PAYX 8-K
Paychex Inc (PAYX)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 10, 2025 (
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(Commission File Number) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code
(N/A)
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
| Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
| Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class |
Trading Symbol(s) |
Name of each exchange on which registered | ||
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
| Item 8.01 | Other Events. |
On April 10, 2025, Paychex, Inc. (the “Company”) completed an offering of $1,500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 5.100% senior notes due 2030 (the “2030 Notes”), $1,500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 5.350% senior notes due 2032 (the “2032 Notes”) and $1,200,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 5.600% senior notes due 2035 (the “2035 Notes” and, together with the 2030 Notes and the 2032 Notes, the “Notes”), pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement (attached hereto as Exhibit 1.1 and incorporated herein by reference) with J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and BofA Securities, Inc., as representatives of the underwriters listed in Schedule 1 thereto (collectively, the “Underwriters”).
The sale of the Notes was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission on a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-286249) (the “Registration Statement”). The Notes were offered pursuant to a prospectus dated March 31, 2025 and a prospectus supplement dated April 8, 2025.
The Notes were issued pursuant to an Indenture (attached hereto as Exhibit 4.1 and incorporated herein by reference), dated as of April 10, 2025, by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the “Trustee”), as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 10, 2025, by and between the Company and the Trustee (attached hereto as Exhibit 4.2 and incorporated herein by reference).
A copy of the opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, counsel to the Company, relating to the legality of the Notes, is filed as Exhibit 5.1 to this Current Report.
| Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d) Exhibits
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| PAYCHEX, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Prabha Sipi Bhandari | |
| Name: | Prabha Sipi Bhandari | |
| Title: | Chief Legal Officer, Chief Ethics Officer and Secretary | |
Date: April 10, 2025
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Exhibit 1.1
Execution Version
Paychex, Inc.
$ 1,500,000,000 5.100% Senior Notes due 2030
$ 1,500,000,000 5.350% Senior Notes due 2032
$ 1,200,000,000 5.600% Senior Notes due 2035
Underwriting Agreement
April 8, 2025
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
BofA Securities, Inc.
As Representatives of the
several Underwriters listed
in Schedule 1 hereto
c/o J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
383 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10179
c/o BofA Securities, Inc.
One Bryant Park
New York, New York 10036
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Paychex, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), proposes to issue and sell to the several Underwriters listed in Schedule 1 hereto (the “Underwriters”), for whom you are acting as representatives (the “Representatives”), $1,500,000,000 principal amount of its 5.100% Senior Notes due 2030 (the “2030 Notes”), $1,500,000,000 principal amount of its 5.350% Senior Notes due 2032 (the “2032 Notes”), and $1,200,000,000 principal amount of its 5.600% Senior Notes due 2035 (the “2035 Notes,” and together with the 2030 Notes and the 2032 Notes, the “Securities”). The Securities will be issued pursuant to an Indenture to be dated as of April 10, 2025 (the “Base Indenture”) among the Company, and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the “Trustee”), as amended by a Supplemental Indenture to be dated as of April 10, 2025 (the “Supplemental Indenture” and together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”).
The Company hereby confirms its agreement with the several Underwriters concerning the purchase and sale of the Securities, as follows:
1. Registration Statement. The Company has prepared and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder
(collectively, the “Securities Act”), a registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-286249), including a prospectus, relating to the Securities. Such registration statement, as amended at the time it became effective, including the information, if any, deemed pursuant to Rule 430A, 430B or 430C under the Securities Act to be part of the registration statement at the time of its effectiveness (“Rule 430 Information”), is referred to herein as the “Registration Statement”; and as used herein, the term “Preliminary Prospectus” means each prospectus included in such registration statement (and any amendments thereto) before effectiveness, any prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(a) under the Securities Act and the prospectus included in the Registration Statement at the time of its effectiveness that omits Rule 430 Information, and the term “Prospectus” means the prospectus in the form first used (or made available upon request of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173 under the Securities Act) in connection with confirmation of sales of the Securities. If the Company has filed an abbreviated registration statement pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act (the “Rule 462 Registration Statement”), then any reference herein to the term “Registration Statement” shall be deemed to include such Rule 462 Registration Statement. Any reference in this agreement (this “Agreement”) to the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the documents incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the Securities Act, as of the effective date of the Registration Statement or the date of such Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, as the case may be and any reference to “amend”, “amendment” or “supplement” with respect to the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include any documents filed after such date under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (collectively, the “Exchange Act”) that are deemed to be incorporated by reference therein. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.
At or prior to 3:35 PM, the time when sales of the Securities were first made (the “Time of Sale”), the Company had prepared the following information (collectively, the “Time of Sale Information”): a Preliminary Prospectus dated April 8, 2025, and each “free-writing prospectus” (as defined pursuant to Rule 405 under the Securities Act) listed on Annex A hereto.
The Company intends to use the proceeds of the offering of the Securities to finance the acquisition of Paycor HCM, Inc. (“Paycor”) by Skyline Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”), pursuant to that Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 7, 2025, by and among Paycor, the Company and Merger Sub (the acquisition hereafter referred to as the “Transaction”), including the payment of related fees and expenses, with any remaining net proceeds for general corporate purposes.
2. Purchase and Sale of the Securities.
(a) The Company agrees to issue and sell the Securities to the several Underwriters as provided in this agreement (this “Agreement”), and each Underwriter, on
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the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements set forth herein and subject to the conditions set forth herein, agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company the respective principal amount of Securities set forth opposite such Underwriter’s name in Schedule 1 hereto at a price equal to (i) with respect to the 2030 Notes, 99.120% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued interest, if any, from April 10, 2025 to the Closing Date (as defined below), (ii) with respect to the 2032 Notes, 98.982% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued interest, if any, from April 10, 2025 to the Closing Date and (iii) with respect to the 2035 Notes, 98.601% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued interest, if any, from April 10, 2025 to the Closing Date. The Company will not be obligated to deliver any of the Securities except upon payment for all the Securities to be purchased as provided herein.
(b) The Company understands that the Underwriters intend to make a public offering of the Securities as soon after the effectiveness of this Agreement as in the judgment of the Representatives are advisable, and initially to offer the Securities on the terms set forth in the Time of Sale Information. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Underwriters may offer and sell Securities to or through any affiliate of an Underwriter and that any such affiliate may offer and sell Securities purchased by it to or through any Underwriter.
(c) Payment for and delivery of the Securities will be made at the offices of Latham & Watkins LLP at 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on April 10, 2025, or at such other time or place on the same or such other date, not later than the fifth business day thereafter, as the Representatives and the Company may agree upon in writing. The time and date of such payment and delivery is referred to herein as the “Closing Date”.
(d) Payment for the Securities shall be made by wire transfer in immediately available funds to the account(s) specified by the Company to the Representatives against delivery to the nominee of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), for the account of the Underwriters, of one or more global notes representing the Securities (collectively, the “Global Note”), with any transfer taxes payable in connection with the sale of the Securities duly paid by the Company. The Global Note will be made available for inspection by the Representatives not later than 1:00 P.M., New York City time, on the business day prior to the Closing Date.
(e) The Company acknowledges and agrees that each Underwriter is acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s length contractual counterparty to the Company with respect to the offering of Securities contemplated hereby (including in connection with determining the terms of the offering) and not as a financial advisor or a fiduciary to, or an agent of, the Company or any other person. Additionally, neither the Representatives nor any other Underwriter is advising the Company or any other person as to any legal, tax, investment, accounting or regulatory matters in any jurisdiction. The Company shall consult with its own advisors concerning such matters and shall be responsible for making its own independent investigation and appraisal of the transactions contemplated hereby, and the Underwriters shall have no responsibility or liability to the Company with respect thereto. Any review by the Representatives or any Underwriter of the Company, the transactions contemplated hereby or other matters relating to such transactions will be
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performed solely for the benefit of the Representatives or such Underwriter, as the case may be, and shall not be on behalf of the Company, as the case may be, or any other person.
3. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company represents and warrants to each Underwriter that:
(a) Preliminary Prospectus. No order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus has been issued by the Commission, and each Preliminary Prospectus, at the time of filing thereof, complied in all material respects with the Securities Act and did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the Company makes no representation or warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in any Preliminary Prospectus.
(b) Time of Sale Information. The Time of Sale Information, at the Time of Sale did not, and at the Closing Date will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the Company makes no representation or warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in the Preliminary Prospectus, the Time of Sale Information or the Prospectus. No statement of material fact included in the Prospectus has been omitted from the Time of Sale Information and no statement of material fact included in the Time of Sale Information that is required to be included in the Prospectus has been omitted therefrom.
(c) Issuer Free Writing Prospectus. The Company (including its agents and representatives, other than the Underwriters in their capacity as such) has not prepared, made, used, authorized, approved or referred to and will not prepare, make, use, authorize, approve or refer to any “written communication” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) that constitutes an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy the Securities (each such communication by the Company or its agents and representatives (other than a communication referred to in clauses (i) (ii) and (iii) below) an “Issuer Free Writing Prospectus”) other than (i) any document not constituting a prospectus pursuant to Section 2(a)(10)(a) of the Securities Act or Rule 134 under the Securities Act, (ii) the Preliminary Prospectus, (iii) the Prospectus, (iv) the documents listed on Annex A hereto, including a Pricing Term Sheet substantially in the form of Annex B hereto, which constitute part of the Time of Sale Information and (v) any electronic road show or other written communications, in each case approved in writing in advance by the Representatives. Each such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus complies in all material respects with the Securities Act, has been or will be (within the time period specified in Rule 433) filed in accordance with the Securities Act (to the extent required thereby) and,
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when taken together with the Preliminary Prospectus filed prior to the first use of, such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, at the Time of Sale, did not, and at the Closing Date will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the Company makes no representation or warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in each such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus.
(d) Intentionally omitted.
(e) Registration Statement and Prospectus. The Registration Statement is an “automatic shelf registration statement” as defined under Rule 405 of the Securities Act that has been filed with the Commission not earlier than three years prior to the date hereof; and no notice of objection of the Commission to the use of such registration statement or any post-effective amendment thereto pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) under the Securities Act has been received by the Company. No order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued by the Commission and no proceeding for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Securities Act against the Company or related to the offering has been initiated or threatened by the Commission; as of the applicable effective date of the Registration Statement and any amendment thereto, the Registration Statement complied and will comply in all material respects with the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (collectively, the “Trust Indenture Act”), and did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading; and as of the date of the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto and as of the Closing Date, the Prospectus will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the Company makes no representation or warranty with respect to (i) that part of the Registration Statement that constitutes the Statement of Eligibility and Qualification (Form T-1) of the Trustee under the Trust Indenture Act or (ii) any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto.
(f) Incorporated Documents. The documents incorporated by reference in each of the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information, when they were filed with the Commission conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the Exchange Act, and none of such documents contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and any further documents so filed and incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or the Time of Sale Information, when such
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documents become effective or are filed with the Commission, as the case may be, will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable, and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(g) Financial Statements. The financial statements and the related notes thereto included or incorporated by reference in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as applicable, and present fairly in all material respects the financial position of the Company and its subsidiaries as of the dates indicated and the results of their operations and the changes in their cash flows for the periods specified; such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered thereby, and the supporting schedules included or incorporated by reference in each of the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information present fairly the information required to be stated therein; and the other financial information included or incorporated by reference in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus has been derived from the accounting records of the Company and its subsidiaries and presents fairly in all material respects the information shown thereby. The interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information fairly presents the information called for in all material respects and is prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto.
(h) No Material Adverse Change. Since the date of the most recent financial statements of the Company included or incorporated by reference in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, (i) there has not been any change in the capital stock (other than (A) in the ordinary course pursuant to employee or director equity compensation, benefit, stock option, stock purchase or equity incentive plans existing on the date of this Agreement, as such plans may be amended from time to time, or (B) as a result of the exercise of options or rights or vesting of rights to purchase, acquire or hold capital stock, in each case outstanding as of the date of this Agreement,) or long-term debt of the Company and its subsidiaries, or any dividend or distribution of any kind declared, set aside for payment, paid or made by the Company on any class of capital stock, or any material adverse change, or any development involving a prospective material adverse change, in or affecting the business, properties, management, financial position, results of operations or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; (ii) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has entered into any transaction or agreement that is material to the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole or incurred any liability or obligation, direct or contingent, that is material to the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; and (iii) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has sustained any material loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor disturbance or dispute or any action, order or decree of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, except in each case as otherwise disclosed in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus.
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(i) Organization and Good Standing. The Company and each of its subsidiaries listed on Schedule 2 hereto (each, a “Significant Subsidiary” and collectively, the “Significant Subsidiaries”) have been duly organized and are validly existing and in good standing (or the equivalent thereof with respect to the law of foreign countries, if applicable) under the laws of their respective jurisdictions of organization, are duly qualified to do business and are in good standing (or the equivalent thereof with respect to the law of foreign countries, if applicable) in each jurisdiction in which their respective ownership or lease of property or the conduct of their respective businesses requires such qualification, and have all power and authority necessary to own or hold their respective properties and to conduct the businesses in which they are engaged, except where the failure to be so qualified, in good standing (or the equivalent thereof with respect to the law of foreign countries, if applicable) or have such power or authority would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, properties, management, financial position or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole or on the performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement and the Securities (a “Material Adverse Effect”). The Company does not own or control, directly or indirectly, any corporation, association or other entity other than the subsidiaries listed in Exhibit 21 to the Registration Statement, except for entities that have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(21) of Regulation S-K. The subsidiaries listed in Schedule 2 to this Agreement are the only significant subsidiaries of the Company.
(j) Capitalization. The Company has the capitalization as of February 28, 2025 as set forth in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus under the heading “Capitalization”; and all the outstanding shares of capital stock or other equity interests of each Significant Subsidiary of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and are owned directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of any lien, charge, encumbrance, security interest, restriction on voting or transfer or any other claim of any third party.
(k) Due Authorization. The Company has full right, power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, the Securities and the Indenture (collectively, the “Transaction Documents”) and to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder; and all action required to be taken by the Company for the due and proper authorization, execution and delivery of each of the Transaction Documents and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby has been duly and validly taken.
(l) The Indenture. Each of the Base Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture has been duly authorized by the Company and on the Closing Date will be duly executed and delivered by the Company and, when duly executed and delivered in accordance with its terms by each of the parties thereto, will constitute a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or by equitable
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principles relating to enforceability (collectively, the “Enforceability Exceptions”); and on the Closing Date the Indenture will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act.
(m) The Securities. The Securities have been duly authorized by the Company and, when duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered as provided in the Indenture and paid for as provided herein, will be duly and validly issued and outstanding and will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions, and will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.
(n) Underwriting Agreement. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.
(o) Intentionally omitted.
(p) Descriptions of the Transaction Documents. Each Transaction Document conforms in all material respects to the description thereof contained in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus.
(q) No Violation or Default. Neither the Company nor any of its Significant Subsidiaries is (i) in violation of its charter or by-laws or similar organizational documents; (ii) in default, and no event has occurred that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default, in the due performance or observance of any term, covenant or condition contained in any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries is bound or to which any property or asset of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries is subject; or (iii) in violation of any law or statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, except, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above, for any such default or violation that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(r) No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of each of the Transaction Documents, the issuance and sale of the Securities and compliance by the Company with the terms thereof and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents will not (i) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, result in the termination, modification or acceleration of, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property, right or asset of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries pursuant to, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries is bound or to which any property, right or asset of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries is subject, (ii) result in any violation of the provisions of the charter or by-laws or similar organizational documents of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or (iii) result in the violation of any law or statute or any judgment,
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order, rule or regulation of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, except, in the case of clauses (i) and (iii) above, for any such conflict, breach, violation, default, termination, modification, acceleration, lien, charge or encumbrance that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(s) No Consents Required. No consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority is required for the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of each of the Transaction Documents, the issuance and sale of the Securities and compliance by the Company with the terms thereof and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, except for (i) the registration of the Securities under the Securities Act, (ii) the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act and (iii) such consents, approvals, authorizations, orders and registrations or qualifications as may be required under applicable state securities laws in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Securities by the Underwriters.
(t) Legal Proceedings. Except as described in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, there are no legal, governmental or regulatory investigations, actions, demands, claims, suits, arbitrations, inquiries or proceedings (“Actions”) pending to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is or may be a party or to which any property of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is or may be the subject that, individually or in the aggregate, if determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; to the knowledge of the Company, no such Actions are threatened or contemplated by any governmental or regulatory authority or threatened by others; and (i) there are no current or pending Actions that are required under the Securities Act to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus that are not so described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus and (ii) there are no statutes, regulations or contracts or other documents that are required under the Securities Act to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement or described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus that are not so filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement or described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus.
(u) Independent Accountants. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, who has certified certain financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, is an independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries within the applicable rules and regulations adopted by the Commission and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and as required by the Securities Act. To the knowledge of the Company, Ernst & Young LLP, who has certified certain financial statements of Paycor incorporated by reference into the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, is an independent registered public accounting firm with respect to Paycor and its subsidiaries within the applicable rules and regulations adopted by the Commission and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and as required by the Securities Act.
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(v) Title to Real and Personal Property. The Company and its subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee simple to, or have valid rights to lease or otherwise use, all items of real and personal property that are material to the respective businesses of the Company and its subsidiaries, in each case free and clear of all liens, charges, encumbrances, claims and defects and imperfections of title except those that (i) do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and its subsidiaries or (ii) would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(w) Intellectual Property. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus or as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect: (i) the Company and its subsidiaries own or have the right to use all patents, patent applications, trademarks, service marks, trade names, trademark registrations, service mark registrations, domain names and other source indicators, copyrights and copyrightable works, know-how, trade secrets, proprietary or confidential information and all other worldwide intellectual property, industrial property and proprietary rights (collectively, “Intellectual Property”) used in the conduct of their respective businesses as currently conducted; (ii) to the knowledge of the Company, the Company and its subsidiaries’ conduct of their respective businesses as currently conducted does not infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate any Intellectual Property of any person; (iii) the Company and its subsidiaries have not received any written notice of any claim relating to Intellectual Property; and (iv) to the knowledge of the Company, the Intellectual Property of the Company and their subsidiaries is not being infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated by any person.
(x) No Undisclosed Relationships. No material relationship, direct or indirect, exists between or among the Company or any of its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the directors, officers, stockholders or other affiliates of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, on the other, that is required by the Securities Act to be described in each of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and that is not so described in such documents and in the Time of Sale Information.
(y) Investment Company Act. The Company is not, and after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Securities and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, will not be an “investment company” or an entity “controlled” by an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (collectively, the “Investment Company Act”).
(z) Taxes. The Company and its subsidiaries have paid all federal, state, local and foreign taxes and filed all tax returns required to be paid or filed through the date hereof; and except as otherwise disclosed in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus or as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, there is no tax deficiency that has been, or could reasonably be expected to be, asserted against the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets.
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(aa) Licenses and Permits. The Company and its subsidiaries possess all licenses, sub-licenses, certificates, permits and other authorizations issued by, and have made all declarations and filings with, the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign governmental or regulatory authorities that are necessary for the ownership or lease of their respective properties or the conduct of their respective businesses as described in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, except where the failure to possess or make the same would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and except as described in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received notice of any revocation or modification of any such license, sub-license, certificate, permit or authorization or has any reason to believe that any such license, sub-license, certificate, permit or authorization will not be renewed in the ordinary course, except where any such revocation, modification or failure to renew would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(bb) No Labor Disputes. No labor disturbance by or dispute with employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is contemplated or threatened and the Company is not aware of any existing or imminent labor disturbance by, or dispute with, the employees of any of the Company’s or any of the Company’s subsidiaries’ principal suppliers, contractors or customers, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any notice of cancellation or termination with respect to any collective bargaining agreement to which it is a party, except as would not individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(cc) Certain Environmental Matters. (i) The Company and its subsidiaries (x) are in compliance with all, and have not violated any, applicable federal, state, local and foreign laws (including common law), rules, regulations, requirements, decisions, judgments, decrees, orders and other legally enforceable requirements relating to pollution or the protection of human health or safety, the environment, natural resources, hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants (collectively, “Environmental Laws”); (y) have received and are in compliance with all, and have not violated any, permits, licenses, certificates or other authorizations or approvals required of them under any Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses; and (z) have not received notice of any actual or potential liability or obligation under or relating to, or any actual or potential violation of, any Environmental Laws, including for the investigation or remediation of any disposal or release of hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants, and have no knowledge of any event or condition that would reasonably be expected to result in any such notice; (ii) to the knowledge of the Company, there are no costs or liabilities associated with Environmental Laws of or relating to the Company or its subsidiaries, except in the case of each of (i) and (ii) above, for any such matter as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (iii) except as described in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, (x) there is no proceeding that is pending, or that is known to be contemplated, against the Company or any of its subsidiaries under any
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Environmental Laws in which a governmental entity is also a party, other than such proceeding regarding which it is reasonably believed no monetary sanctions of $300,000 or more will be imposed, (y) the Company and its subsidiaries are not aware of any facts or issues regarding compliance with Environmental Laws, or liabilities or other obligations under Environmental Laws or concerning hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants, that could reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position of the Company and its subsidiaries, and (z) none of the Company or its subsidiaries anticipates material capital expenditures relating to any Environmental Laws.
(dd) Compliance with ERISA. (i) Each employee benefit plan, within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), for which the Company or any member of its “Controlled Group” (defined as any entity, whether or not incorporated, that is under common control with the Company within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(14) of ERISA or any entity that would be regarded as a single employer with the Company under Section 414(b),(c),(m) or (o) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)) would have any liability (each, a “Plan”) has been maintained in compliance with its terms and the requirements of any applicable statutes, orders, rules and regulations, including but not limited to ERISA and the Code; (ii) no prohibited transaction, within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, has occurred with respect to any Plan, excluding transactions effected pursuant to a statutory or administrative exemption; (iii) for each Plan that is subject to the funding rules of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, no Plan has failed (whether or not waived), or is reasonably expected to fail, to satisfy the minimum funding standards (within the meaning of Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code) applicable to such Plan; (iv) no Plan is, or is reasonably expected to be, in “at risk status” (within the meaning of Section 303(i) of ERISA), and no Plan that is a “multiemployer plan” within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA is in “endangered status” or “critical status” (within the meaning of Sections 304 and 305 of ERISA); (v) the fair market value of the assets of each Plan exceeds the present value of all benefits accrued under such Plan (determined based on those assumptions used to fund such Plan); (vi) no “reportable event” (within the meaning of Section 4043(c) of ERISA and the regulations promulgated thereunder) has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur; (vii) each Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified, and nothing has occurred, whether by action or by failure to act, which would cause the loss of such qualification; (viii) neither the Company nor any member of the Controlled Group has incurred, nor reasonably expects to incur, any liability under Title IV of ERISA (other than contributions to the Plan or premiums to the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation, in the ordinary course and without default) in respect of a Plan (including a “multiemployer plan” within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA); and (ix) none of the following events has occurred or is reasonably likely to occur: (A) a material increase in the aggregate amount of contributions required to be made to all Plans by the Company or its Controlled Group affiliates in the current fiscal year of the Company and its Controlled Group affiliates compared to the amount of such contributions made in the Company’s and its Controlled Group affiliates’ most recently completed fiscal year; or (B) a material increase in the Company and its subsidiaries’ “accumulated post-retirement benefit obligations” (within the meaning of
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Accounting Standards Codification Topic 715-60) compared to the amount of such obligations in the Company and its subsidiaries’ most recently completed fiscal year, except in each case with respect to the events or conditions set forth in (i) through (ix) hereof, as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(ee) Disclosure Controls. The Company and its subsidiaries maintain an effective system of “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act) that complies with the requirements of the Exchange Act and that has been designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms, including controls and procedures designed to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company and its subsidiaries have carried out evaluations of the effectiveness of their disclosure controls and procedures as required by Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act.
(ff) Accounting Controls. The Company and its subsidiaries maintain systems of “internal control over financial reporting” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that comply with the requirements of the Exchange Act and have been designed by, or under the supervision of, their respective principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP. The Company and its subsidiaries maintain internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences; and (v) interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information is prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto. Except as disclosed in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, there are no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in the Company’s internal controls.
(gg) Insurance. The Company and its subsidiaries have insurance covering their respective properties, operations, personnel and businesses, including business interruption insurance, which insurance is in amounts and insures against such losses and risks as the Company and its subsidiaries reasonably consider adequate to protect the Company and its subsidiaries and their respective businesses in all material respects; and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has (i) received notice from any insurer or agent of such insurer that material capital improvements or other expenditures are required or necessary to be made in order to continue such insurance or (ii) any reason to believe
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that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage at a cost that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business in all material respects.
(hh) No Unlawful Payments. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries, nor any director or officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any agent, affiliate, employee or other person associated with or acting on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries has (i) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity; (ii) made or taken an act in furtherance of an offer, promise or authorization of any direct or indirect unlawful payment or benefit to any foreign or domestic government official or employee, including of any government-owned or controlled entity or of a public international organization, or any person acting in an official capacity for or on behalf of any of the foregoing, or any political party or party official or candidate for political office; (iii) violated or is in violation of any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, or any applicable law or regulation implementing the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions, or committed an offence under the Bribery Act 2010 of the United Kingdom, or any other applicable anti-bribery or anti-corruption law; or (iv) made, offered, agreed, requested or taken an act in furtherance of any unlawful bribe or other unlawful benefit, including, without limitation, any rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful or improper payment or benefit. The Company and its subsidiaries have instituted, maintain and enforce, and will continue to maintain and enforce, policies and procedures reasonably designed to promote and ensure compliance with all applicable anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws.
(ii) Compliance with Anti-Money Laundering Laws. The operations of the Company and its subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements, including those of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the applicable money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions where the Company or any of its subsidiaries conducts business, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “Anti-Money Laundering Laws”), and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the Anti-Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.
(jj) No Conflicts with Sanctions Laws. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries, directors or officers, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any agent, affiliate, employee or other person acting on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is currently the subject or the target of any sanctions administered or enforced by the U.S. government, (including, without limitation, the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (“OFAC”) or the U.S. Department of State and including, without limitation, the designation as a “specially designated national” or “blocked person”), the United Nations Security Council (“UNSC”), the European Union, His Majesty’s Treasury (“HMT”), or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, “Sanctions”), nor is the Company,
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any of its subsidiaries located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject or target of Sanctions, including, without limitation, the Crimea Region of Ukraine, the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, the so-called Luhansk People’s Republic, the non-government controlled areas of the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson Regions of Ukraine, Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria (each, a “Sanctioned Country”); and the Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering of the Securities hereunder, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity (i) to fund or facilitate any activities of or business with any person that, at the time of such funding or facilitation, is the subject or target of Sanctions, (ii) to fund or facilitate any activities of or business in any Sanctioned Country or (iii) in any other manner that will result in a violation by any person (including any person participating in the transaction, whether as underwriter, initial purchaser, advisor, investor or otherwise) of Sanctions. Since April 24, 2019, the Company and its subsidiaries have not knowingly engaged in, are not now knowingly engaged in any dealings or transactions with any person that at the time of the dealing or transaction is or was the subject or the target of Sanctions or with any Sanctioned Country.
(kk) No Restrictions on Subsidiaries. No subsidiary of the Company is currently prohibited, directly or indirectly, under any agreement or other instrument to which it is a party or is subject, from paying any dividends to the Company, from making any other distribution on such subsidiary’s capital stock or similar ownership interest, from repaying to the Company any loans or advances to such subsidiary from the Company or from transferring any of such subsidiary’s properties or assets to the Company or any other subsidiary of the Company.
(ll) No Broker’s Fees. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to any contract, agreement or understanding with any person (other than this Agreement) that would give rise to a valid claim against any of them or any Underwriter for a brokerage commission, finder’s fee or like payment in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities.
(mm) No Registration Rights. No person has the right to require the Company or any of its subsidiaries to register any securities for sale under the Securities Act by reason of the filing of the Registration Statement with the Commission or the issuance and sale of the Securities.
(nn) No Stabilization. The Company has not taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that could reasonably be expected to cause or result in any stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Securities.
(oo) Margin Rules. Neither the issuance, sale and delivery of the Securities nor the application of the proceeds thereof by the Company as described in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus will violate Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any other regulation of such Board of Governors.
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(pp) Forward-Looking Statements. No forward-looking statement (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act) included or incorporated by reference in any of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information or the Prospectus has been made or reaffirmed without a reasonable basis or has been disclosed other than in good faith.
(qq) Statistical and Market Data. Nothing has come to the attention of the Company that has caused the Company to believe that the statistical and market-related data included or incorporated by reference in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus is not based on or derived from sources that are reliable and accurate in all material respects.
(rr) Cybersecurity; Data Protection. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus or as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be material to the Company and its subsidiaries: (i) the Company and its subsidiaries’ information technology assets and equipment, computers, systems, networks, hardware, software, websites, applications, and databases (collectively, “IT Systems”) are adequate for, and operate and perform in all material respects as required in connection with the operation of the business of the Company and its subsidiaries as currently conducted, to the knowledge of the Company, free and clear of all material bugs, errors, defects, Trojan horses, time bombs, malware and other corruptants; (ii) the Company and its subsidiaries have implemented and maintained commercially reasonable controls, policies, procedures, and safeguards to maintain and protect their material confidential information and the integrity, continuous operation, redundancy and security of all IT Systems and data (including all personal, personally identifiable, sensitive, confidential or regulated data (“Personal Data”)) used in connection with their businesses, and there have been no breaches, violations, outages or unauthorized uses of or accesses to the same, except for those that have been remedied without material cost or liability or the duty to notify any other person; and (iii) the Company and its subsidiaries are presently in material compliance with all applicable laws or statutes and all judgments, orders, rules and regulations of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, published policies and contractual obligations relating to the privacy and security of IT Systems and Personal Data and to the protection of such IT Systems and Personal Data from unauthorized use, access, misappropriation or modification.
(ss) Sarbanes-Oxley Act. There is and has been no failure on the part of the Company or any of the Company’s directors or officers, in their capacities as such, to comply with any provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), including Section 402 related to loans and Sections 302 and 906 related to certifications.
(tt) Status under the Securities Act. The Company is not an ineligible issuer and is a well-known seasoned issuer, in each case as defined under the Securities Act, in each case at the times specified in the Securities Act in connection with the offering of the Securities.
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4. Further Agreements of the Company. The Company covenants and agrees with each Underwriter that:
(a) Required Filings. The Company will file the final Prospectus with the Commission within the time periods specified by Rule 424(b) and Rule 430A, 430B or 430C under the Securities Act, will file any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (including the Pricing Term Sheet referred to in Annex B hereto) to the extent required by Rule 433 under the Securities Act; and the Company will file promptly all reports and any definitive proxy or information statements required to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of the Prospectus and for so long as the delivery of a prospectus is required in connection with the offering or sale of the Securities; and the Company will furnish copies of the Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (to the extent not previously delivered) to the Underwriters in New York City prior to 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on the business day next succeeding the date of this Agreement in such quantities as the Representatives may reasonably request. The Company will pay the registration fees for this offering within the time period required by Rule 456(b)(1)(i) under the Securities Act (without giving effect to the proviso therein) and in any event prior to the Closing Date.
