior indebtedness and senior in right of payment to all of the Issuer’s existing and future subordinated indebtedness.
The Notes are guaranteed, on a senior unsecured basis, by (i) Hilton Worldwide Parent LLC (“HWP”), the Issuer’s direct parent company, (ii) the Company, the immediate parent company of HWP, and (iii) each of the Issuer’s existing and future wholly owned subsidiaries to the extent such entities guarantee indebtedness under the Issuer’s senior secured credit facilities or certain other indebtedness of the Issuer or any subsidiary guarantor.
Optional Redemption
The 2029 Notes. The Issuer may, at its option, redeem the 2029 Notes, in whole or in part, at any time prior to April 1, 2026, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2029 Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date, plus the applicable “make-whole premium.” In addition, beginning on April 1, 2026, the Issuer may redeem all or a part of the 2029 Notes at a redemption price equal to 102.938% of the principal amount redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date. The redemption price decreases to 101.469% and 100.000% of the principal amount redeemed on April 1, 2027 and April 1, 2028, respectively. In addition, at any time on or prior to April 1, 2026, the Issuer may, at its option, redeem up to 40.0% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2029 Notes issued under the Indenture with the proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price of 105.875% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest.
The 2032 Notes. The Issuer may, at its option, redeem the 2032 Notes, in whole or in part, at any time prior to April 1, 2027, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2032 Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date, plus the applicable “make-whole premium.” In addition, beginning on April 1, 2027, the Issuer may redeem all or a part of the 2032 Notes at a redemption price equal to 103.063% of the principal amount redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date. The redemption price decreases to 101.531% and 100.000% of the principal amount redeemed on April 1, 2028 and April 1, 2029, respectively. In addition, at any time on or prior to April 1, 2027, the Issuer may, at its option, redeem up to 40.0% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2032 Notes issued under the Indenture with the proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price of 106.125% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest.
Repurchase at the Option of Holders
Upon the occurrence of a change of control triggering event, the holders of the Notes will have the right to require the Issuer to make an offer to repurchase each holder’s Notes at a price equal to 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest.
Covenants; Events of Default
The Indenture contains covenants that, among other things, limit the ability of the Issuer and its restricted subsidiaries to incur certain secured indebtedness, enter into sale and lease-back transactions, and merge or consolidate. These covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications. Neither HWP nor the Company is subject to the restrictive covenants of the Indenture. The Notes also contain customary events of default, the occurrence of which could result in the principal of and accrued interest on the Notes to become or be declared due and payable.
The foregoing description of the Indenture and the Notes does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of each of such documents, which are filed as Exhibits 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.
The information set forth under Item 1.01 above is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
| Exhibit No. | Description | |||||||
| 4.1 | ||||||||
| 4.2 | ||||||||
| 4.3 | ||||||||
| 101 | Interactive Data File - XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. | |||||||
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). | |||||||
SIGNATURE
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.
| HILTON WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS INC. | ||||||||
| By: | /s/ Kevin J. Jacobs | |||||||
| Name: | Kevin J. Jacobs | |||||||
| Title: | Chief Financial Officer and President, Global Development | |||||||
Date: March 27, 2024
Exhibit 4.1
INDENTURE
Dated as of March 26, 2024
Among
HILTON DOMESTIC OPERATING COMPANY INC., as the Issuer,
the Guarantors from time to time party hereto
and
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee
5.875% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2029
6.125% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2032
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page | ||||||||
| ARTICLE 1 | ||||||||
| DEFINITIONS | 1 | |||||||
| Section 1.01. | Definitions | 1 | ||||||
| Section 1.02. | Other Definitions | 32 | ||||||
| Section 1.03. | Inapplicability of Trust Indenture Act | 33 | ||||||
| Section 1.04. | Rules of Construction | 33 | ||||||
| Section 1.05. | Acts of Holders | 33 | ||||||
| Section 1.06. | Timing of Payment | 34 | ||||||
| Section 1.07. | Financial Calculations for Specified Transactions | 35 | ||||||
| Section 1.08. | Certain Compliance Calculations | 36 | ||||||
| ARTICLE 2 | ||||||||
| THE NOTES | 37 | |||||||
| Section 2.01. | Form and Dating; Terms | 37 | ||||||
| Section 2.02. | Execution and Authentication | 38 | ||||||
| Section 2.03. | Registrar, Transfer Agent and Paying Agent | 38 | ||||||
| Section 2.04. | Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust | 39 | ||||||
| Section 2.05. | Holder Lists | 39 | ||||||
| Section 2.06. | Transfer and Exchange | 39 | ||||||
| Section 2.07. | Replacement Notes | 49 | ||||||
| Section 2.08. | Outstanding Notes | 50 | ||||||
| Section 2.09. | Treasury Notes | 50 | ||||||
| Section 2.10. | Temporary Notes | 50 | ||||||
| Section 2.11. | Cancellation | 50 | ||||||
| Section 2.12. | Defaulted Interest | 51 | ||||||
| Section 2.13. | CUSIP Numbers; ISINs | 51 | ||||||
| ARTICLE 3 | ||||||||
| REDEMPTION | 51 | |||||||
| Section 3.01. | Notices to Trustee | 51 | ||||||
| Section 3.02. | Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased | 51 | ||||||
| Section 3.03. | Notice of Redemption or Purchase | 52 | ||||||
| Section 3.04. | Effect of Notice of Redemption or Purchase | 53 | ||||||
| Section 3.05. | Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price | 53 | ||||||
| Section 3.06. | Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part | 53 | ||||||
| Section 3.07. | Optional Redemption | 54 | ||||||
| Section 3.08. | [Reserved] | 56 | ||||||
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| ARTICLE 4 | ||||||||
| COVENANTS | 56 | |||||||
| Section 4.01. | Payment of Notes | 56 | ||||||
| Section 4.02. | Maintenance of Office or Agency | 56 | ||||||
| Section 4.03. | Reports and Other Information | 56 | ||||||
| Section 4.04. | Compliance Certificate | 58 | ||||||
| Section 4.05. | Taxes | 58 | ||||||
| Section 4.06. | Stay, Extension and Usury Laws | 58 | ||||||
| Section 4.07. | [Reserved] | 58 | ||||||
| Section 4.08. | [Reserved] | 58 | ||||||
| Section 4.09. | [Reserved] | 58 | ||||||
| Section 4.10. | [Reserved] | 58 | ||||||
| Section 4.11. | [Reserved] | 58 | ||||||
| Section 4.12. | Liens | 58 | ||||||
| Section 4.13. | Company Existence | 59 | ||||||
| Section 4.14. | Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control Triggering Event | 59 | ||||||
| Section 4.15. | Limitation on Guarantees of Indebtedness by Restricted Subsidiaries | 61 | ||||||
| Section 4.16. | [Reserved] | 62 | ||||||
| Section 4.17. | Sale and Lease-Back Transactions | 62 | ||||||
| ARTICLE 5 | ||||||||
| SUCCESSORS | 63 | |||||||
| Section 5.01. | Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets | 63 | ||||||
| Section 5.02. | Successor Person Substituted | 64 | ||||||
| ARTICLE 6 | ||||||||
| DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES | 65 | |||||||
| Section 6.01. | Events of Default | 65 | ||||||
| Section 6.02. | Acceleration | 67 | ||||||
| Section 6.03. | Other Remedies | 67 | ||||||
| Section 6.04. | Waiver of Past Defaults | 67 | ||||||
| Section 6.05. | Control by Majority | 67 | ||||||
| Section 6.06. | Limitation on Suits | 68 | ||||||
| Section 6.07. | Rights of Holders to Receive Payment | 69 | ||||||
| Section 6.08. | Collection Suit by Trustee | 69 | ||||||
| Section 6.09. | Restoration of Rights and Remedies | 69 | ||||||
| Section 6.10. | Rights and Remedies Cumulative | 69 | ||||||
| Section 6.11. | Delay or Omission Not Waiver | 69 | ||||||
| Section 6.12. | Trustee May File Proofs of Claim | 70 | ||||||
| Section 6.13. | Priorities | 70 | ||||||
| Section 6.14. | Undertaking for Costs | 70 | ||||||
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| ARTICLE 7 | ||||||||
| TRUSTEE | 71 | |||||||
| Section 7.01. | Duties of Trustee | 71 | ||||||
| Section 7.02. | Rights of Trustee | 71 | ||||||
| Section 7.03. | Individual Rights of Trustee | 73 | ||||||
| Section 7.04. | Trustee’s Disclaimer | 73 | ||||||
| Section 7.05. | Notice of Defaults | 73 | ||||||
| Section 7.06. | [Reserved] | 73 | ||||||
| Section 7.07. | Compensation and Indemnity | 73 | ||||||
| Section 7.08. | Replacement of Trustee | 74 | ||||||
| Section 7.09. | Successor Trustee by Merger, etc | 75 | ||||||
| Section 7.10. | Eligibility; Disqualification | 75 | ||||||
| Section 7.11. | Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuers | 75 | ||||||
| ARTICLE 8 | ||||||||
| LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE | 75 | |||||||
| Section 8.01. | Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance | 75 | ||||||
| Section 8.02. | Legal Defeasance and Discharge | 75 | ||||||
| Section 8.03. | Covenant Defeasance | 76 | ||||||
| Section 8.04. | Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance | 76 | ||||||
| Section 8.05. | Deposited Money and U.S. Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions | 77 | ||||||
| Section 8.06. | Repayment to Issuer | 78 | ||||||
| Section 8.07. | Reinstatement | 78 | ||||||
| ARTICLE 9 | ||||||||
| AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER | 78 | |||||||
| Section 9.01. | Without Consent of Holders | 78 | ||||||
| Section 9.02. | With Consent of Holders | 79 | ||||||
| Section 9.03. | [Reserved] | 81 | ||||||
| Section 9.04. | Revocation and Effect of Consents | 81 | ||||||
| Section 9.05. | Notation on or Exchange of Notes | 81 | ||||||
| Section 9.06. | Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc. | 81 | ||||||
| ARTICLE 10 | ||||||||
| GUARANTEES | 82 | |||||||
| Section 10.01. | Guarantee | 82 | ||||||
| Section 10.02. | Limitation on Guarantor Liability | 83 | ||||||
| Section 10.03. | Execution and Delivery | 83 | ||||||
| Section 10.04. | Subrogation | 83 | ||||||
| Section 10.05. | Benefits Acknowledged | 84 | ||||||
| Section 10.06. | Release of Guarantees | 84 | ||||||
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| ARTICLE 11 | ||||||||
| SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE | 85 | |||||||
| Section 11.01. | Satisfaction and Discharge | 85 | ||||||
| Section 11.02. | Application of Trust Money | 86 | ||||||
| ARTICLE 12 | ||||||||
| MISCELLANEOUS | 86 | |||||||
| Section 12.01. | Notices | 86 | ||||||
| Section 12.02. | Communication by Holders with Other Holders | 87 | ||||||
| Section 12.03. | Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent | 87 | ||||||
| Section 12.04. | Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion | 88 | ||||||
| Section 12.05. | Rules by Trustee and Agents | 88 | ||||||
| Section 12.06. | No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders | 88 | ||||||
| Section 12.07. | Governing Law | 88 | ||||||
| Section 12.08. | Waiver of Jury Trial | 88 | ||||||
| Section 12.09. | Force Majeure | 88 | ||||||
| Section 12.10. | No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements | 89 | ||||||
| Section 12.11. | Successors | 89 | ||||||
| Section 12.12. | Severability; Entire Agreement | 89 | ||||||
| Section 12.13. | Counterpart Originals | 89 | ||||||
| Section 12.14. | Table of Contents, Headings, etc. | 89 | ||||||
| Section 12.15. | USA Patriot Act | 89 | ||||||
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| EXHIBITS | |||||
| Exhibit A-1 | FORM OF 2029 NOTE | ||||
| Exhibit A-2 | FORM OF 2032 NOTE | ||||
| Exhibit B | FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER | ||||
| Exhibit C | FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE | ||||
| Exhibit D | FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE TO BE DELIVERED BY SUBSEQUENT GUARANTORS | ||||
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INDENTURE, dated as of March 26, 2024, among Hilton Domestic Operating Company Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), the Guarantors (as defined herein) from time to time party hereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking association, as Trustee.
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, the Issuer has duly authorized the creation of an issue of $550,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Issuer’s 5.875% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “2029 Initial Notes”) and $450,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Issuer’s 6.125% Senior Notes due 2032 (the “2032 Initial Notes” and, together with the 2029 Initial Notes, the “Initial Notes”) (each of which is being issued as a separate series hereunder);
WHEREAS, the Issuer will be liable for all obligations under the Notes (as defined herein) and this Indenture (as defined herein); and
WHEREAS, the Issuer and each of the Guarantors has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Issuer, each of the Guarantors and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders (as defined herein).
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.01. Definitions.
“144A Global Note” means one or more Global Notes, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee, issued in denominations that, in the aggregate, equal the outstanding principal amount of Notes sold in reliance on Rule 144A.
“2021 Notes Issue Date” means October 4, 2013.
“2029 Additional Notes” means any additional 2029 Notes (other than the 2029 Initial Notes) issued from time to time under this Indenture in accordance with Sections 2.01 and 2.02 hereof.
“2029 Applicable Premium” means, with respect to any 2029 Note on any Redemption Date as calculated by the Issuer, the greater of:
(a)1.0% of the principal amount of such 2029 Note; and
(b)the excess, if any, of (i) the present value at such Redemption Date of (A) the redemption price of such 2029 Note at April 1, 2026 (such redemption price being set forth in the table set forth in Section 3.07(d) hereof), plus (B) all required remaining scheduled interest payments due on such 2029 Note through April 1, 2026 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the Redemption Date), computed using a discount rate equal to the 2029 Applicable Treasury Rate as of such Redemption Date plus 50 basis points over (ii) the then outstanding principal amount of such 2029 Note.
Calculation of any 2029 Applicable Premium is a responsibility of the Issuer, and the Trustee shall not be responsible to calculate or verify any calculation related to the 2029 Applicable Premium.
“2029 Applicable Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any 2029 Note on any Redemption Date, the yield to maturity, as determined by the Issuer, as of such Redemption Date of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to the Redemption Date (or, if such Statistical
Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the Redemption Date to April 1, 2026; provided, that if the period from the Redemption Date to such 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 will be used.
“2029 Notes” means the 2029 Initial Notes and any 2029 Additional Notes. The 2029 Notes issued by the Issuer on the Issue Date and any 2029 Additional Notes subsequently issued under this Indenture will be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture, including waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase.
“2032 Additional Notes” means any additional 2032 Notes (other than the 2032 Initial Notes) issued from time to time under this Indenture in accordance with Sections 2.01 and 2.02 hereof.
“2032 Applicable Premium” means, with respect to any 2032 Note on any Redemption Date as calculated by the Issuer, the greater of:
(a)1.0% of the principal amount of such 2032 Note; and
(b)the excess, if any, of (i) the present value at such Redemption Date of (A) the redemption price of such 2032 Note at April 1, 2027 (such redemption price being set forth in the table set forth in Section 3.07(e) hereof), plus (B) all required remaining scheduled interest payments due on such 2032 Note through April 1, 2027 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the Redemption Date), computed using a discount rate equal to the 2032 Applicable Treasury Rate as of such Redemption Date plus 50 basis points over (ii) the then outstanding principal amount of such 2032 Note.
Calculation of any 2032 Applicable Premium is a responsibility of the Issuer, and the Trustee shall not be responsible to calculate or verify any calculation related to the 2032 Applicable Premium.
“2032 Applicable Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any 2032 Note on any Redemption Date, the yield to maturity, as determined by the Issuer, as of such Redemption Date of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to the Redemption Date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the Redemption Date to April 1, 2027; provided, that if the period from the Redemption Date to such 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 will be used.
“2032 Notes” means the 2032 Initial Notes and any 2032 Additional Notes. The 2032 Notes issued by the Issuer on the Issue Date and any 2032 Additional Notes subsequently issued under this Indenture will be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture, including waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase.
“Additional Notes” means any 2029 Additional Notes and 2032 Additional Notes.
“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 purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise.
“Agent” means any Registrar, Transfer Agent or Paying Agent.
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“Applicable Premium” means, with respect to the 2029 Notes, the 2029 Applicable Premium, and with respect to the 2032 Notes, the 2032 Applicable Premium.
“Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer or exchange of or for, redemption of, or notice with respect to beneficial interests in any Global Note or the redemption or repurchase of any Global Note, the rules and procedures of DTC, the Depositary, Euroclear and/or Clearstream that apply to such transfer, exchange, redemption or repurchase.
“Attributable Debt” means, with respect to a Sale and Lease-Back Transaction, as at the time of determination:
(a)if the Sale and Lease-Back Transaction is a Capitalized Lease Obligation, the amount of Indebtedness represented thereby according to the definition of “Capitalized Lease Obligation;” or
(b)in all other instances, the lesser of:
(i)the fair market value of the property or assets subject to the Sale and Lease-Back Transaction; and
(ii)the present value (discounted at the inherent interest rate as determined by the Issuer in good faith, compounded annually) of the total obligations of the lessee for rental payments (other than amounts required to be paid on account of property taxes, maintenance, repairs, insurance and other items which do not constitute payments for property rights) during the remaining term of the lease included in the Sale and Lease-Back Transaction (including any period for which the lease has been extended).
“Bank Products” means any facilities or services related to cash management, including treasury, depository, overdraft, credit or debit card, purchase card, automatic clearinghouse transfer transactions, controlled disbursements, foreign exchange facilities, stored value cards, merchant services, electronic funds transfer and other cash management arrangements.
“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code, as amended, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
“Board of Directors” means, with respect to any Person, (i) in the case of any corporation, the board of directors of such Person, (ii) in the case of any limited liability company, the sole or managing member or board of managers of such Person, (iii) in the case of any partnership, the sole or managing member or board of directors of the general partner of such Person and (iv) in any other case, the functional equivalent of the foregoing or, in each case, any duly authorized committee of such body.
“Business Day” means each day which is not a Legal Holiday.
“Capital Stock” means:
(a)in the case of a corporation, corporate stock or shares in the capital of such corporation;
(b)in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;
(c)in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and
(d)any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.
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“Capitalized Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a financing or capital lease (and, for the avoidance of doubt, not a straight-line or operating lease) that would at such time be required to be capitalized and reflected as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) prepared in accordance with GAAP; provided that any obligations of the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries either existing on the Issue Date or created prior to any recharacterization described below (i) that were not included on the consolidated balance sheet of the Issuer as financing or capital lease obligations and (ii) that are or have been subsequently recharacterized as financing or capital lease obligations or indebtedness due to a change in accounting treatment since July 1, 2013 or otherwise, shall for all purposes under this Indenture (including, without limitation, the calculation of Consolidated Net Income, the Consolidated Total Debt Ratio, the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio, EBITDA and Fixed Charges) not be treated as financing or capital lease obligations, Capitalized Lease Obligations or Indebtedness, except as provided in clause (d) of Section 4.17.
“Capitalized Software Expenditures” means, for any period, the aggregate of all expenditures (whether paid in cash or accrued as liabilities) by a Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period in respect of licensed or purchased software or internally developed software and software enhancements that, in conformity with GAAP, are or are required to be reflected as capitalized costs on the consolidated balance sheet of a Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries.
“Cash Equivalents” means:
(a)United States dollars;
(b)(i) Canadian dollars, pounds sterling, yen, euros or any national currency of any participating member state of the EMU; or
(ii)such local currencies held by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary from time to time in the ordinary course of business;
(c)securities issued or directly and fully and unconditionally guaranteed or insured by the U.S. government or any agency or instrumentality thereof the securities of which are unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation of such government with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition;
(d)certificates of deposit, time deposits and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition, demand deposits, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding one year and overnight bank deposits, in each case with any domestic or foreign commercial bank having capital and surplus of not less than $250.0 million in the case of U.S. banks and $100.0 million (or the U.S. Dollar Equivalent as of the date of determination) in the case of non-U.S. banks;
(e)repurchase obligations for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (c), (d), (g) and (h) of this definition entered into with any financial institution or recognized securities dealer meeting the qualifications specified in clause (d) above;
(f)commercial paper and variable or fixed rate notes rated at least P-2 by Moody’s or at least A-2 by S&P (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another Rating Agency) and in each case maturing within 24 months after the date of creation thereof;
(g)marketable short-term money market and similar funds having a rating of at least P-2 or A-2 from either Moody’s or S&P, respectively (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another Rating Agency);
(h)readily marketable direct obligations issued by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof having an Investment Grade
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Rating from either Moody’s or S&P (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another Rating Agency) with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition;
(i)readily marketable direct obligations issued by any foreign government or any political subdivision or public instrumentality thereof, in each case having an Investment Grade Rating from either Moody’s or S&P (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another Rating Agency) with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition;
(j)Investments with average maturities of 12 months or less from the date of acquisition in money market funds rated AAA- (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or Aaa3 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another Rating Agency);
(k)securities with maturities of 12 months or less from the date of acquisition backed by standby letters of credit issued by any financial institution or recognized securities dealer meeting the qualifications specified in clause (d) above;
(l)Indebtedness or Preferred Stock issued by Persons with a rating of “A” or higher from S&P or “A2” or higher from Moody’s with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition; and
(m)investment funds investing at least 90% of their assets in securities of the types described in clauses (a) through (l) above.
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 (i) investments of the type and maturity described in clauses (a) through (h) and clauses (j), (k), (l) and (m) above 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 (ii) 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 (a) through (m) and in this paragraph.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Cash Equivalents shall include amounts denominated in currencies other than those set forth in clauses (a) and (b) above, provided that such amounts are converted into any currency listed in clauses (a) and (b) as promptly as practicable and in any event within ten Business Days following the receipt of such amounts.
For the avoidance of doubt, any items identified as Cash Equivalents under this definition will be deemed to be Cash Equivalents for all purposes under this Indenture regardless of the treatment of such items under GAAP.
“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following after the Issue Date:
(a)the sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition in one or a series of related transactions (other than by merger, consolidation or amalgamation), of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person other than any Permitted Holder, a Parent Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor; or
(b)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) the acquisition by (A) any Person (other than any Permitted Holder) or (B) Persons (other than any Permitted Holders) that are together a group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision), including any such group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act), in a single transaction or in a related series of transactions, by way of merger, consolidation or other business combination or purchase of
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beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, or any successor provision) of more than 50.0% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Issuer directly or indirectly through any of its direct or indirect parent holding companies, in each case, other than in connection with any transaction or series of transactions in which the Issuer shall become the Wholly Owned Subsidiary of a Parent Company.
Notwithstanding the preceding, or any provision of Rule 13d-3 or 13d-5 of the Exchange Act, (i) a Person or group shall not be deemed to beneficially own Voting Stock subject to an equity or asset purchase agreement, merger agreement, option agreement, warrant agreement or similar agreement (or voting or option or similar agreement related thereto) until the consummation of the acquisition of the Voting Stock in connection with the transactions contemplated by such agreement, (ii) if any group (other than a Permitted Holder) includes one or more Permitted Holders, the issued and outstanding Voting Stock of the Issuer owned, directly or indirectly, by any Permitted Holders that are part of such group shall not be treated as being beneficially owned by such group or any other member of such group for purposes of determining whether a Change of Control has occurred and (iii) a Person or group will not be deemed to beneficially own the Voting Stock of another Person as a result of its ownership of Voting Stock or other securities of such other Person’s parent entity (or related contractual rights) unless it owns 50.0% or more of the total voting power of the Voting Stock entitled to vote for the election of directors of such parent entity having a majority of the aggregate votes on the Board of Directors of such parent entity.
“Change of Control Triggering Event” means, with respect to any series of Notes, the occurrence of a Change of Control, unless (a) a Ratings Improvement has occurred with respect to such series of Notes prior to the date of the completion of the transaction constituting the Change of Control or (b) pro forma for the Change of Control, the Consolidated Total Debt Ratio is less than 5.0 to 1.0.
“Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking, Société Anonyme or any successor securities clearing agency.
“consolidated” when used with respect to any Person refers to such Person consolidated with its Restricted Subsidiaries.
“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 related to any Qualified Securitization Facility of such Person, including the amortization of intangible assets, deferred financing costs, debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses and Capitalized Software Expenditures of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period on a consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP.
“Consolidated Interest Expense” means, with respect to any Person for any period, without duplication, the sum of:
(a)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 (i) amortization of original issue discount resulting from the issuance of Indebtedness at less than par, (ii) all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit or bankers acceptances, (iii) non-cash interest payments (but excluding any non-cash interest expense attributable to the movement in the mark to market valuation of Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments pursuant to GAAP), (iv) the interest component of Capitalized Lease Obligations, and (v) net payments, if any made (less net payments, if any, received), pursuant to interest rate Hedging Obligations with respect to Indebtedness, and excluding (p) annual agency fees paid to the administrative agents and collateral agents under any Credit Facilities, (q) costs associated with obtaining Hedging Obligations, (r) any expense resulting from the discounting of any Indebtedness in connection with the application of recapitalization accounting or purchase accounting, (s) penalties and interest relating to taxes, (t) any “additional interest” or “liquidated damages” with respect to other securities for failure to timely comply with registration rights obligations, (u) amortization or expensing of deferred financing fees, amendment and consent fees, debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses and discounted liabilities, (v) any
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expensing of bridge, commitment and other financing fees and any other fees related to the Spin-Off Transaction or any acquisitions after the Issue Date, (w) commissions, discounts, yield and other fees and charges (including any interest expense) related to any Qualified Securitization Facility, (x) any accretion of accrued interest on discounted liabilities and any prepayment premium or penalty), (y) interest expense attributable to a parent entity resulting from push-down accounting and (z) any lease, rental or other expense in connection with a straight-line or operating lease; plus
(b)consolidated capitalized interest of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued; less
(c)interest income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period.
For purposes of this definition, interest on a Capitalized 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 Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP (or, if not implicit, as otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP).
“Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that, without duplication:
(a)any after-tax effect of extraordinary, non-recurring or unusual gains or losses (less all fees and expenses relating thereto), charges or expenses (including relating to the Spin-Off Transaction or any multi-year strategic initiatives), restructuring and duplicative running costs, relocation costs, integration costs, facility consolidation and closing costs, severance costs and expenses, one-time compensation charges, 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, costs incurred in connection with any strategic initiatives, transition costs, costs incurred in connection with acquisitions and non-recurring product and intellectual property development, other business optimization expenses (including costs and expenses relating to business optimization programs and new systems design, retention charges, 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 shall be excluded;
(b)the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles and changes as a result of the adoption or modification of accounting policies during such period shall be excluded;
(c)any net after-tax effect of gains or losses on disposal, abandonment or discontinuance of disposed, abandoned or discontinued operations, as applicable, shall be excluded;
(d)any net after-tax effect of gains or losses (less all fees, expenses and charges relating thereto) attributable to asset dispositions or abandonments or the sale or other disposition of any Capital Stock of any Person other than in the ordinary course of business shall be excluded;
(e)the Net Income for such period of any Person that is not a Subsidiary, or is an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting shall be excluded; provided that Consolidated Net Income of such Person shall be increased by the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments that are actually paid in cash or Cash Equivalents (or to the extent converted into cash or Cash Equivalents) to such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period;
(f)[Reserved];
(g)effects of adjustments (including the effects of such adjustments pushed down to such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries) in such Person’s consolidated financial statements pursuant to GAAP (including in the inventory (including any impact of changes to inventory valuation policy methods,
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including changes in capitalization of variances), property and equipment, software, loans and leases, goodwill, intangible assets, in-process research and development, deferred revenue and debt line items thereof) resulting from the application of recapitalization accounting or purchase accounting, as the case may be, in relation to any consummated acquisition or joint venture investment or the amortization or write-off or write-down of any amounts thereof, net of taxes, shall be excluded;
(h)any after-tax effect of income (loss) from the early extinguishment or conversion of (i) Indebtedness, (ii) Hedging Obligations or (iii) other derivative instruments shall be excluded;
(i)any impairment charge or asset write-off or write-down, including impairment charges or asset write-offs or write-downs related to intangible assets, long-lived assets, investments in debt and equity securities and investments recorded using the equity method or as a result of a change in law or regulation, in each case, pursuant to GAAP, and the amortization of intangibles arising pursuant to GAAP shall be excluded;
(j)any equity-based or non-cash compensation charge or expense including any such charge or expense arising from grants of stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options, restricted stock, profits interests or other rights or equity- or equity-based incentive programs (“equity incentives”), any one-time cash charges associated with the equity incentives or other long-term incentive compensation plans (including under deferred compensation arrangements of the Issuer or any of its direct or indirect parent entities or subsidiaries), rollover, acceleration, or payout of Equity Interests by management, other employees or business partners of the Issuer or any of its direct or indirect parent companies, shall be excluded;
(k)any fees, expenses or charges incurred during such period, or any amortization thereof for such period, in connection with any acquisition, recapitalization, Investment, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of property or assets, incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness (including such fees, expenses or charges related to the offering and issuance of the Notes, the Existing Senior Notes and other securities and the syndication and incurrence of any Credit Facilities), issuance of Equity Interests of the Issuer or its direct or indirect parent entities, refinancing transaction or amendment or modification of any debt instrument (including any amendment or other modification of the Notes, the Existing Senior Notes and other securities and any Credit Facilities) and including, in each case, any such transaction consummated on or prior to the Issue Date and any such transaction undertaken but not completed, and any charges or non-recurring merger costs incurred during such period as a result of any such transaction, in each case whether or not successful or consummated (including, for the avoidance of doubt the effects of expensing all transaction related expenses in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 805, Business Combinations), shall be excluded;
(l)accruals and reserves that were established or adjusted within twelve months after the Spin-Off Date that are so required to be established or adjusted as a result of the Spin-Off Transaction (or within 24 months after the closing of any acquisition that are so required to be established as a result of such acquisition) in accordance with GAAP or changes as a result of modifications of accounting policies shall be excluded;
(m)any expenses, charges or losses to the extent covered by insurance or indemnity and actually reimbursed, or, so long as such Person has made a determination that there exists reasonable evidence that such amount will in fact be reimbursed by the insurer or indemnifying party and only to the extent that such amount is in fact reimbursed within 365 days of the date of the insurable or indemnifiable event (net of any amount so added back in any prior period to the extent not so reimbursed within the applicable 365-day period), shall be excluded;
(n)any noncash compensation expense resulting from the application of Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation, shall be excluded;
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(o)the following items shall be excluded:
(i)any net unrealized gain or loss (after any offset) resulting in such period from Hedging Obligations and the application of Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 815, Derivatives and Hedging,
(ii)any net unrealized gain or loss (after any offset) resulting in such period from currency translation gains or losses including those related to currency remeasurements of Indebtedness (including any net loss or gain resulting from Hedging Obligations for currency exchange risk) and any other foreign currency translation gains and losses, to the extent such gain or losses are non-cash items,
(iii)any adjustments resulting for the application of Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 460, Guarantees, or any comparable regulation,
(iv)effects of adjustments to accruals and reserves during a prior period relating to any change in the methodology of calculating reserves for returns, rebates and other chargebacks, and
(v)earn-out, non-compete and contingent consideration obligations (including to the extent accounted for as bonuses or otherwise) and adjustments thereof and purchase price adjustments;
(p)reserves established for the benefit of landlords of leased hotel properties for the acquisition of capitalized assets and equipment at such properties shall be excluded; and
(q)if such Person is treated as a disregarded entity or partnership for U.S. federal, state and/or local income tax purposes for such period or any portion thereof, the amount of distributions actually made to any direct or indirect parent company of such Person in respect of such period to pay consolidated, combined or similar foreign, federal, state or local income or similar taxes of a tax group that includes the Issuer and/or its Subsidiaries and whose common parent is a direct or indirect parent of the Issuer (to the extent such income or similar taxes are attributable to the income of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries) shall be included in calculating Consolidated Net Income as though such amounts had been paid as taxes directly by such Person for such period.
In addition, to the extent not already included in the Consolidated Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, Consolidated Net Income shall include the amount of proceeds received from business interruption insurance and reimbursements of any expenses and charges that are covered by indemnification or other reimbursement provisions in connection with any acquisition, Investment or any sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of assets permitted under this Indenture.
“Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Total Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries that is secured by Liens on the property of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such event for which such calculation is being made shall occur minus Cash Equivalents included on the consolidated balance sheet of the Issuer as of the end of such most recent fiscal quarter to (b) EBITDA of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such event for which such calculation is being made shall occur, in each case with such pro forma adjustments to Consolidated Total Indebtedness, Cash Equivalents and EBITDA 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 Total Debt Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Total Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such event for which such calculation is being made shall occur minus Cash Equivalents included on the consolidated balance sheet of the Issuer as of the end of such most recent fiscal quarter to (b) EBITDA of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such event for which such calculation is being made shall occur, in each case with such pro forma adjustments to Consolidated Total Indebtedness, Cash Equivalents and EBITDA as are appropriate and consistent with the pro forma adjustment provisions set forth in the definition of Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.
“Consolidated Total Indebtedness” means, as at any date of determination, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate amount of all outstanding Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis consisting of Indebtedness for borrowed money, Obligations in respect of Capitalized Lease Obligations and debt obligations evidenced by promissory notes and similar instruments, as determined in accordance with GAAP (excluding for the avoidance of doubt all undrawn amounts under revolving credit facilities and letters of credit, and all obligations relating to Qualified Securitization Facilities and straight-line or operating leases) and (b) the aggregate amount of all outstanding Disqualified Stock of the Issuer and all Preferred Stock of its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, with the amount of such Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock equal to the greater of their respective voluntary or involuntary liquidation preferences and maximum fixed repurchase prices, in each case determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (but excluding the effects of any discounting of Indebtedness resulting from the application of repurchase or purchase accounting in connection with any acquisition); provided, that Consolidated Total Indebtedness shall not include Indebtedness in respect of (A) any letter of credit, except to the extent of unreimbursed amounts under standby letters of credit; provided that any unreimbursed amounts under commercial letters of credit shall not be counted as Consolidated Total Indebtedness until three Business Days after such amount is drawn and (B) Hedging Obligations existing on the Issue Date or other Hedging Obligations (excluding Hedging Obligations entered into for speculative purposes) for the purpose of limiting interest rate risk with respect to any Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under this Indenture, exchange rate risk or commodity pricing risk. For purposes hereof, the “maximum fixed repurchase price” of any Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock that does not have a fixed repurchase price shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock as if such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock were purchased on any date on which Consolidated Total Indebtedness shall be required to be determined pursuant to this Indenture, and if such price is based upon, or measured by, the fair market value of such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, such fair market value shall be determined reasonably and in good faith by the Issuer. The U.S. Dollar Equivalent principal amount of any Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency will reflect the currency translation effects, determined in accordance with GAAP, of Hedging Obligations for currency exchange risks with respect to the applicable currency in effect on the date of determination of the U.S. Dollar Equivalent principal amount of such Indebtedness.
“Contingent Obligations” means, with respect to any Person, any obligation of such Person guaranteeing any leases, dividends or other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness (“primary obligations”) of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including, without limitation, any obligation of such Person, whether or not contingent:
(a)to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor;
(b)to advance or supply funds:
(i)for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation; or
(ii)to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor; or
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(c)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 Issuer and/or other companies.
“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which any time its corporate trust business related to this Indenture shall be administered, which office at the date hereof is 277 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10172, Attention: Hilton Domestic Operating Company Administrator, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Issuer, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Issuer).
“Credit Agreement” means that certain Credit Agreement dated as of October 25, 2013, by and among the Issuer, HLT Parent, Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch, as administrative agent, and the lenders and other parties party thereto, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, including by Amendment No. 1 thereto dated as of August 18, 2016, by and among the Issuer, HLT Parent, Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch, as administrative agent, and the lenders and other parties party thereto, Amendment No. 2 thereto dated as of November 21, 2016, by and among the Issuer, HLT Parent, Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch, as administrative agent, and the lenders and other parties party thereto, Amendment No. 3 thereto dated as of March 16, 2017, by and among the Issuer, HLT Parent, HWP, Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch, as administrative agent, and the lenders and other parties thereto, Amendment No. 4 thereto dated as of April 19, 2018, by and among the Issuer, HLT Parent, HWP, Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch, as administrative agent, and the lenders and other parties thereto, Amendment No. 5 thereto dated as of June 5, 2019, by and among the Issuer, HLT Parent, HWP, Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch, as administrative agent, and the lenders and other parties thereto, Amendment No. 6 thereto dated as of June 21, 2019, by and among the Issuer, HLT Parent, HWP, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as administrative agent, and the lenders and other parties thereto, the Joinder Agreement, dated as of February 29, 2020, by and among the Issuer, HLT Parent, HWP and Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch, as administrative agent, Amendment No. 7 thereto dated as of October 21, 2021, by and among the Issuer, HLT Parent, HWP, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as administrative agent, and the lenders and other parties thereto, Amendment No. 8 thereto dated as of December 9, 2022, by and among the Issuer, HLT Parent, HWP, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as administrative agent, and the lenders and other parties thereto, Amendment No. 9 thereto dated as of January 5, 2023, by and among the Issuer, HLT Parent, HWP, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as administrative agent, and the lenders and other parties thereto and Amendment No. 10 thereto dated as of November 8, 2023, by and among the Issuer, HLT Parent, HWP, Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch, as administrative agent, and the lenders and other parties thereto.
“Credit Facilities” means, with respect to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, one or more debt facilities, including the Senior Secured Credit Facilities, or other financing arrangements (including, without limitation, commercial paper facilities or indentures) providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, letters of credit or other long-term indebtedness, including any notes, mortgages, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements or refundings thereof, in whole or in part, and any indentures or credit facilities or commercial paper facilities that replace, refund, supplement or refinance any part of the loans, notes, other credit facilities or commitments thereunder, including any such replacement, refunding, supplemental or refinancing facility, arrangement or indenture that increases the amount permitted to be borrowed or issued thereunder or alters the maturity thereof (provided that any such increase in borrowings or issuances that is secured by a Lien is permitted under Section 4.12 hereof) or adds Restricted Subsidiaries as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder and whether by the same or any other agent, trustee, lender or group of lenders or other holders.
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“Custodian” means the Trustee, as custodian with respect to the Global Notes, or any successor entity thereto.
“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.
“Definitive Note” means a certificated Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.06(c) hereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 hereto, in the case of the 2029 Notes, and Exhibit A-2 hereto, in the case of the 2032 Notes, except that any such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto.
“Derivative Instrument” means, with respect to any Person, 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 one or more series of the Notes 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 Issuer and/or any one or more of the Guarantors (the “Performance References”).
“Depositary” means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, any Person specified in Section 2.03 hereof as the Depositary with respect to the Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as Depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture.
“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 putable or exchangeable, or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than solely as a result of a change of control or asset sale) pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (other than solely as a result of a change of control or asset sale), in whole or in part, in each case prior to the date 91 days after the earlier of the maturity date of the applicable series of Notes or the date the applicable series of Notes are no longer outstanding; provided that if such Capital Stock is issued pursuant to any plan for the benefit of employees of the Issuer or its Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees, such Capital Stock shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by the Issuer or its Subsidiaries in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations; provided, further, that any Capital Stock held by any future, current or former employee, director, officer, manager or consultant (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) of the Issuer, any of its Subsidiaries, any of its direct or indirect parent companies or any other entity in which the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary has an Investment and is designated in good faith as an “affiliate” by the Board of Directors of the Issuer (or the compensation committee thereof), in each case pursuant to any stock subscription or shareholders’ agreement, management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by the Issuer or its Subsidiaries or in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations.
“Distribution Agreement” means the Distribution Agreement, dated January 2, 2017, by and among HLT Parent, the Issuer, PHRI and HGVI, as amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time in a manner not materially adverse to the Holders of the Notes when taken as a whole, as compared to the Distribution Agreement as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, supplement, waiver or modification.
“Division” means the division of the assets, liabilities and/or obligations of a Person (the “Dividing Person”) among two or more Persons (whether pursuant to a “plan of division” or similar arrangement), which may or may not include the Dividing Person and pursuant to which the Dividing Person may or may not survive.
“EBITDA” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period:
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(a)increased (without duplication) by the following, in each case (other than with respect to clauses (viii) and (xi)) to the extent deducted (and not added back) in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period:
(i)(A) provision for taxes based on income or profits or capital, including, without limitation, federal, state, franchise, and similar taxes (such as the Delaware franchise tax, the Pennsylvania capital tax, Texas margin tax and provincial capital taxes paid in Canada) 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), (B) if such Person is treated as a disregarded entity or partnership for U.S. federal, state and/or local income tax purposes for such period or any portion thereof, the amount of distributions actually made to any direct or indirect parent company of such Person in respect of such period to pay consolidated, combined or similar foreign, federal, state or local income or similar taxes of a tax group that includes the Issuer and/or its Subsidiaries and whose common parent is a direct or indirect parent of the Issuer (to the extent such income or similar taxes are attributable to the income of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries) and (C) the net tax expense associated with any adjustments made pursuant to clauses (a) through (q) of the definition of “Consolidated Net Income”; plus
(ii)Fixed Charges of such Person for such period (including (x) net losses on Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments entered into for the purpose of hedging interest rate risk, (y) bank fees and other financing fees and (z) costs of surety bonds in connection with financing activities, plus amounts excluded from Consolidated Interest Expense as set forth in clauses (a)(q) through (z) in the definition thereof); plus
(iii)Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense of such Person for such period; plus
(iv)the amount of any restructuring charges or reserves, equity-based or non-cash compensation charges or expenses including any such charges or expenses arising from grants of stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options, restricted stock or other rights, retention charges (including charges or expenses in respect of incentive plans), start-up or initial costs for any project or new production line, division or new line of business, integration costs or other business optimization expenses or reserves including, without limitation, costs or reserves associated with improvements to IT and accounting functions, integration and facilities opening costs or any one-time costs incurred in connection with acquisitions and Investments and costs related to the closure and/or consolidation of facilities; plus
(v)any other non-cash charges, including any write-offs or write-downs reducing Consolidated Net Income for such period (provided that if any such non-cash charges represent an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period, (A) the Issuer may elect not to add back such non-cash charge in the current period and (B) to the extent the Issuer elects to add back such non-cash charge, the cash payment in respect thereof in such future period shall be subtracted from EBITDA to such extent, and excluding amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period); plus
(vi)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
(vii)[Reserved]; plus
(viii)the amount of “run-rate” cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies projected by the Issuer in good faith to result from actions taken, committed to be taken
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or expected in good faith to be taken no later than 24 months after the end of such period (calculated on a pro forma basis as though such cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies had been realized on the first day of such period for which EBITDA is being determined and as if such cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies were realized during the entirety of such period), net of the amount of actual benefits realized during such period from such actions; provided that such cost savings and synergies are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable (it is understood and agreed that “run-rate” means the full recurring benefit for a period that is associated with any action taken, committed to be taken or expected to be taken, net of the amount of actual benefits realized during such period from such actions); plus
(ix)the amount of loss or discount on sale of receivables, Securitization Assets and related assets to any Securitization Subsidiary in connection with a Qualified Securitization Facility; plus
(x)any costs or expense incurred by the Issuer or a parent entity of the Issuer 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 the Issuer or net cash proceeds of an issuance of Equity Interest of the Issuer (other than Disqualified Stock); plus
(xi)cash receipts (or any netting arrangements resulting in reduced cash expenditures) not representing EBITDA or Consolidated Net Income in any period to the extent non-cash gains relating to such income were deducted in the calculation of EBITDA pursuant to clause (b) below for any previous period and not added back; plus
(xii)any net loss from disposed, abandoned or discontinued operations; and
(b)decreased (without duplication) by the following, in each case to the extent included in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period:
(i)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 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 EBITDA in such prior period; plus
(ii)any net income from disposed, abandoned or discontinued operations.
“EMU” means economic and monetary union as contemplated in the Treaty on European Union.
“Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock, but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock.
“Equity Offering” means any public or private sale or issuance of common stock or Preferred Stock (excluding Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer or any of its direct or indirect parent companies, other than:
(a)public offerings with respect to the Issuer’s or any direct or indirect parent company’s common stock registered on Form S-4 or Form S-8; and
(b)issuances to any Subsidiary of the Issuer.
“euro” means the single currency of participating member states of the EMU.
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“Euroclear” means Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear system, or any successor securities clearing agency.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
“Existing 2025 and 2028 Senior Notes Indenture” means the Indenture for the Existing 2025 Senior Notes and Existing 2028 Senior Notes, dated April 21, 2020, as supplemented, among the Issuer, as issuer, the guarantors from time to time party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee.
“Existing 2025 Senior Notes” means the aggregate principal amount of the Issuer’s 5.375% Senior Notes due 2025 outstanding on the Issue Date.
“Existing 2027 Senior Notes” means the aggregate principal amount of the Issuer’s 4.875% Senior Notes due 2027 outstanding on the Issue Date.
“Existing 2027 Senior Notes Indenture” means the Indenture for the Existing 2027 Senior Notes, dated March 16, 2017, as supplemented, among the Issuer, as issuer, the guarantors from time to time party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee.
“Existing 2028 Senior Notes” means the aggregate principal amount of the Issuer’s 5.750% Senior Notes due 2028 outstanding on the Issue Date.
“Existing 2029 and 2031 Senior Notes Indenture” means the Indenture for the Existing 2029 Senior Notes and Existing 2031 Senior Notes, dated December 1, 2020, as supplemented, among the Issuer, as issuer, the guarantors from time to time party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee.
“Existing 2029 Senior Notes” means the aggregate principal amount of the Issuer’s 3.750% Senior Notes due 2029 outstanding on the Issue Date.
“Existing 2030 Senior Notes” means the aggregate principal amount of the Issuer’s 4.875% Senior Notes due 2030 outstanding on the Issue Date.
“Existing 2030 Senior Notes Indenture” means the Indenture for the Existing 2030 Senior Notes, dated June 20, 2019, as supplemented, among the Issuer, as issuer, the guarantors from time to time party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee.
“Existing 2031 Senior Notes” means the aggregate principal amount of the Issuer’s 4.000% Senior Notes due 2031 outstanding on the Issue Date.
“Existing 2032 Senior Notes” means the aggregate principal amount of the Issuer’s 3.625% Senior Notes due 2032 outstanding on the Issue Date.
“Existing 2032 Senior Notes Indenture” means the Indenture for the Existing 2032 Senior Notes, dated February 2, 2021, as supplemented, among the Issuer, as issuer, the guarantors from time to time party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee.
“Existing Senior Notes” means (i) the Existing 2025 Senior Notes, (ii) the Existing 2027 Senior Notes, (iii) the Existing 2028 Senior Notes, (iv) the Existing 2029 Senior Notes, (v) the Existing 2030 Senior Notes, (vi) the Existing 2031 Senior Notes and (vii) the Existing 2032 Senior Notes.
“Existing Senior Notes Indentures” means (i) the Existing 2027 Senior Notes Indenture, (ii) the Existing 2025 and 2028 Senior Notes Indenture, (iii) the Existing 2029 and 2031 Senior Notes Indenture, (iv) the Existing 2030 Senior Notes Indenture and (v) the Existing 2032 Senior Notes Indenture.
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“fair market value” means, with respect to any asset or liability, the fair market value of such asset or liability as determined by the Issuer in good faith.
“Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the ratio of EBITDA of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary incurs, assumes, guarantees, redeems, repays, retires or extinguishes any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness incurred or repaid 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, repayment, 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.
For purposes of making the computation referred to above, Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, Divisions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations and discontinued operations (as determined in accordance with GAAP) that have been made by the Issuer 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, Divisions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations and discontinued operations (and the change in any associated fixed charge obligations and the change in 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 with or into the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries since the beginning of such period shall have made any Investment, acquisition, disposition, Divisions, merger, amalgamation, consolidation 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, Divisions, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or discontinued operation had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.
For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to an Investment, acquisition, disposition, Divisions, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or discontinued operation, the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Issuer (and may include, for the avoidance of doubt, cost savings, synergies and operating expense reductions resulting from such Investment, acquisition, disposition, Division, merger, amalgamation or consolidation which is being given pro forma effect that have been or are expected to be realized based on actions taken, committed to be taken or expected in good faith to be taken within 18 months). 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 Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Issuer to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized 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 on 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 deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as the Issuer may designate.
“Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum of, without duplication:
(a)Consolidated Interest Expense of such Person for such period;
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(b)all cash dividends or other distributions paid (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Preferred Stock during such period; and
(c)all cash dividends or other distributions paid (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Disqualified Stock during such period.
“Foreign Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, (1) (A) any Restricted 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 (B) any Restricted Subsidiary of such Foreign Subsidiary, and (2) any FSHCO Subsidiary of such Person.
“FSHCO Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person substantially all of whose assets consist, directly or indirectly, of Equity Interests and/or Indebtedness of one or more Foreign Subsidiaries, and any other assets incidental thereto.
“GAAP” means (1) generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, as in effect from time to time, it being understood that, for purposes of this Indenture, all references to codified accounting standards specifically named in this Indenture shall be deemed to include any successor, replacement, amendment or updated accounting standard under GAAP or (2) if elected by the Issuer by written notice to the Trustee in connection with the delivery of financial statements and information, the accounting standards and interpretations (“IFRS”) adopted by the International Accounting Standard Board, as in effect on the first date of the period for which the Issuer is making such election; provided that (a) any such election once made shall be irrevocable, (b) all financial statements and reports required to be provided after such election pursuant to this Indenture shall be prepared on the basis of IFRS, (c) from and after such election, all ratios, computations and other determinations based on GAAP contained in this Indenture shall be computed in conformity with IFRS, (d) in connection with the delivery of financial statements (x) for any of its first three financial quarters of any financial year, it shall restate its consolidated interim financial statements for such interim financial period and the comparable period in the prior year to the extent previously prepared in accordance with GAAP and (y) for delivery of audited annual financial information, it shall provide consolidated historical financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS for the prior most recent fiscal year to the extent previously prepared in accordance with GAAP as in effect on the first date of the period in which the Issuer is making such election. For the avoidance of doubt, solely making an election (without any other action) referred to in this definition will not be treated as an incurrence of Indebtedness.
If there occurs or has occurred since July 1, 2013 a change in generally accepted accounting principles and such change would cause a change in the method of calculation of any term or measure used in a covenant under Article 4 hereof (an “Accounting Change”) or a comparable provision in any Existing Senior Notes Indenture, then the Issuer may elect, as evidenced by a written notice of the Issuer to the Trustee, that such term or measure shall be calculated as if such Accounting Change had not occurred.
“Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(ii) hereof, which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.
“Global Notes” means, individually and collectively, each of the Restricted Global Notes and the Unrestricted Global Notes, substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 or Exhibit A-2 hereto, as applicable, issued in accordance with Section 2.01, 2.06(b), 2.06(d) or 2.06(f) hereof.
“guarantee” means a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business), direct or indirect, in any manner (including letters of credit and reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), of all or any part of any Indebtedness or other obligations.
“Guarantee” means the guarantee by any Guarantor of the Issuer’s Obligations under this Indenture and the Notes.
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“Guarantor” means, with respect to each series of Notes, (i) HLT Parent, (ii) HWP and (iii) each Subsidiary of the Issuer, if any, that Guarantees the Notes of such series 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 contract, currency swap agreement or similar agreement providing for the transfer, modification or mitigation of interest rate, currency or commodity risks either generally or under specific contingencies.
“HGVI ” means Hilton Grand Vacations Inc., a Delaware corporation.
“HLT Parent” means Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation and direct or indirect parent of HWP and the Issuer.
“Holder” means the Person in whose name a Note is registered on the Registrar’s books.
“HWP” means Hilton Worldwide Parent LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and direct parent of the Issuer.
“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) 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.
“incur” means create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise; and the term “incurrence” shall have a correlative meaning.
“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person, without duplication:
(a)any indebtedness (including principal and premium) of such Person, whether or not contingent:
(i)in respect of borrowed money;
(ii)evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances (or, without duplication, reimbursement agreements in respect thereof);
(iii)representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property (including Capitalized Lease Obligations), except (A) any such balance that constitutes an obligation in respect of a commercial letter of credit, a trade payable or similar obligation to a trade or similar business creditor, in each case accrued in the ordinary course of business and (B) any earn-out obligations until such obligation becomes a liability on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP and is not paid after becoming due and payable; or
(iv)representing the net obligations under any Hedging Obligations,
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 direct or indirect parent of the Issuer appearing upon the balance sheet of the Issuer solely by reason of push-down accounting under GAAP shall be excluded;
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(b)to the extent not otherwise included, any obligation by such Person to be liable for, or to pay, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, the obligations of the type referred to in clause (a) of a third Person (whether or not such items would appear upon the balance sheet of such obligor or guarantor), other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business; and
(c)to the extent not otherwise included, the obligations of the type referred to in clause (a) of a third Person secured by a Lien on any asset owned by such first Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such first Person; provided, that the amount of any such Indebtedness will be the lesser of (i) the fair market value of such asset at such date of determination and (ii) the amount of such Indebtedness of such third Person;
provided that notwithstanding the foregoing, Indebtedness shall be deemed not to include (a) Contingent Obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business, or (b) obligations under or in respect of Qualified Securitization Facilities, straight-line or operating leases or Sale and Lease-Back Transactions (except any resulting Capitalized Lease Obligations); provided, further, that Indebtedness shall be calculated without giving effect to the effects of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 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.
“Indenture” means this Indenture, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
“Indirect Participant” means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through a Participant.
“Initial Notes” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.
“Initial Purchasers” means the initial purchasers of the Notes on the Issue Date pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.
“Interest Payment Date” means April 1 and October 1 of each year to stated maturity.
“Investment Grade Rating” means, with respect to the Notes of a series, a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P, or if the applicable securities are not then rated by Moody’s or S&P, an equivalent rating by any other Rating Agency.
“Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the form of loans (including guarantees), advances or capital contributions (excluding accounts receivable, trade credit, advances to customers, commission, travel and similar advances to employees, directors, officers, managers and consultants, in each case made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities issued by any other Person and investments that are required by GAAP to be classified on the balance sheet (excluding the footnotes) of the Issuer in the same manner as the other investments included in this definition to the extent such transactions involve the transfer of cash or other property.
“Issue Date” means March 26, 2024.
“Issuer” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto, until a successor Person or Persons shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Issuer” shall mean such successor Person or Persons.
“Issuer’s Order” means a written request or order signed on behalf of the Issuer by an Officer of the Issuer, who must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer, the secretary, the principal accounting officer or any senior or executive vice president of the Issuer, and delivered to the Trustee.
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“Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banking institutions are not required to be open in the State of New York or at the place of payment in respect of the Notes. If a payment date is on a Legal Holiday, payment will be made on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.
“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien (statutory or otherwise), pledge, hypothecation, charge, security interest, preference, priority or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction; provided that in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to constitute a Lien.
“Limited Condition Transaction” means (i) any Investment or acquisition (whether by merger, amalgamation, consolidation, Division or other business combination or the acquisition of Capital Stock or otherwise and which may include, for the avoidance of doubt, a transaction that may constitute a Change of Control), whose consummation is not conditioned on the availability of, or on obtaining, third party financing, (ii) any redemption, repurchase, defeasance, satisfaction and discharge or repayment of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock and (iii) any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction.
“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.
“Management Stockholders” means the current and former employees and members of management (and their Controlled Investment Affiliates and Immediate Family Members) of the Issuer (or its direct or indirect parent entities) who are holders of Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent companies of the Issuer on the Issue Date.
“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor to its rating agency business.
“Net Income” means, with respect to any Person, the net income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of Preferred Stock dividends.
“Net Short” means, with respect to a Holder or beneficial owner, as of the date of determination, either (i) the value of its Short Derivative Instruments exceeds the sum of (x) the value of its Notes of a series plus (y) the value of its Long Derivative Instruments as of such date of determination or (ii) it is reasonably expected that the foregoing clause (i) would have been the case if a “Failure to Pay” or “Bankruptcy Credit Event” (each as defined in the 2014 ISDA Credit Derivatives Definitions) were to have occurred with respect to the Issuer or any Guarantor immediately prior to such date of determination.
“Non-U.S. Person” means a Person who is not a U.S. Person.
