MP Materials Corp S-3, filed Dec 30, 2021
MP Materials Corp. (MP)
Table of Contents
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 30, 2021
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
MP Materials Corp.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 84-4465489 | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
6720 Via Austi Parkway, Suite 450
Las Vegas, Nevada 89119
(702) 844-6111
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
James H. Litinsky
Chief Executive Officer
6720 Via Austi Parkway, Suite 450
Las Vegas, Nevada 89119
(702) 844-6111
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies of all communications to:
Elliot Hoops
MP Materials Corp.
6720 Via Austi Parkway, Suite 450
Las Vegas, Nevada 89119
(702) 844-6111
Daniel A. O’Shea
Michael P. Heinz
Sidley Austin LLP
787 7th Avenue
New York, New York 10019
(212) 839-5900
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this registration statement becomes effective.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | |||
| Non-accelerated filer | ☒ | Smaller reporting company | ☒ | |||
| 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 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act. ☐
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CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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| Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered |
Amount to be Registered |
Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Unit |
Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price |
Amount of Registration Fee (3) | ||||
| Primary Offering: |
$2,000,000,000(3) | $185,400 | ||||||
| Debt Securities |
(1) | (2) | (3) | |||||
| Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share |
(1) | (2) | (3) | |||||
| Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share |
(1) | (2) | (3) | |||||
| Warrants (5) |
(1) | (2) | (3) | |||||
| Depositary Shares |
(1) | (2) | (3) | |||||
| Units (6) |
(1) | (2) | (3) | |||||
| Secondary Offering: |
||||||||
| 0.25% Green Convertible Senior Notes due 2026 (the “notes”) |
$690,000,000 | 100% | $690,000,000 | $63,963 | ||||
| Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, underlying the notes (7) |
||||||||
| Total |
$2,690,000,000 (3) | $249,363 (4) | ||||||
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| (1) | Not specified with respect to each class of securities to be registered pursuant to General Instruction II.D. of Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). This registration statement covers such indeterminate number or amount of shares of debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, warrants, depositary shares, or units as may be issued by the registrant at indeterminate prices, but with an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $2,000,000,000. The securities registered hereunder are to be issued or sold from time to time and at prices to be determined. The securities registered hereunder also include securities that may be purchased by underwriters to cover over-allotments, if any. Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act, this registration statement also includes such additional number of securities in exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities or that may become issuable as a result of any stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions relating to the securities issued hereunder. |
| (2) | As permitted pursuant to Note 2 of Notes to the “Calculation of Registration Fee” Table of Form S-3, this information is omitted because the filing fee is calculated pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act. |
| (3) | Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act. |
| (4) | Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act. |
| (5) | Warrants will be exercisable for the purchase of debt securities, common stock, preferred stock or units registered hereby. Because the warrants will provide a right only to purchase such securities offered hereunder, no additional registration fee is required. |
| (6) | Each unit will be issued under a unit agreement and will represent an interest in two or more securities registered hereby, which may or may not be separable. |
| (7) | Each $1,000 principal amount of a 0.25% Green Convertible Senior Note due 2026 may be converted into at an initial conversion rate of 22.5861 shares of common stock, subject to adjustments. Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act, the registrant is also registering an indeterminate number of shares which may be issued with respect to such shares of common stock by way of a stock dividend, stock split or similar transaction. No additional registration fee is required pursuant to Rule 457(i) under the Securities Act. |
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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities and the selling securityholders may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED DECEMBER 30, 2021
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS
$2,000,000,000
Debt Securities
Preferred Stock
Common Stock
Warrants
Depositary Shares
Units
by MP Materials Corp.
and
$690,000,000 0.25% Green Convertible Notes due 2026
and
Common Stock Issuable Upon Conversion of
0.25% Green Convertible Notes due 2026
We may offer and sell from time to time, in one or more offerings: debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, warrants, depositary shares or units that include two or more of these securities. We have not yet determined whether any of the other securities that may be offered by this prospectus will be listed on any exchange, inter-dealer quotation system or over-the-counter market.
We may sell any combination of these securities in one or more offerings in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at the time of the applicable offering. The aggregate initial offering price of all securities sold by us will not exceed approximately $2,000,000,000.
This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to these securities. We will provide specific terms of these securities in one or more supplements to this prospectus. This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement. A prospectus supplement may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement carefully before you invest.
Our securities may be offered directly, through agents designated from time to time by us, or to or through underwriters or dealers. If any agents or underwriters are involved in the sale of any of our securities, their names, and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between or among them, will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering materials.
We are also registering the offer and sale of $690,000,000 aggregate principal amount of our 0.25% Green Convertible Senior Notes due 2026 (the “notes”), which were initially issued to qualified institutional buyers in a private transaction pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and shares of our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “shares” and, together with the notes, the “resale securities”), issuable upon conversion of the notes. The holders of the resale securities (the “selling securityholders”) may use this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement to resell from time to time some or all of the resale securities. Additional selling securityholders may be named in future post-effective amendments to the registration statement.
The registration of resale securities covered by this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplements does not necessarily mean that any of the selling securityholders will convert their notes for shares of our common stock, that upon any conversion of the notes we will elect, in our sole and absolute discretion, to convert some or all of the notes for shares of our common stock rather than cash, or that any resale securities will be sold by the selling securityholders.
We are registering the resale securities to allow the selling securityholders to sell any or all of their resale securities using any of the methods described in this prospectus. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the resale securities offered by the selling securityholders, but we have agreed to pay certain registration expenses relating to such resale securities. See “Plan of Distribution.”
You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement or amendment carefully before you invest in our securities. Our common stock is listed on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “MP.” On December 29, 2021, the last reported sale price of our common stock on The New York Stock Exchange was $44.56 per share.
We are an “emerging growth company” under federal securities laws and are subject to reduced public company reporting requirements. Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. See the section titled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 7.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is .
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This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) using a “shelf” registration process. By using a shelf registration statement, we may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus from time to time and in one or more offerings and the selling securityholders may sell the resale securities from time to time in one or more offerings.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that we or the selling securityholders may offer. Each time we or the selling securityholders sell securities, we or the selling securityholders will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of the offered securities and the offering, including a detailed description of the securities to be offered, the specific amount or amounts of securities to be offered, the prices of such securities, the name of any agent, underwriter or dealer to or through which the securities may be sold and a description of any arrangement with such agent, underwriter or dealer, and information about any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the securities will be listed.
A prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information included in this prospectus. Any statement contained in this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in such prospectus supplement modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified will be deemed to constitute a part of this prospectus only as so modified, and any statement so superseded will be deemed not to constitute a part of this prospectus. You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus together with the additional information to which we refer you to in the sections of this prospectus entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference.”
Neither we nor the selling securityholders have authorized anyone to provide any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus we have prepared. We and the selling securityholders take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. This prospectus is an offer to sell only the securities offered hereby and only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give any information or to represent anything not contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus. This prospectus is not an offer to sell securities, and it is not soliciting an offer to buy securities, in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate only as of the date on the front of those documents, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement, or any sale of a security. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
This prospectus contains or incorporates by reference summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed, will be filed or will be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference.”
For investors outside the United States: We have not taken any actions that would permit the possession or distribution of this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than in the United States. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering and distribution of this prospectus outside the United States.
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This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement of which it forms a part. For further information, we refer you to the entire registration statement, including its exhibits. Statements contained in this prospectus about the provisions or contents of any contract, agreement or other document are not necessarily complete. For each of these contracts, agreements or documents filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, we refer you to the actual exhibit for a more complete description of the matters involved.
When used in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, unless otherwise specified or the context otherwise requires, the terms the “Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us” refer to MP Materials Corp. together with its consolidated subsidiaries unless the context suggests otherwise.
MARKET AND OTHER INDUSTRY DATA
Certain market and industry data included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, including the size of certain markets and our size or position within these markets, including our products, are based on estimates of our management and third-party reports. Management estimates have been derived from our management’s knowledge and experience in the markets in which we operate, as well as information obtained from surveys, reports by market research firms, our customers, distributors, suppliers, trade and business organizations and other contacts in the markets in which we operate, which, in each case, we believe are reliable.
We are responsible for all of the disclosure in this prospectus and while we believe the data from these sources to be accurate and complete, we have not independently verified data from these sources or obtained third-party verification of market share data and this information may not be reliable. In addition, these sources may use different definitions of the relevant markets. Data regarding our industry is intended to provide general guidance, but is inherently imprecise.
Assumptions and estimates of our future performance are necessarily subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk due to a variety of factors, including those described in “Risk Factors.” These and other factors could cause our future performance to differ materially from our assumptions and estimates. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein may include statements that express our and our subsidiaries’ opinions, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or projections regarding future events or future results and therefore are, or may be deemed to be, “forward-looking statements.” These forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms “believes,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “seeks,” “projects,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “plans,” “may,” “will” or “should” or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. They may appear in a number of places throughout this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein and these forward-looking statements reflect management’s expectations regarding our future growth, results of operations, operational and financial performance and business prospects and opportunities. Such forward-looking statements are based on available current market material and management’s expectations, beliefs and forecasts concerning future events impacting our business. Factors that may impact such forward-looking statements include:
| • | changes in domestic and foreign business, market, financial, political and legal conditions; |
| • | risks relating to the uncertainty of the projected financial information with respect to the Company; |
| • | risks related to the rollout of our business strategy, including Stage III, and the timing of expected business milestones; |
| • | risks related to our long-term agreement with General Motors, including that this long-term agreement is subject to the Company and General Motors entering into a definitive Supply Agreement that includes all terms and conditions, which may or may not occur; |
| • | risks related to our ability to produce and supply NdFeB alloy and magnets to third parties, including General Motors, which is subject to a number of uncertainties and contingencies; |
| • | risks related to the construction of the Stage III facility, including timing for completion and costs; |
| • | the proposed location of the Stage III facility is subject to the Company closing on a purchase and sale agreement, which is subject to a number of closing conditions, which may or not be satisfied, including the Company obtaining certain incentives approved by the City of Fort Worth; |
| • | risks related to demand for NdFeB alloy and magnets which may decrease materially in the future; |
| • | risks related to political and macroeconomic uncertainty; |
| • | unanticipated costs or delays associated with our Stage II optimization project; |
| • | uncertainties relating to our commercial arrangements with Shenghe Resources (Singapore) International Trading Pte. Ltd., an affiliate of Shenghe Resources Holding Co., Ltd., a global rare earth company listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange; |
| • | the ability to convert current commercial discussions with customers for the sale of rare earth oxide products into contracts; |
| • | potential changes in China’s political environment and policies; |
| • | fluctuations in demand for, and prices of, rare earth minerals and products; |
| • | the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic, including the Delta variant, Omicron variant and other variants, on any of the foregoing risks; |
| • | the intense competition within the rare earths mining and processing industry; |
| • | uncertainties regarding the growth of existing and emerging uses for rare earth products; |
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| • | potential power shortages at the Mountain Pass facility; |
| • | increasing costs or limited access to raw materials that may adversely affect our profitability; |
| • | fluctuations in transportation costs or disruptions in transportation services; |
| • | inability to meet individual customer specifications; |
| • | diminished access to water; |
| • | uncertainty in our estimates of rare earth oxide reserves; |
| • | uncertainties regarding our ability to vertically integrate into further downstream processing and reach full revenue potential; |
| • | risks associated with work stoppages; |
| • | a shortage of skilled technicians and engineers; |
| • | loss of key personnel; |
| • | risks associated with the inherent dangers of mining activity; |
| • | risks associated with events outside of our control, such as natural disasters, climate change, wars or health epidemics or pandemics; |
| • | risks related to technology systems and security breaches; |
| • | risks associated with our intellectual property rights; |
| • | ability to compete with substitutions for rare earth minerals; |
| • | ability to maintain satisfactory labor relations; |
| • | ability to comply with various government regulations that are applicable to our business; |
| • | ability to maintain our governmental licenses, registrations, permits, and approvals necessary for us to operate our business; |
| • | risks relating to extensive and costly environmental regulatory requirements; |
| • | risks associated with the terms of our convertible notes; and |
| • | those factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus supplement. |
If any of these risks materialize or our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements.
These and other factors that could cause actual results to differ from those implied by the forward-looking statements in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein are more fully described under the heading “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus. The risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” are not exhaustive. Other sections of this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement describe additional factors that could adversely affect the business, financial condition or results of operations of the Company. New risk factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible to predict all such risk factors, nor can the Company assess the impact of all such risk factors on the business of the Company or the extent to which any factor or combination of factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
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In addition, statements of belief and similar statements reflect the beliefs and opinions of the Company on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to the Company, as applicable, as of the date of this prospectus, and while the Company believes such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and statements should not be read to indicate that the Company has conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain and you are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements.
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We own and operate the Mountain Pass facility, one of the world’s largest integrated rare earth mining and processing facilities and the only major rare earths resource in the Western Hemisphere. Our wholly-owned subsidiary, MP Mine Operations LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“MPMO”), acquired the Mountain Pass mine and processing facilities in July 2017. Our wholly-owned subsidiary, Secure Natural Resources LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“SNR”), holds the mineral rights to the Mountain Pass mine and surrounding areas as well as intellectual property rights related to the processing and development of rare earth minerals. Since acquiring Mountain Pass, we have implemented a disciplined operating approach that has produced superior product output and performance compared to that of the prior ownership, while generating cash flows from the sale of our rare earth concentrate. We are now beginning to reinvest those cash flows into the further optimization of the facility to enable integrated separation operations, thereby ensuring upstream supply of rare earth oxides (“REO”) and setting a foundation for long-term growth and value creation for stakeholders.
Our mission is to maximize shareholder returns over the long-term by executing a disciplined business strategy to re-establish a secure and sustainable domestic supply chain for critical sectors of the modern global economy. We believe we can generate positive outcomes for U.S. national security and industry, the U.S. workforce, and the environment.
The Company was incorporated on January 24, 2020, as a Delaware corporation under the name “Fortress Value Acquisition Corp.” (“FVAC”) and formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. On November 17, 2020, in connection with the consummation of the business combination involving FVAC, MPMO and SNR, we changed our name to “MP Materials Corp.”
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Investing in our securities involves risk. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the specific risks set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in the applicable prospectus supplement and under the caption “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31 2021, and any subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and any subsequently filed Current Reports on Form 8-K, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus. See “Incorporation by Reference.”
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Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the net proceeds from the sale of any securities offered by us pursuant to this prospectus will be used for general corporate purposes. General corporate purposes may include, without limitation:
| • | working capital; |
| • | acquisitions of or investments in other businesses; |
| • | capital expenditures; |
| • | repayment of outstanding debt; |
| • | repurchases of shares of our common stock; and |
| • | advances to or investments in our subsidiaries. |
Pending any specific application described in the applicable prospectus supplement, net proceeds may be initially invested in short-term interest-bearing accounts, securities or similar investments.
We are also filing the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part pursuant to our contractual obligation to certain of our selling securityholders named in the section entitled “Selling Securityholders.” We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the resale securities by the selling securityholders. We may, however, bear all or a portion of the expenses of the offering of the resale securities by the selling securityholders, except that the selling securityholders will pay any applicable underwriting fees, discounts or commissions and certain transfer taxes.
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
The following description of debt securities sets forth certain of the material terms and provisions of the debt securities that are common to all series of debt securities that we may offer (unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series). We may offer secured or unsecured debt securities which may be senior or subordinated and which may be convertible. Other material specific terms of any particular series of debt securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Accordingly, for a description of the terms of a particular issue of debt securities, reference must be made to both the applicable prospectus supplement and to the following description. To the extent that any particular terms of the debt securities described in a prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described herein, then such terms described herein shall be deemed to have been superseded by such prospectus supplement. When used in this description of debt securities, unless otherwise specified or the context otherwise requires, the terms the “Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us,” refer to MP Materials Corp. and not to any of its subsidiaries.
The debt securities will be issued under one or more indentures to be entered into between us and one or more trustees. References herein to the “indenture” and the “trustee” refer to the applicable indenture and the applicable trustee pursuant to which any particular series of debt securities is issued. The terms of any series of debt securities will be those specified in or pursuant to the applicable indenture and in the certificates evidencing that series of debt securities and those made part of the indenture by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”). We may issue senior, subordinated and convertible debt securities under the same indenture.
The following summary of selected provisions of the indenture and the debt securities is not complete, and the summary of selected terms of a particular series of debt securities included in the applicable prospectus supplement also will not be complete. You should review the applicable form of indenture and the applicable form of certificate evidencing the debt securities, which forms have been or will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or as exhibits to documents which have been or will be incorporated by reference in this prospectus. To obtain a copy of the indenture or the form of certificate for the debt securities, see “Where You Can Find More Information” in this prospectus. The following summary and the summary in any applicable prospectus supplement are qualified in their entirety by reference to all of the provisions of the indenture and the certificates evidencing the debt securities (including any amendments or supplements we may enter into from time to time which are permitted under the debt securities or any indenture), which provisions, including defined terms, are incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be direct unsecured obligations of the Company and will rank junior in right of payment to any of our secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness, and will be structurally junior to all existing and future indebtedness incurred by our subsidiaries. Any debt securities designated as senior will rank equally with any of our other senior and unsubordinated debt. Any debt securities designated as subordinated will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to any senior indebtedness. There may be subordinated debt securities that are senior or junior to other series of subordinated debt securities.
General
The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of the debt securities or any series thereof, including, if applicable:
| • | the title of the debt securities and whether the debt securities will be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities; |
| • | any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities; |
| • | whether the debt securities will be issued as registered securities, bearer securities or both, and any restrictions on the exchange of one form of debt securities for another and on the offer, sale and delivery of the debt securities in either form; |
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| • | the date or dates on which the principal amount of the debt securities will mature; |
| • | if the debt securities bear interest, the rate or rates at which the debt securities bear interest, or the method for determining the interest rate, and the date or dates from which interest will accrue; |
| • | if the debt securities bear interest, the dates on which interest will be payable, or the method for determining such dates, and the regular record dates for interest payments; |
| • | the place or places where the payment of principal, any premium and interest will be made, where the debt securities may be surrendered for transfer or exchange and where notices or demands to or upon us may be served; |
| • | any optional redemption provisions, which would allow us to redeem the debt securities in whole or in part; |
| • | any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to redeem or purchase the debt securities; |
| • | if the currency in which the debt securities will be issuable is United States dollars, the denominations in which any registered securities will be issuable, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any multiple in excess thereof; |
| • | whether the debt securities will be convertible and the terms of any conversion provisions; |
| • | if other than the entire principal amount, the portion of the principal amount of debt securities which will be payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity of the debt securities; |
| • | if other than United States dollars, the currency in which the debt securities will be paid or denominated; |
| • | if the debt securities are to be payable, at our election or the election of a holder of the debt securities, in a currency other than that in which the debt securities are denominated or stated to be payable, the terms and conditions upon which that election may be made, and the time and manner of determining the exchange rate between the currency in which the debt securities are denominated or stated to be payable and the currency in which the debt securities are to be so payable; |
| • | the designation of the original currency determination agent, if any; |
| • | if the debt securities are issuable as indexed securities, the manner in which the amount of payments of principal, any premium and interest will be determined; |
| • | the events of default and covenants with respect to the debt securities, including the inapplicability of any event of default or covenant set forth in the indenture relating to the debt securities, or the applicability of any other events of defaults or covenants in addition to the events of default or covenants set forth in the indenture relating to the debt securities; |
| • | if other than as set forth in an indenture, provisions for the satisfaction and discharge or defeasance or covenant defeasance of that indenture with respect to the debt securities issued under that indenture; |
| • | whether any of such debt securities are to be issuable upon the exercise of warrants; |
| • | if there is more than one trustee or a trustee other than, the identity of the trustee and, if not the trustee, the identity of each security registrar, paying agent or authenticating agent with respect to such securities; |
| • | the extent and manner to which payment on or in respect of debt securities will be subordinated to the prior payment of our other liabilities and obligations; |
| • | whether payment of any amount due under the debt securities will be guaranteed by one or more guarantors, including one or more of our subsidiaries; |
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| • | whether the debt securities will be secured by any collateral and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which such debt securities shall be secured and, if applicable, upon which such liens may be subordinated to other liens securing other indebtedness of the Company or any guarantor and may be released; |
| • | the name and location of the corporate trust office of the applicable trustee under the indenture for such series of notes; |
| • | if the debt securities do not bear interest, the dates on which we will furnish to the applicable trustee the names and addresses of the holders of the debt securities; |
| • | the date as of which any bearer securities and any global security will be dated if other than the date of original issuance of the first debt security of a particular series to be issued; |
| • | whether and under what circumstances we will pay additional amounts to non-United States holders in respect of any tax assessment or government charge; |
| • | whether the debt securities will be issued in whole or in part in the form of a global security or securities and, in that case, any depositary and global exchange agent for the global security or securities, whether the global form shall be permanent or temporary and, if applicable, the exchange date; |
| • | if debt securities are to be issuable initially in the form of a temporary global security, the circumstances under which the temporary global security can be exchanged for definitive debt securities and whether the definitive debt securities will be registered securities, bearer securities or will be in global form and provisions relating to the payment of interest in respect of any portion of a global security payable in respect of an interest payment date prior to the exchange date; |
| • | whether the debt securities will provide for restrictions on the Company’s ability to declare dividends or require the Company to maintain any asset ratio or to create or maintain reserves; |
| • | any terms relating to the modification of the debt securities or the right of the debt security holders; |
| • | the forms of the debt securities; and |
| • | any other terms of the debt securities, which terms shall not be inconsistent with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act. |
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that provides that we may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series under one or more indentures, in each case with the same or various maturities, at par or at a discount. Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, we may issue additional debt securities of a particular series without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of such series outstanding at the time of the issuance. Any such additional debt securities, together with all other outstanding debt securities of that series, will constitute a single series of debt securities under the applicable indenture.
We intend to disclose any restrictive covenants for any issuance or series of debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.
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The following summary of the material terms of our securities is not intended to be a complete summary of the rights and preferences of such securities and is qualified in its entirety by our Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and our Amended and Restated Bylaws. The full text of our Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and our Amended and Restated Bylaws are incorporated by reference herein. For a complete description of the rights and preferences of our securities, we urge you to read our Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, our Amended and Restated Bylaws and the applicable provisions of Delaware law.
Authorized Capital Stock
Our Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the issuance of 500,000,000 shares of capital stock, consisting of (i) 450,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share and (ii) 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share.
As of December 21, 2021, there were 177,877,280 shares of our common stock outstanding. No shares of preferred stock are outstanding.
Common Stock
Voting Power
Except as otherwise required by law or as otherwise provided in any certificate of designation for any series of preferred stock, under the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the holders of common stock possess all voting power for the election of our directors and all other matters requiring stockholder action (other than matters that relate solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of preferred stock) and are entitled or will be entitled, as applicable, to one vote per share on matters to be voted on by stockholders.
Dividends
Subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of preferred stock, under the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, holders of the common stock are entitled to receive such dividends and other distributions, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) in its discretion out of funds legally available therefor and shall share equally on a per share basis in such dividends and distributions.
Liquidation, Dissolution and Winding Up
The Second Amended and Restated Charter provides that subject to applicable law and the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the preferred stock, in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Company, the holders of shares of common stock will be entitled to share ratably in all the remaining assets of the Company available for distribution to its stockholders.
Preemptive or Other Rights
Under the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Company’s stockholders have no preemptive, conversion or other subscription rights and there is no sinking fund or redemption provisions applicable to the common stock.
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Number and Election of Directors
Under our Amended and Restated Bylaws, the number of directors shall be fixed exclusively by resolution of the Board. Under the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, there is no cumulative voting with respect to the election of directors, and directors of the Company are elected by a plurality of the votes cast at a meeting of the Company’s stockholders by holders of common stock.
Preferred Stock
Our Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that shares of preferred stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. Our Board is authorized to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional, special and other rights, if any, and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, applicable to the shares of each series. Our Board is able, without stockholder approval, to issue preferred stock with voting and other rights that could adversely affect the voting power and other rights of the holders of the common stock and could have anti-takeover effects. The ability of the our Board to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of us or the removal of existing management. We have no preferred stock outstanding at the date hereof. Although we do not currently intend to issue any shares of preferred stock, we cannot assure you that we will not do so in the future.
Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions of Delaware Law, the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
Provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) and our Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws could make it more difficult to acquire the Company by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise, or to remove incumbent officers and directors. These provisions, summarized below, are intended to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control the Company to first negotiate with the board of directors. We believe that the benefits of these provisions outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging certain takeover or acquisition proposals because, among other things, negotiation of these proposals could result in an improvement of their terms and enhance the ability of the Board to maximize stockholder value. However, these provisions may delay, deter or prevent a merger or acquisition of us that a stockholder might consider is in its best interest, including those attempts that might result in a premium over the prevailing market price of our common stock.
Business Combinations
The Company has opted out of Section 203 of the DGCL; however the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation contains provisions that are substantially similar to Section 203 of the DGCL. These provisions prevent the Company, under certain circumstances, from engaging in a “business combination” with (i) a stockholder who owns fifteen percent (15%) or more of our outstanding voting stock (otherwise known as an “interested stockholder”); (ii) an affiliate of an interested stockholder; or (iii) an associate of an interested stockholder, in each case, for three years following the date that such stockholder became an interested stockholder.
A “business combination” includes, among other things, a merger with or caused by an interested stockholder or a sale of more than 10% of our assets. However, the above provisions do not apply if:
| • | the Board approves the transaction that made the stockholder an “interested stockholder,” prior to the date of the transaction; |
| • | after the completion of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, that stockholder owned at least 85% of our voting stock outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, other than certain excluded shares of common stock; or |
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| • | on or subsequent to the date of the transaction, the business combination is approved by the Board and authorized at a meeting of our stockholders, and not by written consent, by an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock not owned by the interested stockholder. |
In addition, our Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provide for certain other provisions that may have an anti-takeover effect:
| • | There is no cumulative voting with respect to the election of directors. |
| • | Our Board is empowered to elect a director to fill a vacancy created by the expansion of the board of directors or the resignation, death, or removal of a director in certain circumstances. |
| • | Directors may only be removed from the board of directors for cause. |
| • | A prohibition on stockholder action by written consent, which forces stockholder action to be taken at an annual or special meeting of our stockholders. |
| • | A prohibition on stockholders calling a special meeting and the requirement that a meeting of the stockholders may only be called by members of our Board, by our Chief Executive Officer or by our Chairman, which may delay the ability of our stockholders to force consideration of a proposal or to take action, including the removal of directors. |
| • | Our authorized but unissued common stock and preferred stock are available for future issuances without stockholder approval and could be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future offerings to raise additional capital, acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued and unreserved common stock and preferred stock could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise. |
Classified Board
Under the terms of the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Company’s Board is divided into three classes, Class I, Class II and Class III, with only one class of directors being elected in each year and each class serving a three-year term, except for those directors initially appointed to Class I and Class II. The term of office of the Class II directors will expire at the 2022 annual meeting of the stockholders of the Company. The term of office of the Class III directors will expire at the 2023 annual meeting of the stockholders of the Company. The term of office of the Class I directors will expire at the 2024 annual meeting of the stockholders of the Company. So long as the Company’s Board is classified, it would take at least two elections of directors for any individual or group to gain control of the Company’s Board. Accordingly, while the classified board is in effect, these provisions could discourage a third party from initiating a proxy contest, making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to gain control of the Company.
Advance notice requirements for stockholder proposals and director nominations
Our Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that stockholders seeking to bring business before the annual meeting of the stockholders, or to nominate candidates for election as directors at the annual meeting of the stockholders of the Company must provide timely notice of their intent in writing. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice will need to be received by the Company secretary at our principal executive offices not later than the close of business on the 90th nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of the stockholders. Pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), proposals seeking inclusion in our annual proxy statement must comply with the notice periods contained therein. Our Amended and Restated Bylaws also specify certain requirements as to the form and content of a stockholders’ meeting. These provisions may preclude the stockholders of the Company from bringing matters before our annual meeting of the stockholders or from making nominations for directors at our annual meeting of the stockholders.
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Exclusive Forum
The Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that unless the Company consents to the selection of an alternative forum, any (1) derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company, (2) action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, stockholder or employee to the Company or its stockholders, (3) action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the Amended and Restated Bylaws or (4) action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be exclusively brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or, if such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction thereof, another state or federal court located within the State of Delaware. Additionally, the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the federal district courts of the United States of America will be the exclusive forum for resolving any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the United States federal securities laws, including the Securities Act and the Exchange Act. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of capital stock of the Company shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the forum provisions in the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation; however, there is uncertainty as to whether a court would enforce such an exclusive forum provision with respect to claims under the Securities Act. Additionally, investors cannot waive the Company’s compliance with federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.
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We may issue warrants for the purchase of debt securities, common stock, preferred stock or units. Warrants may be issued independently or together with any other securities offered by any prospectus supplement and may be attached to or separate from such securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between the Company and a warrant agent specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. The warrant agent will act solely as an agent of the Company in connection with the warrants of such series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of the warrants. Further terms of the warrants and the applicable warrant agreements will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Copies of the form of warrant agreement and warrant will be filed as exhibits to or incorporated by reference in the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, and may be obtained from us upon request. The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to such exhibits.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the warrants, including, where applicable, the following:
| • | the title of the warrants; |
| • | the aggregate number of warrants; |
| • | the price or prices at which warrants will be issued; |
| • | the designation, terms and number of securities purchasable upon exercise of warrants; |
| • | the designation and terms of the securities, if any, with which warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each security; |
| • | the date, if any, on and after which warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable; |
| • | the price at which each security purchasable upon exercise of warrants may be purchased; |
| • | the date on which the right to exercise the warrants shall commence and the date on which that right shall expire; |
| • | the minimum and/or maximum amount of warrants which may be exercised at any one time; |
| • | information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any; and |
| • | any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants. |
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We may issue securities in units, each consisting of two or more types of securities. For example, we might issue units consisting of a combination of common stock and warrants to purchase common stock. If we issue units, the prospectus supplement relating to the units will contain information with regard to each of the securities that is a component of the units. In addition, the prospectus supplement relating to the units will describe the terms of any units we issue, including as applicable:
| • | the date, if any, on and after which the units may be transferable separately; |
| • | whether we will apply to have the units traded on a securities exchange or securities quotation system; |
| • | a discussion of any material or special U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the units; and |
| • | how, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the purchase price paid for the units is to be allocated among the component securities. |
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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
We may elect to offer depositary shares, each representing a fraction (to be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of shares of preferred stock) of a share of a particular series of preferred stock. In the event the Company elects to do so, depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares will be issued to the public.
The shares of any class or series of shares of preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a deposit agreement among the Company, a depositary selected by the Company and the holders of the depositary receipts. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each owner of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a preferred share represented by such depositary share, to all the rights and preferences of the shares of preferred stock represented thereby (including dividend, voting, redemption and liquidation rights).
The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the deposit agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional shares of the related class or series of shares of preferred stock in accordance with the terms of the offering described in the related prospectus supplement. Copies of the forms of deposit agreement and depositary receipt will be filed as exhibits to or incorporated by reference in the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, and may be obtained from us upon request. The foregoing summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to such exhibits.
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DESCRIPTION OF CONVERTIBLE NOTES
We initially issued the notes under an indenture, dated as of March 26, 2021 (the “indenture”), between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “trustee”). A copy of the indenture was filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K on March 26, 2021. See “Incorporation by Reference.”
The following description is a summary of the material provisions of the notes and the indenture and does not purport to be complete. This summary is subject to and is qualified by reference to all the provisions of the notes and the indenture, including the definitions of certain terms used in the indenture. We urge you to read these documents because they, and not this description, define the rights of the holders of the notes.
For purposes of this description, references to “we,” “our” and “us” refer only to MP Materials Corp. and not to its subsidiaries.
General
The notes:
| • | are our general unsecured, senior obligations; |
| • | bear cash interest from March 26, 2021 at an annual rate of 0.25% payable on April 1 and October 1 of each year; |
| • | are subject to redemption at our option, in whole or in part, on or after April 5, 2024 if the last reported sale price of our common stock has been at least 130% of the conversion price then in effect for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during any 30 consecutive trading day period (including the last trading day of such period) ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the date on which we provide notice of redemption at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date; |
| • | are subject to repurchase by us at the option of the holders following a fundamental change (as defined below under “—Fundamental Change Permits Holders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes”), at a fundamental change repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date; |
| • | mature on April 1, 2026, unless earlier converted, redeemed or repurchased; |
| • | were issued in denominations of $1,000 and multiples of $1,000; and |
| • | are represented by one or more registered notes in global form, but in certain limited circumstances may be represented by notes in definitive form. See “—Book-Entry, Settlement and Clearance.” |
Subject to satisfaction of certain conditions and during the periods described below, the notes may be converted at an initial conversion rate of 22.5861 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes (equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $44.28 per share of common stock). The conversion rate is subject to adjustment if certain events occur.
We will settle conversions of notes by paying or delivering, as the case may be, cash, shares of our common stock or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, at our election, as described under “—Conversion Rights—Settlement upon Conversion.” Holders of the notes will not receive any separate cash payment for interest, if any, accrued and unpaid to the conversion date except under the limited circumstances described below.
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The indenture does not limit the amount of debt that may be issued by us or our subsidiaries under the indenture or otherwise. The indenture will not contain any financial covenants and will not restrict us from paying dividends or issuing or repurchasing our other securities. Other than restrictions described under “—Fundamental Change Permits Holders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes” and “—Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets” below and except for the provisions set forth under “—Conversion Rights—Increase in Conversion Rate upon Conversion upon a Make-Whole Fundamental Change or Notice of Redemption,” the indenture will not contain any covenants or other provisions designed to afford holders of the notes protection in the event of a highly leveraged transaction involving us or in the event of a decline in our credit rating as the result of a takeover, recapitalization, highly leveraged transaction or similar restructuring involving us that could adversely affect such holders.
We may, without the consent of the holders, reopen the indenture for the notes and issue additional notes under the indenture with the same terms as the notes offered hereby (other than differences in the issue date, the issue price and interest accrued prior to the issue date of such additional notes) in an unlimited aggregate principal amount; provided that if any such additional notes are not fungible with the notes initially offered hereby for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such additional notes will have a separate CUSIP number.
The notes are not listed on any securities exchange or any automated dealer quotation system.
Except to the extent the context otherwise requires, we use the term “notes” in this prospectus to refer to each $1,000 principal amount of notes. We use the term “common stock” in this prospectus to refer to our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share. References in this prospectus to a “holder” or “holders” of notes that are held through The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) are references to owners of beneficial interests in such notes, unless the context otherwise requires. However, we and the trustee will treat the person in whose name the notes are registered (Cede & Co., in the case of notes held through DTC) as the owner of such notes for all purposes. References herein to the “close of business” refer to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, and to the “open of business” refer to 9:00 a.m., New York City time.