(b) Delivery of Copies. The Company will deliver, without charge, to each Underwriter (A) a conformed copy of the Registration Statement as originally filed and each amendment thereto, in each case including all exhibits and consents filed therewith and (B) during the Prospectus Delivery Period (as defined below), as many copies of the Prospectus (including all amendments and supplements thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein) and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus as the Representatives may reasonably request. As used herein, the term “Prospectus Delivery Period” means such period of time after the first date of the public offering of the Securities as in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters a prospectus relating to the Securities is required by law to be delivered (or required to be delivered but for Rule 172 under the Securities Act) in connection with sales of the Securities by any Underwriter or dealer.
(c) Amendments or Supplements; Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses. Before making, preparing, using, authorizing, approving, referring to or filing any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, and before filing any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (other than documents incorporated by reference therein), whether before or after the time that the Registration Statement becomes effective the Company will furnish to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters a copy of the proposed Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, amendment or supplement for review and will not make, prepare, use, authorize, approve, refer to or file any such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or file any such proposed amendment or supplement to which the Representatives reasonably objects.
(d) Notice to the Representatives. The Company will advise the Representatives promptly, and confirm such advice in writing, (i) when the Registration Statement has become effective; (ii) when any amendment to the Registration Statement has been filed or becomes effective; (iii) when any supplement to the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment to the Prospectus or any Issuer Free
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Writing Prospectus has been filed; (iv) of any request by the Commission for any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or the receipt of any comments from the Commission relating to the Registration Statement or any other request by the Commission for any additional information; (v) of the issuance by the Commission or any other governmental or regulatory authority of any order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, any Time of Sale Information or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Securities Act; (vi) of the occurrence of any event or development within the Prospectus Delivery Period as a result of which the Prospectus, any of the Time of Sale Information or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing when the Prospectus, the Time of Sale Information or any such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading; and (vii) of the receipt by the Company of any notice of objection of the Commission to the use of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) under the Securities Act; and (viii) of the receipt by the Company of any notice with respect to any suspension of the qualification of the Securities for offer and sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose; and the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of any such order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus, any of the Time of Sale Information, Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus, or suspending any such qualification of the Securities and, if any such order is issued, will use its reasonable best efforts to obtain as soon as possible the withdrawal thereof.
(e) Time of Sale Information. If at any time prior to the Closing Date (i) any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which any of the Time of Sale Information as then amended or supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or (ii) it is necessary to amend or supplement the Time of Sale Information to comply with law, the Company will immediately notify the Underwriters thereof and forthwith prepare and, subject to paragraph (c) above, file with the Commission (to the extent required) and furnish to the Underwriters and to such dealers as the Representatives may designate, such amendments or supplements to the Time of Sale Information (or any document to be filed with the Commission and incorporated by reference therein) as may be necessary so that the statements in any of the Time of Sale Information as so amended or supplemented (including such documents to be incorporated by reference therein) will not, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, be misleading or so that any of the Time of Sale Information will comply with law.
(f) Ongoing Compliance. If during the Prospectus Delivery Period (i) any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state
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any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading or (ii) it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with law, the Company will immediately notify the Underwriters thereof and forthwith prepare and, subject to paragraph (c) above, file with the Commission and furnish to the Underwriters and to such dealers as the Representatives may designate, such amendments or supplements to the Prospectus (or any document to be filed with the Commission and incorporated by reference therein) as may be necessary so that the statements in the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented including such documents to be incorporated by reference therein will not, in the light of the circumstances existing when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, be misleading or so that the Prospectus will comply with law.
(g) Blue Sky Compliance. The Company will qualify the Securities for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Representatives shall reasonably request and will continue such qualifications in effect so long as required for distribution of the Securities; provided that the Company shall not be required to (i) qualify as a foreign corporation or other entity or as a dealer in securities in any such jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to so qualify, (ii) file any general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction or (iii) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction if it is not otherwise so subject.
(h) Earning Statement. The Company will make generally available to its security holders and the Representatives as soon as practicable an earning statement that satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 of the Commission promulgated thereunder covering a period of at least twelve months beginning with the first fiscal quarter of the Company occurring after the “effective date” (as defined in Rule 158) of the Registration Statement.
(i) Clear Market. During the period from the date hereof through and including the Closing Date, the Company will not, without the prior written consent of the Representatives, offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of any debt securities issued or guaranteed by the Company and having a tenor of more than one year.
(j) Use of Proceeds. The Company will apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Securities as described in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus under the heading “Use of proceeds”.
(k) DTC. The Company will assist the Underwriters in arranging for the Securities to be eligible for clearance and settlement through DTC.
(l) No Stabilization. The Company will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that could reasonably be expected to cause or result in any stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Securities.
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(m) Record Retention. The Company will, pursuant to reasonable procedures developed in good faith, retain copies of each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is not filed with the Commission in accordance with Rule 433 under the Securities Act.
(n) Transactions. Subsequent to the Closing Date, the Transaction will be consummated in a manner consistent in all material respects with the descriptions thereof in the Registration Statement, Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus.
5. Certain Agreements of the Underwriters. Each Underwriter hereby represents and agrees that:
(a) It has not and will not use, authorize use of, refer to, or participate in the planning for use of, any “free writing prospectus”, as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act (which term includes use of any written information furnished to the Commission by the Company and not incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement and any press release issued by the Company) other than (i) a free writing prospectus that, solely as a result of use by such Underwriter, would not trigger an obligation to file such free writing prospectus with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433, (ii) any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus listed on Annex A or prepared pursuant to Section 3(c) or Section 4(c) above (including any electronic road show), or (iii) any free writing prospectus prepared by such Underwriter and approved by the Company in advance in writing (each such free writing prospectus referred to in clauses (i) or (iii), an “Underwriter Free Writing Prospectus”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Underwriters may use the Pricing Term Sheet referred to in Annex B hereto without the consent of the Company.
(b) It is not subject to any pending proceeding under Section 8A of the Securities Act with respect to the offering (and will promptly notify the Company if any such proceeding against it is initiated during the Prospectus Delivery Period).
6. Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations. The obligation of each Underwriter to purchase Securities on the Closing Date as provided herein is subject to the performance by the Company of its covenants and other obligations hereunder and to the following additional conditions:
(a) Registration Compliance; No Stop Order. No order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall be in effect, and no proceeding for such purpose, pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) or pursuant to Section 8A under the Securities Act shall be pending before or threatened by the Commission; the Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus shall have been timely filed with the Commission under the Securities Act (in the case of an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, to the extent required by Rule 433 under the Securities Act) and in accordance with Section 4(a) hereof; and all requests by the Commission for additional information shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of the Representatives.
(b) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Company contained herein shall be true and correct on the date hereof and on and as of the Closing Date; and the statements of the Company and its officers made in any certificates delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall be true and correct on and as of the Closing Date.
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(c) No Downgrade. Subsequent to the earlier of (A) the Time of Sale and (B) the execution and delivery of this Agreement, (i) no downgrading shall have occurred in the rating accorded the Securities or any other debt securities or preferred stock issued or guaranteed by the Company or any of its subsidiaries by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization”, as such term is defined under Section 3(a)(62) under the Exchange Act and (ii) no such organization shall have publicly announced that it has under surveillance or review, or has changed its outlook with respect to, its rating of the Securities or of any other debt securities or preferred stock issued or guaranteed by the Company or any of its subsidiaries (other than an announcement with positive implications of a possible upgrading).
(d) No Material Adverse Change. No event or condition of a type described in Section 3(h) hereof shall have occurred or shall exist, which event or condition is not described in each of the Time of Sale Information (excluding any amendment or supplement thereto) and the Prospectus (excluding any amendment or supplement thereto) the effect of which in the judgment of the Representatives makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offering, sale or delivery of the Securities on the terms and in the manner contemplated by this Agreement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus.
(e) Officer’s Certificate. The Representatives shall have received on and as of the Closing Date a certificate of an executive officer of the Company who has specific knowledge of the Company’s financial matters and is satisfactory to the Representatives (i) confirming that such officer has carefully reviewed the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus and, to the knowledge of such officer, the representations set forth in Sections 3(b) and 3(e) hereof are true and correct, (ii) confirming that the other representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement are true and correct and that the Company has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to the Closing Date and (iii) to the effect set forth in paragraphs (a), (c) and (d) above.
(f) Comfort Letters. On the date of this Agreement and on the Closing Date, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and Ernst & Young LLP shall have each furnished to the Representatives, at the request of the Company, letters, dated the respective dates of delivery thereof and addressed to the Underwriters, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives, containing statements and information of the type customarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained or incorporated by reference in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus; provided that the letter delivered on the Closing Date shall use a “cut-off” date no more than three business days prior to the Closing Date.
(g) Opinion and 10b-5 Statement of Counsel for the Company. Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, counsel for the Company, shall have furnished to the Representatives, at
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the request of the Company, their written opinion and 10b-5 statement, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Underwriters, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives.
(h) Opinion and 10b-5 Statement of Counsel for the Underwriters. The Representatives shall have received on and as of the Closing Date an opinion and 10b-5 statement, addressed to the Underwriters, of Latham & Watkins LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, with respect to such matters as the Representatives may reasonably request, and such counsel shall have received such documents and information as they may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such matters.
(i) No Legal Impediment to Issuance. No action shall have been taken and no statute, rule, regulation or order shall have been enacted, adopted or issued by any federal, state or foreign governmental or regulatory authority that would, as of the Closing Date, prevent the issuance or sale of the Securities; and no injunction or order of any federal, state or foreign court shall have been issued that would, as of the Closing Date, prevent the issuance or sale of the Securities.
(j) Good Standing. The Representatives shall have received on and as of the Closing Date reasonably satisfactory evidence of the good standing of the Company and its Significant Subsidiaries domiciled in the United States in their respective jurisdictions of organization and their good standing in such other jurisdictions as the Representatives may reasonably request, in each case in writing or any standard form of telecommunication, from the appropriate governmental authorities of such jurisdictions.
(k) DTC. The Securities shall be eligible for clearance and settlement through DTC.
(l) Indenture and Securities. The Indenture shall have been duly executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of the Company and the Trustee, and the Securities shall have been duly executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of the Company and duly authenticated by the Trustee.
(m) Additional Documents. On or prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall have furnished to the Representatives such further certificates and documents as the Representatives may reasonably request.
All opinions, letters, certificates and evidence mentioned above or elsewhere in this Agreement shall be deemed to be in compliance with the provisions hereof only if they are in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters.
7. Indemnification and Contribution.
(a) Indemnification of the Underwriters. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its affiliates, directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls such Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, reasonable and documented legal fees and
22
other expenses incurred in connection with any suit, action or proceeding or any claim asserted, as such fees and expenses are incurred), joint or several, that arise out of, or are based upon, (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, not misleading, or (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any Time of Sale Information, or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, in each case except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with any information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use therein.
(b) Indemnification of the Company. Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors and officers who signed the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent as the indemnity set forth in paragraph (a) above, but only with respect to any losses, claims, damages or liabilities that arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with any information relating to such Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any Time of Sale Information, it being understood and agreed that the only such information consists of the following paragraphs in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus: (i) the names of the Underwriters which appear on the front and back covers of the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and in the table under the first paragraph under the caption “Underwriting”, (ii) the third paragraph under the caption “Underwriting”, (iii) the second sentence of the seventh paragraph under the caption “Underwriting”, (iv) the eighth paragraph under the caption “Underwriting” and (v) the last two sentences of the ninth paragraph under the caption “Underwriting”.
(c) Notice and Procedures. If any suit, action, proceeding (including any governmental or regulatory investigation), claim or demand shall be brought or asserted against any person in respect of which indemnification may be sought pursuant to either paragraph (a) or (b) above, such person (the “Indemnified Person”) shall promptly notify the person against whom such indemnification may be sought (the “Indemnifying Person”) in writing; provided that the failure to notify the Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have under paragraph (a) or (b) above except to the extent that it has been materially prejudiced (through the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses) by such failure; and provided, further, that the failure to notify the Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have to an Indemnified Person otherwise than under paragraph (a) or (b) above. If any such proceeding shall be brought or asserted against an
23
Indemnified Person and it shall have notified the Indemnifying Person thereof, the Indemnifying Person shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person (who shall not, without the consent of the Indemnified Person, be counsel to the Indemnifying Person) to represent the Indemnified Person and any others entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Section 7 that the Indemnifying Person may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the reasonable and documented fees and expenses of such proceeding and shall pay the reasonable and documented fees and expenses of such counsel related to such proceeding, as incurred. In any such proceeding, any Indemnified Person shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the reasonable and documented fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Person unless (i) the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person shall have mutually agreed to the contrary; (ii) the Indemnifying Person has failed within a reasonable time to retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person; (iii) the Indemnified Person shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it that are different from or in addition to those available to the Indemnifying Person; or (iv) the named parties in any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person that representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them. It is understood and agreed that the Indemnifying Person shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related proceeding in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the reasonable and documented fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all Indemnified Persons, and that all such fees and expenses shall be paid or reimbursed as they are incurred. Any such separate firm for any Underwriter, its affiliates, directors and officers and any control persons of such Underwriter shall be designated in writing by J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and BofA Securities, Inc. and any such separate firm for the Company, its directors and officers who signed the Registration Statement and any control persons of the Company shall be designated in writing by the Company. The Indemnifying Person shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the Indemnifying Person agrees to indemnify each Indemnified Person from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an Indemnified Person shall have requested that an Indemnifying Person reimburse the Indemnified Person for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by this paragraph, the Indemnifying Person shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 30 days after receipt by the Indemnifying Person of such request and (ii) the Indemnifying Person shall not have reimbursed the Indemnified Person in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement. No Indemnifying Person shall, without the written consent of the Indemnified Person, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Person is or could have been a party and indemnification could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Person, unless such settlement (x) includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Person, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Person, from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding and (y) does not include any statement as to or any admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any Indemnified Person.
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(d) Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in paragraph (a) or (b) above is unavailable to an Indemnified Person or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then each Indemnifying Person under such paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Person thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Person as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other from the offering of the Securities or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the net proceeds (before deducting expenses) received by the Company from the sale of the Securities and the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters in connection therewith, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover of the Prospectus, bear to the aggregate offering price of the Securities. The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or by the Underwriters and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
(e) Limitation on Liability. The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in paragraph (d) above. The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Person as a result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to in paragraph (d) above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses incurred by such Indemnified Person in connection with any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, in no event shall an Underwriter be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by such Underwriter with respect to the offering of the Securities exceeds the amount of any damages that such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Underwriters’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 7 are several in proportion to their respective purchase obligations hereunder and not joint.
25
(f) Non-Exclusive Remedies. The remedies provided for in this Section 7 are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies that may otherwise be available to any Indemnified Person at law or in equity.
8. Effectiveness of Agreement. This Agreement shall become effective as of the date first written above.
9. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated in the absolute discretion of the Representatives, by notice to the Company, if after the execution and delivery of this Agreement and on or prior to the Closing Date (i) trading generally shall have been suspended or materially limited on the New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ or the over-the-counter market; (ii) trading of any securities issued or guaranteed by the Company shall have been suspended on any exchange or in any over-the-counter market; (iii) a general moratorium on commercial banking activities shall have been declared by federal or New York State authorities; or (iv) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities or any change in financial markets or any calamity or crisis, either within or outside the United States, that, in the judgment of the Representatives, is material and adverse and makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offering, sale or delivery of the Securities on the terms and in the manner contemplated by this Agreement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus.
10. Defaulting Underwriter.
(a) If, on the Closing Date, any Underwriter defaults on its obligation to purchase the Securities that it has agreed to purchase hereunder, the non-defaulting Underwriters may in their discretion arrange for the purchase of such Securities by other persons satisfactory to the Company on the terms contained in this Agreement. If, within 36 hours after any such default by any Underwriter, the non-defaulting Underwriters do not arrange for the purchase of such Securities, then the Company shall be entitled to a further period of 36 hours within which to procure other persons satisfactory to the non-defaulting Underwriters to purchase such Securities on such terms. If other persons become obligated or agree to purchase the Securities of a defaulting Underwriter, either the non-defaulting Underwriters or the Company may postpone the Closing Date for up to five full business days in order to effect any changes that in the opinion of counsel for the Company or counsel for the Underwriters may be necessary in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus or in any other document or arrangement, and the Company agrees to promptly prepare any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus that effects any such changes. As used in this Agreement, the term “Underwriter” includes, for all purposes of this Agreement unless the context otherwise requires, any person not listed in Schedule 1 hereto that, pursuant to this Section 10, purchases Securities that a defaulting Underwriter agreed but failed to purchase.
(b) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the Securities of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by the non-defaulting Underwriters and the Company as provided in paragraph (a) above, the aggregate principal amount of such Securities that remains unpurchased does not exceed one-eleventh of the aggregate
26
principal amount of all the Securities, then the Company shall have the right to require each non-defaulting Underwriter to purchase the principal amount of Securities that such Underwriter agreed to purchase hereunder plus such Underwriter’s pro rata share (based on the principal amount of Securities that such Underwriter agreed to purchase hereunder) of the Securities of such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters for which such arrangements have not been made.
(c) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the Securities of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by the non-defaulting Underwriters and the Company as provided in paragraph (a) above, the aggregate principal amount of such Securities that remains unpurchased exceeds one-eleventh of the aggregate principal amount of all the Securities, or if the Company shall not exercise the right described in paragraph (b) above, then this Agreement shall terminate without liability on the part of the non-defaulting Underwriters. Any termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 10 shall be without liability on the part of the Company, except that the Company will continue to be liable for the payment of expenses as set forth in Section 11 hereof and except that the provisions of Section 7 hereof shall not terminate and shall remain in effect.
(d) Nothing contained herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter of any liability it may have to the Company or any non-defaulting Underwriter for damages caused by its default.
11. Payment of Expenses.
(a) Whether or not the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, the Company agrees to pay or cause to be paid all costs and expenses incident to the performance of its obligations hereunder, including without limitation, (i) the costs incident to the authorization, issuance, sale, preparation and delivery of the Securities and any taxes payable in that connection; (ii) the costs incident to the preparation, printing and filing under the Securities Act of the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus (including all exhibits, amendments and supplements thereto) and the distribution thereof; (iii) the costs of reproducing and distributing each of the Transaction Documents; (iv) the fees and expenses of the Company’s counsel and independent accountants; (v) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the registration or qualification and determination of eligibility for investment of the Securities under the laws of such jurisdictions as the Representatives may designate and the preparation, printing and distribution of a Blue Sky Memorandum (including the related fees and expenses of counsel for the Underwriters); (vi) any fees charged by rating agencies for rating the Securities; (vii) the fees and expenses of the Trustee and any paying agent (including related fees and expenses of any counsel to such parties); (viii) all expenses and application fees incurred in connection with any filing with, and clearance of the offering by, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, and the approval of the Securities for book-entry transfer by DTC; and (ix) all expenses incurred by the Company in connection with any “road show” presentation to potential investors.
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(b) If (i) this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 9, (ii) the Company for any reason fails to tender the Securities for delivery to the Underwriters or (iii) the Underwriters decline to purchase the Securities for any reason permitted under this Agreement, the Company agrees to reimburse the Underwriters for all out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including the fees and expenses of their counsel) reasonably incurred by the Underwriters in connection with this Agreement and the offering contemplated hereby.
12. Persons Entitled to Benefit of Agreement. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and the officers and directors and any controlling persons referred to herein, and the affiliates of each Underwriter referred to in Section 7 hereof. Nothing in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any other person any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision contained herein. No purchaser of Securities from any Underwriter shall be deemed to be a successor merely by reason of such purchase.
13. Survival. The respective indemnities, rights of contribution, representations, warranties and agreements of the Company and the Underwriters contained in this Agreement or made by or on behalf of the Company or the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement or any certificate delivered pursuant hereto shall survive the delivery of and payment for the Securities and shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any termination of this Agreement or any investigation made by or on behalf of the Company or the Underwriters.
14. Certain Defined Terms. For purposes of this Agreement, (a) except where otherwise expressly provided, the term “affiliate” has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act; (b) the term “business day” means any day other than a day on which banks are permitted or required to be closed in New York City; (c) the term “subsidiary” has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act ; and (d) the term “significant subsidiary” has the meaning set forth in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act.
15. Compliance with USA PATRIOT Act. In accordance with the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)), the Underwriters are required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies their respective clients, including the Company, which information may include the name and address of their respective clients, as well as other information that will allow the Underwriters to properly identify their respective clients.
16. Miscellaneous.
(a) Authority of the Representatives. Any action by the Underwriters hereunder may be taken by J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and BofA Securities, Inc. on behalf of the Underwriters, and any such action taken by J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and BofA Securities, Inc. shall be binding upon the Underwriters.
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(b) Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed or transmitted and confirmed by any standard form of telecommunication. Notices to the Underwriters shall be given to the Representatives c/o J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, 383 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10179 (fax: 212-834-6081); Attention: Investment Grade Syndicate Desk and BofA Securities, Inc., 114 West 47th Street, NY8-114-07-01, New York, New York 10036, Attention: High Grade Debt Capital Markets Transaction Management/Legal. Notices to the Company shall be given to it at Paychex, Inc., 911 Panorama Trail South, Rochester, New York 14625; Attention: Prabha Sipi Bhandari, Chief Legal Officer.
(c) Governing Law. This Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
(d) Submission to Jurisdiction. The Company hereby submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the U.S. federal and New York state courts in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. The Company waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such suit or proceeding in such courts. The Company agrees that final judgment in any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such court shall be conclusive and binding upon the Company and may be enforced in any court to the jurisdiction of which Company is subject by a suit upon such judgment.
(e) Waiver of Jury Trial. Each of the parties hereto hereby waives any right to trial by jury in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement.
(f) Recognition of the U.S. Special Resolution Regimes.
(i) In the event that any Underwriter that is a Covered Entity becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer from such Underwriter of this Agreement, and any interest and obligation in or under this Agreement, will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement, and any such interest and obligation, were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.
(ii) In the event that any Underwriter that is a Covered Entity or a BHC Act Affiliate of such Underwriter becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under this Agreement that may be exercised against such Underwriter are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.
As used in this Section 16(f):
“BHC Act Affiliate” has the meaning assigned to the term “affiliate” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. § 1841(k).
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“Covered Entity” means any of the following:
(i) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b);
(ii) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or
(iii) a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).
“Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.
“U.S. Special Resolution Regime” means each of (i) the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder and (ii) Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
(g) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts (which may include counterparts delivered by any standard form of telecommunication), each of which shall be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
(h) Amendments or Waivers. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement, nor any consent or approval to any departure therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the parties hereto.
(i) Headings. The headings herein are included for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be part of, or to affect the meaning or interpretation of, this Agreement.
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If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please indicate your acceptance of this Agreement by signing in the space provided below.
| Very truly yours, | ||
| Paychex, Inc. | ||
| By: | /s/ Robert L. Schrader | |
| Name: Robert L. Schrader | ||
| Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | ||
Accepted: As of the date first written above
| J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC |
| For itself and on behalf of the several Underwriters listed in Schedule 1 hereto. |
| By: |
/s/ Som Bhattacharyya | |
| Authorized Signatory | ||
| Name: |
Som Bhattacharyya | |
| Title: |
Executive Director | |
| BOFA SECURITIES, INC. |
| For itself and on behalf of the several Underwriters listed in Schedule 1 hereto. |
| By: |
/s/ Kevin Wehler | |
| Authorized Signatory | ||
| Name: |
Kevin Wehler | |
| Title: |
Managing Director | |
2
Schedule 1
| Underwriters |
Principal Amount of 2030 Notes |
Principal Amount of 2032 Notes |
Principal Amount of 2035 Notes |
|||||||||
| J.P. Morgan Securities LLC. |
$ | 750,000,000 | $ | 750,000,000 | $ | 600,000,000 | ||||||
| BofA Securities, Inc. |
225,000,000 | 225,000,000 | 180,000,000 | |||||||||
| PNC Capital Markets LLC |
165,000,000 | 165,000,000 | 132,000,000 | |||||||||
| Wells Fargo Securities, LLC |
90,000,000 | 90,000,000 | 72,000,000 | |||||||||
| BMO Capital Markets Corp. |
60,000,000 | 60,000,000 | 48,000,000 | |||||||||
| Truist Securities, Inc. |
60,000,000 | 60,000,000 | 48,000,000 | |||||||||
| Fifth Third Securities, Inc. |
30,000,000 | 30,000,000 | 24,000,000 | |||||||||
| KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. |
30,000,000 | 30,000,000 | 24,000,000 | |||||||||
| Mizuho Securities USA LLC |
30,000,000 | 30,000,000 | 24,000,000 | |||||||||
| M&T Securities, Inc. |
30,000,000 | 30,000,000 | 24,000,000 | |||||||||
| TD Securities (USA) LLC |
30,000,000 | 30,000,000 | 24,000,000 | |||||||||
| Total |
$ | 1,500,000,000 | $ | 1,500,000,000 | $ | 1,200,000,000 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
| Total | $ 4,200,000,000 | |||||||
Schedule 2
Significant Subsidiaries
| Name of Subsidiaries |
Jurisdiction of Incorporation | |
| ACH Insurance, LLC |
Florida | |
| Alterna Capital Solutions, LLC |
Florida | |
| Advantage Payroll Services, Inc. |
Delaware | |
| ESG Insurance, LLC |
Utah | |
| Fast 401k, Inc. d/b/a ePlan Services |
Delaware | |
| Lessor A/S (DK) |
Denmark | |
| Oasis Advisory Services, LLC |
Florida | |
| Oasis HR Solutions III, LLC |
Florida | |
| Oasis Outsourcing Acquisition Corporation |
Delaware | |
| Oasis Outsourcing Holdings, Inc. |
Florida | |
| Oasis Outsourcing, LLC |
Florida | |
| Paychex Administrative Services, LLC |
Florida | |
| Paychex Advance, LLC |
New York | |
| Paychex Deutschland, GmbH (GM) |
Germany | |
| Paychex Holdings, LLC |
New York | |
| Paychex Insurance Agency, Inc. |
New York | |
| Paychex Insurance Concepts, Inc. |
New York | |
| Paychex Investment, LLC |
Delaware | |
| Paychex Management, LLC |
Delaware | |
| Paychex North America, Inc. |
Delaware | |
| Paychex of New York, LLC |
Delaware | |
| Paychex PEO VI, LLC |
Florida | |
| Paychex PEO VII, LLC |
Florida | |
| Paychex Retirement, LLC |
New York | |
| Paychex Securities Corporation |
New York | |
| PXC, Inc. |
New York | |
| SurePayroll, Inc. |
Delaware | |
Annex A
Time of Sale Information
| • | Pricing Term Sheet, dated April 8, 2025, substantially in the form of Annex B. |
Annex B
Filed Pursuant to Rule 433
Registration Statement No. 333-286249
Pricing Term Sheet
Paychex, Inc.
$1,500,000,000 5.100% Senior Notes due 2030 (the “2030 Notes”)
$1,500,000,000 5.350% Senior Notes due 2032 (the “2032 Notes”)
$1,200,000,000 5.600% Senior Notes due 2035 (the “2035 Notes”)
Pricing Term Sheet dated April 8, 2025 (this “Pricing Term Sheet”) to the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement dated April 8, 2025 (the “Preliminary Prospectus Supplement”) of Paychex, Inc. (the “Issuer”).
This Pricing Term Sheet is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement. The information in this Pricing Term Sheet supplements the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement and supersedes the information in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement to the extent it is inconsistent with the information in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement. Capitalized terms used in this Pricing Term Sheet but not defined have the meanings given them in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement.
Terms Applicable to the Notes
| Issuer: |
Paychex, Inc. | |
| Trade Date: |
April 8, 2025 | |
| Settlement Date: |
April 10, 2025 (T+2)
We expect that delivery of the notes will be made against payment therefor on or about the second business day following the date of pricing of the notes (this settlement cycle being referred to as “T+ 2”). Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in one business day, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade the notes on any date prior to one business day before delivery will be required, by virtue of the fact that the notes initially will settle in T+2, to specify alternate settlement arrangements at the time of any such trade to prevent a failed settlement and should consult their own advisers. | |
| Ratings*: |
Moody’s: Baa1 (stable outlook) S&P: BBB+ (stable outlook) | |
| Minimum Denomination: |
$2,000 and any integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof | |
| Lead Bookrunners: |
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC BofA Securities, Inc. | |
| Joint Passive Bookrunners: |
PNC Capital Markets LLC Wells Fargo Securities, LLC | |
| Co-Managers: |
BMO Capital Markets Corp. Fifth Third Securities, Inc. KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. Mizuho Securities USA LLC M&T Securities, Inc. Truist Securities, Inc. TD Securities (USA) LLC | |
| Terms Applicable to the 2030 Notes | ||
| Title of Security: |
5.100% Senior Notes due 2030 | |
| Principal Amount: |
$1,500,000,000 | |
| Maturity: |
April 15, 2030 | |
| Coupon: |
5.100% | |
| Issue Price: |
99.720% of the principal amount | |
| Interest Payment Dates: |
April 15 and October 15, commencing on October 15, 2025 | |
| Yield to Maturity: |
5.164% | |
| Spread to Benchmark Treasury: |
T+125 bps | |
| Benchmark Treasury: |
4.000% UST due 3/31/2030 | |
| Benchmark Treasury Price and Yield: |
100-12 1⁄4 / 3.914% | |
| Redemption Provisions: |
||
| Make-Whole Call: |
Prior to March 15, 2030, at the Treasury Rate plus 20 basis points, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. | |
| Par Call: |
On or after March 15, 2030 (one month prior to their maturity date), at 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but not including, the redemption date. | |
| CUSIP: |
704326AA5 | |
| ISIN: |
US704326AA51 | |
| Terms Applicable to the 2032 Notes | ||
| Title of Security: |
5.350% Senior Notes due 2032 | |
| Principal Amount: |
$1,500,000,000 | |
| Maturity: |
April 15, 2032 | |
| Coupon: |
5.350% | |
| Issue Price: |
99.607% of the principal amount | |
| Interest Payment Dates: |
April 15 and October 15, commencing on October 15, 2025 | |
| Yield to Maturity: |
5.418% | |
| Spread to Benchmark Treasury: |
T+135 bps | |
| Benchmark Treasury: |
4.125% UST due 3/31/2032 | |
| Benchmark Treasury Price and Yield: |
100-11/ 4.068% | |
| Redemption Provisions: |
||
| Make-Whole Call: |
Prior to February 15, 2032, at the Treasury Rate plus 25 basis points, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. | |
| Par Call: |
On or after February 15, 2032 (two months prior to their maturity), at 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but not including, the redemption date. | |
| CUSIP: |
704326AB3 | |
| ISIN: |
US704326AB35 | |
| Terms Applicable to the 2035 Notes | ||
| Title of Security: |
5.600% Senior Notes due 2035 | |
| Principal Amount: |
$1,200,000,000 | |
| Maturity: |
April 15, 2035 | |
| Coupon: |
5.600% | |
| Issue Price: |
99.251% of the principal amount | |
| Interest Payment Dates: |
April 15 and October 15, commencing on October 15, 2025 | |
| Yield to Maturity: |
5.699% | |
| Spread to Benchmark Treasury: |
T+145 bps | |
| Benchmark Treasury: |
4.625% UST due 2/15/2035 | |
| Benchmark Treasury Price and Yield: |
103-00 / 4.249% | |
| Redemption Provisions: |
||
| Make-Whole Call: |
Prior to January 15, 2035, at the Treasury Rate plus 25 basis points, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. | |
| Par Call: |
On or after January 15, 2035 (three months prior to their maturity), at 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but not including, the redemption date. | |
| CUSIP: |
704326AC1 | |
| ISIN: |
US704326AC18 | |
| * | Note: A securities rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities and may be revised or withdrawn at any time. |
The Issuer has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus and a preliminary prospectus supplement) with the SEC for the offering to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that registration statement, the preliminary prospectus supplement and other documents the Issuer has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the Issuer and this offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, the Issuer, any underwriter or any dealer participating in the offering will arrange to send you the prospectus and the preliminary prospectus supplement if you request it by calling J.P. Morgan Securities LLC collect at 1-212-834-4533 or BofA Securities, Inc. at 1-800-294-1322.