“Notes” means the Initial Notes and more particularly means any Note authenticated and delivered under this Indenture. Unless the context requires otherwise, all references to “Notes” for all purposes of this Indenture shall include any Additional Notes that are actually issued.
“Obligations” means any principal, interest (including any interest accruing on or subsequent to the filing of a petition in bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding at the rate provided for in the documentation with respect thereto, whether or not such interest is an allowed claim under applicable state, federal or foreign law), premium, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements (including reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and banker’s acceptances), damages and other liabilities, and guarantees of payment of such principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities, payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness; provided that any of the foregoing (other than principal and interest)
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shall no longer constitute “Obligations” after payment in full of such principal and interest except to the extent such obligations are fully liquidated and non-contingent on or prior to such payment in full.
“Offering Memorandum” means the offering memorandum, dated March 22, 2024, relating to the sale of the Initial Notes.
“Officer” means the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, the President, any Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of any Person, or any other officer of such Person designated by any such individuals. Unless otherwise indicated, Officer shall refer to an Officer of the Issuer.
“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of a Person by an Officer of such Person that meets the requirements set forth in this Indenture. Unless otherwise indicated, Officer’s Certificate shall refer to an Officer’s Certificate of an Officer of the Issuer.
“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Issuer or the Trustee.
“Ownership Business” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Distribution Agreement.
“Parent Company” means any Person so long as such Person directly or indirectly holds 100.0% of the total voting power of the Capital Stock of the Issuer, and at the time such Person acquired such voting power, no Person and no group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act or any successor provision), including any such group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act) (other than a Parent Company or any Permitted Holder), shall have beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, or any successor provision), directly or indirectly, of 50.0% or more of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of such Person.
“Participant” means, with respect to the Depositary, a Person who has an account with the Depositary (and, with respect to DTC, shall include Euroclear and Clearstream).
“Performance References” has the meaning set forth for such term in the definition of Derivative Instrument.
“Permitted Holders” means any of the Management Stockholders and 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, such Management Stockholders, collectively, have beneficial ownership of more than 50.0% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Issuer or any of its direct or indirect parent companies. Any Person or group whose acquisition of beneficial ownership constitutes a Change of Control in respect of which a Change of Control Offer is made in accordance with the requirements of this Indenture will thereafter, together with its Affiliates, constitute an additional Permitted Holder.
“Permitted Liens” means, with respect to any Person:
(a)pledges, deposits or security by such Person under workmen’s compensation laws, unemployment insurance, employers’ health tax, and other social security laws or similar legislation or other insurance-related obligations (including, but not limited to, in respect of deductibles, self-insured retention amounts and premiums and adjustments thereto) or indemnification obligations of (including obligations in respect of letters of credit or bank guarantees for the benefit of) insurance carriers providing property, casualty or liability insurance, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness) or leases to which such Person is a party, or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of such Person or deposits of cash or U.S. government bonds to secure surety
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or appeal bonds to which such Person is a party, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import duties or for the payment of rent, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(b)Liens imposed by law, such as landlords’, carriers’, warehousemen’s, materialmen’s, repairmen’s and mechanics’ Liens, in each case for sums not yet overdue for a period of more than 45 days or, if more than 45 days overdue, that are unfiled and no other action has been taken to enforce such Lien or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate actions or other Liens arising out of judgments or awards against such Person with respect to which such Person shall then be proceeding with an appeal or other proceedings for review if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of such Person in accordance with GAAP;
(c)Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not yet overdue for a period of more than 30 days or not yet payable or subject to penalties for nonpayment or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate actions diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of such Person in accordance with GAAP;
(d)Liens in favor of issuers of performance, surety, bid, indemnity, warranty, release, appeal or similar bonds or with respect to other regulatory requirements or letters of credit or bankers acceptances issued, and completion guarantees provided for, in each case, issued pursuant to the request of and for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of its business or consistent with past practice prior to the Issue Date;
(e)minor survey exceptions, minor encumbrances, ground leases, easements 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 or Liens incidental, to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties which were not incurred in connection with Indebtedness and which do not in the aggregate materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and exceptions on title policies insuring liens granted on Mortgaged Properties (as defined in the Senior Secured Credit Facilities);
(f)Liens securing Obligations relating to any:
(i)Indebtedness consisting of Capitalized Lease Obligations and Purchase Money Obligations in an aggregate principal amount (together with any modification, refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement (or successive refinancing, refunding, extensions, renewals or replacements) as a whole, or in part, in respect thereof that is secured by Liens pursuant to clause (r) below) not to exceed the greater of (i) $710.0 million and (ii) 5.0% of Total Assets (in each case, determined at the date of incurrence or issuance); so long as such Indebtedness exists at the date of such purchase, lease or improvement, or is created within 365 days thereafter (for the avoidance of doubt, the purchase date for any asset shall be the later of the date of completion of construction or installation and the beginning of the full productive use of such asset); provided, that, Liens securing Obligations relating to any such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock extend only to the assets so purchased, leased or improved (plus improvements, accessions, proceeds or dividends or distributions in respect thereof, or replacements of any thereof); provided, further, that individual financings of assets provided by one lender or group of lenders may be cross-collateralized to other financings of assets by such lender or group of lenders;
(ii)(A) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Issuer and Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference up to 200% of the net cash proceeds received by the Issuer since the 2021 Notes Issue Date from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of the Issuer or
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any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer or cash contributed to the capital of the Issuer (in each case, other than proceeds of Disqualified Stock or sales of Equity Interests to the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries), and (B) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Issuer and Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference, which, when aggregated with the principal amount and liquidation preference of all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock then outstanding and that are secured by Liens pursuant to this clause (f)(ii)(B), does not at any time outstanding exceed the greater of (x) $800.0 million and (y) 4.0% of Total Assets (in each case, determined on the date of such incurrence);
(iii)(A) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary incurred or issued to finance an acquisition (or other purchase of assets) or (B) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of Persons that are acquired by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or merged into or consolidated or amalgamated with the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; provided, that in the case of clauses (A) and (B), after giving effect to such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation, (1) the aggregate amount of such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock secured by Liens pursuant to this clause (f)(iii) does not exceed $100.0 million at any time outstanding or (2) either (x) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries would have been at least 2.00 to 1.00, determined on a pro forma basis or (y) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries is equal to or greater than immediately prior to such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation; provided, further, that, Liens securing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to this clause (f)(iii) shall only be permitted if such Liens are limited to all or part of the same property or assets, including Capital Stock (plus improvements, accessions, proceeds or dividends or distributions in respect thereof, or replacements of any thereof) acquired, or of any Person acquired or merged or consolidated with or into the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, in any transaction to which such Indebtedness relates;
(iv)Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Issuer that are not Subsidiary Guarantors in an amount at any one time outstanding that are secured by Liens under this clause (f)(iv) not to exceed, together with any other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock that are secured by Liens pursuant to this clause (f)(iv), the greater of (i) $285.0 million and (ii) 2.0% of Total Assets (in each case, determined on the date of such incurrence); provided, that, Liens securing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to this clause (f)(iv) shall only be permitted if such Liens extend only to the assets of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Issuer that are not Guarantors (plus improvements, accessions, proceeds or dividends or distributions in respect thereof, or replacements of any thereof); and
(v)Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of Foreign Subsidiaries of the Issuer in an amount not to exceed, at any one time outstanding and together with any other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock incurred or issued under this clause (f)(v), 10.0% of the total assets of the Foreign Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as shown on the Issuer’s most recent balance sheet; provided, that, Liens securing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to this clause (f)(v) shall only be permitted if such Liens extend only to the assets of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Issuer that are not Guarantors (plus improvements, accessions, proceeds or dividends or distributions in respect thereof, or replacements of any thereof);
(g)Liens existing on the Issue Date (excluding Liens securing the Credit Agreement);
(h)Liens on property or shares of stock or other assets of a Person at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided, that such Liens are not created or incurred in connection with, or in
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contemplation of, such other Person becoming such a Subsidiary; provided, further, that such Liens may not extend to any other property or other assets owned by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(i)Liens on property or other assets at the time the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary acquired the property or such other assets, including any acquisition by means of a merger, amalgamation or consolidation with or into the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, that such Liens are not created or incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such acquisition, amalgamation, merger or consolidation; provided, further, that the Liens may not extend to any other property owned by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(j)Liens securing Obligations relating to any Indebtedness or other obligations of a Restricted Subsidiary owing to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary;
(k)Liens securing (x) Hedging Obligations and (y) obligations in respect of Bank Products;
(l)Liens on specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of any Person securing such Person’s accounts payable or similar trade obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances or documentary letters of credit issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;
(m)leases, sub-leases, licenses or sub-licenses granted to others in the ordinary course of business which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and do not secure any Indebtedness;
(n)Liens arising from Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statute) financing statement filings regarding operating leases or consignments entered into by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business or purported Liens evidenced by the filing of precautionary Uniform Commercial Code financing statements or similar public filings;
(o)Liens in favor of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor;
(p)Liens on equipment of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries granted in the ordinary course of business to the Issuer’s or a Restricted Subsidiary’s customers or clients;
(q)Liens on accounts receivable, Securitization Assets and related assets incurred in connection with a Qualified Securitization Facility;
(r)Liens to secure any modification, refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement (or successive refinancing, refunding, extensions, renewals or replacements) as a whole, or in part, of any Indebtedness secured by any Lien referred to in the foregoing clauses (f), (g), (h), (i), this clause (r) and clauses (ii) and (nn) below; provided, that (i) such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same assets or the same categories or types of assets as the assets that secured the original Lien (plus improvements on such property) and proceeds and products thereof, and (ii) the Indebtedness secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (A) the outstanding principal amount or, if greater, committed amount of the Indebtedness described under clauses (f), (g), (h), (i), this clause (r) and clauses (ii) and (nn) below at the time the original Lien became a Permitted Lien under this Indenture, and (B) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses (including original issue discount, upfront fees or similar fees) and premiums (including tender premiums and accrued and unpaid interest), related to such modification, refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement;
(s)deposits made or other security provided in the ordinary course of business to secure liability to insurance carriers;
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(t)Liens securing obligations in an aggregate principal amount outstanding which does not exceed the greater of (a) $285.0 million and (b) 2.0% of Total Assets (in each case, determined as of the date of such incurrence);
(u)security given to a public utility or any municipality or governmental authority when required by such utility or authority in connection with the operations of that Person in the ordinary course of business;
(v)Liens securing judgments for the payment of money not constituting an Event of Default under clause (v) of Section 6.01(a) hereof;
(w)Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods in the ordinary course of business;
(x)Liens (i) of a collection bank arising under Section 4-210 of the Uniform Commercial Code or any comparable or successor provision on items in the course of collection, (ii) attaching to commodity trading accounts or other commodity brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business, and (iii) in favor of banking institutions arising as a matter of law or under general terms and conditions encumbering deposits (including the right of set-off) and which are within the general parameters customary in the banking industry;
(y)Liens deemed to exist in connection with Investments in repurchase agreements;
(z)Liens encumbering reasonable customary deposits and margin deposits and similar Liens attaching to commodity trading accounts or other brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;
(aa)Liens that are contractual rights of set-off or rights of pledge (i) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks not given in connection with the issuance of Indebtedness, (ii) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries or (iii) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;
(bb)Liens securing obligations owed by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to any lender under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities or any Affiliate of such a lender in respect of any overdraft and related liabilities arising from treasury, depository and cash management services or any automated clearing house transfers of funds;
(cc)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;
(dd)Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale or purchase of goods entered into by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;
(ee)Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits made by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement permitted by this Indenture;
(ff)ground leases in respect of real property on which facilities owned or leased by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries are located;
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(gg)Liens on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof securing the financing of the premiums with respect thereto;
(hh)Liens on Capital Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary that secure Indebtedness or other obligations of such Unrestricted Subsidiary;
(ii)Liens on the assets of non-guarantor Restricted Subsidiaries securing Indebtedness of such Subsidiaries that were permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be incurred, so long as after giving pro forma effect to the incurrence of the Obligations secured by such Liens the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio on a consolidated basis of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the most recently ended four fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such Liens are incurred would have been at least 2.00 to 1.00, determined on a pro forma basis as if such Obligations had been incurred, and the application of proceeds therefrom had occurred, at the beginning of such four quarter period; provided that, the aggregate amount principal amount of obligations secured by Liens incurred pursuant to this clause (ii) (together with any modification, refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement (or successive refinancing, refunding, extensions, renewals or replacements) as a whole, or in part, in respect thereof that is secured by Liens pursuant to clause (r) above) shall not exceed the greater of (i) $605.0 million and (ii) 4.25% of Total Assets (in each case, determined as of the date of such incurrence);
(jj)Liens on cash advances in favor of the seller of any property to be acquired in an Investment permitted under this Indenture to be applied against the purchase price for such Investment;
(kk)any interest or title of a lessor, sub-lessor, licensor or sub-licensor or secured by a lessor’s, sub-lessor’s, licensor’s or sub-licensor’s interest under leases or licenses entered into by the Issuer or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;
(ll)(i) deposits of cash with the owner or lessor of premises leased and operated by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business of the Issuer and such Subsidiary to secure the performance of the Issuer’s or such Subsidiary’s obligations under the terms of the lease for such premises and (ii) Liens with respect to property or assets of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries (including accounts receivable or other revenue streams and other rights to payment and any other assets related thereto) in connection with a property manager’s obligations in respect of hotel collection accounts, operating accounts and reserve accounts;
(mm)[Reserved];
(nn)Liens securing Indebtedness (including Liens securing Indebtedness incurred under one or more Credit Facilities) so long as after giving pro forma effect to such incurrence and such Liens the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be equal to or less than 5.20 to 1.00 for the Issuer’s most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such Lien is incurred;
(oo) Liens securing obligations in respect of (i) Indebtedness and other Obligations permitted to be incurred by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary under any Credit Facilities and the issuance and creation of letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances thereunder (with letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the face amount thereof); provided that immediately after giving effect to any such incurrence or issuance, the then outstanding aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness incurred or issued secured by Liens pursuant to this clause (oo) does not exceed $6,725.0 million, and (ii) obligations of the Issuer or any Subsidiary in respect of any Bank Products or Hedging Obligation provided by any lender party to any Credit Facility or any Affiliate of such lender (or any Person that was a lender or an Affiliate of a lender at the time the applicable agreements pursuant to which such Bank Products are provided were entered into); and
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(pp)Liens on any funds or securities held in escrow accounts established for the purpose of holding proceeds from issuances of debt securities by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued after the Issue Date, together with any additional funds required in order to fund any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payment on such debt securities within 180 days of their issuance; provided that such Liens do not extend to any assets other than such proceeds and such additional funds.
For purposes of this definition, the term “Indebtedness” shall be deemed to include interest on such Indebtedness.
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 Issuer 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 Indenture 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.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership (including a limited partnership), joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.
“PHRI ” means Park Hotels & Resorts Inc., a Delaware corporation.
“Preferred Stock” means any Equity Interest with preferential rights of payment of dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up.
“Private Placement Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(i) hereof to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture, except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.
“Purchase Agreement” means the purchase agreement, dated as of March 22, 2024, among the Issuer, HLT Parent, the other Guarantors party thereto and BofA Securities, Inc., as representative of such initial purchasers, relating to the issue and sale of the Initial Notes.
“Purchase Money Obligations” means any Indebtedness incurred to finance or refinance the purchase, acquisition, leasing, expansion, construction, installation, replacement, repair or improvement of property (real or personal) or assets, and whether acquired through the direct acquisition of such property or assets, or otherwise (including through the purchase of Capital Stock of any Person owning such property or assets).
“QIB” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.
“Qualified Securitization Facility” means any Securitization Facility (i) constituting a securitization financing facility that meets the following conditions: (A) the Board of Directors or management of the Issuer shall have determined in good faith that such Securitization Facility is in the aggregate economically fair and reasonable to the Issuer and (B) all sales and/or contributions of Securitization Assets and related assets to the applicable Securitization Subsidiary are made at fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Issuer) or (ii) constituting a receivables or payables financing or factoring facility.
“Rating Agencies” means Moody’s and S&P or if Moody’s or S&P or both shall not make a rating on the Notes publicly available, a nationally recognized statistical rating agency or agencies, as the case may be, selected by the Issuer which shall be substituted for Moody’s or S&P or both, as the case may be.
“Rating Categories” means:
(a)with respect to S&P, any of the following categories: AAA, AA, A, BBB, BB, B, CCC, CC, C and D (or equivalent successor categories); and
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(b)with respect to Moody’s, any of the following categories: Aaa, Aa, A, Baa, Ba, B, Caa, Ca, C and D (or equivalent successor categories).
“Ratings Improvement” means, with respect to a Change of Control and the Notes of a series, the obtaining of a rating of such series of Notes, taking into account the applicable transaction, representing an increase in the rating of such series of Notes by either Moody’s or S&P by one or more gradations (including gradations within Rating Categories as well as between Rating Categories, but not including ratings outlook changes) over such rating as of the Issue Date. In determining whether the rating of the Notes of a series has increased by one or more gradations, gradations within Ratings Categories, namely + or - for S&P, and 1, 2, and 3 for Moody’s, will be taken into account; for example, in the case of S&P, a rating change either from BB to BB+ or from B+ to BB- will constitute an increase of one gradation.
“Record Date” means, for the interest payable on any applicable Interest Payment Date, the March 15 and September 15 (whether or not a Business Day) immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date.
“Regulation S” means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.
“Regulation S Global Note” means a Regulation S Temporary Global Note or Regulation S Permanent Global Note, as applicable.
“Regulation S Permanent Global Note” means a permanent Global Note, substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 hereto, in the case of the 2029 Notes, and Exhibit A-2 hereto, in the case of the 2032 Notes, each bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Regulation S Temporary Global Note upon expiration of the applicable Restricted Period.
“Regulation S Temporary Global Note” means a temporary Global Note, substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 hereto, in the case of the 2029 Notes, and Exhibit A-2 hereto, in the case of the 2032 Notes, each bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and the Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes initially sold in reliance on Rule 903.
“Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(iii) hereof.
“Responsible Officer” means, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such Person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and, in each case, who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.
“Restricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note bearing, or that is required to bear, the Private Placement Legend.
“Restricted Global Note” means a Global Note bearing, or that is required to bear, the Private Placement Legend.
“Restricted Period” means, in respect of any Note issued under Regulation S, the 40-day distribution compliance period as defined in Regulation S applicable to such Note.
“Restricted Subsidiary” means, at any time, any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Issuer (including any Foreign Subsidiary) that is not then an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided that upon an Unrestricted Subsidiary ceasing to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary, such Subsidiary shall be included in the definition of “Restricted Subsidiary.”
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“Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.
“Rule 144A” means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.
“Rule 903” means Rule 903 promulgated under the Securities Act.
“Rule 904” means Rule 904 promulgated under the Securities Act.
“S&P” means S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global Inc., and any successor to its rating agency business.
“Sale and Lease-Back Transaction” means any arrangement providing for the leasing by the Issuer 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 Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary to a third Person in contemplation of such leasing.
“SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
“Securitization Assets” means the loans, accounts receivable, financing receivables, other receivables, royalty or other revenue streams and other rights to payment and any other assets subject to a Qualified Securitization Facility and the proceeds thereof.
“Securitization Facility” means any of one or more receivables or securitization financing facilities as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, renewed, restated or refunded from time to time, the Obligations of which are non-recourse (except for customary representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities made in connection with such facilities) to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than a Securitization Subsidiary) pursuant to which the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries sells or grants a security interest in Securitization Assets to, or for the benefit of, either (a) a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or (b) a Securitization Subsidiary that in turn sells or grants a security interest in Securitization Assets to, or for the benefit of, a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary.
“Securitization Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary formed for the purpose of, and that solely engages only in one or more Qualified Securitization Facilities and other activities reasonably related thereto.
“Senior Secured Credit Facilities” means the revolving credit facility and other credit facilities under the Credit Agreement, including any guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements, refundings, refinancings or replacements thereof and any one or more indentures or credit facilities or commercial paper facilities with banks or other institutional lenders or investors that replace, refund, supplement or refinance any part of the loans, notes, other credit facilities or commitments thereunder, including any such replacement, refunding or refinancing facility or indenture that increases the amount borrowable thereunder or alters the maturity thereof (provided that any such increase in borrowing that is secured by a Lien is permitted under Section 4.12 hereof) or adds Restricted Subsidiaries as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder and whether by the same or any other agent, trustee, lender or group of lenders or holders.
“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.
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“Significant Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such regulation is in effect on the Issue Date.
“Spin-Off Date” means January 3, 2017.
“Spin-Off Transaction” means, collectively, the transactions which resulted in (a) PHRI holding directly or indirectly all or substantially of the Ownership Business and (b) HGVI holding directly or indirectly all or substantially all of the Timeshare Business, and which was completed on January 3, 2017 by the distribution by HLT Parent to its stockholders of shares of each of PHRI and HGVI on a pro rata basis, and all related transactions.
“Subordinated Indebtedness” means, with respect to the Notes,
(1)any Indebtedness of the Issuer which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, and
(2)any Indebtedness of any Guarantor which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantee of such entity of the Notes.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person:
(a)any corporation, association, or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity) of which more than 50.0% 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; and
(b)any partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity of which:
(i)more than 50.0% 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 or otherwise; and
(ii)such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or otherwise controls such entity.
For the avoidance of doubt, any entity that is owned at a 50.0% or less level (as described above) shall not be a “Subsidiary” for any purpose under this Indenture, regardless of whether such entity is consolidated on the Issuer’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s financial statements.
“Subsidiary Guarantor” means each Guarantor other than HLT Parent and HWP.
“Timeshare Business” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Distribution Agreement.
“Total Assets” means the total assets of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, as shown on the most recent balance sheet of the Issuer or such other Person.
“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb).
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“Trustee” means Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.
“Uniform Commercial Code” means the Uniform Commercial Code or any successor provision thereof as the same may from time to time be in effect in the State of New York.
“Unrestricted Definitive Note” means one or more Definitive Notes that do not bear and are not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.
“Unrestricted Global Note” means a permanent Global Note, substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 or Exhibit A-2 hereto, as applicable, bearing the Global Note Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto, and that is deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary, representing Notes that do not bear the Private Placement Legend.
“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means, solely for so long as the Senior Secured Credit Facilities and/or any Existing Senior Notes remain outstanding, any Subsidiary of the Issuer that is designated as an “Unrestricted Subsidiary” (or any other comparable classification) under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities and each series of the Existing Senior Notes then outstanding for so long as such Subsidiary is so designated pursuant thereto.
Any such designation by the Issuer shall be notified by the Issuer to the Trustee by promptly filing with the Trustee a copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors of the Issuer or any committee thereof giving effect to such designation and an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing provisions.
“U.S. Dollar Equivalent” means with respect to any monetary amount in a currency other than U.S. dollars, at any time for determination thereof, the amount of U.S. dollars obtained by converting such foreign currency involved in such computation into U.S. dollars at the spot rate for the purchase of U.S. dollars with the applicable foreign currency as published in The Wall Street Journal in the “Exchange Rates” column under the heading “Currency Trading” on the date two business days prior to such determination.
“U.S. Government Securities” means securities that are:
(a)direct obligations of the United States of America for the timely payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged; or
(b)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 by 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 depository 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 Securities or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such U.S. Government Securities held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depository 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 depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Securities or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the U.S. Government Securities evidenced by such depository receipt.
“U.S. Person” means a U.S. person as defined in Rule 902(k) under the Securities Act.
“Voting Stock” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.
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“Wholly Owned Subsidiary” of any Person means a Subsidiary of such Person, 100.0% of the outstanding Equity Interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares and shares issued to foreign nationals as required by applicable law) shall at the time be owned by such Person and/or by one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.
Section 1.02. Other Definitions.
| Term | Defined in Section | |||||||
| “Accounting Change” | 1.01 | |||||||
| “Alternate Offer” | 4.14 | |||||||
| “Applicable Premium Deficit” | 8.04 | |||||||
| “Authentication Order” | 2.02 | |||||||
| “Change of Control Offer” | 4.14 | |||||||
| “Change of Control Payment” | 4.14 | |||||||
| “Change of Control Payment Date” | 4.14 | |||||||
| “Code” | 2.06 | |||||||
| “Covenant Defeasance” | 8.03 | |||||||
| “Covenant Satisfaction Officer’s Certificate” | 6.06 | |||||||
| “Directing Holder” | 6.06 | |||||||
| “Dividing Person” | 1.01 | |||||||
| “DTC” | 2.03 | |||||||
| “equity incentives” | 1.01 | |||||||
| “ERISA” | 2.06 | |||||||
| “Event of Default” | 6.01 | |||||||
| “Final Decision” | 6.06 | |||||||
| “Increased Amount” | 4.12 | |||||||
| “Legal Defeasance” | 8.02 | |||||||
| “Litigation” | 6.06 | |||||||
| “Note Register” | 2.03 | |||||||
| “Noteholder Direction” | 6.06 | |||||||
| “Paying Agent” | 2.03 | |||||||
| “Performance References” | 1.01 | |||||||
| “Position Representation” | 6.06 | |||||||
| “Redemption Date” | 3.01 | |||||||
| “Registrar” | 2.03 | |||||||
| “Similar Law” | 2.06 | |||||||
| “Specified Transaction” | 1.07 | |||||||
| “Successor Company” | 5.01 | |||||||
| “Successor Person” | 5.01 | |||||||
| “Testing Party” | 1.07 | |||||||
| “Transaction Test Date” | 1.07 | |||||||
| “Transfer Agent” | 2.03 | |||||||
| “Verification Covenant” | 6.06 | |||||||
| “Verification Officer’s Certificate” | 6.06 | |||||||
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Section 1.03. Inapplicability of Trust Indenture Act. No provisions of the Trust Indenture Act are incorporated by reference in or made a part of this Indenture unless explicitly incorporated by reference. Unless specifically provided in this Indenture, no terms that are defined under the Trust Indenture Act have such meanings for purposes of this Indenture.
Section 1.04. Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires:
(a)a term has the meaning assigned to it;
(b)an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;
(c)“or” is not exclusive;
(d)the words “including,” “includes” and similar words shall be deemed to be followed by “without limitation”;
(e)words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;
(f)“shall” and “will” shall be interpreted to express a command;
(g)provisions apply to successive events and transactions;
(h)references to sections of, or rules under, the Securities Act or the Exchange Act shall be deemed to include substitute, replacement or successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time;
(i)unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an “Article,” “Section” or “clause” refers to an Article, Section or clause, as the case may be, of this Indenture;
(j)the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not any particular Article, Section, clause or other subdivision;
(k)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;
(l)words used herein implying any gender shall apply to both genders;
(m)in the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including”; the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding” and the word “through” means “to and including”; and
(n)the principal amount of any Preferred Stock at any time shall be (i) the maximum liquidation value of such Preferred Stock at such time or (ii) the maximum mandatory redemption or mandatory repurchase price with respect to such Preferred Stock at such time, whichever is greater.
Section 1.05. Acts of Holders.
(a)Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Issuer. Proof of execution of any such
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instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or the holding by any Person of a Note, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Issuer, if made in the manner provided in this Section 1.05.
(b)The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by the certificate of any notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by or on behalf of any legal entity other than an individual, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute proof of the authority of the Person executing the same. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner that the Trustee deems sufficient.
(c)The ownership of Notes shall be proved by the Note Register.
(d)Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action by the Holder of any Note shall bind every future Holder of the same Note and the Holder of every Note issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof, in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by the Trustee or the Issuer in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Note.
(e)The Issuer may set a record date for purposes of determining the identity of Holders entitled to give any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or take any other act, or to vote or consent to any action by vote or consent authorized or permitted to be given or taken by Holders. Unless otherwise specified, if not set by the Issuer prior to the first solicitation of a Holder made by any Person in respect of any such action, or in the case of any such vote, prior to such vote, any such record date shall be the later of 10 days prior to the first solicitation of such consent or, if the Trustee is not then also the Registrar, the date of the most recent list of Holders furnished to the Trustee prior to such solicitation.