Purchase and Cancellation
We will cause all notes surrendered for payment, repurchase (including as described below), redemption, registration of transfer or exchange or conversion, if surrendered to any person other than the trustee (including any of our agents, subsidiaries or affiliates), to be delivered to the trustee for cancellation. All notes delivered to the trustee shall be cancelled promptly by the trustee. Except for notes surrendered for transfer or exchange, no notes shall be authenticated in exchange for any notes cancelled as provided in the indenture.
We may, to the extent permitted by law, and directly or indirectly (regardless of whether such notes are surrendered to us), repurchase notes in the open market or otherwise, whether by us or our subsidiaries or through a private or public tender or exchange offer or through counterparties to private agreements, including by cash-settled swaps or other derivatives. We will cause any notes so repurchased (other than notes repurchased pursuant to cash-settled swaps or other derivatives) to be surrendered to the trustee for cancellation, and they will no longer be considered “outstanding” under the indenture upon their repurchase.
Payments on the Notes; Paying Agent and Registrar; Transfer and Exchange
We will pay the principal of, and interest on, notes in global form registered in the name of or held by DTC or its nominee in immediately available funds to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered holder of such global note.
We will pay the principal of any certificated notes at the office or agency designated by us for that purpose. We have initially designated the trustee as our paying agent and registrar and its agency in New York, New York as a place where notes may be presented for payment or for registration of transfer. We may, however, change
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the paying agent or registrar without prior notice to the holders of the notes, and we may act as paying agent or registrar. Interest on certificated notes will be payable (i) to holders having an aggregate principal amount of $5,000,000 or less, by check mailed to the holders of these notes and (ii) to holders having an aggregate principal amount of more than $5,000,000, either by check mailed to each holder or, upon application by such a holder to the registrar not later than the relevant regular record date, by wire transfer in immediately available funds to that holder’s account within the United States, which application shall remain in effect until the holder notifies, in writing, the registrar to the contrary.
A holder of notes may transfer or exchange notes at the office of the registrar in accordance with the indenture. The registrar and the trustee may require a holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents. No service charge will be imposed by us, the trustee or the registrar for any registration of transfer or exchange of notes, but we may require a holder to pay a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or other similar governmental charge required by law or permitted by the indenture. We are not required to transfer or exchange any note selected for redemption or surrendered for conversion or required repurchase.
The registered holder of a note will be treated as its owner for all purposes.
Interest
The notes will bear cash interest at a rate of 0.25% per year until maturity. Interest on the notes will accrue from March 26, 2021 or from the most recent date on which interest has been paid or duly provided for. Interest is payable semiannually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year.
Interest will be paid to the person in whose name a note is registered at the close of business on March 15 or September 15, as the case may be, immediately preceding the relevant interest payment date (each, a “regular record date”). Interest on the notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months and, for partial months, on the basis of the number of days actually elapsed in a 30-day month.
If any interest payment date, the maturity date, any redemption date or any earlier required repurchase date upon a fundamental change of a note falls on a day that is not a business day, the required payment will be made on the next succeeding business day and no interest on such payment will accrue in respect of the delay. The term “business day” means, with respect to any note, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is authorized or required by law or executive order to close or be closed.
Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to interest herein include additional interest, if any, payable pursuant to the registration rights agreement and at our election as the sole remedy relating to the failure to comply with our reporting obligations as described under “—Events of Default.”
Ranking
The notes are our general unsecured obligations that rank senior in right of payment to all of our indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the notes. The notes rank equal in right of payment with all of our liabilities that are not so subordinated. The notes effectively rank junior to any of our senior, secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. In the event of our bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganization or other winding up, our assets that secure secured debt will be available to pay obligations on the notes only after all indebtedness under such secured debt has been repaid in full from such assets. The notes rank structurally junior to all indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries (including trade payables but excluding intercompany obligations and liabilities of a type not required to be reflected on a balance sheet of such subsidiaries in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)). There may not be sufficient assets remaining to pay amounts due on any or all the notes then outstanding.
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The ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends and make other payments to us is restricted by, among other things, applicable corporate and other laws and regulations as well as agreements to which our subsidiaries may become a party. We may not be able to pay the cash portions of any settlement amount upon conversion of the notes, or to pay cash for the fundamental change repurchase price upon a fundamental change if a holder requires us to repurchase notes as described below.
Optional Redemption
No “sinking fund” is provided for the notes, which means that we are not required to redeem or retire the notes periodically. Prior to April 5, 2024, the notes will not be redeemable. On or after April 5, 2024, we may redeem for cash all or any portion of the notes, at our option, if the last reported sale price of our common stock has been at least 130% of the conversion price then in effect for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during any 30 consecutive trading day period (including the last trading day of such period) ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the date on which we provide notice of redemption. In the case of any optional redemption, we will provide not less than 35 nor more than 55 scheduled trading days’ notice before the redemption date to the trustee, the paying agent and each holder of notes, and the redemption price will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date (unless the redemption date falls after a regular record date but on or prior to the immediately succeeding interest payment date, in which case we will pay the full amount of accrued and unpaid interest to the holder of record as of the close of business on such regular record date, and the redemption price will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed). The redemption date must be a business day, and we may not specify a redemption date that falls on or after the 26th scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date. We will not, and will not be permitted to, send a notice of redemption so long as, as of the date of the notice of redemption, a registration default under the registration rights agreement exists and is continuing and we have failed to file all reports and other materials required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as applicable, during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that we were required to file such reports and materials), after giving effect to all applicable grace periods thereunder and other than reports on Form 8-K.
If we decide to redeem fewer than all of the outstanding notes, the trustee will select the notes to be redeemed (in principal amounts of $1,000 or multiples thereof) by lot, on a pro rata basis or by another method the trustee considers to be fair and appropriate.
If the trustee selects a portion of the notes for partial redemption and the holder of the notes convert a portion of the same note, the converted portion will be deemed to be from the portion selected for redemption.
In the event of any redemption in part, we will not be required to register the transfer of or exchange any note so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any note being redeemed in part.
No notes may be redeemed if the principal amount of the notes has been accelerated, and such acceleration has not been rescinded, on or prior to the redemption date (except in the case of an acceleration resulting from a default by us in the payment of the redemption price with respect to such notes).
Conversion Rights
General
Prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding January 1, 2026, the notes will be convertible only upon satisfaction of one or more of the conditions described under the headings “—Conversion upon Satisfaction of Sale Price Condition,” “—Conversion upon Notice of Redemption,” “—Conversion upon Satisfaction of Trading Price Condition,” and “—Conversion upon Specified Corporate Events.” On or after
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January 1, 2026 until the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the maturity date, holders may convert all or any portion of their notes at the conversion rate at any time irrespective of the foregoing conditions.
The conversion rate will initially be 22.5861 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes (equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $44.28 per share of common stock). Upon conversion of a note, we will satisfy our conversion obligation by paying or delivering, as the case may be, cash, shares of our common stock or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, at our election, all as set forth below under “—Settlement upon Conversion.” If we satisfy our conversion obligation solely in cash or through payment and delivery, as the case may be, of a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, the amount of cash and shares of common stock, if any, due upon conversion will be based on a daily conversion value (as defined below) calculated on a proportionate basis for each trading day in a 25 trading day observation period (as defined below under “—Settlement upon Conversion”). The trustee will initially act as the conversion agent.
A holder may convert fewer than all of such holder’s notes so long as the notes converted are a multiple of $1,000 principal amount.
If we call notes for redemption, a holder of notes may convert all or any portion of its notes only until the close of business on the scheduled trading day immediately preceding the redemption date unless we fail to pay the redemption price (in which case a holder of notes may convert such notes until the redemption price has been paid or duly provided for).
Upon conversion, the holders of the notes will not receive any separate cash payment for accrued and unpaid interest, if any, except as described below. We will not issue fractional shares of our common stock upon conversion of notes. Instead, we will pay cash in lieu of delivering any fractional share as described under “—Settlement upon Conversion.” Our payment and delivery, as the case may be, to the holders of the notes of the cash, shares of our common stock or a combination thereof, as the case may be, into which a note is convertible will be deemed to satisfy in full our obligation to pay:
| • | the principal amount of the note; and |
| • | accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the relevant conversion date. |
As a result, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the relevant conversion date will be deemed to be paid in full rather than cancelled, extinguished or forfeited. Upon a conversion of notes into a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, accrued and unpaid interest will be deemed to be paid first out of the cash paid upon such conversion.
Notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, if notes are converted after the close of business on a regular record date for the payment of interest, holders of such notes at the close of business on such regular record date will receive the full amount of interest payable on such notes on the corresponding interest payment date notwithstanding the conversion. Notes surrendered for conversion during the period from the close of business on any regular record date to the open of business on the immediately following interest payment date must be accompanied by funds equal to the amount of interest payable on the notes so converted; provided that no such payment need be made:
| • | for conversions following the regular record date immediately preceding the maturity date; |
| • | if we have specified a redemption date that is after a regular record date and on or prior to the business day immediately following the corresponding interest payment date; |
| • | if we have specified a fundamental change repurchase date that is after a regular record date and on or prior to the business day immediately following the corresponding interest payment date; or |
| • | to the extent of any overdue interest, if any overdue interest exists at the time of conversion with respect to such note. |
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Therefore, for the avoidance of doubt, all record holders on the regular record date immediately preceding the maturity date will receive the full interest payment due on the maturity date in cash regardless of whether their notes have been converted following such regular record date.
If a holder converts notes, we will pay any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax due on any issuance of any shares of our common stock upon the conversion, unless the tax is due because the holder requests such shares to be issued in a name other than the holder’s name, in which case the holder will pay that tax.
Holders may surrender their notes for conversion under the following circumstances:
Conversion upon Satisfaction of Sale Price Condition
Prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding January 1, 2026, a holder may surrender all or any portion of its notes for conversion at any time during any calendar quarter commencing after the calendar quarter ending on June 30, 2021 (and only during such calendar quarter), if the last reported sale price of the common stock for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during the period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price on each applicable trading day. If the sale price condition has been met, we will so notify the holders, the trustee and the conversion agent (if other than the trustee).
The “last reported sale price” of our common stock on any date means the closing sale price per share (or if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the bid and ask prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average bid and the average ask prices) on that date as reported in composite transactions for the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which our common stock is traded. If our common stock is not listed for trading on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange on the relevant date, the “last reported sale price” will be the last quoted bid price for our common stock in the over-the-counter market on the relevant date as reported by OTC Markets Group Inc. or a similar organization. If our common stock is not so quoted, the “last reported sale price” will be the average of the mid-point of the last bid and ask prices for our common stock on the relevant date from each of at least three nationally recognized independent investment banking firms selected by us for this purpose.
“Trading day” means a day on which (i) trading in our common stock (or other security for which a closing sale price must be determined) generally occurs on The New York Stock Exchange or, if our common stock (or such other security) is not then listed on The New York Stock Exchange, on the principal other U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which our common stock (or such other security) is then listed or, if our common stock (or such other security) is not then listed on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange, on the principal other market on which our common stock (or such other security) is then traded, and (ii) a last reported sale price for our common stock (or closing sale price for such other security) is available on such securities exchange or market. If our common stock (or such other security) is not so listed or traded, “trading day” means a “business day.”
Conversion upon Satisfaction of Trading Price Condition
Prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding January 1, 2026, a holder of notes may surrender all or any portion of its notes for conversion at any time during the five business day period after any five consecutive trading day period (the “measurement period”) in which the “trading price” per $1,000 principal amount of notes, as determined following a request by a holder of notes in accordance with the procedures described below, for each trading day of the measurement period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of our common stock and the conversion rate on each such trading day.
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The “trading price” of the notes on any date of determination means the average of the secondary market bid quotations obtained by the bid solicitation agent for $5,000,000 principal amount of notes at approximately 3:30 p.m., New York City time, on such determination date from three independent nationally recognized securities dealers we select for this purpose; provided that if three such bids cannot reasonably be obtained by the bid solicitation agent but two such bids are obtained, then the average of the two bids shall be used, and if only one such bid can reasonably be obtained by the bid solicitation agent, that one bid shall be used. If the bid solicitation agent cannot reasonably obtain at least one bid for $5,000,000 principal amount of notes from a nationally recognized securities dealer, then the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of notes will be deemed to be less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of our common stock and the conversion rate. If (x) we are not acting as bid solicitation agent, and we do not, when we are required to, instruct the bid solicitation agent to obtain bids, or if we give such instruction to the bid solicitation agent, and the bid solicitation agent fails to make such determination, or (y) we are acting as bid solicitation agent and we fail to make such determination, then, in either case, the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of notes will be deemed to be less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of our common stock and the conversion rate on each trading day of such failure.
The bid solicitation agent (if other than us) shall have no obligation to determine the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of notes unless we have requested such determination; and we shall have no obligation to make such request (or, if we are acting as bid solicitation agent, we shall have no obligation to determine the trading price) unless a holder of a note provides us with reasonable evidence that the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of notes would be less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of our common stock and the conversion rate. At such time, we shall instruct the bid solicitation agent (if other than us) to determine, or if we are acting as bid solicitation agent, we shall determine, the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of notes beginning on the next trading day and on each successive trading day until the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of notes is greater than or equal to 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of our common stock and the conversion rate. If the trading price condition has been met, we will so notify the holders, the trustee and the conversion agent (if other than the trustee). If, at any time after the trading price condition has been met, the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of notes is greater than or equal to 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of our common stock and the conversion rate for such date, we will so notify the holders, the trustee and the conversion agent (if other than the trustee).
Conversion upon Notice of Redemption
If we call any or all of the notes for redemption prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding January 1, 2026, holders may convert all or any portion of their notes at any time prior to the close of business on the scheduled trading day prior to the redemption date, even if the notes are not otherwise convertible at such time. After that time, the right to convert such notes on account of our delivery of such notice of redemption will expire, unless we default in the payment of the redemption price, in which case a holder of notes may convert all or any portion of its notes until the redemption price has been paid or duly provided for.
Conversion upon Specified Corporate Events
Certain Distributions
If, prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding January 1, 2026, we elect to:
| • | issue to all or substantially all holders of our common stock any rights, options or warrants entitling them, for a period of not more than 45 calendar days after the announcement date of such issuance, to subscribe for or purchase shares of our common stock at a price per share that is less than the average of the last reported sale prices of our common stock for the 10 consecutive trading day period ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the date of announcement of such issuance; or |
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| • | distribute to all or substantially all holders of our common stock our assets, securities or rights to purchase our securities, which distribution has a per share value, as reasonably determined by our board of directors or a committee thereof, exceeding 10% of the last reported sale price of our common stock on the trading day preceding the date of announcement for such distribution, |
then, in either case, we must notify the holders of the notes at least 35 scheduled trading days prior to the ex-dividend date for such issuance or distribution. Once we have given such notice, holders may surrender all or any portion of their notes for conversion at any time until the earlier of the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the ex-dividend date for such issuance or distribution and our announcement that such issuance or distribution will not take place, even if the notes are not otherwise convertible at such time.
Certain Corporate Events
If a transaction or event that constitutes a “fundamental change” (as defined under “—Fundamental Change Permits Holders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes”) or a “make-whole fundamental change” (as defined under “—Increase in Conversion Rate upon Conversion upon a Make-Whole Fundamental Change or Notice of Redemption”) occurs prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding January 1, 2026, regardless of whether a holder has the right to require us to repurchase the notes as described under “—Fundamental Change Permits Holders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes,” or if we are a party to a consolidation, merger, binding share exchange, or transfer or lease of all or substantially all of our assets that occurs prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding January 1, 2026, in each case, pursuant to which our common stock would be converted into cash, securities or other assets, all or any portion of a holder’s notes may be surrendered for conversion at any time from or after the date that is 35 scheduled trading days prior to the anticipated effective date of the transaction (or, if later, the earlier of (x) the business day after we give notice of such transaction and (y) the actual effective date of such transaction) until 35 trading days after the actual effective date of such transaction or, if such transaction also constitutes a fundamental change, until the related fundamental change repurchase date. We will notify holders, the trustee and the conversion agent (if other than the trustee) (i) as promptly as practicable following the date we publicly announce such transaction but in no event less than 35 scheduled trading days prior to the anticipated effective date of such transaction; or (ii) if we do not have knowledge of such transaction at least 35 scheduled trading days prior to the anticipated effective date of such transaction, within one business day of the date upon which we receive notice, or otherwise become aware, of such transaction, but in no event later than the actual effective date of such transaction.
Conversions on or After January 1, 2026
On or after January 1, 2026, a holder may convert all or any portion of its notes at any time prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the maturity date regardless of the foregoing conditions.
Conversion Procedures
If you hold a beneficial interest in a global note, to convert you must comply with DTC’s procedures for converting a beneficial interest in a global note and, if required, pay funds equal to interest payable on the next interest payment date to which you are not entitled. As such, if you are a beneficial owner of the notes, you must allow for sufficient time to comply with DTC’s procedures if you wish to exercise your conversion rights.
If you hold a certificated note, to convert you must:
| • | complete and manually sign the conversion notice on the back of the note, or a facsimile of the conversion notice; |
| • | deliver the conversion notice, which is irrevocable, and the note to the conversion agent; |
| • | if required, furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents; and |
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| • | if required, pay funds equal to interest payable on the next interest payment date to which you are not entitled. |
We will pay any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax on the issuance of any shares of our common stock upon conversion of the notes, unless the tax is due because the holder requests such shares to be issued in a name other than the holder’s name, in which case the holder will pay the tax.
We refer to the date you comply with the relevant procedures for conversion described above as the “conversion date.”
If a holder has already delivered a repurchase notice as described under “—Fundamental Change Permits Holders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes” with respect to a note, the holder may not surrender that note for conversion until the holder has withdrawn the repurchase notice in accordance with the relevant provisions of the indenture. If a holder submits its notes for required repurchase, the holder’s right to withdraw the repurchase notice and convert the notes that are subject to repurchase will terminate at the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the relevant fundamental change repurchase date.
Settlement upon Conversion
Upon conversion, we may choose to pay or deliver, as the case may be, either cash (“cash settlement”), shares of our common stock (“physical settlement”) or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock (“combination settlement”), as described below. We refer to each of these settlement methods as a “settlement method.”
All conversions for which the relevant conversion date occurs after our issuance of a notice of redemption with respect to the notes and prior to the related redemption date, and all conversions for which the relevant conversion date occurs on or after January 1, 2026 will be settled using the same settlement method. Except for any conversions for which the relevant conversion date occurs after our issuance of a notice of redemption but prior to the related redemption date, and any conversions for which the relevant conversion date occurs on or after January 1, 2026, we will use the same settlement method for all conversions with the same conversion date, but we will not have any obligation to use the same settlement method with respect to conversions with different conversion dates. That is, we may choose for notes converted on one conversion date to settle conversions in physical settlement, and choose for notes converted on another conversion date cash settlement or combination settlement.
If we elect a settlement method, we will inform holders so converting through the trustee of the settlement method we have selected no later than the close of business on the trading day immediately following the related conversion date (or in the case of any conversions for which the relevant conversion date occurs (i) after the date of issuance of a notice of redemption as described under “—Optional Redemption” and prior to the related redemption date, in such notice of redemption or (ii) on or after January 1, 2026, no later than January 1, 2026). If we do not timely elect a settlement method, we will no longer have the right to elect cash settlement or physical settlement and we will be deemed to have elected combination settlement in respect of our conversion obligation, as described below, and the specified dollar amount (as defined below) per $1,000 principal amount of notes will be equal to $1,000. If we elect combination settlement, but we do not timely notify converting holders of the specified dollar amount per $1,000 principal amount of notes, such specified dollar amount will be deemed to be $1,000.
Settlement amounts will be computed as follows:
| • | if we elect physical settlement, we will deliver to the converting holder in respect of each $1,000 principal amount of notes being converted a number of shares of common stock equal to the conversion rate; |
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| • | if we elect cash settlement, we will pay to the converting holder in respect of each $1,000 principal amount of notes being converted cash in an amount equal to the sum of the daily conversion values for each of the 25 consecutive trading days during the related observation period; and |
| • | if we elect (or are deemed to have elected) combination settlement, we will pay or deliver, as the case may be, to the converting holder in respect of each $1,000 principal amount of notes being converted a “settlement amount” equal to the sum of the daily settlement amounts for each of the 25 consecutive trading days during the related observation period. |
The “daily settlement amount,” for each of the 25 consecutive trading days during the observation period, shall consist of:
| • | cash equal to the lesser of (i) the maximum cash amount per $1,000 principal amount of notes to be received upon conversion as specified in the notice specifying our chosen settlement method (the “specified dollar amount”), if any, divided by 25 (such quotient, the “daily measurement value”) and (ii) the daily conversion value; and |
| • | if the daily conversion value exceeds the daily measurement value, a number of shares equal to (i) the difference between the daily conversion value and the daily measurement value, divided by (ii) the daily VWAP for such trading day. |
The “daily conversion value” means, for each of the 25 consecutive trading days during the observation period, 4.0% of the product of (1) the conversion rate on such trading day and (2) the daily VWAP for such trading day.
The “daily VWAP” means, for each of the 25 consecutive trading days during the relevant observation period, the per share volume-weighted average price as displayed under the heading “Bloomberg VWAP” on Bloomberg page “MP <equity> AQR” (or its equivalent successor if such page is not available) in respect of the period from the scheduled open of trading until the scheduled close of trading of the primary trading session on such trading day (or if such volume-weighted average price is unavailable, the market value of one share of our common stock on such trading day determined, using a volume-weighted average method, by a nationally recognized independent investment banking firm retained for this purpose by us). The “daily VWAP” will be determined without regard to after-hours trading or any other trading outside of the regular trading session trading hours.
The “observation period” with respect to any note surrendered for conversion means:
| • | subject to the immediately succeeding bullet, if the relevant conversion date occurs prior to January 1, 2026, the 25 consecutive trading day period beginning on, and including, the second trading day immediately succeeding such conversion date; |
| • | if the relevant conversion date occurs on or after the date of our issuance of a notice of redemption with respect to the notes as described under “—Optional Redemption” and prior to the relevant redemption date, the 25 consecutive trading days beginning on, and including, the 26th scheduled trading day immediately preceding such redemption date; and |
| • | if the relevant conversion date occurs on or after January 1, 2026, the 25 consecutive trading days beginning on, and including, the 26th scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date. |
For the purposes of determining amounts due upon conversion only, “trading day” means a day on which (i) there is no “market disruption event” (as defined below) and (ii) trading in our common stock generally occurs on The New York Stock Exchange or, if our common stock is not then listed on The New York Stock Exchange, on the principal other U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which our common stock is then listed or, if our common stock is not then listed on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange, on the principal other market on which our common stock is then listed or admitted for trading. If our common stock is not so listed or admitted for trading, “trading day” means a “business day.”
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“Scheduled trading day” means a day that is scheduled to be a trading day on the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange or market on which our common stock is listed or admitted for trading. If our common stock is not so listed or admitted for trading, “scheduled trading day” means a “business day.”
For the purposes of determining amounts due upon conversion, “market disruption event” means (i) a failure by the primary U.S. national or regional securities exchange or market on which our common stock is listed or admitted for trading to open for trading during its regular trading session or (ii) the occurrence or existence prior to 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on any scheduled trading day for our common stock for more than one half-hour period in the aggregate during regular trading hours of any suspension or limitation imposed on trading (by reason of movements in price exceeding limits permitted by the relevant stock exchange or otherwise) in our common stock or in any options contracts or futures contracts relating to our common stock.
Except as described under “—Increase in Conversion Rate upon Conversion upon a Make-Whole Fundamental Change or Notice of Redemption” and “—Recapitalizations, Reclassifications and Changes of our Common Stock,” we will deliver the consideration due in respect of conversion on the second business day immediately following the relevant conversion date, if we elect physical settlement, or on the second business day immediately following the last trading day of the relevant observation period, in the case of any other settlement method.
We will pay cash in lieu of delivering any fractional share of common stock issuable upon conversion based on the daily VWAP for the relevant conversion date (in the case of physical settlement) or based on the daily VWAP for the last trading day of the relevant observation period (in the case of combination settlement).
Each conversion will be deemed to have been effected as to any notes surrendered for conversion on the conversion date; provided, however, that the person in whose name any shares of our common stock shall be issuable upon such conversion will become the holder of record of such shares as of the close of business on the conversion date (in the case of physical settlement) or the last trading day of the relevant observation period (in the case of combination settlement).
Irrevocable Election of Net Share Settlement at Our Option
By notice to holders of the notes, the trustee and the conversion agent (if other than the trustee), we may, prior to January 1, 2026, at our option, irrevocably elect to satisfy our conversion obligation with respect to the notes through any settlement method that we are then permitted to elect for all conversion dates occurring subsequent to delivery of such notice. Concurrently with providing notice to all holders of notes, the trustee and the conversion agent (if other than the trustee) of an election to irrevocably fix the settlement method, we will promptly issue a report on Form 8-K or press release announcing that we have elected to irrevocably fix the settlement method. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no such irrevocable election will affect any settlement method theretofore elected (or deemed to be elected) with respect to any note pursuant to the provisions described above under “—Settlement upon Conversion” section. For the avoidance of doubt, such an irrevocable election, if made, will be effective without the need to amend the indenture or the notes, including pursuant to the provisions described in clause (7) of the second paragraph under the caption “— Modification and Amendment” below. However, we may nonetheless choose to execute such an amendment at our option.
Conversion Rate Adjustments
The conversion rate will be adjusted as described below, except that we will not make any adjustments to the conversion rate if holders of the notes participate (other than in the case of (x) a share split or share combination or (y) a tender or exchange offer), at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of our common stock and solely as a result of holding the notes, in any of the transactions described below without having to convert their notes as if they held a number of shares of common stock equal to the conversion rate, multiplied by the principal amount (expressed in thousands) of notes held by such holder.
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| (1) | If we exclusively issue shares of our common stock as a dividend or distribution on shares of our common stock, or if we effect a share split or share combination, the conversion rate will be adjusted based on the following formula: |
| CR1 = CR0 × | OS1 |
|||||
| OS0 |
where,
| CR0 | = | the conversion rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the ex-dividend date of such dividend or distribution, or immediately prior to the open of business on the effective date of such share split or share combination, as applicable; | ||
| CR1 | = | the conversion rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such ex-dividend date or effective date; | ||
| OS0 | = | the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately prior to the open of business on such ex-dividend date or effective date (before giving effect to any such dividend, distribution, split or combination); and | ||
| OS1 | = | the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such dividend, distribution, share split or share combination. | ||
Any adjustment made under this clause (1) shall become effective immediately after the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution, or immediately after the open of business on the effective date for such share split or share combination, as applicable. If any dividend or distribution of the type described in this clause (1) is declared but not so paid or made, the conversion rate shall be immediately readjusted, effective as of the date our board of directors or a committee thereof determines not to pay such dividend or distribution, to the conversion rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared.
| (2) | If we issue to all or substantially all holders of our common stock any rights, options or warrants entitling them, for a period of not more than 45 calendar days after the announcement date of such issuance, to subscribe for or purchase shares of our common stock at a price per share that is less than the average of the last reported sale prices of our common stock for the 10 consecutive trading day period ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the date of announcement of such issuance, the conversion rate will be increased based on the following formula: |
| CR1 = CR0 × | OS0 + X |
|||||
| OS0 + Y |
where,
| CR0 | = | the conversion rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such issuance; | ||
| CR1 | = | the conversion rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such ex-dividend date; | ||
| OS0 | = | the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately prior to the open of business on such ex-dividend date; | ||
| X | = | the total number of shares of our common stock issuable pursuant to such rights, options or warrants; and | ||
| Y | = | the number of shares of our common stock equal to the aggregate price payable to exercise such rights, options or warrants, divided by the average of the last reported sale prices of our common stock over the 10 consecutive trading day period ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the date of announcement of the issuance of such rights, options or warrants. | ||
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Any increase made under this clause (2) will be made successively whenever any such rights, options or warrants are issued and shall become effective immediately after the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such issuance. To the extent that shares of common stock are not delivered after the expiration of such rights, options or warrants, the conversion rate shall be decreased to the conversion rate that would then be in effect had the increase with respect to the issuance of such rights, options or warrants been made on the basis of delivery of only the number of shares of common stock actually delivered. If such rights, options or warrants are not so issued, the conversion rate shall be decreased to the conversion rate that would then be in effect if such ex-dividend date for such issuance had not occurred.
For the purpose of this clause (2), and for the purpose of the first bullet point under “—Conversion upon Specified Corporate Events—Certain Distributions,” in determining whether any rights, options or warrants entitle the holders to subscribe for or purchase shares of the common stock at less than such average of the last reported sale prices for the 10 consecutive trading day period ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the date of announcement of such issuance, and in determining the aggregate offering price of such shares of common stock, there shall be taken into account any consideration received by us for such rights, options or warrants and any amount payable on exercise or conversion thereof, the value of such consideration, if other than cash, to be determined by our board of directors or a committee thereof.
| (3) | If we distribute shares of our capital stock, evidences of our indebtedness, other assets or property of ours or rights, options or warrants to acquire our capital stock or other securities, to all or substantially all holders of our common stock, excluding: |
| • | dividends, distributions or issuances as to which an adjustment was effected pursuant to clause (1) or (2) above; |
| • | dividends or distributions paid exclusively in cash as to which the provisions set forth in clause (4) below shall apply; |
| • | payments in respect of tender or exchange offers as to which adjustment was effected pursuant to clause (5) below; |
| • | distributions of reference property upon conversion of, or in exchange for, our common stock in a transaction described in “—Recapitalizations, Reclassifications and Changes of Our Common Stock;” and |
| • | spin-offs as to which the provisions set forth below in this clause (3) shall apply; |
then the conversion rate will be increased based on the following formula:
| CR1 = CR0 × | SP0 |
|||||
| SP0 – FMV |
where,
| CR0 | = | the conversion rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such distribution; | ||
| CR1 | = | the conversion rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such ex-dividend date; | ||
| SP0 | = | the average of the last reported sale prices of our common stock over the 10 consecutive trading day period ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the ex-dividend date for such distribution; and | ||
| FMV | = | the fair market value (as determined by our board of directors or a committee thereof) of the shares of capital stock, evidences of indebtedness, assets, property, rights, options or warrants distributed with respect to each outstanding share of our common stock on the ex-dividend date for such distribution. | ||
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Any increase made under the portion of this clause (3) above will become effective immediately after the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such distribution. If such distribution is not so paid or made, the conversion rate shall be decreased to be the conversion rate that would then be in effect if such distribution had not been declared. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if “FMV” (as defined above) is equal to or greater than “SP0” (as defined above), in lieu of the foregoing increase, each holder of a note shall receive, in respect of each $1,000 principal amount thereof, at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of our common stock, the amount and kind of our capital stock, evidences of our indebtedness, other assets or property of ours or rights, options or warrants to acquire our capital stock or other securities that such holder would have received if such holder owned a number of shares of common stock equal to the conversion rate in effect on the ex-dividend date for the distribution.
With respect to an adjustment pursuant to this clause (3) where there has been a payment of a dividend or other distribution on our common stock of shares of capital stock of any class or series, or similar equity interest, of or relating to a subsidiary or other business unit, that are, or, when issued, will be, listed or admitted for trading on a U.S. national securities exchange, which we refer to as a “spin-off,” the conversion rate will be increased based on the following formula:
| CR1 = CR0 × | FMV0 + MP0 |
|||||
| MP0 |
where,
| CR0 | = | the conversion rate in effect immediately prior to the end of the valuation period (as defined below); | ||
| CR1 | = | the conversion rate in effect immediately after the end of the valuation period; | ||
| FMV0 | = | the average of the last reported sale prices of the capital stock or similar equity interest distributed to holders of our common stock applicable to one share of our common stock (determined by reference to the definition of last reported sale price set forth under “—Conversion upon Satisfaction of Sale Price Condition” as if references therein to our common stock were to such capital stock or similar equity interest) over the first 10 consecutive trading day period after, and including, the ex-dividend date of the spin-off (the “valuation period”); and | ||
| MP0 | = | the average of the last reported sale prices of our common stock over the valuation period. | ||
The increase to the conversion rate under the preceding paragraph will occur at the close of business on the last trading day of the valuation period; provided that (x) in respect of any conversion of notes for which physical settlement is applicable, if the relevant conversion date occurs during the valuation period, the reference to “10” in the preceding paragraph shall be deemed replaced with such lesser number of trading days as have elapsed from, and including, the ex-dividend date for such spin-off to, and including, such conversion date in determining the conversion rate and (y) in respect of any conversion of notes for which cash settlement or combination settlement is applicable, for any trading day that falls within the relevant observation period for such conversion and within the valuation period, the reference to “10” in the preceding paragraph shall be deemed replaced with such lesser number of trading days as have elapsed from, and including, the ex-dividend date for such spin-off to, and including, such trading day in determining the conversion rate as of such trading day.
| (4) | If any cash dividend or distribution is made to all or substantially all holders of our common stock, the conversion rate will be adjusted based on the following formula: |
| CR1 = CR0 × | SP0 |
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| SP0 – C |
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where,
| CR0 | = | the conversion rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution; | ||
| CR1 | = | the conversion rate in effect immediately after the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution; | ||
| SP0 | = | the last reported sale price of our common stock on the trading day immediately preceding the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution; and | ||
| C | = | the amount in cash per share we distribute to all or substantially all holders of our common stock. | ||
Any increase made under this clause (4) shall become effective immediately after the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution. If such dividend or distribution is not so paid, the conversion rate shall be decreased, effective as of the date our board of directors or a committee thereof determines not to make or pay such dividend or distribution, to be the conversion rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if “C” (as defined above) is equal to or greater than “SP0” (as defined above), in lieu of the foregoing increase, each holder of a note shall receive, for each $1,000 principal amount of notes, at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of shares of our common stock, the amount of cash that such holder would have received if such holder owned a number of shares of our common stock equal to the conversion rate on the ex-dividend date for such cash dividend or distribution.
| (5) | If we or any of our subsidiaries make a payment in respect of a tender or exchange offer for our common stock, to the extent that the cash and value of any other consideration included in the payment per share of common stock exceeds the average of the last reported sale prices of our common stock over the 10 consecutive trading day period commencing on, and including, the trading day next succeeding the last date on which tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer, the conversion rate will be increased based on the following formula: |
| CR1 = CR0 x | AC + (SP1 x OS1) |
|||||
| OS0 x SP1 |
where,
| CR0 | = | the conversion rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the 10th trading day immediately following, and including, the trading day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires; | ||
| CR1 | = | the conversion rate in effect immediately after the close of business on the 10th trading day immediately following, and including, the trading day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires; | ||
| AC | = | the aggregate value of all cash and any other consideration (as determined by our board of directors or a committee thereof) paid or payable for shares purchased in such tender or exchange offer; | ||
| OS0 | = | the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately prior to the date such tender or exchange offer expires (prior to giving effect to the purchase of all shares accepted for purchase or exchange in such tender or exchange offer); | ||
| OS1 | = | the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately after the date such tender or exchange offer expires (after giving effect to the purchase of all shares accepted for purchase or exchange in such tender or exchange offer); and | ||
| SP1 | = | the average of the last reported sale prices of our common stock over the 10 consecutive trading day period commencing on, and including, the trading day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires. | ||
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The increase to the conversion rate under the preceding paragraph will occur at the close of business on the 10th trading day immediately following, and including, the trading day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires; provided that (x) in respect of any conversion of notes for which physical settlement is applicable, if the relevant conversion date occurs during the 10 trading days immediately following, and including, the trading day next succeeding the expiration date of any tender or exchange offer, references to “10” or “10th” in the preceding paragraph shall be deemed replaced with such lesser number of trading days as have elapsed from, and including, the trading day next succeeding the expiration date of such tender or exchange offer to, and including, such conversion date in determining the conversion rate and (y) in respect of any conversion of notes for which cash settlement or combination settlement is applicable, for any trading day that falls within the relevant observation period for such conversion and within the 10 trading days immediately following, and including, the trading day next succeeding the expiration date of any tender or exchange offer, references to “10” or “10th” in the preceding paragraph shall be deemed replaced with such lesser number of trading days as have elapsed from, and including, the trading day next succeeding the expiration date of such tender or exchange offer to, and including, such trading day in determining the conversion rate as of such trading day.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a conversion rate adjustment becomes effective on any ex-dividend date as described above, and a holder that has converted its notes on or after such ex-dividend date and on or prior to the related record date would be treated as the record holder of shares of our common stock as of the related conversion date as described under “—Settlement upon Conversion” based on an adjusted conversion rate for such ex-dividend date, then, notwithstanding the foregoing conversion rate adjustment provisions, the conversion rate adjustment relating to such ex-dividend date will not be made for such converting holder. Instead, such holder will be treated as if such holder were the record owner of the shares of our common stock on an unadjusted basis and participate in the related dividend, distribution or other event giving rise to such adjustment.