Any disclaimers or other notices that may appear below are not applicable to this communication and should be disregarded. Such disclaimers or other notices were automatically generated as a result of this communication being sent via Bloomberg email or another communication system.
Exhibit 4.1
Indenture
Dated as of April 10, 2025
PAYCHEX, INC.,
as Issuer
and
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,
as Trustee
Debt Securities
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page | ||||||
| ARTICLE I | ||||||
| DEFINITIONS | ||||||
| Section 1.1. | Certain Terms Defined |
1 | ||||
| ARTICLE II | ||||||
| SECURITIES | ||||||
| Section 2.1. | Forms Generally |
5 | ||||
| Section 2.2. | Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication |
5 | ||||
| Section 2.3. | Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series |
5 | ||||
| Section 2.4. | Authentication and Delivery of Securities |
7 | ||||
| Section 2.5. | Execution of Securities |
9 | ||||
| Section 2.6. | Certificate of Authentication |
9 | ||||
| Section 2.7. | Denomination and Date of Securities; Payment of Interest |
9 | ||||
| Section 2.8. | Registration, Transfer and Exchange |
10 | ||||
| Section 2.9. | Mutilated, Defaced, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities |
11 | ||||
| Section 2.10. | Cancellation of Securities; Disposal Thereof |
12 | ||||
| Section 2.11. | Temporary Securities |
12 | ||||
| Section 2.12. | CUSIP Numbers |
13 | ||||
| ARTICLE III | ||||||
| COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER | ||||||
| Section 3.1. | Payment of Principal and Interest |
13 | ||||
| Section 3.2. | Offices for Payments, Etc. |
13 | ||||
| Section 3.3. | Appointment to Fill a Vacancy in Office of Trustee |
13 | ||||
| Section 3.4. | Paying Agents |
13 | ||||
| Section 3.5. | Compliance Certificates |
14 | ||||
| Section 3.6. | Corporate Existence |
14 | ||||
| Section 3.7. | Calculation of Original Issue Discount |
14 | ||||
| ARTICLE IV | ||||||
| SECURITYHOLDER LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE ISSUER AND THE TRUSTEE | ||||||
| Section 4.1. | Issuer to Furnish Trustee Information As to Names and Addresses of Securityholders |
15 | ||||
| Section 4.2. | Reports by the Issuer |
15 | ||||
| Section 4.3. | Reports by the Trustee |
15 | ||||
i
| ARTICLE V | ||||||
| REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS ON EVENT OF DEFAULT | ||||||
| Section 5.1. | Event of Default Defined, Acceleration of Maturity; Waiver of Default |
15 | ||||
| Section 5.2. | Collection of Indebtedness by Trustee; Trustee May Prove Debt |
17 | ||||
| Section 5.3. | Application of Proceeds |
18 | ||||
| Section 5.4. | Suits for Enforcement |
19 | ||||
| Section 5.5. | Restoration of Rights on Abandonment of Proceedings |
19 | ||||
| Section 5.6. | Limitations on Suits by Security Holders |
19 | ||||
| Section 5.7. | Unconditional Right of Securityholders to Institute Certain Suits |
19 | ||||
| Section 5.8. | Powers and Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission Not Waiver of Default |
20 | ||||
| Section 5.9. | Control by Holders of Securities |
20 | ||||
| Section 5.10. | Waiver of Past Defaults |
20 | ||||
| Section 5.11. | Trustee to Give Notice of Default, But May Withhold in Certain Circumstances |
20 | ||||
| Section 5.12. | Right of Court to Require Filing of Undertaking to Pay Costs |
20 | ||||
| ARTICLE VI | ||||||
| CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE | ||||||
| Section 6.1. | Duties and Responsibilities of the Trustee; During Default; Prior to Default |
21 | ||||
| Section 6.2. | Certain Rights of the Trustee |
22 | ||||
| Section 6.3. | Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals, Disposition of Securities or Application of Proceeds Thereof |
23 | ||||
| Section 6.4. | Trustee and Agents May Hold Securities; Collections, Etc. |
23 | ||||
| Section 6.5. | Moneys Held by Trustee |
23 | ||||
| Section 6.6. | Compensation and Indemnification of Trustee and Its Prior Claim |
23 | ||||
| Section 6.7. | Right of Trustee to Rely on Officer’s Certificate, Etc. |
24 | ||||
| Section 6.8. | Reserved |
24 | ||||
| Section 6.9. | Qualification of Trustee: Conflicting Interests |
24 | ||||
| Section 6.10. | Persons Eligible for Appointment As Trustee |
24 | ||||
| Section 6.11. | Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor Trustee |
24 | ||||
| Section 6.12. | Acceptance of Appointment by Successor Trustee |
25 | ||||
| Section 6.13. | Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business of Trustee |
26 | ||||
| Section 6.14. | Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Issuer |
26 | ||||
| Section 6.15. | Appointment of Authenticating Agent |
26 | ||||
| ARTICLE VII | ||||||
| CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS | ||||||
| Section 7.1. | Evidence of Action Taken by Securityholders |
27 | ||||
| Section 7.2. | Proof of Execution of Instruments and of Holding of Securities |
27 | ||||
| Section 7.3. | Holders to be Treated As Owners |
27 | ||||
| Section 7.4. | Securities Owned by Issuer Deemed Not Outstanding |
27 | ||||
| Section 7.5. | Right of Revocation of Action Taken |
28 | ||||
| ARTICLE VIII | ||||||
| SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES | ||||||
| Section 8.1. | Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Securityholders |
28 | ||||
| Section 8.2. | Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Securityholders |
29 | ||||
| Section 8.3. | Effect of Supplemental Indenture |
30 | ||||
| Section 8.4. | Documents to be Given to Trustee |
30 | ||||
| Section 8.5. | Notation on Securities in Respect of Supplemental Indentures |
30 | ||||
ii
| ARTICLE IX | ||||||
| CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OR CONVEYANCE | ||||||
| Section 9.1. | Issuer May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms |
31 | ||||
| Section 9.2. | Successor Person Substituted |
31 | ||||
| Section 9.3. | Opinion of Counsel to be Given to Trustee |
31 | ||||
| ARTICLE X | ||||||
| SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; UNCLAIMED MONEYS | ||||||
| Section 10.1. | Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture |
31 | ||||
| Section 10.2. | Application by Trustee of Funds Deposited for Payment of Securities |
34 | ||||
| Section 10.3. | Repayment of Moneys Held by Paying Agent |
34 | ||||
| Section 10.4. | Return of Moneys Held by Trustee and Paying Agent Unclaimed for Two Years |
34 | ||||
| Section 10.5. | Indemnity for U.S |
34 | ||||
| ARTICLE XI | ||||||
| MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS | ||||||
| Section 11.1. | Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers and Directors of Issuer Exempt From Individual Liability |
34 | ||||
| Section 11.2. | Provisions of Indenture for the Sole Benefit of Parties and Holders of Securities |
35 | ||||
| Section 11.3. | Successors and Assigns of Issuer Bound by Indenture |
35 | ||||
| Section 11.4. | Notices and Demands on Issuer, Trustee and Holders of Securities |
35 | ||||
| Section 11.5. | Officer’s Certificates and Opinions of Counsel; Statements to be Contained Therein |
36 | ||||
| Section 11.6. | Payments Due on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays |
37 | ||||
| Section 11.7. | Conflict of Any Provision of Indenture With Trust Indenture Act |
37 | ||||
| Section 11.8. | New York Law to Govern; Waiver of Jury Trial |
37 | ||||
| Section 11.9. | Counterparts |
37 | ||||
| Section 11.10. | Effect of Headings |
37 | ||||
| Section 11.11. | Securities in a Foreign Currency |
37 | ||||
| Section 11.12. | Judgment Currency |
38 | ||||
| Section 11.13. | Reserved |
38 | ||||
| Section 11.14. | Force Majeure |
38 | ||||
| ARTICLE XII | ||||||
| REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES AND SINKING FUNDS | ||||||
| Section 12.1. | Applicability of Article |
39 | ||||
| Section 12.2. | Notice of Redemption; Partial Redemptions |
39 | ||||
| Section 12.3. | Payment of Securities Called for Redemption |
40 | ||||
| Section 12.4. | Exclusion of Certain Securities From Eligibility for Selection for Redemption |
40 | ||||
| Section 12.5. | Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds |
40 | ||||
iii
PAYCHEX, INC
RECONCILIATION AND TIE BETWEEN TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
AND INDENTURE, DATED AS OF APRIL 10, 2025
| Section of Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended | Section(s) of Indenture | |||
| 310 | (a) | 3.3, 6.10 | ||
| (b) | 6.9 | |||
| 311 | (a) | 6.14 | ||
| (b) | 6.14 | |||
| 312 | (a) | 4.1 | ||
| (b) | 4.1 | |||
| (c) | 4.1 | |||
| 313 | (a) | 4.3(a) | ||
| (b) | 4.3(a) | |||
| (c) | 4.3(a) | |||
| (d) | 4.3(b) | |||
| 314 | (a) | 4.12 | ||
| (b) | N.A. | |||
| (c) | 11.5 | |||
| (d) | N.A. | |||
| (e) | 11.5 | |||
| 315 | (a) | 6.1(a) | ||
| (b) | 5.11 | |||
| (c) | 6.1 | |||
| (d) | 6.1 | |||
| (e) | 5.12 | |||
| 316 | (a) | 5.9, 5.10, 7.4 | ||
| (b) | 5.7 | |||
| 317 | (a) | 5.2 | ||
| (b) | 3.4(c) | |||
| 318 | (a) | 11.7 | ||
Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.
1
THIS INDENTURE, dated as of April 10, 2025, by and among PAYCHEX, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), and THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as trustee (the “Trustee”).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Issuer has duly authorized the issue from time to time of its unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness to be issued in one or more series (the “Securities”) up to such principal amount or amounts as may from time to time be authorized in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;
WHEREAS, the Issuer has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide, among other things, for the authentication, delivery and administration of the Securities; and
WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Indenture a valid and legally binding indenture and agreement according to its terms have been done;
NOW, THEREFORE:
In consideration of the premises and the purchases of the Securities by the holders thereof, the Issuer and the Trustee covenant and agree for the equal and proportionate benefit of the holders from time to time of the Securities as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1. Certain Terms Defined. The following terms (except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise clearly requires) for all purposes of this Indenture and of any indenture supplemental hereto shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section. All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined in the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”), or the definitions of which in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), are referred to in the Trust Indenture Act, including terms defined therein by reference to the Securities Act (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires), shall have the meaning assigned to such terms in the Trust Indenture Act and in the Securities Act as in effect from time to time. All accounting terms used herein and not expressly defined shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and the term “generally accepted accounting principles” means such accounting principles as are generally accepted at the time of any computation unless a different time shall be specified with respect to such series of Securities as provided for in Section 2.3. The words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision. The terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular.
“Affiliate” has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405 of the Securities Act or any successor provision.
“Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any matter at any time, the policies and procedures of a Depositary, if any, that are applicable to such matter at such time.
“Authenticating Agent” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.15.
“Board of Directors” means either the Board of Directors of the Issuer or any committee of such Board duly authorized to act on its behalf.
“Board Resolution” means a copy of one or more resolutions, certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Issuer to have been duly adopted or consented to by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect, and delivered to the Trustee.
“Business Day” means, with respect to any Security, a day that is not a day on which banking institutions in the city (or in any of the cities, if more than one) in which amounts are payable, as specified in the form of such Security, are authorized or required by any applicable law or regulation to be closed.
1
“Capital Stock” means, with respect to any corporation, any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase (other than convertible or exchangeable indebtedness that is not itself otherwise capital stock), warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests (however designated) in stock issued by that corporation.
“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or if at any time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties on such date.
“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Trustee shall, at any particular time, be principally administered, which office is, as of the date of this Indenture, located at The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., 4655 Salisbury Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration—Paychex, Inc.
“covenant defeasance” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.1(c).
“Depositary” means, with respect to the Securities of any series issuable or issued in the form of one or more Registered Global Securities, the Person designated as Depositary by the Issuer pursuant to Section 2.3 until a successor Depositary shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Depositary” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Depositary hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Depositary” as used with respect to the Securities of any such series shall mean the Depositary with respect to the Registered Global Securities of that series.
“Dollar” or “$” means the coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.
“DTC” means The Depository Trust Company or any of its successors.
“Electronic Means” shall mean the following communications methods: e-mail or secure electronic transmission containing applicable authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys issued by the Trustee, or another method or system specified by the Trustee as available for use in connection with its services hereunder.
“Equity Interests” means Capital Stock or partnership, participation or membership interests and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock or partnership, participation or membership interests (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock or partnership, participation or membership interests).
“Event of Default” means any event or condition specified as such in Section 5.1.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Foreign Currency” means any coin, 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 internationally recognized union, confederation or association of such governments.
“Holder,” “Holder of Securities,” “Securityholder” or any other similar terms mean the person in whose name a Security is registered in the security register kept by the Registrar for that purpose in accordance with the terms hereof.
“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed and delivered or, if amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or supplemented or both, and shall include the forms and terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated hereunder, provided, that, if at any time more than one Person is acting as Trustee under this instrument, “Indenture” shall mean, with respect to one or more series of Securities for which such person is trustee, this instrument as originally executed and delivered or, if amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or supplemented or both, and shall include the forms and terms of those particular series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee established as contemplated hereunder, 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.
2
“IRS” means the Internal Revenue Service of the United States Department of the Treasury, or any successor entity.
“Issuer” means (except as otherwise provided in Article IX) Paychex, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and, subject to Article IX, its successors and assigns.
“Issuer Order” means a written statement, request or order of the Issuer signed in its name by the president, chief financial officer, chief executive officer, any senior vice president, any vice president, the treasurer or any assistant treasurer of the Issuer.
“Judgment Currency” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.12.
“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by any one of the following: the president, chief financial officer, chief executive officer, any senior vice president, any vice president, the treasurer or any assistant treasurer of the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee.
“Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion in writing signed by legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee and who may be an employee of or counsel to the Issuer.
“Original Issue Date” of any Security (or portion thereof) means the earlier of (a) the date of such Security or (b) the date of any Security (or portion thereof) for which such Security was issued (directly or indirectly) on registration of transfer, exchange or substitution.
“Original Issue Discount Security” means any Security that provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.1.
“Outstanding” (except as otherwise provided in Section 7.4), when used with reference to Securities, means, subject to the provisions of Section 7.4, as of any particular time, all Securities authenticated and delivered by the Trustee under this Indenture, except:
(a) Securities theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;
(b) Securities, or portions thereof, for the payment or redemption of which moneys or U.S. Government Obligations (as provided for in Section 10.1) in the necessary amount shall have been deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any paying agent (other than the Issuer) or shall have been set aside, segregated and held in trust by the Issuer for the Holders of such Securities (if the Issuer shall act as its own paying agent), provided, that if such Securities, or portions thereof, are to be redeemed prior to the maturity thereof, notice of such redemption shall have been given as herein provided;
(c) Securities which shall have been paid or in substitution for which other Securities shall have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to the terms of Section 2.9 (except with respect to any such Security as to which proof reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee is presented that such Security is held by a person in whose hands such Security is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuer); and
(d) Securities that have been defeased pursuant to Section 10.1.
In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of any or all series have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.1.
“Periodic Offering” means an offering of Securities of a series from time to time, the specific terms of which Securities, including, without limitation, the rate or rates of interest, if any, thereon, the stated maturity or maturities thereof and the redemption provisions, if any, with respect thereto, are to be determined by the Issuer or its agents upon the issuance of such Securities.
3
“Person” means any individual, corporation, business trust, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
“principal” whenever used with reference to the Securities or any Security or any portion thereof, shall be deemed to include “and premium, if any,” provided, however, that such inclusion of premium, if any, shall under no circumstances result in the double counting of such premium for the purpose of any calculation required hereunder.
“record date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.7.
“Registered Global Security” means a Security evidencing all or a part of a series of Registered Securities, issued to the Depositary or a nominee thereof for such series in accordance with Section 2.4, and bearing the legend prescribed in Section 2.4 and any other legend required by the Depositary for such series.
“Registered Security” means any Security registered on the books of the Registrar.
“Registrar” means the Person designated by the Issuer as “Registrar” for the purpose of registering Securities and transfers of Securities as herein provided, who shall initially be the Trustee. “Registrar” shall also mean or include each Person who is then a registrar hereunder, and, if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Registrar” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the registrar with respect to the Securities of such series.
“Required Currency” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11.12.
“Responsible Officer” when used with respect to the Trustee means any vice president (whether or not designated by numbers or words added before or after the title “Vice President”), any assistant vice president, any trust officer, or assistant trust officer, or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by the persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and, in each case, who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.
“Security” or “Securities” (except as otherwise provided in Section 7.4) has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture, or, as the case may be, Securities that have been authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Subsidiary,” with respect to any Person, means (i) a corporation a majority of whose Voting Equity Interests is at the time, directly or indirectly, owned by such Person, by such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, (ii) any other Person (other than a corporation) in which such Person, one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination thereof has at least majority ownership interest, or (iii) a partnership in which such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person is, at the time, a general partner.
“Trustee” means the Person identified as “Trustee” in the first paragraph hereof and, subject to the provisions of Article VI, shall also include any successor trustee. “Trustee” shall also mean or include each Person who is then a trustee hereunder, and, if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
“U.S. Government Obligations” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.1(a).
“Voting Equity Interests” means Equity Interests which at the time are entitled to vote in the election of, as applicable, directors, members or partners generally; provided, that, for the purposes hereof, Equity Interests that carry only the right to vote conditionally on the happening of an event shall not be considered Voting Equity Interests whether or not such event shall have happened.
“Yield to Maturity” means the yield to maturity on a series of securities, calculated at the time of issuance of such series, or, if applicable, at the most recent redetermination of interest on such series, and calculated in accordance with accepted financial practice.
4
ARTICLE II
SECURITIES
Section 2.1. Forms Generally. The Securities of each series shall be substantially in such form (not inconsistent with this Indenture) as shall be established by or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions, an Officer’s Certificate detailing such establishment or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture and may have imprinted or otherwise reproduced thereon such legend or legends or endorsements, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, as may be required to comply with any law or with any rules or regulations pursuant thereto, or with any rules of any securities exchange or to conform to general usage, all as may be determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.
The definitive Securities shall be printed or produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.
Section 2.2. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication. The Trustee’s certificate of authentication on all Securities shall be in substantially the following form:
“This is one of the Securities referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.”
| The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee | ||
| By: | ||
| Authorized Signatory | ||
| Dated: | ||
If at any time there shall be an Authenticating Agent appointed with respect to any series of Securities, then the Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication to be borne by the Securities of each such series shall be substantially as follows:
“This is one of the Securities referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.”
|
| ||
| as Authenticating Agent | ||
| By: | ||
| Authorized Signatory | ||
| Dated: | ||
Section 2.3. 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. There shall be established in or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions, an Officer’s Certificate detailing such establishment or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the initial issuance of Securities of any series,
1. the designation of the Securities of the series, including CUSIP numbers, which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from the Securities of all other series, and which may be part of a series of Securities previously issued;
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2. any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that 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 the series pursuant to Section 2.8, 2.9, 2.11, 8.5 or 12.3);
3. if other than Dollars, the Foreign Currency or Foreign Currencies in which the Securities of the series are denominated;
4. the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the series is payable or the method of determination thereof;
5. the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, on which such interest shall be payable, the terms and conditions of any deferral of interest and the additional interest, if any, thereon, the right, if any, of the Issuer to extend the interest payment periods and the duration of the extensions and the date or dates on which a record shall be taken for the determination of Holders to whom interest is payable and/or the method by which such rate or rates or date or dates shall be determined;
6. the place or places where and the manner in which, the principal of and any interest on Securities of the series shall be payable, if other than as provided in Section 3.2;
7. the right, if any, of the Issuer to redeem Securities, in whole or in part, at its option and the period or periods within which, or the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which and any terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be so redeemed, pursuant to any sinking fund or otherwise;
8. the obligation, if any, of the Issuer to redeem, purchase or repay Securities of the series pursuant to any mandatory redemption, sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the price or prices at which and the period or periods within which or the date or dates on which, and any terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
9. if other than denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, the denominations in which Securities of the series shall be issuable;
10. the percentage of the principal amount at which the Securities will be issued, and, if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof and the terms and conditions of any acceleration;
11. if other than the coin, currency or currencies in which the Securities of the series are denominated, the coin, currency or currencies in which payment of the principal of or interest on the Securities of such series shall be payable, including composite currencies or currency units;
12. if the principal of or interest on the Securities of the series are to be payable, at the election of the Issuer or a Holder thereof, in a coin or currency other than that in which the Securities are denominated, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made;
13. if the amount of payments of principal of and interest on the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index or formula based on a coin, currency, composite currency or currency unit other than that in which the Securities of the series are denominated, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;
14. whether and under what circumstances the Issuer will pay additional amounts on the Securities of the series held by a person who is not a U.S. person in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge withheld or deducted and, if so, whether the Issuer will have the option to redeem the Securities of the series rather than pay such additional amounts;
15. if the Securities of the series are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security of such series) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, the form and terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;
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16. any trustees, depositaries, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents or registrars of any other agents with respect to the Securities of such series;
17. any deletion from, modification of or addition to the Events of Default or covenants with respect to the Securities of such series;
18. if the Securities of the series are to be convertible into or exchangeable for any other security or property of the Issuer, including, without limitation, securities of another Person held by the Issuer or its Affiliates and, if so, the terms thereof;
19. the form of any legend in addition to or in lieu of that in Section 2.4;
20. whether the Securities in global form may be exchanged for certificated Securities; and
21. any other terms of the Securities of such series.
All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical, except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided by or pursuant to the Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate referred to above or as set forth in any indenture supplemental hereto. The Issuer may, without the consent of the Holders, issue additional Securities of the same series in the future ranking equally with, and otherwise similar in all respects to, the Securities of such series, except for any differences in the issue price and, if applicable, the initial interest accrual date and interest payment date; provided that if the additional debt Securities are not fungible with the debt securities of the series previously offered or sold for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the additional debt securities will have a separate CUSIP or other identifying number as the Securities of the applicable series.
All Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and may be issued from time to time without consent of any Holder, consistent with the terms of this Indenture, if so provided by or pursuant to such Board Resolution, such Officer’s Certificate or in any indenture supplemental hereto.
Under the Indenture, the Securities of any series and any additional Securities of such series the Issuer may issue in the future will be treated as a single series for all purposes under the Indenture, including for purposes of determining whether the required percentage of the Holders of record of the Securities of such series has given approval or consent to an amendment or waiver or joined in directing the Trustee to take certain actions on behalf of all Holders of the Securities of such series.
Section 2.4. Authentication and Delivery of Securities. The Issuer may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Issuer to the Trustee for authentication together with the applicable documents referred to below in this Section 2.4, and the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and deliver such Securities to or upon the written order of the Issuer (contained in the Issuer Order referred to below in this Section) or deliver pursuant to such procedures acceptable to the Trustee and to such recipients as may be specified from time to time by an Issuer Order. The maturity date, original issue date, interest rate and any other terms of the Securities of such series shall be determined by or pursuant to Sections 2.1, 2.3 and this Section 2.4. In authenticating such Securities and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be provided with (in the case of subparagraphs (2), (3) and (4) below only at or before the time of the first request of the Issuer to the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series) and (subject to Section 6.1) shall be fully protected in conclusively relying upon, the following enumerated documents unless and until such documents have been superseded or revoked:
(a) an Issuer Order requesting such authentication and setting forth delivery instructions if the Securities are not to be delivered to the Issuer, provided that, with respect to Securities of a series subject to a Periodic Offering, (a) such Issuer Order may be delivered by the Issuer to the Trustee prior to the delivery to the Trustee of such Securities for authentication and delivery, (b) the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver Securities of such series for original issue from time to time, in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding the aggregate principal amount established for such series, pursuant to an Issuer Order or pursuant to procedures acceptable to the Trustee as may be specified from time to time by an Issuer Order and (c) the maturity date or dates, original issue date or dates, interest rate or rates and any other terms of Securities of such series shall be determined by an Issuer Order or pursuant to such procedures;
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(b) any Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate and/or executed supplemental indenture referred to in Sections 2.1 and 2.3 by or pursuant to which the forms and terms of the Securities were established;
(c) an Officer’s Certificate, complying with Section 11.5 hereof and covering such other matters as the Trustee may reasonably request; and
(d) Either one or more Opinions of Counsel, or, at the option of the Issuer, a letter addressed to the Trustee permitting it to rely on one or more Opinions of Counsel, substantially to the effect that:
(i) the form or forms of the Securities have been duly authorized and established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;
(ii) the terms of the Securities have been duly authorized and established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;
(iii) if the terms of the Securities have been established pursuant to a supplemental indenture, such supplemental indenture, when executed by the Issuer and the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, and subject to any exemptions, assumptions and qualifications specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will be a valid and binding obligation of the Issuer, enforceable in accordance with its terms except as the enforceability thereof may be limited by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, liquidation, moratorium, fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, (ii) rights of acceleration, if any, and (iii) the availability of equitable remedies may be limited by equitable principles of general applicability, and such counsel need express no opinion with regard to the enforceability of Section 6.6;
(iv) such Securities, when executed by the Issuer and authenticated by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and delivered to and duly paid for by the purchasers thereof, and subject to any exemptions, assumptions and qualifications specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture, and will be valid and binding obligations of the Issuer, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms except as the enforceability thereof may be limited by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, liquidation, moratorium, fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, (ii) rights of acceleration, if any, and (iii) the availability of equitable remedies may be limited by equitable principles of general applicability, and such counsel need express no opinion with regard to the enforceability of Section 6.6; and
(v) all conditions precedent to the issuance, execution, delivery, authorization and authentication of the Securities have been complied with.
Any counsel may state that such opinions are limited to matters arising under the laws of the State of New York and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. Such counsel may rely upon opinions of other counsel (copies of which shall be delivered to the Trustee) reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, in which case the opinion shall state that such counsel believes it and the Trustee are entitled so to rely. Such counsel may also state that, insofar as such opinion involves factual matters, it has relied, to the extent he deems proper, upon certificates of officers of the Issuer and its subsidiaries and certificates of public officials.
The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Securities under this section if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken by the Issuer or if the Trustee in good faith shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to existing Holders or would affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities, this Indenture or otherwise.
If the Issuer shall establish pursuant to Section 2.3 that the Securities of a series are to be issued in the form of one or more Registered Global Securities, then the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with this Section and the Issuer Order with respect to such series, authenticate and deliver one or more Registered Global Securities that (i) shall represent and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of all of the Securities of such series issued and not yet cancelled, (ii) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Registered Global Security or Securities or the nominee of such Depositary, (iii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to such Depositary or delivered or held pursuant to such Depositary’s instructions and (iv) shall bear a
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legend substantially to the following effect: “UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR SECURITIES IN DEFINITIVE REGISTERED FORM, THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO THE NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY.”
Each Depositary designated pursuant to Section 2.3 must, at the time of its designation and at all times while it serves as Depositary, be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and any other applicable statute or regulation.
The Issuer initially appoints DTC to act as the Depositary for the Securities.
Section 2.5. Execution of Securities. The Securities shall be signed on behalf of the Issuer by the president, chief financial officer, chief executive officer, any senior vice president, any vice president, the treasurer or any assistant treasurer of the Issuer, which may, but need not, be attested. Such signatures may be the manual, electronic or facsimile signatures of the present or any future such officers. Typographical and other minor errors or defects in any such signature shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any Security that has been duly authenticated and delivered by the Trustee.
In case any officer of the Issuer who shall have signed any of the Securities shall cease to be such officer before the Security so signed shall be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or disposed of by the Issuer, such Security nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the person who signed such Security had not ceased to be such officer of the Issuer; and any Security may be signed on behalf of the Issuer by such persons as, at the actual date of the execution of such Security, shall be the proper officers of the Issuer, although at the date of the execution and delivery of this Indenture any such person was not such an officer.
Section 2.6. Certificate of Authentication. Only such Securities as shall bear thereon a certificate of authentication substantially in the form hereinbefore recited, executed by the Trustee by the manual, electronic or facsimile signature of one of its authorized signatories, shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose. The execution of such certificate by the Trustee upon any Security executed by the Issuer shall be conclusive evidence that the Security so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and that the Holder is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
Section 2.7. Denomination and Date of Securities; Payment of Interest. The Securities of each series shall be issuable as Registered Securities in denominations established as contemplated by Section 2.3 or, with respect to the Registered Securities of any series, if not so established, in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. The Securities of each series shall be numbered, lettered or otherwise distinguished in such manner or in accordance with such plan as the officers of the Issuer executing the same may determine, as evidenced by the execution and authentication thereof.
Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Securities of each series shall bear interest, if any, from the date, and such interest shall be payable on the dates, established as contemplated by Section 2.3.