(f)Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled to take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Note may do so with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Note or by one or more duly appointed agents, each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any part of such principal amount. Any notice given or action taken by a Holder or its agents with regard to different parts of such principal amount pursuant to this Section 1.05(f) shall have the same effect as if given or taken by separate Holders of each such different part.
(g)Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Holder, including DTC, that is a Holder of a Global Note, may make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders, and any Person, that is a Holder of a Global Note, including DTC, may provide its proxy or proxies to the beneficial owners of interests in any such Global Note through such Depositary’s standing instructions and customary practices.
(h)The Issuer may fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Persons who are beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note held by DTC entitled under the procedures of such Depositary to make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders. If such a record date is fixed, the Holders on such record date or their duly appointed proxy or proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to make, give or take such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date. No such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action shall be valid or effective if made, given or taken more than 120 days after such record date.
Section 1.06. Timing of Payment. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if the date on which any payment is to be made pursuant to this Indenture or the Notes is not a Business Day, the payment
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otherwise payable on such date shall be payable on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on such scheduled date and (provided such payment is made on such succeeding Business Day) no interest shall accrue on the amount of such payment from and after such scheduled date to the time of such payment on such next succeeding Business Day and the amount of any such payment that is an interest payment will reflect accrual only through the original payment date and not through the next succeeding Business Day.
Section 1.07. Financial Calculations for Specified Transactions. For purposes of calculating the availability under any basket, ratio or any financial metric under this Indenture or compliance with any provision of this Indenture (including the absence of Defaults or Events of Default), in each case in connection with (a) any Limited Condition Transaction, (b) any incurrence or issuance of or repayment, redemption, repurchase or refinancing of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock and the use of proceeds thereof, (c) the creation of Liens, (d) any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction, (e) any other transaction or plan undertaken or proposed to be undertaken in connection with such Limited Condition Transaction or any transaction set forth in clauses (b) through (d), or (f) any other purpose under this Indenture (the transactions referred to in clauses (a) through (f), collectively, the “Specified Transactions,” and each, a “Specified Transaction”) and any actions or transactions related thereto, the date of determination of such basket, ratio or financial metric or whether any such Specified Transaction is permitted (or any requirement or condition therefor is complied with or satisfied (including as to the absence of any Default or Event of Default)) may, at the option of the Issuer, any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, a direct or indirect parent entity of the Issuer, any successor entity of any of the foregoing (including a third party) (the “Testing Party”) (which election may be made on or prior to the date of consummation of such Specified Transaction), be the date the definitive agreements for such Specified Transaction are entered into (or, if applicable, the date of delivery of a binding offer or launch of a “certain funds” tender offer), the date of the announcement of such Specified Transaction, or the date that a notice, which may be conditional, of repayment or redemption in connection with a repayment, redemption, repurchase or refinancing of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is given to the holders of such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (any such date, the “Transaction Test Date”) and such baskets, ratios or financial metrics shall be calculated with such pro forma adjustments as are appropriate and consistent with the pro forma adjustment provisions set forth in the definitions of Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, Consolidated Total Debt Ratio and Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio after giving effect to such Specified Transactions and any actions or transactions related thereto (including acquisitions, dispositions, Investments, the incurrence, issuance or assumption of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock and the use of proceeds thereof, the incurrence or assumption of Liens, repayments, distributions and dividends, the designation of any Restricted Subsidiaries or Unrestricted Subsidiaries and the entering into of any Sale and Lease-Back Transactions) as if they occurred at the beginning of the applicable measurement period for purposes of determining the ability to consummate any such Specified Transaction, and, for the avoidance of doubt, (x) if any of such baskets, ratios or financial metrics are exceeded or are not complied with as a result of fluctuations in such basket, ratio or related financial metrics (including due to fluctuations in Fixed Charges, Consolidated Net Income or EBITDA of the Issuer, the target company or the Person that is otherwise the subject of the Specified Transaction after the applicable Transaction Test Date) at or prior to the consummation of the relevant Specified Transaction and any actions or transactions related thereto, such baskets, ratios or financial metrics will not be deemed to have been exceeded as a result of such fluctuations and (y) such baskets, ratios or financial metrics shall not be tested at the time of consummation of such Specified Transaction and any actions or transactions related thereto except as contemplated in clause (a) of the immediately succeeding proviso; provided, however, that (a) if financial statements for one or more subsequent fiscal quarters shall have become available, the Testing Party may elect, in its sole discretion, to re-determine all such ratios, tests, baskets or financial metrics on the basis of such financial statements, in which case such date of redetermination shall thereafter be deemed to be the applicable Transaction Test Date for purposes of such ratios, tests, baskets or financial metrics, (b) if any ratios or financial metrics improve or baskets increase as a result of such fluctuations, such improved ratios, financial metrics or baskets may be utilized, (c) if the Testing Party elects to have such determinations occur on the Transaction Test Date, any such transactions (including the Specified Transaction and any actions or transactions related thereto) shall be deemed to have occurred on the Transaction Test Date and to be outstanding thereafter for purposes of calculating any baskets, ratios or financial metrics under this Indenture after the Transaction Test Date and before the consummation of such Specified Transaction unless and until such Specified Transaction has been abandoned, as determined by the Testing Party, prior to the consummation thereof and (d) Consolidated Interest Expense for purposes of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will be calculated using an assumed interest rate based on the indicative interest margin, as
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reasonably determined by the Testing Party in good faith. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Testing Party has exercised its option pursuant to the foregoing and any Default or Event of Default occurs in connection with the applicable Specified Transaction following the Transaction Test Date (including any new Transaction Test Date) for the applicable Specified Transaction and prior to or on the date of the consummation of such Specified Transaction, any such Default or Event of Default shall be deemed to not have occurred or be continuing for purposes of determining whether any action that has been taken or that is being taken in connection with such Specified Transaction was or is permitted under this Indenture.
Section 1.08. Certain Compliance Calculations. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture, in the event any Lien is incurred or assumed, any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction is entered into or other transaction is undertaken in reliance on a ratio basket based on the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio or Consolidated Total Debt Ratio, such ratio(s) shall be calculated with respect to such incurrence, assumption or other transaction without giving effect to amounts being utilized under any other basket (other than a ratio basket based on the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio or Consolidated Total Debt Ratio) on the same date. Each Lien incurred or assumed, each Sale and Lease-Back Transaction entered into and each other transaction undertaken will be deemed to have been incurred, assumed or taken first, to the extent available, pursuant to the relevant Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio or Consolidated Total Debt Ratio test.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in the event any Lien is incurred or assumed, any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction is entered into or other transaction is undertaken in reliance on a ratio basket based on the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio or Consolidated Total Debt Ratio, 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 Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries (as reasonably determined by the Issuer).
If a proposed action, matter, transaction or amount (or a portion thereof) meets the criteria of more than one applicable basket, permission or threshold under this Indenture, the Issuer shall be entitled to divide or classify or later divide or reclassify (based on circumstances existing on the date of such reclassification) such action, matter, transaction or amount (or a portion thereof) between such baskets, permission or thresholds as it shall elect from time to time.
Any calculation, test or measure that is determined with reference to the Issuer’s financial statements (including EBITDA, Consolidated Interest Expense, Consolidated Net Income, Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio, Consolidated Total Debt Ratio, Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio and Fixed Charges) may be determined with reference to the financial statements of a direct or indirect parent entity of the Issuer instead, so long as such calculation, test or measure would not differ by more than an immaterial amount when using the financial statements of such direct or indirect parent entity of the Issuer as compared to if such calculation, test or measure were made using the Issuer’s financial statements (as determined in good faith by the Issuer).
Any ratios, tests or baskets required to be satisfied in order for a specific action to be permitted under this Indenture shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding up if there is no nearest number).
If the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary takes an action which at the time of the taking of such action would in the good faith determination of the Issuer be permitted under the applicable provisions of this Indenture based on the financial statements available at such time, such action shall be deemed to have been made in compliance with this Indenture notwithstanding any subsequent adjustments made in good faith to such financial statements affecting Consolidated Net Income, EBITDA or other applicable financial metric.
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ARTICLE 2
THE NOTES
Section 2.01. Form and Dating; Terms.
(a)General. The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 or Exhibit A-2 hereto, as applicable. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rules or usage. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be issued in minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000.
(b)Global Notes. Notes issued in global form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 hereto, in the case of the 2029 Notes, and Exhibit A-2 hereto, in the case of the 2032 Notes, in each case including the Global Note Legend thereon and the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto. Notes issued in definitive form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 hereto, in the case of the 2029 Notes, and Exhibit A-2 hereto, in the case of the 2032 Notes, but in each case without the Global Note Legend thereon and without the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto. Each Global Note shall represent such of the outstanding Notes as shall be specified in the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto and each shall provide that it shall represent up to the aggregate principal amount of Notes of the applicable series from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes of the applicable series represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as applicable, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes of the applicable series represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.06 hereof.
(c)Temporary Global Notes. Notes of a series offered and sold in reliance on Regulation S shall be issued initially in the form of a Regulation S Temporary Global Note, which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Notes of such series represented thereby with the Custodian and registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of the Depositary for the accounts of designated agents holding on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, duly executed by the Issuer and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided.
Following (i) the termination of the applicable Restricted Period and (ii) the receipt by the Trustee of (A) a certification or other evidence in a form reasonably acceptable to the Issuer together with copies of certificates from Euroclear and Clearstream certifying that they have received certifications of non-United States beneficial ownership of 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Regulation S Temporary Global Note for a series, to the extent the Depositary, Euroclear and Clearstream provide such certificates in the ordinary course of their business (except to the extent of any beneficial owners thereof who acquired an interest therein during the Restricted Period pursuant to another exemption from registration under the Securities Act and who shall take delivery of a beneficial ownership interest in a 144A Global Note bearing the Private Placement Legend, all as contemplated by Section 2.06(b) hereof) and (B) an Officer’s Certificate from the Issuer, the Trustee shall remove the Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend from the Regulation S Temporary Global Note for such series, following which temporary beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note for such series shall automatically become beneficial interests in the Regulation S Permanent Global Note for such series pursuant to the Applicable Procedures.
The aggregate principal amount of a Regulation S Temporary Global Note for a series and a Regulation S Permanent Global Note for such series may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee and the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, in connection with transfers of interest as hereinafter provided.
(d)Terms. The aggregate principal amount of Notes of a series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.
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The terms and provisions contained in the Notes of each series shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Issuer, the Guarantors from time to time party hereto and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.
The Notes shall be subject to repurchase by the Issuer pursuant to a Change of Control Offer as provided in Section 4.14 hereof. The Notes shall not be redeemable, other than as provided in Article 3 hereof.
The Issuer may issue Additional Notes of any series from time to time ranking pari passu with the Initial Notes of such series without notice to or consent of the Holders, and such Additional Notes shall be consolidated with and form a single class with the Initial Notes of such series and shall have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise as the Initial Notes of such series, except that interest may accrue on the Additional Notes from their date of issuance (or such other date specified by the Issuer); provided that if any Additional Notes of a series are not fungible with the Initial Notes of such series for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such Additional Notes will have a separate CUSIP or ISIN number, as applicable, from the Initial Notes of such series. Any Additional Notes may be issued with the benefit of an indenture supplemental to this Indenture.
(e)Euroclear and Clearstream Applicable Procedures. The provisions of the “Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System” and “Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear” and the “General Terms and Conditions of Clearstream Banking” and “Customer Handbook” of Clearstream shall be applicable to transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note and the Regulation S Permanent Global Notes that are held by Participants through Euroclear or Clearstream.
Section 2.02. Execution and Authentication. At least one Officer of the Issuer shall execute the Notes on behalf of the Issuer, by manual, facsimile or electronic (including “.pdf”) signature.
If an Officer of the Issuer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note, the Note shall nevertheless be valid.
A Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 or Exhibit A-2 hereto, as applicable, by the manual signature of the Trustee. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been duly authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.
On the Issue Date, the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Issuer’s Order (an “Authentication Order”), authenticate and deliver the 2029 Initial Notes and the 2032 Initial Notes in the aggregate principal amounts specified in such Authentication Order. In addition, at any time, from time to time, the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate and deliver any Additional Notes of a series for an aggregate principal amount specified in such Authentication Order for such Additional Notes issued or increased hereunder.
The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Issuer to authenticate Notes. An authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or an Affiliate of the Issuer.
Section 2.03. Registrar, Transfer Agent and Paying Agent. The Issuer shall maintain (i) an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration (the “Registrar”), which shall be Wilmington Trust, National Association as of the date of this Indenture, (ii) an office or agency where the Notes may be presented for transfer or for exchange (the “Transfer Agent”), which shall be Wilmington Trust, National Association as of the date of this Indenture and (iii) an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (the “Paying Agent”), which shall be Wilmington Trust, National Association as of the date of this Indenture. The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes (“Note Register”) and of their transfer and exchange. The registered Holder of a Note will be treated as the owner of such Note for all purposes and only registered Holders shall have rights under this Indenture and the Notes.
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The Issuer may appoint one or more co-registrars, one or more co-transfer agents and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar, the term “Transfer Agent” includes any co-transfer agent and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agents. The Issuer may change any Paying Agent, Transfer Agent or Registrar without prior notice to any Holder. The Issuer shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Issuer fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar, Transfer Agent or Paying Agent, the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee shall act as such. The Issuer or any of the Issuer’s Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent, Transfer Agent or Registrar upon written notice to the Trustee.
The Issuer initially appoints The Depository Trust Company, its nominees and successors (“DTC”) to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.
The Issuer initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar for the Notes and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Notes.
If any Notes of a series are listed on an exchange and the rules of such exchange so require, the Issuer will satisfy any requirement of such exchange as to paying agents, registrars and transfer agents and will comply with any notice requirements required under such exchange in connection with any change of paying agent, registrar or transfer agent.
Section 2.04. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust. The Issuer shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, on the Notes of a series and will notify the Trustee in writing of any default by the Issuer in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Issuer at any time may require a Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Issuer or a Subsidiary or the Trustee) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Issuer or a Subsidiary of the Issuer acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Issuer, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.
Section 2.05. 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 all Holders of Notes of each series. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee at least two 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 the Holders.
Section 2.06. Transfer and Exchange.
(a)Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. Except as otherwise set forth in this Section 2.06, a Global Note of a series may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of the Depositary or to a successor thereto or a nominee of such successor thereto. A beneficial interest in a Global Note of a series may not be exchanged for a Definitive Note for the same series unless, and, if applicable, subject to the limitation on issuance of Definitive Notes set forth in Section 2.06(c)(ii), (i) the Depositary (x) notifies the Issuer that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Note or (y) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Issuer within 120 days, (ii) the Issuer, at its option, notifies the Trustee in writing that they elect to cause the issuance of a Definitive Note for the applicable series (although Regulation S Temporary Global Notes of such series may not be exchanged for Definitive Notes of such series prior to (A) the expiration of the applicable Restricted Period and (B) the receipt by the Registrar of any certification of beneficial ownership required pursuant to Rule 903(b)(3)(ii)(B)), (iii) upon the request of a Holder if there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default with respect to the applicable series of Notes, or (iv) the Trustee has received a written request by or on behalf of the Depositary to issue Definitive Notes. Upon the occurrence of any of the events described in clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above,
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Definitive Notes delivered in exchange for any Global Note for the same series or beneficial interests therein will be registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the Depositary (in accordance with its customary procedures). Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.07 and 2.10 hereof. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.06 or Sections 2.07 or 2.10 hereof, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note, except for Definitive Notes issued subsequent to any of the events described in clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above and pursuant to Section 2.06(c) hereof. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note of the applicable series other than as provided in this Section 2.06(a); provided, however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.06(b) or (c) hereof.
(b)Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes of a series shall be effected through the Depositary in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes shall be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes of a series also shall require compliance with either subparagraph (i) or (ii) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:
(i)Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note. Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend; provided that prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, transfers of beneficial interests in a Regulation S Temporary Global Note may not be made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person other than pursuant to Rule 144A. Beneficial interests in any Unrestricted Global Note of a series may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note for the same series. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.06(b)(i).
(ii)All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.06(b)(i) hereof, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either (A) (1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note for the same series in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase or (B) (1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a Definitive Note for the same series in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (1) above; provided that in no event shall Definitive Notes be issued upon the transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in a Regulation S Temporary Global Note of the applicable series prior to (x) the expiration of the applicable Restricted Period therefor and (y) the receipt by the Registrar of any certification of beneficial ownership required pursuant to Rule 903(b)(3)(ii)(B). Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof.
(iii)Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note of a series may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the
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form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note for the same series if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(ii) hereof and the Registrar receives the following:
(A)if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in a 144A Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof; or
(B)if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof.
(iv)Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note of a series may be exchanged by any holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note for the same series or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note of such series if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(ii) hereof and:
(A)such Notes are sold or exchanged pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act; or
(B)the Registrar receives the following:
(1)if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note for the same series, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(a) thereof; or
(2)if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note for the same series, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;
and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (B), if the Issuer so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Issuer to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
If any such transfer is effected pursuant to this subparagraph (B) at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note of the applicable series has not yet been issued, the Issuer shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes for such series in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests transferred pursuant to this subparagraph (iv) above.
Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note of any series cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note.
(c)Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Notes.
(i)Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note of a series proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note for the same series or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery
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thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note of such series, then, upon the occurrence of any of the events described in clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) of Section 2.06(a) hereof and receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:
(A)if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note of such series proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note for the same series, a certificate from such holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(a) thereof;
(B)if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;
(C)if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;
(D)if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;
(E)if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Issuer or any of the Issuer’s Subsidiaries, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or
(F)if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,
the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note for such series to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Issuer shall execute and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and mail to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note for such series in the applicable principal amount. Any Definitive Note of a series issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for the same series pursuant to this Section 2.06(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall mail such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note of a series issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for the same series pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(i) (except transfers pursuant to clause (F) above) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.
(ii)Beneficial Interests in Regulation S Temporary Global Note to Definitive Notes. Notwithstanding Sections 2.06(c)(i)(A) and (C) hereof, a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note of a series may not be exchanged for a Definitive Note for the same series or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note for such series prior to (A) the expiration of the applicable Restricted Period therefor and (B) the receipt by the Registrar of any certifications of beneficial ownership required pursuant to Rule 903(b)(3)(ii)(B) of the Securities Act, except in the case of a transfer pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 903 or Rule 904.
(iii)Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note of a series may exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note for the same series or may transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in
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the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note of such series only upon the occurrence of any of the events described in clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) of Section 2.06(a) hereof and:
(A)such transfer is effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act; or
(B)if the Registrar receives the following:
(1)if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note of such series proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note for the same series, a certificate from such holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(b) thereof; or
(2)if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note of such series proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note for the same series, a certificate from such holder substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;
and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (B), if the Issuer so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Issuer to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
(iv)Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note of a series proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note for the same series or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note of such series, then, upon the occurrence of any of the events described in clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) of Section 2.06(a) hereof and satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.06(b)(ii) hereof, the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Issuer shall execute and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and mail to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note for the same series in the applicable principal amount. Any Definitive Note of a series issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(iv) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from or through the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall mail such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(iv) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.
(d)Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests.
(i)Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes. If any Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note of a series proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for the same series or to transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note of such series, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:
(A)if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for the same series, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(b) thereof;
(B)if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;
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(C)if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;
(D)if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;
(E)if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to the Issuer or any of the Issuer’s Subsidiaries, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or
(F)if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,
the Trustee shall cancel the Restricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of, in the case of clause (A) above, the applicable Restricted Global Note of such series, in the case of clause (B) above, the applicable 144A Global Note of such series, and in the case of clause (C) above, the applicable Regulation S Global Note of such series.
(i)Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note of a series may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note for the same series or transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note of such series only if:
(A)any such transfer is effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act; or
(B)the Registrar receives the following:
(1)if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note for the same series, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(c) thereof; or
(2)if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note for the same series, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;
and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (B), if the Issuer so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Issuer to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
(ii)Upon satisfaction of the applicable conditions of this Section 2.06(d)(ii), the Trustee shall cancel the Restricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note of such series.
(iii)Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note of a series may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note for the same series or transfer such Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a
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beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note of such series at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee shall cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes of such series.
If any such exchange or transfer from a Definitive Note to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to subparagraph (ii) or (iii) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note for such series has not yet been issued, the Issuer shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Definitive Notes of such series so transferred.
(e)Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes. Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.06(e), the Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes of a series for Definitive Notes of the same series. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder shall present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer or exchange in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.06(e):
(i)Restricted Definitive Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note of a series may be transferred to and registered in the name of Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note for the same series if the Registrar receives the following:
(A)if the transfer will be made to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, then the transferor must deliver a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;
(B)if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; or
(C)if the transfer will be made pursuant to any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.
(ii)Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note of a series may be exchanged by the Holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note for the same series or transferred to a Person or Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note of such series if:
(A)any such transfer is effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act; or
(B)the Registrar receives the following:
(1)if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for an Unrestricted Definitive Note for the same series, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(d) thereof; or
(2)if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note for the same series, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;
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and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (B), if the Issuer so requests, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Issuer to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
(iii)Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A Holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes of a series may transfer such Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note for the same series. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof.
(f)[Reserved].
(g)Legends. The following legends shall appear on the face of all Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued under this Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Indenture:
(i)Private Placement Legend.
(A)Except as permitted by subparagraph (B) below, each Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the legend in substantially the following form:
“THE NOTES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS NOTE NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, REGISTRATION AS SET FORTH BELOW. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (“RULE 144A”)), OR (B) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS NOTE IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION, (2) AGREES TO OFFER, SELL, PLEDGE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH NOTE PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE HOLDING PERIOD THEN IMPOSED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (OR ANY SUCCESSOR PROVISION) ONLY (A) TO THE ISSUER OR ANY CO-ISSUER, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE NOTES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PERSONS IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION PURSUANT TO REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (E) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE ISSUER’S AND THE TRUSTEE’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM.”
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Except as permitted by subparagraph (B) below, each Global Note and Definitive Note issued in a transaction exempt from registration pursuant to Regulation S shall also bear the legend in substantially the following form:
“THIS NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION ORIGINALLY EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, ANY U.S. PERSON EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ALL APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. TERMS USED ABOVE HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.”
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraph (b)(iv), (c)(iii), (c)(iv), (d)(ii), (d)(iii), (e)(ii) or (e)(iii) of this Section 2.06 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.
(ii)Global Note Legend. Each Global Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form (with appropriate changes in the last sentence if DTC is not the Depositary):
“THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(h) OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ISSUER. UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”) TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
BY ACCEPTING THIS NOTE, EACH HOLDER AND EACH TRANSFEREE IS DEEMED TO REPRESENT AND WARRANT THAT AT THE TIME OF ITS ACQUISITION AND THROUGHOUT THE PERIOD THAT IT HOLDS THIS NOTE
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(I) IT IS NOT, AND IS NOT ACQUIRING THE NOTES WITH THE ASSETS OF ANY (A) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN (AS DEFINED IN SECTION 3(3) OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”)), THAT IS SUBJECT TO ERISA, (B) PLAN, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT, PROGRAM OR ARRANGEMENT THAT IS SUBJECT TO SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”), OR PROVISIONS UNDER ANY OTHER FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, NON-U.S. OR OTHER LAWS OR REGULATIONS THAT ARE SIMILAR TO SUCH PROVISIONS OF ERISA OR THE CODE (COLLECTIVELY, “SIMILAR LAW”) OR WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS ARE CONSIDERED TO INCLUDE “PLAN ASSETS” OF ANY SUCH PLAN, ACCOUNT OR ARRANGEMENTS AND (II) ITS ACQUISITION AND HOLDING OF THIS NOTE WILL NOT RESULT IN A NON-EXEMPT PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR A SIMILAR VIOLATION UNDER ANY APPLICABLE SIMILAR LAW.”
(iii)Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend. The Regulation S Temporary Global Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
“THE RIGHTS ATTACHING TO THIS REGULATION S TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE, AND THE CONDITIONS AND PROCEDURES GOVERNING ITS EXCHANGE FOR CERTIFICATED NOTES, ARE AS SPECIFIED IN THE INDENTURE (AS DEFINED HEREIN).”
(h)Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note of a series have been exchanged for Definitive Notes for the same series or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or cancelled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or retained and cancelled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note of a series is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, in either case for the same series, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note of such series, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.
(i)General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.
(i)To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof or at the Registrar’s request.
(ii)No service charge shall be made to a holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note or to a Holder of a Definitive Note for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Issuer may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.07, 2.10, 3.06, 4.14 and 9.05 hereof).
(iii)Neither the Registrar nor the Issuer shall be required (A) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the mailing or transmission of a notice of redemption of the Notes to be redeemed under Section 3.03 hereof and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing or transmission, (B) to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of
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any Note being redeemed in part, (C) to register the transfer or exchange of a Note between a Record Date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date or (D) to register the transfer or exchange of any Notes tendered (and not withdrawn) for repurchase in connection with a Change of Control Offer.
(iv)Neither the Registrar nor the Issuer shall be required to register the transfer or exchange of any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part; provided that new Notes will only be issued in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000.
(v)All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive Notes shall be the valid obligations of the Issuer, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Global Notes or Definitive Notes for the same series surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
(vi)Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Issuer shall deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such Notes and for all other purposes, and none of the Trustee, any Agent or the Issuer shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
(vii)Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Note at the office or agency of the Issuer designated pursuant to Section 4.02 hereof, the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more replacement Notes of any authorized denomination or denominations of a like aggregate principal amount.
(viii)At the option of the Holder, subject to Section 2.06(a) hereof, Notes may be exchanged for other Notes of any authorized denomination or denominations of a like aggregate principal amount upon surrender of the Notes to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Global Notes or Definitive Notes are so surrendered for exchange, the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail, the replacement Global Notes and Definitive Notes for the same series which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02 hereof.
(ix)All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted pursuant to this Section 2.06 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by mail or by facsimile or electronic transmission.
(x)Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, neither the Trustee nor the Registrar shall be responsible for ascertaining whether any transfer complies with the registration provisions of or exemptions from the Securities Act, applicable state securities laws, ERISA (or, in the case of a governmental plan or a church plan (as described in ERISA Sections 3(32) and 3(33), respectively) any substantially similar federal, state or local law), the Code or the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; provided that if a certificate is specifically required by the express terms of this Section 2.06 to be delivered to the Trustee by a purchaser or transferee of a Note, the Trustee shall be under a duty to receive and examine the same to determine whether on its face it conforms to the express terms of this Indenture and shall promptly notify the party delivering the same if such certificate does not comply with such terms.
Section 2.07. Replacement Notes. If either (x) any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee, the Registrar or the Issuer, or (y) the Issuer and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the ownership and destruction, loss or theft of any Note, then the Issuer shall issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order and satisfaction of any other requirements of the Trustee, shall authenticate a replacement Note. If required by the Trustee or the Issuer, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of both (i) the Trustee to protect the Trustee and (ii) the Issuer to protect the Issuer, the Trustee, any Agent and any
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authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Issuer and the Trustee may charge the Holder for their expenses in replacing a Note.
Every replacement Note is a contractual obligation of the Issuer and shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes of the same series duly issued hereunder.
Section 2.08. Outstanding Notes. The Notes of a series outstanding at any time are all the Notes of such series authenticated by the Trustee except for those cancelled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note of such series effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof and those described in this Section 2.08 as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.09 hereof, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Issuer or a Guarantor or an Affiliate of the Issuer or a Guarantor holds the Note.
If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a protected purchaser (as defined in Section 8-303 of the Uniform Commercial Code).
Notes in exchange for or in lieu of which other Notes have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture shall not be deemed to be outstanding for purposes hereof.
If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01 hereof, such Note shall cease to be outstanding and interest thereon shall cease to accrue.
If the Paying Agent (other than the Issuer or a Guarantor or an Affiliate of the Issuer or a Guarantor) holds, on a Redemption Date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay Notes (or portions thereof) payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes (or portions thereof) shall be deemed to be no longer outstanding (including for accounting purposes) and shall cease to accrue interest on and after such date.