Except as stated herein, we will not adjust the conversion rate for the issuance of shares of our common stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of our common stock or the right to purchase shares of our common stock or such convertible or exchangeable securities.
As used in this section, “ex-dividend date” means the first date on which the shares of our common stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive the issuance, dividend or distribution in question, from us or, if applicable, from the seller of our common stock on such exchange or market (in the form of due bills or otherwise) as determined by such exchange or market, and “effective date” means the first date on which the shares of our common stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, reflecting the relevant share split or share combination, as applicable.
As used in this section, “record date” means, with respect to any dividend, distribution or other transaction or event in which the holders of our common stock (or other applicable security) have the right to receive any cash, securities or other property or in which our common stock (or such other security) is exchanged for or converted into any combination of cash, securities or other property, the date fixed for determination of holders of our common stock (or such other security) entitled to receive such cash, securities or other property (whether such date is fixed by our board of directors or a duly authorized committee thereof, statute, contract or otherwise).
We are permitted to increase the conversion rate of the notes by any amount for a period of at least 20 business days if our board of directors or a committee thereof determines that such increase would be in our best interest. We may also (but are not required to) increase the conversion rate to avoid or diminish income tax to holders of our common stock or rights to purchase shares of our common stock in connection with a dividend or distribution of shares (or rights to acquire shares) or similar event.
A holder may, in some circumstances, including a distribution of cash dividends to holders of our shares of common stock, be deemed to have received a distribution subject to U.S. federal income tax as a result of an adjustment or the nonoccurrence of an adjustment to the conversion rate. For a discussion of the U.S. federal income tax treatment of an adjustment to the conversion rate, see “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”
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If we have a rights plan in effect upon conversion of the notes into common stock, you will receive, in addition to any shares of common stock received in connection with such conversion, the rights under the rights plan. However, if, prior to any conversion, the rights have separated from the shares of common stock in accordance with the provisions of the applicable rights plan, the conversion rate will be adjusted at the time of separation as if we distributed to all or substantially all holders of our common stock, shares of our capital stock, evidences of indebtedness, assets, property, rights, options or warrants as described in clause (3) above, subject to readjustment in the event of the expiration, termination or redemption of such rights.
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, the conversion rate will not be adjusted:
| • | upon the issuance of any shares of our common stock pursuant to any present or future plan providing for the reinvestment of dividends or interest payable on our securities and the investment of additional optional amounts in shares of our common stock under any plan; |
| • | upon the issuance of any shares of our common stock or options or rights to purchase those shares pursuant to any present or future employee, director or consultant benefit plan or program of or assumed by us or any of our subsidiaries; |
| • | upon the issuance of any shares of our common stock pursuant to any option, warrant, right or exercisable, exchangeable or convertible security not described in the preceding bullet and outstanding as of the date the notes were first issued; |
| • | solely for a change in the par value of the common stock; or |
| • | for accrued and unpaid interest, if any. |
Adjustments to the conversion rate will be calculated to the nearest 1/10,000th of a share.
Recapitalizations, Reclassifications and Changes of our Common Stock
In the case of:
| • | any recapitalization, reclassification or change of our common stock (other than changes resulting from a subdivision or combination), |
| • | any consolidation, merger or combination involving us, |
| • | any sale, lease or other transfer to a third party of the consolidated assets of ours and our subsidiaries substantially as an entirety, or |
| • | any statutory share exchange, |
in each case, as a result of which our common stock would be converted into, or exchanged for, stock, other securities, other property or assets (including cash or any combination thereof), then, at and after the effective time of the transaction, the right to convert each $1,000 principal amount of notes will be changed into a right to convert such principal amount of notes into the kind and amount of shares of stock, other securities or other property or assets (including cash or any combination thereof) that a holder of a number of shares of common stock equal to the conversion rate immediately prior to such transaction would have owned or been entitled to receive (the “reference property”) upon such transaction. However, at and after the effective time of the transaction, (i) we will continue to have the right to determine the form of consideration to be paid or delivered, as the case may be, upon conversion of notes, as set forth under “—Settlement upon Conversion” and (ii)(x) any amount payable in cash upon conversion of the notes as set forth under “—Settlement upon Conversion” will continue to be payable in cash, (y) any shares of our common stock that we would have been required to deliver upon conversion of the notes as set forth under “—Settlement upon Conversion” will instead be deliverable in the amount and type of reference property that a holder of that number of shares of our common stock would have received in such transaction and (z) the daily VWAP will be calculated based on the value of a unit of reference property that a holder of one share of our common stock would have received in such transaction. If the
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transaction causes our common stock to be converted into, or exchanged for, the right to receive more than a single type of consideration (determined based in part upon any form of stockholder election), the reference property into which the notes will be convertible will be deemed to be the weighted average of the types and amounts of consideration actually received by the holders of our common stock. If the holders of our common stock receive only cash in such transaction, then for all conversions that occur after the effective date of such transaction (i) the consideration due upon conversion of each $1,000 principal amount of notes shall be solely cash in an amount equal to the conversion rate in effect on the conversion date (as may be increased as described under “—Increase in Conversion Rate upon Conversion upon a Make-Whole Fundamental Change or Notice of Redemption”), multiplied by the price paid per share of common stock in such transaction and (ii) we will satisfy our conversion obligation by paying cash to converting holders on the second business day immediately following the conversion date. We will notify holders, the trustee and the conversion agent (if other than the trustee) of the weighted average as soon as practicable after such determination is made.
The supplemental indenture providing that the notes will be convertible into reference property will also provide for anti-dilution and other adjustments that are as nearly equivalent as possible to the adjustments described under “—Conversion Rate Adjustments” above. If the reference property in respect of any such transaction includes shares of stock, securities or other property or assets of a company other than us or the successor or purchasing corporation, as the case may be, in such transaction, such other company will also execute such supplemental indenture, and such supplemental indenture will contain such additional provisions to protect the interests of the holders, including the right of holders to require us to repurchase their notes upon a fundamental change as described under “—Fundamental Change Permits Holders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes” below, as the board of directors reasonably considers necessary by reason of the foregoing. We will agree in the indenture not to become a party to any such transaction unless its terms are consistent with the foregoing.
Adjustments of Prices
Whenever any provision of the indenture requires us to calculate the last reported sale prices, the daily VWAPs, the daily conversion values or the daily settlement amounts over a span of multiple days (including, without limitation, an observation period and the period, if any, for determining “stock price” for purposes of a make-whole fundamental change or notice of redemption), we will make appropriate adjustments to each to account for any adjustment to the conversion rate that becomes effective, or any event requiring an adjustment to the conversion rate where the ex-dividend date, effective date or expiration date of the event occurs, at any time during the period when the last reported sale prices, the daily VWAPs, the daily conversion values or the daily settlement amounts are to be calculated.
Increase in Conversion Rate upon Conversion upon a Make-Whole Fundamental Change or Notice of Redemption
If (i) the “effective date” (as defined below) of a “fundamental change” (as defined below and determined after giving effect to any exceptions to or exclusions from such definition, but without regard to the proviso in clause (2) of the definition thereof, a “make-whole fundamental change”) occurs prior to the maturity date of the notes or (ii) we give a notice of redemption with respect to any or all of the notes as provided for under —Optional Redemption and, in each case, a holder elects to convert its notes in connection with such make-whole fundamental change or notice of redemption, as the case may be, we will, under certain circumstances, increase the conversion rate for the notes so surrendered for conversion by a number of additional shares of common stock (the “additional shares”), as described below. A conversion of notes will be deemed for these purposes to be “in connection with” such make-whole fundamental change if the relevant notice of conversion of the notes is received by the conversion agent from, and including, the effective date of the make-whole fundamental change up to, and including, the business day immediately prior to the related fundamental change repurchase date (or, in the case of a make-whole fundamental change that would have been a fundamental change but for the proviso in clause (2) of the definition thereof, the 35th trading day immediately following the effective date of such make-whole fundamental change) (such period, the “make-whole fundamental change period”). A conversion of notes
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will be deemed for these purposes to be “in connection with” a notice of redemption if the notice of conversion of the notes is received by the conversion agent from, and including, the date of the notice of redemption until the close of business on the scheduled trading day immediately preceding the redemption date.
Upon surrender of notes for conversion in connection with a make-whole fundamental change or notice of redemption, we will, at our option, satisfy our conversion obligation by physical settlement, cash settlement or combination settlement, as described under “—Conversion Rights—Settlement upon Conversion.” However, if the consideration for our common stock in any make-whole fundamental change described in clause (2) of the definition of fundamental change is composed entirely of cash, for any conversion of notes following the effective date of such make-whole fundamental change, the conversion obligation will be calculated based solely on the “stock price” (as defined below) for the transaction and will be deemed to be an amount of cash per $1,000 principal amount of converted notes equal to the conversion rate (including any increase to reflect the additional shares as described in this section), multiplied by such stock price. In such event, the conversion obligation will be determined and paid to holders in cash on the second business day following the conversion date. We will notify holders of the effective date of any make-whole fundamental change and issue a press release announcing such effective date no later than five business days after such effective date.
The number of additional shares, if any, by which the conversion rate will be increased will be determined by reference to the table below, based on the date on which the make-whole fundamental change occurs or becomes effective or the date of the notice of redemption, as the case may be (in each case, the “effective date”) and the price (the “stock price”) paid (or deemed to be paid) per share of our common stock in the make-whole fundamental change or with respect to the redemption, as the case may be. If the holders of our common stock receive in exchange for their common stock only cash in a make-whole fundamental change described in clause (2) of the definition of fundamental change, the stock price will be the cash amount paid per share. Otherwise, the stock price will be the average of the last reported sale prices of our common stock over the five trading day period ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the effective date of the make-whole fundamental change or the date of the notice of redemption, as the case may be.
The stock prices set forth in the column headings of the table below will be adjusted as of any date on which the conversion rate of the notes is otherwise adjusted. The adjusted stock prices will equal the stock prices immediately prior to such adjustment, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the conversion rate immediately prior to the adjustment giving rise to the stock price adjustment and the denominator of which is the conversion rate as so adjusted. The number of additional shares as set forth in the table below will be adjusted in the same manner and at the same time as the conversion rate as set forth under “—Conversion Rate Adjustments.”
The following table sets forth the number of additional shares by which the conversion rate will be increased per $1,000 principal amount of notes for each stock price and effective date set forth below:
| Stock Price | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Effective Date |
$ | 35.00 | $ | 40.00 | $ | 44.28 | $ | 45.00 | $ | 50.00 | $ | 55.00 | $ | 57.56 | $ | 60.00 | $ | 70.00 | $ | 80.00 | $ | 90.00 | $ | 100.00 | $ | 110.00 | $ | 125.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 26, 2021 |
5.9853 | 4.2688 | 3.2258 | 3.0791 | 2.2356 | 1.6269 | 1.3820 | 1.1817 | 0.6089 | 0.2919 | 0.1198 | 0.0341 | 0.0022 | 0.0000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| April 1, 2022 |
5.9853 | 4.2345 | 3.1500 | 2.9987 | 2.1346 | 1.5207 | 1.2769 | 1.0795 | 0.5267 | 0.2339 | 0.0841 | 0.0170 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| April 1, 2023 |
5.9853 | 4.1175 | 2.9880 | 2.8320 | 1.9528 | 1.3438 | 1.1070 | 0.9180 | 0.4076 | 0.1568 | 0.0421 | 0.0024 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| April 1, 2024 |
5.9853 | 3.9025 | 2.7118 | 2.5504 | 1.6608 | 1.0722 | 0.8523 | 0.6815 | 0.2514 | 0.0698 | 0.0067 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| April 1, 2025 |
5.9853 | 3.4905 | 2.1953 | 2.0271 | 1.1492 | 0.6336 | 0.4602 | 0.3350 | 0.0714 | 0.0030 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| April 1, 2026 |
5.9853 | 2.4140 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The exact stock prices and effective dates may not be set forth in the table above, in which case
| • | If the stock price is between two stock prices in the table or the effective date is between two effective dates in the table, the number of additional shares by which the conversion rate will be increased will be determined by a straight-line interpolation between the number of additional shares set forth for the higher and lower stock prices and the earlier and later effective dates, as applicable, based on a 365-day year. |
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| • | If the stock price is greater than $125.00 per share (subject to adjustment in the same manner as the stock prices set forth in the column headings of the table above), no additional shares will be added to the conversion rate. |
| • | If the stock price is less than $35.00 per share (subject to adjustment in the same manner as the stock prices set forth in the column headings of the table above), no additional shares will be added to the conversion rate. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event will the conversion rate per $1,000 principal amount of notes exceed 28.5714 shares of common stock, subject to adjustment in the same manner as the conversion rate as set forth under “—Conversion Rate Adjustments.”
Our obligation to increase the conversion rate for notes converted in connection with a make-whole fundamental change or a notice of redemption, as the case may be, could be considered a penalty, in which case the enforceability thereof would be subject to general principles of reasonableness and equitable remedies.
Exchange in Lieu of Conversion
When a holder surrenders its notes for conversion, we may, at our election (an “exchange election”), direct the conversion agent to deliver, on or prior to the trading day immediately following the conversion date, such notes to one or more financial institutions designated by us for exchange in lieu of conversion. In order to accept any notes surrendered for conversion, the designated financial institution(s) must agree to timely pay or deliver, as the case may be, in exchange for such notes, cash, shares of our common stock, or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, at our election, that would otherwise be due upon conversion as described above under “—Conversion Rights—Settlement upon Conversion” (the “conversion consideration”). If we make an exchange election, we will, by the close of business on the trading day immediately following the relevant conversion date, notify in writing the trustee, the conversion agent (if other than the trustee) and the holder surrendering its notes for conversion that we have made the exchange election, and we will notify the designated financial institution(s) of the relevant deadline for delivery of the consideration due upon conversion and the type of conversion consideration to be paid and/or delivered, as the case may be.
Any notes delivered to the designated financial institution(s) will remain outstanding, subject to applicable DTC procedures. If the financial institution(s) agree(s) to accept any notes for exchange but does not timely pay and/or deliver, as the case may be, the related conversion consideration, or if such designated financial institution does not accept the notes for exchange, we will pay and/or deliver, as the case may be, the relevant conversion consideration, as, and at the time, required pursuant to the indenture as if we had not made the exchange election.
Our designation of any financial institution(s) to which the notes may be submitted for exchange does not require such financial institution(s) to accept any notes.
Fundamental Change Permits Holders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes
If a “fundamental change” (as defined below in this section) occurs at any time, holders will have the right, at their option, to require us to repurchase for cash all of their notes, or any portion of the principal thereof that is equal to $1,000 or a multiple of $1,000. The fundamental change repurchase date will be a date specified by us that is not less than 20 or more than 35 calendar days following the date of our fundamental change notice as described below.
The fundamental change repurchase price we are required to pay will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date (unless the fundamental change repurchase date falls after a regular record date but on or prior to the interest payment date to which such regular record date relates, in which case we will instead pay the
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full amount of accrued and unpaid interest to the holder of record on such regular record date, and the fundamental change repurchase price will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased).
A “fundamental change” will be deemed to have occurred at the time after the notes are originally issued if any of the following occurs:
(1) a “person” or “group” within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, other than us, our wholly owned subsidiaries and our and their employee benefit plans, has become the direct or indirect “beneficial owner,” as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, of our common stock representing more than 50% of the voting power of our common stock;
(2) the consummation of (A) any recapitalization, reclassification or change of our common stock (other than changes resulting from a subdivision or combination) as a result of which our common stock would be converted into, or exchanged for, stock, other securities, other property or assets; (B) any share exchange, consolidation or merger of us pursuant to which our common stock will be converted into cash, securities or other property or assets; or (C) any sale, lease or other transfer in one transaction or a series of transactions of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of us and our subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any person other than one of our wholly owned subsidiaries; provided, however, that a transaction described in clause (B) in which the holders of all classes of our common equity immediately prior to such transaction own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of all classes of common equity of the continuing or surviving corporation or transferee or the parent thereof immediately after such transaction in substantially the same proportions as such ownership immediately prior to such transaction shall not be a fundamental change pursuant to this clause (2);
(3) our stockholders approve any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of us; or
(4) our common stock (or other common stock underlying the notes) ceases to be listed or quoted on any of The New York Stock Exchange, The NASDAQ Global Select Market or The NASDAQ Global Market (or any of their respective successors).
A transaction or transactions described in clause (1) or clause (2) above will not constitute a fundamental change, however, if at least 90% of the consideration received or to be received by our common stockholders, excluding cash payments for fractional shares, in connection with such transaction or transactions consists of shares of common stock that are listed or quoted on any of The New York Stock Exchange, The NASDAQ Global Select Market or The NASDAQ Global Market (or any of their respective successors) or will be so listed or quoted when issued or exchanged in connection with such transaction or transactions and as a result of such transaction or transactions the notes become convertible into such consideration, excluding cash payments for fractional shares (subject to the provisions set forth above under “—Conversion Rights—Settlement upon Conversion”).
If any transaction in which our common stock is replaced by the securities of another entity occurs, following completion of any related make-whole fundamental change period (or, in the case of a transaction that would have been a fundamental change or a make-whole fundamental change but for the immediately preceding paragraph, following the effective date of such transaction), references to us in the definition of “fundamental change” above shall instead be references to such other entity.
For purposes of the definition of “fundamental change” above, any transaction or event described in both clause (1) and in clause (2) above (without regard to the proviso in clause (2)) will be deemed to occur solely pursuant to clause (2) above (subject to such proviso).
On or before the 20th day after the occurrence of a fundamental change, we will provide to all holders of the notes and the trustee and paying agent a notice of the occurrence of the fundamental change and of the resulting repurchase right. Such notice shall state, among other things:
| • | the events causing a fundamental change; |
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| • | the date of the fundamental change; |
| • | the last date on which a holder may exercise the repurchase right; |
| • | the fundamental change repurchase price; |
| • | the fundamental change repurchase date; |
| • | the name and address of the paying agent and the conversion agent, if applicable; |
| • | if applicable, the conversion rate and any adjustments to the conversion rate; |
| • | that the notes with respect to which a fundamental change repurchase notice has been delivered by a holder may be converted only if the holder withdraws the fundamental change repurchase notice in accordance with the terms of the indenture; and |
| • | the procedures that holders must follow to require us to repurchase their notes. |
Simultaneously with providing such notice, we will publish a notice containing this information in a newspaper of general circulation in The City of New York or publish the information on our website or through such other public medium as we may use at that time.
To exercise the fundamental change repurchase right, you must deliver, on or before the business day immediately preceding the fundamental change repurchase date, the notes to be repurchased, duly endorsed for transfer, together with a written repurchase notice, to the paying agent. Each repurchase notice must state:
| • | if certificated, the certificate numbers of your notes to be delivered for repurchase; |
| • | the portion of the principal amount of notes to be repurchased, which must be $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof; and |
| • | that the notes are to be repurchased by us pursuant to the applicable provisions of the notes and the indenture. |
If the notes are not in certificated form, such repurchase notice must comply with appropriate DTC procedures.
Holders may withdraw any repurchase notice (in whole or in part) by a written notice of withdrawal delivered to the paying agent prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the fundamental change repurchase date. The notice of withdrawal shall state:
| • | the principal amount of the withdrawn notes; |
| • | if certificated notes have been issued, the certificate numbers of the withdrawn notes; and |
| • | the principal amount, if any, which remains subject to the repurchase notice, which must be in minimum denominations of $1,000 or a multiple in excess thereof. |
If the notes are not in certificated form, such notice of withdrawal must comply with appropriate DTC procedures.
We will be required to repurchase the notes on the fundamental change repurchase date. Holders who have exercised the repurchase right will receive payment of the fundamental change repurchase price on the later of (i) the fundamental change repurchase date and (ii) the time of book-entry transfer or the delivery of the notes. If the paying agent holds money sufficient to pay the fundamental change repurchase price of the notes on the fundamental change repurchase date, then, with respect to the notes that have been properly surrendered for repurchase and have not been validly withdrawn:
| • | the notes will cease to be outstanding and interest will cease to accrue (whether or not book-entry transfer of the notes is made or whether or not the notes are delivered to the paying agent); and |
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| • | all other rights of the holder will terminate (other than the right to receive the fundamental change repurchase price). |
In connection with any repurchase offer pursuant to a fundamental change repurchase notice, we will, if required:
| • | comply with the provisions of Rule 13e-4, Rule 14e-1 and any other tender offer rules under the Exchange Act that may then be applicable; |
| • | file a Schedule TO or any other required schedule under the Exchange Act; and |
| • | otherwise comply with all federal and state securities laws in connection with any offer by us to repurchase the notes; |
in each case, so as to permit the rights and obligations under this “—Fundamental Change Permits Holders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes” to be exercised in the time and in the manner specified in the indenture.
No notes may be repurchased on any date at the option of holders upon a fundamental change if the principal amount of the notes has been accelerated, and such acceleration has not been rescinded, on or prior to such date (except in the case of an acceleration resulting from a default by us in the payment of the fundamental change repurchase price with respect to such notes).
The repurchase rights of the holders could discourage a potential acquirer of us. The fundamental change repurchase feature, however, is not the result of management’s knowledge of any specific effort to obtain control of us by any means or part of a plan by management to adopt a series of anti-takeover provisions.
The term fundamental change is limited to specified transactions and may not include other events that might adversely affect our financial condition. In addition, the requirement that we offer to repurchase the notes upon a fundamental change may not protect holders in the event of a highly leveraged transaction, reorganization, merger or similar transaction involving us.
The definition of fundamental change includes a phrase relating to the sale, lease or other transfer of “all or substantially all” of our consolidated assets. There is no precise, established definition of the phrase “substantially all” under applicable law. Accordingly, the ability of a holder of the notes to require us to repurchase its notes as a result of the sale, lease or other transfer of less than all of our assets may be uncertain.
If a fundamental change were to occur, we may not have enough funds to pay the fundamental change repurchase price. Our ability to repurchase the notes for cash may be limited by restrictions on our ability to obtain funds for such repurchase through dividends from our subsidiaries, the terms of our then existing borrowing arrangements or otherwise. If we fail to repurchase the notes when required following a fundamental change, we will be in default under the indenture. In addition, we have, and may in the future incur, other indebtedness with similar change in control provisions permitting our holders to accelerate or to require us to repurchase our indebtedness upon the occurrence of similar events or on some specific dates.
Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets
The indenture provides that we shall not consolidate with or merge with or into, or sell, convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets to, another person, unless (i) the resulting, surviving or transferee person (if not us) is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and such corporation (if not us) expressly assumes by supplemental indenture all of our obligations under the notes, the indenture and the registration rights agreement; and (ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing under the indenture. Upon any such consolidation, merger or sale, conveyance, transfer or lease, the
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resulting, surviving or transferee person (if not us) shall succeed to, and may exercise every right and power of, ours under the indenture and the registration rights agreement, and we shall be discharged from our obligations under the notes, the indenture and the registration rights agreement except in the case of any such lease.
Although these types of transactions will be permitted under the indenture, certain of the foregoing transactions could constitute a fundamental change permitting each holder to require us to repurchase the notes of such holder as described above.
Events of Default
Each of the following is an event of default with respect to the notes:
| (1) | default in any payment of interest on any note when due and payable and the default continues for a period of 30 days; |
| (2) | default in the payment of principal of any note when due and payable at its stated maturity, upon optional redemption, upon any required repurchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise; |
| (3) | our failure to comply with our obligation to convert the notes in accordance with the indenture upon exercise of a holder’s conversion right; |
| (4) | our failure to give a fundamental change notice as described under “—Fundamental Change Permits Holders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes,” notice of a make-whole fundamental change as described under “—Increase in Conversion Rate upon Conversion upon a Make-Whole Fundamental Change or Notice of Redemption,” or notice of a specified corporate transaction as described under “—Conversion Rights—Conversion upon Specified Corporate Events,” in each case when due; |
| (5) | our failure to comply with our obligations under “—Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets”; |
| (6) | our failure for 60 days after written notice from the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the notes then outstanding has been received to comply with any of our other agreements contained in the notes or indenture; |
| (7) | default by us or any of our subsidiaries with respect to any mortgage, agreement or other instrument under which there may be outstanding, or by which there may be secured or evidenced, any indebtedness for money borrowed in excess of $50 million (or its foreign currency equivalent) in the aggregate of us and/or any such subsidiary, whether such indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter be created (i) resulting in such indebtedness becoming or being declared due and payable or (ii) constituting a failure to pay the principal or interest of any such debt when due and payable at its stated maturity, upon required repurchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise; |
| (8) | certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization of us or any of our significant subsidiaries, as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X; or |
| (9) | a final judgment or judgments for the payment of $50 million (or its foreign currency equivalent) or more (excluding any amounts covered by insurance) in the aggregate rendered against us or any of our subsidiaries, which judgment is not discharged, bonded, paid, waived or stayed within 60 days after (i) the date on which the right to appeal thereof has expired if no such appeal has commenced, or (ii) the date on which all rights to appeal have been extinguished. |
If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee by notice to us, or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding notes by notice to us and the trustee, may, and the trustee at the request of such holders shall, declare 100% of the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all the notes to be due and payable. In case of certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, involving us or a significant subsidiary, 100% of the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on the notes will automatically become due and payable. Upon such a declaration of acceleration, such principal and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, will be due and payable immediately.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, the indenture provides that, to the extent we elect, the sole remedy for an event of default under the indenture relating to our failure to comply with our obligations as set forth under “—Reports” below, will, for the first 270 days after the occurrence of such an event of default, consist exclusively of the right to receive additional interest on the notes at a rate equal to 0.25% per annum of the principal amount of the notes outstanding for each day during the first 90 days after the occurrence of such an event of default during which such event of default is continuing and 0.50% per annum of the principal amount of the notes outstanding from the 91st day to, and including, the 270th day following the occurrence of such an event of default during which such event of default is continuing (in addition to any additional interest that may accrue with respect to the notes as a result of a registration default as described below under the caption “—Registration Rights; Additional Interest”).
If we so elect, such additional interest will be payable in the same manner and on the same dates as the stated interest payable on the notes. On the 271st day after such event of default (if the event of default relating to the reporting obligations is not cured or waived prior to such 271st day), the notes will be subject to acceleration as provided above. The provisions of the indenture described in this paragraph will not affect the rights of holders of notes in the event of the occurrence of any other event of default under the indenture. In the event we do not elect to pay the additional interest following an event of default in accordance with this paragraph or we elected to make such payment but do not pay the additional interest when due, the notes will be immediately subject to acceleration as provided above.
In order to elect to pay the additional interest as the sole remedy during the first 270 days after the occurrence of an event of default relating to the failure to comply with the reporting obligations in accordance with the immediately preceding paragraph, we must notify all holders of notes, the trustee and the paying agent of such election prior to the beginning of such 270-day period. Upon our failure to timely give such notice, the notes will be immediately subject to acceleration as provided above.
If any portion of the amount payable on the notes upon acceleration is considered by a court to be unearned interest (through the allocation of the value of the instrument to the embedded warrant or otherwise), the court could disallow recovery of any such portion.
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding notes may waive all past defaults (except with respect to nonpayment of principal or interest or with respect to the failure to deliver the consideration due upon conversion) and rescind any such acceleration with respect to the notes and its consequences if (i) rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction and (ii) all existing events of default, other than the nonpayment of the principal of and interest on the notes that have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived.
Each holder shall have the right to receive payment or delivery, as the case may be, of:
| • | the principal (including the redemption price and the fundamental change repurchase price, if applicable) of; |
| • | accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on; and |
| • | the consideration due upon conversion of, |
its notes, on or after the respective due dates expressed or provided for in the indenture, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment or delivery, as the case may be.
Subject to the provisions of the indenture relating to the duties of the trustee, if an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders unless such holders have offered to the trustee indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of
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principal or interest when due, or the right to receive payment or delivery of the consideration due upon conversion, no holder may pursue any remedy with respect to the indenture or the notes unless:
| (1) | such holder has previously given the trustee notice that an event of default is continuing; |
| (2) | holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding notes have requested the trustee to pursue the remedy; |
| (3) | such holders have offered the trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense; |
| (4) | the trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt of the request and the offer of such security or indemnity; and |
| (5) | the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding notes have not given the trustee a direction that, in the opinion of the trustee, is inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period. |
Subject to certain restrictions, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding notes are given the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee.
The indenture provides that in the event an event of default has occurred and is continuing, the trustee will be required in the exercise of its powers to use the degree of care that a prudent person would use in the conduct of its own affairs. The trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the 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. Prior to taking any action under the indenture, the trustee will be entitled to indemnification reasonably satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense caused by taking or not taking such action.
The indenture provides that if a default occurs and is continuing and is known to the trustee, the trustee must deliver to each holder notice of the default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a default in the payment of principal of or interest on any note or a default in the payment or delivery of the consideration due upon conversion, the trustee may withhold notice if and so long as a committee of trust officers of the trustee in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interests of the holders. In addition, we are required to deliver to the trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a certificate indicating whether the signers thereof know of any default that occurred during the previous year. We are also required to deliver to the trustee, within 30 days after the occurrence thereof, written notice of any events which would constitute certain defaults, their status and what action we are taking or proposing to take in respect thereof.
Payments of the redemption price, the fundamental change repurchase price, principal and interest that are not made when due will accrue interest per annum at the then-applicable interest rate plus one percent from the required payment date.
Modification and Amendment
Subject to certain exceptions, the indenture or the notes may be amended with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the notes then outstanding (including without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a repurchase of, or tender or exchange offer for, notes) and, subject to certain exceptions, any past default or compliance with any provisions may be waived with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes then outstanding (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a repurchase of, or tender or exchange offer for, notes). However, without the consent of each holder of an outstanding note affected, no amendment may, among other things:
| (1) | reduce the amount of notes whose holders must consent to an amendment; |
| (2) | reduce the rate of or extend the stated time for payment of interest on any note; |
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| (3) | reduce the principal of or extend the stated maturity of any note; |
| (4) | make any change that adversely affects the conversion rights of any notes; |
| (5) | reduce the redemption price or the fundamental change repurchase price of any note or amend or modify in any manner adverse to the holders of notes our obligation to make such payments, whether through an amendment or waiver of provisions in the covenants, definitions or otherwise; |
| (6) | make any note payable in money, or at a place of payment, other than that stated in the note; |
| (7) | change the ranking of the notes; or |
| (8) | make any change in the amendment provisions that require each holder’s consent or in the waiver provisions. |
Without the consent of any holder, we and the trustee may amend the indenture to:
| (1) | cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency; |
| (2) | provide for the assumption by a successor corporation of our obligations under the indenture; |
| (3) | add guarantees with respect to the notes; |
| (4) | secure the notes; |
| (5) | add to our covenants or events of default for the benefit of the holders or surrender any right or power conferred upon us; |
| (6) | make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder; |
| (7) | irrevocably elect a settlement method and/or a specified dollar amount, or eliminate our right to elect a settlement method; |
| (8) | in connection with any transaction described under “—Conversion Rights—Recapitalizations, Reclassifications and Changes of our Common Stock” above, provide that the notes are convertible into reference property, subject to the provisions described under “—Conversion Rights—Settlement upon Conversion” above, and make certain related changes to the terms of the notes to the extent expressly required by the indenture; or |
| (9) | conform the provisions of the indenture to the “Description of Notes” section in the preliminary offering memorandum dated as of March 23, 2021, as supplemented by the related pricing term sheet. |
Holders do not need to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment. It will be sufficient if such holders approve the substance of the proposed amendment. After an amendment under the indenture becomes effective, we are required to deliver to the holders a notice briefly describing such amendment. However, the failure to give such notice to all the holders, or any defect in the notice, will not impair or affect the validity of the amendment.
Discharge
We may satisfy and discharge our obligations under the indenture by delivering to the securities registrar for cancellation all outstanding notes or by depositing with the trustee or delivering to the holders, as applicable, after the notes have become due and payable, whether at maturity, at any redemption date, at any fundamental change repurchase date, upon conversion or otherwise, cash or cash and/or shares of common stock, solely to satisfy outstanding conversions, as applicable, sufficient to pay all of the outstanding notes and paying all other sums payable under the indenture by us. Such discharge is subject to terms contained in the indenture.
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Calculations in Respect of Notes
Except as otherwise provided above, we will be responsible for making all calculations called for under the notes. These calculations include, but are not limited to, determinations of the stock price, the last reported sale prices of our common stock, the daily VWAPs, the daily conversion values, the daily settlement amounts, accrued interest payable on the notes and the conversion rate of the notes. We will make all these calculations in good faith and, absent manifest error, our calculations will be final and binding on holders of notes. We will provide a schedule of our calculations to each of the trustee and the conversion agent, and each of the trustee and the conversion agent is entitled to rely conclusively upon the accuracy of our calculations without independent verification. The trustee will forward our calculations to any holder of notes upon the request of that holder.
Reports
The indenture provides that any documents or reports that we are required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (excluding any such information, documents or reports, or portions thereof, subject to confidential treatment and any correspondence with the SEC) must be filed by us with the trustee within 15 days after the same are required to be filed with the SEC (giving effect to any grace period provided by Rule 12b-25 under the Exchange Act). Documents filed by us with the SEC via the EDGAR system will be deemed to be filed with the trustee as of the time such documents are filed via EDGAR.
Rule 144A Information
At any time we are not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, we will, so long as any of the notes or any shares of our common stock issuable upon conversion thereof will, at such time, constitute “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act, promptly provide to the trustee and will, upon written request, provide to any holder, beneficial owner or prospective purchaser of such notes or any shares of our common stock issuable upon conversion of such notes the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act to facilitate the resale of such notes or shares of our common stock pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act.
Trustee
U.S. Bank National Association is the trustee, security registrar, paying agent, bid solicitation agent and conversion agent. U.S. Bank National Association, in each of its capacities, including without limitation as trustee, security registrar, paying agent, bid solicitation agent and conversion agent, assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information concerning us or our affiliates or any other party contained in this document or the related documents or for any failure by us or any other party to disclose events that may have occurred and may affect the significance or accuracy of such information.
We maintain banking relationships in the ordinary course of business with the trustee and its affiliates.
Governing Law
The indenture provides that it and the notes, and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to the indenture or the notes, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be performed wholly within such State.
Book-Entry, Settlement and Clearance
The Global Notes
The notes were initially issued in the form of one or more registered notes in global form, without interest coupons (the “global notes”). Upon issuance, each of the global notes was deposited with the trustee as custodian for DTC and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC.
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Ownership of beneficial interests in a global note is limited to persons who have accounts with DTC (“DTC participants”) or persons who hold interests through DTC participants. We expect that under procedures established by DTC:
| • | upon deposit of a global note with DTC’s custodian, DTC will credit portions of the principal amount of the global note to the accounts of the DTC participants designated by the initial purchasers; and |
| • | ownership of beneficial interests in a global note will be shown on, and transfer of ownership of those interests will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to interests of DTC participants) and the records of DTC participants (with respect to other owners of beneficial interests in the global note). |
Beneficial interests in global notes may not be exchanged for notes in physical, certificated form except in the limited circumstances described below.
Book-Entry Procedures for the Global Notes
All interests in the global notes are subject to the operations and procedures of DTC. We provide the following summary of those operations and procedures solely for the convenience of investors. The operations and procedures of DTC are controlled by that settlement system and may be changed at any time. We are not responsible for those operations or procedures.
DTC has advised us that it is:
| • | a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York; |
| • | a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York State Banking Law; |
| • | a member of the Federal Reserve System; |
| • | a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial Code; and |
| • | a “clearing agency” registered under Section 17A of the Exchange Act. |
DTC was created to hold securities for its participants and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between its participants through electronic book-entry changes to the accounts of its participants. DTC’s participants include securities brokers and dealers, including the initial purchasers; banks and trust companies; clearing corporations and other organizations. Indirect access to DTC’s system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies; these indirect participants clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC participant, either directly or indirectly. Investors who are not DTC participants may beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through DTC participants or indirect participants in DTC.
So long as DTC’s nominee is the registered owner of a global note, that nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the notes represented by that global note for all purposes under the indenture. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a global note:
| • | are not be entitled to have notes represented by the global note registered in their names; |
| • | are not receive or be entitled to receive physical, certificated notes; and |
| • | are not be considered the owners or holders of the notes under the indenture for any purpose, including with respect to the giving of any direction, instruction or approval to the trustee under the indenture. |
As a result, each investor who owns a beneficial interest in a global note must rely on the procedures of DTC to exercise any rights of a holder of notes under the indenture (and, if the investor is not a participant or an indirect participant in DTC, on the procedures of the DTC participant through which the investor owns its interest).
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Payments of principal and interest with respect to the notes represented by a global note will be made by the trustee to DTC’s nominee as the registered holder of the global note. Neither we nor the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for the payment of amounts to owners of beneficial interests in a global note, for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of those interests by DTC, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of DTC relating to those interests.
Payments by participants and indirect participants in DTC to the owners of beneficial interests in a global note will be governed by standing instructions and customary industry practice and will be the responsibility of those participants or indirect participants and DTC.
Transfers between participants in DTC will be effected under DTC’s procedures and will be settled in same-day funds.
Certificated Notes
Notes in physical, certificated form will be issued and delivered to each person that DTC identifies as a beneficial owner of the related notes only if:
| • | DTC notifies us at any time that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for the global notes and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days; |
| • | DTC ceases to be registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days; or |
| • | an event of default with respect to the notes has occurred and is continuing and such beneficial owner requests that its notes be issued in physical, certificated form. |
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The 0.25% Green Convertible Senior Notes due 2026 were originally issued by us to BofA Securities, Inc. and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and were immediately resold by the initial purchasers to persons reasonably believed by the initial purchasers to be “qualified institutional buyers” as defined by Rule 144A under the Securities Act. See “Description of Convertible Notes.” The selling securityholders may from time to time offer and sell pursuant to this prospectus any or all of the notes listed below and the shares of common stock issued upon conversion of such notes. When we refer to the “selling securityholders” in this prospectus, we mean those persons listed in the table below, as well as the pledgees, donees, assignees, transferees, successors and others who later hold any of the selling securityholders’ interests. There are currently no selling securityholders identified in the table. Information concerning the selling securityholders will be set forth in supplements to this prospectus.
The following table sets forth information as of December 29, 2021, with respect to the selling securityholders and the principal amounts of notes beneficially owned by each selling securityholder that may be offered under this prospectus. This information is based on information provided by or on behalf of the selling securityholders. The selling securityholders may offer all, some or none of the notes or common stock into which the notes are convertible. Accordingly, no estimate can be given as to the amount of the notes or common stock that will be held by the selling securityholder upon termination of these sales. In addition, the selling securityholders identified below may have sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of all or a portion of their notes since the date on which they provided us the information regarding their notes in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.
Information concerning the selling securityholders may change from time to time and any changed information will be set forth in supplements to this prospectus when and if necessary. In addition, the conversion rate and, therefore, the number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes, is subject to adjustment in certain circumstances.
| Principal Amount of Notes Beneficially Owned and Offered |
Number of Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned (1) |
Number of Shares of Common Stock Offered(2) |
||||||||||
| Name of Selling Securityholder |
||||||||||||
| (1) | Assumes for each $1,000 in principal amount of notes an initial conversion rate of 22.5861 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes. However, this conversion rate will be subject to adjustment as described under “Description of Convertible Notes.” As a result, the amount of common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes may increase or decrease in the future. |
| (2) | Represents the maximum number of shares of our common stock issuable upon conversion of all of the selling securityholder’s notes, based on the initial conversion rate of 22.5861 shares of our common stock per $1,000 principal amount at maturity of the notes. However, this conversion rate will be subject to adjustment as described under “Description of Convertible Notes.” As a result, the amount of common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes may increase or decrease in the future. |
Based upon information provided by the selling securityholders, none of the selling securityholders nor any of their affiliates, officers, directors or principal equityholders has held any position or office or has had any material relationship with us within the past three years. Assuming that at the end of the offering all notes listed above are sold, none of the selling securityholders listed above will own 1% or more of our outstanding common stock after this offering.
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Selling securityholders who are registered broker-dealers or affiliates of registered broker-dealers may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act. To our knowledge, no selling securityholder who is a registered broker-dealer or an affiliate of a registered broker-dealer received any securities as underwriting compensation.
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CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
This section is a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes and the common stock into which the notes may be converted. This summary does not provide a complete analysis of all potential tax considerations and does not address any estate or gift tax consequences or any tax consequences arising under any state, local or foreign tax laws, or any other U.S. federal tax laws. The discussion is based upon the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), United States Treasury Regulations issued thereunder, United States Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) rulings and pronouncements, and judicial decisions, all as of the date hereof and all of which are subject to change at any time. There can be no assurances that the IRS will not challenge one or more of the tax consequences described herein, and we have not obtained, nor do we intend to obtain, a ruling from the IRS with respect to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of purchasing, owning or disposing of the notes or common stock. The summary generally applies only to investors that hold the notes and common stock as “capital assets” within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally property held for investment). Moreover, this discussion does not purport to deal with all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to a particular investor in light of the investor’s circumstances (for example, persons subject to the alternative minimum tax or Medicare contribution tax provisions of the Code, or a U.S. holder (as defined below) whose “functional currency” is not the U.S. dollar). Also, this summary is not intended to be wholly applicable to all categories of investors, some of which may be subject to special rules, including brokers or dealers in securities or commodities; traders in securities or commodities; banks, thrifts, and other financial institutions; regulated investment companies; real estate investment trusts; insurance companies; controlled foreign corporations; tax-exempt entities or governmental entities; tax-deferred or other retirement accounts; certain former citizens or residents of the United States; persons holding notes or common stock as part of an integrated, straddle, conversion or similar transaction; persons who have elected to mark securities to market for U.S. federal income tax purposes; “qualified foreign pension funds” as defined in Section 897(l)(2) of the Code and entities all of the interests of which are held by qualified foreign pension funds; corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax; persons required for U.S. federal income tax purposes to conform the timing of the income accruals with respect to the notes or common stock; entities treated as partnerships, S corporations or other pass-through entities; or persons deemed to sell notes or common stock under the constructive sale provisions of the Code.
THIS DISCUSSION IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TAX ADVICE. INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF U.S. FEDERAL ESTATE OR GIFT TAX LAWS, FOREIGN, STATE AND LOCAL LAWS, AND TAX TREATIES.
U.S. HOLDERS
The following discussion is limited to the U.S. federal income tax consequences relevant to a U.S. holder. As used herein, the term “U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of notes or the common stock into which notes may be converted that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is (1) an individual citizen or resident of the United States; (2) a corporation, or an entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States, or the District of Columbia; (3) an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or (4) a trust if (x) a court within the United States can exercise primary supervision over its administration and one or more United States persons has the authority to control all of the substantial decisions of that trust, or (y) it has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.
A “non-U.S. holder” is a beneficial owner of notes or the common stock into which the notes may be converted that is not a U.S. holder or a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
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If a partnership (including for this purpose an entity or arrangement, domestic or foreign, treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds a note or common stock acquired upon conversion of a note, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Holders of notes or the common stock into which the notes may be converted that are partnerships, and partners in such partnerships, should consult their own tax advisors about the U.S. federal income tax consequences of purchasing, owning and disposing of the notes and the common stock into which the notes may be converted.
Taxation of Interest
General. U.S. holders are required to recognize as ordinary income any stated interest paid or accrued on the notes in accordance with their regular method of tax accounting.
Additional Interest. We may be required to make payments of additional interest to holders of the notes under the circumstances described under the indenture governing the notes. We believe that there is only a remote possibility that we would be required to pay additional interest, and that if such additional interest were required to be paid, it would be an incidental amount, and therefore we intend to take the position that this possible payment of additional interest will not subject the notes to the special rules governing certain contingent payment debt instruments (which, if applicable, would affect the timing, amount and character of income with respect to the notes). Our determination in this regard, while not binding on the IRS, is binding on U.S. holders unless they disclose their contrary position in the proper manner to the IRS. The remainder of this discussion assumes that the notes are not treated as contingent payment debt instruments subject to such rules. If, contrary to our expectations, we pay additional interest, although it is not free from doubt, such additional interest should be taxable to a U.S. holder as ordinary interest income at the time it accrues or is paid in accordance with the U.S. holder’s regular method of tax accounting. In the event we pay additional interest on the notes, U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the treatment of such amounts.
Market Discount. If a U.S. holder acquires a note other than in the initial offering at a cost less than the stated redemption price at maturity of the note, the amount of such difference is treated as market discount, unless such difference is less than 0.25% of the stated redemption price at maturity multiplied by the number of complete years from the date of acquisition to maturity of the note. A U.S. holder of a note acquired at a market discount may elect to include the market discount in income as the discount on the note accrues, either on a straight line basis, or, if elected, on a constant yield rate basis. The current inclusion election, once made, applies to all market discount obligations acquired by the U.S. holder on or after the first day of the first taxable year to which the election applies and may not be revoked without the consent of the IRS. If a U.S. holder of a note elects to include market discount in income in accordance with the preceding sentence, the foregoing rules with respect to the recognition of ordinary income on a sale or particular other dispositions of such note and the deferral of interest deductions on indebtedness related to such note would not apply.
Amortizable Bond Premium. If a U.S. holder acquires a note other than in the initial offering at a cost greater than the sum of all amounts payable on the note after the acquisition date, other than payments of qualified stated interest, such U.S. holder generally will be considered to have acquired the note with amortizable bond premium, except to the extent such excess is attributable to the note’s conversion feature. The amount attributable to the conversion feature of a note may be determined under any reasonable method, including by comparing the note’s purchase price to the market price of a similar note without a conversion feature.
A U.S. holder generally may elect to amortize bond premium from the acquisition date to the note’s maturity date under a constant yield method. Once made, this election applies to all debt obligations held or subsequently acquired by such U.S. holder on or after the first day of the first taxable year to which the election applies and may not be revoked without the consent of the IRS. The amount amortized in any taxable year generally is treated as an offset to interest income on the note and not as a separate deduction. U.S. holders should consult with their tax advisors regarding the potential applicability of these rules to their particular situation.
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Sale, Exchange, Redemption or Other Taxable Disposition of Notes
A U.S. holder generally will recognize gain or loss if it disposes of a note in a sale, exchange, redemption or other taxable disposition (other than conversion of a note into shares of our common stock or a combination of shares of our common stock and cash, the U.S. federal income tax consequences of which are described under “—U.S. Holders—Conversion of Notes” below). The U.S. holder’s gain or loss will equal the difference between the proceeds received by it (other than amounts attributable to accrued but unpaid interest) and its adjusted tax basis in the note. The U.S. holder’s tax basis in the note generally will equal the amount it paid for the note, plus the amount, if any, included in income on an adjustment to the conversion rate of the notes, as described under “—Constructive Distributions with Respect to the Notes or Common Stock,” reduced by the amount of any bond premium previously amortized by the U.S. holder with respect to the note or increased by any market discount previously included in the U.S. holder’s income. The proceeds received by the U.S. holder will include the amount of any cash and the fair market value of any other property received for the note. The portion of any proceeds that is attributable to accrued and unpaid interest will be recognized as ordinary interest income to the extent that the U.S. holder has not previously included the accrued interest in income. Subject to the market discount rules discussed above, gain or loss recognized by the U.S. holder on the disposition of the note generally will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if it has held the note for more than one year, or short-term capital gain or loss if it has held the note for one year or less, at the time of the disposition. Long-term capital gains of non-corporate taxpayers currently are taxed at reduced rates. Short-term capital gains are taxed at ordinary income rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
Conversion of Notes
Conversion into common stock. If a U.S. holder’s note is converted solely into our common stock (and cash in lieu of a fractional share), the U.S. holder generally will not recognize any income, gain or loss, except for any gain or loss attributable to the receipt of cash in lieu of a fractional share and except for the fair market value of any portion of our common stock attributable to accrued and unpaid interest on the notes not yet included in income (subject to the discussion under “U.S. Holders—Constructive Distributions with Respect to the Notes or Common Stock” below regarding the possibility that an adjustment to the conversion ratio of a note converted in connection with a fundamental change may be treated as a taxable stock dividend). The U.S. holder’s aggregate adjusted tax basis in the common stock (not including any shares of common stock attributable to accrued and unpaid interest, but including any basis allocable to a fractional share) will equal its adjusted basis in the note, and the U.S. holder’s holding period for such stock (not including any shares of common stock attributable to accrued and unpaid interest) will include the period during which the U.S. holder held the note.
A U.S. holder’s tax basis in a fractional share will be determined by allocating its tax basis in the common stock between the common stock received upon conversion and the fractional share, in accordance with their respective fair market values. The receipt of cash in lieu of a fractional share of common stock generally will result in capital gain or loss measured by the difference between the cash received for the fractional share and the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis allocable to such fractional share. The value of the portion of our common stock that is received for accrued and unpaid interest on the notes generally will be taxed as ordinary interest income to the extent that the U.S. holder has not previously included the accrued interest in income. The basis in any shares of common stock attributable to accrued and unpaid interest will equal the fair market value of such shares when received. The holding period in any shares of common stock attributable to accrued and unpaid interest will begin on the day after the date of receipt.
Conversion into common stock and cash. The tax consequences of the conversion of a note into cash and shares of our common stock are not entirely clear. If the note constitutes a “security” for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a U.S. holder may be treated as exchanging the note for our common stock and cash in a recapitalization for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We intend to take the position for U.S. federal income tax purposes that the notes are “securities” and that the conversion of a note into a combination of cash and shares of our common stock is treated as a recapitalization, although there can be no assurances in this regard.
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If the note is a “security” and the conversion is treated as a recapitalization for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the U.S. holder will not be permitted to recognize loss, but will be required to recognize capital gain. The amount of gain recognized by a U.S. holder in the case of a recapitalization would generally equal the lesser of (i) the excess (if any) of (A) the amount of cash received (excluding any cash received in lieu of a fractional share of our common stock and any cash received attributable to accrued and unpaid interest) plus the fair market value of our common stock received (treating a fractional share of our common stock as issued and received for this purpose and excluding any such common stock that is attributable to accrued and unpaid interest) upon conversion over (B) the U.S. holder’s tax basis in the converted note, and (ii) the amount of cash received upon conversion (other than any cash received in lieu of a fractional share of our common stock and any cash received attributable to accrued and unpaid interest).
Subject to the discussion under “—U.S. Holders—Constructive Distributions with Respect to the Notes or Common Stock” below regarding the possibility that an adjustment to the conversion ratio of a note converted in connection with a fundamental change may be treated as a taxable stock dividend and subject to the market discount rules discussed above, the gain recognized by a U.S. holder upon conversion of a note will be long-term capital gain if it held the note for more than one year, or short-term capital gain if it held the note for one year or less, at the time of the conversion. Long-term capital gains of non-corporate taxpayers currently are taxed at reduced rates. Short-term capital gains are taxed at ordinary income rates. The U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common stock received (including any fractional share for which cash is paid, but excluding shares attributable to accrued and unpaid interest) generally would equal the adjusted tax basis of the converted note, decreased by the amount of cash received (other than cash in lieu of a fractional share of common stock and any cash attributable to accrued and unpaid interest), and increased by the amount of gain (if any) recognized upon conversion (other than any gain recognized as a result of cash received in lieu of a fractional share of common stock). The U.S. holder’s holding period in the common stock (other than shares attributable to accrued and unpaid interest) would include the holding period in the converted note.
Alternatively, the conversion of a note into a combination of cash and shares of our common stock may be treated as in part a payment in redemption for cash of a portion of the note and in part a conversion of a portion of the note into common stock. In such case, a U.S. holder’s aggregate tax basis in the note would be allocated between the portion of the note treated as redeemed and the portion of the note treated as converted into common stock on a pro rata basis (based on relative fair market value). The U.S. holder generally would recognize capital gain or loss with respect to the portion of the note treated as redeemed equal to the difference between the amount of cash received by the U.S. holder (other than amounts attributable to accrued and unpaid interest) and the U.S. holder’s tax basis in the portion of the note treated as redeemed (subject to the discussion under “—U.S. Holders—Constructive Distributions with Respect to the Notes or Common Stock” below regarding the possibility that an adjustment to the conversion ratio of a note converted in connection with a fundamental change may be treated as a taxable stock dividend). See “—U.S. Holders—Sale, Exchange, Redemption or Other Taxable Disposition of Notes” above. With respect to the portion of the note treated as converted, a U.S. holder generally would not recognize any gain or loss (except with respect to cash received in lieu of a fractional share of common stock and common stock received attributable to accrued and unpaid interest), subject to the discussion under “—U.S. Holders— Constructive Distributions with Respect to the Notes or Common Stock” below regarding the possibility that the adjustment to the conversion rate of a note converted in connection with a fundamental change may be treated as a taxable stock dividend. The tax basis allocated to the portion of the note treated as converted into common stock would be the U.S. holder’s tax basis in the common stock (including any fractional share for which cash is paid, but excluding shares attributable to accrued and unpaid interest). The U.S. holder’s holding period in the common stock (other than shares attributable to accrued interest) would include the holding period in the converted note.
The receipt of cash in lieu of a fractional share of common stock generally will result in capital gain or loss measured by the difference between the cash received for the fractional share and the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis allocable to such fractional share. The portion of our common stock which is received for accrued and unpaid interest on the notes will generally be taxed as ordinary interest income to the extent that the U.S. holder
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has not previously included the accrued interest in income. The basis in any shares of common stock attributable to accrued and unpaid interest will equal the fair market value of such shares when received. The holding period in any shares of common stock attributable to accrued and unpaid interest will begin on the day after the date of receipt.
Conversion into Cash. A U.S. holder who converts a note solely into cash will be treated in the same manner as if the U.S. holder had sold the note in a taxable disposition, as described above under “U.S. Holders—Sale, Exchange, Redemption or Other Taxable Disposition of Notes,” subject to the discussion under “U.S. Holders—Constructive Distributions with Respect to the Notes or Common Stock” below regarding the possibility that an adjustment to the conversion ratio of a note converted in connection with a fundamental change may be treated as a taxable stock dividend. In such case, a U.S. holder’s tax basis in the common stock received will equal the fair market value of such shares when received, and the U.S. holder’s holding period in the shares of common stock received will begin the day after the date of receipt.
Conversion Between Interest Payment Dates. A U.S. holder that converts a note between a record date for an interest payment and the next interest payment date and consequently receives a payment of cash interest should consult its own tax advisor concerning the appropriate treatment of such payment.
Possible Effect of a Consolidation or Merger or Change in Reference Property. In certain situations, we may consolidate or merge into another entity (as described above under “Description of Notes— Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets”). Depending on the facts and circumstances at the time of such business change, a change in the obligor of the notes as a result of the consolidation or merger or a change in the reference property on conversion may result in a deemed exchange of the outstanding notes, which may be a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Furthermore, depending on the circumstances, the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the exchange or conversion of the notes as well as the ownership of the notes and the shares of our common stock may be different from the U.S. federal income tax consequences addressed in this discussion.
U.S. holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of such an event or change described under the indenture governing the notes.
Exchange in Lieu of Conversion. If a U.S. holder surrenders notes for conversion, we direct the notes to be offered to a financial institution for exchange in lieu of conversion, and the designated financial institution accepts the notes and delivers the conversion consideration for the notes, the U.S. holder will be treated in the same manner as if the U.S. holder had sold the notes in a taxable disposition, as described above under “U.S. Holders—Sale, Exchange, Redemption or Other Taxable Disposition of Notes,” subject to the discussion under “U.S. Holders—Constructive Distributions with Respect to the Notes or Common Stock” below regarding the possibility that an adjustment to the conversion ratio of a note converted in connection with a fundamental change may be treated as a taxable stock dividend. In such case, a U.S. holder’s tax basis in the common stock received will equal the fair market value of such shares when received, and the U.S. holder’s holding period in the shares of common stock received will begin the day after the date of receipt.
Distributions
If, after a U.S. holder acquires our common stock upon a conversion of a note, we make a distribution in respect of such common stock from our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles), the distribution will be treated as a dividend and will be includible in a U.S. holder’s income at the time such holder is treated as receiving such distribution for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If the distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess will be treated first as a tax-free return of the U.S. holder’s investment, up to the U.S. holder’s tax basis in its common stock, and any remaining excess will be treated as capital gain from the sale or exchange of the common stock. If the U.S. holder is a U.S. corporation, it will generally be able to claim a dividends-received deduction on a portion of any distribution taxed as a dividend, provided that certain holding period and other requirements are satisfied.
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Subject to certain exceptions, dividends received by non-corporate U.S. holders currently are taxed at long-term capital gains rates, provided that certain holding period requirements are met.
Constructive Distributions with Respect to the Notes or Common Stock
The terms of the notes allow for changes in the conversion rate of the notes under certain circumstances. A change in conversion rate that allows holders of notes to receive more shares of common stock on conversion may increase the U.S. holders’ proportionate interests in our earnings and profits or assets. In that case, the U.S. holders of notes may be treated as though they received a taxable distribution in the form of our common stock. A taxable constructive stock distribution will result, for example, if the conversion rate is adjusted to compensate holders of notes for taxable distributions of cash or property to our stockholders. In addition, any other increase in the conversion rate of the notes (including an adjustment to the conversion rate in connection with a fundamental change) may, depending on the circumstances, be deemed to be a taxable distribution to U.S. holders. However, the increase in the conversion rate in the event of certain pro rata stock dividends or distributions of rights to subscribe for our common stock generally will not result in deemed dividend treatment. Adjustments to the conversion rate made pursuant to a bona fide reasonable adjustment formula which has the effect of preventing the dilution of the interest of the holders of our stock will generally not be considered to result in a deemed distribution.
If an event occurs that dilutes the interests of stockholders or increases the interests of U.S. holders and the conversion rate of the notes is not adjusted (or not adequately adjusted), the resulting increase in the proportionate interests of U.S. holders of our notes also could be treated as a taxable constructive stock distribution to holders of the notes. Any taxable constructive stock distribution resulting from a change to, or failure to change, the conversion rate that is treated as a distribution of common stock would be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes in the same manner as a distribution on our common stock paid in cash or other property, as described under “—U.S. Holders—Distributions,” with the U.S. holder’s tax basis in its notes being increased by the amount of such constructive stock distribution. U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding whether any taxable constructive stock dividend on notes would be eligible for taxation at long-term capital gains rates or the dividends received deduction described above under “—U.S. Holders— Distributions” as the requisite applicable holding period requirements might not be considered to be satisfied.
It is possible that any U.S. federal backup withholding attributable to a constructive dividend would be withheld from interest or disposition proceeds subsequently paid or credited to a U.S. holder. We are currently required to report the amount of any deemed distributions on our website or to the IRS and to holders of notes not exempt from reporting.
The IRS has released proposed regulations addressing the amount and timing of constructive distributions, as well as obligations of withholding agents and filing and notice obligations of issuers in respect of such constructive distributions. If adopted as proposed, the regulations would generally provide that (i) the amount of a constructive distribution is the excess of the fair market value of the right to acquire stock immediately after the conversion rate adjustment over the fair market value of the right to acquire stock without the adjustment, (ii) the constructive distribution occurs at the earlier of the date the adjustment occurs under the terms of the note and the date of the actual distribution of cash or property that results in the constructive distribution, (iii) subject to certain limited exceptions, a withholding agent is required to impose any applicable withholding on constructive distributions and, if there is no associated cash payment, may set off its withholding obligations against payments on the notes (or, in some circumstances, any payments on our common stock) or sales proceeds received by or other funds or assets of an investor, and (iv) we are required to report the amount of any constructive distributions on our website or to the IRS and all holders of notes (including holders of notes that would otherwise be exempt from information reporting). The final regulations will be effective for constructive distributions occurring on or after the date of adoption, but beneficial owners of notes and withholding agents may rely on them prior to that date under certain circumstances.
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Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock
A U.S. holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss on a sale, exchange, or other taxable disposition of common stock. The U.S. holder’s gain or loss will equal the difference between the proceeds received by the U.S. holder and the U.S. holder’s tax basis in the stock. The proceeds received by the U.S. holder will include the amount of any cash and the fair market value of any other property received for the stock. The gain or loss recognized by a U.S. holder on a sale or exchange of common stock will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder’s holding period in the common stock is more than one year, or short-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder’s holding period in the common stock is one year or less, at the time of the sale or exchange. Long-term capital gains of non-corporate taxpayers are currently taxed at reduced rates. Short-term capital gains are taxed at ordinary income rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
NON-U.S. HOLDERS
The following discussion is limited to the U.S. federal income tax consequences relevant to a non-U.S. holder (as defined above).
Taxation of Interest
Subject to the discussion under“—Income or Gains Effectively Connected with a U.S. Trade or Business,” “—Backup Withholding and Information Report” and “—FATCA” below, payments of interest on the notes should generally qualify as “portfolio interest,” and thus should be exempt from U.S. federal income tax, including withholding of such tax, if the non-U.S. holders certify their nonresident status as described below.
The portfolio interest exemption will not apply to payments of interest to a non-U.S. holder that:
| • | owns, actually or constructively, shares of our stock representing at least 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of our stock entitled to vote or is a “controlled foreign corporation” that is related, directly or indirectly, to us through sufficient actual or constructive stock ownership (in which case such interest will be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% or such lower rate as may be specified in an applicable income tax treaty); or |
| • | is engaged in the conduct of a trade or business in the United States, if such interest payments are effectively connected with such trade or business, and, generally, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, such interest payments also are attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment maintained by the non-U.S. holder (see the discussion under “—Non-U.S. Holders—Income or Gains Effectively Connected with a U.S. Trade or Business” below). |
The portfolio interest exemption, reduction of the withholding rate pursuant to the terms of applicable income tax treaty and the exemption from backup withholding for non-U.S. holders (described below) apply only if the non-U.S. holder certifies its nonresident status. A non-U.S. holder can meet this certification requirement by providing a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E or appropriate substitute form to the withholding agent prior to the payment. A non-U.S. holder that is seeking a reduction in the withholding rate pursuant to an applicable income tax treaty will also need to certify its entitlement to benefits under such treaty.
Sale, Exchange, Redemption, Conversion or Other Disposition of Notes or Common Stock
Subject to the discussion under “—Income or Gains Effectively Connected with a U.S. Trade or Business,” “—FATCA” and —Backup Withholding and Information Reporting” below, non-U.S. holders generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on any gain realized on the sale, exchange, redemption, conversion or other disposition of notes or common stock (other than with respect to payments attributable to accrued and unpaid interest or market discount that accrued while the non-U.S. holder held the note, which will be taxed as described under “—Non-U.S. Holders—Taxation of Interest” above), unless:
| • | the gain is effectively connected with the conduct by the non-U.S. holder of a U.S. trade or business (and, generally, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the gain is attributable to a U.S. |
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| permanent establishment maintained by the non-U.S. holder), in which case the gain would be subject to tax as described below under “—Non-U.S. Holders—Income or Gains Effectively Connected with a U.S. Trade or Business”; |
| • | the non-U.S. holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the year of disposition and certain other conditions apply, in which case, except as otherwise provided by an applicable income tax treaty, the gain, which may be offset by U.S.-source capital losses, would be subject to a flat 30% tax, even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States; or |
| • | the rules of the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (or “FIRPTA”) (described below) treat the gain as effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business. |
FIRPTA Rules. With respect to the sale, exchange, redemption, conversion or other disposition of either the notes or common stock, the FIRPTA rules will apply if (i) we are or have been a United States real property holding corporation (a “USRPHC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of the sale, exchange, redemption, conversion, or other disposition or the period that the non-U.S. holder held the notes or common stock and (ii) either (A) shares of our common stock are not regularly traded on an established securities market or (B) the non-U.S. holder holds or held, actually or constructively, more than 5% of our common stock or notes with a fair market value greater than 5% of our common stock into which the notes are convertible as of the latest date such notes were acquired. A corporation generally is a USRPHC if the fair market value of its U.S. real property interests equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market value of its worldwide real property interests plus its other assets used or held for use in a trade or business. We believe that we currently are a USRPHC, and we expect to remain a USRPHC.
Conversion of the Notes. To the extent the holders of the notes recognize any gain as a result of the receipt of cash in a conversion (including the receipt of cash in lieu of fractional shares upon conversion), such gain would be subject to the rules with respect to the sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition of notes or common stock, including the FIRPTA rules.
Conversion Rate Adjustments. As discussed above, an adjustment to the conversion rate of the notes could possibly give rise to a constructive distribution to holders of notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes. See “—U.S. Holders—Constructive Distributions with Respect to the Notes or Common Stock” above for more information. With respect to non-U.S. holders, any such deemed distributions generally would be subject to the rules described under the heading “—Dividends” below, in respect of the withholding of U.S. federal income tax on such deemed distributions. Because a constructive dividend does not result in cash paid to the non-U.S. holder from which the person who otherwise would be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax can withhold, it is expected that U.S. federal withholding tax attributable to constructive dividends will be withheld from cash otherwise payable to such non-U.S. holder after the occurrence of such constructive dividend, including interest payments made on the notes or, if appropriate, the proceeds of sale, retirement or conversion of the notes.
Dividends
Subject to the discussion under “—Income or Gains Effectively Connected with a U.S. Trade or Business,” “—FATCA” and “—Backup Withholding and Information Reporting” below, dividends paid to a non-U.S. holder on common stock received on conversion of a note, including any taxable constructive stock dividends resulting from certain adjustments (or failures to make adjustments) to the number of shares of common stock to be issued on conversion (as described under “—U.S. Holders— Constructive Distributions with respect to the Notes or Common Stock” above) generally will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a 30% rate. Withholding tax (including backup withholding) applicable to any taxable constructive stock dividends received by a non-U.S. holder may be withheld from interest on the notes, distributions on the common stock, shares of common stock or proceeds subsequently paid or credited to or other funds or assets of the non-U.S. holder. The withholding tax on dividends (including any taxable constructive stock dividends), however, may be eligible for
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reduction under the terms of an applicable income tax treaty between the United States and the non-U.S. holder’s country of residence. A non-U.S. holder may demonstrate its eligibility for a reduced rate of withholding under an applicable income tax treaty by timely delivering a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E or appropriate substitute form. A non-U.S. holder that is eligible for a reduced rate of withholding under the terms of an applicable income tax treaty may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS. Dividends on the common stock that are effectively connected with a non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business are discussed below under “—Non-U.S. Holders—Income or Gains Effectively Connected with a U.S. Trade or Business.” As discussed under “Dividend Policy,” we have never declared or paid—and currently have no intention to declare or pay—cash dividends on our common stock.
Income or Gains Effectively Connected with a U.S. Trade or Business
The preceding discussion of the U.S. federal income and withholding tax considerations of the purchase, ownership or disposition of notes or common stock by a non-U.S. holder assumes that the non-U.S. holder is not engaged in a U.S. trade or business for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If any interest on the notes, dividends on common stock, or gain from the sale, exchange, redemption, conversion or other disposition of the notes or common stock is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by the non-U.S. holder, then the income or gain will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular graduated rates and in the same manner applicable to U.S. holders. If the non-U.S. holder is eligible for the benefits of a tax treaty between the United States and the non-U.S. holder’s country of residence, any “effectively connected” income or gain generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax only if it is also attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the United States. Payments of interest or dividends that are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business (and, if required by an applicable tax treaty, attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base), and therefore included in the gross income of a non-U.S. holder, will not be subject to 30% withholding, provided that the non-U.S. holder claims exemption from withholding by timely filing a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI or appropriate substitute form. If the non-U.S. holder is a corporation (or an entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes), any “effectively connected” income or gain may in certain circumstances be subject to an additional “branch profits tax.” The branch profits tax rate is generally 30%, although an applicable income tax treaty might provide for a lower rate.
FATCA
Legislation incorporating provisions referred to as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) imposes a U.S. federal withholding tax of 30% on certain payments made to a “foreign financial institution” (as specially defined under these rules) and one of certain other foreign entities unless such entity enters into an agreement with the U.S. government to withhold on certain payments and to collect and provide to the U.S. tax authorities substantial information regarding certain U.S. account holders of such entity (which includes certain equity and indebtedness holders of such entity, as well as certain account holders that are foreign entities with U.S. owners) or an exemption applies. FATCA also generally will impose a U.S. federal withholding tax of 30% on certain payments made to a “non-financial foreign entity” (as specifically defined under these rules) unless such entity provides the withholding agent a certification identifying certain direct and indirect U.S. owners of the entity (or that it has no such relevant owners) or an exemption applies. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country may modify these requirements. Under certain circumstances, a non-U.S. holder might be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes. FATCA currently applies to interest and dividends paid (including constructive dividends) on our notes and common stock.
Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the possible implications of FATCA to their investment in our notes and common stock.
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BACKUP WITHHOLDING AND INFORMATION REPORTING
The Code and the Treasury regulations require those who make specified payments to report the payments to the IRS. Among the specified payments are interest, distributions, and proceeds paid by brokers to their customers. This reporting regime is reinforced by “backup withholding” rules, which require the payor to withhold from payments subject to information reporting if the recipient has failed to provide a taxpayer identification number to the payor, furnished an incorrect identification number, or repeatedly failed to report interest or dividends on tax returns. The backup withholding rate is currently 24%.
Payments of interest or dividends (including constructive dividends) to U.S. holders of notes or common stock will be subject to information reporting unless the U.S. holder (1) is an exempt recipient, such as a corporation, or (2) provides the payor with a correct taxpayer identification number and complies with applicable certification requirements. Payments made to U.S. holders by a broker upon a sale of notes or common stock generally will be subject to information reporting and backup withholding, unless the conditions set forth in the preceding sentence are satisfied.
Payors must report annually to the IRS the interest and/or distributions (including constructive dividends) paid to each non-U.S. holder and the tax withheld, if any, with respect to such interest and/or distributions, including any tax withheld pursuant to the rules described under “—Non-U.S. Holders—Taxation of Interest” and “—Non-U.S. Holders—Dividends” above. Copies of these reports may be made available to tax authorities in the country where the non-U.S. holder resides. Payments to a non-U.S. holder of dividends on our common stock or interest on the notes may be subject to backup withholding unless the non-U.S. holder certifies its non-U.S. status on a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E or appropriate substitute form or otherwise establishes an exemption. Payments made to a non-U.S. holder by a broker upon a sale of the notes or our common stock will not be subject to information reporting or backup withholding as long as the non-U.S. holder certifies its non-U.S. status or otherwise establishes an exemption.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld from a payment to a U.S. holder or non-U.S. holder of notes or common stock under the backup withholding rules generally can be credited against its U.S. federal income tax liability, or may be eligible for refund, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
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We or the selling securityholders may sell the securities offered under this prospectus in one or more of the following ways (or in any combination) from time to time:
| • | to or through underwriters; |
| • | through agents; |
| • | through brokers or dealers; |
| • | directly to purchasers, including through a specific bidding, auction or other process or in privately negotiated transactions; |
| • | through a combination of such methods; or |
| • | through any other method permitted by applicable law. |
A supplement to this prospectus will describe the particular terms of any offering of securities, including the following:
| • | the names of any underwriters, agents, brokers or dealers or any selling securityholders; |
| • | the purchase price of the securities and the proceeds to be received from the sale; |
| • | any discounts or commissions and other items constituting underwriters’ or agents’ compensation; |
| • | any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and |
| • | any securities exchanges on which the securities may be listed. |
If underwriters are used in the sale, such underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities in one or more transactions, at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices relating to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.
The securities may be offered to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or by underwriters without a syndicate. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the securities offered if any of the securities are purchased.
We or the selling securityholders may sell the securities through agents or dealers designated by us or them. Any agent or dealer involved in the offer or sale of the securities for which this prospectus is delivered will be named, and any commissions payable to that agent or dealer by us or the selling securityholders will be set forth, in the prospectus supplement. Unless indicated in the prospectus supplement, the agents will agree to use their reasonable efforts to solicit purchases for the period of their appointment and any dealer will purchase the securities from us or the selling securityholders as principal and may resell those securities at varying prices to be determined by the dealer.
Underwriters, dealers or agents may facilitate the marketing of an offering online directly or through one of their affiliates. In those cases, prospective investors may view offering terms and a prospectus online and, depending upon the particular underwriter, dealer or agent, place orders online or through their financial advisors.
We or the selling securityholders also may sell the securities directly. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved.
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Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act and any discounts, concessions, commissions or fees received by them from us or the selling securityholders and any profit on the resale of the securities sold by them may be deemed to be underwriting discounts or commissions under the Securities Act.
We or the selling securityholders may have agreements with the underwriters, dealers and agents to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute with respect to payments which the underwriters, dealers or agents may be required to make, and to reimburse them for certain expenses.
In compliance with the guidelines of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), the aggregate maximum discount, commission, fees or other items constituting underwriting compensation to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker-dealer will not exceed 8% of the gross proceeds of any offering pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement.
If at the time of any offering made under this prospectus a member of FINRA participating in the offering has a “conflict of interest” as defined in FINRA Rule 5121 (“Rule 5121”), that offering will be conducted in accordance with the relevant provisions of Rule 5121.
Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us or our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of their businesses.
In order to facilitate the offering of the securities, any underwriters or agents, as the case may be, involved in the offering of such securities may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of our securities. Specifically, the underwriters or agents, as the case may be, may overallot in connection with the offering, creating a short position in our securities for their own account. In addition, to cover overallotments or to stabilize the price of our securities, the underwriters or agents, as the case may be, may bid for, and purchase, such securities in the open market. Finally, in any offering of securities through a syndicate of underwriters, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling concessions allotted to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing such securities in the offering if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed securities in transactions to cover syndicate short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities above independent market levels. The underwriters or agents, as the case may be, are not required to engage in these activities, and may end any of these activities at any time.
We or the selling securityholders may solicit offers to purchase the securities directly from, and we or it may sell such securities directly to, institutional investors or others. The terms of any of those sales, including the terms of any bidding or auction process, if utilized, will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in our securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot give any assurance as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of our securities, including our common stock, which is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “MP.”
We or the selling securityholders may authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain purchasers to purchase our securities at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the prospectus supplement, and the prospectus supplement will set forth any commissions we or the selling securityholders pay for solicitation of these contracts.
We or the selling securityholders may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus
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supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or the selling securityholders or borrowed from us, the selling securityholders or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of securities, and may use securities received from us or the selling securityholders in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of securities. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement or a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. In addition, we may otherwise loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities short using this prospectus. Such financial institution or other third party may transfer its economic short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a concurrent offering of other securities.
The underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with us or the selling securityholders, or perform services for us or the selling securityholders, in the ordinary course of business.
The selling securityholders may transfer the resale securities in ways not involving market makers or established trading markets, including directly by gift, distribution or other transfer. The selling securityholders may also sell any shares of common stock that qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act.
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The validity of the securities offered under this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Sidley Austin LLP. Certain legal matters with respect to the validity of the securities offered under this prospectus will be passed upon for any underwriters, dealers or agents by counsel named in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The consolidated financial statements of MP Materials Corp. as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2020, have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The information incorporated by reference herein concerning estimates of our proven and probable REO reserves for the Mountain Pass facility was derived from the report of SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc., an independent mining consultant. The report prepared by SRK has an effective date of July 1, 2020, and the reserves outlined in the SRK report met the disclosure requirements for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as outlined in Industry Guide 7. Industry Guide 7 contained the SEC guidance that was in force at the time SRK’s report was prepared. Our REO reserve disclosure as of December 31, 2021 will be presented in the Annual Report on Form 10-K, expected to be filed in March 2022, in accordance with the Regulation S-K (Subpart 1300) requirements of the SEC. Requirements under Industry Guide 7 may differ from the requirements of Regulation S-K (Subpart 1300).
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto. For further information with respect to the Company and its securities, reference is made to the registration statement and the exhibits and any schedules filed therewith. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to are not necessarily complete and in each instance, if such contract or document is filed as an exhibit, reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, each statement being qualified in all respects by such reference. The SEC maintains a website at www.sec.gov, from which interested persons can electronically access the registration statement, including the exhibits and any schedules thereto and which contains the periodic reports, proxy and information statements and other information that we file electronically with the SEC.
We also maintain an Internet website at www.mpmaterials.com. Through our website, we make available, free of charge, the following documents of MP Materials Corp. as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC: Annual Reports on Form 10-K; proxy statements for our annual and special shareholder meetings; Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q; Current Reports on Form 8-K; Forms 3, 4 and 5 Schedules 13G and Schedules 13D; and amendments to those documents. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, our website is not part of, and is not incorporated into, this prospectus or the registration statement of which it forms a part.
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The rules of the SEC allow us to incorporate information into this prospectus by reference. This means that we are disclosing important information to you by referring to other documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, except for any information superseded by information contained directly in this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and all documents that we subsequently file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the termination of the offering of securities by means of this prospectus, from their respective filing dates (other than any portions thereof, which under the Exchange Act, and applicable SEC rules, are not deemed “filed” under the Exchange Act):
| • | our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on March 22, 2021; |
| • | our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 30, 2021 (only those parts incorporated in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020); |
| • | our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on May 13, 2021; our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2021, filed with the SEC on August 9, 2021; and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2021, filed with the SEC on November 10, 2021; and |
| • | our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 22, 2021, March 24, 2021, March 26, 2021, May 4, 2021, June 22, 2021, September 16, 2021, November 19, 2021 and December 9, 2021. |
The information incorporated by reference into this prospectus is an important part of this prospectus. Neither we nor any underwriters have authorized anyone to provide you with information other than that contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of this prospectus.
You should not rely on or assume the accuracy of any representation or warranty in any agreement that we have filed as an exhibit to any document that we have publicly filed or that we may otherwise publicly file in the future because such representation or warranty may be subject to exceptions and qualifications contained in separate disclosure schedules, may have been included in such agreement for the purpose of allocating risk between the parties to the particular transaction, and may no longer continue to be true as of any given date.
If we have incorporated by reference any statement or information in this prospectus and we subsequently modify that statement or information with information contained in this prospectus, the statement or information previously incorporated in this prospectus is also modified or superseded in the same manner.
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$2,000,000,000
Debt Securities
Preferred Stock
Common Stock
Warrants
Depositary Shares
Units
by MP Materials Corp.
and
$690,000,000 0.25% Green Convertible Notes due 2026
and
Common Stock Issuable Upon Conversion of
0.25% Green Convertible Notes due 2026
PROSPECTUS
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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The following table sets forth the estimated fees and expenses payable by the registrant in connection with the offering and sale of our common stock and other securities:
| SEC registration fee |
$ | * | ||
| Printing and engraving expenses |
* | |||
| Legal fees and expenses |
* | |||
| Accounting fees and expenses |
* | |||
| Miscellaneous |
* | |||
|
|
|
|||
| Total |
$ | * | ||
|
|
|
| * | Estimated expenses are not presently known. The applicable prospectus supplement or one or more Current Reports on Form 8-K, which will be incorporated by reference, will set forth the estimated amount of such expenses payable in respect of any offering of the securities. |
We will bear all costs, expenses and fees in connection with the registration of the securities, including with regard to compliance with state securities or “blue sky” laws. The selling securityholders, however, will bear any applicable underwriting fees, discounts or commissions and certain transfer taxes, if any, attributable to the sale of the securities by them. All amounts are estimates except the SEC registration fee and the FINRA filing fee.
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Section 145 of the DGCL provides, generally, that a corporation shall have the power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation against all expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. A corporation may similarly indemnify such person for expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of any action or suit by or in the right of the corporation, provided that such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, in the case of claims, issues and matters as to which such person shall have been adjudged liable to the corporation, provided that a court shall have determined, upon application, that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all of the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such court shall deem proper.
In accordance with Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL, our Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that a director will not be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. No such provision shall eliminate or limit the liability of a director for any act or omission occurring prior to the date when such provision became effective. Accordingly, these provisions will have no effect on the availability of equitable remedies such as an injunction or rescission based on a director’s breach of his or her duty of care.
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The Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that we will indemnify its present and former directors and officers to the maximum extent permitted by the DGCL and that such indemnification will not be exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under any bylaw provision, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
Item 16. Exhibits.
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| Exhibit |
Description | |
| 23.3 | Consent of Sidley Austin LLP (included in opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1). | |
| 24.1 | Power of Attorney (see Signature page). | |
| 25.1 | Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of U.S. Bank National Association with respect to the Indenture filed as Exhibit 4.4. | |
| 25.2** | Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under Trust Indenture Act of 1939. | |
| * | To be filed, if necessary, by an amendment to this registration statement or incorporated by reference pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K in connection with the offering of securities registered hereunder. |
| ** | To be incorporated herein by reference to a subsequent filing in accordance with Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. |
Item 17. Undertakings.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
| A. | To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: |
| (i) | To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act; |
| (ii) | To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement. |
| (iii) | To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement; |
provided, however, that paragraphs (A)(i), (A)(ii) and (A)(iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
| B. | That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
| C. | To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. |
| D. | That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus |
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| that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use. |
| E. | That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser: |
| (i) | Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; |
| (ii) | Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant; |
| (iii) | The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and |
| (iv) | Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser. |
| F. | The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
| G. | Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. |
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Las Vegas, State of Nevada, on December 30, 2021.
| MP MATERIALS CORP. | ||
| By: | /s/ James H. Litinsky | |
| James H. Litinsky | ||
| Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer | ||
Table of Contents
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints James H. Litinsky, Ryan Corbett and Elliot D. Hoops, and each of them, individually, as the undersigned’s true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for the undersigned and in the undersigned’s name, place and stead in any and all capacities, in connection with this registration statement, including to sign in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, this registration statement and any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto such attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Signatures |
Title |
Date | ||
| /s/ James H. Litinsky |
||||
| James H. Litinsky | Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | December 30, 2021 | ||
| /s/ Ryan Corbett |
||||
| Ryan Corbett | Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | December 30, 2021 | ||
| /s/ Richard B. Myers |
||||
| Gen. Richard B. Myers | Director | December 30, 2021 | ||
| /s/ Andrew A. McKnight |
||||
| Andrew A. McKnight | Director | December 30, 2021 | ||
| /s/ Daniel Gold |
||||
| Daniel Gold | Director | December 30, 2021 | ||
| /s/ Randall Weisenburger |
||||
| Randall Weisenburger | Director | December 30, 2021 | ||
| /s/ Maryanne R. Lavan |
||||
| Maryanne R. Lavan | Director | December 30, 2021 | ||
| /s/ Connie K. Duckworth |
||||
| Connie K. Duckworth | Director | December 30, 2021 | ||
Exhibit 4.6
MP MATERIALS CORP.
AND
, Trustee
FORM OF INDENTURE
Dated as of
Debt Securities
Reconciliation and tie between
Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended,
and the Indenture
| Trust Indenture Act Section |
Indenture Section | |||
| (S)310(a)(1) | 6.8 | |||
| (a)(2) | 6.8 | |||
| (b) | 6.9 | |||
| (S)312(a) | 7.1 | |||
| (b) | 7.2 | |||
| (c) | 7.2 | |||
| (S)313(a) | 7.3 | |||
| (b)(2) | 7.3 | |||
| (c) | 7.3 | |||
| (d) | 7.3 | |||
| (S)314(a) | 7.4 | |||
| (c)(1) | 1.2 | |||
| (c)(2) | 1.2 | |||
| (e) | 1.2 | |||
| (f) | 1.2 | |||
| (S)316(a) (last sentence) | 1.1 | |||
| (a)(1)(A) | 5.2, 5.12 | |||
| (a)(1)(B) | 5.13 | |||
| (b) | 5.8 | |||
| (S)317(a)(1) | 5.3 | |||
| (a)(2) | 5.4 | |||
| (b) | 10.3 | |||
| (S)318(a) | 1.8 | |||
Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of the Indenture.
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| Page | ||||||
| Article 1 DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION | 1 | |||||
| Section 1.1. |
Definitions; Rules of Construction | 1 | ||||
| Section 1.2. |
Compliance Certificates and Opinions | 11 | ||||
| Section 1.3. |
Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee | 11 | ||||
| Section 1.4. |
Acts of Holders | 12 | ||||
| Section 1.5. |
Notices, etc., to Trustee and Company | 13 | ||||
| Section 1.6. |
Notice to Holders of Securities; Waiver | 14 | ||||
| Section 1.7. |
Language of Notices | 14 | ||||
| Section 1.8. |
Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act; Trust Indenture Act Controls | 14 | ||||
| Section 1.9. |
Effect of Headings and Table of Contents | 15 | ||||
| Section 1.10. |
Successors and Assigns | 15 | ||||
| Section 1.11. |
Separability Clause | 15 | ||||
| Section 1.12. |
Benefits of Indenture | 15 | ||||
| Section 1.13. |
Governing Law; Waiver of Trial by Jury | 15 | ||||
| Section 1.14. |
Legal Holidays | 16 | ||||
| Section 1.15. |
Counterparts | 16 | ||||
| Section 1.16. |
Judgment Currency | 16 | ||||
| Section 1.17. |
Limitation on Individual Liability | 17 | ||||
| Article 2 SECURITIES FORMS | 17 | |||||
| Section 2.1. |
Forms Generally | 17 | ||||
| Section 2.2. |
Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication | 18 | ||||
| Section 2.3. |
Securities in Global Form | 18 | ||||
| Article 3 THE SECURITIES | 19 | |||||
| Section 3.1. |
Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series | 19 | ||||
| Section 3.2. |
Currency; Denominations | 22 | ||||
| Section 3.3. |
Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating | 23 | ||||
| Section 3.4. |
Temporary Securities | 24 | ||||
| Section 3.5. |
Registration, Transfer and Exchange | 24 | ||||
| Section 3.6. |
Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities | 28 | ||||
| Section 3.7. |
Payment of Interest and Certain Additional Amounts; Rights to Interest and Certain Additional Amounts Preserved | 29 | ||||
| Section 3.8. |
Persons Deemed Owners | 31 | ||||
| Section 3.9. |
Cancellation | 31 | ||||
| Section 3.10. |
Computation of Interest | 31 | ||||
| Section 3.11. |
CUSIP and ISIN Numbers | 31 | ||||
| Article 4 SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE | 32 | |||||
| Section 4.1. |
Satisfaction and Discharge | 32 | ||||
| Section 4.2. |
Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance | 33 | ||||
| Section 4.3. |
Application of Trust Money | 36 | ||||
| Section 4.4. |
Qualifying Trustee | 37 | ||||
ii
| Article 5 REMEDIES | 37 | |||||
| Section 5.1. |
Events of Default | 37 | ||||
| Section 5.2. |
Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment | 38 | ||||
| Section 5.3. |
Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee | 39 | ||||
| Section 5.4. |
Trustee May File Proofs of Claim | 40 | ||||
| Section 5.5. |
Trustee May Enforce Claims without Possession of Securities | 41 | ||||
| Section 5.6. |
Application of Money Collected | 41 | ||||
| Section 5.7. |
Limitations on Suits | 42 | ||||
| Section 5.8. |
Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and any Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts | 42 | ||||
| Section 5.9. |
Restoration of Rights and Remedies | 43 | ||||
| Section 5.10. |
Rights and Remedies Cumulative | 43 | ||||
| Section 5.11. |
Delay or Omission Not Waiver | 43 | ||||
| Section 5.12. |
Control by Holders of Securities | 43 | ||||
| Section 5.13. |
Waiver of Past or Existing Defaults | 44 | ||||
| Section 5.14. |
Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws | 44 | ||||
| Section 5.15. |
Undertaking for Costs | 44 | ||||
| Article 6 THE TRUSTEE | 45 | |||||
| Section 6.1. |
Certain Duties and Responsibilities | 45 | ||||
| Section 6.2. |
Certain Rights of Trustee | 45 | ||||
| Section 6.3. |
Notice of Defaults | 47 | ||||
| Section 6.4. |
Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities | 48 | ||||
| Section 6.5. |
May Hold Securities | 48 | ||||
| Section 6.6. |
Money Held in Trust | 48 | ||||
| Section 6.7. |
Compensation and Reimbursement | 48 | ||||
| Section 6.8. |
Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility; Conflicting Interests | 50 | ||||
| Section 6.9. |
Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor | 50 | ||||
| Section 6.10. |
Acceptance of Appointment by Successor | 52 | ||||
| Section 6.11. |
Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business | 53 | ||||
| Section 6.12. |
Appointment of Authenticating Agent | 53 | ||||
| Article 7 HOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY | 55 | |||||
| Section 7.1. |
Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders | 55 | ||||
| Section 7.2. |
Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders | 55 | ||||
| Section 7.3. |
Reports by Trustee | 56 | ||||
| Section 7.4. |
Reports by Company | 56 | ||||
| Article 8 CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALES | 57 | |||||
| Section 8.1. |
Company May Consolidate, etc., Only on Certain Terms | 57 | ||||
| Section 8.2. |
Successor Person Substituted for Company | 58 | ||||
iii
| Article 9 SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES | 58 | |||||
| Section 9.1. |
Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders | 58 | ||||
| Section 9.2. |
Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders | 60 | ||||
| Section 9.3. |
Execution of Supplemental Indentures | 61 | ||||
| Section 9.4. |
Revocation of Consents | 61 | ||||
| Section 9.5. |
Effect of Supplemental Indentures | 62 | ||||
| Section 9.6. |
Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures | 62 | ||||
| Section 9.7. |
Conformity with Trust Indenture Act | 62 | ||||
| Section 9.8. |
Notice of Supplemental Indenture | 62 | ||||
| Article 10 COVENANTS | 63 | |||||
| Section 10.1. |
Payment of Principal, any Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts | 63 | ||||
| Section 10.2. |
Maintenance of Office or Agency | 63 | ||||
| Section 10.3. |
Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust | 63 | ||||
| Section 10.4. |
Additional Amounts | 65 | ||||
| Section 10.5. |
Waiver of Certain Covenants | 65 | ||||
| Section 10.6. |
Company Statement as to Compliance | 66 | ||||
| Article 11 REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES | 66 | |||||
| Section 11.1. |
Applicability of Article | 66 | ||||
| Section 11.2. |
Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee | 66 | ||||
| Section 11.3. |
Selection by Trustee of Securities to be Redeemed | 67 | ||||
| Section 11.4. |
Notice of Redemption | 67 | ||||
| Section 11.5. |
Deposit of Redemption Price | 68 | ||||
| Section 11.6. |
Securities Payable on Redemption Date | 69 | ||||
| Section 11.7. |
Securities Redeemed in Part | 69 | ||||
| Section 11.8. |
Repurchases on the Open Market | 69 | ||||
| Article 12 SINKING FUNDS | 70 | |||||
| Section 12.1. |
Applicability of Article | 70 | ||||
| Section 12.2. |
Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities | 70 | ||||
| Section 12.3. |
Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund | 70 | ||||
| Article 13 REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS | 71 | |||||
| Section 13.1. |
Applicability of Article | 71 | ||||
| Article 14 SECURITIES IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES | 71 | |||||
| Section 14.1. |
Applicability of Article | 71 | ||||
| Article 15 MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES | 72 | |||||
| Section 15.1. |
Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called | 72 | ||||
| Section 15.2. |
Call, Notice and Place of Meetings | 72 | ||||
| Section 15.3. |
Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings | 72 | ||||
| Section 15.4. |
Quorum; Action | 73 | ||||
| Section 15.5. |
Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings | 73 | ||||
| Section 15.6. |
Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings | 74 | ||||
iv
INDENTURE (the “Indenture”), dated as of , between MP MATERIALS CORP., a corporation existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Company”), and , as trustee (the “Trustee”).
RECITALS
The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (hereinafter called the “Securities”), unlimited as to principal amount, to bear such rates of interest, to mature at such time or times, to be issued in one or more series and to have such other provisions as shall be fixed as hereinafter provided.
All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders (as herein defined) thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of any series thereof as follows:
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION
Section 1.1. Definitions; Rules of Construction
Except as otherwise expressly provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or unless the context otherwise requires, for all purposes of this Indenture:
(1) the terms defined in this Article 1 have the meanings assigned to them in this Article 1, and include the plural as well as the singular;
(2) all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein;
(3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and, except as otherwise herein expressly provided, the terms “generally accepted accounting principles” or “GAAP” with respect to any computation required or permitted hereunder shall mean such accounting principles as are generally accepted as of the date hereof;
(4) the words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereto” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision;
(5) the word “or” is always used inclusively (for example, the phrase “A or B” means “A or B or both,” not “either A or B but not both”);
(6) provisions apply to successive events and transactions;
(7) any reference to gender includes the masculine, feminine and the neuter, as the case may be;
(8) references to agreements and other instruments include subsequent amendments thereto and restatements thereof;
(9) “including” means “including without limitation”;
(10) all exhibits are incorporated by reference herein and expressly made a part of this Indenture;
(11) all references to articles, sections and exhibits (and subparts thereof) are to this Indenture; and
(12) any transaction or event shall be considered “permitted by” or made “in accordance with” or “in compliance with” this Indenture or any particular provision thereof if such transaction or event is not expressly prohibited by this Indenture or such provision, as the case may be.
Certain terms used principally in certain Articles hereof are defined in those Articles.
“Act,” when used with respect to any Holders, has the meaning specified in Section 1.4.
“Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts which are required by this Indenture or by any Security, under circumstances specified herein or therein, to be paid by the Company in respect of certain taxes, assessments or other governmental charges imposed on Holders specified therein and which are owing to such Holders.
“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control,” when used with respect to any specified Person, means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have the meanings correlative to the foregoing.
Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Security, the rules and procedures of the Depositary that apply to such transfer or exchange at the relevant time.
“Authenticating Agent” means any Person authorized by the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.12 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one or more series.
“Authorized Newspaper” means a newspaper, in an official language of the place of publication or in the English language, customarily published on each day that is a Business Day in the place of publication, whether or not published on days that are Legal Holidays in the place of publication, and of general circulation in each place in connection with which the term is used
2
or in the financial community of each such place. Where successive publications are required to be made in Authorized Newspapers, the successive publications may be made in the same or in different newspapers in the same city meeting the foregoing requirements and in each case on any day that is a Business Day in the place of publication. If it shall be impractical in the opinion of the Trustee to make any publication of any notice required hereby in an Authorized Newspaper, any publication or other notice in lieu thereof which is made or given with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient publication of such notice.
“Board of Directors” means:
(1) with respect to the Company, the board of directors of the Company or any committee of the board of directors of the Company duly authorized to act generally or in any particular respect for the Company under this Indenture;
(2) with respect to any other corporation, the board of directors of the corporation or any authorized committee thereof;
(3) with respect to a limited liability company, the managing member or managing members of such limited liability company or any authorized committee thereof;
(4) with respect to a partnership, the board of directors of the general partner of the partnership or any authorized committee thereof; and
(5) with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such Person serving a similar function.
“Board Resolution” means a copy of one or more resolutions (which may be standing resolutions), certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.
“Business Day” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.1, each day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in New York, New York or another Place of Payment are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.
“Capital Stock” means:
(1) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;
(2) the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;
(3) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and
(4) 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.
3
“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act or any successor agency.
“Common Stock” includes any stock of any class of the Company which has no preference in respect of dividends or of amounts payable in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company.
“Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person.
“Company Request” and “Company Order” mean, respectively, a written request or order, as the case may be, signed in the name of the Company by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company, a Vice Chairman, the President, a Vice President, the Treasurer, the Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or the Assistant Secretary or other person authorized by resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.
“Corporate Trust Office” means the designated office of the Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Trustee shall at any particular time be administered, which office at the date of original execution of this Indenture is located at .
“Corporation” includes corporations and limited liability companies and, except for purposes of Article 8, associations, companies (other than limited liability companies) and business trusts.
“Currency” means, with respect to any payment, deposit or other transfer in respect of the principal of or any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security, Dollars or the Foreign Currency, as the case may be, in which such payment, deposit or other transfer is required to be made by or pursuant to the terms hereof or such Security and, with respect to any other payment, deposit or transfer pursuant to or contemplated by the terms hereof or such Security, means Dollars.
“CUSIP number” means the alphanumeric designation assigned to a Security by Standard & Poor’s Corporation, CUSIP Service Bureau.
“Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 3.7.
“Definitive Security” means a certificated Security registered in the name of the Holder thereof (other than a Depositary or its nominee) issued under this Indenture pursuant to Section 3.1 and Section 3.5.
“Dollars” or “$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit of legal tender for payment of public or private debts in the United States of America.
“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 5.1.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
4
“Foreign Currency” means any currency, currency unit or composite currency, including, without limitation, the euro, issued by the government of one or more countries other than the United States of America or by any recognized confederation or association of such governments.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, which are in effect from time to time.
“Global Security” means a Security issued under this Indenture in global form pursuant to Section 3.1, bearing the legend set forth in Section 2.3 and deposited with, or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee.
“Government Obligations” means securities which are (i) direct obligations of the United States of America or the other government or governments in the confederation which issued the Foreign Currency in which the principal of or any premium or interest on any Security or any Additional Amounts in respect thereof shall be payable, in each case where the payment or payments thereunder are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States or such government or governments or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America or such other government or governments, in each case where the timely payment or payments thereunder are unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America or such other government or governments, and which, in the case of (i) or (ii), are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer or issuers thereof, and shall also include a Depositary receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of or other amount with respect to any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a Depositary receipt, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such Depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of or other amount with respect to the Government Obligation evidenced by such Depositary receipt.
“Holder” means, in the case of any Registered Security, the Person in whose name such Security is registered in the Security Register.
“Indenture” means this instrument as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and, with respect to any Security of any series, by the terms and provisions of such Security established pursuant to Section 3.1 (as such terms and provisions may be amended pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof); provided, however, that, if at any time more than one Person is acting as Trustee under this instrument, “Indenture” shall mean, with respect to any one or more series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee, this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of those particular series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee established pursuant to Section 3.1, exclusive, however, of any provisions or terms which relate solely to other series of Securities for which such Person is not Trustee, regardless of when such terms or provisions were adopted.
5
“Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” means a firm of accountants that, with respect to the Company and any other obligor under the Securities, is an independent registered public accounting firm within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission thereunder, who may be the independent registered public accounting firm regularly retained by the Company or who may be another independent registered public accounting firm. Such firm shall be entitled to rely upon any Opinion of Counsel as to the interpretation of any legal matters relating to this Indenture or certificates required to be provided hereunder.
“Indexed Security” means a Security the terms of which provide that the principal amount thereof payable at Stated Maturity may be more or less than the principal face amount thereof at original issuance.
“Indirect Participant” means an entity that, with respect to any Depositary, clears through or maintains a direct or indirect, custodial relationship with a Participant.
“interest” means any interest specified in any Security as being payable with respect to that Security and, with respect to any Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity and, when used with respect to a Security which provides for the payment of Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 10.4, includes such Additional Amounts.
“Interest Payment Date” means, with respect to any Security, the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.
“Joint Venture” means any Person that is not a direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company in which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Capital Stock.
“Judgment Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 1.16.
“Legal Holiday” has the meaning specified in Section 1.14.
“Maturity” means, with respect to any Security, the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, notice of redemption or repurchase, notice of option to elect repayment or otherwise, and includes the Redemption Date.
“New York Banking Day” has the meaning specified in Section 1.16.
“Office” or “Agency,” means, with respect to any Securities, an office or agency of the Company maintained or designated in a Place of Payment for such Securities pursuant to Section 10.2 or any other office or agency of the Company maintained or designated for such Securities pursuant to Section 10.2 or, to the extent designated or required by Section 10.2 in lieu of such office or agency, the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.
6
“Officer” means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, a Vice Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President (without regard to qualifiers such as “Executive” or “Senior”), the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of such Person, or other Person authorized by resolution of the Board of Directors of such Person.
“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by an Officer, that, if applicable, complies with the requirements of Section 314(e) of the Trust Indenture Act and is delivered to the Trustee.
“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel for the Company or other counsel that, if applicable, complies with the requirements of Section 314(e) of the Trust Indenture Act.
“Original Issue Discount Security” means a Security issued pursuant to this Indenture which provides, at any time prior to the final Stated Maturity of such Security, for declaration of an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon acceleration pursuant to Section 5.2.
“Outstanding” means, when used with respect to any Securities, as of the date of determination, all such Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:
(1) any such Security theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation including Securities tendered and exchanged for other securities of the Company;
(2) any such Security of any series for which payment at the Maturity thereof money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited pursuant hereto (other than pursuant to Section 4.2) with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such series of Securities, provided that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;
(3) any such Security of any series with respect to which the Company has effected defeasance or covenant defeasance pursuant to the terms hereof, except to the extent provided in Section 4.2;
(4) any such Security which has been paid pursuant to Section 3.6 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, unless there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Security is held by a “protected purchaser” (as such term is defined in the New York Uniform Commercial Code) in whose hands such Security is a valid obligation of the Company; and
(5) any such Security converted or exchanged as contemplated by this Indenture into Common Stock or other securities, cash or other property, if the terms of such Security provide
7
for such conversion or exchange pursuant to Section 3.1; provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of any series have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder or are present at a meeting of Holders of Securities of such series for quorum purposes, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that may be counted in making such determination and that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purposes shall be equal to the amount of the principal thereof that pursuant to the terms of such Original Issue Discount Security would be declared (or shall have been declared to be) due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration thereof pursuant to Section 5.2 at the time of such determination, and (ii) the principal amount of any Indexed Security that may be counted in making such determination and that shall be deemed Outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the principal face amount of such Indexed Security at original issuance, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, and (iii) the principal amount of a Security denominated in a Foreign Currency shall be the Dollar equivalent, determined on the date of original issuance of such Security, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the Dollar equivalent on the date of original issuance of such Security of the amount determined as provided in (i) above) of such Security, and (iv) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or such other obligor, shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in making any such determination or relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities which a Responsible Officer actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which shall have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of a Responsible Officer (A) the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and (B) that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or an Affiliate of the Company or such other obligor.
“Participant” means, with respect to the Depositary, a Person who has an account with the Depositary.
“Paying Agent” means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of, or any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security on behalf of the Company.
“Person” or “person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, joint-stock company, association, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
“Place of Payment” means, with respect to any Security, the place or places where the principal of, or any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Security are payable as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or such Security.
“Predecessor Security” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same indebtedness as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 3.6 in exchange for or in lieu of a lost, destroyed, mutilated or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same indebtedness as the lost, destroyed, mutilated or stolen Security.
8
“Redemption Date” means, with respect to any Security or portion thereof to be redeemed, each date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture or such Security.
“Redemption Price” means, with respect to any Security or portion thereof to be redeemed, the price at which it is to be redeemed including, if applicable, accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Amounts as determined by or pursuant to this Indenture or such Security.
“Registered Security” means any Security established pursuant to Section 2.1 which is registered in the Security Register.
“Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Registered Security on any Interest Payment Date therefor means the date, if any, specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or such Security as the “Regular Record Date.”
“Required Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 1.16.
“Responsible Officer” means any officer of the Trustee in its Corporate Trust Office with direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture, and also, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer of the Trustee to whom such matter is referred because of such officer’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
“Security” or “Securities” means any note or notes, bond or bonds, debenture or debentures, or any other evidences of indebtedness, as the case may be, authenticated and delivered under this Indenture; provided, however, that, if at any time there is more than one Person acting as Trustee under this Indenture, “Securities,” with respect to any such Person, shall mean Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, exclusive, however, of Securities of any series as to which such Person is not Trustee.
“Security Register,” “Security Registrar” and “Registrar” have the respective meanings specified in Section 3.5.
“series” means a series of Securities established under this Indenture.
“Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest on any Registered Security means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.7.
“Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon or any Additional Amounts with respect thereto, the date established by or pursuant to this Indenture or such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is, or such Additional Amounts are, due and payable.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any specified Person:
(1) any corporation, association or other business entity (other than a partnership or limited liability company) of which more than 50% of the total voting power of Voting Stock is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and
9
(2) any partnership (whether general or limited) or limited liability company (a) the sole general partner or member of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person, or (b) if there is more than a single general partner or member, either (x) the only managing general partners or managing members of which are such Person or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination thereof) or (y) such Person owns or controls, directly or indirectly, a majority of the outstanding general partner interests, member interests or other Voting Stock of such partnership or limited liability company, respectively.
“Trust Indenture Act” or “TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and any reference herein to the Trust Indenture Act or a particular provision thereof shall mean such Act or provision, as the case may be, as amended or replaced from time to time or as supplemented from time to time by rules or regulations adopted by the Commission under or in furtherance of the purposes of such Act or provision, as the case may be.
“Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such with respect to one or more series of Securities pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder; provided, however, that if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” shall mean each such Person and as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean only the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
“United States” means, except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Security, the United States of America (including the states thereof and the District of Columbia), its territories and possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.
“United States Alien” means, except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Security, any Person who, for United States federal income tax purposes, is a foreign corporation, a non-resident alien individual, a non-resident alien fiduciary of a foreign estate or trust, or a foreign partnership one or more of the members of which is, for United States federal income tax purposes, a foreign corporation, a non-resident alien individual or a non-resident alien fiduciary of a foreign estate or trust.
“U.S. Depositary” or “Depositary” means, with respect to any Security issuable or issued in the form of one or more Global Securities, the Person designated as U.S. Depositary or Depositary by the Company in or pursuant to this Indenture, which Person must be, to the extent required by applicable law or regulation, a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, if so provided with respect to any Security, any successor to such Person. If at any time there is more than one such Person, “U.S. Depositary” or “Depositary” shall mean, with respect to any Securities, the qualifying entity which has been appointed with respect to such Securities.
“Vice President” means, when used with respect to the Company or the Trustee, any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title “Vice President.”
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“Voting Stock” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.
Section 1.2. Compliance Certificates and Opinions
Except as otherwise expressly provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents or any of them is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.
Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate delivered pursuant to Section 10.6) shall include:
(1) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such condition or covenant and the definitions herein relating thereto;
(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such condition or covenant has been complied with; and
(4) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
Section 1.3. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee
In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.
Any certificate or opinion of an Officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon an Opinion of Counsel, unless such Officer knows that the opinion with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an Officer or Officers of the Company stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company unless such
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counsel knows that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous. Any certificate, statement or opinion of an Officer of the Company or any Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to accounting matters, upon a certificate or opinion of or representations by an accountant or firm of accountants in the employ of the Company, unless such Officer or counsel, as the case may be, knows that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the accounting matters upon which his certificate, statement or opinion may be based as aforesaid are erroneous.
Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture or any Security, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.
Section 1.4. Acts of Holders
(1) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by or pursuant to this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments (including instruments in electronic, digital or other machine-readable form) of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders (whether in person or through signatures in electronic, digital or other machine-readable form) or by an agent duly appointed in writing (including writings in electronic, digital or other machine-readable form) or may be embodied in and evidenced by the record of Holders voting in favor thereof, either in person or by proxies duly appointed in writing, at any meeting of Holders duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article 15, or a combination of such instruments or record. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments or record or both are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments or record or both (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments or so voting at any such meeting. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or of the holding by any Person of a Security, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 315 of the Trust Indenture Act) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company and any agent of the Trustee or the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section 1.4. The record of any meeting of Holders of Securities shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 15.6.
Without limiting the generality of this Section 1.4, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, a Holder, including a U.S. Depositary that is a Holder of a Global Security, may make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies, duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the Securities to be made, given or taken by Holders, and a U.S. Depositary that is a Holder of a Global Security may provide its proxy or proxies to the beneficial owners of interests in any such Global Security through such U.S. Depositary’s standing instructions and customary practices.
The Trustee may fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Persons who are beneficial owners of interests in any permanent Global Security held by a U.S. Depositary entitled under the procedures of such U.S. Depositary to make, give or take, by a proxy or
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proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act provided in or pursuant to this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders.
(2) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing referred to in this Section 1.4 may be proved in any reasonable manner which the Trustee deems sufficient and in accordance with such reasonable rules as the Trustee may determine; and the Trustee may in any instance require further proof with respect to any of the matters referred to in this Section 1.4.
(3) The ownership, principal amount and serial numbers of Registered Securities held by any Person, and the date of the commencement and the date of the termination of holding the same, shall be proved by the Security Register.
(4) If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of any Registered Securities any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Company may at its option (but is not obligated to), by Board Resolution, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders of Registered Securities entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of Registered Securities of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purpose of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities shall be computed as of such record date; provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders of Registered Securities shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than six months after the record date.
(5) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act by the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done or suffered to be done by the Trustee, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such Act is made upon such Security.
Section 1.5. Notices, etc., to Trustee and Company
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with:
(1) the Trustee by any Holder or the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing (which may be via facsimile) to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, or
(2) the Company by the Trustee or any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class
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postage prepaid or airmail postage prepaid if sent from outside the United States, to the Company addressed to the attention of its Treasurer (with a copy to the General Counsel) at the address of its principal office specified in the first paragraph of this instrument or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company.
Section 1.6. Notice to Holders of Securities; Waiver
Except as otherwise expressly provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of Securities of all or any series of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given to Holders of Registered Securities of such series if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder of a Registered Security affected by such event, at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders of Registered Securities is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder of a Registered Security shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders of Registered Securities given as provided herein. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given or provided. In the case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.
Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders of Securities shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.
Section 1.7. Language of Notices
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, election or waiver required or permitted under this Indenture shall be in the English language, except that, if the Company so elects, any published notice may be in an official language of the country of publication (with a copy in English to be provided to the Trustee).
Section 1.8. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act; Trust Indenture Act Controls
(a) If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties that would be imposed by any of Sections 310 to 317 of the Trust Indenture Act through operation of Section 318(c) thereof on any person, such imposed duties shall control. The following Trust Indenture Act terms have the following meanings:
“indenture securities” means the Securities;
“indenture security holder” means a Holder;
“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture;
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“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee; and
“obligor” on the indenture securities means the Company and any other obligor on the indenture securities.
All other Trust Indenture Act terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the Trust Indenture Act, defined in the Trust Indenture Act by reference to another statute or defined by SEC Rule have the meanings assigned to them by such definitions.
(b) If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision which is required to be included in this Indenture by the Trust Indenture Act, the provision required by the Trust Indenture Act shall control.
Section 1.9. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents
The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
Section 1.10. Successors and Assigns
All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
Section 1.11. Separability Clause
In case any provision in this Indenture or any Security shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 1.12. Benefits of Indenture
Nothing in this Indenture or any Security, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent, any Authentication Agent and their successors hereunder and the Holders of Securities, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.
Section 1.13. Governing Law; Waiver of Trial by Jury
This Indenture and the Securities shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made or instruments entered into and, in each case, performed in said state. Each of the Company and the Trustee 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 Securities or the transactions contemplated hereby.
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Section 1.14. Legal Holidays
Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Securities, in any case where any Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity or Maturity of any Security, or the last date on which a Holder has the right to convert or exchange Securities of a series that are convertible or exchangeable shall not be a Business Day (a “Legal Holiday”) at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Security other than a provision in any Security that specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu hereof) payment need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, and such Securities need not be converted or exchanged on such date but such payment may be made, and such Securities may be converted or exchanged, on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or at the Stated Maturity or Maturity or on such last day for conversion or exchange, and no interest shall accrue on the amount payable on such date or at such time for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity, Maturity or last day for conversion or exchange, as the case may be, to the next succeeding Business Day. If this Indenture provides for a time period that ends or requires performance of any non-payment obligation by a day that is not a Business Day, then such time period shall instead be deemed to end on, and such obligation shall instead be performed by, the next succeeding Business Day.
Section 1.15. Counterparts
This Indenture may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which shall constitute but one and the same instrument.
Section 1.16. Judgment Currency
The Company agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of, or premium or interest, if any, or Additional Amounts on the Securities of any series (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the requisite amount of the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the New York Banking Day preceding the day on which a final unappealable judgment is given and (b) its obligations under this Indenture to make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, or any recovery pursuant to any judgment (whether or not entered in accordance with clause (a)), in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be payable and (iii) shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Indenture. For purposes of the foregoing, “New York Banking Day” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a Legal Holiday in The City of New York or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to be closed.
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Section 1.17. Limitation on Individual Liability
No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in any Security, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor, either directly or through the Company or any successor, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that this Indenture and the obligations issued hereunder are solely corporate obligations, and that no such personal liability whatever shall attach to, or is or shall be incurred by, the incorporators, stockholders, officers or directors, as such, of the Company or any successor, or any of them, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any Security or implied therefrom; and that any and all such personal liability of every name and nature, either at common law or in equity or by constitution or statute, of, and any and all such rights and claims against, every such incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, as such, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any Security or implied therefrom, are hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issuance of such Security.
ARTICLE 2
SECURITIES FORMS
Section 2.1. Forms Generally
Each Registered Security and temporary or permanent Global Security or Definitive Security issued pursuant to this Indenture shall be in the form established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, shall have such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by or pursuant to this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the Officers executing such Security as evidenced by their execution of such Security.
Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Securities, the Securities shall be issuable in registered form without coupons and shall not be issuable upon the exercise of warrants.
Definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or produced by any combination of these methods on a steel engraved border or steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the Officers of the Company executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.
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Section 2.2. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication
Subject to Section 6.12, the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
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| as Trustee | ||||
| By |
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| Authorized Signatory | ||||
| Dated: |
Section 2.3. Securities in Global Form
Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Securities, the Securities shall be issuable in permanent global form. If Securities of a series shall be issuable in global form, any such Security may provide that it or any number of such Securities shall represent the aggregate amount of all Outstanding Securities of such series (or such lesser amount as is permitted by the terms thereof) from time to time endorsed thereon and may also provide that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be increased or reduced to reflect exchanges, redemptions or transfer of beneficial interests from one Global Security to another Global Security. Any endorsement of any Global Security to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, or changes in the rights of Holders, of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made in such manner and by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or in the Company Order to be delivered pursuant to Section 3.3 or Section 3.4 with respect thereto. Subject to the provisions of Section 3.3 and, if applicable, Section 3.4, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any Security in permanent global form in the manner and upon instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or in the applicable Company Order. If a Company Order pursuant to Section 3.3 or Section 3.4 has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Company with respect to a Global Security shall be in writing but need not be accompanied by or contained in an Officer’s Certificate and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.7, unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Securities, payment of principal of, any premium and interest on, and any Additional Amounts in respect of, any Security in temporary or permanent global form shall be made to the Person or Persons specified therein.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.8 and except as provided in the preceding paragraph, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall treat as the Holder of such principal amount of Outstanding Securities as is represented by a Global Security in the case of a Global Security in registered form, the Holder of such Global Security in registered form.
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Each Global Security shall bear a legend in substantially the following form (unless otherwise specified by the Depositary):
“THIS DEBT SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF. THIS DEBT SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED TO, OR REGISTERED OR EXCHANGED FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF, ANY PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF AND NO SUCH TRANSFER MAY BE REGISTERED, EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE. EVERY DEBT SECURITY AUTHENTICATED AND DELIVERED UPON REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER OF, OR IN EXCHANGE FOR OR IN LIEU OF, THIS DEBT SECURITY SHALL BE A GLOBAL SECURITY SUBJECT TO THE FOREGOING, EXCEPT IN SUCH LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.”
ARTICLE 3
THE SECURITIES
Section 3.1. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series
The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more series. With respect to any Securities to be authenticated and delivered hereunder, there shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto,
(1) the title of such Securities and the series, including CUSIP numbers in which such Securities shall be included;
(2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of such series pursuant to Section 3.4, Section 3.5, Section 3.6, Section 9.6 or Section 11.7, upon repayment in part of any Registered Security of such series pursuant to Article 13 or upon surrender in part of any Registered Security for conversion or exchange into Common Stock or other securities, cash or other property pursuant to its terms, or pursuant to the terms of such Securities and except for any Securities, which, pursuant to Section 3.3, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder);
(3) if any of such Securities are to be issuable in global form, when any of such Securities are to be issuable in global form and (i) whether such Securities are to be issued in temporary or permanent global form or both, (ii) whether beneficial owners of interests in any
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such Global Security may exchange such interests for Securities of the same series and of like tenor and of any authorized form and denomination, and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the manner specified in Section 3.5, and (iii) the name of the Depositary or the U.S. Depositary, as the case may be, with respect to any Global Security;
(4) the date as of which any Global Security shall be dated (if other than the date of original issuance of the first of such Securities to be issued);
(5) the date or dates, or the method or methods, if any, by which such date or dates shall be determined, on which the principal and premium, if any, of such Securities is payable;
(6) the rate or rates at which such Securities shall bear interest, if any, or the method or methods, if any, by which such rate or rates are to be determined, the date or dates, if any, from which such interest shall accrue or the method or methods, if any, by which such date or dates are to be determined, the Interest Payment Dates, if any, on which such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date, if any, for the interest payable on Registered Securities on any Interest Payment Date, whether and under what circumstances Additional Amounts on such Securities or any of them shall be payable, the notice, if any, to Holders regarding the determination of interest on a floating rate Security and the manner of giving such notice, and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;
(7) if in addition to or other than the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, the place or places where the principal of, any premium and interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities shall be payable, any of such Securities that are Registered Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, any of such Securities may be surrendered for conversion or exchange and notices or demands to or upon the Company in respect of such Securities and this Indenture may be served, the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payment or Additional Amounts on a Global Security on an Interest Payment Date, will be paid and the manner in which any principal of or premium, if any, on any Global Security will be paid;
(8) whether any of such Securities are to be redeemable at the option of the Company and, if so, the date or dates on which, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the other terms and conditions upon which such Securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;
(9) whether the Company is obligated to redeem or purchase any of such Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of any Holder thereof and, if so, the date or dates on which, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the other terms and conditions upon which such Securities shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation, and any provisions for the remarketing of such Securities so redeemed or purchased;
(10) the denominations in which any of such Securities that are Registered Securities shall be issuable if other than denominations of $1,000 and any multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof;
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(11) whether the Securities of the series will be convertible into shares of Common Stock and/or exchangeable for other securities, cash or other property of the Company or of any other Person, and if so, the terms and conditions upon which such Securities will be so convertible or exchangeable, and any deletions from or modifications or additions to this Indenture to permit or to facilitate the issuance of such convertible or exchangeable Securities or the administration thereof;
(12) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of any of such Securities that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2 or the method by which such portion is to be determined;
(13) if other than Dollars, the Foreign Currency in which payment of the principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any of such Securities shall be payable;
(14) if the principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any of such Securities are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof or otherwise, in Currency other than that in which such Securities are stated to be payable, the date or dates on which, the period or periods within which, and the other terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made, and the time and manner of determining the exchange rate between the Currency in which such Securities are stated to be payable and the Currency in which such Securities or any of them are to be paid pursuant to such election, and any deletions from or modifications of or additions to the terms of this Indenture to provide for or to facilitate the issuance of Securities denominated or payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof or otherwise, in a Foreign Currency;
(15) whether the amount of payments of principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities may be determined with reference to an index, formula, financial or economic measure or other method or methods (which index, formula, measure or method or methods may be based, without limitation, on one or more Currencies, commodities, equity indices or other indices), and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which and the manner in which such amounts shall be determined and paid or be payable;
(16) any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or covenants of the Company with respect to any of such Securities, whether or not such Events of Default or covenants are consistent with the Events of Default or covenants set forth herein;
(17) whether either or both of Section 4.2(2) relating to defeasance or Section 4.2(3) relating to covenant defeasance shall not be applicable to the Securities of such series, and any covenants relating to the Securities of such series which shall be subject to covenant defeasance, and, if the Securities of such series are subject to repurchase or repayment at the option of the Holders thereof, whether the Company’s obligation to repurchase or repay such Securities will be subject to defeasance or covenant defeasance, and any deletions from, or modifications or additions to, the provisions of Article 4 in respect of the Securities of such series;
(18) whether any of such Securities are to be issuable upon the exercise of warrants, and the time, manner and place for such Securities to be authenticated and delivered;
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(19) if there is more than one Trustee or a Trustee other than, the identity of the Trustee and, if not the Trustee, the identity of each Security Registrar, Paying Agent or Authenticating Agent with respect to such Securities;
(20) whether the Securities are senior or subordinated debt securities, and if subordinated debt securities, the terms of such subordination;
(21) whether the Securities of the series will be guaranteed by any Persons and, if so, the identity of such Persons, the terms and conditions upon which such Securities shall be guaranteed and, if applicable, the terms and conditions upon which such guarantees may be subordinated to other indebtedness of the respective guarantors and may be released;
(22) whether the Securities of the series will be secured by any collateral and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which such Securities shall be secured and, if applicable, upon which such liens may be subordinated to other liens securing other indebtedness of the Company or any guarantor and may be released; and
(23) any other terms of such Securities and any deletions from or modifications or additions to this Indenture in respect of such Securities.
All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided by the Company in or pursuant to the Board Resolution and set forth in the Officer’s Certificate or in any indenture or indentures supplemental hereto pertaining to such series of Securities. The terms of the Securities of any series may provide, without limitation, that the Securities of such series shall be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee on original issue from time to time in accordance with such procedures as are acceptable to the Trustee (including authentication and delivery by the Trustee on original issue from time to time upon telephonic or written order of persons designated in the Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture (telephonic instructions to be promptly confirmed in writing by such person) and that such persons are authorized to determine, consistent with such Officer’s Certificate or any applicable supplemental indenture, such terms and conditions of the Securities of such series as are specified in such Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture). All Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise so provided by the Company, a series may be reopened for issuances of additional Securities of such series or to establish additional terms of such series of Securities. If any of the terms of the Securities of any series shall be established by action taken by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, the Board Resolution shall be delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officer’s Certificate setting forth the terms of such series.
Section 3.2. Currency; Denominations
Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Security, the principal of, any premium and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities shall be payable in Dollars. Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, Registered Securities denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in registered form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. Securities not denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in such denominations as are established with respect to such Securities in or pursuant to this Indenture.
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Section 3.3. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating
Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by any Officer of the Company. The signature of any such Officer on the Securities may be manual or facsimile.
Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper Officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities.
At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities, executed by the Company, to the Trustee for authentication and, provided that the Board Resolution and Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture or indentures with respect to such Securities referred to in Section 3.1 and a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities have been delivered to the Trustee, the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order and subject to the provisions hereof and of such Securities shall authenticate and deliver such Securities. In authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be provided with, and (subject to Sections 315(a) through 315(d) of the Trust Indenture Act) shall be fully protected in relying upon an Opinion of Counsel and an Officer’s Certificate that contain the statements required by Section 1.2.
The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.1 and of the preceding paragraph, if all Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Officer’s Certificate or Company Order otherwise required pursuant to such preceding paragraph at or prior to the authentication of each Security of such series if such documents are delivered at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first Security of such series to be issued. This paragraph shall not be applicable to Securities of a series that are issued as part of a reopening pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 3.1.
Each Registered Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.
No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for in Section 2.2 or Section 6.12 executed by or on behalf of the Trustee or by the Authenticating Agent by the manual signature of one of its authorized signatories. Such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 3.9, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
Section 3.4. Temporary Securities
Pending the preparation of Definitive Securities, the Company may execute and deliver to the Trustee and, upon Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the manner provided in Section 3.3, temporary Securities in lieu thereof which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the Definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the Officers of the Company executing such Securities may determine, as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities. Such temporary Securities may be in the form of Global Securities.
Except in the case of temporary Global Securities, which shall be exchanged in accordance with the provisions thereof, if temporary Securities are issued, the Company shall cause Definitive Securities to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of Definitive Securities of the same series and containing terms and provisions that are identical to those of any temporary Securities, such temporary Securities shall be exchangeable for such Definitive Securities upon surrender of such temporary Securities at an Office or Agency for such Securities, without charge to any Holder thereof. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of Definitive Securities of authorized denominations of the same series and containing identical terms and provisions. Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture with respect to a temporary Global Security, until so exchanged the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as Definitive Securities of such series.
Section 3.5. Registration, Transfer and Exchange
With respect to the Registered Securities of each series, if any, the Company shall cause to be kept a register (each such register being herein sometimes referred to as the “Security Register”) at an Office or Agency for such series in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of the Registered Securities of such series and of transfers of the Registered Securities of such series.
Such Office or Agency shall be the “Security Registrar” or “Registrar” for that series of Securities. Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the Securities, the Trustee shall be the initial Security Registrar for each series of Securities. The Company shall have the right to remove and replace from time to time the Security Registrar for any series of Securities; provided that no such removal or replacement shall be effective until a successor Security Registrar with respect to such series of Securities shall have been appointed by the Company and shall have accepted such appointment by the Company. In the event that the
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Trustee shall not be or shall cease to be Security Registrar with respect to a series of Securities, it shall have the right to examine the Security Register for such series at all reasonable times. There shall be only one Security Register for each series of Securities.
A Global Security may not be transferred as a whole except by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as may be provided pursuant to Section 3.1, any Global Security or any beneficial interest therein shall be exchangeable for Definitive Securities only if (i) the Depositary is at any time unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as Depositary and a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of the date the Company is so informed in writing, (ii) the Depositary ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, (iii) the Company (subject to the Applicable Procedures) executes and delivers to the Trustee a Company Order to the effect that such Global Security shall be so exchangeable or (iv) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to such Securities. If the holder of a Global Security or the beneficial owners of interests in a Global Security are entitled to exchange such interests for Definitive Securities as the result of an event specified in clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) of the preceding sentence, the Company shall promptly make available to the Trustee Definitive Securities in such form and denominations as are required by or pursuant to this Indenture, and of the same series, containing identical terms and in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Global Security, executed by the Company. Such Global Security shall be surrendered from time to time by the U.S. Depositary or such other Depositary as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto, and in accordance with instructions given to the Trustee and the U.S. Depositary or such other Depositary, as the case may be (which instructions shall be in writing but need not be contained in or accompanied by an Officer’s Certificate or be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel), as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, as the Company’s agent for such purpose, to be exchanged, in whole or in part, for Definitive Securities as described above without charge. The Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, in exchange for each portion of such surrendered Global Security, a like aggregate principal amount of Definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such Global Security to be exchanged; provided, however, that no such exchanges may occur during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of Securities of the same series to be redeemed and ending on the relevant Redemption Date. Promptly following any such exchange in part, such Global Security shall be returned by the Trustee to such Depositary or the U.S. Depositary, as the case may be, or such other Depositary or U.S. Depositary referred to above in accordance with the instructions of the Company referred to above. If a Registered portion of a Global Security is exchanged for Definitive Registered Securities after the close of business at the Office or Agency for such Security where such exchange occurs on or after (i) any Regular Record Date for such Security and before the opening of business at such Office or Agency on the next Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date for such Security and before the opening of business at such Office or Agency on the related proposed date for payment of interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, interest shall not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of such Definitive Registered Security, but shall be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, only to the Person to whom interest in respect of such portion of such Global Security shall be payable in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.
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The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Securities shall be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests in the Global Securities also shall require compliance with either subparagraph (1) or (2) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following paragraphs, as applicable:
(1) Beneficial interests in any Global Security may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Global Security. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this subparagraph (1).
(2) In connection with the transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in any Global Security to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a different Global Security, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar (i) an 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 Security in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (ii) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase. Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Securities contained in this Indenture and such Securities or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Security(s) pursuant to this paragraph.
If any Holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Security proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Security or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Security in the event of the occurrence of any of the conditions set forth in the third paragraph of this Section 3.5, then, upon delivery to the Registrar of (i) an 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 Security in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (ii) instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Security shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in clause (i), the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Security to be reduced accordingly as described below, and the Company shall execute and, upon receipt of a Company Order pursuant to Section 3.3, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Security in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Security issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this paragraph 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 deliver such Definitive Securities to the Persons in whose names such Securities are so registered.
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A Holder of a Definitive Security may exchange such Security for a beneficial interest in a Global Security or transfer such Definitive Securities to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Global Security at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee shall cancel the applicable Definitive Security and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Security.
At the option of the Holder, Definitive Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Definitive Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Definitive Securities to be exchanged at an Office or Agency. Whenever any Definitive Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Definitive Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.
Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Securities and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this paragraph, the Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Securities. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder shall present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Securities duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. A Holder of Definitive Securities may transfer such Securities to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Security. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Definitive Securities pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof.
At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Security have been exchanged for Definitive Securities or a particular Global Security has been redeemed, repurchased or cancelled in whole and not in part, each such Global Security shall be returned to or retained and cancelled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 3.9. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Security is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Security or for Definitive Securities, the principal amount of Securities represented by such Global Security shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Security 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 Security, the principal amount of Securities represented by such other Global Security shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Security by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.
All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid and legally binding obligations of the Company evidencing the same debt and entitling the Holders thereof to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
Every Registered Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange or redemption shall (if so required by the Company or the Security Registrar for such Security) be duly endorsed, signature guaranteed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of
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transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar for such Security duly executed by the Holder thereof, signature guaranteed, or his or her attorney duly authorized in writing.
No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, or redemption of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge and any other expenses (including fees and expenses of the Trustee) that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Sections 3.4, 3.6, 9.6 and 11.7 not involving any transfer.
Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, the Company shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Securities during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of selection of Securities of like tenor and the same series under Section 11.3 for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of such selection, (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Registered Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except in the case of any Security to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed, or (iii) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security which, in accordance with its terms, has been surrendered for repayment or purchase at the option of the Holder, except the portion, if any, of such Security not to be so repaid.
The Registrar shall retain copies of all certificates, notices and other written communications received pursuant to this Section 3.5. The Company shall have the right to inspect and make copies of all such certificates, notices or other written communications at any reasonable time upon the giving of reasonable written notice to the Registrar.
All certifications and certificates required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this Section 3.5 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by facsimile, with an original of such document to be sent promptly thereafter.
Section 3.6. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities
If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 3.6, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series containing identical terms and of like principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
If there be delivered to the Company and to the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or to a Responsible Officer that such Security has been acquired by a “protected purchaser” (as such term is defined in the New York Uniform Commercial Code), the Company shall execute and, upon the Company’s request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same series containing identical terms and of like principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.6, in case any mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.
Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section 3.6, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.
Every new Security issued pursuant to this Section 3.6 in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute a separate obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of such series duly issued hereunder.
The provisions of this Section 3.6, as amended or supplemented pursuant to this Indenture with respect to particular Securities or generally, shall be exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.
Section 3.7. Payment of Interest and Certain Additional Amounts; Rights to Interest and Certain Additional Amounts Preserved
Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, any interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Registered Security which shall be payable, and are punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered as of the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest.
Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, any interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Registered Security which shall be payable, but shall not be punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for such Registered Security (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder thereof on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder; and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (1) or (2) below:
(1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Person in whose name such Registered Security (or a Predecessor Security thereof) shall be registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on such Registered Security and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit on or prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when so deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Person entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon, the Trustee
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shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Holder of such Registered Security (or a Predecessor Security thereof) at his address as it appears in the Security Register not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. The Trustee may, in its discretion, in the name and at the expense of the Company, cause a similar notice to be published at least once in an Authorized Newspaper of general circulation in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, but such publication shall not be a condition precedent to the establishment of such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Registered Security (or a Predecessor Security thereof) shall be registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (2).
(2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Security may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.
Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the Securities of any particular series pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, at the option of the Company, interest on Registered Securities that bear interest may be paid by wire transfer in immediately available funds if the Holder of the Registered Security has provided to the Company and the Trustee wire instructions at least five Business Days prior to the applicable payment date or by check mailed to the address of that Holder as it appears on the books of the Securities Registrar if that Holder has not provided wire instructions; provided that any payment of principal (or premium, if any) in respect of any Security will be made only upon presentation and surrender of such Security at the applicable Office or Agency.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.7 and Section 3.5, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.
In the case of any Registered Security of any series that is convertible, which Registered Security is converted after any Regular Record Date and on or prior to the immediately succeeding Interest Payment Date (other than any Registered Security with respect to which the Maturity is prior to such Interest Payment Date), interest on such Interest Payment Date shall be payable on such Interest Payment Date notwithstanding such conversion, and such interest (whether or not punctually paid or duly provided for) shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Registered Security (or one or more predecessor Registered Securities) is registered at the close of business on such Regular Record Date. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the immediately preceding sentence, in the case of any Registered Security which is converted, interest with respect to which the Stated Maturity is after the date of conversion of such Registered Security shall not be payable.
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Section 3.8. Persons Deemed Owners
Prior to due presentment of a Registered Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Registered Security is registered in the Security Register as the owner of such Registered Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of, any premium and (subject to Section 3.5 and Section 3.7) interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to, such Registered Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not any payment with respect to such Registered Security shall be overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
No holder of any beneficial interest in any Global Security held on its behalf by a Depositary shall have any rights under this Indenture with respect to such Global Security, and such Depositary may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the owner of such Global Security for all purposes whatsoever. None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Security Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
Section 3.9. Cancellation
All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer, exchange or conversion or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee, and any such Securities, as well as Securities surrendered directly to the Trustee for any such purpose, shall be cancelled promptly by the Trustee. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Securities so delivered shall be cancelled promptly by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section 3.9, except as expressly permitted by or pursuant to this Indenture. All cancelled Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of by the Trustee in accordance with its customary procedures.
Section 3.10. Computation of Interest
Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, or in any Security, interest on the Securities shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
Section 3.11. CUSIP and ISIN Numbers
The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” and “ISIN” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use CUSIP and ISIN numbers in notices of redemption 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 Securities or
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as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee of any change in the CUSIP and ISIN numbers.
ARTICLE 4
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE
Section 4.1. Satisfaction and Discharge
Upon the direction of the Company by a Company Order, this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to any series of Securities specified in such Company Order and the Trustee, on receipt of a Company Order, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series, when
(1) either
(a) all Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (other than (i) Securities of such series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 3.6 and (ii) Securities of such series the payment of money for which has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 10.3); or
(b) all Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation:
(i) have become due and payable, or
(ii) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or
(iii) if redeemable at the option of the Company, are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company,
and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for such purpose, (x) money in an amount or (y) Government Obligations that through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment, in the opinion of a nationally recognized Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, money in the amount, or (z) a combination of (x) and (y) in an amount in the Currency in which such series of Securities are payable sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including the principal of, any premium and interest on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities then determinable, to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Maturity thereof, as the case may be;
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(2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company with respect to the Outstanding Securities of such series; and
(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series have been complied with.
In the event there are Securities of two or more series hereunder, the Trustee shall be required to execute an instrument acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture only if requested to do so with respect to Securities of such series as to which it is Trustee and if the other conditions thereto are met.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to any series of Securities, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 6.7, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 4.3, if money, Government Obligations or a combination thereof shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (b) of clause (1) of this Section 4.1, the obligations of the Company and the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series under Section 3.4, Section 3.5, Section 3.6, Section 10.2 and Section 10.3, and the obligations of the Company with respect to the payment of Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to such Securities as contemplated by Section 10.4 (but only to the extent that the Additional Amounts payable with respect to such Securities exceed the amount deposited in respect of such Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 4.1(1)(b)), and with respect to any rights to convert or exchange such Securities into Common Stock or other securities, cash or other property shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.
Section 4.2. Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
(1) Unless pursuant to Section 3.1, either or both of (i) defeasance of the Securities of a series under clause (2) of this Section 4.2 shall not be applicable with respect to the Securities of such series or (ii) covenant defeasance of the Securities of a series under clause (3) of this Section 4.2 shall not be applicable with respect to the Securities of such series, then such provisions, together with the other provisions of this Section 4.2 (with such modifications thereto as may be specified pursuant to Section 3.1 with respect to any Securities), shall be applicable to such Securities, and the Company may at its option by Board Resolution, at any time, with respect to such Securities, elect to have Section 4.2(2) or Section 4.2(3) be applied to such Outstanding Securities upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Section 4.2.
(2) Upon the Company’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section 4.2(2) with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to such Outstanding Securities on the date the conditions set forth in clause (4) of this Section 4.2 are satisfied (hereinafter, “defeasance”). For this purpose, such defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such Outstanding Securities, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “Outstanding” only for the purposes of the Sections of
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this Indenture referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) below, and to have satisfied all of its other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture insofar as such Securities are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (i) the rights of Holders of such Outstanding Securities to receive, solely from the trust fund described in clause (4) of this Section 4.2 and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on, and Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to, such Securities when such payments are due, and any rights of such Holder to convert or exchange such Securities into Common Stock or other securities, cash or other property, (ii) the obligations of the Company and the Trustee with respect to such Securities under Section 3.4, Section 3.5, Section 3.6, Section 10.2 and Section 10.3 and the obligations of the Company with respect to the payment of Additional Amounts, if any, on such Securities as contemplated by Section 10.4 (but only to the extent that the Additional Amounts payable with respect to such Securities exceed the amount deposited in respect of such Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 4.2(4)(a) below), and with respect to any rights to convert or exchange such Securities into Common Stock or other securities, cash or other property, (iii) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and (iv) this Section 4.2. The Company may exercise its option under this Section 4.2(2) notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under clause (3) of this Section 4.2 with respect to such Securities.
(3) Upon the Company’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section 4.2(3) with respect to any Securities of or within a series, (i) the Company shall be released from its obligations to comply with any term, provision or condition under Section 8.1 with respect to such Securities (and, to the extent specified pursuant to Section 3.1, any other restrictive covenant added for the benefit of such Securities) and (ii) unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.1, the occurrence of any event specified in Section 5.1(7) shall not be deemed to be an Event of Default, in each case on and after the date the conditions set forth in clause (4) of this Section 4.2 are satisfied (hereinafter, “covenant defeasance”), and such Securities shall thereafter be deemed to be 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 any such covenant, but shall continue to be deemed “Outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder. For this purpose, such covenant defeasance means that, with respect to such Outstanding Securities, the Company 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 covenant or by reason of 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 5.1(4), Section 5.1(7) or otherwise, as the case may be, insofar as it relates to Section 8.1 and, to the extent specified pursuant to Section 3.1, any other restrictive covenant added for the benefit of such Security, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby; provided that the obligations of the Company with respect to the payment of Additional Amounts, if any, on such Securities as contemplated by Section 10.4 shall remain unsatisfied only to the extent that the Additional Amounts payable with respect to such Securities exceed the amount deposited in respect of such Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 4.2(4)(a) below; provided, further, that notwithstanding a covenant defeasance with respect to Section 8.1, any Person to whom a sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or
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other disposition is made pursuant to Section 8.1, shall as a condition to such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition, assume by an indenture supplemental hereto in form satisfactory to the Trustee, executed by such successor Person and delivered to the Trustee, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 6.7 and the second to the last paragraph of Section 4.2.
(4) The following shall be the conditions to the application of clause (2) or (3) of this Section 4.2 to any Outstanding Securities of a series:
(a) The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 6.8 who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Section 4.2 applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, (1) an amount in Dollars or in such Foreign Currency in which such Securities are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity, or (2) Government Obligations applicable to such Securities (determined on the basis of the Currency in which such Securities are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity) which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities, money in an amount, or (3) a combination thereof, in any case, in an amount, sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of such principal and interest, in the opinion of a nationally recognized Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, (y) the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest or Additional Amounts then determinable, if any, on such Outstanding Securities at the Maturity of such principal or installment of principal or interest, provided that the Company shall specify whether such Outstanding Securities are being defeased to Stated Maturity or to the Redemption Date and (z) any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments applicable to such Outstanding Securities on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of such Securities.
(b) Such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other material agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound.
(c) No Event of Default or event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default with respect to such Securities shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than an Event of Default resulting from non-compliance with any covenant from which the Company is released upon effectiveness of such defeasance or covenant defeasance, as applicable).
(d) In the case of an election under clause (2) of this Section 4.2, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that:
(i) the Company has received from the Internal Revenue Service a letter ruling, or there has been published by the Internal Revenue Service a Revenue Ruling, or
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(ii) since the date of execution of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law,
in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the Holders of such Outstanding Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred.
(e) In the case of an election under clause (3) of this Section 4.2, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the Holders of such Outstanding Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and will be subject to 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.
(f) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance or covenant defeasance under clause (2) or (3) of this Section 4.2 (as the case may be) have been complied with.
(g) If the Securities are to be redeemed prior to their Stated Maturity (other than from mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments), notice of such redemption shall have been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee shall have been made.
(h) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 4.2(4), such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall be effected in compliance with any additional or substitute terms, conditions or limitations which may be imposed on the Company in connection therewith pursuant to Section 3.1.
The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge, imposed on or assessed against the Government Obligations deposited pursuant to this Section 4.2 or the principal or 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 such Outstanding Securities.
Anything in this Section 4.2 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money or Government Obligations (or other property and any proceeds therefrom) held by it as provided in clause (4) of this Section 4.2 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect a defeasance or covenant defeasance, as applicable, in accordance with this Section 4.2.
Section 4.3. Application of Trust Money
Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.3, all money and Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee or other
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qualifying trustee (solely for purposes of this Section 4.3, the Trustee and any such other trustee are referred to collectively as the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 4.1 or Section 4.2 in respect of any Outstanding Securities of any series shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal, premium, if any, interest and Additional Amounts, if any, for whose payment such money has or Government Obligations have been deposited with or received by the Trustee; but such money and Government Obligations need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
Section 4.4. Qualifying Trustee
Any trustee appointed pursuant to Section 4.2 for the purpose of holding trust funds deposited pursuant to that Section shall be appointed under an agreement in form acceptable to the Trustee and shall provide to the Trustee a certificate of such trustee, upon which certificate the Trustee shall be entitled to conclusively rely, that all conditions precedent provided for herein to the related defeasance or covenant defeasance have been complied with. In no event shall the Trustee be liable for any acts or omissions of said trustee.
ARTICLE 5
REMEDIES
Section 5.1. Events of Default
“Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body), unless such event is specifically deleted or modified in or pursuant to the supplemental indenture, Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate establishing the terms of such series pursuant to this Indenture:
(1) default for 30 days in the payment when due of any interest on or any Additional Amount in respect of any Security of such series;
(2) default in the payment of the principal of or any premium on any Security of such series when the principal or premium becomes due and payable at Maturity;
(3) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment when and as due by the terms of any Security of such series, subject to any cure period specified in any Security of such series;
(4) failure on the part of the Company duly to observe or perform any other of the covenants or agreements (other than those described in clause (1), (2) or (3) above) on the part of the Company with respect to that series contained in such Securities or otherwise established with respect to that series of Securities pursuant to Section 3.1 hereof or contained in this Indenture (other than a covenant or agreement which has been expressly included in this
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Indenture solely for the benefit of one or more series of Securities other than such series) and such failure shall continue for a period of 60 days after the date on which written notice of such failure, requiring the same to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” shall have been given to the Company by the Trustee, upon direction of Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series; provided, however, that if such failure is not capable of cure within such 60-day period, such 60-day period shall be automatically extended by an additional 60 days so long as (i) such failure is subject to cure, and (ii) the Company is using commercially reasonable efforts to cure such failure; and provided, further, that a failure to comply with any such other agreement in the indenture that results from a change in GAAP shall not be deemed to be an Event of Default;
(5) a decree or order by a court having jurisdiction in the premises shall have been entered adjudging the Company bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking liquidation or reorganization of the Company under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law, and such decree or order shall have continued unvacated and unstayed for a period of 90 days; an involuntary case shall be commenced under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law in respect of the Company and shall continue undismissed for a period of 90 days or an order for relief in such case shall have been entered and such order shall have remained in force unvacated and unstayed for a period of 90 days; or a decree or order of a court having jurisdiction in the premises shall have been entered for the appointment on the ground of insolvency or bankruptcy of a receiver, custodian, liquidator, trustee or assignee in bankruptcy or insolvency of the Company or of its property, or for the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and such decree or order shall have remained in force unvacated and unstayed for a period of 90 days;
(6) the Company shall institute proceedings to be adjudicated a voluntary bankrupt, shall consent to the filing of a bankruptcy proceeding against it, shall file a petition or answer or consent seeking liquidation or reorganization under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law, shall consent to the filing of any such petition or shall consent to the appointment on the ground of insolvency or bankruptcy of a receiver or custodian or liquidator or trustee or assignee in bankruptcy or insolvency of it or of its property, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or
(7) any other Event of Default provided in or pursuant to the Indenture with respect to Securities of the series, provided that any such Event of Default that results from a change in GAAP shall not be deemed to be an Event of Default.
Section 5.2. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment
If an Event of Default specified in clause (5) or (6) of the definition thereof above occurs, the principal of all Securities shall automatically become due and payable without further action or notice, anything contained in this Indenture or the Securities of each series or established with respect to each series pursuant to Section 3.1 to the contrary notwithstanding. If (a) upon the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default specified in clause (1) or (2) of the definition thereof, the Company and the Trustee receive notice in writing that Holders of not less than 25%, or (b) upon the occurrence and continuance of any other Event of Default other than an Event of Default specified in clause (1), (2), (5) and (6) of the definition thereof, the Company and the
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Trustee receive notice in writing that Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Notes of that series have declared the principal of all Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, then upon any such declaration the same shall become and shall be immediately due and payable, anything contained in this Indenture or in the Securities of that series or established with respect to that series to the contrary notwithstanding.
At any time after a declaration of acceleration or automatic acceleration with respect to the Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereafter in this Article 5 provided, the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul the declaration or automatic acceleration and its consequences if:
(1) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum of money sufficient to pay (A) all overdue installments of interest on all Securities of such series and any Additional Amounts payable with respect thereto, (B) the principal of and any premium on any Securities of the series which have become due otherwise than by the declaration of acceleration or automatic acceleration and interest thereon and any Additional Amounts with respect thereto at the rate or rates borne by or provided in such Securities, (C) interest upon overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities and (D) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel; and
(2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of such series, other than the non-payment of the principal of, any premium and interest on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to, Securities of such series which shall have become due solely by the acceleration, shall have been cured or waived as provided in Section 5.3.
Section 5.3. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee
The Company covenants that if:
(1) default is made in the payment of any installment of interest on any Security, or any Additional Amounts payable with respect thereto, when such interest or Additional Amounts shall have become due and payable and such default continues for any cure period specified with respect to such Security;
(2) default is made in the payment of any principal of or premium, if any, on, or any Additional Amounts payable in respect of any principal of or premium, if any, on any Security at its Maturity; or
(3) default is made in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by the terms of any Security and such default continues for any cure period specified with respect to such Security;
the Company shall, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, the whole amount of money then due and payable with respect to such Securities, with interest upon the overdue principal, any premium and, to the extent that
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payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, upon any overdue installments of interest and Additional Amounts at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount of money 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 and all other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 6.7.
If the Company fails to pay the money it is required to pay the Trustee pursuant to the preceding paragraph forthwith upon the demand of the Trustee, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the money so due and unpaid, and may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities and collect the monies adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities, wherever situated.
If an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may, and if (A) an Event of Default specified in clause (1), (2), (5) or (6) of the definition thereof occurs and is continuing, and Holders of not less than 25%, or (B) an Event of Default other than an Event of Default specified in clause (1), (2), (5) or (6) of the definition thereof occurs and is continuing, and Holders of not less than a majority, in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series direct, so long as such Holders shall have provided the Trustee with such indemnity as it shall require and subject to the provisions of Section 5.12, the Trustee shall, proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series by such appropriate judicial proceedings to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or such Securities or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein or therein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.
Section 5.4. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim
In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company or such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of any overdue principal, premium, interest or Additional Amounts) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise,
(1) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount, or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the Securities of such series, of the principal and any premium, interest and Additional Amounts owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such 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 or counsel) and of the Holders of Securities allowed in such judicial proceeding, and
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(2) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;
and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder of Securities 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 of Securities, 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 6.7.
Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder of a Security any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder of a Security in any such proceeding.
Section 5.5. Trustee May Enforce Claims without Possession of Securities
All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or any of the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery or judgment, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, shall be for the ratable benefit of each and every Holder of a Security in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.
Section 5.6. Application of Money Collected
Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article 5 with respect to Securities of any series shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal, or any premium, interest or Additional Amounts, upon presentation of such Securities, and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under Section 6.7;
SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon such Securities for principal and any premium, interest and Additional Amounts in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the aggregate amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal and any premium, interest and Additional Amounts, respectively;
THIRD: The balance, if any, to the Company.
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Section 5.7. Limitations on Suits
No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless
(1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series;
(2) (a) in the case of an Event of Default specified in clause (1), (2), (5) and (6) of the definition thereof, Holders of not less than 25%, or (b) in the case of an Event of Default other than as specified in clause (1), (2), (5) and (6) of the definition thereof, Holders of not less than a majority, in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;
(3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;
(4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and
(5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series;
it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture or any Security to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other such Holders or Holders of Securities of any other series, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders.
Section 5.8. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and any Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of, any premium and (subject to Section 3.5 and Section 3.7) interest on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to, such Security, on the respective Stated Maturity or Maturities therefor specified in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date or, in the case of repayment at the option of such Holder if provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, on the date such repayment is due) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such right shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.
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Section 5.9. Restoration of Rights and Remedies
If the Trustee or any Holder of a Security 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 the Company, the Trustee and each such Holder shall, subject to any determination in such proceeding, be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder, and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and each such Holder shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.
Section 5.10. Rights and Remedies Cumulative
Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of Section 3.6, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to each and every Holder of a Security is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy, to the extent permitted by law, shall 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, to the extent permitted by law, prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.
Section 5.11. Delay or Omission Not Waiver
No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Security 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 5 or by law to the Trustee or to any Holder of a Security may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by such Holder, as the case may be.
Section 5.12. Control by Holders of Securities
The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series, provided that:
(1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture or with the Securities of any series and would not involve the Trustee in personal liability,
(2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction, and
(3) such direction is not unduly prejudicial to the rights of the other Holders of Securities of such series not joining in such action.
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Section 5.13. Waiver of Past or Existing Defaults
The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series may waive any past or existing default or Event of Default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except a continuing default:
(1) in the payment of the principal of, any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security of such series, or
(2) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article 9 hereof cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.
Upon any such waiver, such default or Event of Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 5.14. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws
The Company covenants that (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company expressly waives (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
Section 5.15. Undertaking for Costs
All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his or her acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of any undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section 5.15 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of Outstanding Securities of any series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on or Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to any Security on or after the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date, and, in the case of repayment, on or after the date for repayment) or for the enforcement of the right, if any, to convert or exchange any Security into Common Stock or other securities, cash or other property in accordance with its terms.
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ARTICLE 6
THE TRUSTEE
Section 6.1. Certain Duties and Responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities of the Trustee shall be as provided by the Trust Indenture Act. Except during the continuance of an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a series of which a Responsible Officer has actual knowledge, the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture with respect to such Securities, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture with respect to such Securities against the Trustee. In case an Event of Default of which a Responsible Officer has actual knowledge with respect to the Securities of a series has occurred (which has not been cured or waived), the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, with respect to such Securities, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers. Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 6.1.
Section 6.2. Certain Rights of Trustee
Subject to the provisions of Section 6.1:
(1) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document (whether in its original or facsimile form) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
(2) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or a Company Order (in each case, other than delivery of any Security to the Trustee for authentication and delivery pursuant to Section 3.3 which shall be sufficiently evidenced as provided therein) and any resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;
(3) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence shall be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, request and conclusively rely upon an Officer’s Certificate;
(4) 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 in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;
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(5) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by or pursuant to this Indenture or to institute, conduct or defend any litigation hereunder or in relation hereto at the request or direction of any of the Holders of Securities of any series pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;
(6) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, coupon, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may but shall not be obligated to make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine, during business hours and upon reasonable notice, the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney at the expense of the Company and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation;
(7) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents, attorneys or custodians and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent, attorney or custodians appointed with due care by it hereunder;
(8) the Trustee shall not be liable in its individual capacity for any action taken or suffered to be taken, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent, acted in bad faith or engaged in willful misconduct;
(9) the Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, and Security Registrar shall have the same protections as the Trustee set forth hereunder;
(10) the Trustee shall not be liable in its individual capacity with respect to any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with this Indenture, and, to the extent not so provided herein, with respect to any act requiring the Trustee to exercise its own discretion, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture or any Securities, unless it shall be proved that, in connection with any such action taken, suffered or omitted or any such act, the Trustee was negligent, acted in bad faith or engaged in willful misconduct;
(11) no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers;
(12) the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge or required to take notice of any default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities unless either (A) a Responsible Officer shall have actual knowledge of such default or Event of Default or (B) written notice of such default or Event of Default, which references the Securities and this Indenture, shall have been given to a Responsible Officer by the Company or other obligor on such Securities or by any Holder of such Securities;
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(13) the Trustee shall not be liable in its individual capacity for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;
(14) 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, director, officer, employee and other Person employed to act hereunder;
(15) the Trustee may request that the Company 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;
(16) the permissive rights of the Trustee to take certain actions under or perform any discretionary act enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty unless so specified herein, and the Trustee shall not be answerable for other than its negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of such action or act;
(17) the Trustee shall not be liable in its individual capacity with respect to any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with this Indenture or at the direction of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising or omitting to exercise any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture;
(18) in no event shall the Trustee be liable for special, indirect or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits) even if the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action; and
(19) in no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
Section 6.3. Notice of Defaults
Within 90 days after the occurrence of any default hereunder with respect to the Securities of any series of which a Responsible Officer has actual knowledge, the Trustee shall give the Holders of Securities of such series entitled to receive reports pursuant to Section 7.3,
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notice of such default hereunder actually known to a Responsible Officer, unless such default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that, except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any), or interest, if any, on, or Additional Amounts or any sinking fund or purchase fund installment with respect to, any Security of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers in good faith determine that the withholding of such notice is in the best interest of the Holders of Securities of such series; and provided, further, that in the case of any default of the character specified in Section 5.1(4) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 30 days after the occurrence thereof. For the purpose of this Section, the term “default” means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series.
Section 6.4. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities
The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity, sufficiency or priority of this Indenture or of the Securities. Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Company of the Securities or the proceeds thereof. Except with respect to the authentication of Securities pursuant to Section 3.3, the Trustee shall not be responsible for the legality or the validity of this Indenture or any Securities issued or to be issued hereunder.
Section 6.5. May Hold Securities
The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other Person that may be an agent of the Trustee or the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections 310(b) and 311 of the Trust Indenture Act, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other Person.
Section 6.6. Money Held in Trust
Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Company.
Section 6.7. Compensation and Reimbursement
The Company agrees:
(1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation as shall be agreed upon from time to time in writing between the Company and the Trustee for all services rendered by the Trustee hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);
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(2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be caused by the Trustee’s own negligence or willful misconduct; and
(3) to fully indemnify each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee and its agents, officers, directors and employees for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability, damage, claim or expense (including reasonable legal fees and expenses), including taxes (other than taxes based on the income of the Trustee), incurred without negligence or willful misconduct on their part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending themselves against any claim or liability (whether asserted by the Company, a Holder of Securities, or any other Person) in connection with the exercise or performance of any of their powers or duties hereunder.
As security for the performance of the payment obligations of the Company under this Section 6.7, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities of any series upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of, and premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, particular Securities. Such lien shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture. Without prejudice to any other rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, when the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after a default or Event of Default specified in Section 5.1(5) and 5.1(6) hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expense of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expense of administration under U.S. Code, Title 11 or any other similar foreign, federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
Without prejudice to any other rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, to the extent permitted by law any compensation or expense incurred by the Trustee after a default specified in or pursuant to Section 5.1 is intended to constitute an expense of administration under any then applicable bankruptcy or insolvency law. “Trustee” for purposes of this Section 6.7 shall include any predecessor Trustee but the negligence or willful misconduct of any Trustee shall not affect the rights of any other Trustee under this Section 6.7.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture to the contrary, in no event shall the Trustee be liable for special, indirect or consequential damages of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits) even if the Trustee had been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.
The provisions of this Section 6.7 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or the earlier resignation or removal of the Trustee and shall apply with equal force and effect to the Trustee in its capacity as Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent or Security Registrar.
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Section 6.8. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility; Conflicting Interests
There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a Corporation or a national banking association, organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, eligible under Section 310(a)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act to act as trustee under an indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and that has a combined capital and surplus (computed in accordance with Section 310(a)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act) of at least $50,000,000 subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.8, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article 6.
If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture. To the extent permitted by such Act, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have a conflicting interest by virtue of being a trustee under this Indenture with respect to Securities of more than one series.
Section 6.9. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor
(1) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article 6 shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee pursuant to Section 6.10.
(2) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 6.10 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition, at the expense of the Company, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to such series.
(3) The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee and the Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 6.10 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of removal, the Trustee being removed may petition, at the expense of the Company, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to such series. The Trustee for one or more series of Securities may be removed by the Company, so long as no default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to such series.
(4) If at any time:
(a) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the obligations imposed upon it under Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to Securities of any series after written request therefor by the Company or any Holder of a Security of such series who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months, or
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(b) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 6.8 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or any such Holder, or
(c) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation, then, in any such case,
(i) the Company, by or pursuant to a Company Order, may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities or the Securities of such series, or
(ii) subject to Section 5.15, any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities of such series and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.
(5) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by or pursuant to a Company Order, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of such series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series) and shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 6.10. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapacity, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 6.10, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders of Securities and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 6.10, any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
(6) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series by mailing written notice of such event by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the Holders of Registered Securities, if any, of such series as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.
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(7) In no event shall any retiring Trustee be liable for the acts or omissions of any successor Trustee hereunder.
Section 6.10. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor
(1) Upon the appointment hereunder of any successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties hereunder of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company or such successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee, upon payment of its charges, shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and, subject to Section 10.3, shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder, subject nevertheless to its lien, if any, provided for in Section 6.7.
(2) Upon the appointment hereunder of any successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and such successor Trustee shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (a) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, such successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (b) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee and (c) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust, that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee and that no Trustee shall be responsible for any notice given to, or received by, or any act or failure to act on the part of any other Trustee hereunder, and, upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein, such retiring Trustee shall have no further responsibility for the exercise of rights and powers or for the performance of the duties and obligations vested in the Trustee under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates other than as hereinafter expressly set forth, and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or such successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee, upon payment of its charges with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates and subject to Section 10.3 shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee, to the extent contemplated by such supplemental indenture, the property and
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money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, subject to its lien, if any, provided for in Section 6.7.
(3) Upon request of any Person appointed hereunder as a successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts.
(4) No Person shall accept its appointment hereunder as a successor Trustee unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Person shall be qualified and eligible under this Article 6.
Section 6.11. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business
Any Corporation or national banking association into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Corporation or national banking association resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any Corporation or national banking association succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee by sale or otherwise, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such Corporation or national banking association shall otherwise be qualified and eligible under this Article 6, in each case without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities.
Section 6.12. Appointment of Authenticating Agent
The Trustee may appoint one or more Authenticating Agents acceptable to the Company with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of that or those series issued upon original issue, exchange, registration of transfer, partial redemption or partial repayment or pursuant to Section 3.6, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent.
Each Authenticating Agent must be acceptable to the Company and, except as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, shall at all times be a Corporation or national banking association that would be permitted by the Trust Indenture Act to act as trustee under an indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, is authorized under applicable law and by its charter to act as an Authenticating Agent and has a combined capital and surplus (computed in accordance with Section 310(a)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act) of at least $50,000,000. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.12, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section 6.12.
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Any Corporation or national banking association into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Corporation or national banking association resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any Corporation or national banking association succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall be the successor of such Authenticating Agent hereunder, provided such Corporation or national banking association shall be otherwise eligible under this Section 6.12, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.
An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.12, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall mail written notice of such appointment by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to all Holders of Registered Securities, if any, of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent shall serve, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register. Any successor Authenticating Agent, upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder, shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section 6.12.
The Company agrees to pay each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section 6.12 to the extent agreed in writing.
The provisions of Section 3.3, Section 6.1, Section 6.4 and Section 6.5 shall be applicable to each Authenticating Agent.
If an Authenticating Agent is appointed with respect to one or more series of Securities pursuant to this Section 6.12, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to or in lieu of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication in substantially the following form:
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
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If all of the Securities of any series may not be originally issued at one time, and if the Trustee does not have an office capable of authenticating Securities upon original issuance located in a Place of Payment where the Company wishes to have Securities of such series authenticated upon original issuance, the Trustee, if so requested by Company Request (which writing need not be accompanied by or contained in an Officer’s Certificate), shall appoint in accordance with this Section 6.12 (and subject to such procedures as shall be acceptable to the Trustee) an Authenticating Agent having an office in a Place of Payment designated by the Company with respect to such series of Securities.
ARTICLE 7
HOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY
Section 7.1. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders
In accordance with Section 312(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Company shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:
(1) semi-annually with respect to Securities of each series not later than 15 days after each Regular Record Date in respect of Securities of a series, a list, in each case in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of Holders of such Securities as of the applicable date, and
(2) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished, provided, however, that so long as the Trustee is the Security Registrar no such list shall be required to be furnished.
Section 7.2. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders
The Trustee shall comply with the obligations imposed upon it pursuant to Section 312 of the Trust Indenture Act.
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Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or any Security Registrar shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities in accordance with Section 312 of the Trust Indenture Act, regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 7.3. Reports by Trustee
(1) Within 60 days after of each year commencing with the first following the first issuance of Securities pursuant to Section 3.1, if required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall transmit, pursuant to Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, a brief report dated as of such May 15 with respect to any of the events specified in said Section 313(a) which may have occurred since the later of the immediately preceding May 15 and the date of this Indenture.
(2) The Trustee shall transmit any reports required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act at the times specified therein.
(3) A copy of each report, if any, described in Section 7.3(1) and (2) shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange, if any, upon which the Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Company. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee when the Securities are listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof.
Section 7.4. Reports by Company
The Company, pursuant to Section 314(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, shall:
(1) file with the Trustee, within 30 days after the Company has filed the same with the Commission, unless such reports are available on the Commission’s EDGAR filing system (or any successor thereto), copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act, then it shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations;
(2) file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations; and
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(3) transmit within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Section 7.4 as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission.
Delivery of such reports, information and documents 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 Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates).
ARTICLE 8
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALES
Section 8.1. Company May Consolidate, etc., Only on Certain Terms
The Company shall not directly or indirectly consolidate with or merge with or into, or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets and properties and the assets and properties of its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to another Person in one or more related transactions unless:
(1) either: (A) the Company is the survivor; or (B) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition has been made is a Person organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia;
(2) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition has been made shall expressly assume, by an indenture (or indentures, if at such time there is more than one Trustee) supplemental hereto, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, executed by the successor Person and delivered to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, any premium and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to, all the Securities and the performance of every obligation in this Indenture and the Outstanding Securities on the part of the Company to be performed or observed and shall provide for conversion or exchange rights in accordance with the provisions of the Securities of any series that are convertible or exchangeable into Common Stock or other securities, cash or other property;
(3) either the Company or the successor Person shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture comply with this Article 8 and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with; and
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(4) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default or event which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing.
Section 8.2. Successor Person Substituted for Company
Upon any consolidation by the Company with or merger of the Company into any other Person or Persons where the Company is not the survivor or any sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company and the properties and assets of its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any Person or Persons in accordance with Section 8.1, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein; and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be released from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.
ARTICLE 9
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
Section 9.1. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders
Without the consent of any Holders of Securities, the Company (when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution) and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:
(1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company, and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company contained herein and in the Securities; or
(2) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (as shall be specified in such supplemental indenture or indentures) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; provided, that in respect of any such additional covenant, such supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such a default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon an Event of Default or may limit the right of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series to waive such an Event of Default; or
(3) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Section 2.1 and Section 3.1; or
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(4) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 6.10; or
(5) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture; provided that no action pursuant to this clause (5) shall adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series then Outstanding in any material respect; or
(6) to add to, delete from or revise the conditions, limitations and restrictions on the authorized amount, terms or purposes of issue, authentication and delivery of Securities, as herein set forth; or
(7) to add any additional Events of Default with respect to all or any series of Securities (as shall be specified in such supplemental indenture); or
(8) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary for the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Article 4, provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of any Holder of an Outstanding Security of such series or any other Security in any material respect; or
(9) to make provisions with respect to conversion or exchange rights of Holders of Securities of any series; or
(10) to add guarantees in respect of the Securities of one or more series and to provide for the terms and conditions of release thereof; or
(11) to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge to the Trustee as security for the Securities of one or more series any property or assets and to provide for the terms and conditions of release thereof; or
(12) to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture, provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no Outstanding Security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture which is entitled to the benefit of such provision; or
(13) to provide for Definitive Securities in addition to or in place of Global Securities; or
(14) to qualify the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act; or
(15) with respect to the Securities of a series, to conform the text of the Indenture or the Securities of such series to any provision of the description thereof in the Company’s offering memorandum or prospectus relating to the initial offering of such Securities, to the extent that such provision, in the good faith judgment of the Company, was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of the Indenture or such Securities; or
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(16) to make any other change that does not adversely affect the rights of Holders of Outstanding Securities in any material respect.
The Trustee is hereby required to join with the Company and any guarantors in the execution of any such supplemental indenture, to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer, assignment, mortgage or pledge of any property thereunder, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
Section 9.2. Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders
With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority (or such greater amount as is provided for a particular series of Securities) in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Securities of such series), by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company (when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution) and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture or of the Securities of such series; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby, shall:
(1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any premium or installment of interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate (or modify the calculation of such rate in a manner that reduces such rate) of interest thereon or any Additional Amounts with respect thereto, or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof or otherwise, or change the obligation of the Company to pay Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 10.4, or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2 or the amount thereof provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 5.4, change the redemption provisions or adversely affect the right of repayment at the option of any Holder as contemplated by Article 13, or change the Place of Payment for any Security or the Currency in which the principal of, any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date or, in the case of repayment at the option of the Holder, on or after the date for repayment); or
(2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series the consent of the Holders of which are required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture, or reduce the requirements of Section 15.4 for quorum or voting; or
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(3) modify any of the provisions of this Section 9.2 or Section 5.13 or Section 10.5, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby; or
(4) make any change that adversely affects the right to convert or exchange any Security into or for Common Stock or other securities, cash or other property in accordance with the terms of such Security.
A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which shall have been included expressly and solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.
It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders of Securities under this Section 9.2 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.
Upon the request of the Company, accompanied by a copy of a Board Resolution authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Holders of Securities as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Company and any guarantors in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture 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 supplemental indenture.
Section 9.3. Execution of Supplemental Indentures
As a condition to executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article 9 or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
Section 9.4. Revocation of Consents
Notwithstanding clause (5) of Section 1.4, any Holder of a Security or future Holder of the same Security may revoke a consent as to its Security or portion of a Security. Any revocation of a consent by the Holder of a Security or any such future Holder shall be effective only if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date on which the Trustee receives an Officer’s Certificate from the Company certifying that the requisite number of consents have been received. If, however, a record date is fixed pursuant to Section 1.4, then notwithstanding
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the second preceding sentence, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date.
Section 9.5. Effect of Supplemental Indentures
A supplemental indenture or waiver becomes effective upon the (a) receipt by the Company or the Trustee of the requisite number of consents (if required), (b) satisfaction of any conditions to effectiveness as set forth in this Indenture or any such supplemental indenture or waiver and (c) with respect to a supplemental indenture, execution of such supplemental indenture by the Company and the Trustee. After a supplemental indenture or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every Holder, unless it makes a change described in any of clauses (1) through (4) of Section 9.2, in which case, the supplemental indenture or waiver shall bind a Holder of a Security who is affected thereby only if it has consented to such supplemental indenture or waiver and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security. Upon the effectiveness of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and, except as provided in the preceding sentence, every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.
Section 9.6. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures
Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article 9 may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.
Section 9.7. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act
Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article 9 shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.
Section 9.8. Notice of Supplemental Indenture
Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to Section 9.2, the Company shall transmit to the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series affected thereby a notice setting forth the substance of such supplemental indenture; provided, that any failure to provide, or any defect in any such notice, shall not impair the validity of any such supplemental indenture.
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ARTICLE 10
COVENANTS
Section 10.1. Payment of Principal, any Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts
The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of each series that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of, any premium and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities of such series in accordance with the terms thereof and this Indenture.
Section 10.2. Maintenance of Office or Agency
The Company shall maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an Office or Agency where Securities of such series may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities of such series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, where Securities of such series that are convertible or exchangeable may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such series relating thereto and this Indenture may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such Office or Agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required Office or Agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other Offices or Agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an Office or Agency in each Place of Payment for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company 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.
Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, the Company hereby designates as the Place of Payment for each series of Securities the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, and initially appoints the Corporate Trust Office of , located at , as the Office or Agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York for such purpose. The Company may subsequently appoint a different Office or Agency in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York for the Securities of any series.
Section 10.3. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust
If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of Securities, it shall, on or before each due date of the principal of, any premium or interest on or Additional Amounts with respect to any of the Securities of such series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which the Securities of such series are
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payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.1 for the Securities of such series) sufficient to pay the principal or any premium, interest or Additional Amounts so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided, and shall promptly notify the Trustee of its failure so to act.
Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it shall, on or prior to each due date of the principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Securities of such series, deposit with any Paying Agent a sum (in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies described in the preceding paragraph) sufficient to pay the principal or any premium, interest or Additional Amounts so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its failure so to act.
The Company shall cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities (other than the Trustee) to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 10.3, that such Paying Agent shall:
(1) hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities of such series in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture;
(2) give the Trustee notice of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities of such series) in the making of any payment of principal, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of such series; and
(3) at any time during the continuance of any such default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent.
The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same terms as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such sums.
Except as otherwise provided herein or pursuant hereto, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal or any such premium or interest or any such Additional Amounts shall have become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon
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cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company either cause to be published once, in an Authorized Newspaper in each Place of Payment for such series, or may cause to be mailed once to Holders of Registered Securities of such series, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication or mailing nor later than two years after such principal and any premium or interest or Additional Amounts shall have become due and payable, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.
Section 10.4. Additional Amounts
If any Securities of a series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, the Company agrees to pay to the Holder of any such Security Additional Amounts as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or such Securities. Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on, or in respect of, any Security of any series, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided by the terms of such series established hereby or pursuant hereto to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to such terms, and express mention of the payment of Additional Amounts (if applicable) in any provision hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Amounts in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.
Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the Securities of the applicable series, if the Securities of a series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, at least 10 days prior to the first Interest Payment Date with respect to such series of Securities (or if the Securities of such series shall not bear interest prior to Maturity, the first day on which a payment of principal is made), and at least 10 days prior to each date of payment of principal or interest if there has been any change with respect to the matters set forth in the below-mentioned Officer’s Certificate, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee and the principal Paying Agent or Paying Agents, if other than the Trustee, an Officer’s Certificate instructing the Trustee and such Paying Agent or Paying Agents whether such payment of principal of and premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of such series shall be made to Holders of Securities of such series who are United States Aliens (as demonstrated by delivery of appropriate tax forms) without withholding for or on account of any tax, assessment or other governmental charge described in the Securities of such series. If any such withholding shall be required, then such Officer’s Certificate shall specify by country the amount, if any, required to be withheld on such payments to such Holders of Securities, and the Company agrees to pay to the Trustee or such Paying Agent the Additional Amounts required by the terms of such Securities. The Company covenants to indemnify the Trustee and any Paying Agent for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense reasonably incurred without negligence or bad faith on their part arising out of or in connection with actions taken or omitted by any of them in reliance on any Officer’s Certificate furnished pursuant to this Section 10.4.
Section 10.5. Waiver of Certain Covenants
The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition specified pursuant to Section 3.1 with respect to the Securities of any series if the
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Company shall have obtained or filed with the Trustee, prior to the time of such failure or omission, evidence (as described in Section 1.4) of the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, by Act of such Holders, either waiving such compliance in such instance or generally waiving compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective in accordance with Section 9.5, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 10.6. Company Statement as to Compliance
(1) If any Securities are Outstanding under this Indenture, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a written statement (which need not be contained in or accompanied by an Officer’s Certificate) signed by the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer, stating that:
(a) in the course of the performance of his or her duties as an officer of the Company he or she would normally have knowledge of any default by the Company in the performance of the covenants contained in this Indenture, and
(b) to his or her knowledge, the Company has complied with all the conditions and covenants imposed on it under this Indenture throughout such year, or, if there has been a noncompliance in the fulfillment of any such condition or covenant, specifying each such noncompliance known to him or her and the nature and status thereof.
(2) The Trustee shall have no duty to monitor the Company’s compliance with the covenants contained in this Indenture other than to receive written notices described in Section 10.6(1).
ARTICLE 11
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
Section 11.1. Applicability of Article
Redemption of Securities of any series at the option of the Company as permitted or required by the terms of such Securities shall be made in accordance with the terms of such Securities and (except as otherwise provided herein or pursuant hereto) this Article 11.
Section 11.2. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee
The election of the Company to optionally redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by or pursuant to a Board Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of the Securities of any series, the Company shall, at least 30 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Securities (a) prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this
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Indenture, or (b) pursuant to an election of the Company which is subject to a condition specified in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officer’s Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction or condition.
Section 11.3. Selection by Trustee of Securities to be Redeemed
If less than all of the Securities of any series with the same issue date, interest rate or formula, Stated Maturity and other terms are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 30 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee from the Outstanding Securities of such series not previously called for redemption on a pro rata basis or by lot (whichever is consistent with the Trustee’s customary practice); provided, however, that no such partial redemption shall reduce the portion of the principal amount of a Registered Security of such series not redeemed to less than the minimum denomination for a Security of such series established herein or pursuant hereto.
The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the Security Registrar (if other than itself) in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.
For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed.
Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the Securities of any series, if any Security selected for partial redemption is converted into or exchanged for Common Stock or other securities, cash or other property in part before termination of the conversion or exchange right with respect to the portion of the Security so selected, the converted portion of such Security shall be deemed (so far as may be) to be the portion selected for redemption. Securities which have been converted or exchanged during a selection of Securities to be redeemed shall be treated by the Trustee as Outstanding for the purpose of such selection.
Section 11.4. Notice of Redemption
Notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided in Section 1.6, not less than 10 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, unless a shorter period is specified in the Securities to be redeemed, to the Holders of Securities to be redeemed. Failure to give notice by mailing in the manner herein provided to the Holder of any Registered Securities designated for redemption as a whole or in part, or any defect in the notice to any such Holder, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Securities or portion thereof.
Any notice that is mailed to the Holder of any Registered Securities in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not such Holder receives the notice.
All notices of redemption shall state:
(1) the Redemption Date;
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(2) the Redemption Price or if not then ascertainable, the manner of calculation thereof;
(3) if less than all Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amount) of the particular Security or Securities to be redeemed;
(4) in case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, the notice which relates to such Security shall state that on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Security, the Holder of such Security will receive, without charge, a new Security or Securities of authorized denominations for the principal amount thereof remaining unredeemed;
(5) that, on the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price shall become due and payable upon each such Security or portion thereof to be redeemed, and, if applicable, that interest thereon shall cease to accrue on and after said date, subject to such conditions as may be specified pursuant to Section 3.1 with respect to such Security;
(6) the place or places where such Securities are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price and any accrued interest and Additional Amounts pertaining thereto;
(7) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case;
(8) in the case of Securities of any series that are convertible or exchangeable into Common Stock or other securities, cash or other property, the conversion or exchange price or rate, the date or dates on which the right to convert or exchange the principal of the Securities of such series to be redeemed will commence or terminate and the place or places where such Securities may be surrendered for conversion or exchange; and
(9) the CUSIP number (or any other numbers used by a Depositary to identify such Securities).
A notice of redemption published as contemplated by Section 1.6 need not identify particular Registered Securities to be redeemed.
Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company shall be given by the Company or, upon Company Request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.
Section 11.5. Deposit of Redemption Price
At or prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit, with respect to the Securities of any series called for redemption pursuant to Section 11.4, with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 10.3) an amount of money in the applicable Currency sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.1 or in the Securities of such series) any accrued interest on and Additional Amounts with respect to such accrued interest, all such Securities or portions thereof which are to be redeemed on that date.
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Section 11.6. Securities Payable on Redemption Date
Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid and all conditions specified pursuant to Section 3.1 having been satisfied, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with any accrued interest and Additional Amounts to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that, except as otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the Registered Securities of such series, installments of interest on Registered Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the Regular Record Dates therefor according to their terms and the provisions of Section 3.7.
Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the Securities of any series, if any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal and any premium, until paid, shall bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security.
Section 11.7. Securities Redeemed in Part
Any Registered Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at any Office or Agency for such Security (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing) and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Registered Security or Securities of the same series, containing identical terms and provisions, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of the Security so surrendered. If a Global Security is so surrendered, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to or on behalf of the U.S. Depositary or other Depositary for such Global Security as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, without service charge, a new Global Security in a denomination equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Global Security so surrendered.
Section 11.8. Repurchases on the Open Market
The Company or any Affiliate of the Company may at any time or from time to time repurchase any of the Securities in the open market or otherwise. Such Securities may, at the option of the Company or the relevant Affiliate of the Company, be held, resold or surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation.
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ARTICLE 12
SINKING FUNDS
Section 12.1. Applicability of Article
The provisions of this Article 12 shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series, except as otherwise permitted or required in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Security of such series issued pursuant to this Indenture.
The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of such series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.” If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 12.2. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series and this Indenture.
Section 12.2. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities
The Company may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of any series to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities (1) deliver Outstanding Securities of such series (other than any of such Securities previously called for redemption or any of such Securities in respect of which cash shall have been released to the Company) and (2) apply as a credit Securities of such series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such series of Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly. If as a result of the delivery or credit of Securities of any series in lieu of cash payments pursuant to this Section 12.2, the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed in order to satisfy the remaining sinking fund payment shall be less than $100,000, the Trustee need not call Securities of such series for redemption, except upon Company Request, and such cash payment shall be held by the Trustee or a Paying Agent and applied to the next succeeding sinking fund payment, provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall at the request of the Company from time to time pay over and deliver to the Company any cash payment so being held by the Trustee or such Paying Agent upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of Securities of that series purchased by the Company having an unpaid principal amount equal to the cash payment requested to be released to the Company.
Section 12.3. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund
Not less than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate specifying the amount of the
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next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting of Securities of that series pursuant to Section 12.2, and the basis for such credit and the optional amount, if any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so credited and not theretofore delivered. If such Officer’s Certificate shall specify an optional amount to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, the Company shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified. Not less than 60 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 11.3 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 11.4. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Section 11.6 and Section 11.7.
ARTICLE 13
REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS
Section 13.1. Applicability of Article
Securities of any series which are repayable at the option of the Holders thereof before their Stated Maturity shall be repaid in accordance with the terms of the Securities of such series. The repayment of any principal amount of Securities pursuant to such option of the Holder to require repayment of Securities before their Stated Maturity, for purposes of Section 3.9, shall not operate as a payment, redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the Company, at its option, shall deliver or surrender the same to the Trustee with a directive that such Securities be cancelled. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 13.1, in connection with any repayment of Securities, the Company may arrange for the purchase of any Securities by an agreement with one or more investment bankers or other purchasers to purchase such Securities by paying to the Holders of such Securities on or before the close of business on the repayment date an amount not less than the repayment price payable by the Company on repayment of such Securities, and the obligation of the Company to pay the repayment price of such Securities shall be satisfied and discharged to the extent such payment is so paid by such purchasers.
ARTICLE 14
SECURITIES IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES
Section 14.1. Applicability of Article
Whenever this Indenture provides for (i) any action by, or the determination of any of the rights of, Holders of Securities of any series in which not all of such Securities are denominated in the same Currency, or (ii) any distribution to Holders of Securities, in the absence of any provision to the contrary pursuant to this Indenture or the Securities of any particular series, any amount in respect of any Security denominated in a Foreign Currency shall be treated for any
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such action or distribution as that amount of Dollars that could be obtained for such amount on such reasonable basis of exchange and as of the record date with respect to Registered Securities of such series (if any) for such action, determination of rights or distribution (or, if there shall be no applicable record date, such other date reasonably proximate to the date of such action, determination of rights or distribution) as the Company may specify in a written notice to the Trustee or, in the absence of such written notice, as the Trustee may determine.
ARTICLE 15
MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
Section 15.1. Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called
A meeting of Holders of Securities of any series may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to this Article 15 to make, give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act provided by this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series.
Section 15.2. Call, Notice and Place of Meetings
(1) The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders of Securities of any series for any purpose specified in Section 15.1, to be held at such time and at such place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York as the Trustee may select and as shall be acceptable to the Company. Notice of every meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be given, in the manner provided in Section 1.6, not less than 21 nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.
(2) In case at any time the Company (by or pursuant to a Board Resolution) or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of the Holders of Securities of such series for any purpose specified in Section 15.1, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have mailed notice of such meeting within 21 days after receipt of such request or shall not thereafter proceed to cause the meeting to be held as provided herein, then the Company or the Holders of Securities of such series in the amount above specified, as the case may be, may determine the time and the place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York for such meeting and may call such meeting for such purposes by giving notice thereof as provided in clause (1) of this Section 15.4.
Section 15.3. Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings
To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, a Person shall be (1) a Holder of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series, or (2) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy for a Holder or Holders of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series by such Holder or Holders. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel, any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.
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Section 15.4. Quorum; Action
The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of Holders of Securities of such series; provided, however, that if any action is to be taken at such meeting with respect to a consent or waiver which this Indenture expressly provides may be given by the Holders of a different percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series, the Persons entitled to vote such percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes after the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Holders of Securities of such series, be dissolved. In any other case the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting. In the absence of a quorum at any such adjourned meeting, such adjourned meeting may be further adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such adjourned meeting. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be given as provided in Section 15.2(1), except that such notice need be given only once not less than five days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened. Notice of the reconvening of an adjourned meeting shall state expressly the percentage, as provided above, of the principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series which shall constitute a quorum.
Except as limited by the proviso to Section 9.2, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted only by the affirmative vote of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series; provided, however, that, except as limited by the proviso to Section 9.2, any resolution with respect to any consent or waiver which this Indenture or any supplemental indenture expressly provides may be given by the Holders of at least 66-2/3% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly convened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid only by the affirmative vote of the Holders of 66-2/3% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series; and provided, further, that, except as limited by the proviso to Section 9.2, any resolution with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act which this Indenture or any supplemental indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a different specified percentage, which is less than a majority, in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series, may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid by the affirmative vote of the Holders of such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series.
Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly held in accordance with this Section 15.4 shall be binding on all the Holders of Securities of such series, whether or not such Holders were present or represented at the meeting.
Section 15.5. Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings
(1) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders of Securities of
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such series in regard to proof of the holding of Securities of such series and of the appointment of proxies and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem appropriate. Except as otherwise permitted or required by any such regulations, the holding of Securities shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 1.4 and the appointment of any proxy shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 1.4. Such regulations may provide that written instruments appointing proxies, regular on their face, may be presumed valid and genuine without the proof specified in Section 1.4 or other proof.
(2) The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Holders of Securities as provided in Section 15.2(2), in which case the Company or the Holders of Securities of the series calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting.
(3) At any meeting, each Holder of a Security of such series or proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount of Securities of such series held or represented by him; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Security challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairman shall have no right to vote, except as a Holder of a Security of such series or proxy.
(4) Any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly called pursuant to Section 15.2 at which a quorum is present may be adjourned from time to time by Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting; and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.
Section 15.6. Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings
The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders of Securities of such series or of their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts and serial numbers of the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the permanent secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in triplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record, at least in triplicate, of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be prepared by the permanent secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more Persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was given as provided in Section 15.2 and, if applicable, Section 15.4. Each copy shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one such copy shall be delivered to the Company, and another to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting. Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
| MP MATERIALS CORP. | ||||
| By: |
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| Name: | ||||
| Title: | ||||
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, | |||
| as Trustee | ||||
| By: |
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| Name: | ||||
| Title: | ||||
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Exhibit 5.1
|
SIDLEY AUSTIN LLP 787 SEVENTH AVENUE NEW YORK, NY 10019 +1 212 839 5300 +1 212 839 5599 FAX |
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| AMERICA • ASIA PACIFIC • EUROPE | ||||
December 30, 2021
MP Materials Corp.
6720 Via Austi Parkway, Suite 450
Las Vegas, Nevada 89119
| Re: | Registration Statement on Form S-3 |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We refer to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) being filed by MP Materials Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), relating to the registration of (A) an indeterminate amount of Securities (as defined below), not to exceed $2,000,000,000 maximum aggregate offering price, which may be sold by the Company, and (B) $690,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 0.25% Green Convertible Senior Notes due 2026 (the “Notes”) and the shares (the “Underlying Shares”) of the Company’s common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), initially issuable upon conversion of the Notes, which may be sold by certain selling securityholders from time to time. The “Securities” shall refer collectively to:
(i) shares of the Company’s Common Stock;
(ii) shares of the Company’s preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Preferred Stock”), which may be represented by depositary shares (the “Depositary Shares”);
(iii) debt securities of the Company (the “Debt Securities”);
(iv) warrants to purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities, or Units (as defined below) (the “Warrants”); and
(v) units representing an interest in two or more other securities referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) above, which may or may not be separable from one another (the “Units”).
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement:
Sidley Austin (NY) LLP is a Delaware limited liability partnership doing business as Sidley Austin LLP and practicing in affiliation with other Sidley Austin partnerships.
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(1) the Depositary Shares will be issued under a deposit agreement (a “Deposit Agreement”) between the Company and a depositary agent (the “Depositary Agent”)
(2) the Debt Securities will be issued under one or more indentures (each, an “Indenture”) to be entered into between the Company and a trustee (the “Trustee”);
(3) the Warrants will be issued under a warrant agreement (the “Warrant Agreement”) to be entered into between the Company and a warrant agent (the “Warrant Agent”);
(4) the Units will be issued under a unit agreement (the “Unit Agreement”) to be entered into between the Company and the other parties named therein; and
(5) the Notes have been issued under that certain indenture, dated as of March 26, 2021, between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee;
in each case substantially in the form that has been or will be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
This opinion letter is being delivered in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.
We have examined the Registration Statement, the exhibits thereto, the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (the “Charter”), the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (the “Bylaws”), the resolutions adopted by the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) relating to the Registration Statement and the resolutions adopted by the Board and by the pricing committee designated by the Board relating to the offer and sale of the Notes (collectively, the “Resolutions”). We have also examined originals, or copies of originals certified to our satisfaction, of such agreements, documents, certificates, and statements of the Company and others, and have examined such questions of law, as we have considered relevant and necessary as a basis for this opinion letter. We have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all persons, and the conformity with the original documents of any copies thereof submitted to us for examination. As to facts relevant to the opinions expressed herein, we have relied without independent investigation or verification upon, and assumed the accuracy and completeness of, certificates, letters, and oral and written statements and representations of public officials and officers and other representatives of the Company.
Based on and subject to the foregoing and the other limitations, qualifications, and assumptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:
1. With respect to an offering of shares of Common Stock covered by the Registration Statement (other than the Underlying Shares, which are addressed below), such shares of Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable when: (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including any necessary post-effective amendments), shall have become effective under the Securities Act; (ii) a prospectus supplement with respect to the sale of such shares of Common Stock shall have been filed with the SEC in compliance with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; (iii) the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof shall have duly adopted final resolutions in conformity with the Charter, the Bylaws, and the Resolutions authorizing the issuance and sale of
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such shares of Common Stock; and (iv) certificates representing such shares of Common Stock shall have been duly executed, countersigned and registered, and duly delivered in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting, or similar agreement upon payment of the agreed consideration therefor in an amount not less than the par value thereof or, if any such shares of Common Stock are to be issued in uncertificated form, the Company’s books shall reflect the issuance of such shares of Common Stock in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement upon payment of the agreed consideration therefor in an amount not less than the par value thereof.
2. The issuance and sale of each series of Preferred Stock covered by the Registration Statement will be duly authorized, and each share of such series of Preferred Stock will be validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable, when: (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including any necessary post-effective amendments), shall have become effective under the Securities Act; (ii) a prospectus supplement with respect to the sale of such series of Preferred Stock shall have been filed with the SEC in compliance with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; (iii) the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof shall have duly adopted final resolutions in conformity with the Charter, the Bylaws, and the final resolutions establishing the designations, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such series of Preferred Stock and authorizing the issuance and sale of such series of Preferred Stock; (iv) the Company shall have filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware a Certificate of Designations with respect to such series of Preferred Stock in accordance with the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) and in conformity with the Charter and such final resolutions; and (v) certificates representing such series of Preferred Stock shall have been duly executed, countersigned, registered, and duly delivered in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting, or similar agreement to the purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed consideration therefor in an amount not less than the par value thereof or, if any shares of such series of Preferred Stock are to be issued in uncertificated form, the Company’s books shall reflect the issuance of such shares in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting, or similar agreement upon payment of the agreed consideration therefor in an amount not less than the par value thereof.
3. The Depositary Shares covered by the Registration Statement will entitle the holders thereof to the rights specified in the Depositary Shares and the Deposit Agreement relating to the Depositary Shares when: (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including any necessary post-effective amendments), shall have become effective under the Securities Act; (ii) a prospectus supplement with respect to the Depositary Shares and the series of Preferred Stock underlying such Depositary Shares shall have been filed with the SEC in compliance with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; (iii) a Deposit Agreement shall have been duly authorized, executed, and delivered by the Company and duly executed, and delivered by the Depositary named in the Deposit Agreement; (iv) the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof shall have duly adopted final resolutions in conformity with the
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Charter, the Bylaws, and the final resolutions establishing the designations, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such series of Preferred Stock underlying such Depositary Shares and authorizing the issuance and sale of such series of Preferred Stock; (v) the Company shall have filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware a Certificate of Designations with respect to such series of Preferred Stock underlying such Depositary Shares in accordance with the DGCL and in conformity with the Charter and such final resolutions; (vi) certificates representing the series of Preferred Stock underlying such Depositary Shares shall have been duly executed, countersigned and registered, and duly delivered against payment of the agreed consideration therefor in an amount not less than the par value thereof or, if any shares of such series of Preferred Stock are to be issued in uncertificated form, the Company’s books shall reflect the issuance of such shares in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting, or similar agreement upon payment of the agreed consideration therefor in an amount not less than the par value thereof; and (vii) the depositary receipts evidencing Depositary Shares shall have been duly executed and delivered by the Depositary in the manner set forth in the Deposit Agreement and in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting, or similar agreement to the purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed consideration therefor.
4. The Debt Securities of each series covered by the Registration Statement will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company when: (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including any necessary post-effective amendments), shall have become effective under the Securities Act and the Indenture (including any necessary supplemental indenture) shall have been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “TIA”); (ii) a prospectus supplement with respect to such series of Debt Securities shall have been filed with the SEC in compliance with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; (iii) the Indenture shall have been duly authorized, executed, and delivered by the Company and the Trustee; (iv) all necessary corporate action shall have been taken by the Company to authorize the form, terms, execution, delivery, performance, issuance, and sale of such series of Debt Securities as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the prospectus supplement relating to such Debt Securities and the Indenture and to authorize the execution, delivery, and performance of a supplemental indenture or officers’ certificate establishing the form and terms of such series of Debt Securities as contemplated by the Indenture; (v) a supplemental indenture or officers’ certificate establishing the form and terms of such series of Debt Securities shall have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Trustee (in the case of such a supplemental indenture) or by duly authorized officers of the Company (in the case of such an officers’ certificate), in each case in accordance with the provisions of the Charter, the Bylaws, final resolutions of the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof, and the Indenture; and (vi) the certificates evidencing the Debt Securities of such series shall have been duly executed and delivered by the Company, authenticated by the Trustee, and issued, all in accordance with the Charter, the Bylaws, final resolutions of the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof, the Indenture, and the supplemental indenture or officers’ certificate, as the case may be, establishing the form and terms of the Debt Securities of such series, and shall have been duly delivered in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting, or similar agreement to the purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed consideration therefor.
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5. Each issue of Warrants covered by the Registration Statement will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company when: (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including any necessary post-effective amendments), shall have become effective under the Securities Act; (ii) a prospectus supplement with respect to such issue of Warrants and the Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities, or Units issuable upon exercise of such Warrants shall have been filed with the SEC in compliance with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; (iii) a Warrant Agreement relating to such issue of Warrants shall have been duly authorized, executed, and delivered by the Company and duly executed and delivered by the Warrant Agent named in the Warrant Agreement; (iv) the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof shall have duly adopted final resolutions in conformity with the Charter, the Bylaws, and the final resolutions authorizing the execution and delivery of the Warrant Agreement and the issuance and sale of such issue of Warrants; (v) if such Warrants are exercisable for Common Stock, the actions described in paragraph 1 above shall have been taken; (vi) if such Warrants are exercisable for Preferred Stock, the actions described in paragraph 2 above shall have been taken; (vii) if such Warrants are exercisable for Debt Securities, the actions described in paragraph 4 above shall have been taken; (viii) if such Warrants are exercisable for Units, the actions described in paragraph 6 below shall have been taken; and (ix) certificates representing such issue of Warrants shall have been duly executed, countersigned, and registered in accordance with the Warrant Agreement and shall have been duly delivered in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting, or similar agreement to the purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed consideration therefor.
6. Each issue of Units covered by the Registration Statement will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company when: (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including any necessary post-effective amendments), shall have become effective under the Securities Act; (ii) a prospectus supplement with respect to such Units shall have been filed with the SEC in compliance with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; (iii) a Unit Agreement relating to such Units shall have been duly authorized, executed, and delivered by the Company and duly executed and delivered by the other parties thereto; (iv) the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof shall have duly adopted final resolutions in conformity with the Charter, the Bylaws, and the final resolutions authorizing the execution, delivery, issuance, and sale of such Units; (v) the actions described in paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 above, as applicable, shall have been taken; and (vi) certificates representing such Units shall have been duly executed, countersigned, and registered in accordance with the Unit Agreement and shall have been duly delivered to the purchasers thereof in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement against payment of the agreed consideration therefor.
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7. The Notes have been duly authorized and are legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.
8. The Underlying Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued upon conversion of the Notes in accordance with their terms, will be validly issued, fully paid, and non-assessable.
Our opinions are subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer, and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and to general equitable principles (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), including concepts of commercial reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing, and the possible unavailability of specific performance or injunctive relief. Our opinions are also subject to (i) provisions of law which may require that a judgment for money damages rendered by a court in the United States of America be expressed only in United States dollars; (ii) requirements that a claim with respect to any Debt Securities or other obligations that are denominated or payable other than in United States dollars (or a judgment denominated or payable other than in United States dollars in respect of such claim) be converted into United States dollars at a rate of exchange prevailing on a date determined pursuant to applicable law; and (iii) governmental authority to limit, delay or prohibit the making of payments outside of the United States of America or in a foreign currency.
For the purposes of this letter, we have assumed that, at the time of the issuance, sale, and delivery of any of the Securities:
(i) the Securities being offered will be issued and sold as contemplated in the Registration Statement and the prospectus supplement relating thereto;
(ii) the execution, delivery, and performance by the Company of the Indenture, each indenture supplement to the Indenture, the Warrant Agreement, and the Unit Agreement, as applicable, and the issuance, sale, and delivery of the Securities will not (A) contravene or violate the Charter, Bylaws, or any resolutions adopted by the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof; (B) violate any law, rule or regulation applicable to the Company; (C) result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company or any order, judgment, or decree of any court or governmental authority applicable to the Company; or (D) require any authorization, approval or other action by, or notice to or filing with, any court or governmental authority (other than such authorizations, approvals, actions, notices or filings which shall have been obtained or made, as the case may be, and which shall be in full force and effect);
(iii) the authorization thereof by the Company will not have been modified or rescinded, and there will not have occurred any change in law affecting the validity, legally binding character or enforceability thereof; and
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(iv) the Charter and the Bylaws, each as currently in effect, will not have been modified or amended and will be in full force and effect.
We have further assumed that each Warrant Agreement, each Warrant, each Unit Agreement, each Unit, the Indenture, each indenture supplement to the Indenture, and each Debt Security will be governed by the laws of the State of New York.
With respect to each instrument or agreement referred to in or otherwise relevant to the opinions set forth herein (each, an “Instrument”), we have assumed, to the extent relevant to the opinions set forth herein, that (i) each party to such Instrument (if not a natural person) was duly organized or formed, as the case may be, and was at all relevant times and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization or formation, as the case may be, and had at all relevant times and has full right, power and authority to execute, deliver, and perform its obligations under such Instrument; (ii) such Instrument has been duly authorized, executed, and delivered by each party thereto; and (iii) such Instrument was at all relevant times and is a valid, binding, and enforceable agreement or obligation, as the case may be, of each party thereto; provided that we make no such assumption insofar as any of the foregoing matters relates to the Company and is expressly covered by our opinion set forth in paragraph 7 or 8 above.
This opinion letter is limited to the DGCL and the laws of the State of New York (excluding the securities laws of the State of New York). We express no opinion as to the laws, rules, or regulations of any other jurisdiction, including, without limitation, the federal laws of the United States of America or any state securities or blue sky laws.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as an Exhibit to the Registration Statement and to all references to our Firm included in or made a part of the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act.
| Very truly yours, |
| /s/ Sidley Austin LLP |
Exhibit 23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We consent to the use of our report dated March 22, 2021, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of MP Materials Corp., incorporated herein by reference and to the reference to our firm under the heading “Experts” in the prospectus.
| /s/ KPMG LLP |
Denver, Colorado
December 30, 2021
Exhibit 23.2
|
|
SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc. Suite 600 1125 Seventeenth Street Denver, CO 80202
T: 303.985.1333 F: 303.985.9947
denver@srk.com www.srk.com |
CONSENT OF SRK CONSULTING (U.S.), INC.
SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc., as independent mining engineers, hereby consents to the use by MP Materials Corp. (the “Company”) of information contained in our reserves and resource studies relating to the proven and probable rare earth mineral reserves of the Company’s Mountain Pass mine property, or incorporation by reference of such information in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 and in any prospectuses, amendments or supplements thereto. We also consent to the reference to SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc. in those filings and any amendments thereto.
/s/ SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc.
For: SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc.
Dated: December 30, 2021
| U.S. Offices: | Canadian Offices: | Group Offices: | ||||||||||
| Anchorage | 907.677.3520 | Saskatoon | 306.955.4778 | Africa | ||||||||
| Clovis | 559.452.0182 | Sudbury | 705.682.3270 | Asia | ||||||||
| Denver | 303.985.1333 | Toronto | 416.601.1445 | Australia | ||||||||
| Elko | 775.753.4151 | Vancouver | 604.681.4196 | Europe | ||||||||
| Fort Collins | 970.407.8302 | Yellowknife | 867.873.8670 | North America | ||||||||
| Reno | 775.828.6800 | South America | ||||||||||
| Tucson | 520.544.3688 | |||||||||||
Exhibit 25.1
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM T-1
STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE
| ☐ | Check if an Application to Determine Eligibility of a Trustee Pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) |
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
(Exact name of Trustee as specified in its charter)
31-0841368
I.R.S. Employer Identification No.
| 800 Nicollet Mall Minneapolis, Minnesota |
55402 | |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Brandon Bonfig
U.S. Bank National Association
60 Livingston Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55107
(651) 466-6619
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
MP Materials Corp.
(Issuer with respect to the Securities)
| Delaware | 84-4465489 | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
| 6720 Via Austi Parkway, Suite 450 Las Vegas, Nevada |
89119 | |
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) | |
0.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2026
(Title of the Indenture Securities)
FORM T-1
| Item 1. | GENERAL INFORMATION. Furnish the following information as to the Trustee. |
| a) | Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject. |
Comptroller of the Currency
Washington, D.C.
| b) | Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers. |
Yes
| Item 2. | AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR. If the obligor is an affiliate of the Trustee, describe each such affiliation. |
None
| Items 3-15 | Items 3-15 are not applicable because to the best of the Trustee’s knowledge, the obligor is not in default under any Indenture for which the Trustee acts as Trustee. |
| Item 16. | LIST OF EXHIBITS: List below all exhibits filed as a part of this statement of eligibility and qualification. |
| 1. | A copy of the Articles of Association of the Trustee.* |
| 2. | A copy of the certificate of authority of the Trustee to commence business, attached as Exhibit 2. |
| 3. | A copy of the certificate of authority of the Trustee to exercise corporate trust powers, attached as Exhibit 3. |
| 4. | A copy of the existing bylaws of the Trustee.** |
| 5. | A copy of each Indenture referred to in Item 4. Not applicable. |
| 6. | The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, attached as Exhibit 6. |
| 7. | Report of Condition of the Trustee as of September 30, 2021 published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, attached as Exhibit 7. |
| * | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 25.1 to Amendment No. 2 to registration statement on S-4, Registration Number 333-128217 filed on November 15, 2005. |
| ** | Incorporated by reference to 305(b)(2), Registration Number 333-229783 filed on June 21, 2021. |
2
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the Trustee, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility and qualification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of St. Paul, State of Minnesota on the 30th of December, 2021.
| By: | /s/ Brandon Bonfig ________ | |
| Brandon Bonfig | ||
| Vice President |
3
Exhibit 2
CERTIFICATE OF CORPORATE EXISTENCE
I, Michael J. Hsu, Acting Comptroller of the Currency, do hereby certify that:
1. The Comptroller of the Currency, pursuant to Revised Statutes 324, et seq, as amended, and 12 USC 1, et seq, as amended, has possession, custody, and control of all records pertaining to the chartering, regulation, and supervision of all national banking associations.
2. “U.S. Bank National Association,” Cincinnati, Ohio (Charter No. 24), is a national banking association formed under the laws of the United States and is authorized thereunder to transact the business of banking on the date of this certificate.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, today, July 23, 2021, I have hereunto subscribed my name and caused my seal of office to be affixed to these presents at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, in the City of Washington, District of Columbia
2021-00903-C
4
Exhibit 3
CERTIFICATE OF FIDUCIARY POWERS
I, Michael J. Hsu, Acting Comptroller of the Currency, do hereby certify that:
1. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, pursuant to Revised Statutes 324, et seq, as amended, and 12 USC 1, et seq, as amended, has possession, custody, and control of all records pertaining to the chartering, regulation, and supervision of all national banking associations.
2. “U.S. Bank National Association,” Cincinnati, Ohio (Charter No. 24), was granted, under the hand and seal of the Comptroller, the right to act in all fiduciary capacities authorized under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved September 28, 1962, 76 Stat. 668, 12 USC 92a, and that the authority so granted remains in full force and effect on the date of this certificate.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, today, July 23, 2021, I have hereunto subscribed my name and caused my seal of office to be affixed to these presents at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, in the City of Washington, District of Columbia.
2021-00903-C
5
Exhibit 6
CONSENT
In accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the undersigned, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION hereby consents that reports of examination of the undersigned by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request therefor.
Dated: December 30, 2021
| By: | /s/ Brandon Bonfig | |
| Brandon Bonfig | ||
| Vice President |
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Exhibit 7
U.S. Bank National Association
Statement of Financial Condition
As of 9/30/2021
($000’s)
| 9/30/2021 | ||||
| Assets |
||||
| Cash and Balances Due From Depository Institutions |
$ | 63,715,510 | ||
| Securities |
148,000,109 | |||
| Federal Funds |
22,403 | |||
| Loans & Lease Financing Receivables |
298,005,995 | |||
| Fixed Assets |
6,031,305 | |||
| Intangible Assets |
13,529,305 | |||
| Other Assets |
27,506,020 | |||
|
|
|
|||
| Total Assets |
$ | 556,810,647 | ||
| Liabilities |
||||
| Deposits |
$ | 449,625,649 | ||
| Fed Funds |
2,016,875 | |||
| Treasury Demand Notes |
0 | |||
| Trading Liabilities |
1,136,642 | |||
| Other Borrowed Money |
33,001,952 | |||
| Acceptances |
0 | |||
| Subordinated Notes and Debentures |
3,600,000 | |||
| Other Liabilities |
14,733,477 | |||
|
|
|
|||
| Total Liabilities |
$ | 504,114,595 | ||
| Equity |
||||
| Common and Preferred Stock |
18,200 | |||
| Surplus |
14,266,915 | |||
| Undivided Profits |
37,606,027 | |||
| Minority Interest in Subsidiaries |
804,910 | |||
|
|
|
|||
| Total Equity Capital |
$ | 52,696,052 | ||
| Total Liabilities and Equity Capital |
$ | 556,810,647 | ||
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