The person in whose name any Registered Security of any series is registered at the close of business on any record date (whether or not a Business Day) applicable to a particular series with respect to any interest payment date for such series shall be entitled to receive the interest, if any, payable on such interest payment date notwithstanding any transfer or exchange of such Registered Security subsequent to the record date and prior to such interest payment date, except if and to the extent the Issuer shall default in the payment of the interest due on such interest payment date for such series, in which case such defaulted interest shall be paid to the persons in whose names Outstanding Registered Securities for such series are registered at the close of business on a subsequent record date (which shall be not less than five Business Days prior to the date of payment of such defaulted interest) established by notice sent by or on behalf of the Issuer to the Holders of Registered Securities not less than 15 days preceding such subsequent record date. The term “record date” as used with respect to any interest payment date (except a date for payment of defaulted interest) for the Securities of any series shall mean the date specified as such in the terms of the Registered Securities of such series established as contemplated by Section 2.3, or, if no such date is so established, if such interest payment date is the first day of a calendar month, the fifteenth day of the preceding calendar month or, if such interest payment date is the fifteenth day of a calendar month, the first day of such calendar month, whether or not such record date is a Business Day.
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Section 2.8. Registration, Transfer and Exchange. (a) The Issuer will keep, or cause to be kept, at each office or agency to be maintained for the purpose as provided in Section 3.2 for each series of Securities a register or registers in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as the Issuer may prescribe, it will provide for the registration of Registered Securities of such series and the registration of transfer of Registered Securities of such series. Such register shall be in written form in the English language or in any other form capable of being converted into such form within a reasonable time. At all reasonable times such register or registers shall be open for inspection by the Trustee.
Upon due presentation for registration of transfer of any Registered Security of any series at any such office or agency to be maintained for the purpose as provided in Section 3.2, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in the name of the transferee or transferees a new Registered Security or Registered Securities of the same series, maturity date, interest rate and original issue date in authorized denominations for a like aggregate principal amount.
At the option of the Holder thereof, Registered Securities of any series (other than a Registered Global Security, except as set forth below) may be exchanged for a Registered Security or Registered Securities of such series having authorized denominations and an equal aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of such Registered Securities to be exchanged at the agency of the Issuer that shall be maintained for such purpose in accordance with Section 3.2 and upon payment, if the Issuer shall so require, of the charges hereinafter provided. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive. All Securities surrendered upon any exchange or transfer provided for in this Indenture shall be promptly cancelled and disposed of by the Trustee in accordance with its regular procedures, and, upon the written request of any officer of the Issuer, the Trustee shall deliver evidence of such cancellation to the Issuer.
All Registered Securities presented for registration of transfer, exchange, redemption or payment shall (if so required by the Issuer or the Trustee) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Issuer and the Trustee duly executed, by the Holder or his attorney duly authorized in writing.
The Issuer or the Registrar may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any exchange or registration of transfer of Securities. No service charge shall be made for any such transaction.
Neither the Issuer nor the Registrar shall be required to exchange or register a transfer of (a) any Securities of any series for a period of 15 days preceding the first sending of notice of redemption of Securities of such series to be redeemed and ending at the close of business on the day such notice of redemption is sent or (b) any Securities selected, called or being called for redemption, in whole or in part, except, in the case of any Security to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not so to be redeemed.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.8, except for exchanges in whole or in part for Securities in definitive registered form, a Registered Global Security representing all or a portion of the Securities of a series may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary for such series to a nominee of such Depositary or by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or by such Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary for such series or a nominee of such successor Depositary.
If at any time the Depositary for any Registered Securities of a series represented by one or more Registered Global Securities notifies the Issuer that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Registered Securities or if at any time the Depositary for such Registered Securities shall no longer be eligible under Section 2.4, the Issuer shall appoint a successor Depositary eligible under Section 2.4 with respect to such Registered Securities. If a successor Depositary eligible under Section 2.4 for such Registered Securities is not appointed by the Issuer within 90 days after the Issuer receives such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, the Issuer’s election pursuant to Section 2.3 that such Registered Securities be represented by one or more Registered Global Securities shall no longer be effective and the Issuer will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Officer’s Certificate for the
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authentication and delivery of definitive Securities of such series, will authenticate and deliver, Securities of such series in definitive registered form without coupons, in any authorized denominations, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Registered Global Security or Securities representing such Registered Securities in exchange for such Registered Global Security or Securities.
The Issuer may at any time and in its sole discretion determine that the Registered Securities of any series issued in the form of one or more Registered Global Securities shall no longer be represented by a Registered Global Security or Securities. In such event the Issuer will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Officer’s Certificate for the authentication and delivery of definitive Securities of such series, will authenticate and deliver, Securities of such series in definitive registered form without coupons, in any authorized denominations, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Registered Global Security or Securities representing such Registered Securities, in exchange for such Registered Global Security or Securities.
If specified by the Issuer pursuant to Section 2.3 with respect to Securities represented by a Registered Global Security, the Depositary for such Registered Global Security may surrender such Registered Global Security in exchange in whole or in part for Securities of the same series in definitive registered form on such terms as are acceptable to the Issuer and such Depositary. Thereupon, the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, without service charge,
(a) to the Person specified by such Depositary a new Registered Security or Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations as requested by such Person, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for such Person’s beneficial interest in the Registered Global Security; and
(b) to such Depositary a new Registered Global Security in a denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Registered Global Security and the aggregate principal amount of Registered Securities authenticated and delivered pursuant to clause (i) above.
Upon the exchange of a Registered Global Security for Securities in definitive registered form without coupons, in authorized denominations, such Registered Global Security shall be cancelled by the Trustee. Securities in definitive registered form without coupons issued in exchange for a Registered Global Security pursuant to this Section 2.8 shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary for such Registered Global Security, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee or an agent of the Issuer or the Trustee. The Trustee or such agent shall deliver such Securities to or as directed by the Persons in whose names such Securities are so registered.
All Securities issued upon any transfer or exchange of Securities shall be valid obligations of the Issuer, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.
All Securities issued in definitive registered form, as described herein, shall be in “registered form” for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Security (including any transfers between or among Depositary participants or beneficial owners of interests in any Registered Global Security) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.
None of the Issuer, Trustee nor any agent shall have any responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary.
Section 2.9. Mutilated, Defaced, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities. In case any temporary or definitive Security shall be mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen, the Issuer in its discretion may execute and, upon the written request of any officer of the Issuer, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, a new Security of the same series, maturity date, interest rate and original issue date, bearing a number or other distinguishing symbol not contemporaneously outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the mutilated or defaced Security, or in lieu of and
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in substitution for the Security so destroyed, lost or stolen. In every case, the applicant for a substitute Security shall furnish to the Issuer and to the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee such security or indemnity as required by them to indemnify and defend and to save each of them harmless and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence to their reasonable satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Security and of the ownership thereof, and in the case of mutilation or defacement shall surrender the Security to the Trustee or such agent.
Upon the issuance of any substitute Security, the Issuer or the Registrar 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) or its agent connected therewith. In case any Security which has matured or is about to mature or has been called for redemption in full shall become mutilated or defaced or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Issuer may, instead of issuing a substitute Security, pay or authorize the payment of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated or defaced Security ), if the applicant for such payment shall furnish to the Issuer and to the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee such security or indemnity as any of them may require to save each of them harmless, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Issuer and the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee evidence to their reasonable satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Security and of the ownership thereof.
Every substitute Security of any series issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section by virtue of the fact that any such Security is destroyed, lost or stolen shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Issuer, 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 (but shall be subject to all the limitations of rights set forth in) this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of such series duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. All Securities shall be held and owned upon the express condition that, to the extent permitted by law, the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, defaced or destroyed, lost or stolen Securities and shall preclude any and all other rights or remedies notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement or payment of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.
Section 2.10. Cancellation of Securities; Disposal Thereof. All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange, or for credit against any payment in respect of a sinking or analogous fund, if any, if surrendered to the Issuer or any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee or any agent of the Trustee, shall be delivered to the Trustee or its agent for cancellation together with an Issuer Order directing the Trustee to cancel, or, if surrendered to the Trustee, shall be cancelled by it; and no Securities shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture. The Trustee or its agent shall dispose of cancelled Securities held by it in accordance with its regular procedures and deliver evidence of such cancellation to the Issuer upon the Issuer’s request in writing. If the Issuer or its agent shall acquire any of the Securities, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the same are delivered to the Trustee or its agent for cancellation.
Section 2.11. Temporary Securities. Pending the preparation of definitive Securities for any series, the Issuer may execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver temporary Securities for such series (printed, lithographed, typewritten or otherwise reproduced, in each case in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee). Temporary Securities of any series shall be issuable as Registered Securities without coupons of any authorized denomination, and substantially in the form of the definitive Securities of such series but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Securities, all as may be determined by the Issuer with the concurrence of the Trustee as evidenced by the execution and authentication thereof. Temporary Securities may contain such references to any provisions of this Indenture as may be appropriate. Every temporary Security shall be executed by the Issuer and be authenticated by the Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with like effect, as the definitive Securities. Without unreasonable delay the Issuer shall execute and shall furnish definitive Securities of such series and thereupon temporary Registered Securities of such series may be surrendered in exchange therefor without charge at each office or agency to be maintained by the Issuer for that purpose pursuant to Section 3.2 and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange for such temporary Securities of such series an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series having authorized denominations. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series, unless otherwise established pursuant to Section 2.3.
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Section 2.12. CUSIP Numbers. The Issuer in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” 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 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 Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.
ARTICLE III
COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER
Section 3.1. Payment of Principal and Interest. The Issuer covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of, and interest on, if any, each of the Securities of such series (together with any additional amounts payable pursuant to the terms of such Securities) at the place or places, at the respective time or times and in the manner provided in such Securities and in this Indenture. The interest, if any, on Registered Securities (together with any additional amounts payable pursuant to the terms of such Securities) shall be payable only to or upon the written order of the Holders thereof and, at the option of the Issuer, may be paid by wire transfer to an account within the United States or by mailing checks for such interest payable to or upon the written order of such Holders at their last addresses as they appear on the Securities register of the Issuer.
Section 3.2. Offices for Payments, Etc. So long as any Registered Securities are authorized for issuance pursuant to this Indenture or are outstanding hereunder, the Issuer will maintain, or may appoint an agent to maintain, an office or agency where the Registered Securities of each series may be presented for payment, where the Securities of each series may be presented for exchange as is provided in this Indenture and, if applicable, pursuant to Section 2.3 and where the Registered Securities of each series may be presented for registration of transfer as in this Indenture provided.
The Issuer will give to the Trustee written notice of the location of each such office or agency and of any change of location thereof. In case the Issuer shall fail to maintain any agency required by this Section or shall fail to give such notice of the location or for any change in the location of any of the above agencies, presentations and demands may be made and notices may be served at the designated office of the Trustee.
The Issuer may from time to time designate one or more additional offices or agencies in the continental United States where the Securities of a series may be presented for payment, where the Securities of that series may be presented for exchange as provided in this Indenture and pursuant to Section 2.3 and where the Registered Securities of that series may be presented for registration of transfer as in this Indenture provided, and the Issuer may from time to time rescind any such designation, as the Issuer may deem desirable or expedient; provided, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Issuer of its obligations to maintain the agencies provided for in this Section. The Issuer shall give to the Trustee prompt written notice of any such designation or rescission thereof.
Section 3.3. Appointment to Fill a Vacancy in Office of Trustee. The Issuer, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 6.10, a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee with respect to each series of Securities hereunder.
Section 3.4. Paying Agents. Whenever the Issuer shall appoint a paying agent other than the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series, it will cause such paying agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section,
(a) that it will hold all sums received by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of or interest on the Securities of such series (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Issuer or by any other obligor on the Securities of such series) in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series or of the Trustee;
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(b) that it will give the Trustee written notice of any failure by the Issuer (or by any other obligor on the Securities of such series) to make any payment of the principal of or interest on the Securities of such series when the same shall be due and payable; and
(c) that it will pay any such sums so held in trust by it to the Trustee upon the Trustee’s written request at any time during the continuance of the failure referred to in the foregoing clause (b).
The Issuer will, on or prior to each due date of the principal of or interest on the Securities of such series, deposit with the paying agent a sum sufficient to pay such principal or interest so becoming due, and (unless such paying agent is the Trustee) the Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action.
If the Issuer shall act as its own paying agent with respect to the Securities of any series, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of or interest on the Securities of such series, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series a sum sufficient to pay such principal or interest so becoming due. The Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any failure to take such action.
Anything in this Section to the contrary notwithstanding, but subject to Section 10.1, the Issuer may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge with respect to one or more or all series of Securities hereunder, or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums held in trust for any such series by the Issuer or any paying agent hereunder, as required by this Section, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the trusts herein contained.
Anything in this Section to the contrary notwithstanding, the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section is subject to the provisions of Sections 10.3 and 10.4.
Section 3.5. Compliance Certificates. The Issuer will furnish to the Trustee on or before the date that is 120 days following the end of each fiscal year (beginning with the fiscal year ended May 31, 2025) an officer’s certificate (which need not comply with Section 11.5) from the principal executive, financial or accounting officer or the treasurer of the Issuer stating that in the course of the performance by the signer of his or her duties as an officer of the Issuer he or she would normally have knowledge of any default or non-compliance by the Issuer in the performance of any covenants or conditions contained in this Indenture, stating whether or not he or she has knowledge of any such default or non-compliance (without regard to notice requirements or grace periods) and, if so, describing each such default or non-compliance of which the signer has knowledge and the nature thereof.
The Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee, as soon as possible and in any event within five days after the Issuer becomes aware of the occurrence of any Event of Default or an event which, with notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default, an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the details of such Event of Default or default and the action which the Issuer proposes to take with respect thereto.
Section 3.6. Corporate Existence. Subject to Article IX, the Issuer will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries; provided, that the Issuer shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, if, in the judgment of the Issuer, the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole and the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Securityholders.
Section 3.7. Calculation of Original Issue Discount. Upon the issuance of an Original Issue Discount Security, the Issuer shall file with the Trustee promptly at the end of each calendar year (i) a written notice specifying the amount of original issue discount (including daily rates and accrual periods) accrued on Outstanding Securities as of the end of such year and (ii) such other specific information relating to such original issue discount as may then be relevant under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
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ARTICLE IV
SECURITYHOLDER LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE
ISSUER AND THE TRUSTEE
Section 4.1. Issuer to Furnish Trustee Information As to Names and Addresses of Securityholders. If and so long as the Trustee shall not be the Registrar for the Securities of any series, the Issuer and any other obligor on the Securities will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee a list in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of the Registered Securities of such series pursuant to Section 312 of the Trust Indenture Act:
(a) semi-annually not more than 5 days after each record date for the payment of interest on such Registered Securities, as hereinabove specified, as of such record date and on dates to be determined pursuant to Section 2.3 for non-interest bearing Registered Securities in each year; and
(b) at such other times as the Trustee may reasonably request in writing, within 30 days after receipt by the Issuer of any such request as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such information is furnished.
Section 4.2. Reports by the Issuer. The Issuer covenants to file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Issuer is required to file the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents, and other reports that the Issuer may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act or pursuant to Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act. Reports, information and documents filed with the SEC via the EDGAR system will be deemed to be delivered to the Trustee as of the time of such filing via EDGAR for purposes of this Section 4.2.
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 actual or constructive notice or knowledge of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuer’s compliance with any covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates).
Section 4.3. Reports by the Trustee.
(a) The Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto. If required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall, within sixty days after each May 15 following the date of the initial issuance of Securities under this Indenture deliver to Holders a brief report, dated as of such May 15, which complies with the provisions of such Section 313(a).
(b) A copy of each such report 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 Issuer. The Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee in writing when the Securities are listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof.
ARTICLE V
REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND
SECURITYHOLDERS ON EVENT OF DEFAULT
Section 5.1. Event of Default Defined, Acceleration of Maturity; Waiver of Default. “Event of Default” with respect to Securities of any series, wherever used herein, means any one of the following events which shall have occurred and be continuing (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):
(a) default in the payment of any installment of interest upon any of the Securities of such series as and when the same shall become due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; provided that, a valid extension of an interest payment period by the Issuer in accordance with the terms of such Securities shall not constitute a failure to pay interest; or
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(b) default in the payment of all or any part of the principal or premium (if any) on any of the Securities of such series as and when the same shall become due and payable either at maturity, upon any redemption, by declaration or otherwise; or
(c) failure on the part of the Issuer duly to observe or perform any other of the covenants or agreements on the part of the Issuer in the Securities of such series or contained in this Indenture (other than a covenant or agreement included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of a series of Securities other than such series) for a period of 90 days after the date on which written notice specifying such failure, stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder and demanding that the Issuer remedy the same, shall have been given by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the Issuer by the Trustee, or to the Issuer and the Trustee by the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of the series to which such covenant or agreement relates; or
(d) a court having jurisdiction in the premises shall enter a decree or order for relief in respect of the Issuer in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of the Issuer for any substantial part of its property or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or
(e) the Issuer shall commence a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or consent to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or consent to the appointment or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of the Issuer or for any substantial part of its or their property, or make any general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or
(f) any other Event of Default provided in the supplemental indenture, Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate under which such series of Securities is established.
If an Event of Default described in clause (a), (b), (c) or (f) occurs with respect to a series of Securities and is continuing, then, and in each and every such case, except for any series of Securities the principal of which shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each such affected series then Outstanding hereunder (each such series voting as a separate class) by notice in writing to the Issuer (and to the Trustee if given by Securityholders), may declare the entire principal (or, if the Securities of such series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) of all Securities of such series, and the interest accrued thereon, if any, to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration, the same shall become immediately due and payable.
If an Event of Default described in clause (d) or (e) above occurs and is continuing, then the principal amount of all the Securities then Outstanding, and the interest accrued thereon, if any, shall become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.
The foregoing provisions are subject to the condition that if, at any time after the principal (or, if the Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal as may be specified in the terms thereof) of the Securities of any series (or of all the Securities, as the case may be) shall have been so declared due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the moneys due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided,
(i) the Issuer shall pay or shall deposit with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay
(1) all amounts payable to the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.6;
(2) all matured installments of interest upon all the Securities of such series (or all the Securities, as the case may be); and
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(3) the principal of any and all Securities of such series (or of all the Securities, as the case may be) which shall have become due otherwise than by acceleration; and
(4) interest upon such principal and, to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law, on overdue installments of interest, at the same rate as the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) specified in the Securities of such series (or at the respective rates of interest or Yields to Maturity of all the Securities, as the case may be) to the date of such payment or deposit; and
(ii) all Events of Default under the Indenture, other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities which shall have become due by acceleration, shall have been cured, waived or otherwise remedied as provided herein,
then and in every such case the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all the Securities of such series voting as a separate class (or of all the Securities, as the case may be, voting as a single class), then Outstanding, by written notice to the Issuer and to the Trustee, may waive all defaults with respect to such series (or with respect to all the Securities, as the case may be) and rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences, but no such waiver or rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent default or shall impair any right consequent thereon.
For all purposes under this Indenture, if a portion of the principal of any Original Issue Discount Securities shall have been accelerated and declared due and payable pursuant to the provisions hereof, then, from and after such declaration, unless such declaration has been rescinded and annulled, the principal amount of such Original Issue Discount Securities shall be deemed, for all purposes hereunder, to be such portion of the principal thereof as shall be due and payable as a result of such acceleration, and payment of such portion of the principal thereof as shall be due and payable as a result of such acceleration, together with interest, if any, thereon and all other amounts owing thereunder, shall constitute payment in full of such Original Issue Discount Securities.
Section 5.2. Collection of Indebtedness by Trustee; Trustee May Prove Debt. The Issuer covenants that (a) in case default shall be made in the payment of any installment of interest on any of the Securities of any series when such interest shall have become due and payable, and such default shall have continued for a period of 30 days, or (b) in case default shall be made in the payment of all or any part of the principal of any of the Securities of any series when the same shall have become due and payable, whether upon maturity of the Securities of such series or upon any redemption or by declaration or otherwise, then upon demand of the Trustee, the Issuer will pay to the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series the whole amount that then shall have become due and payable on all Securities of such series, for principal and interest, as the case may be (with interest to the date of such payment upon the overdue principal and, to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law, on overdue installments of interest at the same rate as the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) specified in the Securities of such series); and in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, and such other amount due the Trustee under Section 6.6 in respect of Securities of such series.
Until such demand is made by the Trustee, the Issuer may pay the principal of and interest on the Securities of any series to the registered Holders, whether or not the Securities of such series be overdue.
In case the Issuer shall fail forthwith to pay such amounts upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any action or proceedings at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute any such action or proceedings to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Issuer or other obligor upon the Securities and collect in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Issuer or other obligor upon the Securities, wherever situated, all the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable.
In case there shall be pending proceedings relative to the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Securities under Title 11 of the United States Code or any other applicable Federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law, or in case a receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization, liquidator, sequestrator or similar official shall have been appointed for or taken possession of the Issuer or its property or such other obligor, or in case of any other comparable judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer or other obligor upon the Securities, or to the creditors or
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property of the Issuer or such other obligor, 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 pursuant to the provisions of this Section, shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise:
(a) to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of principal and interest (or, if the Securities of any series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities of any series, 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 amounts payable to the Trustee under Section 6.6) and of the Securityholders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer or other obligor upon the Securities, or to the creditors or property of the Issuer or such other obligor; and
(b) unless prohibited by applicable law and regulations, to vote on behalf of the holders of the Securities of any series in any election of a receiver, assignee, trustee or a standby trustee in arrangement, reorganization, liquidation or other bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, custodian or other person performing similar functions in respect of any such proceedings; and
(c) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute all amounts received with respect to the claims of the Securityholders and of the Trustee on their behalf; and any trustee, receiver, or liquidator, custodian or other similar official performing similar functions in respect of any such proceedings is hereby authorized by each of the Securityholders to make payments to the Trustee, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of payments directly to the Securityholders, to pay to the Trustee its costs and expenses of collection and all other amounts due to it pursuant to Section 6.6.
Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or vote for or accept or adopt on behalf of any Securityholder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities of any series or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Securityholder in any such proceeding, except as aforesaid in clause (b).
All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the Securities of any series, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities of such series or the production thereof in any trial or other proceedings relative thereto, and any such action or proceedings instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall be awarded to the Trustee for ratable distribution to the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such action was taken, after payment of all sums due to the Trustee under Section 6.6 in respect of such Securities.
Section 5.3. Application of Proceeds. Any moneys collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article in respect of any series of Securities shall be applied in the following order at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such moneys on account of principal or interest, upon presentation of the several Securities in respect of which monies have been collected and stamping (or otherwise noting) thereon the payment, or issuing Securities of such series in reduced principal amounts in exchange for the presented Securities of like series if only partially paid, or upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due to the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee pursuant to this Indenture;
SECOND: In case the principal of the Securities of such series in respect of which moneys have been collected shall not have become and be then due and payable, to the payment of interest on the Securities of such series in default in the order of the maturity of the installments on such interest, with interest (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee and is permitted by applicable law) upon the overdue installments of interest at the same rate as the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) specified in such Securities, such payments to be made ratably to the persons entitled thereto, without discrimination or preference;
THIRD: In case the principal of the Securities of such series in respect of which moneys have been collected shall have become and shall be then due and payable, to the payment of the whole amount then owing and unpaid upon all the Securities of such series for principal and interest, with interest upon the overdue principal, and (to the extent
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that such interest has been collected by the Trustee and is permitted by applicable law) upon the overdue installations of interest at the same rate as the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) specified in the Securities of such series; and in case such moneys shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amount so due and unpaid upon the Securities of such series, then to the payment of such principal and interest or Yield to Maturity, without preference or priority of principal over interest or Yield to Maturity, or of interest or Yield to Maturity over principal, or of any installment of interest over any other installment of interest or of any Security of such series over any other Security of such series, ratably to the aggregate of such principal and accrued and unpaid interest or Yield to Maturity; and
FOURTH: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Issuer or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.
Section 5.4. Suits for Enforcement. In case an Event of Default has occurred, has not been waived and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any of such rights, either at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law.
Section 5.5. Restoration of Rights on Abandonment of Proceedings. In case the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every such case the Issuer and the Trustee shall be restored respectively to their former positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Issuer, the Trustee and the Securityholders shall continue as though no such proceedings had been taken.
Section 5.6. Limitations on Suits by Security Holders. No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to institute any action or proceeding at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise upon or under or with respect to this Indenture or such Security, or for the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official or for any other remedy hereunder or thereunder, unless (a) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and such Holder previously shall have given to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series and of the continuance thereof, as hereinbefore provided, and (b) the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such affected series then Outstanding (treated as a single class) shall have made written request upon the Trustee to institute such action or proceedings in its own name as Trustee hereunder and shall have offered to the Trustee security and/or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against losses, costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby, and (c) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of security and/or indemnity shall have failed to institute any such action or proceeding, and (d) no direction inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to the Trustee pursuant to Section 5.9; it being understood and intended, and being expressly covenanted by the taker and Holder of every Security with every other taker and Holder and the Trustee, that no one or more Holders of Securities of any series shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture or any Security to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other such taker or Holder of Securities (it being understood that the Trustee shall not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not any such direction is unduly prejudicial to any other Holder), or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such taker or Holder or to enforce any right under this Indenture or any Security, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all Holders of Securities of the applicable series. For the protection and enforcement of the provisions of this Section, each and every Securityholder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.
Section 5.7. Unconditional Right of Securityholders to Institute Certain Suits. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture and any provision of any Security, the right of any Holder of any Security to receive payment of the principal of and interest on such Security on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Security or the applicable redemption dates provided for in such Security, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.
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Section 5.8. Powers and Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission Not Waiver of Default. Except as provided in Section 5.6, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.
No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of Securities to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Event of Default occurring and continuing as aforesaid shall impair any such right or power or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every power and remedy given by this Indenture, any Security or law to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or, subject to Section 5.6, by the Holders of Securities.
Section 5.9. Control by Holders of Securities. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of all series affected (all such series voting together as a single class, except with respect to an Event of Default described in clauses (a) or (b) of Section 5.01, in which case each such affected series shall vote as a separate class) at the time Outstanding 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 by this Indenture; provided, that such direction shall not be otherwise than in accordance with law and the provisions of this Indenture; and provided, further, that (subject to the provisions of Section 6.1) the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if (a) the Trustee, being advised by counsel, shall determine that the action or proceeding so directed may not lawfully be taken; or (b) if the Trustee shall determine in good faith that the action or proceedings so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability; or (c) if the Trustee in good faith shall so determine that the actions or forbearances specified in or pursuant to such direction would be unduly prejudicial to the interests of Holders of the Securities of all affected series not joining in the giving of said direction, it being understood that (subject to Section 6.1) the Trustee shall have no duty to ascertain whether or not such actions or forbearances are unduly prejudicial to such Holders.
Nothing in this Indenture shall impair the right of the Trustee to take any action deemed proper by the Trustee and which is not inconsistent with such direction or directions by Securityholders.
Section 5.10. Waiver of Past Defaults. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of all affected series at the time Outstanding (all such series voting as a single class, except with respect to an Event of Default described in clauses (a) or (b) of Section 5.01, in which case each such affected series shall vote as a separate class) may on behalf of the Holders of all such Securities waive any past default or Event of Default described in Section 5.1 and its consequences prior to the declaration of acceleration of the maturity of the Securities of such series as provided in Section 5.1, except a default in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Security affected. In the case of any such waiver, the Issuer, the Trustee and the Holders of all such Securities shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively, and such 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 5.11. Trustee to Give Notice of Default, But May Withhold in Certain Circumstances. The Trustee shall, within ninety (90) days after the occurrence of a default with respect to the Securities of any series, give written notice of all defaults with respect to that series for which the Trustee has received written notice or which is actually known to a Responsible Officer to all Holders of Securities of such series in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, unless such defaults shall have been cured before the sending of such notice (the term “default” for the purpose of this Section being hereby defined to mean any event or condition which is, or with notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default); provided, that, except in the case of default in the payment of the principal of or interest on any of the Securities of such series the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as it in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Securityholders of such series.
Section 5.12. Right of Court to Require Filing of Undertaking to Pay Costs. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his 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
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the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an 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 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Securityholder or group of Securityholders of any series holding in the aggregate more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series, or, in the case of any suit relating to or arising under clause (c) or (f) of Section 5.1 (if the suit relates to Securities of more than one but less than all series), 10% in aggregate principal amount of Securities then Outstanding and affected thereby, or in the case of any suit relating to or arising under clause (c) or (f) (if the suit under clause (c) or (f) relates to all the Securities then Outstanding), or (d) or (e) of Section 5.1, 10% in aggregate principal amount of all Securities then Outstanding, or to any suit instituted by any Securityholder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security on or after the due date expressed in such Security or any date fixed for redemption.
ARTICLE VI
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
Section 6.1. Duties and Responsibilities of the Trustee; During Default; Prior to Default. Prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a particular series and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred with respect to such series, the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture with respect to such series of Securities. In case an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a series has occurred and has not been cured or waived and for which the Trustee has received written notice, the Trustee shall exercise with respect to such series of Securities such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture with respect to such series of Securities, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.
No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that
(a) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default for which the Trustee has received written notice with respect to the Securities of any series and after the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default with respect to such series which may have occurred:
(i) the duties and obligations of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and
(ii) in the absence of negligence and willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any statements, certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such statements, certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein);
(b) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Responsible Officers of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(c) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders pursuant to Section 5.9 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.
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None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers.
The provisions of this Section 6.1 are in furtherance of and subject to Section 315 of the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 6.2. Certain Rights of the Trustee. In furtherance of and subject to the Trust Indenture Act, and subject to Section 6.1:
(a) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, Officer’s Certificate or any other certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon, security or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
(b) any request, direction, order or demand of the Issuer mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate or Issuer Order (unless other evidence in respect thereof is specifically prescribed herein or in the terms established in respect of any series); and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be evidenced to the Trustee by a copy thereof certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Issuer;
(c) the Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection, and any written advice or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel;
(d) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the trusts or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Securityholders pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Securityholders shall have offered to the Trustee security and/or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, losses, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred therein or thereby;
(e) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion, rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;
(f) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default hereunder and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default, the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, appraisal, bond, debenture, note, coupon, security, or other paper or document unless (i) requested in writing so to do by the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of all series affected then Outstanding (treated as one class) or (ii) otherwise provided in the terms of any series of Securities pursuant to Section 2.3; provided, that, the Trustee shall require security and/or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against such losses, costs, expenses or liabilities as a condition to proceeding; the reasonable expenses of every such investigation shall be paid by the Issuer or, if paid by the Trustee or any predecessor trustee, shall be repaid by the Issuer upon demand;
(g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys not regularly in its employ and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any negligence or willful misconduct on the part of any such agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;
(h) the Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Event of Default unless written notice of any event which is in fact an Event of Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office and such notice references the Securities, the Issuer or this Indenture;
(i) the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder;
(j) the Trustee may request that the Issuer deliver a 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 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;
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(k) in no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action;
(l) the Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder;
(m) the Trustee shall not have any duty to calculate or verify any calculations, including but not limited to, any redemption price,; and
(n) the permissive rights or powers of the Trustee to take or refrain from taking any actions enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty of the Trustee.
(o) Under no circumstances shall the Trustee be liable in its individual capacity for the obligations evidenced by the Securities.