Section 2.09. Treasury Notes. In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes of a series have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes of such series owned by the Issuer or by any Affiliate of the Issuer, shall be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes of such series that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Notes so owned which have been pledged in good faith shall not be disregarded if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to deliver any such direction, waiver or consent with respect to such pledged Notes and that the pledgee is not the Issuer or a Guarantor or any Affiliate of the Issuer or a Guarantor.
Section 2.10. Temporary Notes. Until certificates representing Notes are ready for delivery, the Issuer may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of certificated Notes but may have variations that the Issuer considers appropriate for temporary Notes. Without unreasonable delay, the Issuer shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate definitive Notes of a series in exchange for temporary Notes of the same series.
Holders and beneficial holders, as the case may be, of temporary Notes of a series shall be entitled to all of the benefits accorded to Holders, or beneficial holders, respectively, of Notes of the same series under this Indenture.
Section 2.11. Cancellation. The Issuer at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee or, at the direction of the Trustee, the Registrar or the Paying Agent and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall dispose of such cancelled Notes in its customary manner (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act). Certification of the cancellation of all cancelled Notes shall be delivered to the
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Issuer upon its written request therefor. The Issuer may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that they have paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.
Section 2.12. Defaulted Interest. If the Issuer defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes of a series, they shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes of such series and in Section 4.01 hereof. The Issuer shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note of such series and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Issuer shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such defaulted interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such defaulted interest as provided in this Section 2.12. The Issuer shall fix or cause to be fixed any such special record date and payment date; provided that no such special record date shall be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. The Issuer shall promptly notify the Trustee of any such special record date. At least 10 days before any such special record date, the Issuer (or, upon the written request of the Issuer, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuer) shall mail or cause to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, or otherwise deliver in accordance with the Applicable Procedures, to each Holder of Notes of such series, with a copy to the Trustee, a notice at his or her address as it appears in the Note Register for such series that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.12 and for greater certainty, each Note of a series delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Note for the same series shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Note of such series.
Section 2.13. CUSIP Numbers; ISINs. The Issuer in issuing the Notes may use CUSIP numbers and ISINs (in each case, if then generally in use) and, if so, the Trustee shall use CUSIP numbers and ISINs in notices of redemption or exchange as a convenience to Holders; provided 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 redemption or exchange and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Issuer will as promptly as practicable notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP numbers or ISINs.
ARTICLE 3
REDEMPTION
Section 3.01. Notices to Trustee. If the Issuer elects to redeem or purchase Notes of a series pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof, it shall furnish to the Trustee, at least two Business Days (unless a shorter notice shall be agreed to by the Trustee) before notice of redemption or offer to purchase is required to be delivered or mailed to Holders pursuant to Section 3.03 hereof, an Officer’s Certificate setting forth (a) the paragraph or subparagraph of such Note and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption or purchase shall occur, (b) the date of redemption (as such date may be delayed pursuant to Section 3.07(i), the “Redemption Date”) or the date of purchase, (c) the principal amount of the Notes and the series of Notes to be redeemed or purchased and (d) the redemption or purchase price.
Section 3.02. Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased. If less than all of the Notes of a series are to be redeemed or purchased at any time, the Trustee shall select the Notes of such series to be redeemed or purchased (a) if the Notes of such series are listed on a securities exchange (and such listing is known to the Trustee), in compliance with the requirements of such exchange on which the Notes of such series are listed or (b) on a pro rata basis to the extent practicable, or, if the pro rata basis is not practicable for any reason, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and otherwise in accordance with the Applicable Procedures in minimum denominations of $2,000 and increments of $1,000 in excess thereof. In the event of partial redemption by lot, the particular Notes of such series to be redeemed shall be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less
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than 10 days nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee from the outstanding Notes of such series not previously called for redemption.
The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuer in writing of the Notes of a series selected for redemption or purchase and, in the case of any Note of such series selected for partial redemption or purchase, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed or purchased. Notes and portions of Notes selected shall be in integral multiples of $1,000 (but in a minimum amount of $2,000) and no Notes of $2,000 or less can be redeemed or purchased in part, except that if all of the applicable Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed or purchased, the entire outstanding amount of Notes of such series held by such Holder shall be redeemed or purchased, even if not in a principal amount of at least $2,000. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption or required to be purchased also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption or required to be purchased. For the avoidance of doubt, the Issuer may elect, at its sole discretion, to redeem only 2029 Notes, only 2032 Notes, or any combination thereof.
Section 3.03. Notice of Redemption or Purchase. The Issuer shall send electronically, mail or cause to be mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, notices of redemption or purchase at least 10 days but (except as set forth in Section 3.07(i)) not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date or date of purchase to each Holder of Notes of a series to be redeemed or purchased at such Holder’s registered address stated in the Note Register or otherwise in accordance with the Applicable Procedures, except that redemption or purchase notices may be delivered or mailed more than 60 days prior to a Redemption Date or date of purchase if the notice is issued in connection with Article 8 or Article 11 hereof. Notices of redemption or purchase may, at the Issuer’s discretion, be conditional.
The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed or purchased and the applicable series and shall state:
(a)the Redemption Date or date of purchase;
(b)the redemption or purchase price;
(c)if any Definitive Note is to be redeemed or purchased in part only, the portion of the principal amount of that Note that is to be redeemed or purchased and that, after the Redemption Date or date of purchase upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of the original Note representing the same indebtedness to the extent not redeemed or purchased will be issued in the name of the Holder upon cancellation of the original Note; provided that new Notes will only be issued in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000;
(d)the name and address of the Paying Agent;
(e)that Notes called for redemption or purchase must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption or purchase price;
(f)that, unless the Issuer defaults in making such redemption or purchase payment, interest on Notes called for redemption or purchase ceases to accrue on and after the Redemption Date or the date of purchase;
(g)the paragraph or subparagraph of the Notes and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption or purchase are being redeemed or purchased;
(h)the CUSIP number and ISIN, if any, printed on the Notes being redeemed or purchased and that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of any such CUSIP number and ISIN that is listed in such notice or printed on the Notes; and
(i)any conditions to such redemption or purchase.
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In addition, any notice of redemption or purchase may include additional information, including any information pursuant to Section 3.07(i) hereof.
At the Issuer’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption or purchase in the Issuer’s name and at its expense; provided that the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least two Business Days before notice of redemption is required to be delivered electronically, mailed or caused to be mailed to Holders pursuant to this Section 3.03 (unless a shorter notice shall be agreed to by the Trustee), 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.
If the Notes of a series are listed on an exchange, for so long as such Notes are so listed and the rules of such exchange so require, the Issuer shall notify the exchange of any such redemption or purchase and, if applicable, of the principal amount of any Notes of such series outstanding following any partial redemption or purchase of the Notes of such series.
Section 3.04. Effect of Notice of Redemption or Purchase. A notice of redemption or purchase, if delivered electronically, mailed or caused to be mailed in a manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to deliver such notice or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Note designated for redemption or purchase in whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption or purchase of any other Note of the same series. Notes or portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase shall become due and payable on the Redemption Date or purchase date, subject to satisfaction of any conditions specified in the notice. Subject to Section 3.05 hereof, on and after the Redemption Date or purchase date, interest shall cease to accrue on Notes or portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase, as applicable.
Section 3.05. Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price.
(a)Prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the Redemption Date or purchase date, the Issuer shall deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption or purchase price of and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes to be redeemed or repurchased on that Redemption Date or purchase date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent shall 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 and unpaid interest on, all Notes to be redeemed or purchased.
(b)If the Issuer complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph (a), on and after the Redemption Date or purchase date, interest shall 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 applicable Record Date but on or prior to the related Interest Payment Date, then any accrued and unpaid interest to the Redemption Date or purchase date, as applicable, shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such Record Date. If any Note called for redemption or purchase shall not be 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 Date or purchase date, as applicable, until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest accrued to the Redemption Date or purchase date, as applicable, not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof.
Section 3.06. Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part. Upon surrender of a Definitive Note of a series that is redeemed or purchased in part, the Issuer shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder, at the expense of the Issuer, a new Note for the same series equal in principal amount to the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered representing the same indebtedness to the extent not redeemed or purchased; provided that each new Note will be in a minimum principal amount of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000. It is understood that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture, only an Authentication Order and not an Opinion of Counsel or Officer’s Certificate is required for the Trustee to authenticate such new Note.
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Section 3.07. Optional Redemption.
(a)Except as set forth in clauses (b), (c), (f), (g) and (h) of this Section 3.07, as applicable, the 2029 Notes will not be redeemable at the Issuer’s option prior to April 1, 2026 and the 2032 Notes will not be redeemable at the Issuer’s option prior to April 1, 2027.
(b)At any time prior to April 1, 2026, the Issuer may, at its option, and on one or more occasions, redeem all or a part of the 2029 Notes, upon notice in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, at a redemption price equal to the sum of (A) 100.0% of the principal amount of the 2029 Notes redeemed, plus (B) the 2029 Applicable Premium as of the Redemption Date, plus (C) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the 2029 Notes on the relevant Interest Payment Date falling prior to or on the Redemption Date.
(c)At any time prior to April 1, 2027, the Issuer may, at its option, and on one or more occasions, redeem all or a part of the 2032 Notes, upon notice in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, at a redemption price equal to the sum of (A) 100.0% of the principal amount of the 2032 Notes redeemed, plus (B) the 2032 Applicable Premium as of the Redemption Date, plus (C) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the 2032 Notes on the relevant Interest Payment Date falling prior to or on the Redemption Date.
(d)On and after April 1, 2026, the Issuer may, at its option and on one or more occasions, redeem the 2029 Notes, in whole or in part, upon notice in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount of the 2029 Notes to be redeemed) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to, but excluding, the applicable Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date falling prior to or on the Redemption Date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on April 1 of each of the years indicated below:
| Year | Percentage | |||||||
| 2026 | 102.938% | |||||||
| 2027 | 101.469% | |||||||
| 2028 and thereafter | 100.000% | |||||||
(e)On and after April 1, 2027, the Issuer may, at its option and on one or more occasions, redeem the 2032 Notes, in whole or in part, upon notice in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount of the 2032 Notes to be redeemed) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to, but excluding, the applicable Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date falling prior to or on the Redemption Date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on April 1 of each of the years indicated below:
| Year | Percentage | |||||||
| 2027 | 103.063% | |||||||
| 2028 | 101.531% | |||||||
| 2029 and thereafter | 100.000% | |||||||
(f)On or prior to April 1, 2026, the Issuer may, at its option and on one or more occasions, redeem up to 40.0% of the aggregate principal amount of 2029 Notes issued under this Indenture at a redemption price equal to 105.875% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2029 Notes redeemed, with an amount not to exceed the net cash proceeds received by the Issuer from one or more Equity Offerings or a contribution to the Issuer’s common equity capital made with the net cash proceeds of an Equity Offering, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but
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excluding, the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the 2029 Notes on the relevant Interest Payment Date falling prior to or on the Redemption Date; provided that (A) at least 50.0% of (x) the aggregate principal amount of 2029 Notes originally issued under this Indenture on the Issue Date and (y) the aggregate principal amount of any 2029 Additional Notes issued under this Indenture after the Issue Date remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption (unless all such 2029 Notes are redeemed or repurchased substantially concurrently); and (B) each such redemption occurs within 180 days of the date of closing of each such Equity Offering.
(g)On or prior to April 1, 2027, the Issuer may, at its option and on one or more occasions, redeem up to 40.0% of the aggregate principal amount of 2032 Notes issued under this Indenture at a redemption price equal to 106.125% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2032 Notes redeemed, with an amount not to exceed the net cash proceeds received by the Issuer from one or more Equity Offerings or a contribution to the Issuer’s common equity capital made with the net cash proceeds of an Equity Offering, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the 2032 Notes on the relevant Interest Payment Date falling prior to or on the Redemption Date; provided that (A) at least 50.0% of (x) the aggregate principal amount of 2032 Notes originally issued under this Indenture on the Issue Date and (y) the aggregate principal amount of any 2032 Additional Notes issued under this Indenture after the Issue Date remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption (unless all such 2032 Notes are redeemed or repurchased substantially concurrently); and (B) each such redemption occurs within 180 days of the date of closing of each such Equity Offering.
(h)In connection with any tender offer for the Notes of a series, including, without limitation, any Change of Control Offer or Alternate Offer, if Holders of not less than 90% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes of such series 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 of such series 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 of such series that remain outstanding following such purchase at a price equal to the price offered to each other Holder in such tender offer (which may be less than par and shall exclude any early tender premium or similar premium and any accrued and unpaid interest paid to any Holder that participated in such tender offer payment) plus, to the extent not included in the tender offer payment, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.
(i)Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 hereof. Notice of any redemption or offer to purchase, whether in connection with an Equity Offering, Change of Control, Alternate Offer or other transaction or event or otherwise, may be given prior to the completion or occurrence thereof, and any such redemption, offer to purchase or notice may, at the Issuer’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent (including conditions precedent applicable to different amounts of Notes redeemed or required to be purchased), including, but not limited to, completion or occurrence of the related Equity Offering, Change of Control or other transaction or event, as the case may be. The Issuer may redeem the Notes of a series pursuant to one or more of the relevant provisions in this Section 3.07, and a single notice of redemption may be delivered with respect to redemptions made pursuant to different provisions. Any such notice may provide that redemptions made pursuant to different provisions may have different Redemption Dates and, with respect to redemptions that occur on the same date, may specify the order in which such redemptions are deemed to occur. In addition, if such redemption or offer to purchase is subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall state that, in the Issuer’s discretion, the Redemption Date or purchase date may be delayed until such time (including more than 60 days after the date the notice of redemption or offer to purchase was sent) as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied (or waived by the Issuer in its sole discretion), 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 (or waived by the Issuer in its sole discretion) by the Redemption Date or purchase date, or by the Redemption Date or purchase date so delayed, or that such notice or offer may be rescinded at any time in the Issuer’s sole discretion if the Issuer determines that any or all such conditions will not be satisfied or waived. For the avoidance of doubt, if any Redemption Date shall be delayed pursuant to this Section 3.07(i) and the terms of the applicable notice of redemption, such Redemption Date as so delayed may occur at any time after
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the original Redemption Date set forth in the applicable notice of redemption and after the satisfaction of any applicable conditions precedent, including, without limitation, on a date that is more than 60 days after the date of the applicable notice of redemption. In addition, the Issuer may provide in such notice or offer that payment of the redemption or purchase price and performance of the Issuer’s obligations with respect to such redemption or purchase may be performed by another Person. The Issuer and its Affiliates may acquire the Notes of any series by means other than a redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07, whether by tender offer, open market purchases, negotiated transactions or otherwise.
(j)The Trustee shall have no duty to calculate or verify the calculation of the Applicable Premium.
Section 3.08. [Reserved].
ARTICLE 4
COVENANTS
Section 4.01. Payment of Notes. The Issuer shall pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes and this Indenture. Principal, premium, if any, and interest shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Issuer or a Guarantor or an Affiliate of the Issuer or a Guarantor, holds as of noon (New York City time) on the due date money deposited by the Issuer in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest then due.
The Issuer shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at the rate equal to the then applicable interest rate on the Notes of the applicable series to the extent lawful; the Issuer shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful.
Section 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Issuer shall maintain the offices or agencies (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee, Registrar or Transfer Agent) required under Section 2.03 hereof where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange or presented for payment and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuer in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be delivered. The Issuer shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of 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, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office; provided, however, that no service of legal process may be made on the Issuer at any office of the Trustee.
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 such designations; provided that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Issuer of its obligation to maintain such offices or agencies as required by Section 2.03 hereof for such purposes. The Issuer shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.
The Issuer hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office as one such office or agency of the Issuer in accordance with Section 2.03 hereof.
Section 4.03. Reports and Other Information.
(a)Notwithstanding that the Issuer may not be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or otherwise report on an annual and quarterly basis on forms provided for such annual
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and quarterly reporting pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, the Issuer shall file with the SEC (with a copy to the Trustee unless filed and available on the SEC’s EDGAR website) from and after the Issue Date:
(i)within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, annual reports on Form 10-K, or any successor or comparable form (if the Issuer had been a reporting company under Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act), containing substantially all the information that would be required to be contained therein, or required in such successor or comparable form;
(ii)within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year, reports on Form 10-Q, or any successor or comparable form (if the Issuer had been a reporting company under Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act), containing substantially all the quarterly information that would be required to be contained in Form 10-Q, or any successor or comparable form;
(iii)promptly after the occurrence of a material event which would have been required to be reported on a Form 8-K or any successor or comparable form (if the Issuer had been a reporting company under Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act), a current report relating to such event on Form 8-K or any successor or comparable form;
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 included or incorporated by reference in the Offering Memorandum); provided, however, that if at any time the Issuer shall not be so obligated to file such reports referred to in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above with the SEC or if the SEC does not permit such filing, then the Issuer shall make available such information to the Trustee, the Holders and prospective purchasers of Notes, in each case within 10 days after the time the Issuer would be required to file such information with the SEC if it were subject to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. In addition, to the extent not satisfied by the foregoing, for so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Issuer 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)The Issuer may satisfy its obligations under this Section 4.03 with respect to financial information relating to the Issuer by furnishing financial information relating to HLT Parent or HWP (or any parent entity of HLT Parent or HWP) as long as HLT Parent or HWP (or any such parent entity of HLT Parent or HWP) provides a Guarantee of the Notes.
(c)If with respect to any reporting period(s) covered in the applicable report, the Issuer’s Unrestricted Subsidiaries would, individually or in the aggregate, constitute a “significant subsidiary” (as such term is defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act (as such regulation is in effect on the Issue Date)), then the applicable annual and quarterly financial information required by clauses (a)(i) and (a)(ii) above shall include a supplemental section in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” presenting (in a manner consistent with the Issuer’s historical practice) selected financial measures of such Unrestricted Subsidiaries in the aggregate (separate from the financial information of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries).
(d)Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Issuer will not be deemed to have failed to comply with any of its obligations hereunder for purposes of clause (iii) of Section 6.01(a) hereof until 120 days after the receipt of the written notice delivered thereunder.
To the extent any information is not provided within the time periods specified in this Section 4.03 and such information is subsequently provided, the Issuer 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.
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Section 4.04. Compliance Certificate.
(a)The Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year ending after the Issue Date (or 120 days for the first fiscal year ending after the Issue Date), a certificate from its principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer stating that a review of the activities of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries (including the Issuer) during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officer with a view to determining whether the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled their respective obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge, on behalf of the Issuer, the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled in all material respects each and every condition and covenant contained in this Indenture during such fiscal year and no Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to any of the terms, provisions, covenants and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default shall have occurred and is continuing, describing all such Defaults of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Issuer is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto).
(b)When any Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture, or if the Trustee or the holder of any other evidence of Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Subsidiary gives any notice or takes any other action with respect to a claimed Default, the Issuer shall promptly (which shall be no more than 20 Business Days after becoming aware of such Default) deliver to the Trustee by registered or certified mail or by facsimile transmission an Officer’s Certificate specifying such event and what action the Issuer proposes to take with respect thereto.
Section 4.05. Taxes. The Issuer shall pay or discharge, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay or discharge, prior to delinquency, all material taxes, lawful assessments, and governmental levies except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate actions or where the failure to effect such payment or discharge is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.
Section 4.06. Stay, Extension and Usury Laws. The Issuer and each of the Guarantors covenant (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) that they shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture and the Notes; and the Issuer and each of the Guarantors (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waive all benefit or advantage of any such law, and (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) covenant that they shall not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.
Section 4.07. [Reserved].
Section 4.08. [Reserved].
Section 4.09. [Reserved].
Section 4.10. [Reserved].
Section 4.11. [Reserved].
Section 4.12. Liens. The Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien (except Permitted Liens) that secures Obligations under any Indebtedness or any related guarantee of Indebtedness, on any asset or property of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, or any income or profits therefrom, or assign or convey any right to receive income therefrom, unless:
(a)in the case of Liens securing Subordinated Indebtedness, the Notes and related Guarantees of the applicable series are secured by a Lien on such property, assets or proceeds that is senior in priority to such Liens; and
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(b)in all other cases, the Notes or the Guarantees of the applicable series are equally and ratably secured,
except that the foregoing shall not apply to or restrict Liens securing obligations in respect of the Notes and the related Guarantees of such series.
Any Lien created for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes pursuant to this Section 4.12 shall be deemed automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon the release and discharge of each of the Liens described in clauses (a) and (b) above.
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 outstanding 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 principal 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 4.13. Company Existence. Subject to Article 5 hereof, the Issuer shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence, and the corporate, partnership, limited liability company or other existence of each of its Restricted Subsidiaries (including the Issuer), in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time) of the Issuer or any such Restricted Subsidiary; provided that the Issuer shall not be required to preserve the corporate, partnership or other existence of its Restricted Subsidiaries, if the Issuer in good faith shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. For the avoidance of doubt, the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries will be permitted to change their organizational form; provided that for so long as an Issuer is organized as a partnership or a limited liability company, it will maintain a corporate co-issuer of the Notes.
Section 4.14. Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control Triggering Event. If a Change of Control Triggering Event occurs with respect to the Notes of a series, unless the Issuer has previously or concurrently sent a redemption notice with respect to all the outstanding Notes of such series as described under Sections 3.03 and 3.07 hereof, the Issuer shall make an offer to purchase all of the Notes of such series pursuant to the offer described below (the “Change of Control Offer”) at a price in cash equal to 101.0% of the aggregate principal amount thereof (or such higher amount as the Issuer may determine (any Change of Control Offer at a higher amount, an “Alternate Offer”)) (such price, the “Change of Control Payment”) plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of purchase, subject to the right of Holders of record of the Notes of such series on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date falling prior to or on the purchase date. Within 30 days following any Change of Control Triggering Event, the Issuer will send (or cause to be sent) notice of such Change of Control Offer electronically or by first-class mail, with a copy to the Trustee, to each Holder of Notes of such series to the address of such Holder appearing in the Note Register or otherwise delivered in accordance with the Applicable Procedures with the following information:
(a)that a Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 4.14 and that all Notes of such series properly tendered pursuant to such Change of Control Offer will be accepted for payment by the Issuer;
(b)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 sent (the “Change of Control Payment Date”), except in the case of a conditional Change of Control Offer made in advance of a Change of Control Triggering Event in accordance with clause (l) of this Section 4.14;
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(c)that any Note of such series not properly tendered will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest;
(d)that unless the Issuer defaults in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Notes of such series accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer shall cease to accrue interest on the Change of Control Payment Date;
(e)that Holders electing to have any Notes of such series purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer shall be required to surrender such Notes, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of such Notes completed or otherwise in accordance with the Applicable Procedures, 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;
(f)[Reserved];
(g)that Holders whose Notes are being purchased only in part shall be issued new Notes of such series and such new Notes will be equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered. The unpurchased portion of the Notes must be equal to at least $2,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000;
(h)if such notice is delivered prior to the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event, stating that the Change of Control Offer is conditional on the occurrence of such Change of Control Triggering Event and shall describe each such condition, and, if applicable, shall state that, in the Issuer’s discretion, the Change of Control Payment Date may be delayed until such time (including more than 60 days after the notice is sent) as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied or waived, or that such repurchase may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied or waived by the Change of Control Payment Date, or by the Change of Control Payment Date as so delayed, or such notice or offer may be rescinded at any time in the Issuer’s sole discretion if the Issuer determines that any or all of such conditions will not be satisfied; and
(i)any other instructions, as determined by the Issuer, consistent with this Section 4.14 that a Holder must follow in order to have the Notes repurchased.
The notice, if delivered electronically or mailed in a manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. If (a) the notice is delivered or mailed in a manner herein provided and (b) any Holder fails to receive such notice or a Holder receives such notice but it is defective, such Holder’s failure to receive such notice or such defect shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the purchase of the Notes as to all other Holders that properly received such notice without defect. The Issuer shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws or regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase by the Issuer of Notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Indenture, the Issuer shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations described in this Indenture by virtue thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuer may rely on any no-action letters issued by the SEC indicating that the staff of the SEC will not recommend enforcement action in the event a tender offer satisfies certain conditions.
(j)On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Issuer shall, to the extent permitted by law:
(i)accept for payment all Notes of the applicable series issued by it or portions thereof properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;
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(ii)deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the aggregate Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes of such series or portions thereof so tendered and not validly withdrawn; and
(iii)deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee for cancellation the Notes of such series 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 Issuer.
(k)The Issuer shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control Triggering Event if (i) 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 validly withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer or (ii) in connection with or in contemplation of any Change of Control, the Issuer has made an Alternate Offer to purchase any and all Notes validly tendered at a cash price equal to or higher than the Change of Control Payment and has purchased all Notes properly tendered in accordance with the terms of the Alternate Offer.
(l)Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Change of Control Offer (including, for the avoidance of doubt, an Alternate Offer) may be made in advance of a Change of Control Triggering Event, conditional upon such Change of Control Triggering Event, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control Triggering Event at the time of making of the Change of Control Offer or Alternate Offer.
(m)Other than as specifically provided in this Section 4.14, any purchase pursuant to this Section 4.14 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.02, 3.05 and 3.06 hereof, and references therein to “redeem,” “redemption,” “Redemption Date” and similar words shall be deemed to refer to “purchase,” “repurchase” and “Change of Control Payment Date” and similar words, as applicable.
The provisions of this Section 4.14 may be waived or modified with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of all the Notes of the applicable series then outstanding. With respect to the Notes of a series, a Change of Control Offer (including, for the avoidance of doubt, an Alternate Offer) may be made at the same time as consents are solicited with respect to an amendment, supplement or waiver of this Indenture, such series of Notes and/or the applicable Guarantees so long as the offer to purchase a Holder’s Notes of such series in the tender offer is not conditioned upon the delivery of consents by such Holder. In addition, the Issuer or any third party approved in writing by the Issuer that is making the Change of Control Offer (including, for the avoidance of doubt, an Alternate Offer) may increase or decrease the Change of Control Payment (or decline to pay any early tender or similar premium) being offered to Holders at any time in its sole discretion, so long as the Change of Control Payment is at least equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes of such series being repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon.
Section 4.15. Limitation on Guarantees of Indebtedness by Restricted Subsidiaries. The Issuer shall not permit any of its Wholly Owned Subsidiaries that are Restricted Subsidiaries (and non-Wholly Owned Subsidiaries if such non-Wholly Owned Subsidiaries guarantee other capital markets debt securities of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor), other than a Subsidiary Guarantor, a Foreign Subsidiary or a Securitization Subsidiary, to guarantee the payment of (i) Indebtedness incurred pursuant to any Credit Facilities by the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor or (ii) capital markets debt securities of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor unless:
(a)such Restricted Subsidiary within 60 days after the guarantee of such Indebtedness executes and delivers a supplemental indenture to this Indenture, the form of which is attached as Exhibit D hereto, providing for a Guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary, except that with respect to a guarantee of Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor, if such Indebtedness is by its express terms subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or such Guarantor’s Guarantee, any such guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary with respect to such Indebtedness shall be subordinated in right of payment to such Guarantee substantially to the same extent as such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes; and
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(b)such Restricted Subsidiary waives and shall not in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any rights of reimbursement, indemnity or subrogation or any other applicable rights against the Issuer or any other Restricted Subsidiary as a result of any payment by such Restricted Subsidiary under its Guarantee;
provided that this Section 4.15 shall not be applicable 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. The Issuer may elect, in its sole discretion, to cause any Subsidiary that is not otherwise required to be a Guarantor to become a Guarantor, in which case such Subsidiary shall not be required to comply with the 60 day period described in clause (a) of this Section 4.15.
The foregoing provisions in this Section 4.15 will not be applicable to guarantees of any Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50.0 million.
Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, no Opinion of Counsel shall be required to be delivered to the Trustee for an execution and delivery of a supplemental indenture the sole purpose of which is to add additional Guarantors.
Section 4.16. [Reserved].