Section 6.3. Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals, Disposition of Securities or Application of Proceeds Thereof. The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Issuer, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Issuer of any of the Securities or of the proceeds thereof.
Section 6.4. Trustee and Agents May Hold Securities; Collections, Etc. The Trustee or any agent of the Issuer or of the Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee or such agent and may otherwise deal with the Issuer and receive, collect, hold and retain collections from the Issuer with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee or such agent.
Section 6.5. Moneys Held by Trustee. Subject to the provisions of Section 10.4 hereof, all moneys received by the Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purposes for which they were received, but need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by mandatory provisions of law. Neither the Trustee nor any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee shall be under any liability for interest on any moneys received by it hereunder.
Section 6.6. Compensation and Indemnification of Trustee and Its Prior Claim. The Issuer covenants and agrees to pay to the Trustee from time to time, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, such compensation as the Issuer and the Trustee shall agree in writing (which shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust), and the Issuer covenants and agrees to pay or reimburse the Trustee and each predecessor trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by or on behalf of it in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its counsel and of all agents and other persons not regularly in its employ) except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may arise from its own negligence or willful misconduct, as finally adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction. The Issuer also covenants to indemnify each of the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee and their agents for, and to hold them harmless against, any and all loss, damage, claims, charge, cost, liability or expense, including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee), arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including without limitation expenses and costs (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses and court costs) incurred in connection with any action, claim or suit brought to enforce the Trustee’s right to indemnification and including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Issuer, or any Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, or in connection with enforcing the provisions of this Section, except to the extent that such loss, damage, claim, charge, cost, liability or expense is determined to have been caused by its own negligence or willful misconduct, as finally adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction. When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1(d) or Section 5.1(e), the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law. The obligations of the Issuer under this Section to compensate and indemnify the Trustee and each predecessor trustee
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and to pay or reimburse the Trustee and each predecessor trustee for expenses, disbursements and advances shall constitute additional indebtedness hereunder and shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee. Such additional indebtedness shall be a senior claim and lien prior to that of the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the benefit of the Holders of particular Securities, and the Securities are hereby subordinated to such senior claim.
When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Sections 5.1(d) or 5.1(e) the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable Federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law.
Section 6.7. Right of Trustee to Rely on Officer’s Certificate, Etc. Subject to Sections 6.1 and 6.2, whenever in the administration of the trusts of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or suffering or omitting any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee, and such certificate, in the absence of negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.
Section 6.8. Reserved.
Section 6.9. Qualification of Trustee: Conflicting Interests. The Trustee shall comply with Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 6.10. Persons Eligible for Appointment As Trustee. The Trustee for each series of Securities hereunder shall at all times be a corporation or banking association organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000, and which is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers and is subject to supervision or examination by Federal, state or District of Columbia authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. In case at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in Section 6.11.
The provisions of this Section 6.10 are in furtherance of and subject to Section 310(a) of the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 6.11. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor Trustee. (a) The Trustee, or any trustee or trustees hereafter appointed, may at any time resign with respect to one or more or all series of Securities by giving written notice of resignation to the Issuer. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor trustee or trustees with respect to the applicable series by written instrument in duplicate, executed by authority of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor trustee or trustees. If no successor trustee shall have been so appointed with respect to any series and have accepted appointment within 30 days after the sending of such notice of resignation, the resigning trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction at the expense of the Issuer for the appointment of a successor trustee, or any Securityholder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security or Securities of the applicable series for at least six months may, subject to the provisions of Section 5.12, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any such court for the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor trustee.
(b) In case at any time any of the following shall occur:
(i) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to any series of Securities after written request therefor by the Issuer or by any Securityholder; or
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(ii) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.10 and Section 310(a) of the Trust Indenture Act and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Issuer or by any Securityholder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security or Securities of such series for at least six months; or
(iii) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting with respect to any series of Securities, or shall be adjudged bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver or liquidator 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, the Issuer may remove the Trustee with respect to the applicable series of Securities and appoint a successor trustee for such series by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors of the Issuer, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor trustee, or, subject to the provisions of Section 315(e) of the Trust Indenture Act, any Securityholder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security or Securities 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 and the appointment of a successor trustee with respect to such series. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and so prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee.
(c) The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time outstanding may at any time remove the Trustee with respect to Securities of such series and appoint a successor trustee with respect to the Securities of such series by delivering to the Trustee so removed, to the successor trustee so appointed and to the Issuer the evidence provided for in Section 7.1 of the action in that regard taken by the Securityholders by notice in writing not less than 30 days prior to the effective date of such removal.
(d) Any resignation or removal of the Trustee with respect to any series and any appointment of a successor trustee with respect to such series pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section 6.11 shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee as provided in Section 6.12.
Section 6.12. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor Trustee. Any successor trustee appointed as provided in Section 6.11 shall execute and deliver to the Issuer and to its predecessor trustee an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the predecessor trustee with respect to all or any applicable series shall become effective and such successor trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all rights, powers, duties and obligations with respect to such series of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as trustee for such series hereunder; but, nevertheless, on the written request of the Issuer or of the successor trustee, upon payment of its charges then unpaid, the trustee ceasing to act shall, subject to Section 10.4, pay over to the successor trustee all moneys at the time held by it hereunder and shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor trustee all such rights, powers, duties and obligations. Upon request of any such successor trustee, the Issuer shall execute any and all instruments in writing for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor trustee all such rights and powers. Any trustee ceasing to act shall, nevertheless, retain a prior claim upon all property or funds held or collected by such trustee to secure any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.6.
If a successor trustee is appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Issuer, the predecessor trustee and each successor trustee with respect to the Securities of any applicable series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto which shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the predecessor trustee with respect to the Securities of any series as to which the predecessor trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the predecessor trustee, and 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 and that each such trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts under separate indentures.
No successor trustee with respect to any series of Securities shall accept appointment as provided in this Section 6.12 unless at the time of such acceptance such successor trustee shall be qualified under Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act and eligible under the provisions of Section 6.10.
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Upon acceptance of appointment by any successor trustee as provided in this Section 6.12, the Issuer shall give notice thereof to the Holders by sending such notice to such Holders in accordance with Applicable Procedures. If the acceptance of appointment is substantially contemporaneous with the resignation, then the notice called for by the preceding sentence may be combined with the notice called for by Section 6.11. If the Issuer fails to give such notice within ten days after acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee, the successor trustee shall cause such notice to be given at the expense of the Issuer. The resigning Trustee shall have no responsibility or liability for any action or inaction of a successor Trustee.
Section 6.13. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business of Trustee. Any corporation or banking association into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation or banking association resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation or banking association succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided, that such corporation or banking association shall be qualified under Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act and eligible under the provisions of Section 6.10, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding.
In case at the time such successor to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Securities of any series shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee and deliver such Securities so authenticated; and, in case at that time any of the Securities of any series shall not have been authenticated, any such successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor Trustee; and in all such cases such certificate of authentication shall have the full force which under this Indenture or the Securities of such series it is provided that the certificate of authentication of the Trustee shall have; provided, that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee or to authenticate Securities of any series in the name of any predecessor trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.
Section 6.14. Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Issuer. The Trustee shall comply with Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, excluding any creditor relationship listed in Section 311(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act to the extent indicated.
Section 6.15. Appointment of Authenticating Agent. As long as any Securities of a series remain Outstanding, the Trustee may, by an instrument in writing, appoint with the approval of the Issuer an authenticating agent (the “Authenticating Agent”) which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities, including Securities issued upon exchange, registration of transfer, partial redemption or pursuant to Section 2.9. Securities of each such series authenticated by such Authenticating Agent shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee. Whenever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities of any series by the Trustee or to 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 for such series and a Certificate of Authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by such Authenticating Agent. Such Authenticating Agent shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any State, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 (determined as provided in Section 6.10 with respect to the Trustee) and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or state authority.
Any corporation into which any Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted, or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which any Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency business of any Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be the Authenticating Agent with respect to all series of Securities for which it served as Authenticating Agent without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or such Authenticating Agent. Any Authenticating Agent may at any time, and if it shall cease to be eligible shall, resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Issuer.
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Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time any Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.15 with respect to one or more series of Securities, the Trustee shall upon receipt of an Issuer Order appoint a successor Authenticating Agent, and the Issuer shall provide notice of such appointment to all Holders of Securities of such series in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 11.4. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all rights, powers, duties and responsibilities of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as Authenticating Agent. The Issuer agrees to pay to the Authenticating Agent for such series from time to time reasonable compensation. The Authenticating Agent for the Securities of any series shall have no responsibility or liability for any action taken by it as such at the direction of the Trustee.
Sections 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.6 and 7.3 shall be applicable to any Authenticating Agent.
ARTICLE VII
CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS
Section 7.1. Evidence of Action Taken by Securityholders. Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by a specified percentage in principal amount of the Securityholders of any or all series may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such specified percentage of Securityholders in person or by agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee. Proof of execution of any instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Sections 6.1 and 6.2) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Issuer, if made in the manner provided in this Article.
Section 7.2. Proof of Execution of Instruments and of Holding of Securities. Subject to Sections 6.1 and 6.2, the execution of any instrument by a Securityholder or his agent or proxy may be proved in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Trustee or in such manner as shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee. The holding of Registered Securities shall be proved by the Security register or by a certificate of the Registrar thereof.
Section 7.3. Holders to be Treated As Owners. The Issuer, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee shall deem and treat the person in whose name any Security shall be registered upon the Security register and books of the Registrar for such series as the absolute owner of such Security (whether or not such Security shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing thereon) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of and, subject to the provisions of this Indenture, interest on such Security and for all other purposes; and neither the Issuer nor the Trustee nor any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.
Section 7.4. Securities Owned by Issuer Deemed Not Outstanding. In determining whether the Holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities of any or all series have concurred in any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action by Securityholders under this Indenture, Securities which are owned by the Issuer or any other obligor on the Securities with respect to which such determination is being made or by any person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Issuer or any other obligor on the Securities with respect to which such determination is being made shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding for the purpose of any such determination, except that for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such action only Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Securities or any person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Issuer or any other obligor on the Securities. In case of a dispute as to such right, the advice of counsel shall be full protection in respect of any decision made by the Trustee in accordance with such advice. Upon request of the Trustee, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee promptly an Officer’s Certificate listing and identifying all Securities, if any, known by the Issuer to be owned or held by or for the account of any of the above-described persons; and, subject to Sections 6.1 and 6.2, the Trustee shall be entitled to accept such Officer’s Certificate as conclusive evidence of the facts therein set forth and of the fact that all Securities not listed therein are Outstanding for the purpose of any such determination.
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Section 7.5. Right of Revocation of Action Taken. At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 7.1, of the taking of any action by the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any or all series, as the case may be, specified in this Indenture in connection with such action, any Holder of a Security the serial number of which is shown by the evidence to be included among the serial numbers of the Securities the Holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice at the Corporate Trust Office and upon proof of holding as provided in this Article, revoke such action so far as concerns such Security. Except as aforesaid, any such action taken by the Holder of any Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders and owners of such Security and of any Securities issued in exchange or substitution therefor or on registration of transfer thereof, irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made upon any such Security. Any action taken by the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any or all series, as the case may be, specified in this Indenture in connection with such action shall be conclusively binding upon the Issuer, the Trustee and the Holders of all the Securities affected by such action.
ARTICLE VIII
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
Section 8.1. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Securityholders. The Issuer and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for one or more of the following purposes:
(a) to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge to the Trustee as security for the Securities of one or more series any property or assets;
(b) to evidence the succession of another corporation to the Issuer, or successive successions, and the assumption by the successor corporation of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Issuer pursuant to Article IX;
(c) to add to the covenants of the Issuer such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions as the Issuer shall consider to be for the protection of the Holders of Securities, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in this Indenture as herein set forth; provided, that in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction, condition or provision 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 an Event of Default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such 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;
(d) to add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders (as determined by the Issuer) of all or any series of Securities (and if such additional Events of Default are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such additional Events of Default are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series);
(e) to add one or more guarantees for the benefit of Holders of the Securities;
(f) subject to any limitations established pursuant to Section 2.3, to provide for the issuance of additional Securities of any series;
(g) to comply with the rules of any applicable Depositary;
(h) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertificated form;
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(i) to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture in respect of one or more series of Securities; provided that any such addition, change or elimination (A) shall neither (i) apply to any Security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor (ii) modify the rights of the Holder of any such Security with respect to such provision or (B) shall become effective only when there is no Security described in clause (A)(i) Outstanding;
(j) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Section 10.1; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of such series or any other series of Securities in any material respect;
(k) to comply with the rules or regulations of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which any of the Securities may be listed or traded;
(l) to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary in accordance with any amendments to the Trust Indenture Act;
(m) to cure any ambiguity, defect, omission or inconsistency or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture which may be ambiguous, defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture, or to make any other provisions as the Issuer may deem necessary or desirable, provided, that no such action shall adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series in any material respect, as determined by the Issuer and evidenced to the Trustee in an Officer’s Certificate;
(n) to establish the forms or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 2.1 and 2.3;
(o) 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 6.12; and
(p) to add to, change or eliminate any other provision under this Indenture; provided that such addition, change or elimination pursuant to this clause (p) shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series in any material respect, as determined by the Issuer.
The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Issuer 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 adversely affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section may be executed without the consent of the Holders of any of the Securities at the time Outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 8.2.
Section 8.2. Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Securityholders.
(A) Except as set forth in paragraph (B) below, with the consent (evidenced as provided in Article VII) of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount at the time Outstanding of all series of Securities affected by such supplemental indenture (voting as one class), the Issuer and the Trustee may, from time to time and at any time, enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act as in force and effect at the date of execution thereof) for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each such series.
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(B) No such supplemental indenture shall (i) extend the final maturity of any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof, or premium thereon, if any, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon, or reduce any amount payable on redemption or required repurchase thereof, or make the principal thereof (including any amount in respect of original issue discount), or premium thereon, if any, or interest thereon payable in any coin or currency other than that provided in the Securities or in accordance with the terms thereof, or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon an acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.1 or the amount thereof provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 5.2, or alter the provisions of Section 11.11 or 11.12 or impair or affect the right of any Securityholder to institute suit for the payment thereof when due or, if the Securities provide therefor, any right of repayment at the option of the Securityholder, or modify any provision of this Section 8.2(B), except to provide that certain provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived, in each case without the consent of the Holder of each Security so affected, or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Securities of any series, the consent of the Holders of which is required for any such supplemental indenture, without the consent of the Holders of each Security so affected.
(C) A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.
Upon the request of the Issuer and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of the Holders of the Securities as aforesaid and other documents, if any, required by Section 8.4, the Trustee shall join with the Issuer 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.
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Securityholders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.
Promptly after the execution by the Issuer and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section, the Issuer or, at the Issuer’s written request and expense, the Trustee shall send the Issuer’s notice thereof to the Holders of then Outstanding Registered Securities in accordance with Applicable Procedures. Any failure of the Issuer to give such notice or cause such notice to be given, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture.
Section 8.3. Effect of Supplemental Indenture. Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions hereof, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Issuer and the Holders of Securities of each series affected thereby shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.
Section 8.4. Documents to be Given to Trustee. The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 6.1 and 6.2, shall be provided with an Officer’s Certificate complying with Section 11.5 and an Opinion of Counsel stating that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article VIII is authorized or permitted under the terms of the Indenture and is the valid and binding obligation of the Issuer, enforceable against the Issuer in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions.
Section 8.5. Notation on Securities in Respect of Supplemental Indentures. Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article may bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee for such series as to any matter provided for by such supplemental indenture or as to any action taken by Securityholders. If the Issuer shall so determine, subject to compliance with Section 2.4, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may be prepared by the Issuer, authenticated by the Trustee and delivered in exchange for the Securities of such series then Outstanding. Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue such new Securities shall not affect the validity and effect of such supplemental indenture.
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ARTICLE IX
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OR CONVEYANCE
Section 9.1. Issuer May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms. The Issuer shall not consolidate with or merge into any other Person or transfer or lease all or substantially all of its consolidated properties and assets to any Person, and the Issuer shall not permit any other Person to consolidate with or merge into the Issuer, unless:
(a) either the Issuer shall be the continuing corporation, or the successor corporation or Person (if other than the Issuer) formed by such consolidation or into which the Issuer is merged or to which all or substantially all of the consolidated properties and assets of the Issuer are transferred or leased is a Person organized or formed under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia, and if such entity is not a corporation, a co-obligor of the Securities is a corporation organized or existing under any such laws, and such successor corporation or Person, including such co-obligor, if any, shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of the Issuer under the Securities and this Indenture; and
(b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction and treating any indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Issuer or a Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been incurred by the Issuer or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have happened and be continuing.
Section 9.2. Successor Person Substituted. The successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Issuer is merged or to which such transfer or lease is made shall succeed to and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Issuer under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Issuer herein, and thereafter (except in the case of a lease to another Person) the predecessor shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under the Indenture and the Securities and, in the event of such lease, any such predecessor may be dissolved and liquidated.
Section 9.3. Opinion of Counsel to be Given to Trustee. The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 6.1 and 6.2, shall be provided with an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that any such consolidation, merger, lease or transfer, and any such assumption, complies with the provisions of this Article IX.
ARTICLE X
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; UNCLAIMED MONEYS
Section 10.1. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
(a) If at any time (i) the Issuer shall have paid or caused to be paid the principal of and interest on all the Securities of any series Outstanding hereunder (other than Securities of such series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.9) as and when the same shall have become due and payable, or (ii) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee for cancellation all Securities of any series theretofore authenticated (other than any Securities of such series which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.9) or (iii) in the case of any series of Securities where the exact amount (including the currency of payment) of principal of and interest due on which can be determined at the time of making the deposit referred to in clause (b) below, (a) all the Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation shall have become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption, and (b) the Issuer shall have irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust the entire amount in (i) cash (other than moneys repaid by the Trustee or any paying agent to the Issuer in accordance with Section 10.4), (ii) in the case of any series of Securities the payments on which may only be made in Dollars, direct obligations of the United States of America, backed by its full faith and credit (“U.S. Government Obligations”), maturing as to principal and interest at
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such times and in such amounts as will insure the availability of cash sufficient (without reinvestment of any interest earned thereon) in the opinion or based on the report of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, investment bank or appraisal firm to pay at such maturity or upon such redemption, as the case may be, or (iii) a combination thereof, sufficient (without reinvestment of any interest earned thereon), in the opinion or based on the report of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, investment bank or appraisal firm expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay (x) the principal and interest on all Securities of such series on each date that such principal or interest is due and payable and (y) any mandatory sinking fund payments on the dates on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Securities of such series; provided, that in the case of any redemption at a price or premium to be calculated based off the Treasury rate or similar rate, the amount deposited with the Trustee shall be sufficient for purposes of this Indenture to the extent that such amount is equal to the price or premium calculated as of the date of the notice of redemption, with any deficit on the date of redemption only required to be deposited with the Trustee on or prior to the date of redemption; and if, in any such case, the Issuer shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Issuer with respect to the Securities of such series, then this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect (except as to (i) rights of registration of transfer and exchange of Securities of such Series pursuant to Section 2.8, (ii) substitution of mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities, (iii) rights of holders of Securities to receive payments of principal thereof and interest thereon, upon the original stated due dates therefor (but not upon acceleration), and remaining rights of the Holders to receive mandatory sinking fund payments, if any, (iv) any optional redemption rights of such series of Securities to the extent to be exercised to make such call for redemption within one year, (v) the rights, obligations, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder, including those under Section 6.6, (vi) the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series as beneficiaries hereof with respect to the property so deposited with the Trustee payable to all or any of them, and (vii) the obligations of the Issuer under Section 3.2) and the Trustee, on demand of the Issuer accompanied by an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel and at the cost and expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging such satisfaction of and discharging this Indenture; provided, that the rights of Holders of the Securities to receive amounts in respect of principal of and interest on the Securities held by them shall not be delayed longer than required by then-applicable mandatory rules or policies of any securities exchange upon which the Securities are listed. The Issuer agrees to reimburse the Trustee for any costs or expenses thereafter reasonably and properly incurred and to compensate the Trustee for any services thereafter reasonably and properly rendered by the Trustee in connection with this Indenture or the Securities of such series.
(b) The following provisions shall apply to the Securities of each series unless specifically otherwise provided in a Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate or indenture supplemental hereto provided pursuant to Section 2.3. In addition to discharge of the Indenture pursuant to the next preceding paragraph, in the case of any series of Securities the exact amounts (including the currency of payment) of principal of and interest due on which can be determined at the time of making the deposit referred to in clause (i) below, the Issuer shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness on all the Securities of such a series on the date of the deposit referred to in subparagraph (i) below, and the provisions of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series shall no longer be in effect (except as to (i) rights of registration of transfer and exchange of Securities of such series pursuant to Section 2.8 (ii) substitution of mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities, (iii) rights of Holders of Securities to receive payments of principal thereof and interest thereon, upon the original stated due dates therefor (but not upon acceleration), and remaining rights of the Holders to receive mandatory sinking fund payments, if any, (iv) any optional redemption rights of such series of Securities, (v) the rights, obligations, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder, (vi) the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series as beneficiaries hereof with respect to the property so deposited with the Trustee payable to all or any of them and (vii) the obligations of the Issuer under Section 3.2) and the Trustee, at the expense of the Issuer, shall at the Issuer’s request, execute proper instruments acknowledging the same, if
(i) with reference to this provision the Issuer has irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series (i) cash in an amount, or (ii) in the case of any series of Securities the payments on which may only be made in Dollars, U.S. Government Obligations (without reinvestment of interest earned thereon), maturing as to principal and interest at such times and in such amounts as will insure the availability of cash or (iii) a combination thereof, sufficient (without reinvestment of interest earned thereon), in the opinion or based on the report of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, investment bank or appraisal firm expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay (A) the principal and
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interest on all Securities of such series on each date that such principal or interest is due and payable and (B) any mandatory sinking fund payments on the dates on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Securities of such series; provided, that before such a deposit the Issuer may make arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of Securities at a future date or dates in accordance with Article XII, which shall be given effect in applying the foregoing; and provided, further, that in the case of any redemption at a price or premium to be calculated based off the Treasury rate or similar rate, the amount deposited with the Trustee shall be sufficient for purposes of this Indenture to the extent that such amount is equal to the price or premium calculated as of the date of the notice of redemption, with any deficit on the date of redemption only required to be deposited with the Trustee on or prior to the date of redemption;
(ii) no Event of Default or event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default with respect to the Securities shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit;
(iii) such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any agreement or instrument to which the Issuer is a party or by which it is bound;
(iv) the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel based on the fact that (x) the Issuer has received from, or there has been published by, the IRS a ruling or (y) since the date hereof, there has been a change in the applicable United States federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and such opinion shall confirm that, the beneficial owners of the Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times, as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred; and
(v) the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for relating to the defeasance contemplated by this provision have been complied with.
(c) The Issuer shall be released from its obligations under Sections 3.6 and 9.1 and unless otherwise provided for in the Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate or Indenture supplemental hereto establishing such series of Securities, from all covenants and other obligations referred to in Section 2.3(18) or Section 2.3(22) with respect to such series of Securities outstanding on and after the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “covenant defeasance”). For this purpose, such covenant defeasance means that, with respect to the Outstanding Securities of any series, the Issuer may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in such Section, whether directly or indirectly by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to such Section or by reason of any reference in such Section to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute an Event of Default under Section 5.1, but the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby. The following shall be the conditions to application of this subsection C of this Section 10.1:
(i) The Issuer has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee 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 the Securities of such series, (i) cash in an amount, or (ii) in the case of any series of Securities the payments on which may only be made in Dollars, U.S. Government Obligations maturing as to principal and interest at such times and in such amounts as will insure the availability of cash or (iii) a combination thereof, sufficient, in the opinion or based on the report of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, investment bank or appraisal firm expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay (A) the principal and interest on all Securities of such series and (B) any mandatory sinking fund payments on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Securities of such series; provided, that before such a deposit the Issuer may make arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of Securities at a future date or dates in accordance with Article XII, which shall be given effect in applying the foregoing; and provided, further, that in the case of any redemption at a price or premium to be calculated based off the Treasury rate or similar rate, the amount deposited with the Trustee shall be sufficient for purposes of this Indenture to the extent that such amount is equal to the price or premium calculated as of the date of the notice of redemption, with any deficit on the date of redemption only required to be deposited with the Trustee on or prior to the date of redemption;
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(ii) No Event of Default or event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default with respect to the Securities shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit;
(iii) Such covenant defeasance shall not cause the Trustee to have a conflicting interest as defined in Section 6.9 and for purposes of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to any securities of the Issuer;
(iv) Such covenant defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under any agreement or instrument to which the Issuer is a party or by which it is bound;
(v) Such covenant defeasance shall not cause any Securities then listed on any registered national securities exchange under the Exchange Act to be delisted;
(vi) The Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the beneficial owners of the Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and will be subject to United States 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; and
(vii) The Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for relating to the covenant defeasance contemplated by this provision have been complied with.
Section 10.2. Application by Trustee of Funds Deposited for Payment of Securities. Subject to Section 10.4, all moneys deposited with the Trustee (or other trustee) pursuant to Section 10.1 shall be held in trust and applied by it to the payment, either directly or through any paying agent (including the Issuer acting as its own paying agent), to the Holders of the particular Securities of such series for the payment or redemption of which such moneys have been deposited with the Trustee, of all sums due and to become due thereon for principal and interest; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
Section 10.3. Repayment of Moneys Held by Paying Agent. In connection with the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to Securities of any series, all moneys then held by any paying agent under the provisions of this Indenture with respect to such series of Securities shall, upon demand of the Issuer, be repaid to it or paid to the Trustee and thereupon such paying agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such moneys.
Section 10.4. Return of Moneys Held by Trustee and Paying Agent Unclaimed for Two Years. Any moneys deposited with or paid to the Trustee or any paying agent for the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security of any series and not applied but remaining unclaimed for two years after the date upon which such principal or interest shall have become due and payable, shall, upon the written request of the Issuer and unless otherwise required by mandatory provisions of applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property law, be repaid to the Issuer by the Trustee for such series or such paying agent, and the Holder of the Securities of such series shall, unless otherwise required by mandatory provisions of applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property laws, thereafter look only to the Issuer for any payment which such Holder may be entitled to collect, and all liability of the Trustee or any paying agent with respect to such moneys shall thereupon cease.
Section 10.5. Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations. The Issuer shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 10.1 or the principal or interest received in respect of such obligations other than any payable by or on behalf of any Holder.
ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 11.1. Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers and Directors of Issuer Exempt From Individual Liability. No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture, or in any Security, or because of any indebtedness evidenced thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, as such, or against any past, present or future stockholder, officer or director, as such, of the Issuer or of any successor, either directly or through
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the Issuer or any successor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the acceptance of the Securities by the Holders thereof and as part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.
Section 11.2. Provisions of Indenture for the Sole Benefit of Parties and Holders of Securities. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, expressed or implied, shall give or be construed to give to any person, firm or corporation, other than the parties thereto and their successors and the Holders of the Securities, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture or under any covenant or provision herein contained, all such covenants and provisions being for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and of the Holders of the Securities.
Section 11.3. Successors and Assigns of Issuer Bound by Indenture. All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Indenture contained by or in behalf of the Issuer shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
Section 11.4. Notices and Demands on Issuer, Trustee and Holders of Securities. Any notice, request, direction, consent or communication made pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture or the Securities shall be in writing and delivered in person, sent by electronic mail in pdf format, delivered by commercial courier service or mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address of the Issuer is filed by the Issuer with the Trustee) to:
Paychex, Inc.
911 Panorama Trail South
Rochester, NY 14625
Attention: Prabha Sipi Bhandari, Chief Legal Officer
Telephone: (585) 385-6666
with a copy to
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
450 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Attention: Richard D. Truesdell, Jr.
Telephone: (212) 450-4000
and to the Trustee at
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.
4655 Salisbury Road, Suite 300,
Jacksonville, FL 32256
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration—Paychex, Inc.
Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of Registered Securities, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class mail, postage prepaid, to each Holder entitled thereto, at his last address as it appears in the Security register.
The Trustee shall have the right to accept and act upon instructions, including funds transfer instructions (“Instructions”) given pursuant to this Indenture and delivered using Electronic Means; provided, however, that the Issuer shall provide to the Trustee an incumbency certificate listing officers with the authority to provide such Instructions (“Authorized Officers”) and containing specimen signatures of such Authorized Officers, which incumbency certificate shall be amended by the Issuer whenever a person is to be added or deleted from the listing. If the Issuer elects to give the Trustee Instructions using Electronic Means and the Trustee in its discretion elects to act upon such Instructions, the Trustee’s understanding of such Instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Issuer understands and agrees that the Trustee cannot determine the identity of the actual sender of such Instructions and that the Trustee shall conclusively presume that directions that purport to have been sent by an Authorized Officer listed on the incumbency certificate provided to the Trustee have been sent by such Authorized Officer. The Issuer
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shall be responsible for ensuring that only Authorized Officers transmit such Instructions to the Trustee and that the Issuer and all Authorized Officers are solely responsible to safeguard the use and confidentiality of applicable user and authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys upon receipt by the Issuer. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such Instructions notwithstanding such directions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. The Issuer agrees: (i) to assume all risks arising out of the use of Electronic Means to submit Instructions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized Instructions, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties; (ii) that it is fully informed of the protections and risks associated with the various methods of transmitting Instructions to the Trustee and that there may be more secure methods of transmitting Instructions than the method(s) selected by the Issuer; (iii) that the security procedures (if any) to be followed in connection with its transmission of Instructions provide to it a commercially reasonable degree of protection in light of its particular needs and circumstances; and (iv) to notify the Trustee immediately upon learning of any compromise or unauthorized use of the security procedures.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Security of any series other than a provision that expressly states that this paragraph is not applicable to the Securities of such series, when this Indenture or any Security provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption) to a Holder of Securities in global form (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary for such Security (or its designee) pursuant to the customary procedures of such Depositary.
In any case where notice to such Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. 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 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.
In case, by reason of the suspension of or irregularities in regular mail service, it shall be impracticable to mail notice to the Issuer when such notice is required to the given pursuant to any provision of this Indenture, then any manner of giving such notice as shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee shall be deemed to be a sufficient giving of such notice.
Section 11.5. Officer’s Certificates and Opinions of Counsel; Statements to be Contained Therein. Upon any application or demand by the Issuer to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent 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 have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or demand as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or demand, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.
Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include (a) a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition, (b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based, (c) a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with and (d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
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.
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Any certificate, statement or opinion of an officer of the Issuer may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of or representations by counsel, unless such officer knows that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate, statement or opinion may be based as aforesaid are erroneous, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know that the same are erroneous. Any certificate, statement or opinion of counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters or information with respect to which is in the possession of the Issuer, upon the certificate, statement or opinion of or representations by an officer or officers of the Issuer, unless such counsel knows that the certificate, statement or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate, statement or opinion may be based as aforesaid are erroneous, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know that the same are erroneous.
Any certificate, statement or opinion of an officer of the Issuer or of counsel may be based upon a certificate, report or opinion of or representations by an accountant, firm of accountants, investment bank or appraisal firm, unless such officer or counsel, as the case may be, knows that the certificate, report or opinion of or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate, statement or opinion may be based as aforesaid are erroneous, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know that the same 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, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.
Any certificate, report or opinion of any independent firm of public accountants filed with and directed to the Trustee shall contain a statement that such firm is independent.
Section 11.6. Payments Due on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays. If the date of maturity of interest on or principal of the Securities of any series or the date fixed for redemption or repayment of any such Security shall not be a Business Day, then payment of interest or principal need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the date of maturity or the date fixed for redemption, and no additional interest shall accrue for the period after such date.
Section 11.7. Conflict of Any Provision of Indenture With Trust Indenture Act. If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with duties imposed by, or with another provision (an “incorporated provision”) included in this Indenture by operation of Sections 310 to 318, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties or incorporated provision shall control.
Section 11.8. New York Law to Govern; Waiver of Jury Trial. THIS INDENTURE AND EACH SECURITY SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE A CONTRACT UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AND FOR ALL PURPOSES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF SUCH STATE.
EACH OF THE ISSUER AND THE TRUSTEE, AND THE HOLDERS BY THEIR ACCEPTANCE OF THE SECURITIES, 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.
Section 11.9. Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original; but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.
Section 11.10. Effect of Headings. The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
Section 11.11. Securities in a Foreign Currency. Unless otherwise specified in an Officer’s Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.3 of this Indenture with respect to a particular series of Securities, whenever for purposes of this Indenture any action may be taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of Securities of all series or all series affected by a particular action at the time Outstanding and, at such time, there are Outstanding Securities of any series which are denominated in a Foreign Currency, then the principal amount of
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Securities of such series which shall be deemed to be Outstanding for the purpose of taking such action shall be that amount of Dollars that could be obtained for such amount at the “Market Exchange Rate”. For purposes of this Section 11.11, Market Exchange Rate shall mean the noon Dollar buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers of such currency or currencies as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as of the most recent available date. If such Market Exchange Rate is not available for any reason with respect to such currency, the paying agent shall use, as determined by a calculation agent appointed by the Issuer, such quotation of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or quotations from one or more major banks in The City of New York or in the country of issue of the currency in question, which for purposes of the euro shall be any member state of the European Union that has adopted the euro, as such calculation agent shall deem appropriate. The provisions of this paragraph shall apply in determining the equivalent principal amount in respect of Securities of a series denominated in a currency other than Dollars in connection with any action taken by Holders of Securities pursuant to the terms of this Indenture. Any determination of the calculation agent shall be communicated to the paying agent and Trustee in writing. The paying agent and Trustee will be entitled to conclusively rely thereon without any liability. Neither the paying agent nor the Trustee will have any obligation to determine a quotation contemplated by this Section.
All decisions and determinations of the paying agent regarding the Market Exchange Rate or any alternative determination provided for in the preceding paragraph shall be in its sole discretion and shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive to the extent permitted by law for all purposes and irrevocably binding upon the Issuer and all Holders.
Section 11.12. Judgment Currency. All payments made under this Indenture shall be made in Dollars unless otherwise specified in the applicable Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate or Supplemental Indenture applicable to a series of Securities. The Issuer 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 interest on the Securities of any series which are denominated in a Foreign Currency (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in Dollars or another 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 paying agent could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered, unless such day is not a New York Banking Day, then, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the paying agent could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the New York Banking Day preceding the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered, in any case which shall be determined by a calculation agent appointed by the Issuer, 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 subsection (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 required by law or executive order to close. Any determination of the calculation agent shall be communicated to the paying agent and Trustee in writing. The paying agent and Trustee will be entitled to conclusively rely thereon without any liability. Neither the paying agent nor the Trustee will have any obligation to determine a quotation contemplated by this Section.
Section 11.13. Reserved.
Section 11.14. Force Majeure. 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, pandemics and epidemics, 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.
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Section 11.15. U.S.A. PATRIOT Act. The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act.
Section 11.16. Submission to Jurisdiction. The Issuer hereby irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of any New York State court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York or any federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York in respect of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Indenture, the Guarantees and the Notes, and irrevocably accepts for itself and in respect of its property, generally and unconditionally, jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts.
Section 11.17. FATCA. The Issuer agrees (i) to provide the Trustee with such reasonable information as it has in its possession to enable the Trustee to determine whether any payments pursuant to the Indenture are subject to the withholding requirements described in Section 1471(b) of the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”) or otherwise imposed pursuant to Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code and any regulations, or agreements thereunder or official interpretations thereof (“Applicable Law”), and (ii) that the Trustee shall be entitled to make any withholding or deduction from payments under the Indenture to the extent necessary to comply with Applicable Law, for which the Trustee shall not have any liability.
ARTICLE XII
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES AND SINKING FUNDS
Section 12.1. Applicability of Article. The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to the Securities of any series which are redeemable before their maturity or to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.3 for Securities of such series.
Section 12.2. Notice of Redemption; Partial Redemptions. Notice of redemption to the Holders of Registered Securities of any series to be redeemed as a whole or in part at the option of the Issuer shall be given by sending notice of such redemption, at least 10 days and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption, to such Holders of Securities of such series in accordance with Applicable Procedures, except that redemption notices may be delivered more than 60 days prior to a redemption if the notice is issued in connection with defeasance, covenant defeasance or discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Section 10.1. Any notice which is sent in accordance with Applicable Procedures shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives the notice. Any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Security of a series designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of such Security of such series.
The notice of redemption to each such Holder shall identify the Securities to be redeemed (including CUSIP number(s)) and specify the aggregate principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed, the date fixed for redemption, the redemption price, the place or places of payment, that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Securities, that such redemption is pursuant to the mandatory or optional sinking fund, or both, if such be the case, that interest accrued to, but not including, the date fixed for redemption will be paid as specified in such notice and that on and after said date interest thereon or on the portions thereof to be redeemed will cease to accrue. In case any Security of a series is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption to Holders of Securities of the series shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and shall state that on and after the date fixed for redemption, upon surrender of such Security, a new Security or Securities of such series in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued.
The notice of redemption of Securities of any series to be redeemed at the option of the Issuer shall be given by the Issuer or, at the Issuer’s request at least five (5) Business Days prior to the date the notice must be mailed to Holders (unless the Trustee otherwise agrees to a shorter period), by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuer.
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On or before 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the redemption date specified in the notice of redemption given as provided in this Section, the Issuer will deposit with the Trustee or with one or more paying agents (or, if the Issuer is acting as its own paying agent, set aside, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 3.4) an amount of money sufficient to redeem on the redemption date all the Securities of such series so called for redemption at the appropriate redemption price, together with accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption.
If less than all the Securities of a series are to be redeemed, in the case of certificated Securities the Trustee shall select, by lot the Securities of such series to be redeemed, and in the case of Securities in the form of Global Securities, the Securities to be redeemed shall be selected in accordance with the applicable policies and procedures of the Depositary. Securities may be redeemed in part in multiples equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of such series or any multiple thereof. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuer in writing of the Securities of such series selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities of such series 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 of any series shall relate, in the case of any Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Security which has been or is to be redeemed.
Section 12.3. Payment of Securities Called for Redemption. If notice of redemption has been given as above provided, the Securities or portions of Securities specified in such notice shall become due and payable on the date and at the place stated in such notice at the applicable redemption price, together with interest accrued to, but not including, the date fixed for redemption, and on and after said date (unless the Issuer shall default in the payment of such Securities at the redemption price, together with interest accrued to said date) interest on the Securities or portions of Securities so called for redemption shall cease to accrue, and, except as provided in Sections 6.5 and 10.4, such Securities shall cease from and after the date fixed for redemption to be entitled to any benefit or security under this Indenture, and the Holders thereof shall have no right in respect of such Securities except the right to receive the redemption price thereof and unpaid interest to the date fixed for redemption. On presentation and surrender of such Securities at a place of payment specified in said notice, said Securities or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Issuer at the applicable redemption price, together with interest accrued thereon to the date fixed for redemption; provided, that payment of interest becoming due on or prior to, but not including, the date fixed for redemption shall be payable to the Holder of such Registered Securities registered as such on the relevant record date, subject to the terms and provisions of Section 2.3 and 2.7 hereof.
If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal shall, until paid or duly provided for, bear interest from the date fixed for redemption at the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security) borne by such Security.
Upon presentation of any Security redeemed in part only, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to or on the order of the Holder thereof, at the expense of the Issuer, a new Security or Securities of such series, of authorized denominations, in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Security so presented.
Section 12.4. Exclusion of Certain Securities From Eligibility for Selection for Redemption. Subject to the Applicable Procedures, Securities shall be excluded from eligibility for selection for redemption if they are identified by registration and certificate number in an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee at least 40 days prior to the last date on which notice of redemption may be given as being owned of record and beneficially by, and not pledged or hypothecated by, either (a) the Issuer or (b) an entity specifically identified in such written statement as directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Issuer.
Section 12.5. Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds. The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of the 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 the Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.” The date on which a sinking fund payment is to be made is herein referred to as the “sinking fund payment date.”
In lieu of making all or any part of any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to any series of Securities in cash, the Issuer may at its option (a) deliver to the Trustee Securities of such series theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired (except upon redemption pursuant to the mandatory sinking fund) by the Issuer or receive credit for Securities of such series (not previously so credited) theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired (except as aforesaid) by the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee for cancellation pursuant to Section 2.10, (b) receive credit for
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optional sinking fund payments (not previously so credited) made pursuant to this Section, or (c) receive credit for Securities of such series (not previously so credited) redeemed by the Issuer through any optional redemption provision contained in the terms of such series. Securities so delivered or credited shall be received or credited by the Trustee at the sinking fund redemption price specified in such Securities.
On or before the 60th day next preceding each sinking fund payment date for any series, the Issuer will deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate (which need not contain the statements required by Section 11.5) (a) specifying the portion of the mandatory sinking fund payment to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion to be satisfied by credit of Securities of such series and the basis for such credit, (b) stating that none of the Securities of such series has theretofore been so credited, (c) stating that no defaults in the payment of interest or Events of Default with respect to such series have occurred (which have not been waived or cured) and are continuing and (d) stating whether or not the Issuer intends to exercise its right to make an optional sinking fund payment with respect to such series and, if so, specifying the amount of such optional sinking fund payment which the Issuer intends to pay on or before the next succeeding sinking fund payment date. Any Securities of such series to be credited and required to be delivered to the Trustee in order for the Issuer to be entitled to credit therefor as aforesaid which have not theretofore been delivered to the Trustee shall be delivered for cancellation pursuant to Section 2.10 to the Trustee with such Officer’s Certificate (or reasonably promptly thereafter if acceptable to the Trustee). Such Officer’s Certificate shall be irrevocable and upon its receipt by the Trustee, the Issuer shall become unconditionally obligated to make all the cash payments or payments therein referred to, if any, on or before the next succeeding sinking fund payment date. Failure of the Issuer, on or before any such 60th day, to deliver such Officer’s Certificate and Securities specified in this paragraph, if any, shall not constitute a default but shall constitute, on and as of such date, the irrevocable election of the Issuer (i) that the mandatory sinking fund payment for such series due on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date shall be paid entirely in cash without the option to deliver or credit Securities of such series in respect thereof and (ii) that the Issuer will make no optional sinking fund payment with respect to such series as provided in this Section.
If the sinking fund payment or payments (mandatory or optional or both) to be made in cash on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date plus any unused balance of any preceding sinking fund payments made in cash shall exceed $50,000 (or the equivalent thereof in any Foreign Currency) or a lesser sum in Dollars (or the equivalent thereof in any Foreign Currency) if the Issuer shall so request with respect to the Securities of any particular series, such cash shall be applied on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date to the redemption of Securities of such series at the sinking fund redemption price together with accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption. If such amount shall be $50,000 (or the equivalent thereof in any Foreign Currency) or less and the Issuer makes no such request then it shall be carried over until a sum in excess of $50,000 (or the equivalent thereof in any Foreign Currency) is available. The Trustee shall select, in the manner provided in Section 12.2, for redemption on such sinking fund payment date a sufficient principal amount of Securities of such series to absorb said cash, as nearly as may be, and shall (if requested in writing by the Issuer) inform the Issuer of the serial numbers of the Securities of such series (or portions thereof) so selected. Subject to the Applicable Procedures, Securities shall be excluded from eligibility for redemption under this Section if they are identified by registration and certificate number in an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee at least 60 days prior to the sinking fund payment date as being owned of record and beneficially by, and not pledged or hypothecated by, either (a) the Issuer or (b) an entity specifically identified in such Officer’s Certificate as directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Issuer. The Trustee, in the name and at the expense of the Issuer (or the Issuer, if it shall so request the Trustee in writing) shall cause notice of redemption of the Securities of such series to be given in substantially the manner provided in Section 12.2 (and with the effect provided in Section 12.3) for the redemption of Securities of such series in part at the option of the Issuer. The amount of any sinking fund payments not so applied or allocated to the redemption of Securities of such series shall be added to the next cash sinking fund payment for such series and, together with such payment, shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of this Section. Any and all sinking fund moneys held on the stated maturity date of the Securities of any particular series (or earlier, if such maturity is accelerated), which are not held for the payment or redemption of particular Securities of such series shall be applied, together with other moneys, if necessary, sufficient for the purpose, to the payment of the principal of, and interest on, the Securities of such series at maturity.
On or before each sinking fund payment date, the Issuer shall pay to the Trustee in cash or shall otherwise provide for the payment of all interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption on Securities to be redeemed on the next following sinking fund payment date.
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The Trustee shall not redeem or cause to be redeemed any Securities of a series with sinking fund moneys or give any notice of redemption of Securities for such series by operation of the sinking fund during the continuance of a default in payment of interest on such Securities or of any Event of Default except that, where the giving of notice of redemption of any Securities shall theretofore have been made, the Trustee shall redeem or cause to be redeemed such Securities, provided that it shall have received from the Issuer a sum sufficient for such redemption. Except as aforesaid, any moneys in the sinking fund for such series at the time when any such default or Event of Default shall occur, and any moneys thereafter paid into the sinking fund, shall, during the continuance of such default or Event of Default be deemed to have been collected under Article V and held for the payment of all such Securities. In case such Event of Default shall have been waived as provided in Section 5.10 or the default cured on or before the sixtieth day preceding the sinking fund payment date in any year, such moneys shall thereafter be applied on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date in accordance with this Section to the redemption of such Securities.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
| PAYCHEX, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Robert L. Schrader | |
| Name: | Robert L. Schrader | |
| Title: | Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | |
| THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee | ||
| By: | /s/ Nathan Turner | |
| Name: | Nathan Turner | |
| Title: | Vice President | |
[Signature Page to Indenture]
Exhibit 4.2
Execution Version
PAYCHEX, INC.
AND
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,
as Trustee
FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
Dated as of April 10, 2025
$1,500,000,000 5.100% Senior Notes due 2030
$1,500,000,000 5.350% Senior Notes due 2032
$1,200,000,000 5.600% Senior Notes due 2035
FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of April 10, 2025 between Paychex, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, as trustee (the “Trustee”):
WHEREAS, the Company and the Trustee executed and delivered an Indenture, dated as of April 10, 2025 (the “Base Indenture” and, as supplemented hereby, the “Indenture”), to provide for the issuance by the Company from time to time of senior debt securities evidencing its unsecured indebtedness, to be issued in one or more series as provided in the Base Indenture;
WHEREAS, the Company has authorized the issuance of a series of securities evidencing its senior indebtedness, consisting initially of $1,500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.100% Senior Notes due 2030 (the “2030 Notes”), $1,500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.350% Senior Notes due 2032 (the “2032 Notes”) and $1,200,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.600% Senior Notes due 2035 (the “2035 Notes” and, together with the 2030 Notes and the 2032 Notes, the “Notes”);
WHEREAS, the entry into this First Supplemental Indenture by the parties hereto is in all respects authorized by the provisions of the Base Indenture;
WHEREAS, the Company desires to establish the respective terms of the Notes in accordance with Section 2.3 of the Base Indenture and to establish the forms of the Notes in accordance with Section 2.1 of the Base Indenture; and
WHEREAS, all acts and requirements necessary to make this First Supplemental Indenture a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Notes by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed as follows for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes:
ARTICLE 1
Section 1.01. Additional Defined Terms. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this First Supplemental Indenture shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Base Indenture. In addition, as used herein, the following defined terms shall have the following meanings with respect to the Notes only:
“Acquisition” means the Company’s pending acquisition of Paycor HCM, Inc. pursuant to the Merger Agreement.
“Aggregate Debt” means the sum of the following, as of the date of determination: (1) the aggregate principal amount of the Company’s and its domestic wholly owned subsidiaries’ Indebtedness incurred after the Initial Issuance Date and secured by Liens not permitted by the first paragraph under Section 1.02(u)(i)and (2) the Company’s and its domestic wholly owned subsidiaries’ Attributable Debt in respect of sale and leaseback transactions entered into after the Initial Issuance Date pursuant to the second paragraph of Section 1.02(u)(ii).
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“Applicable Par Call Date” means (1) with respect to the 2030 Notes, March 15, 2030, (2) with respect to the 2032 Notes, February 15, 2032 and (3) with respect to the 2035 Notes, January 15, 2035.
“Attributable Debt” means, with respect to any sale and leaseback transaction, at the time of determination, the lesser of (1) the fair market value of such Principal Property as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, and (2) the total obligation (discounted to the present value at the implicit interest factor, determined in accordance with GAAP, included in the rental payments) of the lessee for rental payments (other than amounts required to be paid on account of property taxes as well as maintenance, repairs, insurance, water rates and other items which do not constitute payments for property rights) during the remaining portion of the base term of the lease included in such transaction.
“Base Indenture” has the meaning ascribed to it in the recitals.
“Below Investment Grade Rating Event” means the Notes are rated below an Investment Grade Rating by each of the Rating Agencies on any date from the date of the public notice of an arrangement that could result in a Change of Control until the end of the 60-day period following public notice of the occurrence of the Change of Control (which 60-day period shall be extended so long as the rating of the Notes is under publicly announced consideration for possible downgrade by any of the Rating Agencies).
“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following: (1) the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) other than the Company or one of its Subsidiaries; (2) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the then outstanding number of shares or voting power of the Company’s Voting Equity Interests; (3) the adoption of a plan by the Board of Directors relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or (4) the Company consolidates with, or merges with or into, any Person, or any Person consolidates with, or merges with or into, the Company, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which any of the Company’s outstanding Voting Equity Interests or the outstanding Voting Equity Interests of such other Person is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction where the shares of the Company’s Voting Equity Interests outstanding immediately prior to such transaction constitute, or are converted into or exchanged for, a majority of the Voting Equity Interests of the surviving Person or parent entity thereof immediately after giving effect to such transaction.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed to result in a Change of Control if (a) the Company becomes a wholly owned Subsidiary of another Person and (b) immediately following that transaction, a majority of Voting Equity Interests of such Person is held by the direct or indirect holders of the Company’s Voting Equity Interests immediately prior to such transaction and in substantially the same proportions as immediately prior to such transaction.
“Change of Control Payment Date” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 1.02(h).
“Change of Control Repurchase Event” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Below Investment Grade Rating Event.
“Company” has the meaning ascribed to it in the recitals.
“Consolidated Net Worth” means, as of any date of determination, stockholder’s equity as reflected on the Company’s most recent consolidated balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP.
“GAAP” means accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which are in effect as of the date of application thereof.
“Indebtedness” of any specified Person means, without duplication, indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money (including, without limitation, indebtedness for borrowed money evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or similar instruments). For the avoidance of doubt, (1) obligations in respect of hedging transactions and cash management obligations, (2) accrued payables and trade credit and (3) obligations in respect of taxes shall not be Indebtedness.
“Indenture” has the meaning ascribed to it in the recitals.
“Initial Issuance Date” means April 10, 2025.
“Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P and Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s.
“Lien” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 1.02(u)(i).
“Merger Agreement” means the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 7, 2025, by and among the Company, Skyline Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and Paycor HCM, Inc.
“Moody’s” means Moody’s Ratings, Inc., a subsidiary of Moody’s Corporation, and its successors.
“Notice” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.06.
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“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, limited liability company, joint- stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
“Principal Property” means (1) the Company’s principal corporate offices located in Rochester, New York, or any replacement thereof, and (2) any single parcel of real property or any permanent improvement thereon owned by the Company or any of its domestic wholly owned subsidiaries having a book value, as of the date of determination, in excess of 3% of Consolidated Net Worth. Principal Property does not include any property that the Board of Directors has determined not to be of material importance to the business conducted by the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
“Property” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 1.02(u)(i).
“Rating Agencies” means (1) each of S&P and Moody’s; and (2) if either of S&P or Moody’s ceases to rate the Notes or fails to make a rating of the Notes publicly available for reasons outside of the Company’s control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) under the Exchange Act, selected by the Company as a replacement agency for S&P or Moody’s, or one or both of them, as the case may be.
“Second Change of Control Payment Date” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 1.02(h)(iv).
“Settlement” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 1.02(u)(i)(L).
“Special Mandatory Redemption Date” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 1.02(i)(ii).
“Special Mandatory Redemption Event” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 1.02(i)(i).
“Special Mandatory Redemption Price” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 1.02(i)(i).
“S&P” means S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global Inc.
“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, the yield determined by the Company in accordance with the following two paragraphs.
The Treasury Rate shall be determined by the Company after 4:15 p.m., New York City time (or after such time as yields on U.S. government securities are posted daily by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), on the third business day preceding the redemption date based upon the yield or yields for the most recent day that appear after such time on such day in the most recent statistical release published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System designated as “Selected Interest Rates (Daily)-H.15” (or any successor designation or publication) (“H.15”) under the
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caption “U.S. government securities-Treasury constant maturities-Nominal” (or any successor caption or heading) (“H.15 TCM”). In determining the Treasury Rate, the Company shall select, as applicable: (1) the yield for the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the period from the redemption date to the Applicable Par Call Date (the “Remaining Life”); (2) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the Remaining Life, the two yields - one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately shorter than, and one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately longer than, the Remaining Life - and shall interpolate to the Applicable Par Call Date on a straight-line basis (using the actual number of days) using such yields and rounding the result to three decimal places; or (3) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 shorter than or longer than the Remaining Life, the yield for the single Treasury constant maturity on H.15 closest to the Remaining Life. For purposes of this paragraph, the applicable Treasury constant maturity or maturities on H.15 shall be deemed to have a maturity date equal to the relevant number of months or years, as applicable, of such Treasury constant maturity from the redemption date.
If on the third business day preceding the redemption date H.15 TCM is no longer published, the Company shall calculate the Treasury Rate based on the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the second business day preceding such redemption date of the United States Treasury security maturing on, or with a maturity that is closest to, the Applicable Par Call Date. If there is no United States Treasury security maturing on the Applicable Par Call Date but there are two or more United States Treasury securities with a maturity date equally distant from the Applicable Par Call Date, one with a maturity date preceding the Applicable Par Call Date and one with a maturity date following the Applicable Par Call Date, the Company shall select the United States Treasury security with a maturity date preceding the Applicable Par Call Date. If there are two or more United States Treasury securities maturing on the Applicable Par Call Date or two or more United States Treasury securities meeting the criteria of the preceding sentence, the Company shall select from among these two or more United States Treasury securities the United States Treasury security that is trading closest to par based upon the average of the bid and asked prices for such United States Treasury securities at 11:00 a.m., New York City time. In determining the Treasury Rate in accordance with the terms of this paragraph, the semi-annual yield to maturity of the applicable United States Treasury security shall be based upon the average of the bid and asked prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, of such United States Treasury security, and rounded to three decimal places.
“Trustee” has the meaning ascribed to it in the recitals.
“2030 Notes” has the meaning ascribed to it in the recitals.
“2032 Notes” has the meaning ascribed to it in the recitals.
“2035 Notes” has the meaning ascribed to it in the recitals.
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Section 1.02. Terms of Notes. The following terms relating to the Notes are hereby established:
(a) Designation. The designation of the 2030 Notes is “5.100% Senior Notes due 2030” (CUSIP No. 704326AA5). The designation of the 2032 Notes is “5.350% Senior Notes due 2032” (CUSIP No. 704326AB3). The designation of the 2035 Notes is “5.600% Senior Notes due 2035” (CUSIP No. 704326AC1).
(b) Initial Aggregate Principal Amount. The 2030 Notes shall be limited in initial aggregate principal amount to $1,500,000,000. The 2032 Notes shall be limited in initial aggregate principal amount to $1,500,000,000. The 2035 Notes shall be limited in initial aggregate principal amount to $1,200,000,000.
(c) Currency Denomination. The Notes shall be denominated in U.S. Dollars.
(d) Maturity. The date on which the principal of the 2030 Notes is payable is April 15, 2030. The date on which the principal of the 2032 Notes is payable is April 15, 2032. The date on which the principal of the 2035 Notes is payable is April 15, 2035.
(e) Rate of Interest; Interest Payment Date; Regular Record Dates. (i) Each 2030 Note shall bear interest from April 10, 2025 at 5.100% per annum until the principal thereof is paid. Such interest shall be payable semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year, commencing on October 15, 2025, to the Persons in whose names the 2030 Notes are registered at the close of business on the immediately preceding April 1 and October 1, respectively (whether or not such record date is a Business Day). Interest on the 2030 Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from April 10, 2025. Interest on the 2030 Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months. In the event that any date on which principal, premium, if any, or interest is payable on the 2030 Notes is not a Business Day, then payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and no additional interest shall accrue as a result of such delay in payment).
(ii) Each 2032 Note shall bear interest from April 10, 2025 at 5.350% per annum until the principal thereof is paid. Such interest shall be payable semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year, commencing on October 15, 2025, to the Persons in whose names the 2032 Notes are registered at the close of business on the immediately preceding April 1 and October 1, respectively (whether or not such record date is a Business Day). Interest on the 2032 Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from April 10, 2025. Interest on the 2032 Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months. In the event that any date on which principal, premium, if any, or interest is payable on the 2032 Notes is not a Business Day, then payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and no additional interest shall accrue as a result of such delay in payment).
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(iii) Each 2035 Note shall bear interest from April 10, 2025 at 5.600% per annum until the principal thereof is paid. Such interest shall be payable semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year, commencing on October 15, 2025, to the Persons in whose names the 2035 Notes are registered at the close of business on the immediately preceding April 1 and October 1, respectively (whether or not such record date is a Business Day). Interest on the 2035 Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from April 10, 2025. Interest on the 2035 Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months. In the event that any date on which principal, premium, if any, or interest is payable on the 2035 Notes is not a Business Day, then payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and no additional interest shall accrue as a result of such delay in payment).
(f) Place of Payment. Principal of, premium, if any, and interest on each series of Notes shall be payable, and the transfer of each series of the Notes shall be registrable, at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee; provided, however, that while such series of Notes are represented by a Registered Global Security, payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on such series of Notes may be made by wire transfer to the account of the Depositary or its nominee in accordance with the Applicable Procedures.
(g) Optional Redemption. Prior to the Applicable Par Call Date, the Company may redeem any series of Notes at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount and rounded to three decimal places) equal to the greater of:
(A) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed; and
(B) (a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the redemption date (assuming such Notes matured on the Applicable Par Call Date) on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30- day months) at the Treasury Rate plus 20 basis points with respect to the 2030 Notes, 25 basis points with respect to the 2032 Notes and 25 basis points with respect to the 2035 Notes, less (b) interest accrued and unpaid thereon to the redemption date,
plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to, but not including, the date of redemption.
In addition, on or after the Applicable Par Call Date, the Company may redeem any series of Notes at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of such series of Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date.
Notice of any redemption will be mailed (or, in the case of Notes held in book-entry form, be transmitted electronically in accordance with the Depositary’s procedures) at least 10 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder of
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the Notes to be redeemed, except that redemption notices may be delivered more than 60 days prior to a redemption if the notice is issued in connection with a legal or covenant defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture in accordance with Section 10.1 of the Base Indenture.
In the case of a partial redemption, selection of the Notes for redemption will be made by lot. No Notes of a principal amount of $2,000 or less will be redeemed in part. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to the Note will state the portion of the principal amount of the Note to be redeemed. A new Note in a principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Note will be issued in the name of the Holder of the Note upon surrender for cancellation of the original Note. For so long as the Notes are held by DTC (or another Depositary), the redemption of the Notes shall be done in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Depositary.
Any redemption or notice of redemption may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including the completion of an offering of capital stock of the Company or other corporate transaction. If such redemption is subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall describe each such condition, and if applicable, shall state that, in the Company’s discretion, the redemption date may be delayed until such time (including more than 60 days after the date the notice of redemption was sent, including by electronic transmission) as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied, or such redemption may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied by the redemption date, or by the redemption date as so delayed, or such notice may be rescinded at any time in the Company’s discretion if in the good faith judgment of the Company any or all of such conditions will not be satisfied. In addition, the Company may provide in such notice that payment of the redemption price and performance of the Company’s obligations with respect to such redemption may be performed by another Person. Subject to DTC’s applicable procedures, the Company shall provide written notice to the Trustee not later than 9:00 a.m. New York City time on the redemption date if such notice has been delayed or rescinded, and upon receipt the Trustee shall provide such notice to each Holder of the Notes in the same manner in which the notice of redemption was given, in the name and at the expense of the Company.
(h) Change of Control Repurchase Event. (i) If a Change of Control Repurchase Event occurs, unless the Company has previously exercised its right to redeem the Notes of a series in whole pursuant to Section 1.02(g), the Company will be required to make an offer to each Holder of Notes to repurchase all or any part (in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 above that amount) of that Holder’s Notes at a repurchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased plus any accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes repurchased to, but not including, the date of such repurchase. Within 30 days following any Change of Control Repurchase Event or, at its option, prior to any Change of Control, but after the public announcement of an impending Change of Control, the Company will send a notice to each Holder, with a copy to the Trustee, describing the transaction or transactions that constitute or may constitute the Change of Control Repurchase Event and offering to repurchase Notes on the payment date specified in the notice, which date
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will be no earlier than 10 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is sent (the “Change of Control Payment Date”). The notice shall, if sent prior to the date of consummation of the Change of Control, state that the offer to purchase is conditioned on the Change of Control Repurchase Event occurring on or prior to the payment date specified in the notice.
The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder, to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes as a result of a Change of Control Repurchase Event. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control Repurchase Event provisions of the Notes, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Change of Control Repurchase Event provisions of the Notes by virtue of such conflict.