Section 4.17. Sale and Lease-Back Transactions. The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, enter into any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction with respect to any of their property or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, unless:
(a)such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction was entered into prior to the Issue Date;
(b)such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction was for the sale and leasing back to the Issuer of such property or assets by one of its Restricted Subsidiaries, the sale and leasing back to one of the Issuer’s Restricted Subsidiaries by the Issuer or the sale and leasing back to one of the Issuer’s Restricted Subsidiaries by another Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer;
(c)such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction involves a lease for not more than three years, including renewals;
(d)the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary would (at the time of entering into such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction) be entitled (other than pursuant to clause (oo) of the definition of “Permitted Liens”) to incur Indebtedness secured by a Lien on such property or assets in an amount equal to the Attributable Debt with respect to such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction, without equally and ratably securing each series of Notes, pursuant to Section 4.12; provided that, in respect of Sale and Lease-Back Transactions entered into pursuant to this clause (d) in reliance on a ratio basket based on the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio or Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio, the Attributable Debt of the Issuer and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of such Sale and Lease-Back Transactions shall, in each case, be deemed to be Indebtedness secured by a Lien on the property of the Issuer and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries, as applicable, for purposes of calculating the availability under any basket, ratio or financial metric under this Indenture or compliance with any provision of this Indenture (including the absence of Defaults or Events of Default); or
(e)the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary applies an amount equal to the net proceeds from the sale of such property or assets to: (i) the purchase, construction, development, expansion or improvement of other property or assets, (ii) the prepayment, repayment, redemption, purchase or retirement of long-term Indebtedness for borrowed money of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than any such Indebtedness that is contractually subordinated to the Notes), (iii) the prepayment, repayment, redemption, purchase or retirement of the Notes, or (iv) any combination thereof, within 365 calendar days before or after the effective date of any such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction.
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ARTICLE 5
SUCCESSORS
Section 5.01. Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets.
(a)The Issuer may not consolidate or merge with or into or wind up into, consummate a Division as the Dividing Person (whether or not the Issuer is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of (including, in each case, by way of Division) all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:
(i)the Issuer is the surviving Person or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, winding up or Division (if other than the Issuer) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition will have been made, is a Person organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of the Issuer, as the case may be, or the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “Successor Company”); provided, that in the case where the surviving Person is not a corporation, a co-obligor of the Notes is a corporation;
(ii)the Successor Company, if other than the Issuer expressly assumes all the obligations of the Issuer under this Indenture and the Notes pursuant to supplemental indentures or other documents or instruments;
(iii)immediately after such transaction, no Default exists;
(iv)each Guarantor, unless it is the other party to the transactions described above (in which case clause (a)(ii) above shall apply), shall have by supplemental indenture confirmed that its Guarantee shall apply to such Person’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes; and
(v)the Issuer or, if applicable, the Successor Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, Division or transfer and such supplemental indentures, if any, comply with this Indenture.
(b)The Successor Company shall succeed to, and be substituted for, the Issuer under this Indenture, the Guarantees and the Notes, as applicable, and the Issuer will automatically be released and discharged from its obligations under this Indenture, the Guarantees and the Notes.
(c)Notwithstanding clause (iii) of Section 5.01(a) hereof:
(i)any Restricted Subsidiary may consolidate or amalgamate with or merge with or into or wind up into, consummate a Division as the Dividing Person or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to the Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor; and
(ii)the Issuer may merge with an Affiliate of the Issuer, or consummate a Division as the Dividing Person with an Affiliate of the Issuer solely for the purpose of reorganizing or reincorporating the Issuer in the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof so long as the amount of Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries is not increased thereby.
(d)[Reserved].
(e)Subject to Section 10.06 hereof, no Subsidiary Guarantor shall, and the Issuer shall not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, consolidate or merge with or into or wind up into or consummate a Division as the Dividing Person (whether or not such Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease,
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convey or otherwise dispose of (including, in each case, by way of Division) all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:
(i)such Guarantor is the surviving Person or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or Division (if other than such Guarantor) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition will have been made is a Person organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of such Guarantor, as applicable, or the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (such surviving Guarantor or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “Successor Person”);
(ii)the Successor Person, if other than such Guarantor, expressly assumes all the obligations of such Guarantor under this Indenture and such Guarantor’s related Guarantee pursuant to supplemental indentures or other documents or instruments;
(iii)immediately after such transaction, no Default exists; and
(iv)the Issuer 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 indentures, if any, comply with this Indenture.
(f)Subject to Section 10.06 hereof, the Successor Person shall succeed to, and be substituted for, such Guarantor under this Indenture and such Guarantor’s Guarantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Subsidiary Guarantor may (1) merge or consolidate with or into, wind up into or consummate a Division as the Dividing Person or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to another Subsidiary Guarantor or the Issuer, (2) merge or consummate a Division as the Dividing Person with an Affiliate of the Issuer solely for the purpose of reorganizing the Subsidiary Guarantor in the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof, (3) convert into a corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company or trust organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of such Subsidiary Guarantor or (4) liquidate or dissolve or change its legal form if the Issuer determines in good faith that such action is in the best interests of the Issuer, in each case, without regard to the requirements set forth in Section 5.01(e). Each of HWP and HLT Parent may merge with an Affiliate of the Issuer solely for the purpose of reincorporating or reorganizing HWP, HLT Parent or the Issuer, as the case may be, in the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 5.01, the Issuer may contribute or transfer the Capital Stock of any or all of its Subsidiaries to any Subsidiary Guarantor.
Section 5.02. Successor Person Substituted. Upon any consolidation, merger or Division, or any sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with Section 5.01 hereof, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or Division or into or with which the Issuer or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, is merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, Division, sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to the Issuer or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, shall refer instead to the successor Person, as applicable, and not to the Issuer or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable), and may exercise every right and power of the Issuer or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person, as applicable, had been named as the Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, herein; provided that the predecessor Issuer shall not be relieved from the obligation to pay, or to Guarantee the payment of, as applicable, the principal of and interest on the Notes, except in the case of a sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Issuer’s assets, as applicable, that meets the requirements of Section 5.01 hereof.
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ARTICLE 6
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
Section 6.01. Events of Default.
(a)An “Event of Default,” wherever used herein, with respect to each series of Notes means any one of the following events:
(i)default in payment when due and payable, upon redemption, acceleration or otherwise, of principal of, or premium, if any, on the Notes of such series;
(ii)default for 30 consecutive days or more in the payment when due of interest on or with respect to the Notes of such series;
(iii)subject to Section 4.03(d) hereof, failure by the Issuer or any Guarantor for 60 days after receipt of written notice given by the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 30.0% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of such series to comply with any of its obligations, covenants or agreements (other than a default referred to in clause (i) or (ii) above) contained in this Indenture or the Notes of such series; provided, that no such notice may be given with respect to any action taken, and reported publicly or to the Holders of the Notes of such series, more than two years prior to such notice;
(iv)default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there is issued or by which there is secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than Indebtedness owed to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists or is created after the issuance of the Notes, if both:
(A)such default either results from the failure to pay any principal of such Indebtedness at its stated final maturity (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods) or relates to an obligation other than the obligation to pay principal of any such Indebtedness at its stated final maturity and results in the holder or holders of such Indebtedness causing such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity; and
(B)the principal amount of such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness in default for failure to pay principal at stated final maturity (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods), or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregate $225.0 million or more outstanding;
(v)failure by the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements of the Issuer for a fiscal quarter end provided as required under Section 4.03 hereof) would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $225.0 million (net of amounts covered by insurance policies issued by reputable insurance companies), which final judgments remain unpaid, undischarged and unstayed for a period of more than 60 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;
(vi)the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements of the Issuer for a fiscal quarter end provided as required under Section 4.03 hereof) would constitute a Significant Subsidiary), pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:
(A)commences proceedings to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent;
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(B)consents to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under applicable Bankruptcy Law;
(C)consents to the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of it or for all or substantially all of its property;
(D)makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or
(E)generally is not paying its debts as they become due;
(vii)a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(A)is for relief against the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements of the Issuer for a fiscal quarter end provided as required under Section 4.03 hereof) would constitute a Significant Subsidiary), in a proceeding in which the Issuer or any such Subsidiary or such group of Restricted Subsidiaries is to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent;
(B)appoints a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements of the Issuer for a fiscal quarter end provided as required under Section 4.03 hereof) would constitute a Significant Subsidiary), or for all or substantially all of the property of the Issuer or any such Significant Subsidiary or such group of Restricted Subsidiaries; or
(C)orders the liquidation of the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements of the Issuer for a fiscal quarter end provided as required under Section 4.03 hereof) would constitute a Significant Subsidiary);
and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days; or
(viii)the Guarantee of HLT Parent, HWP or any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements of the Issuer for a fiscal quarter end provided as required under Section 4.03 hereof) would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) of the Notes of such series shall for any reason cease to be in full force and effect or be declared null and void or any responsible officer of HLT Parent, HWP or any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary (or the responsible officers of any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements of the Issuer for a fiscal quarter end provided as required under Section 4.03 hereof) would constitute a Significant Subsidiary), as the case may be, denies in writing that it has any further liability under its Guarantee of the Notes of such series or gives written notice to such effect, other than by reason of the termination of this Indenture or the release of any such Guarantee in accordance with this Indenture.
(b)In the event of any Event of Default specified in clause (iv) of Section 6.01(a) hereof, such Event of Default and all consequences thereof (excluding any resulting payment default, other than as a result of acceleration of the Notes of a series) shall be annulled, waived and rescinded, automatically and without any action by the Trustee or the Holders, if within 30 days after such Event of Default arose:
(i)the Indebtedness or guarantee that is the basis for such Event of Default has been discharged;
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(ii)the requisite number of holders thereof have rescinded or waived the acceleration, notice or action (as the case may be) giving rise to such Event of Default; or
(iii)the default that is the basis for such Event of Default has been cured.
Section 6.02. Acceleration. If any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default of the type specified in clause (vi) or (vii) of Section 6.01(a) hereof) occurs with respect to the Notes of a series and is continuing under this Indenture, the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 30.0% in aggregate principal amount of all the then outstanding Notes of the affected series may, by notice to the Issuer and the Trustee, in either case specifying in such notice the respective Event of Default and that such notice is a “notice of acceleration”, declare the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other monetary obligations on all the then outstanding Notes of such series to be due and payable immediately.
Upon the effectiveness of such declaration, such principal of and premium, if any, and interest for such series of Notes will be due and payable immediately.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising under clause (vi) or (vii) of Section 6.01(a) hereof, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable without further action or notice. The Trustee may withhold from the Holders notice of any continuing Default, except a Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. In addition, subject to Section 6.05, the Trustee will have no obligation to accelerate the Notes of a series if in the judgment of the Trustee acceleration is not in the interests of the Holders of all of the Notes of such series.
Section 6.03. Other Remedies. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing in respect of a series of Notes, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the applicable series of Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes of such series 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 of a Note 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. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.
Section 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults. Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all the Notes of a series then outstanding, by written notice to the Trustee (with a copy to the Issuer, provided that any waiver or rescission under this Section 6.04 shall be valid and binding notwithstanding the failure to provide a copy of such notice to the Issuer) may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes of such series waive any existing Default and its consequences under this Indenture with respect to such series (except a continuing Default in the payment of interest on, premium, if any, or the principal of any Note of such series held by a non-consenting Holder) (including in connection with a Change of Control Offer) and rescind any acceleration with respect to the Notes of such series and its consequences under this Indenture (except if such rescission would conflict with any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction). Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist with respect to the Notes of such series, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured with respect to the Notes of such series for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereto.
Section 6.05. Control by Majority. Subject to Section 7.01(e) hereof, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all the then outstanding Notes of a series, may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee with respect to the Notes of such series or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Notes of such series and the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holder or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability.
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Section 6.06. Limitation on Suits. Subject to Section 6.07 hereof, no Holder of a Note of any series may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes of such series unless:
(a)such Holder has previously given the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default is continuing;
(b)the Holders of at least 30.0% in the aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of such series have requested in writing the Trustee to pursue the remedy;
(c)the Holders of the Notes of such series have offered the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;
(d)the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt thereof and the offer of security or indemnity; and
(e)the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all the then outstanding Notes of such series have not given the Trustee a direction in writing inconsistent with such written request within such 60-day period.
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 to the Issuer and the Trustee that such Holder is not Net Short (a “Position Representation”), which representation, in the case of a Noteholder Direction relating to a notice of Default shall be deemed repeated at all times until the resulting Event of Default is cured or otherwise ceases to exist or the Notes of a series are accelerated. In addition, each Directing Holder must, at the time of providing a Noteholder Direction, 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”). Notwithstanding anything otherwise to the contrary, in any case in which the Holder is DTC or its nominee, any Position Representation or Verification Covenant required hereunder shall be provided by the beneficial owner of the Notes of such series in lieu of DTC or its nominee and such beneficial owner shall provide proof of its holdings in a manner satisfactory to the Trustee.
If, following the delivery of a Noteholder Direction, but prior to the acceleration of the Notes of such series, the Issuer determines in good faith that there is a reasonable basis to believe that 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 (“Litigation”) in a court of competent jurisdiction, attaching a copy of any related court filings, seeking a determination that such Directing Holder was, at such time, in breach of its Position Representation, and seeking to invalidate any Event of Default that resulted from the applicable Noteholder Direction, the cure period with respect to such Default shall be automatically stayed or reinstituted pending a final and non-appealable determination of a court of competent jurisdiction on such matter (a “Final Decision”). Once such an Officer’s Certificate has been provided to the Trustee, the Trustee shall take no further action pursuant to the related Noteholder Direction until a Final Decision. If, following the delivery of a Noteholder Direction, but prior to the acceleration of the Notes of such series, the Issuer determines in good faith that a Directing Holder has failed to satisfy its Verification Covenant and provides to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that such Directing Holder failed to satisfy its Verification Covenant (a “Verification Officer’s Certificate”), the cure period with respect to such Default shall be automatically stayed and the cure period with respect to any Event of Default that resulted from the applicable Noteholder Direction shall be automatically reinstituted and any remedy stayed pending satisfaction of such Verification Covenant, and the Trustee shall take no further action pursuant to the related Noteholder Direction until the Issuer provides a subsequent Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee that such Verification Covenant has been satisfied (a “Covenant Satisfaction Officer’s Certificate”). The Issuer shall promptly deliver a Covenant Satisfaction Officer’s Certificate following satisfaction by the applicable Directing Holder of its 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 the
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Notes of such series 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 Event of Default with respect to the Notes of such series 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 paragraph.
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 and shall have no liability for ceasing to take any action, staying any remedy or otherwise failing to act in accordance with a Noteholder Direction during the pendency of Litigation or a Noteholder Direction after a Verification Officer’s Certificate has been provided to it but prior to receipt of a Covenant Satisfaction Officer’s Certificate. The Trustee shall have no liability to the Issuer, any Holder or any other Person in acting in good faith on a Noteholder Direction.
Section 6.07. Rights of Holders to Receive Payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the contractual right expressly set forth in this Indenture or the applicable Notes of any Holder of a Note of each series to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Note of such series, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note of such series (including in connection with a Change of Control Offer), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be amended without the consent of such Holder.
Section 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a)(i) or (ii) hereof occurs and is continuing with respect to either series of Notes, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Issuer for the whole amount of principal of, premium, if any, and interest remaining unpaid on, the Notes of such series and interest on overdue principal on such series, if applicable, and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.
Section 6.09. Restoration of Rights and Remedies. If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceedings, the Issuer, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding has been instituted.
Section 6.10. Rights and Remedies Cumulative. Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes in Section 2.07 hereof, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.
Section 6.11. Delay or Omission Not Waiver. No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article 6 or by
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law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.
Section 6.12. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. The Trustee is authorized to 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 Issuer (or any other obligor upon the Notes including the Guarantors), their creditors or their property and shall be entitled and empowered to participate as a member in any official committee of creditors appointed in such matter and to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained 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, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.
Section 6.13. Priorities. If the Trustee or any Agent collects any money or property pursuant to this Article 6 with respect to the Notes of any series, it shall pay out the money or property in the following order:
(a)FIRST, to the Trustee, such Agent, their agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.07 hereof, including payment of all compensation, expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee or such Agent and the costs and expenses of collection;
(b)SECOND, to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes of such series for principal, premium, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes of such series for principal, premium, if any, and interest, respectively; and
(c)THIRD, to the Issuer or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct including a Guarantor, if applicable.
The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.13.
Section 6.14. 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 a 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 6.14 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of a Note pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10.0% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of the applicable series.
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ARTICLE 7
TRUSTEE
Section 7.01. Duties of Trustee.
(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to any series of Notes, the Trustee shall exercise such of 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:
(i) the duties of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and
(ii) in the absence of willful misconduct or negligence 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 or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not investigate or confirm the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).
(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(i) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.01;
(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved in a court of competent jurisdiction that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(iii) 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 6.02, 6.04 or 6.05 hereof.
(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 7.01.
(e) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless the Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.
(f) 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. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
Section 7.02. Rights of Trustee.
(a)The Trustee may conclusively rely upon any document 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, 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 the books, records and premises of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, personally or by agent or
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attorney at the sole cost of the Issuer and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.
(b)Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.
(c)The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent or attorney appointed with due care.
(d)The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.
(e)Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Issuer shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Issuer.
(f)None of the provisions of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise to incur any liability, financial or otherwise, in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers if an indemnity satisfactory to it against such risk or liability is not assured to it.
(g)The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default or Event of Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office, and such notice references the Notes of the series affected and this Indenture.
(h)In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.
(i)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 in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.
(j)[Reserved].
(k)Delivery of reports, information and documents (including without limitation reports contemplated under Section 4.03 hereof) to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuer’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates).
(l)The permissive rights of the Trustee to take certain actions under this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty unless so specified herein.
(m)The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, debenture, note or other paper or document unless requested in writing to do so by the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding, 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 the books, records and premises of the Issuer,
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personally or by agent or attorney, at the expense of the Issuer and shall incur no liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.
(n)The Trustee may request that 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, which Officer’s Certificate may be signed by any Person authorized to sign an Officer’s Certificate, including any Person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.
(o)The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fire; flood; terrorism; wars and other military disturbances; sabotage; epidemics; riots; loss or malfunction of utilities, computer (hardware or software) or communication services; strikes or similar labor disputes; and acts of civil or military authorities and governmental action.
(p)The Trustee shall have no duty to inquire as to the performance of the Issuer with respect to the covenants contained in Article 4, Section 1.07 and Section 1.08 or to make any calculation in connection therewith or in connection with any redemption of Notes. In addition, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Trustee shall have no obligation to monitor or verify compliance by the Issuer or any Guarantor with any other obligation or covenant under this Indenture.
Section 7.03. 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 or any of its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest (as such term is used in the Trust Indenture Act) it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue as Trustee (if this Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act) or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11 hereof.
Section 7.04. 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, it shall not be accountable for the Issuer’s use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Issuer or upon the Issuer’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.
Section 7.05. Notice of Defaults. If a Default occurs and is continuing with respect to a series of Notes and if it is known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall deliver to Holders of such series a notice of the Default within 90 days after it occurs, unless such Default shall have been cured or waived, or if discovered after 90 days, promptly thereafter. The Trustee may withhold from the Holders notice of any continuing Default, except a Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest.
Section 7.06. [Reserved].
Section 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity. The Issuer shall pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder as the parties shall agree in writing from time to time. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Issuer shall reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.
The Issuer and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, shall indemnify the Trustee and its officers, directors, employees, agents and any predecessor trustee and its officers, directors, employees and agents for, and hold the
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Trustee harmless against, any and all loss, damage, claims, liability or expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by it in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust and the performance of its duties hereunder (including the reasonable costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Issuer or any of the Guarantors (including this Section 7.07) or defending itself against any claim whether asserted by any Holder, the Issuer or any Guarantor, or liability in connection with the acceptance, exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder) (but excluding taxes imposed on such Persons in connection with compensation for such administration or performance). The Trustee shall notify the Issuer promptly of any claim of which a Responsible Officer has received written notice for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Issuer shall not relieve the Issuer or the Guarantors of their obligations hereunder. The Issuer shall defend the claim and the Trustee may have separate counsel and the Issuer shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. Neither the Issuer nor any Guarantor need reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense incurred by the Trustee through the Trustee’s own willful misconduct or negligence. Neither the Issuer nor any Guarantor need pay for any settlement made without its consent.
The obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors under this Section 7.07 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or the earlier resignation or removal of the Trustee.
To secure the payment obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except money or property held in trust to pay principal and interest on particular Notes. Such Lien shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.
When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a)(vi) or Section 6.01(a)(vii) hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the reasonable fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.
Section 7.08. Replacement of Trustee. A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08. The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Issuer. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Issuer in writing at least 30 calendar days prior to the date of such removal. The Issuer may remove the Trustee if:
(a)the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof;
(b)the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;
(c)a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or
(d)the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.
If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Issuer.
If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee (at the Issuer’s expense), the Issuer or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes, may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
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If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of 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 send a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee; provided all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Issuer’s obligations under Section 7.07 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.
Section 7.09. Successor Trustee by Merger, etc. If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.
Section 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification. There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has, together with its parent, a combined capital and surplus of at least $150.0 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.
This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of Trust Indenture Act Sections 310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to Trust Indenture Act Section 310(b).
Section 7.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuers. The Trustee is subject to Trust Indenture Act Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in Trust Indenture Act Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Trust Indenture Act Section 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.
ARTICLE 8
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
Section 8.01. Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. The Issuer may, at its option and at any time, elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof applied to all outstanding Notes of a series and all obligations of the Guarantors with respect to the Guarantees of such Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 8. To the extent the Issuer exercises its option to effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, such election may be made with respect to the 2029 Notes only, the 2032 Notes only, or any combination thereof.
Section 8.02. Legal Defeasance and Discharge. Upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02 with respect to the Notes of a series, the Issuer and the Guarantors shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes of such series and the related Guarantees and all Events of Default cured on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (“Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Issuer and the Guarantors shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes of such series, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in (a) and (b) below (it being understood that such Notes shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes), and to have satisfied all their other obligations under the Notes of such series and this Indenture including that of the Guarantors (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments
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acknowledging the same) and to have cured all then existing Events of Default, except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:
(a)the rights of Holders of Notes of such series to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes of such series when such payments are due solely out of the trust created pursuant to this Indenture referred to in Section 8.04 hereof;
(b)the Issuer’s obligations with respect to Notes of such series concerning issuing temporary Notes, registration of such Notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security payments held in trust;
(c)the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee, and the Issuer’s and the Guarantors’ obligations in connection therewith; and
(d)this Section 8.02.
Subject to compliance with this Article 8, the Issuer may exercise its option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 hereof.
Section 8.03. Covenant Defeasance. Upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03 with respect to the Notes of a series, the Issuer and the Guarantors shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from their obligations under Sections 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.12, 4.13, 4.14, 4.15 and 4.17 hereof, and clause (iv) of Section 5.01(a), and Section 5.01(e) hereof with respect to all outstanding Notes of such series and the related Guarantees, on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof are satisfied (“Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes of such series shall 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 shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that the Notes of such series shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to all outstanding Notes of a series and the related 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 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture with respect to such series, the Notes of such series and the related Guarantees shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03 hereof, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, Section 6.01(a)(iii) (solely with respect to the covenants that are released upon a Covenant Defeasance), 6.01(a)(iv), 6.01(a)(v), 6.01(a)(vi) (solely with respect to Restricted Subsidiaries (other than the Issuer) subject thereto), 6.01(a)(vii) (solely with respect to Restricted Subsidiaries (other than the Issuer) subject thereto) and 6.01(a)(viii) hereof shall not constitute Events of Default.
Section 8.04. Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance. The following shall be the conditions to the application of either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof to the outstanding Notes of a series:
In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance with respect to the Notes of a series:
(a)the Issuer must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of Notes of such series, cash in U.S. dollars, U.S. Government Securities, 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 due on the Notes of such series on the stated maturity date or on the Redemption Date, as the case may be, of such principal, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes of such series and the Issuer must specify whether such Notes are being defeased to maturity or to a particular Redemption Date; provided that upon any redemption that requires the payment of the Applicable Premium with respect to any series of Notes, the amount deposited shall be sufficient for
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purposes of this Indenture to the extent that an amount is deposited with the Trustee equal to such Applicable Premium calculated as of the date of the notice of redemption, with any deficit as of the Redemption Date (any such amount, the “Applicable Premium Deficit”) only required to be deposited with the Trustee on or prior to the Redemption Date. Any Applicable Premium Deficit shall be set forth in an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee simultaneously with the deposit of such Applicable Premium Deficit that confirms that such Applicable Premium Deficit shall be applied toward such redemption for the applicable series of Notes;
(b)in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions:
(i)the Issuer has received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or
(ii)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 of such series 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;
(c)in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the beneficial owners of the Notes of such series 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;
(d)no Event of Default with respect to the Notes of such series (other than that resulting from borrowing funds to be applied to make such deposit and any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness and, in each case, the granting of Liens in connection therewith) shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit;
(e)such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, the Senior Secured Credit Facilities or any other material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Issuer or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Issuer or any Guarantor is bound (other than that resulting from any borrowing of funds to be applied to make the deposit required to effect such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance and any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness, and, in each case, the granting of Liens in connection therewith);
(f)the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Issuer with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of the Issuer or any Guarantor or others; and
(g)the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee 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.
Section 8.05. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions. Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all money and U.S. Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section
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8.05, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes of a series shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuer or a Guarantor acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of the Notes of such series 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 shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or U.S. Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 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 of such series and the related Guarantees.
Anything in this Article 8 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Issuer from time to time upon the request of the Issuer any money or U.S. Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(a) 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 8.06. Repayment to Issuer. Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, 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, if any, or interest on any Note of a series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Issuer on its request or (if then held by the Issuer) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of the Note of such series shall thereafter look only to the Issuer for payment thereof, 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, shall thereupon cease.
Section 8.07. Reinstatement. If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any United States dollars or U.S. Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 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 shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided that, if the Issuer make any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Notes of a series following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuer shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of the Notes of such series to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
ARTICLE 9
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
Section 9.01. Without Consent of Holders. Notwithstanding Section 9.02 hereof, the Issuer, any Guarantor (with respect to a Guarantee or this Indenture to which it is a party) and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture with respect to any series of Notes, any Guarantee or Notes of a series without the consent of any Holder:
(a)to cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency;
(b)to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;
(c)to comply with Section 5.01 hereof;
(d)to provide for the assumption of the Issuer’s or any Guarantor’s obligations to the Holders;
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(e)to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders or that does not materially adversely affect the legal rights under this Indenture of any such Holder;
(f)to add covenants for the benefit of the Holders or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Issuer or any Guarantor;
(g)to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes of a series in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;
(h)to comply with the requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;
(i)to evidence and provide for the acceptance and appointment under this Indenture of a successor Trustee or a successor Paying Agent hereunder pursuant to the requirements hereof;
(j)to make any amendment to the provisions of this Indenture relating to the transfer or legending of the Notes of a series;
(k)to add an obligor or a Guarantor under this Indenture or to release an obligor or a Guarantor in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;
(l)to conform the text of this Indenture with respect to such series, Guarantees or the Notes of such series to any provision of the “Description of the Notes” section of the Offering Memorandum to the extent that such provision in such “Description of the Notes” section was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture, Guarantee or Notes of such series as provided in an Officer’s Certificate;
(m)to make any amendment to the provisions of this Indenture relating to the transfer and legending of Notes of a series as permitted by this Indenture, including, without limitation to facilitate the issuance and administration of such Notes; provided, however, that such amendment does not materially and adversely affect the rights of Holders to transfer Notes;
(n)to secure the Notes of such series and/or the related Guarantees or to add collateral thereto; and
(o)to make any other modifications to the Notes of such series or this Indenture with respect to such series of a formal, minor or technical nature or necessary to correct a manifest error, so long as such modification does not adversely affect the rights of any Holders of Notes of such series in any material respect.
Upon the request of the Issuer accompanied by a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Issuer authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 hereof (to the extent requested by the Trustee and subject to the last sentence of Section 9.06), the Trustee shall join with the Issuer and the Guarantors in the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture with respect to a series of Notes and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall have the right, but not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture that affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither an Opinion of Counsel nor an Officer’s Certificate, nor a board resolution, shall be required in connection with the addition of a Guarantor under this Indenture upon execution and delivery by such Guarantor and the Trustee of a supplemental indenture to this Indenture, the form of which is attached as Exhibit D hereto.
Section 9.02. With Consent of Holders. Except as provided in Section 9.01 and this Section 9.02, the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture with respect to a series of Notes, the
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Notes of such series and the related Guarantees with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of all the Notes then outstanding of such series, including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes of such series and, subject to Section 6.04 and 6.07 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 on the Notes of such series, except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded) or compliance with any provision of this Indenture, the Guarantees or the Notes of such series issued thereunder may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of all the Notes then outstanding of such series (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of or tender offer or exchange offer for the Notes of such series). Section 2.08 hereof and Section 2.09 hereof shall determine which Notes are considered to be “outstanding” for the purposes of this Section 9.02.
Upon the request of the Issuer accompanied by a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Issuer authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Issuer and the Guarantors in the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture, unless such amended or supplemental indenture directly affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture.
For clarity, a Guarantor will only be required to execute amendments of the type described in this Section 9.02 if it relates to such Guarantor’s Guarantee. It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.
After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Issuer shall send to the Holders affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Issuer to send such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver.
Without the consent of each affected Holder of Notes of a series, an amendment or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not, with respect to any Notes of such series held by a non-consenting Holder:
(a)reduce the principal amount of such Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;
(b)reduce the principal of or change the fixed final maturity of any such Note or alter or waive the provisions with respect to the redemption of such Notes (other than provisions relating to (i) notice periods (to the extent consistent with applicable requirements of clearing and settlement systems) for redemption and conditions to redemption and (ii) Section 4.14 hereof);
(c)reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any such Note;
(d)(A) waive a Default in the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on such Notes, except a rescission of acceleration of such Notes by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all the Notes of such series then outstanding, and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration, or (B) waive a Default in respect of a covenant or provision contained in this Indenture, the Notes or any Guarantee which cannot be amended or modified without the consent of all affected Holders of Notes of such series;
(e)make any such Note payable in money other than that stated therein;
(f)make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the contractual rights of Holders to receive payments of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on such Notes;
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(g)make any change in these amendment and waiver provisions;
(h)amend the contractual right expressly set forth in this Indenture or the Notes of such series of any Holder to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such Holder’s Notes of such series on or after the due dates therefor;
(i)make any change to or modify the ranking of such Notes that would adversely affect the Holders; or
(j)except as expressly permitted by this Indenture, modify the Guarantees of any Significant Subsidiary, or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Issuer), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary in any manner materially adverse to the Holders of such Notes.
Section 9.03. [Reserved].
Section 9.04. Revocation and Effect of Consents. Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder is a continuing consent by the Holder 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 is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to 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 Issuer may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement, or waiver. If a record date is fixed, then, notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only such Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such amendment, supplement, or waiver or to revoke any consent previously given, 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 unless the consent of the requisite number of Holders has been obtained.
Section 9.05. Notation on or Exchange of Notes. The Trustee may, at the direction of the Issuer, 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 Authentication Order, authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.
Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.
Section 9.06. Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc. The Trustee shall sign any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment, supplement or waiver does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. The Issuer may not sign an amendment, supplement or waiver until the Board of Directors of the Issuer approves it. In executing any amendment, supplement or waiver, the Trustee shall be provided with, upon request, and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) shall be fully protected in relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 12.03 hereof, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that such amendment, supplement or waiver is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuer and any Guarantors party thereto, enforceable against them in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions, and complies with the provisions hereof (including Section 9.03 hereof). Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither an Opinion of Counsel nor an Officer’s Certificate, nor a resolution, shall be required for the Trustee to execute any supplemental indenture to this Indenture, the form of which is attached as Exhibit D hereto adding a new Guarantor under this Indenture.
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ARTICLE 10
GUARANTEES
Section 10.01. Guarantee. Subject to this Article 10, from and after the Issue Date, each of the Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, irrevocably and unconditionally, guarantees, on an unsecured senior basis, to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Notes or the Obligations of the Issuer hereunder or thereunder, that: (a) the principal of and interest and premium, if any, on the Notes of each series shall be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Notes of each series, if any, if lawful, and all other Obligations of the Issuer to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or under the Notes shall be promptly paid in full, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same shall be promptly paid in full when due in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same promptly. Each Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.
The Guarantors hereby agree that their obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Issuer, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor (other than payment in full of all of the Obligations of the Issuer hereunder or under the Notes of each series). Each Guarantor hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Issuer, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuer, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that this Guarantee shall not be discharged except by full payment of the obligations contained in the Notes of each series and this Indenture or by release in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.
Each Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Trustee or any Holder in enforcing any rights under this Section 10.01.
If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Issuer, the Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Issuer or the Guarantors, then any amount paid either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.
Each Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby. Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 hereof for the purposes of this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6 hereof, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of this Guarantee. The Guarantors shall have the right to seek contribution from any nonpaying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Guarantees. Each Guarantor that makes a payment under its Guarantee shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be entitled upon payment in full of all guaranteed obligations under this Indenture to a contribution from each other Guarantor in an amount equal to such other Guarantor’s pro rata portion of such payment based on the respective net assets of all the Guarantors at the time of such payment determined in accordance with GAAP.
Until terminated in accordance with Section 10.06, each Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective should any petition be filed by or against the Issuer for liquidation, reorganization, should the Issuer become insolvent or make an assignment for the benefit of creditors or should a receiver or trustee be
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appointed for all or any significant part of the Issuer’s assets, and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment of the Notes are, pursuant to applicable law, rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee on the Notes or Guarantees, whether as a “voidable preference,” “fraudulent transfer” or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made. In the event that any payment or any part thereof, is rescinded, reduced, restored or returned, the Notes shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be reinstated and deemed reduced only by such amount paid and not so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned.
In case any provision of any Guarantee 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.
The Guarantee issued by any Guarantor shall be a general unsecured senior obligation of such Guarantor and shall be pari passu in right of payment with all existing and future senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor, if any.
Each payment to be made by a Guarantor in respect of its Guarantee shall be made without set-off, counterclaim, reduction or diminution of any kind or nature.
Section 10.02. Limitation on Guarantor Liability. Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to any Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of each Guarantor shall be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under such laws and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under this Article 10, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under applicable law or being void or voidable under any law relating to insolvency of debtors.
Section 10.03. Execution and Delivery. To evidence its Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof, each Guarantor hereby agrees that this Indenture (or a supplemental indenture in the form of Exhibit D hereto) shall be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by one of its authorized officers.
Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof 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 (or a supplemental indenture in the form of Exhibit D hereto) no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates a Note, the Guarantee of such Guarantor shall be valid nevertheless.
The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.
If required by Section 4.15 hereof, the Issuer shall cause any newly created or acquired Restricted Subsidiary to comply with the provisions of Section 4.15 hereof and this Article 10, to the extent applicable.
Section 10.04. Subrogation. Each Guarantor shall be subrogated to all rights of Holders against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid by any Guarantor pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.01 hereof; provided that, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no Guarantor shall be entitled to enforce or receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation until all amounts then due and payable by the Issuer under this Indenture or the Notes shall have been paid in full.
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Section 10.05. Benefits Acknowledged. Each Guarantor acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by this Indenture and that the guarantee and waivers made by it pursuant to its Guarantee are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.
Section 10.06. Release of Guarantees.
(a)Each Guarantee by a Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to a series of Notes shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged, and shall thereupon terminate and be of no further force and effect, with respect to such series, and no further action by such Subsidiary Guarantor, the Issuer or the Trustee is required for the release of such Subsidiary Guarantor’s Guarantee, upon:
(i)(A) any sale, issuance, exchange, disposition or transfer (by merger, amalgamation, consolidation, dividend, distribution or otherwise) of (x) the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary Guarantor, after which the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary or (y) all or substantially all the assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor, in each case if such sale, issuance, exchange, disposition or transfer is made in compliance with or is not prohibited by the applicable provisions of this Indenture;
(B)the release or discharge of the guarantee by, or direct obligation of, such Subsidiary Guarantor of Indebtedness under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities, or the release or discharge of such other guarantee or direct obligation that resulted in the creation of such Guarantee, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such guarantee or direct obligation (it being understood that a release subject to a contingent reinstatement will constitute a release for the purposes of this provision, and that if any such Guarantee is so reinstated, such Guarantee shall also be reinstated to the extent that such Subsidiary Guarantor would then be required to provide a Guarantee pursuant to Section 4.15 hereof);
(C)[Reserved];
(D)the merger, amalgamation, consolidation or Division of any Subsidiary Guarantor with and into the Issuer or another Guarantor or upon the liquidation or winding up of such Guarantor following the transfer of all of its assets to the Issuer or another Guarantor; or
(E)with respect to such series of Notes, the exercise by the Issuer of its Legal Defeasance option or Covenant Defeasance option with respect to such series in accordance with Article 8 hereof or the discharge of the Issuer’s obligations under this Indenture with respect to such series in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; and
(ii)such Subsidiary Guarantor delivering to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate of such Subsidiary Guarantor or the Issuer and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to such transaction or release and discharge have been complied with. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Opinion of Counsel shall be required in the case of a merger or consolidation in accordance with clause (i)(D) of this Section 10.06(a).
(b)The respective Guarantee by each of HWP and HLT Parent, as the case may be, of a series of Notes shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged, and shall thereupon terminate and be of no further force and effect, with respect to such series of Notes, and no further action by HWP, HLT Parent, the Issuer or the Trustee is required for the release of such Guarantee, upon:
(i)(A) the release or discharge of any guarantee or direct obligation by HWP or HLT Parent, as applicable, of Indebtedness under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities (it being understood that a release subject to a contingent reinstatement will constitute a release for the purposes of this provision); or
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(B)with respect to such series of Notes, the exercise by the Issuer of its Legal Defeasance option or Covenant Defeasance option with respect to such series in accordance with Article 8 hereof or the discharge of the Issuer’s obligations with respect to such series under this Indenture in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; and
(ii)HWP or HLT Parent, as applicable, delivering to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate of HWP or HLT Parent, as applicable, and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to such release and discharge have been complied with.
ARTICLE 11
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
Section 11.01. Satisfaction and Discharge. This Indenture shall be discharged and shall cease to be of further effect as to all outstanding Notes of a series when either:
(a)all Notes of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered, except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes of such series which have been replaced or paid and Notes of such series for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust, have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
(b)(i) all Notes of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the making of a notice of redemption or otherwise, will become due and payable within one year or 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, and the Issuer has or any Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes of such series, cash in U.S. dollars, U.S. Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient without consideration of any reinvestment of interest to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Notes of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest to the date of maturity or redemption; provided, that upon any redemption that requires the payment of the Applicable Premium with respect to such series of Notes, the amount deposited shall be sufficient for purposes of this Indenture to the extent that an amount is deposited with the Trustee equal to such Applicable Premium calculated as of the date of the notice of redemption, with any Applicable Premium Deficit only required to be deposited with the Trustee on or prior to the Redemption Date. Any Applicable Premium Deficit shall be set forth in an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee simultaneously with the deposit of such Applicable Premium Deficit that confirms that such Applicable Premium Deficit shall be applied toward such redemption of the applicable series of Notes;
(ii)no Event of Default (other than that resulting from borrowing funds to be applied to make such deposit or any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness and, in each case, the granting of Liens in connection therewith) with respect to this Indenture or the Notes of such series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or shall occur as a result of such deposit and such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities or any other material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Issuer or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Issuer or any Guarantor is bound (other than resulting from any borrowing of funds to be applied to make such deposit and any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness and, in each case, the granting of Liens in connection therewith);
(iii)the Issuer has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under this Indenture with respect to such series of Notes; and
(iv)the Issuer has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes of such series at maturity or the Redemption Date, as the case may be.
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In addition, the Issuer must deliver an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied. Such Opinion of Counsel may rely on such Officer’s Certificate as to matters of fact, including clauses (b)(i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) of this Section 11.01.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to clause (b)(i) of this Section 11.01, the provisions of Section 11.02 and Section 8.06 hereof shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.
Section 11.02. Application of Trust Money. Subject to the provisions of Section 8.06 hereof, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 11.01 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 Issuer or a Guarantor acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Securities in accordance with Section 11.01 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 11.01 hereof; provided that if the Issuer has made any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuer shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders to receive such payment from the money or U.S. Government Securities held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
ARTICLE 12
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 12.01. Notices. Any notice or communication by the Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), facsimile, electronic mail or other electronic transmission or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:
If to the Issuer and/or any Guarantor:
| Hilton Domestic Operating Company Inc. | ||
| c/o Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. | ||
| 7930 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 1100 | ||
| McLean, VA 22102 | ||
Facsimile: (703) 883-6188 | ||
Attention: Anne-Marie D’Angelo, Executive Vice President and General Counsel | ||
| With a copy to (which shall not constitute notice for any purpose under this Indenture): | ||
| Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP | ||
| 425 Lexington Avenue | ||
| New York, NY 10017-3954 | ||
| Facsimile: (212) 455-2502 | ||
| Attention: Edgar J. Lewandowski and Tony Y. Rim | ||
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| If to the Trustee: | ||
| Wilmington Trust, National Association | ||
| 277 Park Avenue | ||
| New York, NY 10172 | ||
| Facsimile: (302) 636-4149 | ||
| Attention: Hilton Domestic Operating Company Administrator | ||
The Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee, by notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five calendar days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed by first-class mail; when receipt is acknowledged, if faxed or sent electronically; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery; provided that any notice or communication delivered to the Trustee shall be deemed effective upon actual receipt thereof and on the first date on which publication is made, if given by publication.
Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be electronically delivered, mailed by first-class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the Note Register kept by the Registrar. Failure to deliver 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 mailed or otherwise delivered in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, such notice or communication shall be deemed duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.
If the Issuer sends a notice or communication to Holders, they shall send a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Note, where this Indenture or any Note provides for notice of any event or any other communication (including any notice of redemption or repurchase) to a holder of a Global Note (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, including by electronic mail in accordance with accepted practices at the Depositary.
Section 12.02. Communication by Holders with Other Holders. Holders may communicate pursuant to Trust Indenture Act Section 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Issuers, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of Trust Indenture Act Section 312(c).
Section 12.03. 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 any action under this Indenture, the Issuer, or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall furnish to the Trustee:
(a)an Officer’s Certificate in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 12.04 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and
(b)an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 12.04 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such
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conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied; provided that, no Opinion of Counsel pursuant to this Section shall be required in connection with the issuance of the Notes on the Issue Date.
Section 12.04. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to Section 4.04 hereof) shall include:
(a)a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;
(b)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;
(c)a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she 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, in the case of an Opinion of Counsel, may be limited to reliance on an Officer’s Certificate as to matters of fact); and
(d)a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with; provided, however, that with respect to matters of fact an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officer’s Certificate or certificates of public officials.
Section 12.05. Rules by Trustee and Agents. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.
Section 12.06. No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders. No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, or direct or indirect member, partner or stockholder of the Issuer or any Guarantor (other than in their respective capacity as an Issuer or Guarantor) or of any of their respective direct or indirect parent companies shall have any liability, for any obligations of the Issuer or the Guarantors under the Notes, the Guarantees or this Indenture or any supplemental indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting Notes waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.
Section 12.07. Governing Law. THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND ANY GUARANTEE, AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY OR DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATED TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR ANY GUARANTEE, WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
Section 12.08. Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE ISSUER, THE GUARANTORS, THE TRUSTEE AND THE HOLDERS, BY THEIR ACCEPTANCE OF THE NOTES, (1) AGREE TO SUBMIT TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE 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 INDENTURE OR THE NOTES AND (2) HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
Section 12.09. Force Majeure. In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its reasonable control, including without limitation strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software or hardware) services.
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Section 12.10. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements. This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Issuer or the Issuer’s Restricted Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.
Section 12.11. Successors. All agreements of the Issuer in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind their respective successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors. All agreements of each Guarantor in this Indenture shall bind its successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.06 hereof.
Section 12.12. Severability; Entire Agreement. 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. This Indenture and the exhibits hereto set forth the entire agreement and understanding of the parties related to this transaction and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written.
Section 12.13. Counterpart Originals; Electronic Signatures. 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. This Indenture may be executed in multiple counterparts which, when taken together, shall constitute one instrument. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmissions 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 shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to this Indenture or any document to be signed in connection with this Agreement shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, and the parties hereto consent to conduct the transactions contemplated hereunder by electronic means.
Section 12.14. Table of Contents, Headings, etc. The Table of Contents and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
Section 12.15. USA Patriot Act. The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the USA Patriot Act the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, are required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account. The parties to this Indenture agree that they shall provide the Trustee with such information as they may request in order to satisfy the requirements of the USA Patriot Act.
[Signatures on following page]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
| HILTON WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS INC. | ||||||||
| By: | /s/ W. Steven Standefer | |||||||
| Name: | W. Steven Standefer | |||||||
Title: | Senior Vice President | |||||||
| HILTON WORLDWIDE PARENT LLC | ||||||||
| By: | /s/ W. Steven Standefer | |||||||
Name: | W. Steven Standefer | |||||||
Title: | President | |||||||
| HILTON DOMESTIC OPERATING COMPANY INC. | ||||||||
| By: | /s/ W. Steven Standefer | |||||||
Name: | W. Steven Standefer | |||||||
Title: | President | |||||||
[Signature Page to Indenture]
| 3750 RESIDENTIAL EMPLOYER LLC | ||||||||
| 90210 GRAND WAILEA EMPLOYER LLC | ||||||||
| 90210 LLC | ||||||||
| BALLY’S GRAND PROPERTY SUB I, LLC | ||||||||
| BLUE BONNET SECURITY EMPLOYER LLC | ||||||||
| BLUE BONNET SECURITY, LLC | ||||||||
| CANOPY EMPLOYER LLC | ||||||||
| CONRAD EMPLOYER LLC | ||||||||
| CONRAD INTERNATIONAL (EGYPT) RESORTS CORPORATION | ||||||||
| CURIO EMPLOYER LLC | ||||||||
| CURIO LAS VEGAS EMPLOYER LLC | ||||||||
| DESTINATION RESORTS LLC | ||||||||
| DOUBLETREE HOTELS LLC | ||||||||
| DOUBLETREE LLC | ||||||||
| DT EMPLOYER LLC | ||||||||
| DT REAL ESTATE, LLC | ||||||||
| EMBASSY DEVELOPMENT LLC | ||||||||
| FLORIDA CONRAD INTERNATIONAL CORP. | ||||||||
| HILTON CORPORATE DIRECTOR LLC | ||||||||
| HILTON EMPLOYER INC. | ||||||||
| HILTON FINANCE INC. | ||||||||
| HILTON FRANCHISE HOLDING LLC | ||||||||
| HILTON GARDEN INNS EMPLOYER LLC | ||||||||
| HILTON HOLDINGS, LLC | ||||||||
| HILTON HONORS WORLDWIDE LLC | ||||||||
| HILTON HOSPITALITY, LLC | ||||||||
| HILTON ILLINOIS HOLDINGS LLC | ||||||||
| HILTON NUS HSS, INC. | ||||||||
| HILTON SUPPLY MANAGEMENT LLC | ||||||||
| HILTON SYSTEMS SOLUTIONS, LLC | ||||||||
| HILTON WORLDWIDE FINANCE CORP. | ||||||||
| HLT AUDUBON LLC | ||||||||
| HLT CONRAD DOMESTIC EMPLOYER LLC | ||||||||
| HLT CONRAD DOMESTIC LLC | ||||||||
| HLT DRAKE EMPLOYER LLC | ||||||||
| HLT ESP INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE LLC | ||||||||
| HLT EXISTING FRANCHISE HOLDING LLC | ||||||||
| HLT HSM HOLDING LLC | ||||||||
| HLT HSS HOLDING LLC | ||||||||
| HLT JV ACQUISITION LLC | ||||||||
| HLT PALMER EMPLOYER LLC | ||||||||
| HOME2 EMPLOYER LLC | ||||||||
| HOMEWOOD SUITES EMPLOYER LLC | ||||||||
| HOTELS STATLER COMPANY, INC. | ||||||||
| HOTELS STATLER EMPLOYER LLC | ||||||||
[Signature Page to Indenture]
| HPP HOTELS USA LLC | ||||||||
| HPP INTERNATIONAL LLC | ||||||||
| INTERNATIONAL RIVERCENTER LESSEE, L.L.C. | ||||||||
| LXR EMPLOYER LLC | ||||||||
| MOTTO EMPLOYER LLC | ||||||||
| PROMUS HOTELS PARENT LLC | ||||||||
| SIGNIA HOTEL EMPLOYER LLC | ||||||||
| TAPESTRY EMPLOYER LLC | ||||||||
| TRU EMPLOYER LLC | ||||||||
| WALDORF=ASTORIA EMPLOYER LLC | ||||||||
By: | /s/ W. Steven Standefer | |||||||
Name: | W. Steven Standefer | |||||||
Title: | President | |||||||
[Signature Page to Indenture]
| 90210 MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC | ||||||||
| CANOPY HOTEL MANAGEMENT LLC | ||||||||
| CONRAD MANAGEMENT LLC | ||||||||
| CURIO MANAGEMENT LLC | ||||||||
| DOUBLETREE EMPLOYER LLC | ||||||||
| DOUBLETREE MANAGEMENT LLC | ||||||||
| DT MANAGEMENT LLC | ||||||||
| EMBASSY SUITES EMPLOYER LLC | ||||||||
| EMBASSY SUITES MANAGEMENT LLC | ||||||||
| HAMPTON INNS EMPLOYER LLC | ||||||||
| HAMPTON INNS MANAGEMENT LLC | ||||||||
| HILTON GARDEN INNS MANAGEMENT LLC | ||||||||
| HILTON HOTEL EMPLOYER LLC | ||||||||
| HILTON ILLINOIS, LLC | ||||||||
| HILTON MANAGEMENT LLC | ||||||||
| HLT PALMER LLC | ||||||||
| HOME2 MANAGEMENT LLC | ||||||||
| HOMEWOOD SUITES MANAGEMENT LLC | ||||||||
| HOTEL CLUBS OF CORPORATE WOODS, INC. | ||||||||
| LXR MANAGEMENT LLC | ||||||||
| MOTTO MANAGEMENT LLC | ||||||||
| PROMUS HOTEL SERVICES, INC. | ||||||||
| PROMUS HOTELS FLORIDA LLC | ||||||||
| PROMUS HOTELS LLC | ||||||||
| SALC, INC. | ||||||||
| SIGNIA HOTEL MANAGEMENT LLC | ||||||||
| TAPESTRY MANAGEMENT LLC | ||||||||
| TRU MANAGEMENT LLC | ||||||||
| WALDORF=ASTORIA MANAGEMENT LLC | ||||||||
By: | /s/ W. Steven Standefer | |||||||
Name: | W. Steven Standefer | |||||||
Title: | Senior Vice President | |||||||
[Signature Page to Indenture]
| WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, | ||||||||
| as Trustee | ||||||||
| By: | /s/ Arlene Thelwell | |||||||
| Name: | Arlene Thelwell | |||||||
| Title: | Vice President | |||||||
[Signature Page to Indenture]
EXHIBIT A-1
[FORM OF NOTE]
[FACE OF NOTE]
[Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]
[Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]
[Insert the Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]
A-1-1
| CUSIP | [432833 AP6][U4328R AJ3] | ||||
| ISIN | [US432833AP66][USU4328RAJ33] | ||||
[RULE 144A][REGULATION S] [GLOBAL] NOTE
initially representing [up to]
$[__________]
HILTON DOMESTIC OPERATING COMPANY INC.
5.875% Senior Notes due 2029
| No. ___ | [$__________] | |||||||||||||
Hilton Domestic Operating Company Inc., a Delaware corporation, promises to pay to [Cede & Co.]* or registered assigns the principal sum [set forth on the Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note attached hereto] [of _______________ United States Dollars] on April 1, 2029.
| Interest Payment Dates: | April 1 and October 1, commencing on October 1, 2024 | |||||||
| Record Dates: | March 15 and September 15 | |||||||
Additional provisions of this Note are set forth on the other side of this Note.
*Include only if the Note is issued in global form.
A-1-2
IN WITNESS HEREOF, the Issuer has caused this instrument to be duly executed.
Dated:
| HILTON DOMESTIC OPERATING COMPANY INC., as | ||||||||
| Issuer | ||||||||
| By: | ||||||||
| Name: | ||||||||
| Title: | ||||||||
A-1-3
| This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture: | |||||||||||
| WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as | |||||||||||
| Trustee | |||||||||||
| By: | |||||||||||
| Name: | |||||||||||
| Title: | |||||||||||
| Date: | |||||||||||
A-1-4
[REVERSE OF NOTE]
5.875% Senior Notes due 2029
Except for the references to “Notes” and “Additional Notes” herein, which refer solely to the 5.875% Senior Notes due 2029, capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.
1. Interest. Hilton Domestic Operating Company Inc., a Delaware corporation (such Person, and its respective successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, being herein called the “Issuer”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at a rate per annum of 5.875% from March 26, 20241 until maturity. The Issuer will pay interest on this Note semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, beginning October 1, 2024, or, if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an “Interest Payment Date”). The Issuer will make each interest payment to the Holder of record of this Note on the immediately preceding March 15 and September 15 (each, a “Record Date”). Interest on this Note will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from and including March 26, 2024. The Issuer will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at the rate borne by this Note; the Issuer shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the rate borne by this Note. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.
2. Method of Payment. The Issuer will pay interest on this Note to the Person who is the registered Holder of this Note at the close of business on the Record Date (whether or not a Business Day) next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if this Note is cancelled after such Record Date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. Cash payments of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on this Note will be payable at the office or agency of the Issuer maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 4.02 of the Indenture or, at the option of the Issuer, cash payment of interest may be made through the Paying Agent by check mailed to the Holders at their respective addresses set forth in the Note Register of Holders, provided that (a) all cash payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to Notes represented by Global Notes registered in the name of or held by DTC or its nominee will be made through the Paying Agent by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the registered Holder or Holders thereof and (b) all cash payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to certificated Notes may, at the option of the Issuer, be made by wire transfer to a U.S. dollar account maintained by the payee with a bank in the United States of America 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 30 days immediately preceding the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee may accept in its discretion). Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.
3. Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar. Initially, Wilmington Trust, National Association, the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar. The Issuer may change any Paying Agent, Transfer Agent or Registrar without prior notice to the Holders. The Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity upon written notice to the Trustee.
4. Indenture. The Issuer issued the Notes under an Indenture, dated as of March 26, 2024 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Indenture”), among the Issuer, the Guarantors from time to time party thereto and the Trustee. This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of notes of the Issuer designated as its 5.875% Senior Notes due 2029. The Issuer shall be entitled to issue Additional Notes pursuant to Section 2.01 of the Indenture. 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. To the extent
1 In the case of Notes issued on the Issue Date.
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any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.
5. Optional Redemption.
(a) Except as set forth in clauses (b), (d) and (e) of this Section 5 and in clauses (b), (f) and (h) of Section 3.07 of the Indenture, the Notes will not be redeemable at the Issuer’s option prior to April 1, 2026.
(b) At any time prior to April 1, 2026, the Issuer may, at its option and on one or more occasions, redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon notice in accordance with Section 3.03 of the Indenture, at a redemption price equal to the sum of (A) 100.0% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus (B) the 2029 Applicable Premium as of the Redemption Date, plus (C) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the Notes on the relevant Interest Payment Date falling prior to or on the Redemption Date.
(c) On and after April 1, 2026, the Issuer may, at its option and on one or more occasions, redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, upon notice in accordance with Section 3.03 of the Indenture, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to, but excluding, the applicable Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date falling prior to or on the Redemption Date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on April 1 of each of the years indicated below:
| Year | Percentage | |||||||
| 2026 | 102.938% | |||||||
| 2027 | 101.469% | |||||||
| 2028 and thereafter | 100.000% | |||||||
(d) On or prior to April 1, 2026, the Issuer may, at its option and on one or more occasions, redeem up to 40.0% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under the Indenture at a redemption price equal to 105.875% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes redeemed, with an amount not to exceed the net cash proceeds received by the Issuer from one or more Equity Offerings or a contribution to the Issuer’s common equity capital made with the net cash proceeds of an Equity Offering, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the Notes on the relevant Interest Payment Date falling prior to or on the Redemption Date; provided that (A) at least 50.0% of (x) the aggregate principal amount of Notes originally issued under the Indenture on the Issue Date and (y) the aggregate principal amount of any Additional Notes issued under the Indenture after the Issue Date remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption (unless all such Notes are redeemed or repurchased substantially concurrently); and (B) each such redemption occurs within 180 days of the date of closing of each such Equity Offering.
(e) In connection with any tender offer for the Notes, including, without limitation, any Change of Control Offer or Alternate 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 price equal to the price offered to each other Holder in such tender offer (which may be less than par and shall exclude any early tender premium or similar premium and any accrued and unpaid interest paid to any Holder that participated in such tender offer payment) plus, to the extent not included in the tender offer payment, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.
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(f) Any redemption pursuant to this paragraph 5 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 of the Indenture. Notice of any redemption or offer to purchase, whether in connection with an Equity Offering, Change of Control, Alternate Offer or other transaction or event or otherwise, may be given prior to the completion or occurrence thereof, and any such redemption, offer to purchase or notice may, at the Issuer’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent (including conditions precedent applicable to different amounts of Notes redeemed), including, but not limited to, completion or occurrence of the related Equity Offering, Change of Control or other transaction or event, as the case may be. The Issuer may redeem the Notes pursuant to one or more of the relevant provisions in the Indenture, and a single notice of redemption may be delivered with respect to redemptions made pursuant to different provisions. Any such notice may provide that redemptions made pursuant to different provisions may have different Redemption Dates and, with respect to redemptions that occur on the same date, may specify the order in which such redemptions are deemed to occur. In addition, if such redemption or offer to purchase is subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall state that, in the Issuer’s discretion, the Redemption Date or purchase date may be delayed until such time (including more than 60 days after the date the notice of redemption or offer to purchase was sent) as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied (or waived by the Issuer in its sole discretion), 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 (or waived by the Issuer in its sole discretion) by the Redemption Date or purchase date, or by the Redemption Date or purchase date so delayed, or that such notice or offer may be rescinded at any time in the Issuer’s sole discretion if the Issuer determines that any or all such conditions will not be satisfied or waived. In addition, the Issuer may provide in such notice of offer that payment of the redemption or purchase price and performance of the Issuer’s obligations with respect to such redemption or purchase may be performed by another Person. The Issuer and its Affiliates may acquire the Notes by means other than a redemption pursuant to this paragraph 5, whether by tender offer, open market purchases, negotiated transactions or otherwise.
6. Notice of Redemption. Subject to Section 3.03 of the Indenture, any notice of redemption or purchase shall be delivered electronically or mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, at least 10 but (except as set forth in paragraph 5(f) above and Section 3.07(i) of the Indenture) not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at such Holder’s registered address or otherwise in accordance with the Applicable Procedures, except that redemption notices may be delivered electronically or mailed more than 60 days prior to a Redemption Date if the notice is issued in connection with Article 8 or Article 11 of the Indenture. Notes and portions of Notes selected for redemption or purchase shall be in integral multiples of $1,000 (but in a minimum amount of $2,000) and no Notes of $2,000 or less can be redeemed or purchased in part, 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 shall be redeemed or purchased, even if not in a principal amount of at least $2,000. On and after the Redemption Date, subject to satisfaction of any conditions precedent specified in the applicable notice of redemption, interest ceases to accrue on this Note or portions thereof called for redemption or purchase.
7. Offers to Repurchase. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event, the Issuer shall make a Change of Control Offer for the Notes in accordance with Section 4.14 of the Indenture.
8. Denominations, Transfer, Exchange. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000. The transfer of Notes shall be registered and Notes may only be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Issuer may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Issuer need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption or purchase, except for the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of any Note being redeemed or purchased in part; provided that new Notes will only be issued in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000. Also, the Issuer need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before the mailing of a notice of redemption or purchase of Notes to be redeemed or purchased.
9. Persons Deemed Owners. The registered Holder of a Note shall be treated as its owner for all purposes. Only registered Holders shall have rights hereunder.
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10. Amendment, Supplement and Waiver. The Indenture, the Guarantees or the Notes may be amended or supplemented as provided in the Indenture.
11. Defaults and Remedies.
(a) The Events of Default relating to the Notes are defined in Section 6.01 of the Indenture. If any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default of the type specified in clause (vi) or (vii) of Section 6.01(a) of the Indenture) occurs and is continuing under the Indenture with respect to the Notes, the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 30.0% in aggregate principal amount of all of the then outstanding Notes may, by notice to the Issuer and the Trustee, in either case specifying in such notice the respective Event of Default and that such notice is a “notice of acceleration”, declare the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other monetary obligations on all the then outstanding Notes to be due and payable immediately. Upon the effectiveness of such declaration, such principal of and premium, if any, and interest will be due and payable immediately. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising under clause (vi) or (vii) of Section 6.01(a) of the Indenture, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable without further action or notice. Holders may not enforce the Indenture, the Notes or the Guarantees except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all the Notes then outstanding may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power with respect to the Notes.
(b) The Trustee may withhold from the Holders notice of any continuing Default, except a Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. In addition, subject to Section 6.05 of the Indenture, the Trustee will have no obligation to accelerate the Notes if in the judgment of the Trustee acceleration is not in the interests of the Holders of all of the Notes.
(c) Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all the Notes then outstanding, by notice to the Trustee (with a copy to the Issuer, provided that any waiver or rescission under Section 6.04 of the Indenture shall be valid and binding notwithstanding the failure to provide a copy of such notice to the Issuer) may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default and its consequences under the Indenture (except a continuing Default in the payment of interest on, premium, if any, or the principal of any Note held by a non-consenting Holder) (including in connection with a Change of Control Offer) and rescind any acceleration with respect to the Notes and its consequences under the Indenture (except if such rescission would conflict with any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction). Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist with respect to the Notes, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured with respect to the Notes for every purpose of the Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereto.
(d) The Issuer is required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Issuer shall promptly (which shall be no more than 20 Business Days after becoming aware of such Default) deliver to the Trustee by registered or certified mail or by facsimile transmission an Officer’s Certificate specifying such event and what action the Issuer proposes to take with respect thereto.
12. Guarantees. The Issuer’s obligations under the Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by the Guarantors from time to time party to the Indenture.
13. Authentication. This Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee.
14. Governing Law. THIS NOTE, AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY OR DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATED TO THIS NOTE, WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
15. CUSIP Numbers and ISINs. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Issuer has caused CUSIP numbers and ISINs to be printed on the
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Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers and ISINs in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.
The Issuer will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to the Issuer at the following address:
Hilton Domestic Operating Company Inc.
c/o Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.
7930 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 1100
McLean, VA 22102
Facsimile: (703) 883-6188
Attention: Anne-Marie D’Angelo, Executive Vice President and General Counsel
With a copy to:
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
425 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Facsimile: (212) 455-2502
Attention: Edgar J. Lewandowski and Tony Y. Rim
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ASSIGNMENT FORM
To assign this Note, fill in the form below:
(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:
(Insert assignee’s legal name)
(Insert assignee’s legal name)
| (Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.) | ||
(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)
and irrevocably appoint
to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuer. The agent may substitute another to act for him.
to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuer. The agent may substitute another to act for him.
Date: ____________________
Your Signature:
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)
Signature Guarantee*:
* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).
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OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Issuer pursuant to Section 4.14 of the Indenture, check the box below:
[ ] Section 4.14
If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Issuer pursuant to Section 4.14 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:
$________________
Date: ____________________
Your Signature:
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)
Tax Identification No.:
Signature Guarantee*:
* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).
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SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE2
The initial outstanding principal amount of this Global Note is $___________. The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:
| Date of Exchange | Amount of decrease in Principal Amount of this Global Note | Amount of increase in Principal Amount of this Global Note | Principal Amount of this Global Note following such decrease or increase | Signature of authorized signatory of Trustee or Custodian | ||||||||||||||||||||||
This schedule should be included only if the Note is issued in global form.
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EXHIBIT A-2
[FORM OF NOTE]
[FACE OF NOTE]
[Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]
[Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]
[Insert the Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]
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CUSIP [432833 AQ4][U4328R AK0]
ISIN [US432833AQ40][USU4328RAK06]
ISIN [US432833AQ40][USU4328RAK06]
[RULE 144A][REGULATION S] [GLOBAL] NOTE
initially representing [up to]
$[__________]
HILTON DOMESTIC OPERATING COMPANY INC.
initially representing [up to]
$[__________]
HILTON DOMESTIC OPERATING COMPANY INC.
6.125% Senior Notes due 2032
No. ___ [$__________]
Hilton Domestic Operating Company Inc., a Delaware corporation, promises to pay to [Cede & Co.]* or registered assigns the principal sum [set forth on the Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note attached hereto] [of _______________ United States Dollars] on April 1, 2032.
Interest Payment Dates: April 1 and October 1, commencing on October 1, 2024
Record Dates: March 15 and September 15
Additional provisions of this Note are set forth on the other side of this Note.
* Include only if the Note is issued in global form.
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IN WITNESS HEREOF, the Issuer has caused this instrument to be duly executed.
Dated:
| HILTON DOMESTIC OPERATING COMPANY INC., as Issuer | |||||
| By: | |||||
| Name: | |||||
| Title: | |||||
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This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture:
| WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee | |||||
| By: | |||||
| Name: | |||||
| Title: | |||||
| Date: | |||||
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[REVERSE OF NOTE]
6.125% Senior Notes due 2032
Except for the references to “Notes” and “Additional Notes” herein, which refer solely to the 6.125% Senior Notes due 2032, capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.
1. Interest. Hilton Domestic Operating Company Inc., a Delaware corporation (such Person, and its respective successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, being herein called the “Issuer”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at a rate per annum of 6.125% from March 26, 20243 until maturity. The Issuer will pay interest on this Note semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, beginning October 1, 2024, or, if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an “Interest Payment Date”). The Issuer will make each interest payment to the Holder of record of this Note on the immediately preceding March 15 and September 15 (each, a “Record Date”). Interest on this Note will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from and including March 26, 2024. The Issuer will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at the rate borne by this Note; the Issuer shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the rate borne by this Note. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.
2. Method of Payment. The Issuer will pay interest on this Note to the Person who is the registered Holder of this Note at the close of business on the Record Date (whether or not a Business Day) next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if this Note is cancelled after such Record Date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. Cash payments of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on this Note will be payable at the office or agency of the Issuer maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 4.02 of the Indenture or, at the option of the Issuer, cash payment of interest may be made through the Paying Agent by check mailed to the Holders at their respective addresses set forth in the Note Register of Holders, provided that (a) all cash payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to Notes represented by Global Notes registered in the name of or held by DTC or its nominee will be made through the Paying Agent by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the registered Holder or Holders thereof and (b) all cash payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to certificated Notes may, at the option of the Issuer, be made by wire transfer to a U.S. dollar account maintained by the payee with a bank in the United States of America 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 30 days immediately preceding the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee may accept in its discretion). Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.
3. Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar. Initially, Wilmington Trust, National Association, the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar. The Issuer may change any Paying Agent, Transfer Agent or Registrar without prior notice to the Holders. The Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity upon written notice to the Trustee.
4. Indenture. The Issuer issued the Notes under an Indenture, dated as of March 26, 2024 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Indenture”), among the Issuer, the Guarantors from time to time party thereto and the Trustee. This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of notes of the Issuer designated as its 6.125% Senior Notes due 2032. The Issuer shall be entitled to issue Additional Notes pursuant to Section 2.01 of the Indenture. 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. To the extent
3 In the case of Notes issued on the Issue Date.
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any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.
5. Optional Redemption.
(a) Except as set forth in clauses (b), (d) and (e) of this Section 5 and in clauses (c), (g) and (h) of Section 3.07 of the Indenture, the Notes will not be redeemable at the Issuer’s option prior to April 1, 2027.
(b) At any time prior to April 1, 2027, the Issuer may, at its option and on one or more occasions, redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon notice in accordance with Section 3.03 of the Indenture, at a redemption price equal to the sum of (A) 100.0% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus (B) the 2032 Applicable Premium as of the Redemption Date, plus (C) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the Notes on the relevant Interest Payment Date falling prior to or on the Redemption Date.
(c) On and after April 1, 2027, the Issuer may, at its option and on one or more occasions, redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, upon notice in accordance with Section 3.03 of the Indenture, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to, but excluding, the applicable Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date falling prior to or on the Redemption Date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on April 1 of each of the years indicated below:
| Year | Percentage | ||||
| 2027 | 103.063% | ||||
| 2028 | 101.531% | ||||
| 2029 and thereafter | 100.000% | ||||
(d) On or prior to April 1, 2027, the Issuer may, at its option and on one or more occasions, redeem up to 40.0% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under the Indenture at a redemption price equal to 106.125% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes redeemed, with an amount not to exceed the net cash proceeds received by the Issuer from one or more Equity Offerings or a contribution to the Issuer’s common equity capital made with the net cash proceeds of an Equity Offering, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the Notes on the relevant Interest Payment Date falling prior to or on the Redemption Date; provided that (A) at least 50.0% of (x) the aggregate principal amount of Notes originally issued under the Indenture on the Issue Date and (y) the aggregate principal amount of any Additional Notes issued under the Indenture after the Issue Date remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption (unless all such Notes are redeemed or repurchased substantially concurrently); and (B) each such redemption occurs within 180 days of the date of closing of each such Equity Offering.
(e) In connection with any tender offer for the Notes, including, without limitation, any Change of Control Offer or Alternate 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 price equal to the price offered to each other Holder in such tender offer (which may be less than par and shall exclude any early tender premium or similar premium and any accrued and unpaid interest paid to any Holder that participated in such tender offer payment) plus, to the extent not included in the tender offer payment, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.
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(f) Any redemption pursuant to this paragraph 5 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 of the Indenture. Notice of any redemption or offer to purchase, whether in connection with an Equity Offering, Change of Control, Alternate Offer or other transaction or event or otherwise, may be given prior to the completion or occurrence thereof, and any such redemption, offer to purchase or notice may, at the Issuer’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent (including conditions precedent applicable to different amounts of Notes redeemed), including, but not limited to, completion or occurrence of the related Equity Offering, Change of Control or other transaction or event, as the case may be. The Issuer may redeem the Notes pursuant to one or more of the relevant provisions in the Indenture, and a single notice of redemption may be delivered with respect to redemptions made pursuant to different provisions. Any such notice may provide that redemptions made pursuant to different provisions may have different Redemption Dates and, with respect to redemptions that occur on the same date, may specify the order in which such redemptions are deemed to occur. In addition, if such redemption or offer to purchase is subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall state that, in the Issuer’s discretion, the Redemption Date or purchase date may be delayed until such time (including more than 60 days after the date the notice of redemption or offer to purchase was sent) as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied (or waived by the Issuer in its sole discretion), 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 (or waived by the Issuer in its sole discretion) by the Redemption Date or purchase date, or by the Redemption Date or purchase date so delayed, or that such notice or offer may be rescinded at any time in the Issuer’s sole discretion if the Issuer determines that any or all such conditions will not be satisfied or waived. In addition, the Issuer may provide in such notice of offer that payment of the redemption or purchase price and performance of the Issuer’s obligations with respect to such redemption or purchase may be performed by another Person. The Issuer and its Affiliates may acquire the Notes by means other than a redemption pursuant to this paragraph 5, whether by tender offer, open market purchases, negotiated transactions or otherwise.
6. Notice of Redemption. Subject to Section 3.03 of the Indenture, any notice of redemption or purchase shall be delivered electronically or mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, at least 10 but (except as set forth in paragraph 5(f) above and Section 3.07(i) of the Indenture) not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at such Holder’s registered address or otherwise in accordance with the Applicable Procedures, except that redemption notices may be delivered electronically or mailed more than 60 days prior to a Redemption Date if the notice is issued in connection with Article 8 or Article 11 of the Indenture. Notes and portions of Notes selected for redemption or purchase shall be in integral multiples of $1,000 (but in a minimum amount of $2,000) and no Notes of $2,000 or less can be redeemed or purchased in part, 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 shall be redeemed or purchased, even if not in a principal amount of at least $2,000. On and after the Redemption Date, subject to satisfaction of any conditions precedent specified in the applicable notice of redemption, interest ceases to accrue on this Note or portions thereof called for redemption or purchase.
7. Offers to Repurchase. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event, the Issuer shall make a Change of Control Offer for the Notes in accordance with Section 4.14 of the Indenture.
8. Denominations, Transfer, Exchange. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000. The transfer of Notes shall be registered and Notes may only be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Issuer may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Issuer need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption or purchase, except for the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of any Note being redeemed or purchased in part; provided that new Notes will only be issued in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000. Also, the Issuer need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before the mailing of a notice of redemption or purchase of Notes to be redeemed or purchased.
9. Persons Deemed Owners. The registered Holder of a Note shall be treated as its owner for all purposes. Only registered Holders shall have rights hereunder.
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10. Amendment, Supplement and Waiver. The Indenture, the Guarantees or the Notes may be amended or supplemented as provided in the Indenture.
11. Defaults and Remedies.
(a) The Events of Default relating to the Notes are defined in Section 6.01 of the Indenture. If any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default of the type specified in clause (vi) or (vii) of Section 6.01(a) of the Indenture) occurs and is continuing under the Indenture with respect to the Notes, the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 30.0% in aggregate principal amount of all of the then outstanding Notes may, by notice to the Issuer and the Trustee, in either case specifying in such notice the respective Event of Default and that such notice is a “notice of acceleration”, declare the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other monetary obligations on all the then outstanding Notes to be due and payable immediately. Upon the effectiveness of such declaration, such principal of and premium, if any, and interest will be due and payable immediately. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising under clause (vi) or (vii) of Section 6.01(a) of the Indenture, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable without further action or notice. Holders may not enforce the Indenture, the Notes or the Guarantees except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all the Notes then outstanding may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power with respect to the Notes.
(b) The Trustee may withhold from the Holders notice of any continuing Default, except a Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. In addition, subject to Section 6.05 of the Indenture, the Trustee will have no obligation to accelerate the Notes if in the judgment of the Trustee acceleration is not in the interests of the Holders of all of the Notes.
(c) Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all the Notes then outstanding, by notice to the Trustee (with a copy to the Issuer, provided that any waiver or rescission under Section 6.04 of the Indenture shall be valid and binding notwithstanding the failure to provide a copy of such notice to the Issuer) may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default and its consequences under the Indenture (except a continuing Default in the payment of interest on, premium, if any, or the principal of any Note held by a non-consenting Holder) (including in connection with a Change of Control Offer) and rescind any acceleration with respect to the Notes and its consequences under the Indenture (except if such rescission would conflict with any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction). Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist with respect to the Notes, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured with respect to the Notes for every purpose of the Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereto.
(d) The Issuer is required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Issuer shall promptly (which shall be no more than 20 Business Days after becoming aware of such Default) deliver to the Trustee by registered or certified mail or by facsimile transmission an Officer’s Certificate specifying such event and what action the Issuer proposes to take with respect thereto.
12. Guarantees. The Issuer’s obligations under the Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by the Guarantors from time to time party to the Indenture.
13. Authentication. This Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee.
14. Governing Law. THIS NOTE, AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY OR DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATED TO THIS NOTE, WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
15. CUSIP Numbers and ISINs. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Issuer has caused CUSIP numbers and ISINs to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers and ISINs in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No
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representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.
The Issuer will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to the Issuer at the following address:
Hilton Domestic Operating Company Inc.
c/o Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.
7930 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 1100
McLean, VA 22102
Facsimile: (703) 883-6188
Attention: Anne-Marie D’Angelo, Executive Vice President and General Counsel
With a copy to:
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
425 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Facsimile: (212) 455-2502
Attention: Edgar J. Lewandowski and Tony Y. Rim
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ASSIGNMENT FORM
To assign this Note, fill in the form below:
(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:
(Insert assignee’s legal name)
(Insert assignee’s legal name)
| (Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.) | ||
(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)
and irrevocably appoint
to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuer. The agent may substitute another to act for him.
to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuer. The agent may substitute another to act for him.
Date: ____________________
Your Signature:
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)
Signature Guarantee*:
* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).
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OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Issuer pursuant to Section 4.14 of the Indenture, check the box below:
[ ] Section 4.14
If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Issuer pursuant to Section 4.14 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:
$________________
Date: ____________________
Your Signature:
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)
Tax Identification No.:
Signature Guarantee*:
* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).
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SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE4
The initial outstanding principal amount of this Global Note is $___________. The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:
| Date of Exchange | Amount of decrease in Principal Amount of this Global Note | Amount of increase in Principal Amount of this Global Note | Principal Amount of this Global Note following such decrease or increase | Signature of authorized signatory of Trustee or Custodian | ||||||||||
This schedule should be included only if the Note is issued in global form.
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EXHIBIT B
[FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER]
Hilton Domestic Operating Company Inc.
c/o Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.
7930 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 1100
McLean, VA 22102
Facsimile: (703) 883-6188
Attention: Anne-Marie D’Angelo, Executive Vice President and General Counsel
With a copy to:
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
425 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017-3954
Facsimile: (212) 455-2502
Attention: Edgar J. Lewandowski and Tony Y. Rim
Wilmington Trust, National Association
277 Park Avenue
277 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10172
Facsimile: (302) 636-4149
Facsimile: (302) 636-4149
Attention: Hilton Domestic Operating Company Administrator
Re: Hilton Domestic Operating Company Inc. 5.875% / 6.125% Senior Notes due 2029 / 2032
Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of March 26, 2024 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Indenture”), among Hilton Domestic Operating Company Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), the Guarantors (as defined therein) from time to time party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking association, as Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.
____________________ (the “Transferor”) owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of $_______________ in such Note[s] or interests (the “Transfer”), to (the “Transferee”), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:
[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]
1. [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE RELEVANT 144A GLOBAL NOTE OR RELEVANT DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
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2. [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE RELEVANT REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE OR RELEVANT DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO REGULATION S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S, (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) if the proposed transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the applicable Restricted Period, the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Indenture and the Securities Act.
3. [ ] CHECK AND COMPLETE IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE RELEVANT DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO ANY PROVISION OF THE SECURITIES ACT OTHER THAN RULE 144A OR REGULATION S. The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):
(a) [ ] such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act; or
(b) [ ] such Transfer is being effected to the Issuer or a subsidiary thereof; or
(c) [ ] such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.
4. [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE OR OF AN UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE.
(a) [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO RULE 144. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.
(b) [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO REGULATION S. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.
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(c) [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO OTHER EXEMPTION. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.
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This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuer.
[Insert Name of Transferor]
By:
Name:
Title:
Name:
Title:
Dated: __________
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ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
1. The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:
[CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b)]
(a) [ ] a beneficial interest in the:
(i) [ ] 144A Global Note (CUSIP: [●]5),or
(ii) [ ] Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP: [●]6),or
(b) [ ] a Restricted Definitive Note.
2. After the Transfer the Transferee will hold:
[CHECK ONE]
(a) [ ] a beneficial interest in the:
(i) [ ] 144A Global Note (CUSIP: [●]7),or
(ii) [ ] Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP: [●]8),or
(iii) [ ] Unrestricted Global Note (CUSIP: ),or
(b) [ ] a Restricted Definitive Note; or
(c) [ ] an Unrestricted Definitive Note, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.
5 If for the 5.875% Senior Notes due 2029, use 432833 AP6. If for the 6.125% Senior Notes due 2032, use 432833 AQ4.
6 If for the 5.875% Senior Notes due 2029, use U4328R AJ3. If for the 6.125% Senior Notes due 2032, use U4328R AK0.
7 If for the 5.875% Senior Notes due 2029, use 432833 AP6. If for the 6.125% Senior Notes due 2032, use 432833 AQ4.
8 If for the 5.875% Senior Notes due 2029, use U4328R AJ3. If for the 6.125% Senior Notes due 2032, use U4328R AK0.
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EXHIBIT C
[FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE]
Hilton Domestic Operating Company Inc.
c/o Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.
7930 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 1100
McLean, VA 22102
Facsimile: (703) 883-6188
Attention: Anne-Marie D’Angelo, Executive Vice President and General Counsel
With a copy to:
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
425 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017-3954
Facsimile: (212) 455-2502
Attention: Edgar J. Lewandowski and Tony Y. Rim
Wilmington Trust, National Association
277 Park Avenue
277 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10172
Facsimile: (302) 636-4149
Facsimile: (302) 636-4149
Attention: Hilton Domestic Operating Company Administrator
Re: Hilton Domestic Operating Company Inc. 5.875% / 6.125% Senior Notes due 2029 / 2032
Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of March 26, 2024 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Indenture”), among Hilton Domestic Operating Company Inc., a Delaware corporation, (the “Issuer”), the Guarantors (as defined therein) from time to time party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking association, as Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.
________________ (the “Owner”) owns and proposes to exchange Note[s] or an interest in such Note[s], in the principal amount of $__________in such Note[s] or interests (the “Exchange”). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:
1. EXCHANGE OF RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE FOR UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE
(a) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
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(b) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
(c) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
(d) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
2. EXCHANGE OF RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES FOR RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES
(a) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.
(b) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in the [CHECK ONE] [ ] 144A Global Note [ ] Regulation S Global Note in each case, with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the beneficial interest issued will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.
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This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuer and are dated
| [Insert Name of Transferor] | ||||||||||||||
| By: | ||||||||||||||
| Name: | ||||||||||||||
| Title: | ||||||||||||||
| Dated: | ||||||||||||||
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EXHIBIT D
[FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
TO BE DELIVERED BY SUBSEQUENT GUARANTORS]
Supplemental Indenture (this “Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of ______________, among ________________________ (the “Guaranteeing Subsidiary”), a subsidiary of Hilton Domestic Operating Company Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), and Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, the Issuer has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an Indenture, dated as of March 26, 2024 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “Indenture”) providing for the issuance of an unlimited aggregate principal amount of 5.875% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “2029 Notes”) and 6.125% Senior Notes due 2032 (the “2032 Notes” and, together with the 2029 Notes, the “Notes”);
WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Issuer’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein and under the Indenture (the “Guarantee”); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture without the consent of the Holders.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders as follows:
(1) Capitalized Terms. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
(2) Agreement to Guarantee. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary acknowledges that it has received and reviewed a copy of the Indenture and all other documents it deems necessary to review in order to enter into this Supplemental Indenture, and acknowledges and agrees to (i) join and become a party to the Indenture as indicated by its signature below; (ii) be bound by the Indenture, as of the date hereof, as if made by, and with respect to, each signatory hereto; and (iii) perform all obligations and duties required of a Guarantor pursuant to the Indenture. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby agrees to provide an unconditional Guarantee on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Indenture, including, but not limited to, Article 10 thereof.
(3) Notices. All notices or other communications to the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be given as provided in Section 12.01 of the Indenture.
(4) Execution and Delivery. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary agrees that the Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the absence of the endorsement of any notation of such Guarantee on the Notes.
(5) 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.
(6) No Recourse Against Others. No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, or direct or indirect member, partner or stockholder of the Issuer or any Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer or the Guarantors, including the Guaranteeing Subsidiary (other than in
D-1
their capacity as Issuer or Guarantor), under the Notes, any Guarantees, the Indenture or this Supplemental Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting Notes waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.
(7) Governing Law. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY OR DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATED TO THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
(8) Counterparts. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. This Supplemental Indenture may be executed in multiple counterparts which, when taken together, shall constitute one instrument. The exchange of copies of this Supplemental Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmissions 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 shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.
(9) Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
(10) The Trustee. The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary.
(11) Benefits Acknowledged. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by the Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture and that the guarantee and waivers made by it pursuant to this Guarantee are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.
(12) Successors. All agreements of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary in this Supplemental Indenture shall bind its successors, except as otherwise provided in this Supplemental Indenture. All agreements of the Trustee in this Supplemental Indenture shall bind its successors.
[Signatures on following page]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the date first above written.
| GUARANTEEING SUBSIDIARY | |||||
| By: | |||||
| Name: | |||||
| Title: | |||||
| WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee | |||||
| By: | |||||
| Name: | |||||
| Title: | |||||
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