On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company will be required, to the extent lawful, to:
(A) accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes (in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 above that amount) properly tendered pursuant to the offer;
(B) deposit with the paying agent, no later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, an amount equal to the aggregate purchase price in respect of all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered; and
(C) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation the Notes properly accepted, together with an Officer’s Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes being repurchased by the Company.
(ii) The paying agent will promptly mail (or, in the case of Notes held in book-entry form, transmit electronically) to each Holder of Notes properly tendered the repurchase price for such Notes, and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book-entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unrepurchased portion of any Notes surrendered; provided that each new Note will be in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 above that amount.
(iii) The Company will not be required to make an offer to repurchase the Notes upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event if a third party makes such an offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by the Company pursuant to this Section 1.02(h) and the third party repurchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under its offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by the Company pursuant to this Section 1.02(h). In addition, the Company will not be required to, and the Company will not, make an offer to repurchase any series of Notes upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event if there has occurred and is continuing on the Change of Control Payment Date an Event of Default with respect to the Notes of such series.
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(iv) If, with respect to a series of the Notes, the Holders of not less than 90% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes of such series then outstanding validly tender and do not withdraw such Notes in an offer to repurchase the Notes upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event and the Company, or any third party making such an offer in lieu of the Company as described above, purchase all of such Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn by such Holders, the Company or such third party will have the right, upon not less than 10 days’ nor more than 60 days’ prior notice (provided that such notice is given not more than 60 days following such repurchase pursuant to the offer to repurchase the Notes upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event described above) to redeem all Notes of such series that remain outstanding following such purchase on a date specified in such notice (the “Second Change of Control Payment Date”) and at a price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes repurchased to, but excluding, the Second Change of Control Payment Date.
(i) Special Mandatory Redemption. (i) If (a) the Acquisition is not consummated on or prior to the later of (x) October 7, 2025 or (y) the date that is five Business Days after any later date to which the parties to the Merger Agreement may agree to extend the “End Date” in the Merger Agreement, (b) the Merger Agreement is terminated or (c) the Company notifies the Trustee, in writing, that it will not pursue the consummation of the Acquisition (each, a “Special Mandatory Redemption Event”), the Company will be obligated to redeem all of the 2030 Notes, the 2032 Notes and the 2035 Notes on the Special Mandatory Redemption Date at a redemption price (the “Special Mandatory Redemption Price”) equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the applicable series of Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the Special Mandatory Redemption Date.
(ii) Upon the occurrence of a Special Mandatory Redemption Event, the Company will promptly (and in any event not more than five Business Days following such Special Mandatory Redemption Event) deliver written notice to the Trustee of the Special Mandatory Redemption and the date upon which the Notes will be redeemed (the “Special Mandatory Redemption Date,” which date shall be no earlier than the fifth Business Day following the date of such notice) together with a notice of Special Mandatory Redemption for the Trustee to deliver to each Holder of the Notes to be redeemed. The Trustee will then promptly mail, or electronically deliver, according to the procedures of DTC, such notice of Special Mandatory Redemption to each Holder of the Notes to be redeemed. Unless the Company defaults in payment of the Special Mandatory Redemption Price, on and after such Special Mandatory Redemption Date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes to be redeemed.
(iii) Upon the occurrence of the consummation of the Acquisition, this Section 1.02(i) will cease to apply to the Notes.
(j) Mandatory Redemption. Other than with respect to a Change of Control Repurchase Event or a Special Mandatory Redemption Event as described in Section 1.02(h) and Section 1.02(i), respectively, the Notes are not mandatorily redeemable. The Notes are not entitled to the benefit of a sinking fund or any analogous provisions.
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(k) Denominations. The Notes shall be issued initially in minimum denominations of $2,000 and shall be issued in integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.
(l) Amount Payable Upon Acceleration. The principal of the Notes shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration pursuant to Section 5.1 of the Base Indenture. The Notes shall not be Original Issue Discount Securities within the meaning of the Indenture.
(m) Payment Currency. Principal and interest on the Notes, including payments made upon any redemption of the Notes, shall be payable in U.S. Dollars.
(n) Payment Currency – Election. The principal of and interest on the Notes shall not be payable in a currency other than U.S. Dollars.
(o) Payment Currency – Index. The principal of and interest on the Notes shall not be determined with reference to an index based on a coin or currency.
(p) Registered Securities. The Notes shall initially be issuable as Registered Global Securities, subject to Section 2.8 of the Base Indenture.
(q) Additional Amounts. The Company shall not pay additional amounts on the Notes held by a Person that is not a U.S. Person in respect of taxes or similar charges withheld or deducted.
(r) Definitive Certificates. Section 2.8 of the Base Indenture will govern the transferability of the Notes in definitive form.
(s) Registrar; Paying Agent; Depositary. The Trustee shall initially serve as the registrar and the paying agent for the Notes. The Depository Trust Company shall initially serve as the Depositary for the Registered Global Security representing the Notes.
(t) Events of Default. In addition to the Events of Default set forth in Section 5.1 of the Base Indenture, the failure by the Company to repurchase Notes of a series tendered for repurchase following the occurrence of a Change of Control Repurchase Event in accordance with Section 1.02(h) is an Event of Default with respect to such series of Notes.
(u) Covenants. There shall be the following additions to the covenants of the Company set forth in Article III of the Base Indenture with respect to the Notes:
(i) Limitation on Liens. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its domestic wholly owned subsidiaries to, create or assume any mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien, charge or encumbrance of any kind (each, a “Lien”) on (a) any Principal Property or (b) any capital stock of any of the Company’s domestic wholly owned subsidiaries (together, “Property”), whether now owned or hereafter acquired, in order to secure any Indebtedness, without effectively providing that the Notes shall be secured by a Lien ranking equal to and ratably with (or, at the option of the Company, senior to) such secured Indebtedness until such time as such Indebtedness is no longer secured by such Lien, except:
(A) Liens existing on the Initial Issuance Date or that the Company or any of its domestic wholly owned subsidiaries have agreed to pursuant to the terms of agreements existing on the Initial Issuance Date;
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(B) Liens created or incurred after the Initial Issuance Date created in favor of the Holders of the Notes;
(C) Liens in favor of the Company or one of its Subsidiaries;
(D) (a) Liens given to secure (or to secure Indebtedness incurred or guaranteed by the Company or any of its domestic wholly owned subsidiaries for the purpose of financing) the payment of all or any portion of the purchase price for the acquisition (including acquisition through merger or consolidation or the acquisition of a Person directly or indirectly owning such property) of any Property, including capital lease or purchase money transactions in connection with any such acquisition, or all or any portion of the cost of refurbishment, improvement, expansion, renovation, development or construction of any Property; provided that with respect to this clause (a), the Liens shall be given prior to, at the time of or within 24 months after such acquisition, or completion of such refurbishment, improvement, expansion, renovation, development or construction, or the full operation of such Property, whichever is latest, and shall attach solely to such Property (including any refurbishments, improvements, expansions, renovations, development or construction thereof or then or thereafter placed thereon) and any proceeds thereof; and (b) Liens existing on all or any portion of any Property at the time of acquisition thereof (including acquisition through merger or consolidation or the acquisition of a Person then directly or indirectly owning such property) whether or not such existing Liens were given to secure (or to secure Indebtedness incurred or guaranteed by the Company or any of its domestic wholly owned subsidiaries for the purpose of financing) the payment of the purchase price of such Property;
(E) Liens on any Property in favor of the United States of America or any state thereof, or in favor of any other country, or any political subdivision, department, agency or instrumentality thereof to secure progress or other payments pursuant to any contract or statute or to secure Indebtedness incurred or guaranteed for the purpose of financing all or any portion of the cost of acquiring, refurbishing, improving, expanding, renovating, developing or constructing such Property, including Liens incurred in connection with pollution control, industrial revenue or similar financing;
(F) certain statutory or legislative Liens or other similar Liens (including pledges, deposits, carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s and other like Liens imposed by law) arising in the ordinary course of the Company’s or its domestic wholly owned subsidiaries’ business, or certain Liens arising out of government contracts;
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(G) Liens in connection with legal proceedings, including certain Liens arising out of judgments or awards, in each case so long as such Lien is adequately bonded and any appropriate legal proceedings that may have been initiated for the review of such judgment, decree or order shall not have been finally terminated or the period within which such proceedings may be initiated shall not have expired;
(H) Liens for certain taxes or assessments, landlord’s Liens and Liens and charges, in each case (a) not yet due or payable or subject to penalties for non-payment or which the Company is contesting in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been made in accordance with GAAP and (b) incidental to the conduct of the business or the ownership of the Company’s assets or those of the Company’s domestic wholly owned subsidiary;
(I) Liens incurred in connection with an acquisition of assets or a project financed on a non-recourse basis;
(J) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature, in each case in the ordinary course of business;
(K) easements, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way and similar encumbrances on real property imposed by law or arising in the ordinary course of business that do not secure any monetary obligations and do not materially detract from the value of the affected property or interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company;
(L) Liens securing obligations arising under or related to (a) the transfer of cash or other property with respect to any credit or debit card charge, check or other instrument, electronic funds transfer, or other type of paper-based or electronic payment, transfer, or charge transaction for which a Person acts as a processor, remitter, funds recipient or funds transmitter in the ordinary course of its business (each such transaction, a “Settlement”) and (b) any payment or reimbursement obligation in respect of the transfer, or contractual undertaking (including by automated clearing house transaction) to effect a transfer, of cash or other property to effect a Settlement (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any agreement with a bank or financial institution providing for short term financing for the purpose of funding any Settlement);
(M) Liens securing securitized indebtedness and receivables factoring, discounting, facilities or securitizations; and
(N) any extensions, renewals or replacements of any Lien referred to in clauses (A) through (M) without increase of the principal of the Indebtedness secured by such Lien (except to the extent of any fees or other costs associated with any such extension, renewal or replacement); provided, however, that any such Liens are limited to all or part of substantially the same Property which secured the Liens extended, renewed or replaced.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company or any of its domestic wholly owned subsidiaries may, without equally and ratably securing the Notes, create or incur Liens which would otherwise be subject to the restrictions set forth in the preceding paragraph, if after giving effect thereto and to the retirement of any Indebtedness that is being retired substantially concurrently, Aggregate Debt does not exceed the greater of (1) 15% of the Company’s Consolidated Net Worth on a consolidated basis calculated as of the date of the creation or incurrence of the Lien and (2) $620.0 million.
(ii) Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its domestic wholly owned subsidiaries to, enter into any sale and leaseback transaction for the sale and leasing back of any Principal Property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, unless:
(A) such transaction was entered into prior to the Initial Issuance Date or any extension, renewal, refinancing, replacement, amendment or modification of such transaction so long as the affected Principal Property is substantially the same as or similar in nature to the Principal Property subject to the sale and leaseback transaction extended, renewed, refinanced, replaced, amended or modified;
(B) such transaction was for the sale and leasing back to the Company or any of its wholly owned subsidiaries of any Principal Property by one of the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries;
(C) such transaction involves a lease for not more than three years (or which may be terminated by the Company or its Subsidiary within a period of not more than three years);
(D) the Company would be entitled to incur Indebtedness secured by a Lien with respect to such sale and leaseback transaction without equally and ratably securing the Notes pursuant to the first paragraph of Section 1.02(u)(i); or
(E) the Company or any of its domestic wholly owned subsidiaries applies an amount equal to the net proceeds from the sale of such Principal Property to the purchase of other property or assets used or useful in the Company’s business (including the purchase or development of other Principal Property) or to the retirement of Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes (including the Notes) or Indebtedness of one or more of the Company’s Subsidiaries within 365 days before or after the effective date of any such sale and leaseback transaction, provided that, in lieu of applying such amount to the retirement of pari passu Indebtedness or Indebtedness of the Company’s Subsidiary, the Company may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation, such Notes to be credited at the cost thereof.
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Notwithstanding the restrictions set forth in the preceding paragraph, the Company and its domestic wholly owned subsidiaries may enter into any sale and leaseback transaction which would otherwise be subject to the foregoing restrictions, if after giving effect thereto Aggregate Debt does not exceed the greater of (1) 15% of the Company’s Consolidated Net Worth on a consolidated basis calculated as of the relevant date of determination and (2) $620.0 million.
Section 1.03. Form of Note.
The forms of the 2030 Notes, 2032 Notes and 2035 Notes are attached hereto as Exhibit A, Exhibit B and Exhibit C, respectively.
Section 1.04. Additional Notes.
Subject to the terms and conditions contained herein, the Company may, without the consent of any Holders of the Notes, create and issue additional Notes with the same terms (except for the issue date, the offering price and, under certain circumstances, the first interest payment date) as one or more series of the Notes. The additional Notes will form a single series with the outstanding Notes of the corresponding series; provided that if such additional Notes are not fungible with the Notes of the applicable series offered hereby for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such additional Notes will have one or more separate CUSIP numbers or no CUSIP number. No additional Notes may be issued if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to such series of Notes.
ARTICLE 2
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 2.01. Confirmation of Indenture.
The Base Indenture, as supplemented and amended by this First Supplemental Indenture, is in all respects ratified and confirmed, and the Base Indenture, this First Supplemental Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto shall be read, taken and construed as one and the same instrument.
Section 2.02. Concerning the Trustee.
The Trustee assumes no duties, responsibilities or liabilities by reason of this First Supplemental Indenture other than as set forth in the Base Indenture and, in carrying out its responsibilities hereunder, shall have all of the rights, protections and immunities which it possesses under the Base Indenture. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this First Supplemental Indenture. The recitals herein are deemed to be those of the Company and not of the Trustee.
Section 2.03. Governing Law.
Each of this First Supplemental Indenture, the Indenture and the Notes shall be deemed to be a contract made under the internal laws of the State of New York, and for all purposes shall be construed in accordance with the laws of said State.
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Section 2.04. Separability.
In case any provision in this First Supplemental Indenture shall for any reason be held to 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 2.05. Counterparts.
This First Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
Section 2.06. Electronic Transmission, Electronic Signatures.
The Trustee shall not have any duty to confirm that the person sending any notice, instruction or other communication (a “Notice”) by electronic transmission (including by e-mail, facsimile transmission, web portal or other electronic methods) is, in fact, a person authorized to do so. Electronic signatures believed by the Trustee to comply with the ESIGN Act of 2000 or other applicable law (including electronic images of handwritten signatures and digital signatures provided by DocuSign, Orbit, Adobe Sign or any other digital signature provider acceptable to the Trustee) shall be deemed original signatures for all purposes. Each other party assumes all risks arising out of the use of electronic signatures and electronic methods to send Notices to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on an unauthorized Notice, and the risk of interception or misuse by third parties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trustee may in any instance and in its sole discretion require that an original document bearing a manual signature be delivered to the Trustee in lieu of, or in addition to, any such electronic Notice.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this First Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
| PAYCHEX, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Robert L. Schrader | |
| Name: Robert L. Schrader | ||
| Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | ||
[Signature Page to Supplemental Indenture]
| THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee | ||
| By: | /s/ Nathan Turner | |
| Name: Nathan Turner | ||
| Title: Vice President | ||
[Signature Page to Supplemental Indenture]
Exhibit A
FORM OF 2030 NOTE
REGISTERED
THIS NOTE IS A REGISTERED GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF A DEPOSITARY. UNLESS AND UNTIL THIS NOTE IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE REGISTERED FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO THE NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY.
| Certificate No. [●] | CUSIP NO. 704326AA5 | |
| ISIN NO. US704326AA51 |
PAYCHEX, INC.
5.100% Senior Notes due 2030
Paychex, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer” or “Company,” which terms include any successor corporation under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum of ($ ) on April 15, 2030 and to pay interest on said principal sum from April 10, 2025, or from the most recent interest payment date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 (each such date, an “Interest Payment Date”) of each year commencing on October 15, 2025, at the rate of 5.100% per annum until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable.
The amount of interest payable on any Interest Payment Date shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months. In the event that any date on which the principal or interest payable on this Note is not a Business Day, then payment of principal or interest payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of such delay). The interest installment so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in the Indenture (referred to on the reverse hereof) be paid to the Person in whose name this Note is registered at the close of business on the record date for such interest installment, which shall be the close of business on the immediately preceding April 1 and October 1 prior to such Interest Payment Date, as applicable (whether or not such record date is a Business Day). Any such interest installment not punctually paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered Holders on such record date and may be paid to the Person in whose name this Note is registered at the close of business on a subsequent record date (which shall be not less than five Business Days prior to the date of payment of such defaulted interest), notice whereof shall be sent by or on behalf of the Company to the registered Holders of Notes not less than 15 days preceding such subsequent record date, all as more fully provided in the Indenture. The principal of and the interest on this Note shall be payable at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in any coin or currency of the United States of America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that payment of interest, to the extent this Note is not represented by a Registered Global Security, may be made at the option of the Company by check sent to the Person entitled thereto at such address as shall appear in the registry books of the Company; provided, further, that for so long as this Note is represented by a Registered Global Security, payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on this Note may be made by wire transfer to the account of the Depositary or its nominee in accordance with the Applicable Procedures.
Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by or on behalf of the Trustee (as defined below) under the Indenture (as defined below), by the manual signature of one of its authorized signatories, this Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
Capitalized terms used in this Note which are defined in the Indenture shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
A-1
The provisions of this Note are continued on the reverse side hereof and such continued provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.
A-2
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer has caused this instrument to be duly executed, manually or in facsimile.
| PAYCHEX, INC. | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
[Signature Page to 2030 Global Note]
| CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION This is one of the Securities referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture. | ||
| THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee | ||
| By: |
| |
| Authorized Signatory | ||
Dated:
[Signature Page to 2030 Global Note]
[REVERSE SIDE OF NOTE]
This Note is one of a duly authorized series of Securities of the Company designated as its 5.100% Senior Notes due 2030 (the “Notes”). The Notes are all issued or to be issued under and pursuant to an Indenture, dated as of April 10, 2025 (the “Base Indenture”), duly executed and delivered between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee with respect to the Notes (the “Trustee”), as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture (the “Supplemental Indenture” and, together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”) dated as of April 10, 2025 between the Company and the Trustee.
The Notes are issuable only as Registered Securities in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the Notes are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Notes as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.
Except as set forth below, this Note is not redeemable. This Note is not entitled to the benefit of a sinking fund or any analogous provision.
Prior to March 15, 2030, the Notes may be redeemed, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at the option of the Company, for cash, at a redemption price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed or (ii) (a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon, discounted to the redemption date (assuming the Notes matured on March 15, 2030) on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus 20 basis points less (b) interest accrued and unpaid thereon to the redemption date, plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to, but not including, the date of redemption; provided that the principal amount of any Note remaining outstanding after a redemption in part shall be $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. In addition, on or after March 15, 2030, the Company may redeem the Notes at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, installments of interest on Notes that are due and payable on interest payment dates falling on or prior to a redemption date will be payable on the interest payment date to the registered Holders as of the close of business on the relevant record date. The Issuer’s actions and determinations in determining the redemption price shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error. The Trustee shall have no duty or obligation to calculate the redemption price. Notices will be sent (or in the case of Notes held in book-entry form, be transmitted electronically) to Holders of the Notes to be redeemed at least 10 and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption, except that redemption notices may be sent more than 60 days prior to a redemption if the notice is issued in connection with a legal or covenant defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the Notes and the Indenture pursuant to Section 10.1 of the Indenture. Unless the Issuer defaults in payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption. If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed, the Notes to be redeemed will be selected by the Trustee by lot or in accordance with the Applicable Procedures. Any redemption or notice of redemption may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including the completion of an offering of capital stock of the Company or other corporate transaction. If such redemption is subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall describe each such condition, and if applicable, shall state that, in the Company’s discretion, the redemption date may be delayed until such time (including more than 60 days after the date the notice of redemption was sent, including by electronic transmission) as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied, or such redemption may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied by the redemption date, or by the redemption date as so delayed, or such notice may be rescinded at any time in the Company’s discretion if in the good faith judgment of the Company any or all of such conditions will not be satisfied. In addition, the Company may provide in such notice that payment of the redemption price and performance of the Company’s obligations with respect to such redemption may be performed by another Person. Subject to Depository Trust Company’s (“DTC”) applicable procedures, the Company shall provide written notice to the Trustee not later than 9:00 a.m. New York City time on the redemption date if such notice has been delayed or rescinded, and upon receipt the Trustee shall provide such notice to each Holder of the Notes in the same manner in which the notice of redemption was given, in the name and at the expense of the Company.
A-5
“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, the yield determined by the Company in accordance with the following two paragraphs:
The Treasury Rate shall be determined by the Company after 4:15 p.m., New York City time (or after such time as yields on U.S. government securities are posted daily by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), on the third business day preceding the redemption date based upon the yield or yields for the most recent day that appear after such time on such day in the most recent statistical release published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System designated as “Selected Interest Rates (Daily)—H.15” (or any successor designation or publication) (“H.15”) under the caption “U.S. government securities–Treasury constant maturities–Nominal” (or any successor caption or heading) (“H.15 TCM”). In determining the Treasury Rate, the Company shall select, as applicable: (1) the yield for the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the period from the redemption date to March 15, 2030 (the “Remaining Life”); (2) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the Remaining Life, the two yields – one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately shorter than, and one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately longer than, the Remaining Life – and shall interpolate to March 15, 2030 on a straight-line basis (using the actual number of days) using such yields and rounding the result to three decimal places; or (3) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 shorter than or longer than the Remaining Life, the yield for the single Treasury constant maturity on H.15 closest to the Remaining Life. For purposes of this paragraph, the applicable Treasury constant maturity or maturities on H.15 shall be deemed to have a maturity date equal to the relevant number of months or years, as applicable, of such Treasury constant maturity from the redemption date.
If on the third business day preceding the redemption date H.15 TCM is no longer published, the Company shall calculate the Treasury Rate based on the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the second business day preceding such redemption date of the United States Treasury security maturing on, or with a maturity that is closest to, March 15, 2030. If there is no United States Treasury security maturing on March 15, 2030 but there are two or more United States Treasury securities with a maturity date equally distant from March 15, 2030, one with a maturity date preceding March 15, 2030 and one with a maturity date following March 15, 2030, the Company shall select the United States Treasury security with a maturity date preceding March 15, 2030. If there are two or more United States Treasury securities maturing on March 15, 2030 or two or more United States Treasury securities meeting the criteria of the preceding sentence, the Company shall select from among these two or more United States Treasury securities the United States Treasury security that is trading closest to par based upon the average of the bid and asked prices for such United States Treasury securities at 11:00 a.m., New York City time. In determining the Treasury Rate in accordance with the terms of this paragraph, the semi-annual yield to maturity of the applicable United States Treasury security shall be based upon the average of the bid and asked prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, of such United States Treasury security, and rounded to three decimal places.
If (a) the Company’s pending acquisition of Paycor HCM, Inc. (the “Acquisition”) is not consummated on or prior to the later of (x) October 7, 2025 or (y) the date that is five Business Days after any later date to which the parties to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 7, 2025, by and among the Company, Skyline Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and Paycor HCM, Inc. (“the Merger Agreement”) may agree to extend the “End Date” in the Merger Agreement, (b) the Merger Agreement is terminated or (c) the Company notifies the Trustee, in writing, that it will not pursue the consummation of the Acquisition (each, a “Special Mandatory Redemption Event”), the Company will be obligated to redeem all of the Notes on the Special Mandatory Redemption Date at a redemption price (the “Special Mandatory Redemption Price”) equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the Special Mandatory Redemption Date.
A-6
Upon the occurrence of a Special Mandatory Redemption Event, the Company will promptly (and in any event not more than five Business Days following such Special Mandatory Redemption Event) deliver written notice to the Trustee of the Special Mandatory Redemption and the date upon which the Notes will be redeemed (the “Special Mandatory Redemption Date,” which date shall be no earlier than the fifth Business Day following the date of such notice) together with a notice of Special Mandatory Redemption for the Trustee to deliver to each Holder of the Notes to be redeemed. The Trustee will then promptly mail, or electronically deliver, according to the procedures of DTC, such notice of Special Mandatory Redemption to each Holder of the Notes to be redeemed. Unless the Company defaults in payment of the Special Mandatory Redemption Price, on and after such Special Mandatory Redemption Date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes to be redeemed.
If a Change of Control Repurchase Event occurs, unless the Company has previously exercised its right to redeem the Notes in whole as described above, the Company will be required to make an offer to each Holder of Notes to repurchase all or any part (in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 above that amount) of such Holder’s Notes at a repurchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased plus any accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes repurchased to, but not including, the date of such repurchase. Within 30 days following any Change of Control Repurchase Event or, at the Company’s option, prior to any Change of Control, but after the public announcement of an impending Change of Control, the Company will send a notice to each Holder, with a copy to the Trustee, describing the transaction or transactions that constitute or may constitute the Change of Control Repurchase Event and offering to repurchase Notes on the payment date specified in the notice, which date will be no earlier than 10 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is sent (the “Change of Control Payment Date”). The notice shall, if sent prior to the date of consummation of the Change of Control, state that the offer to purchase is conditioned on the Change of Control Repurchase Event occurring on or prior to the payment date specified in the notice.
The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder, to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes as a result of a Change of Control Repurchase Event. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control Repurchase Event provisions of the Notes, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Change of Control Repurchase Event provisions of the Notes by virtue of such conflict.
On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company will be required, to the extent lawful, to:
| (a) | accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes (in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 above that amount) properly tendered pursuant to the Company’s offer; |
| (b) | deposit with the paying agent, no later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, an amount equal to the aggregate purchase price in respect of all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered; and |
| (c) | deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation the Notes properly accepted, together with an Officer’s Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes being repurchased by the Company. |
The paying agent will promptly mail (or, in the case of Notes held in book-entry form, transmit electronically) to each Holder of Notes properly tendered the repurchase price for such Notes, and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book-entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unrepurchased portion of any Notes surrendered; provided, that each new Note will be in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 above that amount.
A-7
The Company will not be required to make an offer to repurchase the Notes upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event if a third party makes such an offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by the Company as set forth herein and the third party repurchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under its offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by the Company as set forth herein. In addition, the Company will not be required to, and will not, make an offer to repurchase any Notes if there has occurred and is continuing on the Change of Control Payment Date an Event of Default with respect to the Notes.
If Holders of not less than 90% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding validly tender and do not withdraw such Notes in an offer to repurchase the Notes upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event and the Company, or any third party making such an offer in lieu of the Company as described above, purchases all of such Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn by such Holders, the Company or such third party will have the right, upon not less than 10 days’ nor more than 60 days’ prior notice (provided, that such notice is given not more than 60 days following such repurchase pursuant to the offer to repurchase the Notes upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event described above) to redeem all Notes that remain outstanding following such purchase on a date specified in such notice (the “Second Change of Control Payment Date”) and at a price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes repurchased to, but excluding, the Second Change of Control Payment Date.
“Below Investment Grade Rating Event” means the Notes are rated below an Investment Grade Rating by each of the Rating Agencies on any date from the date of the public notice of an arrangement that could result in a Change of Control until the end of the 60-day period following public notice of the occurrence of the Change of Control (which 60-day period shall be extended so long as the rating of the Notes is under publicly announced consideration for possible downgrade by any of the Rating Agencies).
“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following: (1) the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) other than the Company or one of its Subsidiaries; (2) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the then outstanding number of shares or voting power of the Company’s Voting Equity Interests; (3) the adoption of a plan by the Company’s Board of Directors relating to the Company’s liquidation or dissolution; or (4) the Company consolidates with, or merges with or into, any Person, or any Person consolidates with, or merges with or into, the Company, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which any of the Company’s outstanding Voting Equity Interests or the outstanding Voting Equity Interests of such other Person is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction where the shares of the Company’s Voting Equity Interests outstanding immediately prior to such transaction constitute, or are converted into or exchanged for, a majority of the Voting Equity Interests of the surviving Person or parent entity thereof immediately after giving effect to such transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed to result in a Change of Control if (a) the Company becomes a wholly-owned Subsidiary of another Person and (b) immediately following that transaction, a majority of Voting Equity Interests of such Person is held by the direct or indirect Holders of the Company’s Voting Equity Interests immediately prior to such transaction and in substantially the same proportions as immediately prior to such transaction.
“Change of Control Repurchase Event” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Below Investment Grade Rating Event.
“Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P and Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s.
“Moody’s” means Moody’s Ratings, Inc., a subsidiary of Moody’s Corporation, and its successors.
A-8
“Rating Agencies” means (1) each of S&P and Moody’s; and (2) if either of S&P or Moody’s ceases to rate the Notes or fails to make a rating of the Notes publicly available for reasons outside of the Company’s control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) under the Exchange Act, selected by the Company as a replacement agency for S&P or Moody’s, or one or both of them, as the case may be.
“S&P” means S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global, Inc.
If an Event of Default with respect to the Notes shall occur and be continuing, the principal of all the Notes may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and interest on this Note at the time, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.
As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Note may be registered on the books of the Registrar, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company maintained by the Company for such purpose in the contiguous United States of America, which shall initially be the Corporate Trust Office, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder hereof or by its attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Notes of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.
No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection therewith.
Prior to due presentment of this Note for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Note be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, SECTION 5-1401 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW.
A-9
[FORM OF SCHEDULE FOR ENDORSEMENTS ON REGISTERED
GLOBAL SECURITIES TO REFLECT CHANGES IN PRINCIPAL AMOUNT]
Schedule A
Changes to Principal Amount of Registered Global Securities
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Principal Amount of Notes by which this Registered Global Security is to be Reduced or Increased, and Reason for Reduction or Increase |
Remaining Principal Amount of this Registered Global Security |
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A-10
Exhibit B
FORM OF 2032 NOTE
REGISTERED
THIS NOTE IS A REGISTERED GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF A DEPOSITARY. UNLESS AND UNTIL THIS NOTE IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE REGISTERED FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO THE NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY.
| Certificate No. [●] |
CUSIP NO. 704326AB3 | |
| ISIN NO. US704326AB35 |
PAYCHEX, INC.
5.350% Senior Notes due 2032
Paychex, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer” or “Company,” which terms include any successor corporation under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum of ($ ) on April 15, 2032 and to pay interest on said principal sum from April 10, 2025, or from the most recent interest payment date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 (each such date, an “Interest Payment Date”) of each year commencing on October 15, 2025, at the rate of 5.350% per annum until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable.
The amount of interest payable on any Interest Payment Date shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months. In the event that any date on which the principal or interest payable on this Note is not a Business Day, then payment of principal or interest payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of such delay). The interest installment so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in the Indenture (referred to on the reverse hereof) be paid to the Person in whose name this Note is registered at the close of business on the record date for such interest installment, which shall be the close of business on the immediately preceding April 1 and October 1 prior to such Interest Payment Date, as applicable (whether or not such record date is a Business Day). Any such interest installment not punctually paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered Holders on such record date and may be paid to the Person in whose name this Note is registered at the close of business on a subsequent record date (which shall be not less than five Business Days prior to the date of payment of such defaulted interest), notice whereof shall be sent by or on behalf of the Company to the registered Holders of Notes not less than 15 days preceding such subsequent record date, all as more fully provided in the Indenture. The principal of and the interest on this Note shall be payable at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in any coin or currency of the United States of America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that payment of interest, to the extent this Note is not represented by a Registered Global Security, may be made at the option of the Company by check sent to the Person entitled thereto at such address as shall appear in the registry books of the Company; provided, further, that for so long as this Note is represented by a Registered Global Security, payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on this Note may be made by wire transfer to the account of the Depositary or its nominee in accordance with the Applicable Procedures.
Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by or on behalf of the Trustee (as defined below) under the Indenture (as defined below), by the manual signature of one of its authorized signatories, this Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
Capitalized terms used in this Note which are defined in the Indenture shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
B-1
The provisions of this Note are continued on the reverse side hereof and such continued provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.
B-2
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer has caused this instrument to be duly executed, manually or in facsimile.
| PAYCHEX, INC. | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
[Signature Page to 2032 Global Note]
| CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
| ||
| THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee | ||
| By: |
| |
| Authorized Signatory | ||
Dated:
[Signature Page to 2032 Global Note]
[REVERSE SIDE OF NOTE]
This Note is one of a duly authorized series of Securities of the Company designated as its 5.350% Senior Notes due 2032 (the “Notes”). The Notes are all issued or to be issued under and pursuant to an Indenture, dated as of April 10, 2025 (the “Base Indenture”), duly executed and delivered between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee with respect to the Notes (the “Trustee”), as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture (the “Supplemental Indenture” and, together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”) dated as of April 10, 2025 between the Company and the Trustee.
The Notes are issuable only as Registered Securities in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the Notes are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Notes as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.
Except as set forth below, this Note is not redeemable. This Note is not entitled to the benefit of a sinking fund or any analogous provision.
Prior to February 15, 2032, the Notes may be redeemed, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at the option of the Company, for cash, at a redemption price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed or (ii) (a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon, discounted to the redemption date (assuming the Notes matured on February 15, 2032) on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus 25 basis points less (b) interest accrued and unpaid thereon to the redemption date, plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to, but not including, the date of redemption; provided that the principal amount of any Note remaining outstanding after a redemption in part shall be $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. In addition, on or after February 15, 2032, the Company may redeem the Notes at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, installments of interest on Notes that are due and payable on interest payment dates falling on or prior to a redemption date will be payable on the interest payment date to the registered Holders as of the close of business on the relevant record date. The Issuer’s actions and determinations in determining the redemption price shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error. The Trustee shall have no duty or obligation to calculate the redemption price. Notices will be sent (or in the case of Notes held in book-entry form, be transmitted electronically) to Holders of the Notes to be redeemed at least 10 and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption, except that redemption notices may be sent more than 60 days prior to a redemption if the notice is issued in connection with a legal or covenant defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the Notes and the Indenture pursuant to Section 10.1 of the Indenture. Unless the Issuer defaults in payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption. If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed, the Notes to be redeemed will be selected by the Trustee by lot or in accordance with the Applicable Procedures. Any redemption or notice of redemption may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including the completion of an offering of capital stock of the Company or other corporate transaction. If such redemption is subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall describe each such condition, and if applicable, shall state that, in the Company’s discretion, the redemption date may be delayed until such time (including more than 60 days after the date the notice of redemption was sent, including by electronic transmission) as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied, or such redemption may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied by the redemption date, or by the redemption date as so delayed, or such notice may be rescinded at any time in the Company’s discretion if in the good faith judgment of the Company any or all of such conditions will not be satisfied. In addition, the Company may provide in such notice that payment of the redemption price and performance of the Company’s obligations with respect to such redemption may be performed by another Person. Subject to Depository Trust Company’s (“DTC”) applicable procedures, the Company shall provide written notice to the Trustee not later than 9:00 a.m. New York City time on the redemption date if
B-5
such notice has been delayed or rescinded, and upon receipt the Trustee shall provide such notice to each Holder of the Notes in the same manner in which the notice of redemption was given, in the name and at the expense of the Company.
“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, the yield determined by the Company in accordance with the following two paragraphs:
The Treasury Rate shall be determined by the Company after 4:15 p.m., New York City time (or after such time as yields on U.S. government securities are posted daily by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), on the third business day preceding the redemption date based upon the yield or yields for the most recent day that appear after such time on such day in the most recent statistical release published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System designated as “Selected Interest Rates (Daily)—H.15” (or any successor designation or publication) (“H.15”) under the caption “U.S. government securities–Treasury constant maturities–Nominal” (or any successor caption or heading) (“H.15 TCM”). In determining the Treasury Rate, the Company shall select, as applicable: (1) the yield for the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the period from the redemption date to February 15, 2032 (the “Remaining Life”); (2) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the Remaining Life, the two yields – one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately shorter than, and one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately longer than, the Remaining Life – and shall interpolate to February 15, 2032 on a straight-line basis (using the actual number of days) using such yields and rounding the result to three decimal places; or (3) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 shorter than or longer than the Remaining Life, the yield for the single Treasury constant maturity on H.15 closest to the Remaining Life. For purposes of this paragraph, the applicable Treasury constant maturity or maturities on H.15 shall be deemed to have a maturity date equal to the relevant number of months or years, as applicable, of such Treasury constant maturity from the redemption date.
If on the third business day preceding the redemption date H.15 TCM is no longer published, the Company shall calculate the Treasury Rate based on the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the second business day preceding such redemption date of the United States Treasury security maturing on, or with a maturity that is closest to, February 15, 2032. If there is no United States Treasury security maturing on February 15, 2032 but there are two or more United States Treasury securities with a maturity date equally distant from February 15, 2032, one with a maturity date preceding February 15, 2032 and one with a maturity date following February 15, 2032, the Company shall select the United States Treasury security with a maturity date preceding February 15, 2032. If there are two or more United States Treasury securities maturing on February 15, 2032 or two or more United States Treasury securities meeting the criteria of the preceding sentence, the Company shall select from among these two or more United States Treasury securities the United States Treasury security that is trading closest to par based upon the average of the bid and asked prices for such United States Treasury securities at 11:00 a.m., New York City time. In determining the Treasury Rate in accordance with the terms of this paragraph, the semi-annual yield to maturity of the applicable United States Treasury security shall be based upon the average of the bid and asked prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, of such United States Treasury security, and rounded to three decimal places.
If (a) the Company’s pending acquisition of Paycor HCM, Inc. (the “Acquisition”) is not consummated on or prior to the later of (x) October 7, 2025 or (y) the date that is five Business Days after any later date to which the parties to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 7, 2025, by and among the Company, Skyline Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and Paycor HCM, Inc. (“the Merger Agreement”) may agree to extend the “End Date” in the Merger Agreement, (b) the Merger Agreement is terminated or (c) the Company notifies the Trustee, in writing, that it will not pursue the consummation of the Acquisition (each, a “Special Mandatory Redemption Event”), the Company will be obligated to redeem all of the Notes on the Special Mandatory Redemption Date at a redemption price (the “Special Mandatory Redemption Price”) equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the Special Mandatory Redemption Date.
B-6
Upon the occurrence of a Special Mandatory Redemption Event, the Company will promptly (and in any event not more than five Business Days following such Special Mandatory Redemption Event) deliver written notice to the Trustee of the Special Mandatory Redemption and the date upon which the Notes will be redeemed (the “Special Mandatory Redemption Date,” which date shall be no earlier than the fifth Business Day following the date of such notice) together with a notice of Special Mandatory Redemption for the Trustee to deliver to each Holder of the Notes to be redeemed. The Trustee will then promptly mail, or electronically deliver, according to the procedures of DTC, such notice of Special Mandatory Redemption to each Holder of the Notes to be redeemed. Unless the Company defaults in payment of the Special Mandatory Redemption Price, on and after such Special Mandatory Redemption Date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes to be redeemed.
If a Change of Control Repurchase Event occurs, unless the Company has previously exercised its right to redeem the Notes in whole as described above, the Company will be required to make an offer to each Holder of Notes to repurchase all or any part (in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 above that amount) of such Holder’s Notes at a repurchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased plus any accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes repurchased to, but not including, the date of such repurchase. Within 30 days following any Change of Control Repurchase Event or, at the Company’s option, prior to any Change of Control, but after the public announcement of an impending Change of Control, the Company will send a notice to each Holder, with a copy to the Trustee, describing the transaction or transactions that constitute or may constitute the Change of Control Repurchase Event and offering to repurchase Notes on the payment date specified in the notice, which date will be no earlier than 10 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is sent (the “Change of Control Payment Date”). The notice shall, if sent prior to the date of consummation of the Change of Control, state that the offer to purchase is conditioned on the Change of Control Repurchase Event occurring on or prior to the payment date specified in the notice.
The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder, to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes as a result of a Change of Control Repurchase Event. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control Repurchase Event provisions of the Notes, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Change of Control Repurchase Event provisions of the Notes by virtue of such conflict.
On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company will be required, to the extent lawful, to:
| (a) | accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes (in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 above that amount) properly tendered pursuant to the Company’s offer; |
| (b) | deposit with the paying agent, no later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, an amount equal to the aggregate purchase price in respect of all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered; and |
| (c) | deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation the Notes properly accepted, together with an Officer’s Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes being repurchased by the Company. |
The paying agent will promptly mail (or, in the case of Notes held in book-entry form, transmit electronically) to each Holder of Notes properly tendered the repurchase price for such Notes, and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book-entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unrepurchased portion of any Notes surrendered; provided, that each new Note will be in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 above that amount.
B-7
The Company will not be required to make an offer to repurchase the Notes upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event if a third party makes such an offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by the Company as set forth herein and the third party repurchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under its offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by the Company as set forth herein. In addition, the Company will not be required to, and will not, make an offer to repurchase any Notes if there has occurred and is continuing on the Change of Control Payment Date an Event of Default with respect to the Notes.
If Holders of not less than 90% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding validly tender and do not withdraw such Notes in an offer to repurchase the Notes upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event and the Company, or any third party making such an offer in lieu of the Company as described above, purchases all of such Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn by such Holders, the Company or such third party will have the right, upon not less than 10 days’ nor more than 60 days’ prior notice (provided, that such notice is given not more than 60 days following such repurchase pursuant to the offer to repurchase the Notes upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event described above) to redeem all Notes that remain outstanding following such purchase on a date specified in such notice (the “Second Change of Control Payment Date”) and at a price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes repurchased to, but excluding, the Second Change of Control Payment Date.
“Below Investment Grade Rating Event” means the Notes are rated below an Investment Grade Rating by each of the Rating Agencies on any date from the date of the public notice of an arrangement that could result in a Change of Control until the end of the 60-day period following public notice of the occurrence of the Change of Control (which 60-day period shall be extended so long as the rating of the Notes is under publicly announced consideration for possible downgrade by any of the Rating Agencies).
“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following: (1) the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) other than the Company or one of its Subsidiaries; (2) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the then outstanding number of shares or voting power of the Company’s Voting Equity Interests; (3) the adoption of a plan by the Company’s Board of Directors relating to the Company’s liquidation or dissolution; or (4) the Company consolidates with, or merges with or into, any Person, or any Person consolidates with, or merges with or into, the Company, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which any of the Company’s outstanding Voting Equity Interests or the outstanding Voting Equity Interests of such other Person is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction where the shares of the Company’s Voting Equity Interests outstanding immediately prior to such transaction constitute, or are converted into or exchanged for, a majority of the Voting Equity Interests of the surviving Person or parent entity thereof immediately after giving effect to such transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed to result in a Change of Control if (a) the Company becomes a wholly-owned Subsidiary of another Person and (b) immediately following that transaction, a majority of Voting Equity Interests of such Person is held by the direct or indirect Holders of the Company’s Voting Equity Interests immediately prior to such transaction and in substantially the same proportions as immediately prior to such transaction.
“Change of Control Repurchase Event” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Below Investment Grade Rating Event.
“Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P and Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s.
“Moody’s” means Moody’s Ratings, Inc., a subsidiary of Moody’s Corporation, and its successors.
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“Rating Agencies” means (1) each of S&P and Moody’s; and (2) if either of S&P or Moody’s ceases to rate the Notes or fails to make a rating of the Notes publicly available for reasons outside of the Company’s control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) under the Exchange Act, selected by the Company as a replacement agency for S&P or Moody’s, or one or both of them, as the case may be.
“S&P” means S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global, Inc.
If an Event of Default with respect to the Notes shall occur and be continuing, the principal of all the Notes may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and interest on this Note at the time, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.
As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Note may be registered on the books of the Registrar, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company maintained by the Company for such purpose in the contiguous United States of America, which shall initially be the Corporate Trust Office, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder hereof or by its attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Notes of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.
No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection therewith.
Prior to due presentment of this Note for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Note be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, SECTION 5-1401 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW.
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[FORM OF SCHEDULE FOR ENDORSEMENTS ON REGISTERED
GLOBAL SECURITIES TO REFLECT CHANGES IN PRINCIPAL AMOUNT]
Schedule A
Changes to Principal Amount of Registered Global Securities
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Principal Amount of Notes by which this Registered Global Security is to be Reduced or Increased, and Reason for Reduction or Increase |
Remaining Principal Amount of this Registered Global Security |
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B-10
Exhibit C
FORM OF 2035 NOTE
REGISTERED
THIS NOTE IS A REGISTERED GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF A DEPOSITARY. UNLESS AND UNTIL THIS NOTE IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE REGISTERED FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO THE NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY.
| Certificate No. [●] | CUSIP NO. 704326AC1 | |
| ISIN NO. US704326AC18 |
PAYCHEX, INC.
5.600% Senior Notes due 2035
Paychex, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer” or “Company,” which terms include any successor corporation under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum of ($ ) on April 15, 2035 and to pay interest on said principal sum from April 10, 2025, or from the most recent interest payment date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 (each such date, an “Interest Payment Date”) of each year commencing on October 15, 2025, at the rate of 5.600% per annum until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable.
The amount of interest payable on any Interest Payment Date shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months. In the event that any date on which the principal or interest payable on this Note is not a Business Day, then payment of principal or interest payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of such delay). The interest installment so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in the Indenture (referred to on the reverse hereof) be paid to the Person in whose name this Note is registered at the close of business on the record date for such interest installment, which shall be the close of business on the immediately preceding April 1 and October 1 prior to such Interest Payment Date, as applicable (whether or not such record date is a Business Day). Any such interest installment not punctually paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered Holders on such record date and may be paid to the Person in whose name this Note is registered at the close of business on a subsequent record date (which shall be not less than five Business Days prior to the date of payment of such defaulted interest), notice whereof shall be sent by or on behalf of the Company to the registered Holders of Notes not less than 15 days preceding such subsequent record date, all as more fully provided in the Indenture. The principal of and the interest on this Note shall be payable at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in any coin or currency of the United States of America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that payment of interest, to the extent this Note is not represented by a Registered Global Security, may be made at the option of the Company by check sent to the Person entitled thereto at such address as shall appear in the registry books of the Company; provided, further, that for so long as this Note is represented by a Registered Global Security, payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on this Note may be made by wire transfer to the account of the Depositary or its nominee in accordance with the Applicable Procedures.
Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by or on behalf of the Trustee (as defined below) under the Indenture (as defined below), by the manual signature of one of its authorized signatories, this Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
Capitalized terms used in this Note which are defined in the Indenture shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
C-1
The provisions of this Note are continued on the reverse side hereof and such continued provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.
C-2
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer has caused this instrument to be duly executed, manually or in facsimile.
| PAYCHEX, INC. | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
[Signature Page to 2035 Global Note]
| CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION This is one of the Securities referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture. | ||
| THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee | ||
| By: |
| |
| Authorized Signatory | ||
Dated:
[Signature Page to 2035 Global Note]
[REVERSE SIDE OF NOTE]
This Note is one of a duly authorized series of Securities of the Company designated as its 5.600% Senior Notes due 2035 (the “Notes”). The Notes are all issued or to be issued under and pursuant to an Indenture, dated as of April 10, 2025 (the “Base Indenture”), duly executed and delivered between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee with respect to the Notes (the “Trustee”), as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture (the “Supplemental Indenture” and, together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”) dated as of April 10, 2025 between the Company and the Trustee.
The Notes are issuable only as Registered Securities in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the Notes are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Notes as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.
Except as set forth below, this Note is not redeemable. This Note is not entitled to the benefit of a sinking fund or any analogous provision.
Prior to January 15, 2035, the Notes may be redeemed, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at the option of the Company, for cash, at a redemption price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed or (ii) (a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon, discounted to the redemption date (assuming the Notes matured on January 15, 2035) on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus 25 basis points less (b) interest accrued and unpaid thereon to the redemption date, plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to, but not including, the date of redemption; provided that the principal amount of any Note remaining outstanding after a redemption in part shall be $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. In addition, on or after January 15, 2035, the Company may redeem the Notes at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, installments of interest on Notes that are due and payable on interest payment dates falling on or prior to a redemption date will be payable on the interest payment date to the registered Holders as of the close of business on the relevant record date. The Issuer’s actions and determinations in determining the redemption price shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error. The Trustee shall have no duty or obligation to calculate the redemption price. Notices will be sent (or in the case of Notes held in book-entry form, be transmitted electronically) to Holders of the Notes to be redeemed at least 10 and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption, except that redemption notices may be sent more than 60 days prior to a redemption if the notice is issued in connection with a legal or covenant defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the Notes and the Indenture pursuant to Section 10.1 of the Indenture. Unless the Issuer defaults in payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption. If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed, the Notes to be redeemed will be selected by the Trustee by lot or in accordance with the Applicable Procedures. Any redemption or notice of redemption may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including the completion of an offering of capital stock of the Company or other corporate transaction. If such redemption is subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall describe each such condition, and if applicable, shall state that, in the Company’s discretion, the redemption date may be delayed until such time (including more than 60 days after the date the notice of redemption was sent, including by electronic transmission) as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied, or such redemption may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied by the redemption date, or by the redemption date as so delayed, or such notice may be rescinded at any time in the Company’s discretion if in the good faith judgment of the Company any or all of such conditions will not be satisfied. In addition, the Company may provide in such notice that payment of the redemption price and performance of the Company’s obligations with respect to such redemption may be performed by another Person. Subject to Depository Trust Company’s (“DTC”) applicable procedures, the Company shall provide written notice to the Trustee not later than 9:00 a.m. New York City time on the redemption date if
C-5
such notice has been delayed or rescinded, and upon receipt the Trustee shall provide such notice to each Holder of the Notes in the same manner in which the notice of redemption was given, in the name and at the expense of the Company.
“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, the yield determined by the Company in accordance with the following two paragraphs:
The Treasury Rate shall be determined by the Company after 4:15 p.m., New York City time (or after such time as yields on U.S. government securities are posted daily by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), on the third business day preceding the redemption date based upon the yield or yields for the most recent day that appear after such time on such day in the most recent statistical release published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System designated as “Selected Interest Rates (Daily)—H.15” (or any successor designation or publication) (“H.15”) under the caption “U.S. government securities–Treasury constant maturities–Nominal” (or any successor caption or heading) (“H.15 TCM”). In determining the Treasury Rate, the Company shall select, as applicable: (1) the yield for the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the period from the redemption date to January 15, 2035 (the “Remaining Life”); (2) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the Remaining Life, the two yields – one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately shorter than, and one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately longer than, the Remaining Life – and shall interpolate to January 15, 2035 on a straight-line basis (using the actual number of days) using such yields and rounding the result to three decimal places; or (3) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 shorter than or longer than the Remaining Life, the yield for the single Treasury constant maturity on H.15 closest to the Remaining Life. For purposes of this paragraph, the applicable Treasury constant maturity or maturities on H.15 shall be deemed to have a maturity date equal to the relevant number of months or years, as applicable, of such Treasury constant maturity from the redemption date.
If on the third business day preceding the redemption date H.15 TCM is no longer published, the Company shall calculate the Treasury Rate based on the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the second business day preceding such redemption date of the United States Treasury security maturing on, or with a maturity that is closest to, January 15, 2035. If there is no United States Treasury security maturing on January 15, 2035 but there are two or more United States Treasury securities with a maturity date equally distant from January 15, 2035, one with a maturity date preceding January 15, 2035 and one with a maturity date following January 15, 2035, the Company shall select the United States Treasury security with a maturity date preceding January 15, 2035. If there are two or more United States Treasury securities maturing on January 15, 2035 or two or more United States Treasury securities meeting the criteria of the preceding sentence, the Company shall select from among these two or more United States Treasury securities the United States Treasury security that is trading closest to par based upon the average of the bid and asked prices for such United States Treasury securities at 11:00 a.m., New York City time. In determining the Treasury Rate in accordance with the terms of this paragraph, the semi-annual yield to maturity of the applicable United States Treasury security shall be based upon the average of the bid and asked prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, of such United States Treasury security, and rounded to three decimal places.
If (a) the Company’s pending acquisition of Paycor HCM, Inc. (the “Acquisition”) is not consummated on or prior to the later of (x) October 7, 2025 or (y) the date that is five Business Days after any later date to which the parties to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 7, 2025, by and among the Company, Skyline Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and Paycor HCM, Inc. (“the Merger Agreement”) may agree to extend the “End Date” in the Merger Agreement, (b) the Merger Agreement is terminated or (c) the Company notifies the Trustee, in writing, that it will not pursue the consummation of the Acquisition (each, a “Special Mandatory Redemption Event”), the Company will be obligated to redeem all of the Notes on the Special Mandatory Redemption Date at a redemption price (the “Special Mandatory Redemption Price”) equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the Special Mandatory Redemption Date.
C-6
Upon the occurrence of a Special Mandatory Redemption Event, the Company will promptly (and in any event not more than five Business Days following such Special Mandatory Redemption Event) deliver written notice to the Trustee of the Special Mandatory Redemption and the date upon which the Notes will be redeemed (the “Special Mandatory Redemption Date,” which date shall be no earlier than the fifth Business Day following the date of such notice) together with a notice of Special Mandatory Redemption for the Trustee to deliver to each Holder of the Notes to be redeemed. The Trustee will then promptly mail, or electronically deliver, according to the procedures of DTC, such notice of Special Mandatory Redemption to each Holder of the Notes to be redeemed. Unless the Company defaults in payment of the Special Mandatory Redemption Price, on and after such Special Mandatory Redemption Date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes to be redeemed.
If a Change of Control Repurchase Event occurs, unless the Company has previously exercised its right to redeem the Notes in whole as described above, the Company will be required to make an offer to each Holder of Notes to repurchase all or any part (in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 above that amount) of such Holder’s Notes at a repurchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased plus any accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes repurchased to, but not including, the date of such repurchase. Within 30 days following any Change of Control Repurchase Event or, at the Company’s option, prior to any Change of Control, but after the public announcement of an impending Change of Control, the Company will send a notice to each Holder, with a copy to the Trustee, describing the transaction or transactions that constitute or may constitute the Change of Control Repurchase Event and offering to repurchase Notes on the payment date specified in the notice, which date will be no earlier than 10 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is sent (the “Change of Control Payment Date”). The notice shall, if sent prior to the date of consummation of the Change of Control, state that the offer to purchase is conditioned on the Change of Control Repurchase Event occurring on or prior to the payment date specified in the notice.
The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder, to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes as a result of a Change of Control Repurchase Event. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control Repurchase Event provisions of the Notes, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Change of Control Repurchase Event provisions of the Notes by virtue of such conflict.
On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company will be required, to the extent lawful, to:
| (a) | accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes (in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 above that amount) properly tendered pursuant to the Company’s offer; |
| (b) | deposit with the paying agent, no later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, an amount equal to the aggregate purchase price in respect of all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered; and |
| (c) | deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation the Notes properly accepted, together with an Officer’s Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes being repurchased by the Company. |
The paying agent will promptly mail (or, in the case of Notes held in book-entry form, transmit electronically) to each Holder of Notes properly tendered the repurchase price for such Notes, and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book-entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unrepurchased portion of any Notes surrendered; provided, that each new Note will be in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 above that amount.
C-7
The Company will not be required to make an offer to repurchase the Notes upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event if a third party makes such an offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by the Company as set forth herein and the third party repurchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under its offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by the Company as set forth herein. In addition, the Company will not be required to, and will not, make an offer to repurchase any Notes if there has occurred and is continuing on the Change of Control Payment Date an Event of Default with respect to the Notes.
If Holders of not less than 90% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding validly tender and do not withdraw such Notes in an offer to repurchase the Notes upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event and the Company, or any third party making such an offer in lieu of the Company as described above, purchases all of such Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn by such Holders, the Company or such third party will have the right, upon not less than 10 days’ nor more than 60 days’ prior notice (provided, that such notice is given not more than 60 days following such repurchase pursuant to the offer to repurchase the Notes upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event described above) to redeem all Notes that remain outstanding following such purchase on a date specified in such notice (the “Second Change of Control Payment Date”) and at a price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes repurchased to, but excluding, the Second Change of Control Payment Date.
“Below Investment Grade Rating Event” means the Notes are rated below an Investment Grade Rating by each of the Rating Agencies on any date from the date of the public notice of an arrangement that could result in a Change of Control until the end of the 60-day period following public notice of the occurrence of the Change of Control (which 60-day period shall be extended so long as the rating of the Notes is under publicly announced consideration for possible downgrade by any of the Rating Agencies).
“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following: (1) the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) other than the Company or one of its Subsidiaries; (2) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the then outstanding number of shares or voting power of the Company’s Voting Equity Interests; (3) the adoption of a plan by the Company’s Board of Directors relating to the Company’s liquidation or dissolution; or (4) the Company consolidates with, or merges with or into, any Person, or any Person consolidates with, or merges with or into, the Company, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which any of the Company’s outstanding Voting Equity Interests or the outstanding Voting Equity Interests of such other Person is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction where the shares of the Company’s Voting Equity Interests outstanding immediately prior to such transaction constitute, or are converted into or exchanged for, a majority of the Voting Equity Interests of the surviving Person or parent entity thereof immediately after giving effect to such transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed to result in a Change of Control if (a) the Company becomes a wholly-owned Subsidiary of another Person and (b) immediately following that transaction, a majority of Voting Equity Interests of such Person is held by the direct or indirect Holders of the Company’s Voting Equity Interests immediately prior to such transaction and in substantially the same proportions as immediately prior to such transaction.
“Change of Control Repurchase Event” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Below Investment Grade Rating Event.
“Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P and Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s.
“Moody’s” means Moody’s Ratings, Inc., a subsidiary of Moody’s Corporation, and its successors.
C-8
“Rating Agencies” means (1) each of S&P and Moody’s; and (2) if either of S&P or Moody’s ceases to rate the Notes or fails to make a rating of the Notes publicly available for reasons outside of the Company’s control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) under the Exchange Act, selected by the Company as a replacement agency for S&P or Moody’s, or one or both of them, as the case may be.
“S&P” means S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global, Inc.
If an Event of Default with respect to the Notes shall occur and be continuing, the principal of all the Notes may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and interest on this Note at the time, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.
As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Note may be registered on the books of the Registrar, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company maintained by the Company for such purpose in the contiguous United States of America, which shall initially be the Corporate Trust Office, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder hereof or by its attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Notes of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.
No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection therewith.
Prior to due presentment of this Note for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Note be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, SECTION 5-1401 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW.
C-9
[FORM OF SCHEDULE FOR ENDORSEMENTS ON REGISTERED
GLOBAL SECURITIES TO REFLECT CHANGES IN PRINCIPAL AMOUNT]
Schedule A
Changes to Principal Amount of Registered Global Securities
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Principal Amount of Notes by which this Registered Global Security is to be Reduced or Increased, and Reason for Reduction or Increase |
Remaining Principal Amount of this Registered Global Security |
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C-10
Exhibits 5.1 and 23.1
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Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP 450 Lexington Avenue New York, NY 10017 davispolk.com |
April 10, 2025
Paychex, Inc.
911 Panorama Trail South
Rochester, New York 14625-2396
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Paychex, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-286249) (the “Registration Statement”) for the purpose of registering under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), certain securities, including $1,500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 5.100% Senior Notes due 2030 (the “2030 Notes”), $1,500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 5.350% Senior Notes due 2032 (the “2032 Notes”) and $1,200,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 5.600% Senior Notes due 2035 (the “2035 Notes” and, together with the 2030 Notes and the 2032 Notes, the “Securities”). The Securities are to be issued pursuant to the provisions of the Base Indenture dated as of April 10, 2025 (the “Base Indenture”) between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the “Trustee”), as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture establishing the terms of the Securities, dated as of April 10, 2025, between the Company and the Trustee (the “First Supplemental Indenture” and, together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”). The Securities are to be sold pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement dated April 8, 2025 (the “Underwriting Agreement”) among the Company and the several underwriters named therein (the “Underwriters”).
We, as your counsel, have examined originals or copies of such documents, corporate records, certificates of public officials and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or advisable for the purpose of rendering this opinion.
In rendering the opinion expressed herein, we have, without independent inquiry or investigation, assumed that (i) all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic and complete, (ii) all documents submitted to us as copies conform to authentic, complete originals, (iii) all signatures on all documents that we reviewed are genuine, (iv) all natural persons executing documents had and have the legal capacity to do so, (v) all statements in certificates of public officials and officers of the Company that we reviewed were and are accurate and (vi) all representations made by the Company as to matters of fact in the documents that we reviewed were and are accurate.
Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the additional assumptions and qualifications set forth below, we advise you that, in our opinion, when the Securities have been duly executed and authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and delivered to and paid for by the Underwriters pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability, provided that we express no opinion as to, (x) the effect of fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer or similar provision of applicable law on the conclusions expressed above or (y) the validity, legally binding effect or enforceability of any provision that permits holders to collect any portion of stated principal amount upon acceleration of the Securities to the extent determined to constitute unearned interest.
In addition, we have assumed that the Indenture and the Securities (collectively, the “Documents”) are valid, binding and enforceable agreements of each party thereto (other than as expressly covered above in respect of the Company). We have also assumed that the execution, delivery and performance by each party to each Document to which it is a party (a) are within its corporate powers, (b) do not contravene, or constitute a default under, the certificate of incorporation or bylaws or other constitutive documents of such party, (c) require no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental body, agency or official and (d) do not contravene, or constitute a default under, any provision of applicable law or regulation or any judgment, injunction, order or decree or any agreement or other instrument binding upon such party.
We are members of the Bar of the State of New York and the foregoing opinion is limited to the laws of the State of New York and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, except that we express no opinion as to any law, rule or regulation that is applicable to the Company, the Documents or such transactions solely because such law, rule or regulation is part of a regulatory regime applicable to any party to any of the Documents or any of its affiliates due to the specific assets or business of such party or such affiliate.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to a report on Form 8-K to be filed by the Company on the date hereof and its incorporation by reference into the Registration Statement and further consent to the reference to our name under the caption “Legal Matters” in the prospectus supplement which is a part of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP