WHR 8-K
Whirlpool Corp /De/ (WHR)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Contract
Common Stock Offering
On February 24, 2026, Whirlpool Corporation (the “Company”) entered into an underwriting agreement (the “Common Stock Underwriting Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., as the representatives (the “Representatives”) of the several underwriters named therein (the “Common Stock Underwriters”), relating to the upsized offering by the Company of 6,884,057 shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share (the “Common Stock”) (such offering, the “Common Stock Offering”) in a public offering pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-293648), and a preliminary prospectus supplement and prospectus supplement related to the Common Stock Offering, each as previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”). On February 24, 2026, the Company filed a pricing term sheet with the Commission relating to the Common Stock Offering. Pursuant to the Common Stock Underwriting Agreement, the Company granted the Common Stock Underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1,014,493 shares of Common Stock. On February 25, 2026, the Common Stock Underwriters exercised this option in full. On February 27, 2026, the Company closed the Common Stock Offering. For a description of the terms and conditions of the Common Stock Underwriting Agreement, please refer to the Common Stock Underwriting Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 1.1 hereto.
Kirkland & Ellis LLP, U.S. counsel to the Company, has issued an opinion to the Company, dated February 27, 2026, regarding certain legal matters with respect to the Common Stock Offering. A copy of this opinion is filed as Exhibit 5.1 hereto.
Depositary Shares Offering
On February 24, 2026, the Company entered into an underwriting agreement (the “Depositary Shares Underwriting Agreement”) with the Representatives, as the representatives of the several underwriters named therein (the “Depositary Shares Underwriters”) and Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., as the qualified independent underwriter, relating to the upsized offering by the Company of 10,500,000 depositary shares (the “Depositary Shares”), each representing a 1/20th interest in a share of 8.50% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, liquidation preference $1,000.00 per share, par value $1.00 per share (the “Preferred Stock” and such offering, the “Depositary Shares Offering”) in a public offering pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-293648), and a preliminary prospectus supplement and prospectus supplement related to the Depositary Shares Offering, each as previously filed with the Commission. On February 24, 2026, the Company filed a pricing term sheet with the Commission relating to the Depositary Shares Offering. Pursuant to the Depositary Shares Underwriting Agreement, the Company granted the Depositary Shares Underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1,000,000 Depositary Shares, solely to cover over-allotments. On February 25, 2026, the Depositary Shares Underwriters exercised this option in full. On February 27, 2026, the Company closed the Depositary Shares Offering. For a description of the terms and conditions of the Depositary Shares Underwriting Agreement, please refer to the Depositary Shares Underwriting Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 1.2 hereto.
Kirkland & Ellis LLP, U.S. counsel to the Company, has issued an opinion to the Company, dated February 27, 2026, regarding certain legal matters with respect to the Depositary Shares Offering. A copy of this opinion is filed as Exhibit 5.2 hereto.
In connection with the Depositary Shares Offering, the Company filed a certificate of designations (the “Certificate of Designations”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, including a form of certificate for the Preferred Stock (the “Form of Certificate”), to establish the preferences, limitations, and relative rights of the Preferred Stock. The Certificate of Designations became effective upon filing.
Also in connection with the Depositary Shares Offering, the Company entered into a deposit agreement (the “Deposit Agreement”), dated February 27, 2026, by and among the Company, Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., acting jointly as depositary (the “Depositary”), and the holders from time to time of the depositary receipts (the “Depositary Receipts”), a form of which is included therein (the “Form of Depositary Receipt”). The Deposit Agreement provides for the deposit of shares of the Preferred Stock from time to time with the Depositary and for the issuance of Depositary Receipts evidencing Depositary Shares in respect of the deposited Preferred Stock.
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The foregoing descriptions of the terms of the Common Stock Underwriting Agreement, Depositary Shares Underwriting Agreement, Certificate of Designations, Form of Certificate, Deposit Agreement and Form of Depositary Receipt do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of each of the foregoing, which are filed with this report as Exhibits 1.1, 1.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3, respectively. Each of the foregoing documents is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 3.03. Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.
On February 27, 2026, the Company filed the Certificate of Designations with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware to establish the preferences, limitations and relative rights of the Preferred Stock. The Certificate of Designations became effective upon filing.
Subject to certain exceptions, so long as any share of Preferred Stock remains outstanding, no dividend or distribution will be declared or paid on the Common Stock or any other shares of junior stock, and no Common Stock or other junior stock or parity stock will be, directly or indirectly, purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired for consideration by the Company or any of its subsidiaries unless all accumulated and unpaid dividends for all preceding dividend periods have been declared and paid upon, or a sufficient sum or number of shares of Common Stock have been set apart for the payment of such dividends upon, all outstanding shares of Preferred Stock.
Holders of the Depositary Shares will be entitled to a proportional fractional interest in the rights and preferences of the Preferred Stock, including conversion, dividend, liquidation and voting rights, subject to the provisions of the Deposit Agreement. The Preferred Stock will accumulate dividends (which may be paid in cash or, subject to certain limitations, in shares of Common Stock or in any combination of cash and Common Stock) at a rate per annum equal to 8.50% on the liquidation preference thereof, which is $1,000 per share, payable when, as and if declared by the Company’s board of directors (or an authorized committee thereof), on February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year, beginning on May 15, 2026 and ending on, and including, February 15, 2029. Unless earlier converted, each outstanding share of Preferred Stock will automatically convert for settlement on or about February 15, 2029, into between 12.3340 and 14.4920 shares of Common Stock (and, correspondingly, each Depositary Share will automatically convert into between 0.6167 and 0.7246 shares of Common Stock), subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments, determined based on the volume-weighted average price of the Common Stock over the 20 consecutive trading day period beginning on, and including, the 21st scheduled trading day prior to February 15, 2029. Other than during a fundamental change conversion period (as defined in the Certificate of Designations), at any time prior to the mandatory conversion settlement date, a holder of 20 Depositary Shares may cause the Depositary to convert one share of Preferred Stock, on such holder’s behalf, into a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the minimum conversion rate of 12.3340, subject to certain anti-dilution and other adjustments.
In addition, in the event of our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, winding-up or dissolution, each holder of Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive a liquidation preference in the amount of $1,000 per share of the Preferred Stock, plus an amount equal to accumulated and unpaid dividends on the shares to, but excluding, the date fixed for liquidation, winding-up or dissolution to be paid out of the Company’s assets available for distribution to the Company’s shareholders, after satisfaction of liabilities to the Company’s creditors and holders of any senior stock and before any payment or distribution is made to holders of junior stock, including the Common Stock.
Item 5.03. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.
The information set forth under Item 3.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is hereby incorporated by reference in this Item 5.03.
Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.
A copy of the Company’s press releases related to the announcements set forth under Item 1.01 is furnished as Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
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Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION | ||||||
| February 27, 2026 | By: | /s/ Roxanne L. Warner | ||||
| Name: Roxanne L. Warner | ||||||
| Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | ||||||
Exhibit 1.1
WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
6,884,057 Shares of Common Stock
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
Dated: February 24, 2026
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page | ||||
| SECTION 1. Representations and Warranties |
2 | |||
| SECTION 2. Sale and Delivery to Underwriters; Closing |
10 | |||
| SECTION 3. Covenants of the Company |
12 | |||
| SECTION 4. Payment of Expenses |
16 | |||
| SECTION 5. Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations |
17 | |||
| SECTION 6. Indemnification |
19 | |||
| SECTION 7. Contribution |
21 | |||
| SECTION 8. Survival |
22 | |||
| SECTION 9. Termination of Agreement |
22 | |||
| SECTION 10. Default by One or More of the Underwriters |
23 | |||
| SECTION 11. Notices |
24 | |||
| SECTION 12. Recognition of the U.S. Special Resolution Regimes |
24 | |||
| SECTION 13. Parties |
24 | |||
| SECTION 14. GOVERNING LAW AND TIME |
25 | |||
| SECTION 15. Effect of Headings; Counterparts |
25 | |||
| SECTION 16. Definitions |
25 | |||
| SECTION 17. Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses |
28 | |||
| SECTION 18. Absence of Fiduciary Relationship |
29 | |||
| SECTION 19. Research Analyst Independence |
29 | |||
| SECTION 20. Trial By Jury |
30 | |||
| SECTION 21. Compliance with USA Patriot Act |
30 | |||
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EXHIBITS
| Exhibit A | – | Underwriters | ||
| Exhibit B | – | List of Persons Subject to Lock-Up | ||
| Exhibit C | – | Form of Lock-Up Agreement | ||
| Exhibit D | – | Term Sheet | ||
| Exhibit E | – | Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectuses | ||
| Exhibit F | – | Written Testing-the-Waters Communications | ||
| Annex A | – | Form of In-House Opinion | ||
| Annex B | – | Form of Company Counsel Opinion |
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WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
6,884,057 Shares of Common Stock
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
February 24, 2026
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
As Representatives of the several Underwriters
c/o Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
500 West 33rd Street, 14th Floor
New York, New York 10001
c/o J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
270 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10017
c/o Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
388 Greenwich Street
New York, New York 10013
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Whirlpool Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) confirms its agreement with Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (“Wells Fargo”) and each of the other Underwriters named in Exhibit A hereto (collectively, the “Underwriters,” which term shall also include any underwriter substituted as hereinafter provided in Section 10 hereof), for whom Wells Fargo, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. are acting as representatives (in such capacity, the “Representatives”), with respect to the issue and sale by the Company of a total of 6,884,057 shares (the “Initial Securities”) of the Company’s common stock, par value $1.00 per share (the “Common Stock”), and the purchase by the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, of the respective numbers of Initial Securities set forth in said Exhibit A hereto, and with respect to the grant by the Company to the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, of the option described in Section 2(b) hereof to purchase all or any part of 1,014,493 additional shares of Common Stock, if any. The Initial Securities to be purchased by the Underwriters and all or any part of the 1,014,493 shares of Common Stock subject to the option described in Section 2(b) hereof (the “Option Securities”) are hereinafter called, collectively, the “Securities.” Certain terms used in this Underwriting Agreement (this “Agreement”) are defined in Section 16 hereof.
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Substantially concurrently with the offering of the Securities contemplated hereby, the Company will, among other things, issue and sell up to a total of 11,500,000 depositary shares, each representing a 1/20th interest in a share of its 8.50% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share, with an initial liquidation preference of $1,000 per share (the “Preferred Stock”), pursuant to the MCP Agreement and separate prospectus supplement, subject to customary closing conditions (the “Concurrent Offering”). The offering of the Securities is not contingent upon the completion of the Concurrent Offering, the Concurrent Offering is not contingent upon the completion of the offering of the Securities, and the Securities are not being offered together with the shares of Common Stock offered in the Concurrent Offering.
The Company understands that the Underwriters propose to make a public offering of the Securities as soon as the Representatives deem advisable after this Agreement has been executed and delivered.
The Company has prepared and previously delivered to you a preliminary prospectus supplement dated February 23, 2026 relating to the Securities and a related prospectus dated February 23, 2026 (the “Base Prospectus”). Such preliminary prospectus supplement and Base Prospectus, including the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the 1933 Act, are hereinafter called, collectively, the “Pre-Pricing Prospectus.” Promptly after the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company will prepare and file with the Commission a prospectus supplement dated February 24, 2026 (the “Prospectus Supplement”) and will file the Prospectus Supplement and the Base Prospectus with the Commission, all in accordance with the provisions of Rule 430B and Rule 424(b), and the Company has previously advised you of all information (financial and other) that will be set forth therein. The Prospectus Supplement and the Base Prospectus, in the form first furnished to the Underwriters for use in connection with the offering of the Securities (whether to meet the request of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173(d) or otherwise), including the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the 1933 Act, are herein called, collectively, the “Prospectus.”
SECTION 1. Representations and Warranties.
(a) Representations and Warranties by the Company. The Company represents and warrants to each Underwriter as of the date hereof, as of the Applicable Time, as of the Closing Date referred to in Section 2(c) hereof, and as of each Option Closing Date (if any) referred to in Section 2(b) hereof, and agrees with each Underwriter, as follows:
(1) Status Under the 1993 Act. The Company was a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 (A) at the time of filing the Registration Statement or any amendments thereto, (B) at the time of the most recent amendment to the Registration Statement for the purpose of complying with Section 10(a)(3) of the 1933 Act (whether such amendment was by post-effective amendment, by a report incorporated by reference therein filed pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act or by form of prospectus filed pursuant to the 1933 Act), and (C) at the time the Company or any person acting on its behalf (within the meaning, for this clause only, of Rule 163(c)) made any offer relating to the Securities in reliance on the exemption of Rule 163; and the Company was not an “ineligible issuer” as defined in Rule 405 at the earliest time after the filing of the Registration Statement that the Company or any Underwriter made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2)) of the Securities.
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(2) Registration Statement and Prospectus. The Company meets the requirements for use of Form S-3 under the 1933 Act. The Registration Statement is an “automatic shelf registration statement” as defined under Rule 405 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) has been received by the Company. No order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued by the Commission and, to the Company’s knowledge, no proceeding for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the 1933 Act against the Company or related to the offering has been initiated or threatened by the Commission; as of the Effective Time, the Registration Statement became effective, the Registration Statement complied in all material respects with the 1933 Act, and did not or 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 and each Option Closing Date, as applicable, the Prospectus 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, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that the Company makes no representation and warranty as to the information contained in or omitted from the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of any or all the Underwriters through the Representatives expressly for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by the Underwriters as aforesaid consists of the information described as such in Section 6(b).
(3) General Disclosure Package. The term “General Disclosure Package” shall mean (i) the Pre-Pricing Prospectus as of the Applicable Time; (ii) any Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, issued at or prior to the Applicable Time and (iii) the term sheet attached as Exhibit D , all considered together. As of the Applicable Time, the General Disclosure Package (i) conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the 1933 Act and (ii) did not contain an 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. The preceding sentence does not apply to statements in or omissions from the General Disclosure Package based upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of any or all the Underwriters through the Representatives expressly for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by the Underwriters as aforesaid consists of the information described as such in Section 6(b).
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(4) Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and Written Testing-the-Waters Communication. (i) The Company (including its agents and representatives, other than the Underwriters in their capacity as such) has not made, used, prepared, authorized, approved or referred to and will not prepare, make, use, authorize, approve or refer to any “written communication” (as defined in Rule 405) 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 clause (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 1933 Act or Rule 134, (ii) the Pre-Pricing Prospectus, (iii) the Prospectus and (iv) the documents listed on Exhibit E and (v) any other electronic road show or other written communications including the investor presentation listed in Exhibit E, in each case approved in written by the Representatives. Any such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, to the extent required pursuant to Rule 433(d), and any Written Testing-The Waters Communication, as of the issue and/or delivery date, as applicable, and at all subsequent times through the completion of the public offer and sale of the Securities, complies or will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and has been, or will be filed with the Commission in accordance with the 1933 Act (to the extent required pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act); and (ii) each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus as of its issue date and Written Testing-the-Waters Communication when delivered, and at all subsequent times through the completion of the public offer and sale of the Securities under this Agreement or until any earlier date that the Company notified or notifies the Representatives as described in the next sentence, did not, does not and will not include any information that conflicted, conflicts or will conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, the Pre-Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus and, taken together with the General Disclosure Package as of the Applicable Time, did not and will not contain any untrue statement of any 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. If at any time following issuance of an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the delivery of a Written Testing-the-Waters Communication there occurred or occurs an event or development as a result of which such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Written Testing-the-Waters Communication conflicted or would conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, the Company has promptly notified or will promptly notify the Representatives and has promptly amended or supplemented or will promptly amend or supplement, at its own expense, such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and/or Written Testing-the-Waters Communication, as applicable, to eliminate or correct such conflict; provided, that, the Company makes no representation and warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in each such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Written Testing-the-Waters Communication 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 therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by the Underwriters as aforesaid consists of the information described as such in Section 6(b).
(5) Incorporated Documents. The documents incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or the General Disclosure Package, when they were filed with the Commission, conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act, as applicable, and none of such documents contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which
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they were made, not misleading; and any further documents so filed and incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or the General Disclosure Package, when such 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 1934 Act or the 1934 Act, as applicable, 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 to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(6) Financial Statements. The financial statements and the related notes thereto included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act, as applicable, and present fairly 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 GAAP and applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered thereby (except as disclosed therein), and the supporting schedules included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement present fairly the information required to be stated therein; the other financial information included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus has been derived from the accounting records of the Company and its subsidiaries and presents fairly the information shown thereby; and any pro forma financial information and the related notes thereto included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus have been prepared in accordance with the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act, as applicable, and the assumptions underlying such pro forma financial information are reasonable and are set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. The interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus presents fairly the information called for in all material respects and is prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto.
(7) No Material Adverse Effect. Since the date of the most recent financial statements of the Company included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, (i) neither the Company nor any of the Company’s Significant Subsidiaries has sustained any loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree, that is material to the Company, and its subsidiaries, considered as a whole and (ii) there has not been any material change in the capital stock or long-term debt of the Company and any of its subsidiaries, considered as a whole, or any material adverse change, or any development involving an impending material adverse change, in the general affairs, financial position, stockholders’ equity or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, except in each case as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. “Significant Subsidiaries” means, collectively, each of Whirlpool S.A., a Brazilian company, KitchenAid Global LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and InSinkErator LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
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(8) Organization and Good Standing. The Company and each of its Significant Subsidiaries has been duly organized and is a validly existing entity in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with corporate power and authority to own its properties and conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and has been duly qualified as a foreign corporation for the transaction of business and is in good standing under the laws of each other jurisdiction in which it owns or leases properties and where the failure to so qualify would have a material adverse effect on the business, financial position, stockholders’ equity or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole (a “Material Adverse Effect”).
(9) The Securities. The Securities have been duly authorized by the Company and, when duly executed, issued and delivered against payment as provided herein will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. The issuance of the Securities is not subject to any pre-emptive or similar rights, and no holder of the Common Stock will be subject to personal liability solely by reason of being such a holder.
(10) Due Authorization. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.
(11) No Violation or Default. None of the execution or delivery of this Agreement by the Company, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, and the issue and sale of the Securities by the Company, or compliance by the Company with all of the provisions of this Agreement, and the Securities will conflict with or result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, encumbrance or charge upon any property or asset of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries under, (i) the Organizational Documents of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries, (ii) any loan agreement, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them is bound or to which any of their respective properties is subject, or (iii) any law or any rule, regulation, order, or decree of any governmental agency or body or court having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties, except in case of clauses (ii) and (iii) for such breaches, violations, creations or impositions as would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
(12) Legal Proceedings. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no legal or governmental proceedings pending to which the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries is a party or to which any property of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries is subject other than litigation or other proceedings which, in the opinion of the Company, will not in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect; and, to the knowledge of the Company’s officers, no such proceedings are threatened or contemplated by governmental authorities; and (i) there are no current or pending legal, governmental or regulatory actions, suits or
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proceedings that are required under the 1933 Act to be described in the Registration Statement that are not so described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and (ii) there are no statutes, regulations or contracts or other documents that are required under the 1933 Act to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement or described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus that are not so filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement or described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.
(13) Independent Accountants. Ernst & Young LLP, who have 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 PCAOB and as required by the 1933 Act.
(14) No Consents Required. No consent, approval, authorization or order of any court or governmental agency or body is required for the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein, including the issue and sale of the Securities, or compliance by the Company with all provisions of this Agreement and the Securities, except such as have been obtained under the 1933 Act and such as may be required under the blue sky laws of any jurisdiction in connection with the sale of the Securities as contemplated by this Agreement and such other approvals as have been obtained.
(15) Properties. The principal manufacturing and service facilities referred to in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 under the caption “Properties” are either owned or leased by the Company or one of its subsidiaries and, if owned, are held under good title, subject to no defects or encumbrances which would materially interfere with the conduct of the business of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as a whole and, if leased, are held under valid and enforceable leases with no exceptions which would materially interfere with such conduct.
(16) Disclosure Controls. The Company and its subsidiaries maintain an effective system of “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the 1934 Act) that is designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the 1934 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 1934 Act.
(17) Accounting Controls. The Company and its subsidiaries maintain systems of “internal control over financial reporting” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the 1934 Act) that comply with the requirements of the 1934 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
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purposes in accordance with GAAP, including, but not limited to internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability; (C) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (D) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no material weaknesses in the Company’s internal controls.
(18) 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, including Section 402 related to loans and Sections 302 and 906 related to certifications.
(19) Compliance with Environmental Laws. (i) Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and in the case of each of (a), (b) and (c) below, excluding any failure to comply, or failure to receive required permits, licenses or other authorizations or approvals, and excluding any cost or liability for investigation or remediation that, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect, the Company and its subsidiaries (a) are in compliance with any and all applicable federal, state, local and foreign laws, rules, regulations, requirements, decisions and orders relating to the protection of human health and safety, the environment or hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants (collectively, “Environmental Laws”); (b) have received and are in compliance with all permits, licenses, certificates or other authorizations or approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses; and (c) have not received notice of any actual or potential liability for the investigation or remediation of any disposal or release of hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants, and (ii) except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no material costs or liabilities associated with Environmental Laws of or relating to the Company or its subsidiaries.
(20) Investment Company Act. The Company is not, and after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Securities and the depositary shares representing a 1/20th interest in a share of its of Preferred Stock in the Concurrent Offering and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, will not be, an “investment company” within the meaning of the 1940 Act.
(21) No Stabilization. Neither the Company nor any of its affiliates nor any person acting on its or their behalf (other than the Underwriters, as to whom the Company makes no representation) has taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to cause or that constituted or that might reasonably be expected to cause or constitute, under the 1934 Act or otherwise, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.
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(22) No Unlawful Contributions or Other Payments. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or controlled affiliate of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is aware of, or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such persons of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “FCPA”), the UK Bribery Act of 2010 or any other applicable anti-bribery or corruption law or regulation (collectively, the “Anti-Bribery and Corruption Laws”), that would be material in the context of this transaction including, without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA; and the Company and its subsidiaries have conducted their businesses in compliance in all material respects with the Anti-Bribery and Corruption Laws and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance in all material respects with the Anti-Bribery and Corruption Laws.
(23) No Conflicts with Sanctions Laws. None of the Company, any of its subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, employee or controlled affiliate of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is (i) currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC, UNSC, the European Union, His Majesty’s Treasury or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, “Sanctions”) or (ii) located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is subject or target of Sanctions (a “Sanctioned Jurisdiction”); and the Company will not, directly or knowingly 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, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any Sanctions; and the Company and, to the Company’s knowledge, its subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and controlled affiliates are in compliance with applicable Sanctions in all material respects.
(24) No Conflict with Money Laundering Laws. The operations of the Company and its subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in material compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements, including those of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of all applicable jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any applicable governmental or regulatory agency (collectively, the “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 that would be material in the context of this transaction with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.
(25) NYSE. The outstanding shares of Common Stock are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”).
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(26) Absence of Registration Rights. There are no persons or entities with registration rights or other similar rights to have any securities (debt or equity) (A) registered pursuant to the Registration Statement or included in the offering contemplated by this Agreement or (B) otherwise registered by the Company under the 1933 Act, and there are no persons or entities with co-sale rights, tag-along rights or other similar rights to have any securities (debt or equity) included in the offering contemplated by this Agreement or sold in connection with the sale of Securities, except in each case for such rights that have been duly waived in writing; and the Company has given all notices required by, and has otherwise complied with its obligations under, all registration rights agreements, co-sale agreements, tag-along agreements and other similar agreements in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(27) Testing-the-Waters. The Company (i) has not alone engaged in any Testing-the-Waters Communication with any person other than Testing-the-Waters Communications with the consent of the Representatives with entities that are reasonably believed to be “qualified institutional buyers” within the meaning of Rule 144A or institutions that are reasonably believed to be “accredited investors” within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3), (7), (8), (9), (12) or (13) and (ii) has not authorized anyone other than the Representatives to engage in Testing-the-Waters Communications. The Company reconfirms that the Representatives have been authorized to act on its behalf in undertaking Testing-the-Waters Communications. The Company has not distributed any Written Testing-the-Waters Communications except as listed in Exhibit F.
(b) Certificates. Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries (whether signed on behalf of such officer, the Company or such subsidiary) and delivered to the Representatives or to counsel for the Underwriters shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company to each Underwriter as to the matters covered thereby.
SECTION 2. Sale and Delivery to Underwriters; Closing.
(a) Initial Securities. On the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to sell to the Underwriters, severally and not jointly, 6,884,057 Initial Securities, and each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees to purchase the respective number of Initial Securities set forth opposite its name in Exhibit A hereto plus any additional number of Initial Securities which such Underwriter may become obligated to purchase pursuant to the provisions of Section 10 hereof, subject to such adjustments among the Underwriters as the Representatives in their sole discretion shall make to eliminate any sales or purchases of fractional Securities, in each case at a price of $66.24 per share (the “Purchase Price”).
(b) Option Securities. In addition, on the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company hereby grants an option to the Underwriters, severally and not jointly, to purchase up to 1,014,493 Option Securities at a price per share equal to the Purchase Price referred to in Section 2(a) above; provided that the price per share for any Option Securities shall be reduced by an amount per share equal to any dividends or distributions declared, paid or payable by the Company on the Initial
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Securities but not payable on such Option Securities. The option hereby granted will expire at 11:59 P.M. (New York City time) on the 30th day after the date hereof and may be exercised in whole or in part from time to time that may be made in connection with the offering and distribution of the Initial Securities upon notice by the Representatives to the Company setting forth the number of Option Securities as to which the several Underwriters are then exercising the option and the time and date of payment and delivery for such Option Securities. Any such time and date of delivery (an “Option Closing Date”) shall be determined by the Representatives, but shall not be later than seven full business days after the exercise of said option (unless postponed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10 hereof), nor in any event prior to the Closing Date. Any such notice shall be given at least two business days prior to the date and time of delivery specified therein, except to the extent that the date on which the Option Securities are to be delivered is the same date and time as the Closing Date, in which case such notice may be delivered one business day prior to the date and time of delivery specified therein. If the option is exercised as to all or any portion of the Option Securities, the Company will sell to the Underwriters that proportion of the total number of Option Securities then being purchased bears to the total number of Option Securities, and each of the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, will purchase that proportion of the total number of Option Securities then being purchased which the number of Initial Securities set forth in Exhibit A hereto opposite the name of such Underwriter, plus any additional number of Initial Securities that such Underwriter may become obligated to purchase pursuant to the provisions of Section 10 hereof, bears to the total number of Initial Securities, subject in each case to such adjustments as the Representatives in their discretion shall make to eliminate any sales or purchases of fractional shares.
(c) Payment. Payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of, the Initial Securities shall be made at the offices of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, 300 North LaSalle Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60654, or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and the Company, at 9:00 A.M. (New York City time) on February 27, 2026 (unless postponed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10), or such other time not later than five business days after such date as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and the Company (such time and date of payment and delivery being herein called “Closing Date”).
In addition, in the event that any or all of the Option Securities are purchased by the Underwriters, payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of, such Option Securities shall be made at the above-mentioned offices at 9:00 A.M. (New York City time), or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and the Company, on each Option Closing Date as specified in the notice from the Representatives to the Company.
Payment shall be made to the Company by wire transfer of immediately available funds to a single bank account designated by the Company, against delivery to the Representatives for the respective accounts of the Underwriters of the Securities to be purchased by them. It is understood that each Underwriter has authorized the Representatives, for its account, to accept delivery of, receipt for, and make payment of the purchase price for, the Initial Securities and the Option Securities, if any, that it has agreed to purchase. Wells Fargo, individually and not as Representative of the Underwriters, may (but shall not be obligated to) make payment of the Purchase Price for the Initial Securities or the Option Securities, if any, to be purchased by any Underwriter whose funds have not been received by the Closing Date or the relevant Option Closing Date, as the case may be, but such payment shall not relieve such Underwriter from its obligations hereunder.
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(d) Delivery of Securities. Delivery of the Initial Securities and any Option Securities shall be made through the facilities of DTC unless the Representatives shall otherwise instruct.
SECTION 3. Covenants of the Company. The Company covenants with each Underwriter as follows:
(a) Filings with the Commission. The Company will file the Prospectus in a form approved by the Underwriters with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424 under the 1933 Act not later than the close of business on the second business day following the date of determination of the public offering price of the Securities or, if applicable, such earlier time as may be required by Rule 424(b) and Rule 430A, 430B or 430C under the 1933 Act. The Company will file any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (including the term sheet in the form set forth in Exhibit D) to the extent required by Rule 433 under the 1933 Act; and the Company will furnish copies of the Prospectus to the Underwriters in New York City prior to 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on the second day succeeding the date of this Agreement in such quantities as the Representatives may reasonably request. If at any time when Securities remain unsold by the Underwriters the Company receives from the Commission a notice pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) or otherwise ceases to be eligible to use the automatic shelf registration statement form, the Company will (i) promptly notify the Underwriters and (ii) subject to paragraph (c), promptly take such action as shall be necessary to permit the public offering and sale of the Securities to continue as soon as practicable after receipt of such notice.
(b) Delivery of Copies. The Company will deliver, without charge to the Underwriters and counsel for the Underwriters (i) copies of the Registration Statement (including exhibits thereto); (ii) copies of the Preliminary Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto, and the Company hereby consents to the use of such copies for purposes permitted by the 1933 Act; and (iii) during the Prospectus Delivery Period, such number of copies of the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto as such Underwriter 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 1933 Act) in connection with sales of the Securities by any Underwriter or dealer.
(c) Amendments or Supplements; Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses; Written Testing-the-Waters Communications. Before making, preparing, using, authorizing, approving, referring to or filing any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Written Testing-the-Waters Communications, and before filing any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or the General Disclosure Package, the Company will furnish to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters a copy of the proposed Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Written Testing-the-Waters Communication, 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 object.
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(d) Notice to the Representatives. The Company will advise the Representatives promptly, and confirm such advice in writing, (i) when any amendment to the Registration Statement has been filed or becomes effective; (ii) when any supplement to the Prospectus or any amendment to the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus has been filed; (iii) 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; (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the 1933 Act; (v) of the occurrence of any event within the Prospectus Delivery Period as a result of which the Prospectus, the General Disclosure Package, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Written Testing-the-Waters-Communication as then amended or supplemented would include 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, in the light of the circumstances existing when the Prospectus, the General Disclosure Package, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any Written Testing-the-Waters-Communication is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading; and (vi) 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 or the Prospectus or suspending any such qualification of the Securities and, if any such order is issued, will obtain as soon as possible the withdrawal thereof.
(e) General Disclosure Package. If at any time prior to the Closing Date or Option Closing Date, as applicable (i) any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which the General Disclosure Package 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, not misleading or (ii) it is necessary to amend or supplement the General Disclosure Package 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 General Disclosure Package as may be necessary so that the statements in the General Disclosure Package as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances, be misleading or so that the General Disclosure Package 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 an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or 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 as may be necessary so that the statements in the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented 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.
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(g) Blue Sky Compliance. The Company will arrange, if necessary, for the qualification of the Securities for sale under the laws of such jurisdictions as the Representatives may reasonably designate, will maintain such qualifications in effect so long as required for the distribution of the Securities, will arrange for the determination of the legality of the Securities for purchase by institutional investors and will pay any fee of FINRA, in connection with its review of the offering; provided, that, in no event shall the Company be obligated to qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not now so qualified or to take any action that would subject it to service of process in suits, other than those arising out of the offering or sale of the Securities, in any jurisdiction where it is not now so subject.
(h) Book-Entry. The Company will cooperate with the Underwriters and use its reasonable best efforts to permit the Securities to be eligible for clearance and settlement through DTC.
(i) No Stabilization. The Company will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that would constitute or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, under the 1934 Act or otherwise, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.
(j) Use of Proceeds. The Company will use the net proceeds received by it from the sale of the Securities in the manner specified in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the caption “Use of Proceeds.”
(k) Earning Statement. As soon as practicable, the Company will make generally available to its security holders, and to the Representatives, an earning statement or statements of the Company and its subsidiaries which satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the 1933 Act and Rule 158 of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
(l) Filing of 1934 Act Documents. 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 1934 Act during the Prospectus Delivery Period.
(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 1933 Act.
(n) Listing. The Company will use its best efforts to effect the listing of the Securities on the NYSE as and when required by this Agreement.
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(o) Restriction on Sale of Securities. Except with respect to the sale of securities contemplated by the MCP Agreement, during the Lock-Up Period, the Company will not, without the prior written consent of the Representatives, directly or indirectly:
(i) issue, offer, pledge, assign, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of any shares of Common Stock or other capital stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock or other capital stock;
(ii) file or cause the filing of any registration statement under the 1933 Act with respect to any Common Stock or other capital stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for any Common Stock or other capital stock; or
(iii) enter into any swap or other agreement, arrangement, hedge or transaction that transfers to another, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any Common Stock or other capital stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for any Common Stock or other capital stock,
whether any transaction described in clause (i) or (iii) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock, other capital stock, other securities, in cash or otherwise, or publicly announce any intention to do any of the foregoing.
Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in the immediately preceding paragraph, the Company may, without the prior written consent of the Representatives:
(u) issue Securities to the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement,
(v) issue Preferred Stock in respect of any securities issued in the Concurrent Offering and any shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of, or issued and paid as a dividend on, the Preferred Stock,
(w) issue shares, and options to purchase shares, of Common Stock and restricted stock units pursuant to stock option plans, stock purchase or other equity incentive plans described in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, as those plans are in effect on the date of this Agreement,
(x) issue shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of stock options or vesting of restricted stock units issued under stock option or other equity incentive plans referred to in clause (y) above, as those plans are in effect on the date of this Agreement,
(y) the issuance of up to 2% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, or securities convertible into, exercisable for, or which are otherwise exchangeable for, Common Stock, immediately following the Closing Date, in acquisitions or other similar strategic transactions, and
(z) the filing of any registration statement on Form S-8 relating to securities granted or to be granted pursuant to any plan in effect on the date of this Agreement or any assumed benefit plan pursuant to an acquisition or similar strategic transaction.
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SECTION 4. Payment of Expenses.
(a) Expenses. The Company will pay all expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, including (i) the preparation, printing and filing of the Registration Statement and each amendment thereto (in each case including exhibits) and any costs associated with electronic delivery of any of the foregoing, (ii) the word processing and delivery to the Underwriters of this Agreement and such other documents as may be required in connection with the offering, purchase, sale, issuance or delivery of the Securities, (iii) the preparation, issuance and delivery of the certificates for the Securities and the issuance and delivery of the Securities to the Underwriters, including any stock or other transfer taxes and any stamp or other taxes or duties payable in connection with the sale, issuance or delivery of the Securities to the Underwriters, (iv) the fees and disbursements of the counsel, accountants and other advisors to the Company, (v) the qualification or exemption of the Securities under securities laws in accordance with the provisions of Section 3(g) hereof, including filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection therewith and in connection with the preparation of a blue sky survey and any supplements thereto, (vi) the preparation, printing and delivery to the Underwriters of copies of each preliminary prospectus, any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing and any costs associated with electronic delivery of any of the foregoing, (vii) the preparation, printing and delivery to the Underwriters of copies of a blue sky survey any costs associated with electronic delivery of any of the foregoing, (viii) the fees and expenses of the attorneys-in-fact, the custodian and the transfer agent and registrar for the Securities, (ix) expenses incurred in connection with any diligence and filing fees related to application of FINRA rules to the offering (including legal fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters, together with the expenses described in clause (vii) above, in an amount not to exceed $10,000), (x) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Securities on the NYSE, and (xi) the costs and expenses of the Company and any of its officers, directors, counsel or other representatives in connection with presentations or meetings undertaken in connection with the offering of the Securities, including, without limitation, expenses associated with the production of road show slides and graphics and the production and hosting of any electronic road shows, fees and expenses of any consultants engaged in connection with road show presentations, and travel, lodging, transportation, and other expenses of the officers, directors, counsel and other representatives of the Company incurred in connection with any such presentations or meetings, it being understood that travel and lodging expenses of the Underwriters in connection with such presentations or meetings shall be paid by the Underwriters).
(b) Termination of Agreement. If this Agreement is terminated by the Representatives in accordance with the provisions of Section 5 hereof, Section 9(a)(i) hereof, 9(a)(ii) hereof or Section 9(a)(iii) hereof, the Company shall reimburse the Underwriters for all of their out-of-pocket expenses, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters.
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SECTION 5. Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations. The obligations of the several Underwriters hereunder are subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement, or in certificates signed by any officer of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company (whether signed on behalf of such officer, the Company or such subsidiary) or counsel for the Underwriters, to the performance by the Company of its covenants and other obligations hereunder, and to the following further 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 or pursuant to Section 8A under the 1933 Act shall be pending before or threatened by the Commission, and no notice of objection of the Commission to use the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) shall have been received; the Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus shall have been timely filed with the Commission under the 1933 Act and in accordance with Section 3(a) hereof; and all requests by the Commission for additional information shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of the Representatives.
(b) No Material Adverse Effect. Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, or, if earlier, the date of the latest financial statements included in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there has been no material adverse change in the condition (financial or other), earnings, business or properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, except as set forth in or contemplated in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the effect of which is, in the judgment of the Representatives, so material and adverse as to make it impracticable or inadvisable to market the Securities as contemplated by this Agreement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.
(c) Opinion of In-House Counsel for the Company. Scott J. Dorfman, Senior Counsel and Assistant Corporate Secretary of the Company, shall have furnished to the Underwriters, at the request of the Company, his written opinion, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Underwriters, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives, to the effect set forth in Annex A.
(d) Opinion of Counsel for the Company. The Company shall have furnished to the Underwriters the opinion and negative assurance letter of Kirkland & Ellis LLP (“Company Counsel”), as counsel for the Company, dated the Closing Date, to the effect set forth in Annex B.
(e) Opinion of Counsel for Underwriters. The Underwriters shall have received from Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP (“Underwriters’ Counsel”), counsel for the Underwriters, such opinion or opinions and negative assurance letter, dated the Closing Date, with respect to the issuance and sale of the Securities, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the General Disclosure Package and other related matters as the Representatives may reasonably require, and the Company shall have furnished to such counsel such documents as they reasonably request for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon such matters.
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(f) Officers’ Certificate. At the Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be, the Representatives shall have received a certificate of the Company, signed by the chairman of the board, any president or vice president (whether or not designated by a number or word added before or after the title vice president) and the principal financial or accounting officer of the Company to the effect that the signers of such certificate have carefully examined the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and, that (i) the representations and warranties set forth in Section 1 hereof are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be, and the Company has substantially complied with all agreements and substantially satisfied all the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to the Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be, and (ii) to the effect set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) above.
(g) Comfort Letters. On the date of this Agreement and on the Closing Date, Ernst & Young LLP shall have 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 the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package 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.
(h) Approval of Listing. The Securities to be delivered on the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, shall have been approved for listing on the NYSE, subject only to official notice of issuance.
(i) Lock-up Agreements. Prior to the date of this Agreement, the Representatives shall have received an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto signed by each of the persons listed in Exhibit B hereto.
(j) Conditions to Purchase of Option Securities. In the event that the Underwriters exercise their option provided in Section 2(b) hereof to purchase all or any portion of the Option Securities on any Option Closing Date that is after the Closing Date, the obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase the applicable Option Securities shall be subject to the conditions specified in the introductory paragraph of this Section 5 and to the further condition that, at the applicable Option Closing Date, the Representatives shall have received:
(1) Opinion of In-House Counsel for Company. A favorable opinion in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives and dated such Option Closing Date, relating to the Option Securities to be purchased on such Option Closing Date and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 5(c) hereof.
(2) Opinion of Counsel for Company. The favorable opinion and negative assurance letter of Company Counsel in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives and dated such Option Closing Date, relating to the Option Securities to be purchased on such Option Closing Date and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 5(d) hereof.
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(3) Opinion of Counsel for Underwriters. The favorable opinion and negative assurance letter of Underwriters’ Counsel, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives and dated such Option Closing Date, relating to the Option Securities to be purchased on such Option Closing Date and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 5(e) hereof.
(4) Officers’ Certificate. A certificate, dated such Option Closing Date, to the effect set forth in, and signed on behalf of the Company by the officers specified in, Section 5(f) hereof, except that the references in such certificate to the Closing Date shall be changed to refer to such Option Closing Date.
(5) Bring-down Comfort Letter. A letter from Ernst & Young LLP, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives and dated such Option Closing Date, substantially in the same form and substance as the letter furnished to the Representatives pursuant to Section 5(g) hereof, except that the specified date in the letter furnished pursuant to this Section 5(j)(5) shall be a date not more than three business days prior to such Option Closing Date, and except that such letter shall also cover any amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (other than any electronic road show) and the Prospectus subsequent to the Closing Date.
(k) Additional Documents. At the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, the Company shall have furnished to the Representatives such further information, documents, certificates and opinions of counsel as the Representatives may reasonably request.
If any of the conditions specified in this Section 5 shall not have been fulfilled when and as provided in this Agreement, or if any of the opinions and certificates mentioned above or elsewhere in this Agreement shall not be in all material respects reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Underwriters and their counsel, this Agreement and all obligations of any Underwriter hereunder may be canceled at any time by such Underwriter. Notice of such cancellation shall be given to the Company in writing or by telephone or telegraph confirmed in writing.
SECTION 6. Indemnification.
(a) Indemnification by the Company. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its affiliates, directors, officers and employees and each person, if any, who controls such Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities, joint or several, to which each Underwriter, its affiliates, directors, officers or employees and each person, if any, who controls such Underwriter may become subject under the 1934 Act, the 1934 Act or other federal or state statutory law or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement as originally filed or in any amendment thereof, or in the General Disclosure Package (or any part thereof), the Prospectus or any preliminary Prospectus, or in any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or in any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or in any Testing-the-Waters-
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Communication or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and agrees to reimburse as incurred each such indemnified party for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided, however, that the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon any such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made therein in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for use in connection with the preparation thereof. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have. If the Company shall default in its obligations to deliver the Securities, the Company shall indemnify and hold each Underwriter harmless against any loss, claim or damage arising from or as a result of such default by the Company.
(b) Indemnification by the Underwriters. Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its employees and directors, each of its officers who signs the Registration Statement and each person who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act, to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company to each Underwriter, but only with reference to written information relating to such Underwriter furnished to the Company by the Representatives on behalf of such Underwriter specifically for use in the preparation of the documents referred to in the foregoing indemnity. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which each Underwriter may otherwise have. The Company acknowledges that the following constitutes the only information furnished in writing by or on behalf of the Underwriters for inclusion in the documents referred to in the foregoing indemnity: (i) the names of the Underwriters set forth on page S-17 of the Prospectus; and (ii) the sixth paragraph related to short sales, stabilizing transactions, purchases to cover positions created by short sales on page S-19 and the first paragraph related to penalty bids on page S-20 of the Prospectus and the Representatives confirm that such statements are correct.
(c) Actions Against Parties; Notification. Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 6 of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this Section 6, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party will not relieve it from liability which it may have to any indemnified party. In case any such action is brought against any indemnified party, and it notifies the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate therein, and to the extent that it may elect by written notice delivered to the indemnified party promptly after receiving the aforesaid notice from such indemnified party, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party; provided, however, that if the defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, the indemnified party or parties shall have the right to select separate counsel to assert such legal defenses and to otherwise participate in the defense of such action on behalf of such indemnified party or parties. Upon receipt of notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense of such action and approval by
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the indemnified party of counsel, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 6 for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof unless (i) the indemnified party shall have employed separate counsel in connection with the assertion of legal defenses in accordance with the proviso to the next preceding sentence (it being understood, however, that the indemnifying party shall not be liable for the expenses of more than one separate counsel and an additional local counsel, if needed, approved by the Representatives, (ii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of commencement of the action, (iii) the indemnifying party has authorized the employment of counsel for the indemnified party at the expense of the indemnifying party or (iv) the use of counsel chosen by the indemnifying party to represent the indemnified party would present such counsel with a conflict of interest; and except that, if clause (i) or (iii) is applicable, such liability shall be only in respect of the counsel referred to in such clause (i) or (iii). An indemnifying party will not, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding and (ii) 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 party.
SECTION 7. Contribution. In order to provide for just and equitable contribution in circumstances in which the indemnification provided for in Section 6(a) or Section 6(b) is due in accordance with its terms, but is held by a court to be unavailable or insufficient in whole or in part to hold harmless an indemnified party for any reason, the Company and each Underwriter agree to contribute to the aggregate losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or defending same) (collectively, “Losses”) to which the Company and one or more Underwriters may be subject in such proportion so that each Underwriter is responsible for that portion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and each Underwriter from the offering of the Securities from which such Losses arise. If the allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is unavailable for any reason, the Company and each Underwriter shall contribute in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Company and of each Underwriter in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. Benefits received by the Company shall be deemed to be equal to the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) of the Securities from which such Losses arise, and benefits received by each Underwriter shall be deemed to be equal to the total commissions received by such Underwriter in connection with the Securities from which such Losses arise. Relative fault shall be determined by reference to whether any alleged untrue statement or omission relates to information provided by the Company or any Underwriter. The Company and each Underwriter agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution were determined by pro rata allocation or any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, no person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section 7, each person
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who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act and each director, officer and employee of any Underwriter shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter and each person who controls the Company within the meaning of either Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act, each officer of the Company who shall have signed the Registration Statement and each director, officer and employee of the Company shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company, subject in each case to the applicable terms and conditions of this Section 7. Any party entitled to contribution will, promptly after receipt of notice of commencement of any action, suit or proceeding against such party in respect of which a claim for contribution may be made against another party or parties under this Section 7, notify such party or parties from whom contribution may be sought, but the omission to so notify such party or parties shall not relieve the party or parties from whom contribution may be sought from other obligation it or they may have hereunder or otherwise than under this Section 7. The Underwriters’ obligations to contribute under this Section 7 are several in proportion to their respective purchase obligations hereunder and not joint.
SECTION 8. 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.
SECTION 9. Termination of Agreement.
(a) Termination; General. This Agreement shall be subject to termination in the absolute discretion of the Representatives, by notice given to the Company, if after the execution and delivery of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date (and, if any Option Securities are to be purchased on an Option Closing Date that occurs after the Closing Date, the Representatives may, in their absolute discretion, terminate the obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase such Option Securities, by notice to the Company at any time on or prior to such Option Closing Date) (i) there shall have occurred, any change, or any development involving a prospective change, in or affecting the business or properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, the effect of which is, in the judgment of the Representatives, so material and adverse as to make it impractical to proceed with the offering or delivery of the Securities, (ii) trading in the Company’s Common Stock shall have been suspended by the Commission or the NYSE or trading in the Company’s Common Stock shall have been suspended by the Commission or the NYSE or trading in securities generally on the NYSE shall have been suspended or limited or minimum prices shall have been established on such exchange, (iii) there shall have been, any decrease in the rating of any of the Company’s debt securities by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global, Inc., Fitch Ratings Inc. or if such entities no longer are providing such ratings, any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” (as defined in Section 3(a)(62) of the 1934 Act) or any formal notice given of any intended or contemplated decrease in any such rating, (iv) a material disruption shall have occurred in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in the United States, (v) a banking moratorium shall have been declared either by federal or New York State authorities or (vi) there shall have occurred any material outbreak or material escalation of hostilities, declaration by the United States of a national emergency or war or other calamity or crisis, the effect of which on financial markets is such as to make it, in the judgment of the Representatives, impracticable to proceed with the offering or delivery of the Securities as contemplated by the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement subsequent to such event).
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(b) Liabilities. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Section 9 or Section 5, such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section 4 hereof and except that Sections 1, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20 and 21 hereof shall survive such termination and remain in full force and effect.
(c) Amendment and Waiver. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Underwriting 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.
SECTION 10. Default by One or More of the Underwriters. (a) If one or more of the Underwriters shall fail at the Closing Date or an Option Closing Date to purchase the Securities that it or they are obligated to purchase under this Agreement (the “Defaulted Securities”), the Representatives shall have the right, within 24 hours thereafter, to make arrangements for one or more of the non-defaulting Underwriters, or any other underwriters, to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Defaulted Securities in such amounts as may be agreed upon and upon the terms herein set forth; if, however, the Representatives shall not have completed such arrangements within such 24-hour period, then:
(1) if the number of Defaulted Securities does not exceed 10% of the number of Securities to be purchased on such date, each of the non-defaulting Underwriters shall be obligated, severally and not jointly, to purchase the full amount of such Defaulted Securities in the proportions that their respective underwriting obligations hereunder bear to the underwriting obligations of all non-defaulting Underwriters; or
(2) if the number of Defaulted Securities exceeds 10% of the number of Securities to be purchased on such date, this Agreement or, with respect to any Option Closing Date that occurs after the Closing Date, the obligation of the Underwriters to purchase and of the Company to sell the Option Securities that were to have been purchased and sold on such Option Closing Date, shall terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter.
No action taken pursuant to this Section 10 shall relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of its default.
In the event of any such default that does not result in a termination of this Agreement or, in the case of an Option Closing Date that is after the Closing Date, that does not result in a termination of the obligations of the Underwriters to purchase and to sell the relevant Option Securities, as the case may be, the Representatives shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date or the relevant Option Closing Date, as the case may be, for a period not exceeding seven days in order to effect any required changes in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements. As used herein, the term “Underwriter” includes any person substituted for an Underwriter under this Section 10.
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In the event of any such default which does not result in a termination of this Agreement or, in the case of an Option Closing Date which is after the Closing Date, which does not result in a termination of the obligation of the Underwriters to purchase and the Company to sell the relevant Option Securities, as the case may be, the Representatives shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date or the relevant Option Closing Date, as the case may be, for a period not exceeding seven days in order to effect any required changes to the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements.
SECTION 11. Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing, shall be effective only upon receipt and shall be mailed, delivered by hand or overnight courier, or transmitted by fax or other electronic means (with the receipt of such fax or other electronic communication to be confirmed by telephone). Notices to the Underwriters shall be directed to the Representatives at Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, 500 West 33rd Street, 14th Floor, New York, New York, 10001, Attention of Equity Syndicate, fax no. 212-214-5918 (with such fax or other electronic communication to be confirmed by telephone to 212-214-6144), J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017, Attention: Equity Syndicate Desk, fax: (212) 622-8358, and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., 388 Greenwich Street, New York NY 10013, Attention: General Counsel, fax: (646) 291-1469; notices to the Company shall be directed to it at 2000 North M-63, Benton Harbor, Michigan 49022-2692, (email: [***]; [***]); Attention: Treasurer, or if different, to the address set forth in this Underwriting Agreement.
SECTION 12. Recognition of the U.S. Special Resolution Regimes.
(a) 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.
(b) 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.
SECTION 13. Parties; Entire Agreement. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Underwriters, the Company, and their respective successors. Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person, firm or corporation, other than the Underwriters, the Company, and their respective successors and the controlling persons and other indemnified parties referred to in Section 6 hereof and Section 7 hereof and their successors, heirs and legal representatives, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision herein contained. This Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof are intended to be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the
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Underwriters, the Company, and their respective successors, and said controlling persons and other indemnified parties and their successors, heirs and legal representatives, and for the benefit of no other person or entity. No purchaser of Securities from any Underwriter shall be deemed to be a successor by reason merely of such purchase. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that this Agreement, together with any contemporaneous written agreements and any prior written agreements (to the extent not superseded by this Agreement) that relate to the offering of the Securities, represents the entire agreement between the Company and the Underwriters with respect to the preparation of the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the conduct of the offering, and the purchase and sale of the Securities.
SECTION 14. GOVERNING LAW AND TIME. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY SET FORTH HEREIN, SPECIFIED TIMES OF DAY REFER TO NEW YORK CITY TIME.
SECTION 15. Effect of Headings; Counterparts. The Section and Exhibit headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed Agreement by one party to the other may be made by facsimile or e-mail transmission. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in this Agreement or in any other certificate, agreement or document related to this Agreement, if any, shall include images of manually executed signatures transmitted by facsimile or other electronic format (including, without limitation, “pdf,” “tif” or “jpg”) and other electronic signatures (including, without limitation, DocuSign and AdobeSign). The use of electronic signatures and electronic records (including, without limitation, any contract or other record created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means) shall be of the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a manually executed signature or use of a paper-based record-keeping system to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act and any other applicable law, including, without limitation, any state law based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or the Uniform Commercial Code.
SECTION 16. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the respective meanings set forth below:
“1933 Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.
“1934 Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.
“1940 Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
“Applicable Time” means 5:45 p.m. (New York City time) on February 24, 2026 or such other time as agreed by the Company and the Representatives.
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“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).
“Commission” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Covered Entity” means any of (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.
“DTC” means The Depository Trust Company.
“EDGAR” means the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System as currently in effect.
“Effective Time” means each effective date of the Registration Statement with respect to the offering of Securities, as determined for purposes of Section 11 of the 1933 Act.
“FINRA” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. or the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or both, as the context shall require.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles.
“Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectus” means any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is intended for general distribution to prospective investors, as evidenced by its being specified in Exhibit E hereto.
“Lock-Up Period” means the period beginning on and including the date of this Agreement through and including the date that is the 90th day after the date of this Agreement.
“MCP Agreement” means that certain Underwriting Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and between the Company, as issuer, and the Underwriters, pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue and sell depositary shares representing interests in shares of its mandatorily convertible preferred stock, as further described therein.
“OFAC” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department.
“Organizational Documents” means (a) in the case of a corporation, its charter and by-laws; (b) in the case of a limited or general partnership, its partnership certificate, certificate of formation or similar organizational document and its partnership agreement; (c) in the case of a limited liability company, its articles of organization, certificate of formation or similar organizational documents and its operating agreement, limited liability company agreement, membership agreement or other similar agreement; (d) in the case of a trust, its certificate of trust, certificate of formation or similar organizational document and its trust agreement or other similar agreement; and (e) in the case of any other entity, the organizational and governing documents of such entity.
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“Pre-Pricing Prospectus” means the preliminary prospectus dated February 23, 2026 relating to the Securities in the form first furnished to the Underwriters for use in connection with the offering of the Securities, including the documents incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the 1933 Act.
“PCAOB” means the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).
“Preliminary Prospectus” means any prospectus together with, if applicable, the accompanying prospectus supplement used in connection with the offering of the Securities that omitted the public offering price of the Securities or that was captioned “Subject to Completion,” together with the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the 1933 Act. The term “preliminary prospectus” includes, without limitation, the Pre-Pricing Prospectus.
“Registration Statement” means the Company’s registration statement on Form S-3ASR (Registration No. 333-293648) as amended (if applicable), including the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the 1933 Act and the Rule 430B Information; provided that any Rule 430B Information shall be deemed part of the Registration Statement only from and after the time specified pursuant to Rule 430B.
“Regulation S-T” means Regulation S-T of the Commission.
“Rule 144A,” “Rule 134,” “Rule 163,” “Rule 163(c),” “Rule 163B,” “Rule 164,” “Rule 164(h)(2),” “Rule 172,” “Rule 173(d),” “Rule 401(g)(2),” “Rule 405,” “Rule 424,” “Rule 424(b),” “Rule 424(b)(2),” “Rule 424(b)(5),” “Rule 424(b)(7),” “Rule 430A,” “Rule 430B,” “Rule 430C,” “Rule 433,” “Rule 433(d)(5)(i),” “Rule 433(d)(8)(i),” “Rule 433(d)(8)(ii),” “Rule 433(g),” “Rule 433(h)(5),” and “Rule 501(a)” refer to such rules under the 1933 Act.
“Rule 430B Information” means the information included in any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), 424(b)(5) or (b)(7) that was omitted from the Registration Statement at the time it first became effective but is deemed to be part of and included in the Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430B.
“Sarbanes-Oxley Act” means the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or implementing the provisions thereof.
“Testing-the-Waters Communication” means any communication with potential investors undertaken in reliance on Rule 163B.
“UNSC” means the United Nations Security Council.
“U.S. Special Resolution Regime” means each of (i) the Federal Deposit Insurance Act of 1950, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder and (ii) Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
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“Written Testing-the-Waters Communication” means any Testing-the-Waters Communication that is a “written communication” as defined in Rule 405.
All references in this Agreement to the Registration Statement, the preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing shall be deemed to include the version thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR and all versions thereof delivered (physically or electronically) to the Representatives or the Underwriters.
All references in this Agreement to financial statements and schedules and other information that is “contained,” “included” or “stated” in the preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (and all other references of like import) shall be deemed to mean and include all such financial statements and schedules and other information that is incorporated by reference in or otherwise deemed by the 1933 Act to be a part of or included in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus, as the case may be; and all references in this Agreement to amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to mean and include the filing of any document under the 1934 Act that is incorporated by reference in or otherwise deemed by the 1933 Act to be a part of or included in the Registration Statement, such preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus, as the case may be.
SECTION 17. Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses. Except with respect to the sale of securities contemplated by the MCP Agreement, the Company represents, warrants and agrees that it has not made and, unless it obtains the prior written consent of the Representatives, it will not make, any offer relating to the Securities that constitutes or would constitute an “issuer free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 433) or that otherwise constitutes or would constitute a “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405) or portion thereof required to be filed with the Commission or required to be retained by the Company pursuant to Rule 433; provided, that the prior written consent of the Representatives shall be deemed to have been given in respect of the Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, listed on Exhibit E hereto and, to any electronic road show in the form previously provided by the Company to and approved by the Representatives. Any such free writing prospectus consented to or deemed to have been consented to as aforesaid is hereinafter referred to as a “Permitted Free Writing Prospectus.” The Company represents, warrants and agrees that it has treated and will treat each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as an “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433, and has complied and will comply with the requirements of Rule 433 applicable to any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, including timely filing with the Commission where required, legending and record keeping. For the purposes of clarity, the parties hereto agree that all free writing prospectuses, if any, listed in Exhibit E hereto are Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses.
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SECTION 18. Absence of Fiduciary Relationship. The Company acknowledges and agrees that:
(a) each of the Underwriters is acting solely as a principal in connection with the sale of the Securities and the process leading thereto and no fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship between the Company, any of its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any of the Underwriters, on the other hand, has been created in respect of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the process leading thereto, irrespective of whether or not any of the Underwriters has advised or is advising the Company on other matters and no Underwriter has any obligation to the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the offering of the Securities except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement;
(b) the public offering price of the Securities and the price to be paid by the Underwriters for the Securities set forth in this Agreement were established by the Company following discussions and arms-length negotiations with the Representatives, and does not constitute a recommendation, investment advice, or solicitation of any action by the Underwriters;
(c) it is capable of evaluating and understanding, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
(d) it is aware that the Underwriters and their respective affiliates are engaged in a broad range of transactions that may involve interests that differ from those of the Company and that none of the Underwriters has any obligation to disclose such interests and transactions to the Company by virtue of any fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship or otherwise;
(e) it waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims it may have against any of the Underwriters for breach of fiduciary duty or alleged breach of fiduciary duty and agrees that none of the Underwriters shall have any liability (whether direct or indirect, in contract, tort or otherwise) to it in respect of such a fiduciary duty claim or to any person or entity asserting a fiduciary duty claim on its behalf or in right of it or the Company or any stockholders, employees or creditors of the Company;
(f) the information and transactions contemplated in this Agreement do not constitute an offer or a solicitation of an offer to transact in any securities or other financial instrument with any natural person; and
(g) none of the activities of the Underwriters in connection with the transactions contemplated herein constitutes a recommendation, investment advice or solicitation of any action by the Underwriters with respect to any entity or natural person.
SECTION 19. Research Analyst Independence. The Company acknowledges that the Underwriters’ respective research analysts and research departments are required to be independent from their respective investment banking divisions and are subject to certain regulations and internal policies, and that such Underwriters’ respective research analysts and research departments may hold views and make statements or investment recommendations and/or publish research reports with respect to the Company and/or the offering that differ from the views of their respective investment banking divisions. The Company hereby waives and releases, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any claims that the Company may have against the Underwriters with respect to any conflict of interest that may arise from the fact that the views expressed by their respective research analysts and research departments may be different from or inconsistent with the views or advice communicated to the Company by such Underwriters’ respective investment banking divisions. The Company acknowledges that each of the Underwriters is a full service securities firm and as such, from time to time, subject to applicable securities laws, may effect transactions for its own account or the account of its customers and hold long or short positions in debt or equity securities of the Company and other entities that may be the subject of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
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SECTION 20. Trial By Jury. The Company (on its own behalf and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, on behalf of its stockholders and affiliates) and each of the Underwriters 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 Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
SECTION 21. 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.
[Signature Page Follows]
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If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to the Company a counterpart hereof, whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts, will become a binding agreement among the Underwriters and the Company in accordance with its terms.
| Very truly yours, | ||
| WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION | ||
| By | /s/ Scott Cartwright | |
| Name: Scott Cartwright | ||
| Title: Vice President, Investor Relations and Treasury | ||
| CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED, as of the date first above written: | ||
| WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC | ||
| By: | /s/ Christie MacDonald | |
| Authorized Signatory | ||
| J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC | ||
| By: | /s/ Robert Enright | |
| Authorized Signatory | ||
| CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Richard Hawwa | |
| Authorized Signatory | ||
For themselves and as Representatives of the Underwriters named in Exhibit A hereto.
31
EXHIBIT A
| Name of Underwriter |
Number of Initial Securities |
|||
| Wells Fargo Securities, LLC |
1,994,554 | |||
| J.P. Morgan Securities LLC |
1,309,632 | |||
| Citigroup Global Markets Inc. |
1,004,804 | |||
| BNP Paribas Securities Corp. |
602,355 | |||
| Mizuho Securities USA LLC |
602,355 | |||
| BofA Securities, Inc. |
439,719 | |||
| Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC |
439,719 | |||
| Scotia Capital (USA) Inc. |
60,236 | |||
| MUFG Securities Americas Inc. |
180,705 | |||
| PNC Capital Markets LLC |
120,471 | |||
| Loop Capital Markets LLC |
99,389 | |||
| Itau BBA USA Securities, Inc. |
30,118 | |||
|
|
|
|||
| Total |
6,884,057 | |||
|
|
|
|||
A-1
EXHIBIT B
List of Persons Subject to the Lock-Up
Mary Ellen Adcock
Samuel R. Allen
Marc R. Bitzer
Judith K. Buckner
Greg Creed
Diane M. Dietz
Gerri T. Elliott
Richard J. Kramer
Jennifer A. LaClair
John D. Liu
James M. Loree
Harish Manwani
John G. Morikis
Rudy Wilson
Roxanne Warner
Carey L. Martin
Kyle De Jong
Juan Carlos Puente
Ludovic Beaufils
Todd Tomczak
B-1
EXHIBIT C
FORM OF LOCK-UP AGREEMENT
Whirlpool Corporation
Dated as of February ___ , 2026
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
As Representatives of the several Underwriters
c/o Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
500 West 33rd Street, 14th Floor
New York, New York 10001
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
270 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
388 Greenwich Street
New York, New York 10013
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This agreement is being delivered to you in connection with the proposed Underwriting Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the “Underwriting Agreement”), among Whirlpool Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (“Wells Fargo”), J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (“J.P. Morgan”) and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (“Citigroup”), as representatives of a group of underwriters (the “Underwriters”) and the other parties thereto (if any), relating to the proposed underwritten public offering(s) of shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $1.00 per share (the “Common Stock”) or other securities of the Company (such Common Stock or other equity securities, the “Securities”).
C-1
In order to induce you and the other Underwriters to enter into the Underwriting Agreement, and in light of the benefits that the offering(s) of the Securities will confer upon the undersigned in its capacity as a securityholder and/or an officer or director of the Company, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the undersigned agrees with each Underwriter that, during the period beginning on and including the date of the Underwriting Agreement through and including the date that is the 90th day after the date of the Underwriting Agreement (such period, the “Lock-Up Period”), the undersigned will not, without the prior written consent of Wells Fargo, J.P. Morgan and Citigroup, directly or indirectly:
(i) offer, pledge, assign, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of any shares of the Company’s Common Stock or preferred stock or other capital stock (including, without limitation, Common Stock, preferred stock or such other capital stock that may deemed to be beneficially owned by the undersigned in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission or that may be issued upon exercise of a stock option or warrant) (collectively, “capital stock”) or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or that otherwise represent the right to receive shares of, Common Stock, preferred stock or other capital stock, whether now owned or hereafter acquired by the undersigned or with respect to which the undersigned has or hereafter acquires the power of disposition (collectively, “Lock-up Securities”);
(ii) engage in any hedging or other transaction or arrangement (including, without limitation, any short sale or the purchase or sale of, or entry into, any put or call option, or combination thereof, forward, swap or any other derivative transaction or instrument, however described or defined) which is designed to or which reasonably could be expected to lead to or result in a sale, loan, pledge or other disposition (whether by the undersigned or someone other than the undersigned), or transfer of any of the economic consequences of ownership, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, of any Lock-Up Securities (any such sale, loan, pledge or other disposition, or transfer of economic consequences, a “Transfer”);
(iii) make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to the registration of any Lock-Up Securities; or
(iv) otherwise publicly announce any intention to engage in or cause any action, activity, transaction or arrangement described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above;
whether any such transaction or arrangement (or instrument provided for thereunder) described in clause (i) or clause (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock, preferred stock, other capital stock, other securities, in cash or otherwise. The undersigned represents and warrants that the undersigned is not, and has not caused or directed any of its affiliates to be or become, currently a party to any agreement or arrangement that provides for, is designed to or reasonably could be expected to lead to or result in any Transfer during the Lock-Up Period.
C-2
Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in the immediately preceding paragraph, the undersigned may, without the prior written consent of Wells Fargo, J.P. Morgan and Citigroup:
(1) transfer any Lock-up Securities as a bona fide gift or gifts or charitable contributions or for bona fide estate planning purposes,
(2) transfer any Lock-up Securities by will, testamentary document or by intestate succession,
(3) transfer any Lock-up Securities to any member of the immediate family (as defined below) of the undersigned or to a trust the beneficiaries of which are exclusively the undersigned or members of the undersigned’s immediate family,
(4) transfer any Lock-up Securities to a partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which the undersigned and the immediate family of the undersigned are the legal and beneficial owner of all of the outstanding equity securities or similar interests
(5) transfer any Lock-up Securities to a nominee or custodian of a person or entity to whom a disposition or transfer would be permissible under clauses (1) through (4) above,
(6) transfer any Lock-up Securities by operation of law, such as pursuant to a qualified domestic order, divorce settlement, divorce decree or separation agreement,
(7) transfer any Lock-up Securities to the Company upon death, disability or termination of employment, in each case, of the undersigned,
(8) transfer any Lock-up Securities to the Company in connection with the vesting, settlement or exercise of restricted stock units, options, warrants or other rights to purchase shares of Common Stock (including, in each case, by way of “net” or “cashless” exercise) that are scheduled to expire or automatically vest during the Lock-Up Period, including any transfer to the Company for the payment of tax withholdings or remittance payments due as a result of the vesting, settlement or exercise of such restricted stock units, options, warrants or other rights, or in connection with the conversion of convertible securities, in all such cases pursuant to equity awards granted under a stock incentive plan or other equity award plan, or pursuant to the terms of convertible securities, each as described in the Registration Statement (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement), the preliminary prospectus supplement relating to the securities included in the Registration Statement immediately prior to the time the Underwriting Agreement is executed and the Prospectus, provided that any securities received upon such vesting, settlement, exercise or conversion shall be subject to the terms of this Lock-Up Agreement,
(9) transfer any Lock-up Securities pursuant to the provisions of any of the Company’s policies with respect to the recoupment of incentive-based compensation,
(10) transfer any Lock-up Securities pursuant to a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”) for the transfer of shares of Common Stock (a “10b5-1 Plan”) entered into prior to the date hereof (an “Existing Plan”), provided that (i) such Existing Plan will not be amended or otherwise modified to increase the Common Stock scheduled for sale thereunder during the Lock-Up Period
C-3
provided that (A) in the case of clauses (1), (2), (3), (4) and (5) above, (x) such transfer or distribution shall not involve a disposition for value and (y) in the case of clauses (1), (2), (3), (4), (5) and (6) above, it shall be a condition to the transfer or distribution that the donee, devisee, transferee or distributee, as the case may be, shall sign and deliver a lock-up agreement in the form of this Lock-Up Agreement, and (B) in each case, no filing by the undersigned under the 1934 Act shall be voluntarily made during the Lock-Up Period and if any filing by any party (including, without limitation, any donor, donee, devisee, transferor, transferee, distributor or distributee) under the 1934 Act, or other public filing, report or announcement shall be legally required during the Lock-Up Period, such filing, report or announcement shall clearly indicate in the footnotes thereto (A) the circumstances of such transfer or distribution and (B) in the case of a transfer or distribution pursuant to clauses (1), (2), (3), (4), (5) and (6) above, that the donee, devisee, transferee or distributee has agreed to be bound by a lock-up agreement in the form of this Lock-Up Agreement;
(11) enter into a written plan designed to meet the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the 1934 Act relating to the transfer, sale or other disposition of the undersigned’s Lock-Up Securities, if then permitted by the Company, provided that none of the Lock-Up Securities subject to such plan may be transferred, sold or otherwise disposed of until after the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, no public announcement, report or filing under the 1934 Act, or any other public filing, report or announcement, shall be voluntarily made regarding the establishment of such plan during the Lock-Up Period and, if any such filing, report or announcement shall be legally required during the Lock-Up Period, such filing, report or announcement shall include a statement to the effect that no transfer of any Lock-Up Securities may be made under such plan during the Lock-Up Period or
(12) transfer any Lock-up Securities pursuant to a bona fide third-party tender offer, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction that is approved by the Board of Directors of the Company and made to all holders of the Company’s capital stock involving a Change of Control of the Company (for purposes hereof, “Change of Control” shall mean the transfer (whether by tender offer, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction), in one transaction or a series of related transactions, to a person or group of affiliated persons, of shares of capital stock if, after such transfer, such person or group of affiliated persons would hold at least a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Company (or the surviving entity)); provided that in the event that such tender offer, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction is not completed, the undersigned’s Lock-Up Securities shall remain subject to the provisions of this Lock-Up Agreement.
The undersigned further agrees that the Company may, with respect to Lock-up Securities owned or held (of record or beneficially) by the undersigned, cause the transfer agent or other registrar to enter stop transfer instructions and implement stop transfer procedures with respect to such securities during the Lock-Up Period.
C-4
The undersigned hereby waives any and all notice requirements and rights with respect to the registration of any securities pursuant to any agreement, instrument, understanding or otherwise, including any registration rights agreement or similar agreement, to which the undersigned is a party or under which the undersigned is entitled to any right or benefit and any tag-along rights, co-sale rights or other rights to have any securities (debt or equity) included in the offering(s) contemplated by this agreement or sold in connection with the sale of Securities (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement) pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, provided that such waiver shall apply only to the public offering(s) of the Securities pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement and each registration statement filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in connection therewith.
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to enter into this agreement and that this agreement has been duly authorized (if applicable), executed and delivered by the undersigned and is a valid and binding agreement of the undersigned. This agreement and all authority herein conferred are irrevocable and shall survive the death or incapacity of the undersigned (if a natural person) and shall be binding upon the heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned. The electronic signature of the undersigned (complying with the New York Electronic Signatures and Records Act (N.Y. State Tech. §§ 301-309), as amended from time to time, or other applicable law) of this agreement shall have the same validity and effect as a signature affixed by the hand of the undersigned.
The undersigned understands that the Company and the Underwriters are relying upon this agreement in proceeding toward consummation of the offering(s) contemplated hereunder. The undersigned further understands that this agreement is irrevocable and shall be binding upon the undersigned’s heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns.
The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that the Underwriters have not provided any recommendation or investment advice nor have the Underwriters solicited any action from the undersigned with respect to the offering(s) of the Securities and the undersigned has consulted their own legal, accounting, financial, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent deemed appropriate.
If (i) for any reason the Underwriting Agreement is terminated (other than the provisions thereof that survive termination) prior to payment for and delivery of the Securities to be sold thereunder (other than pursuant to the Underwriters’ option thereunder to purchase additional Securities), (ii) the Company notifies the Representatives, in writing and prior to the execution of the Underwriting Agreement, that it does not intend to proceed with the proposed public offering(s) of the Securities or (iii) the Underwriting Agreement is not executed by the parties thereto prior to March 16, 2026, this agreement shall automatically terminate and become null and void.
The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that whether or not any public offering(s) of the Securities actually occurs depends on a number of factors, including market conditions.
THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
[Signature Page Immediately Follows]
C-5
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed and delivered this agreement as of the date first set forth above.
| Yours very truly, |
| Print Name: |
C-6
EXHIBIT D
TERM SHEET
D-1
EXHIBIT E
ISSUER GENERAL USE FREE WRITING PROSPECTUSES
1. Term Sheet, dated February 24, 2026, as set forth in Exhibit D.
2. Investor Roadshow, dated February 23, 2026.
E-1
EXHIBIT F
WRITTEN TESTING-THE-WATERS COMMUNICATIONS
None.
F-1
ANNEX A
FORM OF IN-HOUSE COUNSEL OPINION
Provided under separate cover.
AA-1
ANNEX B
FORM OF COMPANY COUNSEL OPINION
Provided under separate cover.
AB-1
Exhibit 1.2
WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
10,500,000 Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/20th Interest in a Share of 8.50%
Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share (initial
liquidation preference of $1,000 per share)
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
Dated: February 24, 2026
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page | ||||
| SECTION 1. Representations and Warranties |
3 | |||
| SECTION 2. Sale and Delivery to Underwriters; Closing |
12 | |||
| SECTION 3. Covenants of the Company |
14 | |||
| SECTION 4. Payment of Expenses |
18 | |||
| SECTION 5. Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations |
19 | |||
| SECTION 6. Indemnification |
22 | |||
| SECTION 7. Contribution |
24 | |||
| SECTION 8. Survival |
26 | |||
| SECTION 9. Termination of Agreement |
26 | |||
| SECTION 10. Default by One or More of the Underwriters |
27 | |||
| SECTION 11. Notices |
27 | |||
| SECTION 12. Recognition of the U.S. Special Resolution Regimes |
28 | |||
| SECTION 13. Parties |
28 | |||
| SECTION 14. GOVERNING LAW AND TIME |
28 | |||
| SECTION 15. Effect of Headings; Counterparts |
29 | |||
| SECTION 16. Definitions |
29 | |||
| SECTION 17. Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses |
32 | |||
| SECTION 18. Absence of Fiduciary Relationship |
32 | |||
| SECTION 19. Research Analyst Independence |
33 | |||
| SECTION 20. Trial By Jury |
33 | |||
| SECTION 21. Compliance with USA Patriot Act |
34 | |||
i
EXHIBITS
| Exhibit A | – | Underwriters | ||
| Exhibit B | – | List of Persons Subject to Lock-Up | ||
| Exhibit C | – | Form of Lock-Up Agreement | ||
| Exhibit D | – | Term Sheet | ||
| Exhibit E | – | Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectuses | ||
| Exhibit F | – | Written Testing-the-Waters Communications | ||
| Annex A | – | Form of In-House Opinion | ||
| Annex B | – | Form of Company Counsel Opinion |
ii
WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
10,500,000 Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/20th Interest in a Share of 8.50% Series A
Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share (initial liquidation preference of $1,000 per share)
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
February 24, 2026
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
As Representatives of the several Underwriters
c/o Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
500 West 33rd Street, 14th Floor
New York, New York 10001
c/o J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
270 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10017
c/o Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
388 Greenwich Street
New York, New York 10013
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Whirlpool Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) confirms its agreement with Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (“Wells Fargo”) and each of the other Underwriters named in Exhibit A hereto (collectively, the “Underwriters,” which term shall also include any underwriter substituted as hereinafter provided in Section 10 hereof), for whom Wells Fargo, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. are acting as representatives (in such capacity, the “Representatives”), with respect to the issue and sale by the Company of a total of 10,500,000 depositary shares, each representing a 1/20th interest in a share of its 8.50% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share, with an initial liquidation preference of $1,000 per share (the “Preferred Stock”) (such depositary shares, the “Initial Securities”), and the purchase by the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, of the respective numbers of Initial Securities set forth in said Exhibit A hereto, and with respect to the grant by the Company to the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, of the option described in Section 2(b) hereof to purchase all or any part of 1,000,000 additional such depositary shares, each representing a 1/20th interest in a share of Preferred Stock, solely to cover over-allotments, if any. The Initial Securities to be purchased by the Underwriters and all or any part of such 1,000,000 depositary shares subject to the option described in Section 2(b) hereof (the “Option Securities”) are hereinafter called, collectively, the “Securities.” Certain terms used in this Underwriting Agreement (this “Agreement”) are defined in Section 16 hereof.
1
The Preferred Stock will be convertible into a variable number of shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $1.00 per share (“Common Stock”) (such shares of Common Stock into which the Preferred Stock is convertible, together with any shares of Common Stock delivered in payment of dividends on the Preferred Stock, the “Underlying Securities”). The terms of the Preferred Stock will be set forth in a certificate of designations (the “Certificate of Designations”) to be filed by the Company with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as an amendment to the Company’s restated certificate of incorporation.
The Securities will be issued pursuant to a deposit agreement (the “Deposit Agreement”), to be dated as of the Closing Date (as defined below), among the Company, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. and Computershare Inc., acting as joint depositary (the “Depositary”), and holders from time to time of the Securities. Each Security will initially represent the right to receive a 1/20th interest in a share of the Preferred Stock pursuant to the Deposit Agreement. The Preferred Stock, when issued, will be deposited against delivery of depositary receipts (the “Depositary Receipts”), which will evidence the Securities and will be issued by the Depositary under the Deposit Agreement.
Substantially concurrently with the offering of the Securities contemplated hereby, the Company will, among other things, issue and sell up to 7,898,550 shares of its Common Stock, pursuant to the Common Stock Agreement and separate prospectus supplement, subject to customary closing conditions (the “Concurrent Offering”). The offering of the Securities is not contingent upon the completion of the Concurrent Offering, the Concurrent Offering is not contingent upon the completion of the offering of the Securities, and the Securities are not being offered together with the shares of Common Stock offered in the Concurrent Offering.
The Company understands that the Underwriters propose to make a public offering of the Securities as soon as the Representatives deem advisable after this Agreement has been executed and delivered.
The Company has prepared and previously delivered to you a preliminary prospectus supplement dated February 23, 2026 relating to the Securities and a related prospectus dated February 23, 2026 (the “Base Prospectus”). Such preliminary prospectus supplement and Base Prospectus, including the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the 1933 Act, are hereinafter called, collectively, the “Pre-Pricing Prospectus.” Promptly after the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company will prepare and file with the Commission a prospectus supplement dated February 24, 2026 (the “Prospectus Supplement”) and will file the Prospectus Supplement and the Base Prospectus with the Commission, all in accordance with the provisions of Rule 430B and Rule 424(b), and the Company has previously advised you of all information (financial and other) that will be set forth therein. The Prospectus Supplement and the Base Prospectus, in the form first furnished to the Underwriters for use in connection with the offering of the Securities (whether to meet the request of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173(d) or otherwise), including the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the 1933 Act, are herein called, collectively, the “Prospectus.”
2
SECTION 1. Representations and Warranties.
(a) Representations and Warranties by the Company. The Company represents and warrants to each Underwriter and the QIU as of the date hereof, as of the Applicable Time, as of the Closing Date referred to in Section 2(c) hereof, and as of each Option Closing Date (if any) referred to in Section 2(b) hereof, and agrees with each Underwriter, as follows:
(1) Status Under the 1993 Act. The Company was a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 (A) at the time of filing the Registration Statement or any amendments thereto, (B) at the time of the most recent amendment to the Registration Statement for the purpose of complying with Section 10(a)(3) of the 1933 Act (whether such amendment was by post-effective amendment, by a report incorporated by reference therein filed pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act or by form of prospectus filed pursuant to the 1933 Act), and (C) at the time the Company or any person acting on its behalf (within the meaning, for this clause only, of Rule 163(c)) made any offer relating to the Securities in reliance on the exemption of Rule 163; and the Company was not an “ineligible issuer” as defined in Rule 405 at the earliest time after the filing of the Registration Statement that the Company or any Underwriter made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2)) of the Securities.
(2) Registration Statement and Prospectus. The Company meets the requirements for use of Form S-3 under the 1933 Act. The Registration Statement is an “automatic shelf registration statement” as defined under Rule 405 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) has been received by the Company. No order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued by the Commission and, to the Company’s knowledge, no proceeding for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the 1933 Act against the Company or related to the offering has been initiated or threatened by the Commission; as of the Effective Time, the Registration Statement became effective, the Registration Statement complied in all material respects with the 1933 Act, and did not or 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 and each Option Closing Date, as applicable, the Prospectus 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, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that the Company makes no representation and warranty as to the information contained in or omitted from the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of any or all the Underwriters through the Representatives expressly for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by the Underwriters as aforesaid consists of the information described as such in Section 6(b).
3
(3) General Disclosure Package. The term “General Disclosure Package” shall mean (i) the Pre-Pricing Prospectus as of the Applicable Time; (ii) any Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, issued at or prior to the Applicable Time and (iii) the term sheet attached as Exhibit D , all considered together. As of the Applicable Time, the General Disclosure Package (i) conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the 1933 Act and (ii) did not contain an 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. The preceding sentence does not apply to statements in or omissions from the General Disclosure Package based upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of any or all the Underwriters through the Representatives expressly for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by the Underwriters as aforesaid consists of the information described as such in Section 6(b).
(4) Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and Written Testing-the-Waters Communication. (i) The Company (including its agents and representatives, other than the Underwriters in their capacity as such) has not made, used, prepared, authorized, approved or referred to and will not prepare, make, use, authorize, approve or refer to any “written communication” (as defined in Rule 405) 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 clause (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 1933 Act or Rule 134, (ii) the Pre-Pricing Prospectus, (iii) the Prospectus and (iv) the documents listed on Exhibit E and (v) any other electronic road show or other written communications including the investor presentation listed in Exhibit E, in each case approved in written by the Representatives. Any such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, to the extent required pursuant to Rule 433(d), and any Written Testing-The Waters Communication, as of the issue and/or delivery date, as applicable, and at all subsequent times through the completion of the public offer and sale of the Securities, complies or will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and has been, or will be filed with the Commission in accordance with the 1933 Act (to the extent required pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act); and (ii) each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus as of its issue date and Written Testing-the-Waters Communication when delivered, and at all subsequent times through the completion of the public offer and sale of the Securities under this Agreement or until any earlier date that the Company notified or notifies the Representatives as described in the next sentence, did not, does not and will not include any information that conflicted, conflicts or will conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, the Pre-Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus and, taken together with the General Disclosure Package as of the Applicable Time, did not and will not contain any untrue statement of any 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. If at any time following issuance of an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the delivery of a Written Testing-the-Waters Communication there occurred or occurs an event or development as a result of
4
which such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Written Testing-the-Waters Communication conflicted or would conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, the Company has promptly notified or will promptly notify the Representatives and has promptly amended or supplemented or will promptly amend or supplement, at its own expense, such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and/or Written Testing-the-Waters Communication, as applicable, to eliminate or correct such conflict; provided, that, the Company makes no representation and warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in each such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Written Testing-the-Waters Communication 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 therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by the Underwriters as aforesaid consists of the information described as such in Section 6(b).
(5) Incorporated Documents. The documents incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or the General Disclosure Package, when they were filed with the Commission, conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act, as applicable, and none of such documents contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or 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 General Disclosure Package, when such 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 1934 Act or the 1934 Act, as applicable, 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 to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(6) Financial Statements. The financial statements and the related notes thereto included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act, as applicable, and present fairly 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 GAAP and applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered thereby (except as disclosed therein), and the supporting schedules included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement present fairly the information required to be stated therein; the other financial information included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus has been derived from the accounting records of the Company and its subsidiaries and presents fairly the information shown thereby; and any pro forma financial information and the related notes thereto included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus have been prepared in accordance with the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act, as applicable, and the assumptions underlying such pro forma financial information are reasonable and are set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. The interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus presents fairly the information called for in all material respects and is prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto.
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(7) No Material Adverse Effect. Since the date of the most recent financial statements of the Company included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, (i) neither the Company nor any of the Company’s Significant Subsidiaries has sustained any loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree, that is material to the Company, and its subsidiaries, considered as a whole and (ii) there has not been any material change in the capital stock or long-term debt of the Company and any of its subsidiaries, considered as a whole, or any material adverse change, or any development involving an impending material adverse change, in the general affairs, financial position, stockholders’ equity or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, except in each case as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. “Significant Subsidiaries” means, collectively, each of Whirlpool S.A., a Brazilian company, KitchenAid Global LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and InSinkErator LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
(8) Organization and Good Standing. The Company and each of its Significant Subsidiaries has been duly organized and is a validly existing entity in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with corporate power and authority to own its properties and conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and has been duly qualified as a foreign corporation for the transaction of business and is in good standing under the laws of each other jurisdiction in which it owns or leases properties and where the failure to so qualify would have a material adverse effect on the business, financial position, stockholders’ equity or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole (a “Material Adverse Effect”).
(9) The Securities.
(i) The Securities have been duly authorized by the Company and, when issued and delivered against payment as provided herein and when the Depositary Receipts have been duly executed and delivered by the Depositary in accordance with the Deposit Agreement, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. The issuance of the Securities is not subject to any pre-emptive or similar rights. The persons in whose names the Securities are registered will be entitled to the rights specified therein and in the Deposit Agreement.
(ii) The Deposit Agreement has been duly authorized 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 obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights and general equity principles relating to enforceability.
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(iii) The Certificate of Designations has been duly authorized by the Company, and sets forth the rights, preferences and priorities of the Preferred Stock, and the holders of the Preferred Stock will have the rights set forth in the Certificate of Designations upon filing with the Secretary of State for the State of Delaware.
(iv) The Preferred Stock, when issued by the Company, may be freely deposited by the Company with the Depositary against issuance of the Securities. The Preferred Stock has been duly authorized by the Company for issuance and deposit in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the Deposit Agreement and, when issued and deposited against issuance of the Securities, and upon the filing and effectiveness of the Certificate of Designations, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and will conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. Upon payment of the purchase price for the Securities and deposit of the Preferred Stock against issuance of the Securities in accordance with this Agreement and the Deposit Agreement, the Purchasers will receive good, valid and marketable title to the Securities, free and clear of any liens. The issuance of the Preferred Stock is not subject to any pre-emptive or similar rights, and no holder of the Preferred Stock will be subject to personal liability solely by reason of being such a holder.
(v) Upon issuance and deposit of the Preferred Stock against issuance of the Securities in accordance with this Agreement and the Deposit Agreement and the filing and effectiveness of the Certificate of Designations, the Preferred Stock will be convertible into the Underlying Securities in accordance with the terms of the Preferred Stock and the Certificate of Designations. A number of Underlying Securities equal to the Maximum Number of Underlying Securities has been duly authorized and reserved for issuance by all necessary corporate action and such Underlying Securities, when issued in accordance with the terms of the Preferred Stock and the Certificate of Designations will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, will conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and will not be subject to any pre-emptive or similar rights. As used herein, “Maximum Number of Underlying Securities” means the product of (A) the sum of (x) a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the initial maximum conversion rate per share of the Preferred Stock set forth in the Certificate of Designations and (y) the maximum number of shares of Common Stock deliverable by the Company in respect of dividends payable per share of Preferred Stock (whether or not declared), multiplied by (B) the aggregate number of shares of Preferred Stock in respect of the Securities (assuming the exercise in full of the option set forth in Section 2(b) herein but without giving effect to any Make-whole Dividend Amount (as defined in the Certificate of Designations)), in each case in accordance with, and as adjusted pursuant to, the terms of the Certificate of Designations.
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(10) Due Authorization. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.
(11) No Violation or Default. None of the execution or delivery of this Agreement by the Company, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the issue and sale of the Securities, the issuance and deposit of the Preferred Stock with the Depositary against the issuance of the Securities, the issuance of a number of Underlying Securities equal to the Maximum Number of Underlying Securities, in each case, by the Company, or compliance by the Company with all of the provisions of this Agreement, the Deposit Agreement and the Securities, will conflict with or result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, encumbrance or charge upon any property or asset of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries under, (i) the Organizational Documents of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries, (ii) any loan agreement, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them is bound or to which any of their respective properties is subject, or (iii) any law or any rule, regulation, order, or decree of any governmental agency or body or court having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties, except in case of clauses (ii) and (iii) for such breaches, violations, creations or impositions as would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
(12) Legal Proceedings. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no legal or governmental proceedings pending to which the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries is a party or to which any property of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries is subject other than litigation or other proceedings which, in the opinion of the Company, will not in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect; and, to the knowledge of the Company’s officers, no such proceedings are threatened or contemplated by governmental authorities; and (i) there are no current or pending legal, governmental or regulatory actions, suits or proceedings that are required under the 1933 Act to be described in the Registration Statement that are not so described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and (ii) there are no statutes, regulations or contracts or other documents that are required under the 1933 Act to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement or described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus that are not so filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement or described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.
(13) Independent Accountants. Ernst & Young LLP, who have 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 PCAOB and as required by the 1933 Act.
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(14) No Consents Required. No consent, approval, authorization or order of any court or governmental agency or body is required for the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein, including the issue and sale of the Securities, the issuance and deposit of the Preferred Stock with the Depositary against the issuance of the Securities, the issuance of a number of Underlying Securities equal to the Maximum Number of Underlying Securities, in each case, by the Company, or compliance by the Company with all of the provisions of this Agreement, the Deposit Agreement and the Securities, except such as have been obtained under the 1933 Act and such as may be required under the blue sky laws of any jurisdiction in connection with the sale of the Securities as contemplated by this Agreement, any law or regulation applicable to the filing of the Certificate of Designations with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and such other approvals as have been obtained.
(15) Properties. The principal manufacturing and service facilities referred to in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 under the caption “Properties” are either owned or leased by the Company or one of its subsidiaries and, if owned, are held under good title, subject to no defects or encumbrances which would materially interfere with the conduct of the business of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as a whole and, if leased, are held under valid and enforceable leases with no exceptions which would materially interfere with such conduct.
(16) Disclosure Controls. The Company and its subsidiaries maintain an effective system of “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the 1934 Act) that is designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the 1934 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 1934 Act.
(17) Accounting Controls. The Company and its subsidiaries maintain systems of “internal control over financial reporting” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the 1934 Act) that comply with the requirements of the 1934 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, including, but not limited to internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability; (C) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (D) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no material weaknesses in the Company’s internal controls.
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(18) 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, including Section 402 related to loans and Sections 302 and 906 related to certifications.
(19) Compliance with Environmental Laws. (i) Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and in the case of each of (a), (b) and (c) below, excluding any failure to comply, or failure to receive required permits, licenses or other authorizations or approvals, and excluding any cost or liability for investigation or remediation that, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect, the Company and its subsidiaries (a) are in compliance with any and all applicable federal, state, local and foreign laws, rules, regulations, requirements, decisions and orders relating to the protection of human health and safety, the environment or hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants (collectively, “Environmental Laws”); (b) have received and are in compliance with all permits, licenses, certificates or other authorizations or approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses; and (c) have not received notice of any actual or potential liability for the investigation or remediation of any disposal or release of hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants, and (ii) except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no material costs or liabilities associated with Environmental Laws of or relating to the Company or its subsidiaries.
(20) Investment Company Act. The Company is not, and after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Securities and the shares of Common Stock in the Concurrent Offering and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, will not be, an “investment company” within the meaning of the 1940 Act.
(21) No Stabilization. Neither the Company nor any of its affiliates nor any person acting on its or their behalf (other than the Underwriters, as to whom the Company makes no representation) has taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to cause or that constituted or that might reasonably be expected to cause or constitute, under the 1934 Act or otherwise, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.
(22) No Unlawful Contributions or Other Payments. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or controlled affiliate of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is aware of, or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such persons of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “FCPA”), the UK Bribery Act of 2010 or any other applicable anti-bribery or corruption law or regulation (collectively, the “Anti-Bribery and Corruption Laws”), that would be material in the context of this transaction including, without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the
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giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA; and the Company and its subsidiaries have conducted their businesses in compliance in all material respects with the Anti-Bribery and Corruption Laws and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance in all material respects with the Anti-Bribery and Corruption Laws.
(23) No Conflicts with Sanctions Laws. None of the Company, any of its subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, employee or controlled affiliate of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is (i) currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC, UNSC, the European Union, His Majesty’s Treasury or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, “Sanctions”) or (ii) located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is subject or target of Sanctions (a “Sanctioned Jurisdiction”); and the Company will not, directly or knowingly 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, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any Sanctions; and the Company and, to the Company’s knowledge, its subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and controlled affiliates are in compliance with applicable Sanctions in all material respects.
(24) No Conflict with Money Laundering Laws. The operations of the Company and its subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in material compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements, including those of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of all applicable jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any applicable governmental or regulatory agency (collectively, the “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 that would be material in the context of this transaction with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.
(25) Absence of Registration Rights. There are no persons or entities with registration rights or other similar rights to have any securities (debt or equity) (A) registered pursuant to the Registration Statement or included in the offering contemplated by this Agreement or (B) otherwise registered by the Company under the 1933 Act, and there are no persons or entities with co-sale rights, tag-along rights or other similar rights to have any securities (debt or equity) included in the offering contemplated by this Agreement or sold in connection with the sale of Securities, except in each case for such rights that have been duly waived in writing; and the Company has given all notices required by, and has otherwise complied with its obligations under, all registration rights agreements, co-sale agreements, tag-along agreements and other similar agreements in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
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(26) Testing-the-Waters. The Company (i) has not alone engaged in any Testing-the-Waters Communication with any person other than Testing-the-Waters Communications with the consent of the Representatives with entities that are reasonably believed to be “qualified institutional buyers” within the meaning of Rule 144A or institutions that are reasonably believed to be “accredited investors” within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3), (7), (8), (9), (12) or (13) and (ii) has not authorized anyone other than the Representatives to engage in Testing-the-Waters Communications. The Company reconfirms that the Representatives have been authorized to act on its behalf in undertaking Testing-the-Waters Communications. The Company has not distributed any Written Testing-the-Waters Communications except as listed in Exhibit F.
(b) Certificates. Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries (whether signed on behalf of such officer, the Company or such subsidiary) and delivered to the Representatives or to counsel for the Underwriters shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company to each Underwriter as to the matters covered thereby.
SECTION 2. Sale and Delivery to Underwriters; Closing.
(a) Initial Securities. On the basis of the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement and the Deposit Agreement and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to sell to the Underwriters, severally and not jointly, 10,500,000 Initial Securities, and each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees to purchase the respective number of Initial Securities set forth opposite its name in Exhibit A hereto plus any additional number of Initial Securities which such Underwriter may become obligated to purchase pursuant to the provisions of Section 10 hereof, subject to such adjustments among the Underwriters as the Representatives in their sole discretion shall make to eliminate any sales or purchases of fractional Securities, in each case at a price of $48.50 per share (the “Purchase Price”).
(b) Option Securities. In addition, on the basis of the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement and the Deposit Agreement and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company hereby grants an option to the Underwriters, severally and not jointly, to purchase up to 1,000,000 Option Securities at a price per share equal to the Purchase Price referred to in Section 2(a) above; provided that the price per share for any Option Securities shall be reduced by an amount per share equal to any dividends or distributions declared, paid or payable by the Company on the Initial Securities but not payable on such Option Securities. The option hereby granted will expire at 11:59 P.M. (New York City time) on the 30th day after the date hereof and may be exercised in whole or in part from time to time only for the purpose of covering over-allotments that may be made in connection with the offering and distribution of the Initial Securities upon notice by the Representatives to the Company setting forth the number of Option Securities as to which the several Underwriters are then exercising the option and the time and date of payment and delivery for such Option Securities. Any such time and date of delivery (an “Option Closing Date”) shall be determined by the Representatives, but shall not be later than seven full business days after the exercise of said option (unless postponed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10 hereof), nor in any event prior to the Closing Date. Any such notice shall be given at least two business days prior to the date and time of delivery specified therein, except to the extent that the date on which the Option Securities are to be delivered is the same date and time as the Closing Date, in which case such notice may be delivered one business day prior to the date and time of delivery specified therein. If the option is exercised as to all or any portion of the
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Option Securities, the Company will sell to the Underwriters that proportion of the total number of Option Securities then being purchased bears to the total number of Option Securities, and each of the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, will purchase that proportion of the total number of Option Securities then being purchased which the number of Initial Securities set forth in Exhibit A hereto opposite the name of such Underwriter, plus any additional number of Initial Securities that such Underwriter may become obligated to purchase pursuant to the provisions of Section 10 hereof, bears to the total number of Initial Securities, subject in each case to such adjustments as the Representatives in their discretion shall make to eliminate any sales or purchases of fractional shares.
(c) Payment. Payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of, the Initial Securities shall be made at the offices of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, 300 North LaSalle Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60654, or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and the Company, at 9:00 A.M. (New York City time) on February 27, 2026 (unless postponed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10), or such other time not later than five business days after such date as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and the Company (such time and date of payment and delivery being herein called “Closing Date”).
In addition, in the event that any or all of the Option Securities are purchased by the Underwriters, payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of, such Option Securities shall be made at the above-mentioned offices at 9:00 A.M. (New York City time), or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and the Company, on each Option Closing Date as specified in the notice from the Representatives to the Company.
Payment shall be made to the Company by wire transfer of immediately available funds to a single bank account designated by the Company, against delivery to the Representatives for the respective accounts of the Underwriters of the Securities to be purchased by them. It is understood that each Underwriter has authorized the Representatives, for its account, to accept delivery of, receipt for, and make payment of the purchase price for, the Initial Securities and the Option Securities, if any, that it has agreed to purchase. Wells Fargo, individually and not as Representative of the Underwriters, may (but shall not be obligated to) make payment of the Purchase Price for the Initial Securities or the Option Securities, if any, to be purchased by any Underwriter whose funds have not been received by the Closing Date or the relevant Option Closing Date, as the case may be, but such payment shall not relieve such Underwriter from its obligations hereunder.
(d) Delivery of Securities. Delivery of the Initial Securities and any Option Securities shall be made through the facilities of DTC unless the Representatives shall otherwise instruct.
(e) Appointment of QIU. The Company hereby confirms its engagement of Scotia Capital (USA) Inc. (“Scotia Capital”) as, and Scotia Capital hereby confirms its agreement with the Company to render services as, a “qualified independent underwriter” within the meaning of FINRA Rule 5121 with respect to the offering and sale of the Securities and, in acting as such “qualified independent underwriter,” Scotia Capital agrees to undertake the legal responsibilities and liabilities of an underwriter under the 1933 Act, specifically including those inherent in Section 11 thereof and confirms that it meets the requirements under FINRA Rule 5121 to act as such “qualified independent underwriter.” Scotia Capital, solely in its capacity as qualified independent underwriter and not otherwise, is referred to herein as the “QIU.” No compensation will be paid to the QIU for its services as a qualified independent underwriter.
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SECTION 3. Covenants of the Company. The Company covenants with each Underwriter and the QIU as follows:
(a) Filings with the Commission. The Company will file the Prospectus in a form approved by the Underwriters with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424 under the 1933 Act not later than the close of business on the second business day following the date of determination of the public offering price of the Securities or, if applicable, such earlier time as may be required by Rule 424(b) and Rule 430A, 430B or 430C under the 1933 Act. The Company will file any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (including the term sheet in the form set forth in Exhibit D) to the extent required by Rule 433 under the 1933 Act; and the Company will furnish copies of the Prospectus to the Underwriters in New York City prior to 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on the second day succeeding the date of this Agreement in such quantities as the Representatives may reasonably request. If at any time when Securities remain unsold by the Underwriters the Company receives from the Commission a notice pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) or otherwise ceases to be eligible to use the automatic shelf registration statement form, the Company will (i) promptly notify the Underwriters and (ii) subject to paragraph (c), promptly take such action as shall be necessary to permit the public offering and sale of the Securities to continue as soon as practicable after receipt of such notice.
(b) Delivery of Copies. The Company will deliver, without charge to the Underwriters and counsel for the Underwriters (i) copies of the Registration Statement (including exhibits thereto); (ii) copies of the Preliminary Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto, and the Company hereby consents to the use of such copies for purposes permitted by the 1933 Act; and (iii) during the Prospectus Delivery Period, such number of copies of the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto as such Underwriter 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 1933 Act) in connection with sales of the Securities by any Underwriter or dealer.
(c) Amendments or Supplements; Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses; Written Testing-the-Waters Communications. Before making, preparing, using, authorizing, approving, referring to or filing any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Written Testing-the-Waters Communications, and before filing any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or the General Disclosure Package, the Company will furnish to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters a copy of the proposed Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Written Testing-the-Waters Communication, 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 object.
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(d) Notice to the Representatives. The Company will advise the Representatives promptly, and confirm such advice in writing, (i) when any amendment to the Registration Statement has been filed or becomes effective; (ii) when any supplement to the Prospectus or any amendment to the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus has been filed; (iii) 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; (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the 1933 Act; (v) of the occurrence of any event within the Prospectus Delivery Period as a result of which the Prospectus, the General Disclosure Package, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Written Testing-the-Waters-Communication as then amended or supplemented would include 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, in the light of the circumstances existing when the Prospectus, the General Disclosure Package, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any Written Testing-the-Waters-Communication is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading; and (vi) 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 or the Prospectus or suspending any such qualification of the Securities and, if any such order is issued, will obtain as soon as possible the withdrawal thereof.
(e) General Disclosure Package. If at any time prior to the Closing Date or Option Closing Date, as applicable (i) any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which the General Disclosure Package 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, not misleading or (ii) it is necessary to amend or supplement the General Disclosure Package 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 General Disclosure Package as may be necessary so that the statements in the General Disclosure Package as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances, be misleading or so that the General Disclosure Package 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 an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or 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 as may be necessary so that the statements in the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented 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.
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(g) Blue Sky Compliance. The Company will arrange, if necessary, for the qualification of the Securities for sale under the laws of such jurisdictions as the Representatives may reasonably designate, will maintain such qualifications in effect so long as required for the distribution of the Securities, will arrange for the determination of the legality of the Securities for purchase by institutional investors and will pay any fee of FINRA, in connection with its review of the offering; provided, that, in no event shall the Company be obligated to qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not now so qualified or to take any action that would subject it to service of process in suits, other than those arising out of the offering or sale of the Securities, in any jurisdiction where it is not now so subject.
(h) Book-Entry. The Company will cooperate with the Underwriters and use its reasonable best efforts to permit the Securities to be eligible for clearance and settlement through DTC.
(i) No Stabilization. The Company will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that would constitute or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, under the 1934 Act or otherwise, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.
(j) Use of Proceeds. The Company will use the net proceeds received by it from the sale of the Securities in the manner specified in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the caption “Use of Proceeds.”
(k) Earning Statement. As soon as practicable, the Company will make generally available to its security holders, and to the Representatives, an earning statement or statements of the Company and its subsidiaries which satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the 1933 Act and Rule 158 of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
(l) Filing of 1934 Act Documents. 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 1934 Act during the Prospectus Delivery Period.
(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 1933 Act.
(n) Listing. The Company will use its best efforts to effect the listing of the Securities on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), and to effect and maintain the listing of a number of Underlying Securities equal to the Maximum Number of Underlying Securities on the NYSE.
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(o) Prior to the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, the Company will deposit the relevant number of shares of Preferred Stock with the Depositary in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the Deposit Agreement and otherwise comply with this Agreement and the Deposit Agreement so that the relevant Securities will be issued by the Depositary against receipt of such shares of Preferred Stock and delivered to the Purchasers against payment therefor at such Closing Date or such Option Closing Date, as the case may be. The Company will reserve and keep available at all times for issuance, free of pre-emptive or similar rights, a number of Underlying Securities equal to the Maximum Number of Underlying Securities. Between the date hereof and the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, the Company will not do or authorize any act or thing that would result in the adjustment of the “fixed conversion rates” (as defined in the General Disclosure Package) of the Preferred Stock.
(p) Restriction on Sale of Securities. Except with respect to the sale of securities contemplated by the Common Stock Agreement, during the Lock-Up Period, the Company will not, without the prior written consent of the Representatives, directly or indirectly:
(i) issue, offer, pledge, assign, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of any shares of Common Stock or other capital stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock or other capital stock;
(ii) file or cause the filing of any registration statement under the 1933 Act with respect to any Common Stock or other capital stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for any Common Stock or other capital stock; or
(iii) enter into any swap or other agreement, arrangement, hedge or transaction that transfers to another, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any Common Stock or other capital stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for any Common Stock or other capital stock,
whether any transaction described in clause (i) or (iii) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock, other capital stock, other securities, in cash or otherwise, or publicly announce any intention to do any of the foregoing.
Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in the immediately preceding paragraph, the Company may, without the prior written consent of the Representatives:
(v) issue Securities to the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement, the Preferred Stock in respect thereof and any shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of, or issued and paid as a dividend on, the Preferred Stock,
(w) issue shares, and options to purchase shares, of Common Stock and restricted stock units pursuant to stock option plans, stock purchase or other equity incentive plans described in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, as those plans are in effect on the date of this Agreement,
(x) issue shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of stock options or vesting of restricted stock units issued under stock option or other equity incentive plans referred to in clause (y) above, as those plans are in effect on the date of this Agreement,
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(y) the issuance of up to 2% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, or securities convertible into, exercisable for, or which are otherwise exchangeable for, Common Stock, immediately following the Closing Date, in acquisitions or other similar strategic transactions, and
(z) the filing of any registration statement on Form S-8 relating to securities granted or to be granted pursuant to any plan in effect on the date of this Agreement or any assumed benefit plan pursuant to an acquisition or similar strategic transaction.
SECTION 4. Payment of Expenses.
(a) Expenses. The Company will pay all expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, including (i) the preparation, printing and filing of the Registration Statement and each amendment thereto (in each case including exhibits) and any costs associated with electronic delivery of any of the foregoing, (ii) the word processing and delivery to the Underwriters of this Agreement and such other documents as may be required in connection with the offering, purchase, sale, issuance or delivery of the Securities, (iii) the preparation, issuance and delivery of the certificates for the Securities and the Preferred Stock, including the Certificate of Designations and the filing thereof, and the issuance and delivery of the Securities to the Underwriters, including any stock or other transfer taxes and any stamp or other taxes or duties payable in connection with the sale, issuance or delivery of the Securities to the Underwriters, (iv) the fees and disbursements of the counsel, accountants and other advisors to the Company, (v) the qualification or exemption of the Securities under securities laws in accordance with the provisions of Section 3(g) hereof, including filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection therewith and in connection with the preparation of a blue sky survey and any supplements thereto, (vi) the preparation, printing and delivery to the Underwriters of copies of each preliminary prospectus, any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing and any costs associated with electronic delivery of any of the foregoing, (vii) the preparation, printing and delivery to the Underwriters of copies of a blue sky survey any costs associated with electronic delivery of any of the foregoing, (viii) the fees and expenses of the attorneys-in-fact, the custodian and the transfer agent and registrar for the Securities and the Depositary, (ix) expenses incurred in connection with any diligence and filing fees related to application of FINRA rules to the offering (including legal fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters, together with the expenses described in clause (vii) above, in an amount not to exceed $50,000), (x) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Securities and the number of Underlying Securities equal to the Maximum Number of Underlying Securities on the NYSE, and (xi) the costs and expenses of the Company and any of its officers, directors, counsel or other representatives in connection with presentations or meetings undertaken in connection with the offering of the Securities, including, without limitation, expenses associated with the production of road show slides and graphics and the production and hosting of any electronic road shows, fees and expenses of any consultants engaged in connection with road show presentations, and travel, lodging, transportation, and other expenses of the officers, directors, counsel and other representatives of the Company incurred in connection with any such presentations or meetings, it being understood that travel and lodging expenses of the Underwriters in connection with such presentations or meetings shall be paid by the Underwriters).
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(b) Termination of Agreement. If this Agreement is terminated by the Representatives in accordance with the provisions of Section 5 hereof, Section 9(a)(i) hereof, 9(a)(ii) hereof or Section 9(a)(iii) hereof, the Company shall reimburse the Underwriters for all of their out-of-pocket expenses, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters.
SECTION 5. Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations. The obligations of the QIU and the several Underwriters hereunder are subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement, or in certificates signed by any officer of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company (whether signed on behalf of such officer, the Company or such subsidiary) or counsel for the Underwriters, to the performance by the Company of its covenants and other obligations hereunder, and to the following further 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 or pursuant to Section 8A under the 1933 Act shall be pending before or threatened by the Commission, and no notice of objection of the Commission to use the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) shall have been received; the Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus shall have been timely filed with the Commission under the 1933 Act and in accordance with Section 3(a) hereof; and all requests by the Commission for additional information shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of the Representatives.
(b) No Material Adverse Effect. Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, or, if earlier, the date of the latest financial statements included in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there has been no material adverse change in the condition (financial or other), earnings, business or properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, except as set forth in or contemplated in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the effect of which is, in the judgment of the Representatives, so material and adverse as to make it impracticable or inadvisable to market the Securities as contemplated by this Agreement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.
(c) Opinion of In-House Counsel for the Company. Scott J. Dorfman, Senior Counsel and Assistant Corporate Secretary of the Company, shall have furnished to the Underwriters, at the request of the Company, his written opinion, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Underwriters, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives, to the effect set forth in Annex A.
(d) Opinion of Counsel for the Company. The Company shall have furnished to the Underwriters the opinion and negative assurance letter of Kirkland & Ellis LLP (“Company Counsel”), as counsel for the Company, dated the Closing Date, to the effect set forth in Annex B.
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(e) Opinion of Counsel for Underwriters. The Underwriters shall have received from Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, such negative assurance letter, and from Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, special product counsel for the Underwriters, such opinion or opinions, each dated the Closing Date, with respect to matters as the Representatives may reasonably require, and, in each case, the Company shall have furnished to such counsel such documents as they reasonably request for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon such matters.
(f) Officers’ Certificate. At the Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be, the Representatives shall have received a certificate of the Company, signed by the chairman of the board, any president or vice president (whether or not designated by a number or word added before or after the title vice president) and the principal financial or accounting officer of the Company to the effect that the signers of such certificate have carefully examined the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and, that (i) the representations and warranties set forth in Section 1 hereof are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be, and the Company has substantially complied with all agreements and substantially satisfied all the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to the Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be, and (ii) to the effect set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) above.
(g) Comfort Letters. On the date of this Agreement and on the Closing Date, Ernst & Young LLP shall have 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 the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package 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.
(h) Approval of Listing. The Securities to be delivered on the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, shall have been approved for listing on the NYSE, subject only to official notice of issuance. A number of Underlying Securities equal to the Maximum Number of Underlying Securities shall have been approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance.
(i) Certificate of Designations. The Certificate of Designations shall have been filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and shall have become effective.
(j) Deposit Agreement. The Company and the Depositary shall have executed and delivered the Deposit Agreement and prior to the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, the Company shall have deposited the relevant number of shares of Preferred Stock with the Depositary in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the Deposit Agreement and otherwise complied with this Agreement and the Deposit Agreement so that the relevant Securities will be issued by the Depositary against receipt of such shares of Preferred Stock and delivered to the Underwriters against payment therefor at such Closing Date or such Option Closing Date, as the case may be.
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(k) Lock-up Agreements. Prior to the date of this Agreement, the Representatives shall have received an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto signed by each of the persons listed in Exhibit B hereto.
(l) Conditions to Purchase of Option Securities. In the event that the Underwriters exercise their option provided in Section 2(b) hereof to purchase all or any portion of the Option Securities on any Option Closing Date that is after the Closing Date, the obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase the applicable Option Securities shall be subject to the conditions specified in the introductory paragraph of this Section 5 and to the further condition that, at the applicable Option Closing Date, the Representatives shall have received:
(1) Opinion of In-House Counsel for Company. A favorable opinion in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives and dated such Option Closing Date, relating to the Option Securities to be purchased on such Option Closing Date and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 5(c) hereof.
(2) Opinion of Counsel for Company. The favorable opinion and negative assurance letter of Company Counsel in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives and dated such Option Closing Date, relating to the Option Securities to be purchased on such Option Closing Date and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 5(d) hereof.
(3) Opinion of Counsel for Underwriters. The favorable negative assurance letter from Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, counsel for the Underwriters and the favorable opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, special product counsel for the Underwriters, in each case, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives and dated such Option Closing Date, relating to the Option Securities to be purchased on such Option Closing Date and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 5(e) hereof.
(4) Officers’ Certificate. A certificate, dated such Option Closing Date, to the effect set forth in, and signed on behalf of the Company by the officers specified in, Section 5(f) hereof, except that the references in such certificate to the Closing Date shall be changed to refer to such Option Closing Date.
(5) Bring-down Comfort Letter. A letter from Ernst & Young LLP, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives and dated such Option Closing Date, substantially in the same form and substance as the letter furnished to the Representatives pursuant to Section 5(g) hereof, except that the specified date in the letter furnished pursuant to this Section 5(j)(5) shall be a date not more than three business days prior to such Option Closing Date, and except that such letter shall also cover any amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (other than any electronic road show) and the Prospectus subsequent to the Closing Date.
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(m) Additional Documents. At the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, the Company shall have furnished to the Representatives such further information, documents, certificates and opinions of counsel as the Representatives may reasonably request.
If any of the conditions specified in this Section 5 shall not have been fulfilled when and as provided in this Agreement, or if any of the opinions and certificates mentioned above or elsewhere in this Agreement shall not be in all material respects reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Underwriters and their counsel, this Agreement and all obligations of any Underwriter hereunder may be canceled at any time by such Underwriter. Notice of such cancellation shall be given to the Company in writing or by telephone or telegraph confirmed in writing.
SECTION 6. Indemnification.
(a) Indemnification by the Company.
(1) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its affiliates, directors, officers and employees and each person, if any, who controls such Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities, joint or several, to which each Underwriter, its affiliates, directors, officers or employees and each person, if any, who controls such Underwriter may become subject under the 1934 Act, the 1934 Act or other federal or state statutory law or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement as originally filed or in any amendment thereof, or in the General Disclosure Package (or any part thereof), the Prospectus or any preliminary Prospectus, or in any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or in any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or in any Testing-the-Waters-Communication or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and agrees to reimburse as incurred each such indemnified party for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided, however, that the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon any such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made therein in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for use in connection with the preparation thereof. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have. If the Company shall default in its obligations to deliver the Securities, the Company shall indemnify and hold each Underwriter harmless against any loss, claim or damage arising from or as a result of such default by the Company.
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(2) Without limitation and in addition to its obligation under the other paragraphs of this Section 6, the Company also agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the QIU, its affiliates, directors, officers and employees and each person, if any, who controls the QIU within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities, joint or several, to which the QIU, its affiliates, directors, officers or employees and each person, if any, who controls the QIU may become subject under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or other federal or state statutory law or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are incurred as a result of the QIU’s participation as a “qualified independent underwriter” within the meaning of FINRA Rule 5121 in connection with the offering of the Securities. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have.
(b) Indemnification by the Underwriters. Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its employees and directors, each of its officers who signs the Registration Statement and each person who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act, to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company to each Underwriter, but only with reference to written information relating to such Underwriter furnished to the Company by the Representatives on behalf of such Underwriter specifically for use in the preparation of the documents referred to in the foregoing indemnity. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which each Underwriter may otherwise have. The Company acknowledges that the following constitutes the only information furnished in writing by or on behalf of the Underwriters for inclusion in the documents referred to in the foregoing indemnity: (i) the names of the Underwriters set forth on page S-65 of the Prospectus; and (ii) the sixth paragraph related to short sales, stabilizing transactions, purchases to cover positions created by short sales on page S-67 and the first full paragraph related to penalty bids on page S-68 of the Prospectus and the Representatives confirm that such statements are correct.
(c) Actions Against Parties; Notification. Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 6 of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this Section 6, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party will not relieve it from liability which it may have to any indemnified party. In case any such action is brought against any indemnified party, and it notifies the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate therein, and to the extent that it may elect by written notice delivered to the indemnified party promptly after receiving the aforesaid notice from such indemnified party, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party; provided, however, that if the defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, the indemnified party or parties shall have the right to select separate counsel to assert such legal defenses and to otherwise participate in the defense of such action on behalf of such indemnified party or parties; provided, further, that if indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 6(a)(2), then in addition to such
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separate firm of the Underwriters, their affiliates, directors, officers, employees and such control persons of the Underwriters if applicable under the previous proviso, the indemnifying party shall also be liable for the fees and expenses of not more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for Scotia Capital in its capacity as the QIU, its affiliates, directors, officers, employees and all persons, if any, who control Scotia Capital within the meaning of either Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act. Upon receipt of notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense of such action and approval by the indemnified party of counsel, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 6 for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof unless (i) the indemnified party shall have employed separate counsel in connection with the assertion of legal defenses in accordance with the proviso to the next preceding sentence (it being understood, however, that the indemnifying party shall not be liable for the expenses of more than one separate counsel and an additional local counsel, if needed, approved by the Representatives in the case of paragraph (a)(1) of this Section 6, and the QIU, in the case of paragraph (a)(2) of this Section 6, representing the applicable indemnified parties under such paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2), as the case may be, who are parties to such action), (ii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of commencement of the action, (iii) the indemnifying party has authorized the employment of counsel for the indemnified party at the expense of the indemnifying party or (iv) the use of counsel chosen by the indemnifying party to represent the indemnified party would present such counsel with a conflict of interest; and except that, if clause (i) or (iii) is applicable, such liability shall be only in respect of the counsel referred to in such clause (i) or (iii). An indemnifying party will not, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding and (ii) 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 party. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, if indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 6(a)(1) or (a)(2) in respect of such claim, action, suit or proceeding then in addition to such separate firm for the indemnified parties, the indemnifying party shall be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of not more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for Scotia Capital in its capacity as the QIU and its affiliates, directors, officers and all persons, if any, who control Scotia Capital within the meaning of either Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act with such counsel to be selected by the QIU in its sole discretion.
SECTION 7. Contribution. In order to provide for just and equitable contribution in circumstances in which the indemnification provided for in Section 6(a) or Section 6(b) is due in accordance with its terms, but is held by a court to be unavailable or insufficient in whole or in part to hold harmless an indemnified party for any reason, the Company and each Underwriter or Scotia Capital, in its capacity as the QIU, as the case may be, agree to contribute to the aggregate
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losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or defending same) (collectively, “Losses”) to which the Company and one or more Underwriters or Scotia Capital, in its capacity as the QIU, as the case may be, may be subject in such proportion so that each Underwriter Scotia Capital, in its capacity as the QIU, as the case may be, is responsible for that portion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and each Underwriter or Scotia Capital, in its capacity as the QIU, as the case may be, from the offering of the Securities from which such Losses arise; provided, however, that in no case shall any Underwriter or Scotia Capital, in its capacity as the QIU, as the case may be, be responsible for any amount in excess of the commissions received by such Underwriter or Scotia Capital, in its capacity as the QIU as the case may be, in connection with the Securities from which such Losses arise. If the allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is unavailable for any reason, the Company and each Underwriter or Scotia Capital, in its capacity as the QIU, as the case may be, shall contribute in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Company and of each Underwriter or Scotia Capital, in its capacity as the QIU, as the case may be, in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. Benefits received by the Company shall be deemed to be equal to the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) of the Securities from which such Losses arise, and benefits received by each Underwriter or Scotia Capital, in its capacity as the QIU, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be equal to the total commissions received by such Underwriter or Scotia Capital, in its capacity as the QIU, as the case may be, in connection with the Securities from which such Losses arise. Relative fault shall be determined by reference to whether any alleged untrue statement or omission relates to information provided by the Company or any Underwriter or Scotia Capital, in its capacity as the QIU, as the case may be. The Company and each Underwriter or Scotia Capital, in its capacity as the QIU, agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution were determined by pro rata allocation or any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, no person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section 7, each person who controls any Underwriter or Scotia Capital, in its capacity as the QIU, as the case may be, within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act and each respective director, officer and employee thereof, shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter or Scotia Capital, in its capacity as the QIU, as the case may be, and each person who controls the Company within the meaning of either Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act, each officer of the Company who shall have signed the Registration Statement and each director, officer and employee of the Company shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company, subject in each case to the applicable terms and conditions of this Section 7. Any party entitled to contribution will, promptly after receipt of notice of commencement of any action, suit or proceeding against such party in respect of which a claim for contribution may be made against another party or parties under this Section 7, notify such party or parties from whom contribution may be sought, but the omission to so notify such party or parties shall not relieve the party or parties from whom contribution may be sought from other obligation it or they may have hereunder or otherwise than under this Section 7. The Underwriters’ obligations to contribute under this Section 7 are several in proportion to their respective purchase obligations hereunder and not joint.
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SECTION 8. 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, the QIU or the Underwriters.
SECTION 9. Termination of Agreement.
(a) Termination; General. This Agreement shall be subject to termination in the absolute discretion of the Representatives, by notice given to the Company, if after the execution and delivery of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date (and, if any Option Securities are to be purchased on an Option Closing Date that occurs after the Closing Date, the Representatives may, in their absolute discretion, terminate the obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase such Option Securities, by notice to the Company at any time on or prior to such Option Closing Date) (i) there shall have occurred, any change, or any development involving a prospective change, in or affecting the business or properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, the effect of which is, in the judgment of the Representatives, so material and adverse as to make it impractical to proceed with the offering or delivery of the Securities, (ii) trading in the Company’s Common Stock shall have been suspended by the Commission or the NYSE or trading in the Company’s Common Stock shall have been suspended by the Commission or the NYSE or trading in securities generally on the NYSE shall have been suspended or limited or minimum prices shall have been established on such exchange, (iii) there shall have been, any decrease in the rating of any of the Company’s debt securities by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global, Inc., Fitch Ratings Inc. or if such entities no longer are providing such ratings, any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” (as defined in Section 3(a)(62) of the 1934 Act) or any formal notice given of any intended or contemplated decrease in any such rating, (iv) a material disruption shall have occurred in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in the United States, (v) a banking moratorium shall have been declared either by federal or New York State authorities or (vi) there shall have occurred any material outbreak or material escalation of hostilities, declaration by the United States of a national emergency or war or other calamity or crisis, the effect of which on financial markets is such as to make it, in the judgment of the Representatives, impracticable to proceed with the offering or delivery of the Securities as contemplated by the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement subsequent to such event).
(b) Liabilities. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Section 9 or Section 5, such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section 4 hereof and except that Sections 1, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20 and 21 hereof shall survive such termination and remain in full force and effect.
(c) Amendment and Waiver. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Underwriting 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.
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SECTION 10. Default by One or More of the Underwriters. (a) If one or more of the Underwriters shall fail at the Closing Date or an Option Closing Date to purchase the Securities that it or they are obligated to purchase under this Agreement (the “Defaulted Securities”), the Representatives shall have the right, within 24 hours thereafter, to make arrangements for one or more of the non-defaulting Underwriters, or any other underwriters, to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Defaulted Securities in such amounts as may be agreed upon and upon the terms herein set forth; if, however, the Representatives shall not have completed such arrangements within such 24-hour period, then:
(1) if the number of Defaulted Securities does not exceed 10% of the number of Securities to be purchased on such date, each of the non-defaulting Underwriters shall be obligated, severally and not jointly, to purchase the full amount of such Defaulted Securities in the proportions that their respective underwriting obligations hereunder bear to the underwriting obligations of all non-defaulting Underwriters; or
(2) if the number of Defaulted Securities exceeds 10% of the number of Securities to be purchased on such date, this Agreement or, with respect to any Option Closing Date that occurs after the Closing Date, the obligation of the Underwriters to purchase and of the Company to sell the Option Securities that were to have been purchased and sold on such Option Closing Date, shall terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter.
No action taken pursuant to this Section 10 shall relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of its default.
In the event of any such default that does not result in a termination of this Agreement or, in the case of an Option Closing Date that is after the Closing Date, that does not result in a termination of the obligations of the Underwriters to purchase and to sell the relevant Option Securities, as the case may be, the Representatives shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date or the relevant Option Closing Date, as the case may be, for a period not exceeding seven days in order to effect any required changes in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements. As used herein, the term “Underwriter” includes any person substituted for an Underwriter under this Section 10.
In the event of any such default which does not result in a termination of this Agreement or, in the case of an Option Closing Date which is after the Closing Date, which does not result in a termination of the obligation of the Underwriters to purchase and the Company to sell the relevant Option Securities, as the case may be, the Representatives shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date or the relevant Option Closing Date, as the case may be, for a period not exceeding seven days in order to effect any required changes to the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements.
SECTION 11. Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing, shall be effective only upon receipt and shall be mailed, delivered by hand or overnight courier, or transmitted by fax or other electronic means (with the receipt of such fax or other electronic communication to be confirmed by telephone). Notices to the Underwriters shall be directed to the Representatives at Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, 500 West 33rd Street, 14th Floor, New York, New York, 10001, Attention of Equity Syndicate, fax no. 212-214-5918 (with such fax or other electronic communication to be confirmed by telephone to 212-214-6144), J.P. Morgan
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Securities LLC, 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017, Attention: Equity Syndicate Desk, fax: (212) 622-8358, and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., 388 Greenwich Street, New York NY 10013, Attention: General Counsel, fax: (646) 291-1469; notices to the QIU shall be given to it at Scotia Capital, 250 Vesey Street, New York, NY 10281, Attention: Equity Capital Markets, Telephone: (212-225-6853); notices to the Company shall be directed to it at 2000 North M-63, Benton Harbor, Michigan 49022-2692, (email: [***]; [***]); Attention: Treasurer, or if different, to the address set forth in this Underwriting Agreement.
SECTION 12. Recognition of the U.S. Special Resolution Regimes.
(a) 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.
(b) 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.
SECTION 13. Parties; Entire Agreement. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Underwriters, the Company, the QIU, and their respective successors. Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person, firm or corporation, other than the Underwriters, the Company, the QIU, and their respective successors and the controlling persons and other indemnified parties referred to in Section 6 hereof and Section 7 hereof and their successors, heirs and legal representatives, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision herein contained. This Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof are intended to be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Underwriters, the Company, the QIU, and their respective successors, and said controlling persons and other indemnified parties and their successors, heirs and legal representatives, and for the benefit of no other person or entity. No purchaser of Securities from any Underwriter shall be deemed to be a successor by reason merely of such purchase. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that this Agreement, together with any contemporaneous written agreements and any prior written agreements (to the extent not superseded by this Agreement) that relate to the offering of the Securities, represents the entire agreement between the Company and the Underwriters with respect to the preparation of the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the conduct of the offering, and the purchase and sale of the Securities.
SECTION 14. GOVERNING LAW AND TIME. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY SET FORTH HEREIN, SPECIFIED TIMES OF DAY REFER TO NEW YORK CITY TIME.
28
SECTION 15. Effect of Headings; Counterparts. The Section and Exhibit headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed Agreement by one party to the other may be made by facsimile or e-mail transmission. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in this Agreement or in any other certificate, agreement or document related to this Agreement, if any, shall include images of manually executed signatures transmitted by facsimile or other electronic format (including, without limitation, “pdf,” “tif” or “jpg”) and other electronic signatures (including, without limitation, DocuSign and AdobeSign). The use of electronic signatures and electronic records (including, without limitation, any contract or other record created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means) shall be of the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a manually executed signature or use of a paper-based record-keeping system to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act and any other applicable law, including, without limitation, any state law based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or the Uniform Commercial Code.
SECTION 16. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the respective meanings set forth below:
“1933 Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.
“1934 Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.
“1940 Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
“Applicable Time” means 5:45 p.m. (New York City time) on February 24, 2026 or such other time as agreed by the Company and the Representatives.
“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).
“Commission” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
“ Common Stock Agreement” means that certain Underwriting Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and between the Company, as issuer, and the Underwriters, pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue and sell shares of its common stock, as further described therein.
“Covered Entity” means any of (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).
29
“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.
“DTC” means The Depository Trust Company.
“EDGAR” means the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System as currently in effect.
“Effective Time” means each effective date of the Registration Statement with respect to the offering of Securities, as determined for purposes of Section 11 of the 1933 Act.
“FINRA” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. or the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or both, as the context shall require.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles.
“Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectus” means any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is intended for general distribution to prospective investors, as evidenced by its being specified in Exhibit E hereto.
“Lock-Up Period” means the period beginning on and including the date of this Agreement through and including the date that is the 90th day after the date of this Agreement.
“OFAC” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department.
“Organizational Documents” means (a) in the case of a corporation, its charter and by-laws; (b) in the case of a limited or general partnership, its partnership certificate, certificate of formation or similar organizational document and its partnership agreement; (c) in the case of a limited liability company, its articles of organization, certificate of formation or similar organizational documents and its operating agreement, limited liability company agreement, membership agreement or other similar agreement; (d) in the case of a trust, its certificate of trust, certificate of formation or similar organizational document and its trust agreement or other similar agreement; and (e) in the case of any other entity, the organizational and governing documents of such entity.
“Pre-Pricing Prospectus” means the preliminary prospectus dated February 23, 2026 relating to the Securities in the form first furnished to the Underwriters for use in connection with the offering of the Securities, including the documents incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the 1933 Act.
“PCAOB” means the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).
“Preliminary Prospectus” means any prospectus together with, if applicable, the accompanying prospectus supplement used in connection with the offering of the Securities that omitted the public offering price of the Securities or that was captioned “Subject to Completion,” together with the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the 1933 Act. The term “preliminary prospectus” includes, without limitation, the Pre-Pricing Prospectus.
30
“Registration Statement” means the Company’s registration statement on Form S-3ASR (Registration No. 333-293648) as amended (if applicable), including the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the 1933 Act and the Rule 430B Information; provided that any Rule 430B Information shall be deemed part of the Registration Statement only from and after the time specified pursuant to Rule 430B.
“Regulation S-T” means Regulation S-T of the Commission.
“Rule 144A,” “Rule 134,” “Rule 163,” “Rule 163(c),” “Rule 163B,” “Rule 164,” “Rule 164(h)(2),” “Rule 172,” “Rule 173(d),” “Rule 401(g)(2),” “Rule 405,” “Rule 424,” “Rule 424(b),” “Rule 424(b)(2),” “Rule 424(b)(5),” “Rule 424(b)(7),” “Rule 430A,” “Rule 430B,” “Rule 430C,” “Rule 433,” “Rule 433(d)(5)(i),” “Rule 433(d)(8)(i),” “Rule 433(d)(8)(ii),” “Rule 433(g),” “Rule 433(h)(5),” and “Rule 501(a)” refer to such rules under the 1933 Act .
“Rule 430B Information” means the information included in any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), 424(b)(5) or (b)(7) that was omitted from the Registration Statement at the time it first became effective but is deemed to be part of and included in the Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430B.
“Sarbanes-Oxley Act” means the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or implementing the provisions thereof.
“Testing-the-Waters Communication” means any communication with potential investors undertaken in reliance on Rule 163B.
“UNSC” means the United Nations Security Council.
“U.S. Special Resolution Regime” means each of (i) the Federal Deposit Insurance Act of 1950, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder and (ii) Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Written Testing-the-Waters Communication” means any Testing-the-Waters Communication that is a “written communication” as defined in Rule 405.
All references in this Agreement to the Registration Statement, the preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing shall be deemed to include the version thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR and all versions thereof delivered (physically or electronically) to the Representatives or the Underwriters.
31
All references in this Agreement to financial statements and schedules and other information that is “contained,” “included” or “stated” in the preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (and all other references of like import) shall be deemed to mean and include all such financial statements and schedules and other information that is incorporated by reference in or otherwise deemed by the 1933 Act to be a part of or included in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus, as the case may be; and all references in this Agreement to amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to mean and include the filing of any document under the 1934 Act that is incorporated by reference in or otherwise deemed by the 1933 Act to be a part of or included in the Registration Statement, such preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus, as the case may be.
SECTION 17. Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses. Except with respect to the sale of securities contemplated by the Common Stock Agreement, the Company represents, warrants and agrees that it has not made and, unless it obtains the prior written consent of the Representatives, it will not make, any offer relating to the Securities that constitutes or would constitute an “issuer free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 433) or that otherwise constitutes or would constitute a “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405) or portion thereof required to be filed with the Commission or required to be retained by the Company pursuant to Rule 433; provided, that the prior written consent of the Representatives shall be deemed to have been given in respect of the Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, listed on Exhibit E hereto and, to any electronic road show in the form previously provided by the Company to and approved by the Representatives. Any such free writing prospectus consented to or deemed to have been consented to as aforesaid is hereinafter referred to as a “Permitted Free Writing Prospectus.” The Company represents, warrants and agrees that it has treated and will treat each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as an “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433, and has complied and will comply with the requirements of Rule 433 applicable to any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, including timely filing with the Commission where required, legending and record keeping. For the purposes of clarity, the parties hereto agree that all free writing prospectuses, if any, listed in Exhibit E hereto are Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses.
SECTION 18. Absence of Fiduciary Relationship. The Company acknowledges and agrees that:
(a) each of the Underwriters is acting solely as a principal in connection with the sale of the Securities and the process leading thereto and no fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship between the Company, any of its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any of the Underwriters, on the other hand, has been created in respect of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the process leading thereto, irrespective of whether or not any of the Underwriters has advised or is advising the Company on other matters and no Underwriter has any obligation to the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the offering of the Securities except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement;
(b) the public offering price of the Securities and the price to be paid by the Underwriters for the Securities set forth in this Agreement were established by the Company following discussions and arms-length negotiations with the Representatives, and does not constitute a recommendation, investment advice, or solicitation of any action by the Underwriters;
(c) it is capable of evaluating and understanding, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
32
(d) it is aware that the Underwriters and their respective affiliates are engaged in a broad range of transactions that may involve interests that differ from those of the Company and that none of the Underwriters has any obligation to disclose such interests and transactions to the Company by virtue of any fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship or otherwise;
(e) it waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims it may have against any of the Underwriters for breach of fiduciary duty or alleged breach of fiduciary duty and agrees that none of the Underwriters shall have any liability (whether direct or indirect, in contract, tort or otherwise) to it in respect of such a fiduciary duty claim or to any person or entity asserting a fiduciary duty claim on its behalf or in right of it or the Company or any stockholders, employees or creditors of the Company;
(f) the information and transactions contemplated in this Agreement do not constitute an offer or a solicitation of an offer to transact in any securities or other financial instrument with any natural person; and
(g) none of the activities of the Underwriters in connection with the transactions contemplated herein constitutes a recommendation, investment advice or solicitation of any action by the Underwriters with respect to any entity or natural person.
SECTION 19. Research Analyst Independence. The Company acknowledges that the Underwriters’ respective research analysts and research departments are required to be independent from their respective investment banking divisions and are subject to certain regulations and internal policies, and that such Underwriters’ respective research analysts and research departments may hold views and make statements or investment recommendations and/or publish research reports with respect to the Company and/or the offering that differ from the views of their respective investment banking divisions. The Company hereby waives and releases, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any claims that the Company may have against the Underwriters with respect to any conflict of interest that may arise from the fact that the views expressed by their respective research analysts and research departments may be different from or inconsistent with the views or advice communicated to the Company by such Underwriters’ respective investment banking divisions. The Company acknowledges that each of the Underwriters is a full service securities firm and as such, from time to time, subject to applicable securities laws, may effect transactions for its own account or the account of its customers and hold long or short positions in debt or equity securities of the Company and other entities that may be the subject of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
SECTION 20. Trial By Jury. The Company (on its own behalf and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, on behalf of its stockholders and affiliates) and each of the Underwriters 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 Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
33
SECTION 21. 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.
[Signature Page Follows]
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If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to the Company a counterpart hereof, whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts, will become a binding agreement among the Underwriters and the Company in accordance with its terms.
| Very truly yours, | ||
| WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION | ||
| By | /s/ Scott Cartwright | |
| Name: Scott Cartwright | ||
| Title: Vice President, Investor Relations and Treasury | ||
| CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED, as of the date first above written: | ||
| WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC | ||
| By: | /s/ Craig McCracken | |
| Authorized Signatory | ||
| J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC | ||
| By: | /s/ Robert Enright | |
| Authorized Signatory | ||
| CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Richard Hawwa | |
| Authorized Signatory | ||
| SCOTIA CAPITAL (USA) INC. | ||
| As the Qualified Independent Underwriter | ||
| By: | /s/ Tim Mann | |
| Authorized Signatory | ||
For themselves and as Representatives of the Underwriters named in Exhibit A hereto.
35
EXHIBIT A
| Name of Underwriter |
Number of Initial Securities |
|||
| Wells Fargo Securities, LLC |
3,128,793 | |||
| J.P. Morgan Securities LLC |
2,054,378 | |||
| Citigroup Global Markets Inc. |
1,576,204 | |||
| BNP Paribas Securities Corp. |
875,000 | |||
| Mizuho Securities USA LLC |
875,000 | |||
| BofA Securities, Inc. |
638,750 | |||
| Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC |
638,750 | |||
| Scotia Capital (USA) Inc. |
87,500 | |||
| MUFG Securities Americas Inc. |
262,500 | |||
| PNC Capital Markets LLC |
175,000 | |||
| Loop Capital Markets LLC |
144,375 | |||
| Itau BBA USA Securities, Inc. |
43,750 | |||
|
|
|
|||
| Total |
10,500,000 | |||
|
|
|
|||
A-1
EXHIBIT B
List of Persons Subject to the Lock-Up
Mary Ellen Adcock
Samuel R. Allen
Marc R. Bitzer
Judith K. Buckner
Greg Creed
Diane M. Dietz
Gerri T. Elliott
Richard J. Kramer
Jennifer A. LaClair
John D. Liu
James M. Loree
Harish Manwani
John G. Morikis
Rudy Wilson
Roxanne Warner
Carey L. Martin
Kyle De Jong
Juan Carlos Puente
Ludovic Beaufils
Todd Tomczak
B-1
EXHIBIT C
FORM OF LOCK-UP AGREEMENT
Whirlpool Corporation
Dated as of February ___ , 2026
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
As Representatives of the several Underwriters
c/o Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
500 West 33rd Street, 14th Floor
New York, New York 10001
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
270 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
388 Greenwich Street
New York, New York 10013
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This agreement is being delivered to you in connection with the proposed Underwriting Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the “Underwriting Agreement”), among Whirlpool Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (“Wells Fargo”), J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (“J.P. Morgan”) and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (“Citigroup”), as representatives of a group of underwriters (the “Underwriters”) and the other parties thereto (if any), relating to the proposed underwritten public offering(s) of shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $1.00 per share (the “Common Stock”) or other securities of the Company (such Common Stock or other equity securities, the “Securities”).
C-1
In order to induce you and the other Underwriters to enter into the Underwriting Agreement, and in light of the benefits that the offering(s) of the Securities will confer upon the undersigned in its capacity as a securityholder and/or an officer or director of the Company, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the undersigned agrees with each Underwriter that, during the period beginning on and including the date of the Underwriting Agreement through and including the date that is the 90th day after the date of the Underwriting Agreement (such period, the “Lock-Up Period”), the undersigned will not, without the prior written consent of Wells Fargo, J.P. Morgan and Citigroup, directly or indirectly:
(i) offer, pledge, assign, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of any shares of the Company’s Common Stock or preferred stock or other capital stock (including, without limitation, Common Stock, preferred stock or such other capital stock that may deemed to be beneficially owned by the undersigned in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission or that may be issued upon exercise of a stock option or warrant) (collectively, “capital stock”) or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or that otherwise represent the right to receive shares of, Common Stock, preferred stock or other capital stock, whether now owned or hereafter acquired by the undersigned or with respect to which the undersigned has or hereafter acquires the power of disposition (collectively, “Lock-up Securities”);
(ii) engage in any hedging or other transaction or arrangement (including, without limitation, any short sale or the purchase or sale of, or entry into, any put or call option, or combination thereof, forward, swap or any other derivative transaction or instrument, however described or defined) which is designed to or which reasonably could be expected to lead to or result in a sale, loan, pledge or other disposition (whether by the undersigned or someone other than the undersigned), or transfer of any of the economic consequences of ownership, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, of any Lock-Up Securities (any such sale, loan, pledge or other disposition, or transfer of economic consequences, a “Transfer”);
(iii) make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to the registration of any Lock-Up Securities; or
(iv) otherwise publicly announce any intention to engage in or cause any action, activity, transaction or arrangement described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above;
whether any such transaction or arrangement (or instrument provided for thereunder) described in clause (i) or clause (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock, preferred stock, other capital stock, other securities, in cash or otherwise. The undersigned represents and warrants that the undersigned is not, and has not caused or directed any of its affiliates to be or become, currently a party to any agreement or arrangement that provides for, is designed to or reasonably could be expected to lead to or result in any Transfer during the Lock-Up Period.
C-2
Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in the immediately preceding paragraph, the undersigned may, without the prior written consent of Wells Fargo, J.P. Morgan and Citigroup:
(1) transfer any Lock-up Securities as a bona fide gift or gifts or charitable contributions or for bona fide estate planning purposes,
(2) transfer any Lock-up Securities by will, testamentary document or by intestate succession,
(3) transfer any Lock-up Securities to any member of the immediate family (as defined below) of the undersigned or to a trust the beneficiaries of which are exclusively the undersigned or members of the undersigned’s immediate family,
(4) transfer any Lock-up Securities to a partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which the undersigned and the immediate family of the undersigned are the legal and beneficial owner of all of the outstanding equity securities or similar interests
(5) transfer any Lock-up Securities to a nominee or custodian of a person or entity to whom a disposition or transfer would be permissible under clauses (1) through (4) above,
(6) transfer any Lock-up Securities by operation of law, such as pursuant to a qualified domestic order, divorce settlement, divorce decree or separation agreement,
(7) transfer any Lock-up Securities to the Company upon death, disability or termination of employment, in each case, of the undersigned,
(8) transfer any Lock-up Securities to the Company in connection with the vesting, settlement or exercise of restricted stock units, options, warrants or other rights to purchase shares of Common Stock (including, in each case, by way of “net” or “cashless” exercise) that are scheduled to expire or automatically vest during the Lock-Up Period, including any transfer to the Company for the payment of tax withholdings or remittance payments due as a result of the vesting, settlement or exercise of such restricted stock units, options, warrants or other rights, or in connection with the conversion of convertible securities, in all such cases pursuant to equity awards granted under a stock incentive plan or other equity award plan, or pursuant to the terms of convertible securities, each as described in the Registration Statement (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement), the preliminary prospectus supplement relating to the securities included in the Registration Statement immediately prior to the time the Underwriting Agreement is executed and the Prospectus, provided that any securities received upon such vesting, settlement, exercise or conversion shall be subject to the terms of this Lock-Up Agreement,
(9) transfer any Lock-up Securities pursuant to the provisions of any of the Company’s policies with respect to the recoupment of incentive-based compensation,
(10) transfer any Lock-up Securities pursuant to a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”) for the transfer of shares of Common Stock (a “10b5-1 Plan”) entered into prior to the date hereof (an “Existing Plan”), provided that (i) such Existing Plan will not be amended or otherwise modified to increase the Common Stock scheduled for sale thereunder during the Lock-Up Period
C-3
provided that (A) in the case of clauses (1), (2), (3), (4) and (5) above, (x) such transfer or distribution shall not involve a disposition for value and (y) in the case of clauses (1), (2), (3), (4), (5) and (6) above, it shall be a condition to the transfer or distribution that the donee, devisee, transferee or distributee, as the case may be, shall sign and deliver a lock-up agreement in the form of this Lock-Up Agreement, and (B) in each case, no filing by the undersigned under the 1934 Act shall be voluntarily made during the Lock-Up Period and if any filing by any party (including, without limitation, any donor, donee, devisee, transferor, transferee, distributor or distributee) under the 1934 Act, or other public filing, report or announcement shall be legally required during the Lock-Up Period, such filing, report or announcement shall clearly indicate in the footnotes thereto (A) the circumstances of such transfer or distribution and (B) in the case of a transfer or distribution pursuant to clauses (1), (2), (3), (4), (5) and (6) above, that the donee, devisee, transferee or distributee has agreed to be bound by a lock-up agreement in the form of this Lock-Up Agreement;
(11) enter into a written plan designed to meet the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the 1934 Act relating to the transfer, sale or other disposition of the undersigned’s Lock-Up Securities, if then permitted by the Company, provided that none of the Lock-Up Securities subject to such plan may be transferred, sold or otherwise disposed of until after the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, no public announcement, report or filing under the 1934 Act, or any other public filing, report or announcement, shall be voluntarily made regarding the establishment of such plan during the Lock-Up Period and, if any such filing, report or announcement shall be legally required during the Lock-Up Period, such filing, report or announcement shall include a statement to the effect that no transfer of any Lock-Up Securities may be made under such plan during the Lock-Up Period or
(12) transfer any Lock-up Securities pursuant to a bona fide third-party tender offer, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction that is approved by the Board of Directors of the Company and made to all holders of the Company’s capital stock involving a Change of Control of the Company (for purposes hereof, “Change of Control” shall mean the transfer (whether by tender offer, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction), in one transaction or a series of related transactions, to a person or group of affiliated persons, of shares of capital stock if, after such transfer, such person or group of affiliated persons would hold at least a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Company (or the surviving entity)); provided that in the event that such tender offer, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction is not completed, the undersigned’s Lock-Up Securities shall remain subject to the provisions of this Lock-Up Agreement.
The undersigned further agrees that the Company may, with respect to Lock-up Securities owned or held (of record or beneficially) by the undersigned, cause the transfer agent or other registrar to enter stop transfer instructions and implement stop transfer procedures with respect to such securities during the Lock-Up Period.
C-4
The undersigned hereby waives any and all notice requirements and rights with respect to the registration of any securities pursuant to any agreement, instrument, understanding or otherwise, including any registration rights agreement or similar agreement, to which the undersigned is a party or under which the undersigned is entitled to any right or benefit and any tag-along rights, co-sale rights or other rights to have any securities (debt or equity) included in the offering(s) contemplated by this agreement or sold in connection with the sale of Securities (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement) pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, provided that such waiver shall apply only to the public offering(s) of the Securities pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement and each registration statement filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in connection therewith.
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to enter into this agreement and that this agreement has been duly authorized (if applicable), executed and delivered by the undersigned and is a valid and binding agreement of the undersigned. This agreement and all authority herein conferred are irrevocable and shall survive the death or incapacity of the undersigned (if a natural person) and shall be binding upon the heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned. The electronic signature of the undersigned (complying with the New York Electronic Signatures and Records Act (N.Y. State Tech. §§ 301-309), as amended from time to time, or other applicable law) of this agreement shall have the same validity and effect as a signature affixed by the hand of the undersigned.
The undersigned understands that the Company and the Underwriters are relying upon this agreement in proceeding toward consummation of the offering(s) contemplated hereunder. The undersigned further understands that this agreement is irrevocable and shall be binding upon the undersigned’s heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns.
The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that the Underwriters have not provided any recommendation or investment advice nor have the Underwriters solicited any action from the undersigned with respect to the offering(s) of the Securities and the undersigned has consulted their own legal, accounting, financial, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent deemed appropriate.
If (i) for any reason the Underwriting Agreement is terminated (other than the provisions thereof that survive termination) prior to payment for and delivery of the Securities to be sold thereunder (other than pursuant to the Underwriters’ option thereunder to purchase additional Securities), (ii) the Company notifies the Representatives, in writing and prior to the execution of the Underwriting Agreement, that it does not intend to proceed with the proposed public offering(s) of the Securities or (iii) the Underwriting Agreement is not executed by the parties thereto prior to March 16, 2026, this agreement shall automatically terminate and become null and void.
The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that whether or not any public offering(s) of the Securities actually occurs depends on a number of factors, including market conditions.
THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
[Signature Page Immediately Follows]
C-5
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed and delivered this agreement as of the date first set forth above.
| Yours very truly, |
| Print Name: |
C-6
EXHIBIT D
TERM SHEET
D-1
EXHIBIT E
ISSUER GENERAL USE FREE WRITING PROSPECTUSES
1. Term Sheet, dated February 24, 2026, as set forth in Exhibit D.
2. Investor Roadshow, dated February 23, 2026.
E-1
EXHIBIT F
WRITTEN TESTING-THE-WATERS COMMUNICATIONS
None.
F-1
ANNEX A
FORM OF IN-HOUSE COUNSEL OPINION
Provided under separate cover.
AA-1
ANNEX B
FORM OF COMPANY COUNSEL OPINION
Provided under separate cover.
AB-1
Exhibit 3.1
Certificate of Designations of
8.50% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock of
Whirlpool Corporation
Whirlpool Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), hereby certifies that, pursuant to the provisions of Sections 103, 141 and 151 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, (a) on February 17, 2026 the board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) appointed a special committee consisting of the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (the “Preferred Pricing Committee”) and authorized the Preferred Pricing Committee to determine the voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions and all other terms of the issuance of a series of preferred stock; and (b) on February 24, 2026, the Preferred Pricing Committee adopted the resolution shown immediately below, which resolution is now, and at all times since its date of adoption has been, in full force and effect.
RESOLVED, that pursuant to the provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (as such may be further amended, modified or restated from time to time, the “Certificate of Incorporation”) (which authorizes 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share (the “Preferred Stock”)), and the authority vested in the Board of Directors and as delegated to the Preferred Pricing Committee, a series of Preferred Stock be, and it hereby is, created, and that the designation and number of shares of such series, and the voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof are as set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation and this Certificate of Designations, as it may be amended from time to time (this “Certificate of Designations”) as follows:
Part 1. Designation and Number of Shares. Pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation, there is hereby created out of the authorized and unissued shares of Preferred Stock of the Corporation a series of Preferred Stock consisting of 575,000 shares of the Preferred Stock of the Corporation designated as the “8.50% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock” (the “Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock”). Such number of shares may be decreased by resolution of the Board of Directors or any duly authorized committee thereof, subject to the terms and conditions hereof; provided that no decrease shall reduce the number of shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock to a number less than the number of shares then outstanding.
Part 2. Standard Provisions. The Standard Provisions contained in Annex A attached hereto are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and shall be deemed to be a part of this Certificate of Designations to the same extent as if such provisions had been set forth in full herein.
1
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of Designations to be signed by Scott E. Cartwright, its Vice President and Corporate Treasurer, this 27th day of February, 2026.
| WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION | ||
| By: | /s/ Scott E. Cartwright | |
| Name: Scott E. Cartwright | ||
| Title: Vice President and Corporate Treasurer | ||
[Signature Page to Certificate of Designations of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock]
ANNEX A
STANDARD PROVISIONS
SECTION 1. General Matters; Ranking. Each share of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall be identical in all respects to every other share of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock. The Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, with respect to dividend rights and/or rights upon the liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Corporation, as applicable, shall rank (i) senior to all Junior Stock, (ii) on a parity with all Parity Stock and (iii) junior to all Senior Stock and the Corporation’s existing and future indebtedness.
SECTION 2. Standard Definitions. As used herein with respect to the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock:
“Accumulated Dividend Amount” means, with respect to any Fundamental Change Conversion, the aggregate amount of accumulated and unpaid dividends, if any, for any Dividend Periods prior to the Effective Date of the relevant Fundamental Change, including for the partial Dividend Period, if any, from, and including, the Dividend Payment Date immediately preceding such Effective Date to, but excluding, such Effective Date.
“ADRs” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13(e).
“Applicable Market Value” means the Average VWAP per share of Common Stock over the Final Averaging Period.
“Average VWAP” per share over a certain period means the arithmetic average of the VWAP per share for each Trading Day in such period.
“Board of Directors” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.
“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday or Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law or executive order to close.
“By-laws” means the by-laws of the Corporation, as amended, as they may be further amended from time to time.
“Certificate of Designations” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.
“Certificate of Incorporation” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.
“Clause I Distribution” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13(a)(iv).
“Clause II Distribution” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13(a)(iv).
“Clause IV Distribution” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13(a)(iv).
“close of business” means 5:00 p.m., New York City time.
“Common Stock” means the common stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the Corporation, subject to Section 13(e).
“Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent” means Computershare Trust Company, N.A., the Corporation’s duly appointed conversion and dividend disbursing agent for the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, and any successor appointed under Section 14.
“Conversion Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a).
“Corporation” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.
“Current Market Price” per share of Common Stock (or, in the case of clause (ii) below, per share of Common Stock, capital stock or similar equity interest, as applicable) means, for the purposes of determining an adjustment to the Fixed Conversion Rates:
(i) for purposes of any adjustment pursuant to Section 13(a)(ii), Section 13(a)(iv)(A) or Section 13(a)(v), the Average VWAP per share of Common Stock over the ten consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, (x) for purposes of Section 13(a)(ii), the Trading Day immediately preceding the announcement date of the relevant issuance and (y) for purposes of Section 13(a)(iv)(A) or Section 13(a)(v), the Trading Day immediately preceding the Ex-Date of the relevant distribution;
(ii) for purposes of any adjustment pursuant to Section 13(a)(iv)(B), the Average VWAP per share of Common Stock, capital stock or similar equity interest, as applicable (in the case of any capital stock or similar equity interest, determined by reference to the definition of “VWAP” as if references therein to Common Stock were to such capital stock or similar equity interest), over the first ten consecutive Trading Days commencing on, and including, the Ex-Date of such distribution; and
(iii) for purposes of any adjustment pursuant to Section 13(a)(vi), the Average VWAP per share of Common Stock over the ten consecutive Trading Day period commencing on, and including, the Trading Day immediately following the Expiration Date of the relevant tender offer or exchange offer.
“Depositary Shares” means the depositary shares representing fractional interests in the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock.
“Distributed Property” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13(a)(iv)(A).
“Dividend Amount” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a).
“Dividend Payment Date” means February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year commencing on, and including, May 15, 2026 to, and including, February 15, 2029.
“Dividend Period” means the period from, and including, a Dividend Payment Date to, but excluding, the next Dividend Payment Date, except that the initial Dividend Period shall commence on, and include, the Initial Issue Date and shall end on, but exclude, May 15, 2026.
2
“DTC” means The Depository Trust Company.
“Early Conversion” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8(a).
“Early Conversion Additional Conversion Amount” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8(b).
“Early Conversion Average Price” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8(b).
“Early Conversion Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10(b).
“Effective Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9(a), except that, as used in Section 13(a)(iii) and Section 13(c)(ii), “Effective Date” means the first date on which shares of the Common Stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, reflecting the relevant share subdivision or combination, as applicable.
“Ex-Date” when used with respect to any issuance, dividend or distribution, means the first date on which the shares of Common Stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive the issuance, dividend or distribution in question, from the Corporation or, if applicable, from the seller of the Common Stock on such exchange or market (in the form of due bills or otherwise) as determined by such exchange or market.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.
“Exchange Property” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13(e).
“Expiration Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13(a)(vi).
“Fair Market Value” means the fair market value as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof), whose determination shall be conclusive and set forth in a resolution of the Board of Directors (or such authorized committee).
“Final Averaging Period” means the 20 consecutive Trading Day period beginning on, and including, the 21st Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding February 15, 2029.
“Five-Day Average Price” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(c)(iii).
“Fixed Conversion Rates” means the Maximum Conversion Rate and the Minimum Conversion Rate.
“Floor Price” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(e).
3
A “Fundamental Change” shall be deemed to have occurred at the time any of the following occurs after the Initial Issue Date:
(a) a “person” or “group” within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, other than the Corporation, its Wholly Owned Subsidiaries and the employee benefit or incentive plans of the Corporation and its Wholly Owned Subsidiaries, files a Schedule TO or any schedule, form or report under the Exchange Act disclosing that such “person” or “group” has become the direct or indirect “beneficial owner,” as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, of the Common Stock representing more than 50% of the voting power of the Common Stock or the Corporation otherwise becomes aware of such beneficial ownership;
(b) the consummation of (A) any recapitalization, reclassification or change of the Common Stock (other than a change only in par value or changes resulting from a subdivision or combination) as a result of which the Common Stock would be converted into, or exchanged for, or would represent solely the right to receive stock, other securities, other property or assets (including cash); (B) any share exchange, consolidation or merger of the Corporation pursuant to which the Common Stock will be converted into, will be exchanged for, or will represent solely the right to receive, stock, other securities, other property or assets (including cash); or (C) any sale, lease or other transfer in one transaction or a series of transactions of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person other than one of the Corporation’s Wholly Owned Subsidiaries; or
(c) the Common Stock (or other common stock comprising all or part of the Exchange Property) ceases to be listed on any of the New York Stock Exchange, The Nasdaq Global Select Market or The Nasdaq Global Market (or any of their respective successors);
provided, however, that a transaction or transactions described in clause (a) or clause (b) above shall not constitute a Fundamental Change if at least 90% of the consideration received or to be received by all common stockholders of the Corporation (excluding cash payments for fractional shares or pursuant to dissenters’ appraisal rights) in connection with such transaction or transactions consists of shares of common stock that are listed on any of the New York Stock Exchange, The Nasdaq Global Select Market or The Nasdaq Global Market (or any of their respective successors) or will be so listed when issued or exchanged in connection with such transaction or transactions and as a result of such transaction or transactions the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock becomes convertible into or exchangeable for such consideration, excluding cash payments for fractional shares or pursuant to dissenters’ appraisal rights.
If any transaction in which the Common Stock is replaced by securities of another entity pursuant to Section 13(e) occurs, following completion of any related Fundamental Change Conversion Period (or, if none, the Effective Date of such transaction), references to the Corporation in this definition of “Fundamental Change” shall instead be references to such other entity.
“Fundamental Change Conversion” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9(a).
4
“Fundamental Change Conversion Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10(c).
“Fundamental Change Conversion Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9(a).
“Fundamental Change Conversion Rate” means, for any Fundamental Change Conversion, the conversion rate set forth in the table below for the Effective Date and the Stock Price applicable to such Fundamental Change:
| Stock Price | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Effective Date |
$45.00 | $50.00 | $55.00 | $60.00 | $65.00 | $69.00 | $75.00 | $81.08 | $85.00 | $90.00 | $95.00 | $100.00 | $110.00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| February 27, 2026 |
10.5080 | 10.6700 | 10.7860 | 10.8700 | 10.9320 | 10.9720 | 11.0200 | 11.0600 | 11.0820 | 11.1060 | 11.1300 | 11.1500 | 11.1900 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| February 15, 2027 |
11.5060 | 11.5840 | 11.6240 | 11.6400 | 11.6400 | 11.6360 | 11.6240 | 11.6100 | 11.6020 | 11.5940 | 11.5880 | 11.5820 | 11.5780 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| February 15, 2028 |
12.9200 | 12.8860 | 12.8160 | 12.7240 | 12.6240 | 12.5420 | 12.4260 | 12.3220 | 12.2620 | 12.1980 | 12.1420 | 12.0980 | 12.0340 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| February 15, 2029 |
14.4920 | 14.4920 | 14.4920 | 14.4920 | 14.4920 | 14.4920 | 13.3340 | 12.3340 | 12.3340 | 12.3340 | 12.3340 | 12.3340 | 12.3340 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The exact Stock Price and Effective Date may not be set forth in the table, in which case:
(x) If the Stock Price is between two Stock Prices set forth in the table above, or if the Effective Date is between two Effective Dates set forth in the table above, the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate shall be determined by straight-line interpolation between the Fundamental Change Conversion Rates set forth for the higher and lower Stock Prices and the earlier and later Effective Dates, as applicable, based on a 365-day or 366-day year, as applicable.
(y) If the Stock Price is in excess of $110.00 per share (subject to adjustment in the same manner as adjustments are made to the Stock Prices in the column headings in the table above in accordance with the provisions of Section 13(c)(iv)), then the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate shall be the Minimum Conversion Rate.
(z) If the Stock Price is less than $45.00 per share (subject to adjustment in the same manner as adjustments are made to the Stock Prices in the column headings in the table above in accordance with the provisions of Section 13(c)(iv)), then the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate shall be the Maximum Conversion Rate.
The Stock Prices in the column headings in the table above are subject to adjustment in accordance with the provisions of Section 13(c)(iv). The Fundamental Change Conversion Rates set forth in the table above are each subject to adjustment in the same manner and at the same time as each Fixed Conversion Rate as set forth in Section 13.
“Fundamental Change Dividend Make-whole Amount” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9(a).
“Fundamental Change Early Conversion Right” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9(a).
“Fundamental Change Notice” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9(b).
5
“Holder” means each person in whose name shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock are registered, who shall be treated by the Corporation and the Registrar as the absolute owner of those shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock for the purpose of making payment and settling conversions and for all other purposes.
“Initial Dividend Threshold” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13(a)(v).
“Initial Issue Date” means February 27, 2026.
“Initial Price” means $1,000, divided by the Maximum Conversion Rate, rounded to the nearest $0.0001, which is initially equal to $69.0036.
“Junior Stock” means (i) the Common Stock and (ii) each other class or series of capital stock of the Corporation issued after the Initial Issue Date, the terms of which do not expressly provide that such capital stock shall rank either (x) senior to the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock as to dividend rights or rights upon the Corporation’s liquidation, winding-up or dissolution or (y) on a parity with the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights upon the Corporation’s liquidation, winding-up or dissolution.
“Liquidation Dividend Amount” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(a).
“Liquidation Preference” means, as to the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, $1,000 per share.
“Make-whole Dividend Amount” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9(a).
“Mandatory Conversion” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(a).
“Mandatory Conversion Additional Conversion Amount” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(c).
“Mandatory Conversion Date” means the second Business Day immediately following the last Trading Day of the Final Averaging Period.
“Mandatory Conversion Rate” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(b).
“Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock” shall have the meaning set forth in Part 1 of this Certificate of Designations.
“Market Disruption Event” means (a) a failure by the primary U.S. national or regional securities exchange or market on which the Common Stock is listed or admitted for trading to open for trading during its regular trading session or (b) the occurrence or existence prior to 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on any Scheduled Trading Day for the Common Stock for more than one half-hour period in the aggregate during regular trading hours of any suspension or limitation imposed on trading (by reason of movements in price exceeding limits permitted by the relevant stock exchange or otherwise) in the Common Stock or in any options contracts or futures contracts relating to the Common Stock.
6
“Maximum Conversion Rate” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(b)(iii).
“Minimum Conversion Rate” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(b)(i).
“Nonpayment” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(b)(i).
“Nonpayment Remedy” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(b)(iii).
“Officer” means the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Corporation.
“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate of the Corporation, signed by any duly authorized Officer of the Corporation.
“open of business” means 9:00 a.m., New York City time.
“Parity Stock” means any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation issued after the Initial Issue Date, the terms of which expressly provide that such capital stock shall rank on a parity with the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights upon the Corporation’s liquidation, winding-up or dissolution.
“Person” means an individual, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a partnership, a joint venture, a joint stock company, a trust, an unincorporated organization or a government or an agency or a political subdivision thereof.
“Preferred Pricing Committee” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.
“Preferred Stock” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.
“Preferred Stock Directors” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(b)(i).
“Prospectus Supplement” means the preliminary prospectus supplement dated February 23, 2026, as supplemented by the related pricing term sheet dated February 24, 2026, relating to the offering and sale of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and the Depositary Shares.
“Record Date” means, with respect to any Dividend Payment Date, the February 1, May 1, August 1 or November 1, as the case may be, immediately preceding the relevant February 15, May 15, August 15 or November 15 Dividend Payment Date, respectively. These Record Dates shall apply regardless of whether a particular Record Date is a Business Day.
“Record Holder” means, with respect to any Dividend Payment Date, a Holder of record of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock as such Holder appears on the stock register of the Corporation at the close of business on the related Record Date.
“Registrar” means, initially, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as the Corporation’s duly appointed registrar for the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, and any successor appointed under Section 14.
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“Reorganization Common Stock” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13.
“Reorganization Event” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13(e).
“Reorganization Valuation Percentage” for any Reorganization Event shall be equal to (x) the Average VWAP of one share of the relevant Reorganization Common Stock over the relevant Reorganization Valuation Period (determined as if references to “Common Stock” in the definition of “VWAP” were references to the “Reorganization Common Stock” for such Reorganization Event), divided by (y) the Average VWAP of one share of Common Stock over the relevant Reorganization Valuation Period.
“Reorganization Valuation Period” for any Reorganization Event means the five consecutive Trading Day period immediately preceding, but excluding, the effective date for such Reorganization Event.
“Scheduled Trading Day” means any day that is scheduled to be a Trading Day.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.
“Senior Stock” means each class or series of capital stock of the Corporation issued after the Initial Issue Date, the terms of which expressly provide that such capital stock shall rank senior to the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock as to dividend rights or rights upon the Corporation’s liquidation, winding-up or dissolution.
“Shelf Registration Statement” means a shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the issuance of or resales of shares of Common Stock issued as payment of a dividend on shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, including dividends paid in connection with a conversion thereof.
“Spin-Off” means a distribution by the Corporation to all or substantially all holders of Common Stock consisting of capital stock of, or similar equity interests in, or relating to a Subsidiary or other business unit of the Corporation, that are, or, when issued, will be, listed or admitted for trading on a U.S. national securities exchange.
“Stock Price” means, for any Fundamental Change, (i) if all holders of Common Stock receive only cash in exchange for their Common Stock in such Fundamental Change, the amount of cash paid in such Fundamental Change per share of Common Stock, and (ii) in all other cases, the Average VWAP per share of Common Stock over the five consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the Effective Date of such Fundamental Change.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, association, partnership or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of capital stock or other interests (including partnership interests) entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers, general partners or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (i) such Person; (ii) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person; or (iii) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.
8
“Threshold Appreciation Price” means $1,000, divided by the Minimum Conversion Rate, rounded to the nearest $0.0001, which is initially equal to $81.0767.
“Trading Day” means a day on which (x) there is no Market Disruption Event and (y) trading in the Common Stock generally occurs on the New York Stock Exchange or, if the Common Stock is not then listed on the New York Stock Exchange, on the principal other U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed or, if the Common Stock is not then listed on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange, on the principal other market on which the Common Stock is then listed or admitted for trading. If the Common Stock is not so listed or admitted for trading, “Trading Day” means a Business Day.
“Transfer Agent” initially means Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as the Corporation’s duly appointed transfer agent for the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, and any successor appointed under Section 14.
“Trigger Event” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13(a)(iv).
“Unit of Exchange Property” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13(e).
“Voting Preferred Stock” means any class or series of Parity Stock upon which voting rights like those set forth in Section 6(b) have been conferred and are exercisable.
“VWAP” per share of Common Stock on any Trading Day means the per share volume-weighted average price as displayed on Bloomberg page “WHR <Equity> AQR” (or its equivalent successor if such page is not available) in respect of the period from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., New York City time (or, if the scheduled close of trading of the primary session for the primary U.S. national or regional securities exchange or market on which Common Stock is listed or admitted for trading on such Trading Day is earlier, such earlier scheduled close of trading), on such Trading Day; or, if such price is not available, “VWAP” means the market value per share of Common Stock on such Trading Day as determined, using a volume-weighted average method, by a nationally recognized independent investment banking firm retained by the Corporation for this purpose.
“Wholly Owned Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary of such Person, except that, solely for purposes of this definition, the reference to “more than 50%” in the definition of “Subsidiary” shall be deemed replaced by a reference to “100%”.
SECTION 3. Dividends. (a) Rate. Subject to the rights of holders of any class of capital stock of the Corporation ranking senior to the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock with respect to dividends, Holders shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) out of funds of the Corporation legally available therefor, cumulative dividends at the rate per annum of 8.50% on the Liquidation
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Preference per share of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (equivalent to $85.00 per annum per share (the “Dividend Amount”)), payable in cash, by delivery of shares of Common Stock or through any combination of cash and shares of Common Stock, as determined by the Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) in its sole discretion (subject to the limitations described below). Declared dividends on the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall be payable quarterly on each Dividend Payment Date at such annual rate, and dividends shall accumulate from the most recent date as to which dividends shall have been paid or, if no dividends have been paid, from the Initial Issue Date, whether or not in any Dividend Period or Dividend Periods there have been funds legally available for the payment of such dividends. Declared dividends shall be payable on the relevant Dividend Payment Date to Record Holders at the close of business on the immediately preceding Record Date, whether or not such Record Holders convert their shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, or such shares are automatically converted, after such Record Date and on or prior to the immediately succeeding Dividend Payment Date. If a Dividend Payment Date is not a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day, without any interest or other payment in lieu of interest accruing with respect to this delay.
The amount of dividends payable on each share of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock for each full Dividend Period (after the initial Dividend Period) shall be computed by dividing the annual dividend rate by four. Dividends payable on the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock for the initial Dividend Period and any partial Dividend Period shall be computed based upon the actual number of days elapsed during such period over a 360-day year (consisting of twelve 30-day months). Accumulated dividends shall not bear interest if they are paid subsequent to the applicable Dividend Payment Date.
No dividend shall be declared or paid upon, or any sum or number of shares of Common Stock set apart for the payment of dividends upon, any outstanding share of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock with respect to any Dividend Period unless all dividends for all preceding Dividend Periods have been declared and paid upon, or a sufficient sum or number of shares of Common Stock have been set apart for the payment of such dividends upon, all outstanding shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock.
Holders shall not be entitled to any dividends on the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, whether payable in cash, shares of Common Stock or other property, in excess of full cumulative dividends, calculated as set forth above.
Except as described in this Section 3(a), dividends on any share of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock converted to Common Stock shall cease to accumulate on the Mandatory Conversion Date, the Fundamental Change Conversion Date or the Early Conversion Date (each, a “Conversion Date”), as applicable.
(b) Priority of Dividends. So long as any share of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock remains outstanding, no dividend or distribution shall be declared or paid on Common Stock or any other shares of Junior Stock, and no Common Stock or other Junior Stock or Parity Stock shall be, directly or indirectly, purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired for consideration by the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries unless all accumulated and unpaid
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dividends for all preceding Dividend Periods have been declared and paid upon, or a sufficient sum or number of shares of Common Stock have been set apart for the payment of such dividends upon, all outstanding shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock. The foregoing limitation shall not apply to (i) a dividend payable on any Common Stock or other Junior Stock in shares of any Common Stock or other Junior Stock; (ii) the acquisition of shares of any Common Stock or other Junior Stock in exchange for, or a purchase, redemption or other acquisition for value of shares of any Common Stock or other Junior Stock with the proceeds of a substantially concurrent sale of, shares of any Common Stock or other Junior Stock and the payment of cash in lieu of any fractional share of Common Stock or other Junior Stock; (iii) purchases of fractional interests in shares of any Common Stock or other Junior Stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such shares of other Junior Stock or any securities exchangeable for or convertible into such shares of Common Stock or other Junior Stock; (iv) redemptions, purchases or other acquisitions of shares of Common Stock or other Junior Stock in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of any one or more of the Corporation’s or its Subsidiaries’ employees, officers, directors, consultants or independent contractors, including, without limitation, the forfeiture of unvested shares of restricted stock or share withholdings upon exercise, delivery or vesting of equity awards and the payment of cash in lieu of any fractional share of Common Stock or other Junior Stock; (v) any dividends or distributions of rights or Common Stock or other Junior Stock in connection with a stockholders’ rights plan or any redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant to any stockholders’ rights plan, and the payment of cash in lieu of any fractional share of Common Stock or other Junior Stock; (vi) purchases of Junior Stock pursuant to a binding contract (including a stock repurchase plan) to make such purchases, if such contract was in effect before the Initial Issue Date; (vii) the acquisition by the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries of record ownership in Common Stock or other Junior Stock or Parity Stock on behalf of any other Persons (other than the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries) that is a beneficial owner thereof, including as trustees or custodians; (viii) the exchange or conversion or reclassification of Junior Stock for or into other Junior Stock or of Parity Stock for or into other Parity Stock (with the same or lesser aggregate liquidation preference) and the payment of cash in lieu of any fractional share of other Junior Stock or other Parity Stock, as the case may be; or (ix) the settlement of any convertible note hedge transactions or capped call transactions entered into in connection with the issuance, by the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries, of any debt securities that are convertible into, or exchangeable for, Common Stock (or into or for any combination of cash and Common Stock based on the value of the Common Stock), provided such convertible note hedge transactions or capped call transactions, as applicable, are on customary terms and were entered into either (x) before the Initial Issue Date or (y) in compliance with the foregoing provision.
When dividends on shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock have not been paid in full on any Dividend Payment Date or declared and a sum or number of shares of Common Stock sufficient for payment thereof set aside for the benefit of the Holders thereof on the applicable Record Date, no dividends may be declared or paid on any Parity Stock unless dividends are declared on the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock such that the respective amounts of such dividends declared on the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and each such other class or series of Parity Stock shall bear the same ratio to each other as all
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accumulated and unpaid dividends per share on the shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and such class or series of Parity Stock (which dollar amount will, if dividends on such class or series of Parity Stock are not cumulative, be the full amount of dividends per share thereof in respect of the most recent dividend period thereof) (subject to their having been declared by the Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) out of legally available funds) bear to each other immediately prior to the payment of such dividends, in proportion to their respective liquidation preferences; provided that any unpaid dividends on the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock will continue to accumulate.
For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions set forth in this Section 3(b) shall not prohibit or restrict the payment or other acquisition for value of any debt securities that are convertible into, or exchangeable for, any Junior Stock.
Subject to the foregoing, and not otherwise, such dividends (payable in cash, securities or other property) as may be determined by the Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) may be declared and paid on any securities, including Common Stock and other Junior Stock, from time to time out of any funds legally available for such payment, and Holders shall not be entitled to participate in any such dividends.
If the Corporation (or an applicable withholding agent) is required to withhold on distributions of Common Stock to a Holder and pay the applicable withholding taxes, the Corporation may, at its option, or an applicable withholding agent may, withhold such taxes from payments of cash or shares of Common Stock payable to such Holder.
(c) Method of Payment of Dividends. (i) Subject to the limitations described below, the Corporation may pay any declared dividend (or any portion of any declared dividend) on the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, whether or not for a current Dividend Period or any prior Dividend Period, as determined by the Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) in its sole discretion:
(A) by paying cash;
(B) by delivering shares of Common Stock; or
(C) through any combination of paying cash and delivering shares of Common Stock.
(ii) Each payment of a declared dividend on the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall be made in cash, except to the extent the Corporation timely elects to make all or any portion of such payment in shares of Common Stock. The Corporation shall give notice to Holders of any such election, and the portion of such payment that will be made in cash and the portion of such payment that will be made in Common Stock, on the earlier of the date the Corporation declares such dividend and the tenth Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Dividend Payment Date for such dividend.
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(iii) Any shares of Common Stock issued in payment or partial payment of a declared dividend shall be valued for such purpose at the Average VWAP per share of Common Stock over the five consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the second Trading Day immediately preceding the applicable Dividend Payment Date (the “Five-Day Average Price”), multiplied by 97%.
(d) No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be delivered by the Corporation to Holders in payment or partial payment of a dividend. A cash adjustment shall instead be paid by the Corporation to each Holder that would otherwise be entitled to receive a fraction of a share of Common Stock based on the Five-Day Average Price.
(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the number of shares of Common Stock delivered in connection with any declared dividend exceed a number equal to the amount of such declared dividend as to which the Corporation has elected to deliver shares of Common Stock in lieu of paying cash divided by $24.15, subject to adjustment in a manner inversely proportional to any anti-dilution adjustment to each Fixed Conversion Rate as set forth in Section 13 (such dollar amount, as adjusted from time to time, the “Floor Price”). To the extent that the amount of any declared dividend as to which the Corporation has elected to deliver shares of Common Stock in lieu of paying cash exceeds the product of the number of shares of Common Stock delivered in connection with such declared dividend and 97% of the Five-Day Average Price, the Corporation shall, if it is legally able to do so, notwithstanding any notice by the Corporation to the contrary, pay such excess amount in cash.
(f) To the extent that the Corporation, in its reasonable judgment, determines that a Shelf Registration Statement is required in connection with the issuance of, or for resales of, Common Stock issued as payment of a dividend, including dividends paid in connection with a conversion, the Corporation shall, to the extent such a Shelf Registration Statement is not currently filed and effective, use its commercially reasonable efforts to file and maintain the effectiveness of such a Shelf Registration Statement until the earlier of such time as all such shares of Common Stock have been resold thereunder and such time as all such shares are freely tradable without registration by Holders thereof that are not, and have not been within the three months preceding, “affiliates” of the Corporation for purposes of the Securities Act. To the extent applicable, the Corporation shall also use its commercially reasonable efforts to have such shares of Common Stock qualified or registered under applicable state securities laws, if required, and approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange (or if the Common Stock is not then listed on the New York Stock Exchange, on the principal other U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed).
SECTION 4. Liquidation, Winding-Up or Dissolution. (a) In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Corporation, each Holder shall be entitled to receive the Liquidation Preference per share of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, plus an amount (the “Liquidation Dividend Amount”) equal to accumulated and unpaid dividends on such shares to, but excluding, the date fixed for liquidation, winding-up or dissolution to be paid out of the assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders, after satisfaction of liabilities owed to the Corporation’s creditors and holders of any Senior Stock, and before any payment or distribution is made to holders of any Junior Stock, including, without limitation, Common Stock.
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(b) Neither the sale of all or substantially all of the assets or business of the Corporation (other than in connection with the liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Corporation), nor the merger or consolidation of the Corporation into or with any other Person, shall be deemed to be a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Corporation for the purposes of this Section 4.
(c) If, upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Corporation, the amounts payable with respect to (1) the Liquidation Preference plus the Liquidation Dividend Amount of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and (2) the liquidation preference of, and the amount of accumulated and unpaid dividends to, but excluding, the date fixed for liquidation, winding-up or dissolution on, all Parity Stock are not paid in full, the Holders and all holders of any Parity Stock shall share equally and ratably in any distribution of the Corporation’s assets in proportion to the respective liquidation preferences and amounts equal to the accumulated and unpaid dividends to which they are entitled.
(d) After the payment to any Holder of the full amount of the Liquidation Preference and the Liquidation Dividend Amount for each of such Holder’s shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, such Holder as such shall have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Corporation.
SECTION 5. No Redemption; No Sinking Fund. The Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall not be subject to any redemption, sinking fund or other similar provisions.
SECTION 6. Voting Rights.
(a) General. Holders shall not have any voting rights except as set forth in this Section 6 or as otherwise from time to time specifically required by Delaware law.
(b) Right to Elect Two Directors Upon Nonpayment. (i) Whenever dividends on any shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock have not been declared and paid for the equivalent of six or more Dividend Periods (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Dividend Period beginning on, and including, the Initial Issue Date and ending on, but excluding, May 15, 2026), whether or not for consecutive Dividend Periods (a “Nonpayment”), the Holders, voting together as a single class with holders of any and all other series of Voting Preferred Stock then outstanding, shall be entitled at the Corporation’s next special or annual meeting of stockholders to vote for the election of a total of two additional members of the Board of Directors (the “Preferred Stock Directors”); provided that the election of any such directors will not cause the Corporation to violate (x) the corporate governance requirements of the New York Stock Exchange or the NYSE Texas (or any other exchange or automated quotation system on which the Corporation’s securities may be listed or quoted) that requires listed or quoted companies to have a majority of independent directors or (y) the portion of the Corporation’s Corporate Governance Guidelines for Operation of the Board of Directors as in effect on February 24, 2026, that requires the Corporation to (i) generally have no more than three management
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members as directors and (ii) have a majority of “independent directors” as that term is defined from time to time by relevant listing rules of the New York Stock Exchange or other applicable regulations; provided further that the Board of Directors shall at no time include more than two Preferred Stock Directors. In the event of a Nonpayment, the number of directors then constituting the Board of Directors shall be increased by two, and the new directors shall be elected at an annual or special meeting of stockholders called by the Board of Directors, subject to its fiduciary duties, at the request of the holders of record of at least 25% of the shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock or of any other series of Voting Preferred Stock (provided that if such request is not received at least 90 calendar days before the date fixed for the next annual or special meeting of the stockholders, such election shall be held at such next annual or special meeting of stockholders), and at each subsequent annual meeting, so long as the Holders continue to have such voting rights. Whether a plurality, majority or other portion of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and any other Voting Preferred Stock have been voted in favor of any matter shall be determined by reference to the respective liquidation preference amounts of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and such other Voting Preferred Stock voted.
(ii) Any request to call a meeting for the initial election of the Preferred Stock Directors after a Nonpayment shall be made by written notice, signed by the requisite holders of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock or Voting Preferred Stock then outstanding, and delivered to the Corporation in such manner as provided for in Section 16 below, or as may otherwise be required by law.
(iii) If and when all accumulated and unpaid dividends on the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock have been paid in full, or declared and a sum sufficient for such payment shall have been set aside (a “Nonpayment Remedy”), the Holders shall immediately and, without any further action by the Corporation, be divested of the voting rights described in this Section 6(b), subject to the revesting of such rights in the event of each subsequent Nonpayment. If such voting rights for the Holders and all other holders of Voting Preferred Stock shall have terminated, the term of office of each Preferred Stock Director so elected shall terminate at such time and the number of directors on the Board of Directors shall automatically decrease by two.
(iv) Any Preferred Stock Director may be removed at any time with or without cause by the holders of record of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and any other shares of Voting Preferred Stock then outstanding (voting together as a single class) when they have the voting rights described in this Section 6(b). In the event that a Nonpayment shall have occurred and there shall not have been a Nonpayment Remedy, any vacancy in the office of a Preferred Stock Director (other than prior to the initial election of Preferred Stock Directors after a Nonpayment) may be filled by the written consent of the Preferred Stock Director remaining in office or, if none remains in office, by a vote of the holders of record of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and any other shares of Voting Preferred Stock then outstanding (voting together as a single class) when they have the voting rights described in this Section 6(b); provided that the filling of each vacancy will not cause the Corporation to violate (x) the corporate governance
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requirements of the New York Stock Exchange or the NYSE Texas (or any other exchange or automated quotation system on which the Corporation’s securities may be listed or quoted) that requires listed or quoted companies to have a majority of independent directors or (y) the portion of the Corporation’s Corporate Governance Guidelines for Operation of the Board of Directors as in effect on February 24, 2026, that requires the Corporation to (i) generally have no more than three management members as directors and (ii) have a majority of “independent directors” as that term is defined from time to time by relevant listing rules of the New York Stock Exchange or other applicable regulations. Any such vote of Holders and holders of any Voting Preferred Stock to remove, or to fill a vacancy in the office of, a Preferred Stock Director may be taken only at an annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation, called as provided above for an initial election of Preferred Stock Directors after a Nonpayment (provided that if such request is not received at least 90 calendar days before the date fixed for the next annual or special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, such vote shall be taken at such next annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation). Each Preferred Stock Director elected at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation or by written consent of the other Preferred Stock Director shall hold office until the next annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation if such office shall not have previously terminated and such Preferred Stock Director shall not have been removed from such office, in each case as provided above.
(c) Other Voting Rights. So long as any shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock are outstanding, in addition to any other vote or consent of stockholders required by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation, the affirmative vote or consent of the Holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock given in person or by proxy, either in writing without a meeting or by vote at any meeting called for such purpose, shall be necessary for effecting or validating:
(i) any authorization or creation of, or any increase in the authorized amount of, any Senior Stock;
(ii) any amendment, alteration or repeal of any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or this Certificate of Designations so as to materially and adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock; or
(iii) any consummation of a binding share exchange or reclassification involving the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, or of a merger or consolidation of the Corporation with or into another Person, unless either (x) the shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock remain outstanding and have rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers, taken as a whole, that are no less favorable to the Holders thereof in any material respect than the rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock immediately prior to such consummation, taken as a whole, or (y) in the case of any such merger or consolidation with respect to which the Corporation is not the surviving or resulting entity, the shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock are converted into or exchanged for preference securities of
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the surviving or resulting entity or its ultimate parent, and such preference securities have rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers, taken as a whole, that are no less favorable to the holders thereof in any material respect than the rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock immediately prior to such consummation, taken as a whole;
provided, however, that for all purposes of this Section 6(c), (1) any increase in the amount of the Corporation’s authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock, (2) any increase in the amount of the Corporation’s authorized or issued shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, (3) the creation and issuance, or an increase in the authorized or issued amount, of any series of Junior Stock or any other series of Parity Stock and (4) the application of the provisions set forth in Section 13(e) shall in each case be deemed not to materially and adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and shall not require the affirmative vote or consent of Holders.
(d) Change for Clarification. Without the consent of the Holders of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, the Corporation may amend, alter, supplement or repeal any terms of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock by amending or supplementing the Certificate of Incorporation, this Certificate of Designations or any stock certificate representing shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock:
(i) to cure any ambiguity, omission, inconsistency or mistake in any such agreement or instrument;
(ii) to make any provision with respect to matters or questions relating to the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock that is not inconsistent with the provisions of this Certificate of Designations and that does not materially and adversely affect the rights of any Holder; or
(iii) to make any other change that does not materially and adversely affect the rights of any Holder (other than any Holder that consents to such change).
In addition, without the consent of the Holders, the Corporation may amend, alter, supplement or repeal any terms of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock to (x) conform the terms of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock to the description thereof in the “Description of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock” section of the Prospectus Supplement or (y) file a certificate of correction with respect to this Certificate of Designations to the extent permitted by Section 103(f) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
(e) Prior to the close of business on the applicable Conversion Date, the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall not be deemed to be outstanding and Holders shall have no voting rights with respect to such shares of Common Stock by virtue of holding the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, including the right to vote on any amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation or this Certificate of Designations that would adversely affect the rights of holders of the Common Stock.
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(f) The number of votes that each share of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and each share of any Voting Preferred Stock participating in the votes as described in this Section 6 shall have shall be in proportion to the liquidation preference of such share.
(g) Procedures for Voting and Consents. The rules and procedures for calling and conducting any meeting of the Holders (including, without limitation, the fixing of a record date in connection therewith), the solicitation and use of proxies at such a meeting, the obtaining of written consents and any other procedural aspect or matter with regard to such a meeting or such consents shall be governed by any rules the Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof), in its discretion, may adopt from time to time, which rules and procedures shall conform to the requirements of the Certificate of Incorporation, the By-laws, applicable law and the rules of any national securities exchange or other trading facility on which the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock is listed or traded at the time.
SECTION 7. Mandatory Conversion on the Mandatory Conversion Date. (a) Each outstanding share of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall automatically convert (unless previously converted at the option of the Holder in accordance with Section 8 or pursuant to an exercise of a Fundamental Change Early Conversion Right pursuant to Section 9) on the Mandatory Conversion Date (“Mandatory Conversion”) into a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Mandatory Conversion Rate.
(b) The “Mandatory Conversion Rate” shall, subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 7(c), be as follows:
(i) if the Applicable Market Value is greater than the Threshold Appreciation Price, then the Mandatory Conversion Rate shall be equal to 12.3340 shares of Common Stock per share of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Minimum Conversion Rate”);
(ii) if the Applicable Market Value is less than or equal to the Threshold Appreciation Price but equal to or greater than the Initial Price, then the Mandatory Conversion Rate per share of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall be equal to $1,000 divided by the Applicable Market Value; or
(iii) if the Applicable Market Value is less than the Initial Price, then the Mandatory Conversion Rate shall be equal to 14.4920 shares of Common Stock per share of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Maximum Conversion Rate”);
provided that the Fixed Conversion Rates and the Applicable Market Value are each subject to adjustment in accordance with the provisions of Section 13.
(c) If the Corporation declares a dividend for the Dividend Period ending on February 15, 2029, the Corporation shall pay such dividend to the Record Holders at the close of business as of February 1, 2029 as set forth in Section 3. If on or prior to February 1, 2029, the Corporation has not declared all or any portion of all accumulated and unpaid dividends on the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock through February 15, 2029, the Mandatory Conversion
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Rate shall be adjusted so that Holders receive an additional number of shares of Common Stock equal to the amount of accumulated and unpaid dividends that have not been declared (the “Mandatory Conversion Additional Conversion Amount”), divided by the greater of (i) the Floor Price and (ii) 97% of the Five-Day Average Price (calculated as if the applicable Dividend Payment Date were February 15, 2029). To the extent that the Mandatory Conversion Additional Conversion Amount exceeds the product of such number of additional shares of Common Stock and 97% of such Five-Day Average Price, the Corporation shall, if the Corporation is legally able to do so, pay such excess amount in cash pro rata to the Holders.
SECTION 8. Early Conversion at the Option of the Holder. (a) Other than during a Fundamental Change Conversion Period, the Holders shall have the right to convert their shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, in whole or in part (but in no event less than one share of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock), at any time prior to February 15, 2029 (“Early Conversion”), into shares of Common Stock at the Minimum Conversion Rate, subject to adjustment as described in Section 13 and to satisfaction of the conversion procedures set forth in Section 10.
(b) If as of any Early Conversion Date relating to an Early Conversion, the Corporation has not declared all or any portion of the accumulated and unpaid dividends for all full Dividend Periods ending on or prior to the Dividend Payment Date immediately preceding such Early Conversion Date, the Minimum Conversion Rate shall be adjusted, with respect to such Early Conversion, so that the converting Holder receives an additional number of shares of Common Stock equal to the amount of accumulated and unpaid dividends that have not been declared for such full Dividend Periods (the “Early Conversion Additional Conversion Amount”), divided by the greater of (i) the Floor Price and (ii) the Average VWAP per share of the Common Stock over the 20 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the second Trading Day immediately preceding such Early Conversion Date (such average being referred to as the “Early Conversion Average Price”). For the avoidance of doubt, to the extent that the Early Conversion Additional Conversion Amount exceeds the product of such number of additional shares of Common Stock and the Early Conversion Average Price, the Corporation will not have any obligation to pay the shortfall in cash. Except as described in the first sentence of this Section 8(b), upon any Early Conversion of any shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, the Corporation shall make no payment or allowance for unpaid dividends on such shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, unless the Early Conversion Date occurs after the Record Date for a declared dividend and on or prior to the immediately succeeding Dividend Payment Date, in which case the Corporation shall pay such dividend on such Dividend Payment Date to the Record Holder of the converted shares as of such Record Date, in accordance with Section 3.
SECTION 9. Fundamental Change Conversion. (a) If a Fundamental Change occurs on or prior to February 15, 2029, the Holders shall have the right (the “Fundamental Change Early Conversion Right”) to: (i) convert their shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, in whole or in part (but in no event less than one share of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock) (any such conversion pursuant to this Section 9(a) being a “Fundamental Change Conversion”), at any time during the period (the “Fundamental Change Conversion Period”) that begins on, and includes, the effective date of such Fundamental Change (the “Effective
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Date”) and ends at the close of business on the date that is the earlier of (x) 20 calendar days after the Effective Date (or, if later, the date that is 20 calendar days after Holders receive notice of such Fundamental Change) and (y) February 15, 2029 (and, for the avoidance of doubt, the Fundamental Change Conversion Period may not end on a date that is later than February 15, 2029), into a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate per share of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock; (ii) with respect to such converted shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, receive an amount equal to the present value, as of the Effective Date of such Fundamental Change, calculated using a discount rate of 6.25% per annum, of all dividend payments on such shares (excluding any Accumulated Dividend Amount) for all the remaining full Dividend Periods and for the partial Dividend Period from, and including, such Effective Date to, but excluding, the next Dividend Payment Date (the “Fundamental Change Dividend Make-whole Amount”); and (iii) with respect to such converted shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, to the extent that, as of such Effective Date, there is any Accumulated Dividend Amount, receive payment of the Accumulated Dividend Amount (the amounts described in clauses (ii) and (iii), collectively, the “Make-whole Dividend Amount”), in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), subject to the Corporation’s right to deliver shares of Common Stock in lieu of all or part of such amounts as set forth in clause (d) below; provided that, if such Effective Date or the relevant Fundamental Change Conversion Date falls after the Record Date for a declared dividend and on or prior to the next Dividend Payment Date, the Corporation shall pay such dividend on such Dividend Payment Date to the Record Holders as of such Record Date, in accordance with Section 3, such dividend shall not be included in the Accumulated Dividend Amount, and the Fundamental Change Dividend Make-whole Amount shall not include the present value of the payment of such dividend.
(b) The Corporation shall provide written notice (a “Fundamental Change Notice”) to Holders of the Effective Date of a Fundamental Change no later than the second Business Day following such Effective Date. The Fundamental Change Notice shall state:
(i) the event causing the Fundamental Change;
(ii) the Effective Date;
(iii) that Holders shall have the right to effect a Fundamental Change Conversion in connection with such Fundamental Change during the Fundamental Change Conversion Period;
(iv) the Fundamental Change Conversion Period; and
(v) the instructions a Holder must follow to effect a Fundamental Change Conversion in connection with such Fundamental Change.
(c) In addition, not later than the second Business Day following the Effective Date of a Fundamental Change, the Corporation shall notify Holders of:
(i) the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate;
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(ii) the Fundamental Change Dividend Make-whole Amount and whether the Corporation will pay such amount, or any portion thereof, in shares of Common Stock and, if applicable, the portion of such amount that will be paid in Common Stock; and
(iii) the Accumulated Dividend Amount and whether the Corporation will pay such amount, or any portion thereof, in shares of Common Stock and, if applicable, the portion of such amount that will be paid in Common Stock.
(d) (i) For any shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock that are converted during the Fundamental Change Conversion Period, subject to the limitations described below, the Corporation may pay the Make-whole Dividend Amount, determined in the Corporation’s sole discretion:
(A) by paying cash;
(B) by delivering shares of Common Stock; or
(C) through any combination of paying cash and delivering shares of Common Stock.
(ii) The Corporation shall pay the Make-whole Dividend Amount in cash, except to the extent the Corporation elects on or prior to the second Business Day following the Effective Date of a Fundamental Change to make all or any portion of such payments by delivering shares of Common Stock. If the Corporation elects to make any payment of the Make-whole Dividend Amount, or any portion thereof, in shares of Common Stock, such shares shall be valued for such purpose at 97% of the applicable Stock Price.
(iii) No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be delivered by the Corporation to converting Holders in respect of the Make-whole Dividend Amount. A cash adjustment shall instead be paid by the Corporation to each Holder that would otherwise be entitled to receive a fraction of a share of Common Stock based on the Average VWAP per share of Common Stock over the five consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the second Trading Day immediately preceding the relevant Conversion Date.
(iv) Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Fundamental Change Conversion, in no event shall the number of shares of Common Stock that the Corporation delivers in lieu of paying all or any portion of the Make-whole Dividend Amount in cash exceed a number equal to the portion of the Make-whole Dividend Amount to be paid by the delivery of Common Stock, divided by the greater of (i) the Floor Price and (ii) 97% of the applicable Stock Price. To the extent that the portion of the Make-whole Dividend Amount as to which the Corporation has elected to deliver shares of Common Stock in lieu of paying cash exceeds the product of the number of shares of Common Stock delivered in respect of such portion of the Make-whole Dividend Amount and 97% of the applicable Stock Price, the Corporation shall, if the Corporation is legally able to do so, notwithstanding any notice by the Corporation to the contrary, pay such excess amount in cash.
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(v) If the Corporation is prohibited from paying or delivering, as the case may be, the Make-whole Dividend Amount (whether in cash or in shares of Common Stock), in whole or in part, due to limitations of applicable Delaware law, the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate shall instead be increased by a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the cash amount of the aggregate unpaid and undelivered Make-whole Dividend Amount, divided by the greater of (i) the Floor Price and (ii) 97% of the applicable Stock Price. In such case, to the extent that the cash amount of the aggregate unpaid and undelivered Make-whole Dividend Amount exceeds the product of such number of additional shares of Common Stock and 97% of the applicable Stock Price, the Corporation shall not have any obligation to pay the shortfall in cash.
SECTION 10. Conversion Procedures. (a) Pursuant to Section 7, on the Mandatory Conversion Date, any outstanding shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall automatically convert into shares of Common Stock.
A Holder shall not be required to pay any taxes or duties relating to the issuance or delivery of the Common Stock upon Mandatory Conversion of its Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, except that such Holder shall be required to pay any tax or duty that may be payable relating to any transfer involved in the issuance or delivery of the Common Stock in a name other than the name of such Holder. Shares of Common Stock shall be issued and delivered and payment by the Corporation of any cash to which the converting Holder is entitled shall be made only after all applicable taxes and duties, if any, payable by the converting Holder have been paid in full and such shares of Common Stock shall be issued, and the payment by the Corporation of such cash to which the converting Holder is entitled shall be made, in each case, on the later of the Mandatory Conversion Date and the Business Day after such Holder has paid in full all applicable taxes and duties, if any.
The Person or Persons entitled to receive the shares of Common Stock issuable upon Mandatory Conversion of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall be treated as the record holder(s) of such shares of Common Stock as of the close of business on the Mandatory Conversion Date. Except as provided under Section 13(a)(vii), Section 13(c)(iii) and Section 13(c)(v), prior to the close of business on the Mandatory Conversion Date, the shares of Common Stock issuable upon Mandatory Conversion of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall not be deemed to be outstanding for any purpose and Holders shall have no rights with respect to such shares of Common Stock, including voting rights, rights to respond to tender offers and rights to receive any dividends or other distributions on the Common Stock, by virtue of holding the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock.
(b) To effect an Early Conversion pursuant to Section 8, a Holder must:
(i) complete and manually sign the conversion notice on the back of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock certificate or a facsimile of such conversion notice;
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(ii) deliver the completed conversion notice and the certificated shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock to be converted to the Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent;
(iii) if required, furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents; and
(iv) if required, pay all applicable taxes or duties, if any.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, to effect an Early Conversion pursuant to Section 8 of shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock held in global form, the Holder must, in lieu of the foregoing, comply with the applicable procedures of DTC (or any other depositary for the shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock held in global form appointed by the Corporation).
The Early Conversion shall be effective on the date on which a Holder has satisfied the foregoing requirements, to the extent applicable (the “Early Conversion Date”); provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, in no event may such Early Conversion Date occur after February 15, 2029. A Holder shall not be required to pay any taxes or duties relating to the issuance or delivery of Common Stock if such Holder exercises its Early Conversion rights, but such Holder shall be required to pay any tax or duty that may be payable relating to any transfer involved in the issuance or delivery of Common Stock in a name other than the name of such Holder. A certificate representing the shares of Common Stock issuable upon Early Conversion shall be issued and delivered to the converting Holder, together with delivery by the Corporation to the converting Holder of any cash to which the converting Holder is entitled, on the later of the second Business Day immediately succeeding the Early Conversion Date and the Business Day after the Holder has paid in full all applicable taxes and duties, if any.
The Person or Persons entitled to receive the shares of Common Stock issuable upon an Early Conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder(s) of such shares of Common Stock as of the close of business on the applicable Early Conversion Date. Except as set forth in Section 13(a)(vii), Section 13(c)(iii) and Section 13(c)(v), prior to the close of business on the applicable Early Conversion Date, the shares of Common Stock issuable upon Early Conversion of any shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall not be deemed to be outstanding for any purpose, and Holders shall have no rights with respect to such shares of Common Stock (including voting rights, rights to respond to tender offers for the Common Stock and rights to receive any dividends or other distributions on the Common Stock) by virtue of holding shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock.
In the event that an Early Conversion is effected with respect to shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock representing less than all the shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock held by a Holder, upon such Early Conversion the Corporation shall execute and instruct the Registrar and Transfer Agent to countersign and deliver to the Holder thereof, at the expense of the Corporation, a certificate evidencing the shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock as to which Early Conversion was not effected.
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(c) To effect a Fundamental Change Conversion pursuant to Section 9, a Holder must:
(i) complete and manually sign the conversion notice on the back of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock certificate or a facsimile of such conversion notice;
(ii) deliver the completed conversion notice and the certificated shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock to be converted to the Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent;
(iii) if required, furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents; and
(iv) if required, pay all applicable taxes or duties, if any.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, to effect a Fundamental Change Conversion pursuant to Section 9 of shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock held in global form, the Holder must, in lieu of the foregoing, comply with the applicable procedures of DTC (or any other depositary for the shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock held in global form appointed by the Corporation).
The Fundamental Change Conversion shall be effective on the date on which a Holder has satisfied the foregoing requirements, to the extent applicable (the “Fundamental Change Conversion Date”); provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, in no event may such Fundamental Change Conversion Date occur after February 15, 2029. A Holder shall not be required to pay any taxes or duties relating to the issuance or delivery of Common Stock if such Holder exercises its Fundamental Change Early Conversion Right, but such Holder shall be required to pay any tax or duty that may be payable relating to any transfer involved in the issuance or delivery of Common Stock in a name other than the name of such Holder. A certificate representing the shares of Common Stock issuable upon Fundamental Change Conversion shall be issued and delivered to the converting Holder, together with delivery by the Corporation to the converting Holder of any cash to which the converting Holder is entitled, on the later of the second Business Day immediately succeeding the Fundamental Change Conversion Date and the Business Day after the Holder has paid in full all applicable taxes and duties, if any.
The Person or Persons entitled to receive the shares of Common Stock issuable upon a Fundamental Change Conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder(s) of such shares of Common Stock as of the close of business on the applicable Fundamental Change Conversion Date. Except as set forth in Section 13(a)(vii), Section 13(c)(iii) and Section 13(c)(v), prior to the close of business on the applicable Fundamental Change Conversion Date, the shares of Common Stock issuable upon Fundamental Change Conversion of any shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall not be deemed to be outstanding for any purpose, and Holders shall have no rights with respect to such shares of Common Stock (including voting rights, rights to respond to tender offers for the Common Stock and rights to receive any dividends or other distributions on the Common Stock) by virtue of holding shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock.
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In the event that a Fundamental Change Conversion is effected with respect to shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock representing less than all the shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock held by a Holder, upon such Fundamental Change Conversion the Corporation shall execute and instruct the Registrar and Transfer Agent to countersign and deliver to the Holder thereof, at the expense of the Corporation, a certificate evidencing the shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock as to which Fundamental Change Conversion was not effected.
(d) In the event that a Holder shall not by written notice designate the name in which shares of Common Stock to be issued upon conversion of such Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock should be registered or, if applicable, the address to which the certificate or certificates representing such shares of Common Stock should be sent, the Corporation shall be entitled to register such shares, and make such payment, in the name of the Holder as shown on the records of the Corporation and, if applicable, to send the certificate or certificates representing such shares of Common Stock to the address of such Holder shown on the records of the Corporation.
(e) Shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall cease to be outstanding on the applicable Conversion Date, subject to the right of Holders of such shares to receive shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of such shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and other amounts and shares of Common Stock, if any, to which they are entitled pursuant to Section 7, 8 or 9, as applicable and, if the applicable Conversion Date occurs after the Record Date for a declared dividend and on or prior to the immediately succeeding Dividend Payment Date, subject to the right of the Record Holders of such shares on such Record Date to receive payment of the full amount of such declared dividend on such Dividend Payment Date pursuant to Section 3.
(f) If the Corporation (or an applicable withholding agent) is required to withhold on constructive distributions to a Holder and pay the applicable withholding taxes, the Corporation may, at its option, or an applicable withholding agent may, withhold such taxes from payments of cash or shares of Common Stock payable to such Holder.
SECTION 11. Reservation of Common Stock. (a) The Corporation shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized and unissued Common Stock or shares of Common Stock held in the treasury by the Corporation, solely for issuance upon the conversion of, or as payment of dividends on, the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock as herein provided, free from any preemptive or other similar rights, a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of, or as payment of dividends on, all shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock then outstanding (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the maximum Mandatory Conversion Additional Conversion Amount). For purposes of this Section 11(a), the number of shares of Common Stock that shall be issuable upon the conversion of, or as payment of dividends on, all outstanding shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall be computed as if at the time of computation all such outstanding shares were held by a single Holder.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation shall be entitled to deliver upon conversion of shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock or as payment of any dividend on such shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, as herein provided, shares of Common Stock reacquired and held in the treasury by the Corporation (in lieu of the issuance of authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock), so long as any such treasury shares are free and clear of all liens, charges, security interests or encumbrances (other than liens, charges, security interests and other encumbrances created by the Holders).
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(c) All shares of Common Stock delivered upon conversion of, or as payment of a dividend on, the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, free and clear of all liens, claims, security interests and other encumbrances (other than liens, charges, security interests and other encumbrances created by the Holders) and free of preemptive rights.
(d) Prior to the delivery of any securities that the Corporation shall be obligated to deliver upon conversion of, or as payment of a dividend on, the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, the Corporation shall comply with all federal and state laws and regulations thereunder requiring the registration of such securities with, or any approval of or consent to the delivery thereof by, any governmental authority.
(e) The Corporation hereby covenants and agrees that, if at any time the Common Stock shall be listed on the New York Stock Exchange or any other national securities exchange or automated quotation system, the Corporation shall, if permitted by the rules of such exchange or automated quotation system, list and use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep listed, so long as the Common Stock shall be so listed on such exchange or automated quotation system, all Common Stock issuable upon conversion of, or issuable in respect of the payment of dividends, the Accumulated Dividend Amount or the Fundamental Change Dividend Make-whole Amount on, the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock; provided, however, that if the rules of such exchange or automated quotation system permit the Corporation to defer the listing of such Common Stock until the earlier of (x) the first conversion of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock into Common Stock in accordance with the provisions hereof and (y) the first payment of any dividends, any Accumulated Dividend Amount or any Fundamental Change Dividend Make-Whole Amount on the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, the Corporation covenants to list such Common Stock issuable upon the earlier of (1) the first conversion of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and (2) the first payment of any dividends, any Accumulated Dividend Amount or any Fundamental Change Dividend Make-Whole Amount on the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock in accordance with the requirements of such exchange or automated quotation system at such time.
SECTION 12. Fractional Shares. (a) No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued as a result of any conversion of shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock.
(b) In lieu of any fractional share of Common Stock otherwise issuable in respect of the aggregate number of shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock that are converted on the Mandatory Conversion Date pursuant to Section 7 or at the option of the Holder pursuant to Section 8 or Section 9, the Corporation shall pay an amount in cash (computed to the nearest cent) equal to the product of (i) that same fraction and (ii) the Average VWAP per share of the Common Stock over the five consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the second Trading Day immediately preceding the Mandatory Conversion Date, Early Conversion Date or Fundamental Change Conversion Date, as applicable.
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(c) If more than one share of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock is surrendered for conversion at one time by or for the same Holder, the number of full shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate number of shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock so surrendered.
SECTION 13. Anti-Dilution Adjustments to the Fixed Conversion Rates. (a) Each Fixed Conversion Rate shall be subject to the following adjustments:
(i) Stock Dividends and Distributions. If the Corporation issues Common Stock to all or substantially all holders of Common Stock as a dividend or other distribution, each Fixed Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the date fixed for determination of the holders of Common Stock entitled to receive such dividend or other distribution shall be multiplied by a fraction:
(A) the numerator of which is the sum of (x) the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the close of business on the date fixed for such determination and (y) the total number of shares of Common Stock constituting such dividend or other distribution, and
(B) the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the close of business on the date fixed for such determination.
Any increase made pursuant to this clause (i) shall become effective immediately after the close of business on the date fixed for such determination. If any dividend or distribution described in this clause (i) is declared but not so paid or made, each Fixed Conversion Rate shall be decreased, effective as of the date the Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) publicly announces its decision not to make such dividend or distribution, to such Fixed Conversion Rate that would be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared. For the purposes of this clause (i), the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the close of business on the date fixed for such determination shall not include shares held in treasury by the Corporation but shall include any shares issuable in respect of any scrip certificates issued in lieu of fractions of shares of Common Stock. The Corporation shall not pay any dividend or make any distribution on shares of Common Stock held in treasury by the Corporation.
(ii) Issuance of Stock Purchase Rights. If the Corporation issues to all or substantially all holders of Common Stock rights or warrants (other than rights or warrants issued pursuant to a stockholders’ rights plan, customary dividend reinvestment plan, or customary share purchase plan or other similar plans) entitling such holders, for a period of up to 45 calendar days after the announcement date of such issuance, to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock at a price per share less than the Current Market Price of the Common Stock, each Fixed Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the date fixed for determination of the holders of Common Stock entitled to receive such rights or warrants shall be increased by multiplying such Fixed Conversion Rate by a fraction:
(A) the numerator of which is the sum of (x) the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the close of business on the date fixed for such determination and (y) the number of shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to such rights or warrants, and
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(B) the denominator of which shall be the sum of (x) the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the close of business on the date fixed for such determination and (y) the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient of the aggregate offering price payable to exercise such rights or warrants, divided by the Current Market Price of the Common Stock.
Any increase made pursuant to this clause (ii) shall become effective immediately after the close of business on the date fixed for such determination. In the event that such rights or warrants described in this clause (ii) are not so issued, each Fixed Conversion Rate shall be decreased, effective as of the date the Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) publicly announces its decision not to issue such rights or warrants, to such Fixed Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such issuance had not been declared. To the extent that such rights or warrants are not exercised prior to their expiration or shares of Common Stock are otherwise not delivered pursuant to such rights or warrants upon the exercise of such rights or warrants, each Fixed Conversion Rate shall be decreased to such Fixed Conversion Rate that would then be in effect had the increase made upon the issuance of such rights or warrants been made on the basis of the delivery of only the number of shares of Common Stock actually delivered. In determining whether any rights or warrants entitle the holders thereof to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock at less than the Current Market Price of the Common Stock, and in determining the aggregate offering price payable to exercise such rights or warrants, there shall be taken into account any consideration received by the Corporation for such rights or warrants and the amount payable to the Corporation upon exercise or conversion thereof, the value of such consideration (if other than cash) to be determined by the Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof). For the purposes of this clause (ii), the number of shares of Common Stock at the time outstanding shall not include shares held in treasury by the Corporation but shall include any shares issuable in respect of any scrip certificates issued in lieu of fractions of shares of Common Stock. The Corporation shall not issue any such rights or warrants in respect of shares of Common Stock held in treasury by the Corporation.
(iii) Subdivisions and Combinations of the Common Stock. If outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be subdivided into a greater number of shares of Common Stock or combined into a lesser number of shares of Common Stock, each Fixed Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the Effective Date of such subdivision or combination shall be multiplied by a fraction:
(A) the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that would be outstanding immediately after, and solely as a result of, such subdivision or combination, and
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(B) the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to such subdivision or combination.
Any adjustment made pursuant to this clause (iii) shall become effective immediately after the open of business on the Effective Date of such subdivision or combination.
(iv) Debt or Asset Distribution. (A) If the Corporation distributes to all or substantially all holders of Common Stock evidences of its indebtedness, shares of capital stock, securities, rights to acquire the Corporation’s capital stock (other than rights issued pursuant to a stockholders’ rights plan so long as such rights have not separated from the Common Stock), cash or other assets (excluding (1) any dividend or distribution as to which an adjustment was effected pursuant to Section 13(a)(i), (2) any rights or warrants as to which an adjustment was effected pursuant to Section 13(a)(ii), (3) any dividend or distribution consisting exclusively of cash to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock and (4) any Spin-Off as to which the provisions set forth in Section 13(a)(iv)(B) shall apply) (any such evidences of indebtedness, shares of capital stock, securities, rights to acquire the Corporation’s capital stock, cash or other assets, the “Distributed Property”), each Fixed Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the date fixed for the determination of holders of Common Stock entitled to receive such distribution shall be multiplied by a fraction:
(1) the numerator of which is the Current Market Price of the Common Stock, and
(2) the denominator of which is the Current Market Price of the Common Stock minus the Fair Market Value, on the Ex-Date of such distribution, of the portion of the Distributed Property so distributed applicable to one share of Common Stock.
Any increase made pursuant to this Section 13(a)(iv)(A) shall become effective immediately after the close of business on the date fixed for such determination. In the event that such distribution described in this Section 13(a)(iv)(A) is not so made, each Fixed Conversion Rate shall be decreased, effective as of the date the Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) publicly announces its decision not to make such distribution, to such Fixed Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such distribution had not been declared.
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(B) In the case of a Spin-Off, each Fixed Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the Ex-Date of such distribution shall be multiplied by a fraction:
(1) the numerator of which is the sum of (x) the Current Market Price of the Common Stock and (y) the Current Market Price of the portion of those shares of capital stock or similar equity interests so distributed that is applicable to one share of Common Stock, and
(2) the denominator of which is the Current Market Price of the Common Stock.
Any increase made pursuant to this Section 13(a)(iv)(B) shall be made immediately following the determination of the Current Market Price of the Common Stock, but shall become retroactively effective immediately after the open of business on the Ex-Date of such distribution. In the event that such distribution described in this Section 13(a)(iv)(B) is not so made, each Fixed Conversion Rate shall be decreased, effective as of the date the Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) publicly announces its decision not to make such distribution, to such Fixed Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such distribution had not been declared. Because the Corporation shall make any increase to each Fixed Conversion Rate pursuant to this Section 13(a)(iv)(B) with retroactive effect as described above, the Corporation shall delay the settlement of any conversion of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock where any date for determining the number of shares of Common Stock issuable to a Holder upon such conversion occurs during the period set forth in clause (ii) of the definition of “Current Market Price” until the second Business Day immediately following the last Trading Day of such period.
For purposes of this clause (iv) (and subject in all respects to clause (viii)), rights or warrants distributed by the Corporation to all or substantially all holders of its Common Stock entitling them to subscribe for or purchase shares of the Corporation’s capital stock, including Common Stock (either initially or under certain circumstances), which rights or warrants, until the occurrence of a specified event or events (“Trigger Event”): (i) are deemed to be transferred with such shares of the Common Stock; (ii) are not exercisable; and (iii) are also issued in respect of future issuances of the Common Stock, shall be deemed not to have been distributed for purposes of this clause (iv) (and no adjustment to the Fixed Conversion Rates under this clause (iv) shall be required) until the occurrence of the earliest Trigger Event, whereupon such rights or warrants shall be deemed to have been distributed and an appropriate adjustment (if any is required) to the Fixed Conversion Rates shall be made under this clause (iv). If any such rights or warrants, including any such existing rights or warrants distributed prior to the Initial Issue Date, are subject to events, upon the occurrence of which such rights or warrants become exercisable to purchase different securities, evidences of indebtedness or other assets, then the date of the occurrence of any and each such event shall be deemed to be the date of distribution and the date fixed for the determination of the holders of Common Stock entitled to receive such distribution with respect to new rights or warrants with such rights (in which case the existing rights or warrants shall be deemed to terminate and expire on such date without exercise by any of the holders thereof). In addition, in the event of any distribution (or deemed distribution) of rights or warrants, or any Trigger Event or other event (of the type described in the immediately preceding sentence) with respect thereto that was counted for purposes of calculating a distribution amount for which an adjustment to the Fixed Conversion Rates under this clause (iv) was made, (1) in the case of any such rights or warrants that shall all have been redeemed or
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purchased without exercise by any holders thereof, upon such final redemption or purchase (x) the Fixed Conversion Rates shall be readjusted as if such rights or warrants had not been issued and (y) the Fixed Conversion Rates shall then again be readjusted to give effect to such distribution, deemed distribution, Trigger Event or other event, as the case may be, as though it were a cash distribution, equal to the per share redemption or purchase price received by a holder or holders of Common Stock with respect to such rights or warrants (assuming such holder had retained such rights or warrants), made to all holders of Common Stock as of the date of such redemption or purchase, and (2) in the case of such rights or warrants that shall have expired or been terminated without exercise by any holders thereof, the Fixed Conversion Rates shall be readjusted as if such rights and warrants had not been issued.
For purposes of clause (i), clause (ii) and this clause (iv), if any dividend or distribution to which this clause (iv) is applicable includes one or both of:
(x) a dividend or distribution of shares of Common Stock to which clause (i) is applicable (the “Clause I Distribution”); or
(y) an issuance of rights or warrants to which clause (ii) is applicable (the “Clause II Distribution”),
then (1) such dividend or distribution, other than the Clause I Distribution, if any, and the Clause II Distribution, if any, shall be deemed to be a dividend or distribution to which this clause (iv) is applicable (the “Clause IV Distribution”) and any Fixed Conversion Rate adjustment required by this clause (iv) with respect to such Clause IV Distribution shall then be made, and (2) the Clause I Distribution, if any, and Clause II Distribution, if any, shall be deemed to immediately follow the Clause IV Distribution and any Fixed Conversion Rate adjustment required by clause (i) and clause (ii) with respect thereto shall then be made, except that, if determined by the Corporation (I) the date fixed for determination of the holders of Common Stock entitled to receive any Clause I Distribution or Clause II Distribution shall be deemed to be the date fixed for the determination of holders of Common Stock entitled to receive the Clause IV Distribution and (II) any shares of Common Stock included in any Clause I Distribution or Clause II Distribution shall be deemed not to be “outstanding immediately prior to the close of business on the date fixed for such determination” within the meaning of clauses (i) and (ii).
(v) Cash Distributions. If the Corporation dividends or distributes an amount consisting exclusively of cash to all or substantially all holders of Common Stock (excluding (1) a regular, quarterly cash dividend that does not exceed $0.90 per share (the “Initial Dividend Threshold”), (2) any cash that is distributed in exchange for the Common Stock in a Reorganization Event to which Section 13(e) applies, (3) any dividend or distribution in connection with the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation and (4) any consideration payable as part of a tender or exchange offer by the Corporation or any Subsidiary of the Corporation covered by Section 13(a)(vi)), each Fixed Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the date fixed for determination of the holders of Common Stock entitled to receive such dividend or distribution shall be multiplied by a fraction:
(1) the numerator of which is the Current Market Price of the Common Stock minus the Initial Dividend Threshold (provided that if the dividend or distribution is not a regular, quarterly cash dividend, the Initial Dividend Threshold shall be deemed to be zero), and
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(2) the denominator of which is the Current Market Price of the Common Stock minus the amount per share of Common Stock of such dividend or distribution.
The Initial Dividend Threshold shall be subject to adjustment on an inversely proportional basis whenever the Fixed Conversion Rates are adjusted, but no adjustment shall be made to the Initial Dividend Threshold for any adjustment made to the Fixed Conversion Rates pursuant to this clause (v).
Any increase made pursuant to this clause (v) shall become effective immediately after the close of business on the date fixed for the determination of the holders of Common Stock entitled to receive such dividend or distribution. In the event that any dividend or distribution described in this clause (v) is not so made, each Fixed Conversion Rate shall be decreased, effective as of the date the Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) publicly announces its decision not to make such dividend or distribution, to such Fixed Conversion Rate which would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared.
(vi) Self Tender Offers and Exchange Offers. If the Corporation or any Subsidiary of the Corporation successfully completes a tender or exchange offer pursuant to a Schedule TO or registration statement on Form S-4 for the Common Stock (other than a tender offer solely to holders of fewer than 100 shares of Common Stock) where the cash and the value of any other consideration included in the payment per share of Common Stock exceeds the Current Market Price of the Common Stock, each Fixed Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the date of expiration of the tender or exchange offer (the “Expiration Date”) shall be multiplied by a fraction:
(A) the numerator of which shall be equal to the sum of:
(1) the aggregate cash and Fair Market Value on the Expiration Date of any other consideration paid or payable for shares of Common Stock purchased in such tender or exchange offer; and
(2) the product of (x) the Current Market Price of the Common Stock and (y) the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such tender or exchange offer expires (after giving effect to the purchase or exchange of shares of Common Stock pursuant to such tender or exchange offer); and
(B) the denominator of which shall be equal to the product of (1) the Current Market Price of the Common Stock and (2) the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the time such tender or exchange offer expires (without giving effect to the purchase or exchange of shares of Common Stock pursuant to such tender or exchange offer).
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Any increase made pursuant to this clause (vi) shall be made immediately following the determination of the Current Market Price of the Common Stock, but shall become retroactively effective immediately after the close of business on the Expiration Date. In the event that the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries is obligated to purchase shares of Common Stock pursuant to any such tender offer or exchange offer, but the Corporation or such Subsidiary is permanently prevented by applicable law from effecting any such purchases, or all such purchases are rescinded, then each Fixed Conversion Rate shall be decreased to be such Fixed Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such tender offer or exchange offer had not been made. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, if the application of this clause (vi) to any tender offer or exchange offer would result in a decrease in each Fixed Conversion Rate, no adjustment shall be made for such tender offer or exchange offer under this clause (vi). Because the Corporation shall make any increase to each Fixed Conversion Rate pursuant to this clause (vi) with retroactive effect as described above, the Corporation shall delay the settlement of any conversion of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock where any date for determining the number of shares of Common Stock issuable to Holders upon such conversion occurs during the period set forth in clause (iii) of the definition of “Current Market Price” until the second Business Day immediately following the last Trading Day of such period.
(vii) In cases where (i) the Fair Market Value of the Distributed Property distributed per share of Common Stock as to which Section 13(a)(iv)(A) applies or (ii) the amount of cash distributed per share of Common Stock as to which Section 13(a)(v) applies, in each case, equals or exceeds the Average VWAP per share of the Common Stock over the ten consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the Ex-Date of such distribution, rather than being entitled to an adjustment in each Fixed Conversion Rate, Holders shall be entitled to receive (without having to convert their Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock), at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of Common Stock, the kind and amount of the Distributed Property or cash, as the case may be, comprising the distribution that such Holder would have received if such Holder had owned, immediately prior to the record date for determining the holders of Common Stock entitled to receive the distribution, for each share of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Maximum Conversion Rate in effect on the date of such distribution.
(viii) Rights Plans. To the extent that the Corporation has a rights plan in effect with respect to the Common Stock on any Conversion Date, upon conversion of any shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, converting Holders shall receive, in addition to the Common Stock, the rights under such rights plan, unless, prior to such Conversion Date, the rights have separated from the Common Stock, in which case each Fixed Conversion Rate shall be adjusted at the time of separation of such rights as if the Corporation made a distribution to all holders of the Common Stock as described in Section 13(a)(iv)(A), subject to readjustment in the event of the expiration, termination or redemption of such rights. Any distribution of rights or warrants pursuant to a rights plan
33
that would allow Holders to receive upon conversion, in addition to any shares of Common Stock, the rights described therein (unless such rights or warrants have separated from Common Stock (in which case each Fixed Conversion Rate shall be adjusted at the time of separation as if the Corporation had made a distribution to all holders of Common Stock as described in Section 13(a)(iv)(A), subject to readjustment in the event of the expiration, termination or redemption of such rights)) shall not constitute a distribution of rights or warrants that would entitle Holders to an adjustment to the Fixed Conversion Rates.
(b) Discretionary Adjustments. The Corporation may make such increases in each Fixed Conversion Rate, in addition to any other increases required by this Section 13, as the Corporation deems advisable if the Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) determines that such increase would be in the Corporation’s best interest or in order to avoid or diminish any income tax to holders of the Common Stock resulting from any dividend or distribution of shares of Common Stock (or issuance of rights or warrants to acquire shares of Common Stock) or from any event treated as such for income tax purposes or for any other reasons; provided that the same proportionate adjustment must be made to each Fixed Conversion Rate.
(c) Calculation of Adjustments; Adjustments to Floor Price and Stock Price. (i) All adjustments to each Fixed Conversion Rate shall be calculated to the nearest 1/10,000th of a share of Common Stock. Prior to the first Trading Day of the Final Averaging Period, no adjustment to a Fixed Conversion Rate shall be required unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least one percent therein. If any adjustment by reason of this Section 13(c)(i) is not required to be made because it would not change the Fixed Conversion Rates by at least one percent, such adjustment shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment; provided, however, that the Corporation shall make such adjustments, regardless of whether such aggregate adjustments amount to one percent or more of the Fixed Conversion Rates, (x) on any Early Conversion Date or Fundamental Change Conversion Date; (y) on the Effective Date of any Fundamental Change; and (z) on each Trading Day of the Final Averaging Period.
(ii) If an adjustment is made to the Fixed Conversion Rates pursuant to Section 13(a) or 13(b), an inversely proportional adjustment shall also be made to the Floor Price. Such adjustment shall be made by dividing the Floor Price by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the Minimum Conversion Rate immediately after such adjustment pursuant to Section 13(a) or 13(b) and the denominator of which shall be the Minimum Conversion Rate immediately before such adjustment. For the avoidance of doubt, if an adjustment is made to the Fixed Conversion Rates pursuant to Section 13(a) or 13(b), no separate inversely proportional adjustment shall be made to the Initial Price or the Threshold Appreciation Price because the Initial Price is equal to $1,000 divided by the Maximum Conversion Rate (as adjusted in the manner described herein), rounded to the nearest $0.0001, and the Threshold Appreciation Price is equal to $1,000 divided by the Minimum Conversion Rate (as adjusted in the manner described herein), rounded to the nearest $0.0001. Whenever any provision of this Certificate of Designations requires the Corporation to calculate the VWAP per share of the Common Stock over a span of
34
multiple days, the Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) shall make appropriate adjustments (including, without limitation, to the Applicable Market Value, the Early Conversion Average Price, the Stock Price and the Five-Day Average Price, as the case may be) to account for any adjustments, pursuant to Section 13(a) or 13(b), to the Fixed Conversion Rates that become effective, or any event that would require such an adjustment if the record date, Ex-Date, Effective Date or Expiration Date, as the case may be, of such event occurs, during the relevant period used to calculate such prices or values, as the case may be.
(iii) If:
(A) the record date for a dividend or distribution on Common Stock occurs after the end of the Final Averaging Period and before the Mandatory Conversion Date; and
(B) such dividend or distribution would have resulted in an adjustment of the number of shares of Common Stock issuable to the Holders had such record date occurred on or before the last Trading Day of the Final Averaging Period,
then the Corporation shall deem the Holders to be holders of record, for each share of their Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Mandatory Conversion Rate for purposes of that dividend or distribution. In this case, the Holders would receive the dividend or distribution on Common Stock together with the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon Mandatory Conversion.
(iv) If an adjustment is made to the Fixed Conversion Rates pursuant to Section 13(a) or 13(b), a proportional adjustment shall be made to each Stock Price column heading set forth in the table included in the definition of “Fundamental Change Conversion Rate” as of the day on which the Fixed Conversion Rates are so adjusted. Such adjustment shall be made by multiplying each Stock Price included in such table, applicable immediately prior to such adjustment, by a fraction, the numerator of which is the Minimum Conversion Rate immediately prior to the adjustment giving rise to such Stock Price adjustment, and the denominator of which is the Minimum Conversion Rate as so adjusted.
(v) No adjustment to the Fixed Conversion Rates shall be made if Holders may participate (other than in the case of (x) a share subdivision or share combination or (y) a tender or exchange offer), at the same time, upon the same terms and otherwise on the same basis as holders of Common Stock and solely as a result of holding Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, in the transaction that would otherwise give rise to an adjustment without having to convert their Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock as if they held, for each share of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Maximum Conversion Rate then in effect. In addition, the Fixed Conversion Rates shall not be adjusted except as provided in this Section 13. Without limiting the foregoing, the Fixed Conversion Rates shall not be adjusted:
(A) upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock (or rights with respect thereto) pursuant to any present or future plan providing for the reinvestment of dividends or interest payable on the Corporation’s securities and the investment of additional optional amounts in shares of Common Stock under any plan;
35
(B) upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock or rights or warrants to purchase those shares pursuant to any present or future employee, director or consultant benefit or other incentive plan or program of or assumed by the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries;
(C) upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to any option, warrant, right or exercisable, exchangeable or convertible security outstanding as of the Initial Issue Date;
(D) for a change solely in the par value of the Common Stock;
(E) for sales of Common Stock for cash, including the sale of shares of Common Stock for a purchase price that is less than the applicable market price per share of Common Stock or less than the Initial Price or the Threshold Appreciation Price, other than in a transaction described in Section 13(a)(ii) or Section 13(a)(iv)(A);
(F) for stock repurchases that are not tender or exchange offers, including pursuant to structured or derivative transactions;
(G) as a result of a tender offer solely to holders of fewer than 100 shares of Common Stock;
(H) as a result of a third-party tender or exchange offer, other than a tender or exchange offer by one of the Corporation’s Subsidiaries as described in Section 13(a)(vi);
(I) for any regular, quarterly cash dividend that does not exceed the Initial Dividend Threshold; or
(J) for accumulated and unpaid dividends on the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, except as provided in Section 7, Section 8 and Section 9.
(d) Notice of Adjustment. Whenever the Fixed Conversion Rates and the Fundamental Change Conversion Rates set forth in the table in the definition of “Fundamental Change Conversion Rate” are to be adjusted, the Corporation shall:
(i) compute such adjusted Fixed Conversion Rates and Fundamental Change Conversion Rates and prepare and transmit to the Transfer Agent an Officer’s Certificate setting forth such adjusted Fixed Conversion Rates and Fundamental Change Conversion Rates, the method of calculation thereof in reasonable detail and the facts requiring such adjustment and upon which such adjustment is based;
36
(ii) as soon as practicable following the occurrence of an event that requires an adjustment to the Fixed Conversion Rates and the Fundamental Change Conversion Rates, provide, or cause to be provided, a written notice to the Holders of the occurrence of such event; and
(iii) as soon as practicable following the determination of such adjusted Fixed Conversion Rates and Fundamental Change Conversion Rates provide, or cause to be provided, to the Holders, upon written request by a beneficial owner of the Depositary Shares, a statement setting forth in reasonable detail the method by which the adjustments to the Fixed Conversion Rates and Fundamental Change Conversion Rates were determined and setting forth such adjusted Fixed Conversion Rates and Fundamental Change Conversion Rates.
(e) Reorganization Events. In the event of:
(i) any consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into another Person (other than a merger or consolidation in which the Corporation is the continuing corporation and in which the Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the merger or consolidation is not converted into, or exchanged for, securities, cash or property);
(ii) any sale, transfer, lease or conveyance to another Person of all or substantially all of the consolidated property and assets of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries;
(iii) any reclassification of Common Stock into securities, including securities other than Common Stock; or
(iv) any statutory exchange of securities of the Corporation with another Person or binding share exchange (other than in connection with a merger or consolidation),
in each case, as a result of which the Common Stock would be converted into, or exchanged for, securities, cash or property (each, a “Reorganization Event”), each share of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock outstanding immediately prior to such Reorganization Event shall, without the consent of the Holders, become convertible into the kind of securities, cash and other property that such Holder would have been entitled to receive if such Holder had converted its Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock into Common Stock immediately prior to such Reorganization Event (such securities, cash and other property, the “Exchange Property,” with each “Unit of Exchange Property” meaning the kind and amount of such Exchange Property that a holder of one share of Common Stock is entitled to receive). For purposes of the foregoing, the type and amount of Exchange Property in the case of any Reorganization Event that causes the Common Stock to be converted into the right to receive more than a single type of consideration (determined based in part upon any form of stockholder election) shall be deemed
37
to be the weighted average of the types and amounts of consideration actually received by the holders of Common Stock in such Reorganization Event. The Corporation shall notify Holders of such weighted average as soon as practicable after such determination is made. The number of Units of Exchange Property that the Corporation shall deliver upon conversion of each share of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock or as a payment of dividends on the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, as applicable, following the effective date of such Reorganization Event shall be determined as if references in Section 3, Section 7, Section 8 and/or Section 9, as applicable, to shares of Common Stock were to Units of Exchange Property (without any interest thereon and without any right to dividends or distributions thereon which have a record date that is prior to the date on which Holders become holders of record of the underlying Exchange Property, except as provided in Section 13(a)(vii), Section 13(c)(iii) and Section 13(c)(v)). For the purpose of determining which of clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of Section 7(b) shall apply upon Mandatory Conversion, and for the purpose of calculating the Mandatory Conversion Rate if clause (ii) of Section 7(b) is applicable, the value of a Unit of Exchange Property shall be determined in good faith by the Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof), except that if a Unit of Exchange Property includes common stock or American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) that are traded on a U.S. national securities exchange, the value of such common stock or ADRs shall be the average over the Final Averaging Period of the volume-weighted average prices for such common stock or ADRs, as displayed on the applicable Bloomberg screen (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof)), or, if such price is not available, the average market value per share of such common stock or ADRs over such period as determined, using a volume-weighted average method, by a nationally recognized independent investment banking firm retained by the Corporation for this purpose.
The provisions of this Section 13(e) shall similarly apply to successive Reorganization Events and the provisions of Section 13 shall apply to any shares of capital stock or ADRs of the Corporation (or any successor thereto) received by the holders of Common Stock in any such Reorganization Event.
The Corporation (or any successor thereto) shall, as soon as reasonably practicable (but in any event within 20 calendar days) after the occurrence of any Reorganization Event, provide written notice to the Holders of such occurrence and of the kind and amount of the cash, securities or other property that constitute the Exchange Property. Failure to deliver such notice shall not affect the operation of this Section 13(e).
In connection with any Reorganization Event, the Initial Dividend Threshold shall be subject to adjustment as described in clause (i), clause (ii) or clause (iii) below, as the case may be:
(i) In the case of a Reorganization Event in which the Exchange Property (determined, as appropriate, as set forth above in this Section 13 and excluding any dissenters’ appraisal rights) is composed entirely of shares of common stock (the “Reorganization Common Stock”), the Initial Dividend Threshold at and after the effective time of such Reorganization Event shall be equal to (x) the Initial Dividend Threshold immediately prior to the effective time of such Reorganization Event, divided by (y) the number of shares of Reorganization Common Stock that a holder of one share of Common Stock would receive in such Reorganization Event (such quotient rounded down to the nearest cent).
38
(ii) In the case of a Reorganization Event in which the Exchange Property (determined, as appropriate, as set forth above in this Section 13 and excluding any dissenters’ appraisal rights) is composed in part of shares of Reorganization Common Stock, the Initial Dividend Threshold at and after the effective time of such Reorganization Event shall be equal to (x) the Initial Dividend Threshold immediately prior to the effective time of such Reorganization Event, multiplied by (y) the Reorganization Valuation Percentage for such Reorganization Event (such product rounded down to the nearest cent).
(iii) For the avoidance of doubt, in the case of a Reorganization Event in which the Exchange Property (determined, as appropriate, as set forth above in this Section 13 and excluding any dissenters’ appraisal rights) is composed entirely of consideration other than shares of Reorganization Common Stock, the Initial Dividend Threshold at and after the effective time of such Reorganization Event shall be equal to zero.
SECTION 14. Transfer Agent, Registrar, and Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent. The duly appointed Transfer Agent, Registrar and Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent for the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall be Computershare Trust Company, N.A. The Corporation may, in its sole discretion, remove the Transfer Agent, Registrar or Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent in accordance with the agreement between the Corporation and the Transfer Agent, Registrar or Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent, as the case may be; provided that if the Corporation removes Computershare Trust Company, N.A., the Corporation shall appoint a successor transfer agent, registrar or conversion and dividend disbursing agent, as the case may be, who shall accept such appointment prior to the effectiveness of such removal. Upon any such removal or appointment, the Corporation shall send notice thereof by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the Holders.
SECTION 15. Record Holders. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Corporation and the Transfer Agent may deem and treat the Holder of any shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock as the true and lawful owner thereof for all purposes.
SECTION 16. Notices. All notices or communications in respect of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall be sufficiently given if given in writing and delivered in person or by first class mail, postage prepaid, or by electronic mail or facsimile, or if given in such other manner as may be permitted in this Certificate of Designations, in the Certificate of Incorporation or the By-laws and by applicable law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock are held in global form, such notices may also be given to the Holders in any manner permitted by DTC or any similar facility used for the settlement of transactions in the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock.
SECTION 17. No Preemptive Rights. The Holders shall have no preemptive or preferential rights to purchase or subscribe to any stock, obligations, warrants or other securities of the Corporation of any class.
SECTION 18. Other Rights. The shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall not have any rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers or relative, participating, optional or other special rights, or qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, other than as set forth herein or in the Certificate of Incorporation or as provided by applicable law.
39
SECTION 19. Stock Certificates.
(a) Shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall be represented by stock certificates substantially in the form set forth as Exhibit A hereto.
(b) Stock certificates representing shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall be signed by two authorized Officers of the Corporation, in accordance with the By-laws and applicable Delaware law, by manual or facsimile signature.
(c) A stock certificate representing shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall not be valid until manually countersigned by an authorized signatory of the Transfer Agent and Registrar. Each stock certificate representing shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall be dated the date of its countersignature.
(d) If any Officer of the Corporation who has signed a stock certificate no longer holds that office at the time the Transfer Agent and Registrar countersigns the stock certificate, the stock certificate shall be valid nonetheless.
SECTION 20. Replacement Certificates.
(a) If any Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock certificate shall be mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, the Corporation shall, at the expense of the Holder, issue, in exchange and in substitution for and upon cancellation of the mutilated Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock certificate, or in lieu of and substitution for the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock certificate lost, stolen or destroyed, a new Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock certificate of like tenor and representing an equivalent Liquidation Preference of shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, but only upon receipt of evidence of such loss, theft or destruction of such Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock certificate and indemnity, if requested, reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation and the Transfer Agent.
(b) The Corporation is not required to issue any certificate representing the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock on or after the Mandatory Conversion Date. In lieu of the delivery of a replacement certificate following the Mandatory Conversion Date, the Transfer Agent, upon delivery of the evidence and indemnity described above, shall deliver the shares of Common Stock issuable and any cash deliverable pursuant to the terms of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock formerly evidenced by the certificate.
SECTION 21. Titles and Headings. The titles and headings of the sections and subsections of this Certificate of Designations have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
40
SECTION 22. Miscellaneous. (a) The Corporation shall pay any and all stock transfer and documentary stamp taxes that may be payable in respect of any issuance or delivery of shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock or shares of Common Stock or other securities issued on account of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock pursuant hereto or certificates representing such shares or securities. The Corporation shall not, however, be required to pay any such tax that may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance or delivery of shares of Common Stock or other securities in a name other than that in which the shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock with respect to which such shares or other securities are issued or delivered were registered, and the Corporation shall not be required to make any such issuance or delivery unless and until the Person otherwise entitled to such issuance or delivery has paid to the Corporation the amount of any such tax or has established, to the satisfaction of the Corporation, that such tax has been paid or is not payable.
(b) The Liquidation Preference and the Dividend Amount each shall be subject to equitable adjustment whenever there shall occur a stock split, combination, reclassification or other similar event involving the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock. Such adjustments shall be determined in good faith by the Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) and submitted by the Board of Directors (or such authorized committee thereof) to the Transfer Agent.
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Exhibit A
[FORM OF FACE OF MANDATORY CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK CERTIFICATE]
| Certificate Number [__] | Number of Shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock [_____] |
CUSIP 963320 304
ISIN US9633203040
WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
8.50% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock
(par value $1.00 per share)
(Liquidation Preference as specified below)
WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), hereby certifies that [_______] (the “Holder”), is the registered owner of [_______] fully paid and non-assessable shares of the Corporation’s designated 8.50% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, with par value $1.00 per share and a Liquidation Preference of $1,000.00 per share (the “Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock”). The shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock are transferable on the books and records of the Registrar, in person or by a duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this certificate duly endorsed and in proper form for transfer. The designations, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock represented hereby are and shall in all respects be subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Designations of 8.50% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock of Whirlpool Corporation dated February 27, 2026 as the same may be amended from time to time (the “Certificate of Designations”). Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meaning given them in the Certificate of Designations. The Corporation will provide a copy of the Certificate of Designations to the Holder without charge upon written request to the Corporation at its principal place of business. In the case of any conflict between this Certificate and the Certificate of Designations, the provisions of the Certificate of Designations shall control and govern.
Reference is hereby made to the provisions of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock set forth on the reverse hereof and in the Certificate of Designations, which provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
Upon receipt of this executed certificate, the Holder is bound by the Certificate of Designations and is entitled to the benefits thereunder.
A-1
Unless the Transfer Agent and Registrar have properly countersigned, these shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Certificate of Designations or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
A-2
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this certificate has been executed on behalf of the Corporation by two Officers of the Corporation this 27th of February, 2026.
| WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
A-3
COUNTERSIGNATURE
These are shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock referred to in the within-mentioned Certificate of Designations.
Dated: February 27, 2026
| Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as Registrar and Transfer Agent | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
A-4
[FORM OF REVERSE OF CERTIFICATE FOR MANDATORY CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK]
Cumulative dividends on each share of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall be payable at the applicable rate provided in the Certificate of Designations.
The shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall be convertible in the manner and in accordance with the terms set forth in the Certificate of Designations.
The Corporation shall furnish without charge to each Holder who so requests a summary of the authority of the Board of Directors to determine variations for future series within a class of stock and the designations, limitations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class or series of share capital issued by the Corporation and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.
A-5
NOTICE OF CONVERSION
(To be Executed by the Holder
in order to Convert the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock)
The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to convert (the “Conversion”) 8.50% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock”), of Whirlpool Corporation (hereinafter called the “Corporation”), represented by stock certificate No(s). [______] (the “Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock Certificates”), into common stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the Corporation (the “Common Stock”) according to the conditions of the Certificate of Designations of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Certificate of Designations”), as of the date written below. If Common Stock is to be issued in the name of a person other than the undersigned, the undersigned shall pay all transfer taxes payable with respect thereto, if any. Each Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock Certificate (or evidence of loss, theft or destruction thereof) is attached hereto.
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in or pursuant to the Certificate of Designations.
| Date of Conversion: |
| Applicable Conversion Rate: |
||
| Shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock to Be Converted: |
||
| Shares of Common Stock to Be Issued:* |
||
| Signature: |
||
| Name: |
||
| Address:** |
||
| Fax No.: |
||
| * | The Corporation is not required to issue Common Stock until the original Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock Certificate(s) (or evidence of loss, theft or destruction thereof) to be converted are received by the Corporation or the Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent. |
| ** | Address where Common Stock and any other payments or certificates shall be sent by the Corporation. |
A-6
ASSIGNMENT
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers the shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock evidenced hereby to:
(Insert assignee’s social security or taxpayer identification number, if any)
(Insert address and zip code of assignee)
and irrevocably appoints:
as agent to transfer the shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock evidenced hereby on the books of the Transfer Agent. The agent may substitute another to act for him or her.
Date:
| Signature: |
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Certificate)
| Signature Guarantee: |
(Signature must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” that is a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union meeting the requirements of the Transfer Agent, which requirements include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Transfer Agent in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.)
A-7
Exhibit 4.2
8.50% SERIES A MANDATORY CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK OF
WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
among
WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION,
COMPUTERSHARE INC. and COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,
acting jointly as Depositary
and
THE HOLDERS FROM TIME TO TIME OF
THE DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS DESCRIBED HEREIN
Dated as of February 27, 2026
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| PAGE | ||||
| ARTICLE 1 |
| |||
| DEFINED TERMS |
| |||
| Section 1.01 . Definitions | 1 | |||
| ARTICLE 2 |
| |||
| ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, EXECUTION, DEPOSIT, REGISTRATION AND EXCHANGE OF RECEIPTS |
| |||
| Section 2.01 . Appointment of Depositary | 5 | |||
| Section 2.02 . Rights, Preferences, Privileges and Voting Powers | 5 | |||
| Section 2.03 . Book-Entry System; Form and Transfer of Receipts | 5 | |||
| Section 2.04 . Deposit of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock; Execution and Delivery of Receipts | 8 | |||
| Section 2.05 . No Redemption of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock | 9 | |||
| Section 2.06 . Registration of Transfer of Receipts | 9 | |||
| Section 2.07 . Split-ups and Combinations of Receipts; Surrender of Receipts and Withdrawal of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock | 10 | |||
| Section 2.08 . Limitations on Execution and Delivery, Transfer, Surrender and Exchange of Receipts | 11 | |||
| Section 2.09 . Lost Receipts, etc. | 12 | |||
| Section 2.10 . Cancellation and Destruction of Surrendered Receipts | 12 | |||
| Section 2.11 . Conversion at the Option of Holders | 12 | |||
| Section 2.12 . No Pre-Release | 15 | |||
| Section 2.13 . Receipt of Funds | 15 | |||
| ARTICLE 3 |
| |||
| CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS OF RECORD HOLDERS OF RECEIPTS AND OF THE CORPORATION |
| |||
| Section 3.01 . Filing Proofs; Certificates and Other Information | 16 | |||
| Section 3.02 . Payment of Taxes or Other Governmental Charges | 16 | |||
| Section 3.03 . Warranty as to Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock | 16 | |||
| Section 3.04 . Warranty as to Receipts | 16 | |||
| Section 3.05 . Listing | 16 | |||
| ARTICLE 4 |
| |||
| THE DEPOSITED SECURITIES; NOTICES |
| |||
| Section 4.01 . Cash Distributions | 17 | |||
| Section 4.02 . Distributions Other than Cash, Rights, Options or Privileges | 17 | |||
| Section 4.03 . Subscription Rights, Options or Privileges | 19 | |||
| Section 4.04 . Notice of Dividends, etc.; Fixing Record Date for Record Holders of Receipts | 20 | |||
| Section 4.05 . Voting Rights | 21 | |||
| Section 4.06 . Changes Affecting Deposited Securities and Reclassifications, Recapitalizations, Etc. | 21 | |||
| Section 4.07 . Delivery of Reports | 22 | |||
| Section 4.08 . Lists of Receipt Record Holders | 22 | |||
| Section 4.09 . Corporation-owned Depositary Shares Disregarded | 22 | |||
| ARTICLE 5 |
| |||
| THE DEPOSITARY, THE DEPOSITARY’S AGENTS, THE REGISTRAR AND THE CORPORATION |
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| Section 5.01 . Maintenance of Offices, Agencies and Transfer Books by the Depositary; Registrar; Depositary’s Agents | 23 | |||
| Section 5.02 . Prevention of or Delay in Performance by the Depositary, the Depositary’s Agents, the Registrar or the Transfer Agent | 24 | |||
| Section 5.03 . Obligations of the Depositary, the Depositary’s Agents, the Registrar and the Transfer Agent | 24 | |||
| Section 5.04 . Resignation and Removal of the Depositary; Appointment of Successor Depositary | 28 | |||
| Section 5.05 . Corporate Notices and Reports | 29 | |||
| Section 5.06 . Indemnification by the Corporation | 29 | |||
| Section 5.07 . Fees, Charges and Expenses | 30 | |||
| Section 5.08 . Tax Compliance | 30 | |||
| ARTICLE 6 |
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| AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION |
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| Section 6.01 . Amendment Without Consent of Record Holders | 31 | |||
| Section 6.02 . Amendment With Consent of Record Holders | 32 | |||
| Section 6.03 . Termination | 33 | |||
| ARTICLE 7 |
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| MISCELLANEOUS |
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| Section 7.01 . Counterparts | 33 | |||
| Section 7.02 . Record Holders of Receipts Are Parties; Exclusive Benefit of Parties | 33 | |||
| Section 7.03 . Invalidity of Provisions | 33 | |||
| Section 7.04 . Notices | 34 | |||
| Section 7.05 . Appointment of Registrar and Transfer Agent | 35 | |||
| Section 7.06 . Governing Law | 35 | |||
| Section 7.07 . Inspection of Deposit Agreement and Certificate | 35 | |||
| Section 7.08 . Headings | 35 | |||
| Section 7.09 . Further Assurances | 35 | |||
| Section 7.10 . Confidentiality | 35 | |||
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| EXHIBIT |
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| Exhibit A |
Form of Receipt |
A-1 | ||||
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THIS DEPOSIT AGREEMENT dated as of February 27, 2026 among (i) WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), (ii) COMPUTERSHARE INC., a Delaware corporation (“Computershare”), and its affiliate, COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, N.A., a federally chartered trust company (the “Trust Company” and, together with Computershare, jointly the “Depositary”) and (iii) the Record Holders from time to time of the Receipts described in this Agreement.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the parties desire to provide, as set forth in this Agreement, for the deposit of shares of the Corporation’s 8.50% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share, from time to time with the Depositary for the purposes set forth in this Agreement and for the issuance hereunder of Receipts (as defined herein) evidencing Depositary Shares (as defined herein) in respect of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (as defined herein) so deposited; and
WHEREAS, the Receipts are to be substantially in the form of Exhibit A annexed hereto, with appropriate insertions, modifications and omissions, as hereinafter provided in this Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
DEFINED TERMS
Section 1.01. Definitions. The following definitions shall for all purposes, unless otherwise indicated, apply to the respective terms (in the singular and plural forms of such terms) used in this Agreement:
“Accumulated Dividend Amount” shall have the meaning set forth in the Certificate of Designations.
“Agreement” shall mean this agreement as originally executed or, if amended or supplemented as provided herein, as so amended or supplemented.
“Average VWAP” shall have the meaning set forth in the Certificate of Designations.
“Board of Directors” shall mean the board of directors of the Corporation or a committee of such board duly authorized to act for it hereunder.
“Capital Stock” shall mean, for any entity, any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) stock issued by that entity.
“Certificate of Designations” shall mean the Certificate of Designations establishing the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock as a series of preferred stock of the Corporation.
“Certificate of Incorporation” shall mean the Corporation’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended from time to time.
“close of business” shall have the meaning set forth in the Certificate of Designations.
“Closing Sale Price” of any security on any date shall mean the closing sale price per share (or if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the bid and ask prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average bid and the average ask prices) of such security on that date as reported in composite transactions for the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which such security is traded. If such security is not listed for trading on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange on the relevant date, the “Closing Sale Price” shall be the last quoted bid price for such security in the over-the-counter market on the relevant date as reported by OTC Markets Group Inc. or a similar organization. If such security is not so quoted, the “Closing Sale Price” shall be the average of the mid-point of the last bid and ask prices for such security on the relevant date from each of at least three nationally recognized independent investment banking firms selected by the Corporation for this purpose.
“Common Stock” shall mean the common stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the Corporation, subject to Section 13(e) of the Certificate of Designations.
“Computershare” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble of this Agreement.
“Conversion Date” shall have the meaning set forth in the Certificate of Designations.
“Conversion Number” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.11.
“Corporation” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble of this Agreement and shall include its successors and assigns.
“Depositary” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble of this Agreement and, subject to the provisions of Section 5.04, shall include its successors and assigns.
“Depositary Shares” shall mean the depositary shares, each representing a 1/20th fractional interest in a share of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and evidenced by a Receipt.
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“Depositary’s Agent” shall mean an agent appointed by the Depositary pursuant to Section 5.01.
“Depositary’s Office” shall mean the office of the Depositary at which, at any particular time, its depositary receipt business shall be administered, which is currently in Canton, Massachusetts.
“Dividend Payment Date” shall have the meaning set forth in the Certificate of Designations.
“DTC” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.03.
“DTC Receipt” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.03.
“Early Conversion Additional Conversion Amount” shall have the meaning set forth in the Certificate of Designations.
“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Exchange Property” shall have the meaning set forth in the Certificate of Designations.
“Fundamental Change Dividend Make-whole Amount” shall have the meaning set forth in the Certificate of Designations.
“Funds” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.13.
“Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock” shall mean the shares of a series of the Corporation’s Preferred Stock designated as its 8.50% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share, having the rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers, including conversion, dividend, liquidation and voting rights, as set forth in the Certificate of Designations.
“Moody’s” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.13.
“NYSE” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.03.
“Person” shall mean an individual, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a partnership, a joint venture, a joint stock company, a trust, an unincorporated organization or a government or an agency or a political subdivision thereof.
“Physical Receipt” shall mean a definitive Receipt in physical form.
“Receipt” shall mean one of the depositary receipts issued hereunder, substantially in the form set forth as Exhibit A hereto, whether in the form of DTC Receipts or Physical Receipts.
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“Record Holder” as applied to a Receipt shall mean the Person in whose name that Receipt is registered on the books of the Depositary maintained for such purpose.
“Registrar” shall mean Computershare Trust Company, N.A. or such other successor bank or trust company that shall be appointed by the Corporation (or, in accordance with Section 5.01, the Depositary) to register ownership and transfers of Receipts as herein provided, and, if a successor Registrar shall be so appointed, references herein to “the books” of or maintained by the Depositary shall be deemed, as applicable, to refer as well to the register maintained by such successor Registrar for such purpose.
“Remaining Fractional Share” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.02.
“Remaining Fractional Share Amount” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.02.
“S&P” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.13.
“Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Signature Guarantee” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.03.
“Subsidiary” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any corporation, association, partnership or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership interests) entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers, general partners or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (i) such Person; (ii) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person; or (iii) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.
“Trading Day” shall have the meaning set forth in the Certificate of Designations.
“Transfer Agent” shall mean Computershare Trust Company, N.A. or any bank or trust company appointed to transfer the Receipts and the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, as herein provided.
“Trust Company” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble of this Agreement.
“Underwriters” shall mean the several purchasers listed in Schedule A to the Underwriting Agreement.
“Underwriting Agreement” shall mean the underwriting agreement relating to the Depositary Shares, dated February 24, 2026, among the Corporation and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., as representatives of the several Underwriters.
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“Unit of Exchange Property” shall have the meaning set forth in the Certificate of Designations.
Capitalized terms used and not defined in this Agreement shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in the Certificate of Incorporation.
ARTICLE 2
ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, EXECUTION, DEPOSIT, REGISTRATION AND EXCHANGE OF RECEIPTS
Section 2.01. Appointment of Depositary. The Corporation hereby appoints the Depositary, and the Depositary hereby accepts such appointment, as depositary for the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, on the express terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement (and no implied terms or conditions).
Section 2.02. Rights, Preferences, Privileges and Voting Powers. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, each Record Holder of a Receipt is entitled, proportionately, to all the rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock represented by the Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt (including the conversion, dividend, voting, and liquidation rights contained in the Certificate of Incorporation) and the same proportionate interest in any and all other property received by the Depositary in respect of such Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and held under this Agreement.
Section 2.03. Book-Entry System; Form and Transfer of Receipts. The Corporation and the Depositary shall make application to The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) for acceptance of all of the Receipts for its book-entry settlement system. The Corporation hereby appoints the Depositary acting through any authorized officer thereof as its attorney-in-fact, with full power to delegate, for purposes of executing any agreements, certifications or other instruments or documents necessary or desirable in order to effect the acceptance of such Receipts for DTC eligibility. So long as the Receipts are eligible for book-entry settlement with DTC, unless otherwise required by law, all Depositary Shares with book-entry settlement through DTC shall be represented by a receipt or receipts (the “DTC Receipt”), which shall be deposited with DTC (or its designee) evidencing all such Depositary Shares and registered in the name of the nominee of DTC (initially Cede & Co.). The Depositary or such other entity as is agreed to by DTC may hold the DTC Receipt as custodian for DTC. Ownership of beneficial interests in the DTC Receipt shall be shown on, and the transfer of such ownership shall be effected through, records maintained by (a) DTC or its nominee for such DTC Receipt or (b) institutions that have accounts with DTC. The DTC Receipt shall bear such legend or legends as may be required by DTC in order for it to accept the Depositary Shares for its book-entry settlement system. The aggregate number of Depositary Shares evidenced by Receipts that may be executed and delivered under this Agreement is initially limited to 11,500,000, except for Receipts executed and delivered in respect of Depositary Shares upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of other Receipts pursuant to this Section 2.03, Section 2.06, Section 2.07, Section 2.09, Section 2.11 or Section 4.06.
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The DTC Receipt shall be exchangeable for Physical Receipts only if (i) DTC notifies the Corporation that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a clearing system in connection with the Receipts or (ii) DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in each case, a successor clearing system is not appointed by the Corporation within 90 days of the Corporation receiving such notice or becoming aware that DTC is no longer so registered, as applicable. The Corporation shall provide written notice to the Depositary upon receipt of notice of the occurrence of any event described in clause (i) or clause (ii) of the preceding sentence. Until such written notice is received by the Depositary, the Depositary may presume conclusively for all purposes that the events described in clause (i) and clause (ii) of the first sentence of this paragraph have not occurred. If the beneficial owners of interests in Depositary Shares are entitled to exchange such interests for Physical Receipts as the result of an event described in clause (i) or clause (ii) of the first sentence of this paragraph, then without unnecessary delay, the Depositary is hereby directed and shall provide written instructions to DTC to deliver the DTC Receipt to the Depositary for cancellation, and, without unnecessary delay, the Corporation shall instruct the Depositary in writing to deliver to the beneficial owners of the Depositary Shares previously evidenced by the DTC Receipt Physical Receipts evidencing such Depositary Shares.
Physical Receipts issued in exchange for all or a part of the DTC Receipt pursuant to this Section 2.03 shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as DTC, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Depositary. Upon execution and authentication, the Depositary shall deliver such Physical Receipts to the Persons or entities in whose names such Physical Receipts are so registered.
At such time as all interests in a DTC Receipt have been converted, canceled, surrendered or transferred, such DTC Receipt shall be, upon receipt thereof, canceled by the Depositary in accordance with standing procedures and existing instructions between DTC and DTC’s custodian. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any interest in a DTC Receipt is exchanged for Physical Receipts, converted, canceled, surrendered or transferred to a transferee who receives Physical Receipts therefor or any Physical Receipt is exchanged or transferred for part of such DTC Receipt, the number of Depositary Shares evidenced by such DTC Receipt shall, in accordance with the standing procedures and instructions existing between DTC and DTC’s custodian, be appropriately reduced or increased, as the case may be, and an endorsement shall be made on such DTC Receipt, by the Depositary or DTC’s custodian, at the direction of the Depositary, to reflect such reduction or increase.
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Beneficial owners of Depositary Shares through DTC shall not receive or be entitled to receive Physical Receipts or be entitled to have Depositary Shares registered in their name, except as described in the third immediately preceding paragraph, in which case the provisions set forth in such paragraph and the second immediately succeeding paragraph regarding the issuance of Physical Receipts shall apply.
Receipts shall be in denominations of any number of whole Depositary Shares. The Corporation shall deliver to the Depositary from time to time such quantities of Receipts as the Depositary may request to enable the Depositary to perform its obligations under this Agreement.
The DTC Receipt and Physical Receipts, if any, shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A annexed to this Agreement and incorporated herein by reference, with appropriate insertions, modifications and omissions, as hereinafter provided and shall be engraved or otherwise prepared so as to comply with the applicable rules of The New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) or any other securities exchange on which the Depositary Shares are then listed, if applicable. In the event the DTC Receipt becomes exchangeable for Physical Receipts as provided in this Section 2.03, the Depositary, pending preparation of Physical Receipts and upon the written order of the Corporation, delivered in compliance with Section 2.04, shall execute and deliver temporary Receipts, which may be printed, lithographed or otherwise substantially of the tenor of the Physical Receipts in lieu of which they are issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the Persons executing such Receipts may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Receipts. If temporary Receipts are issued, the Corporation and the Depositary will cause Physical Receipts to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of Physical Receipts, the temporary Receipts shall be exchangeable by the Record Holder for Physical Receipts upon surrender of the temporary Receipts at the Depositary’s Office or such other place or places as the Depositary shall determine pursuant to the second paragraph of Section 2.04, without charge to the Record Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Receipts, the Depositary is hereby authorized and instructed to, and shall, execute and deliver in exchange therefor Physical Receipts representing the same number of Depositary Shares as represented by the surrendered temporary Receipt or Receipts, provided that the Depositary has been provided with all necessary information that it may request in order to execute and deliver such Physical Receipt or Receipts. Such exchange shall be made at the Corporation’s expense and without any charge therefor to the Record Holder or the Depositary. Until so exchanged, the temporary Receipts shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Agreement as Physical Receipts.
Receipts shall be executed by the Depositary by the manual, electronic or facsimile signature of a duly authorized officer thereof; provided that if a Registrar for the Receipts (other than the Depositary) shall have been appointed then such Receipts shall be countersigned by manual, electronic or facsimile signature of a duly authorized officer of the Registrar. No Receipt shall be entitled to any benefits under this Agreement or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless it shall have been executed as provided in the preceding sentence. The Depositary shall record on its books each Receipt so signed and delivered as hereinafter provided. Receipts bearing the manual, electronic or facsimile signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary who was at any time a proper signatory of the Depositary shall bind the Depositary, notwithstanding that such signatory ceased to hold such office prior to the execution and delivery of such Receipts by the Registrar or did not hold such office on the date of issuance of such Receipts.
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Receipts may be endorsed with, or have incorporated in the text thereof, such legends or recitals or changes not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement (but which do not affect the rights, duties, obligations or immunities of the Depositary), all as may be reasonably required by the Depositary and approved by the Corporation or which the Corporation has determined are required to comply with any applicable law or any regulation thereunder or with the rules and regulations of the NYSE or any other securities exchange upon which the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, the Depositary Shares or the Receipts may be listed or to conform with any usage with respect thereto, or to indicate any special limitations or restrictions to which any particular Receipts are subject.
Title to Depositary Shares evidenced by a Receipt that is properly endorsed, or accompanied by a properly executed instrument of transfer accompanied by a guarantee of the signature thereon by a guarantor institution that is a participant in a signature guarantee program approved by the Securities Transfer Association at a guarantee level acceptable to the Transfer Agent (a “Signature Guarantee”) or endorsement, shall be transferable by delivery with the same effect as in the case of a negotiable instrument; provided, however, that until transfer of any particular Receipt shall be registered on the books of the Depositary as provided in Section 2.06, the Depositary may, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, treat the Record Holder thereof at such time as the absolute owner thereof (x) for the purpose of determining the Person (i) entitled to distributions of dividends or other distributions of securities, cash or other property or payments with respect to the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, (ii) entitled to exercise any voting or conversion rights with respect to the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and (iii) entitled to receive any notice provided for in this Agreement and (y) for all other purposes.
Section 2.04. Deposit of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock; Execution and Delivery of Receipts. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Corporation may from time to time deposit shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock under this Agreement by delivery to the Depositary of a certificate or certificates for such shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock to be deposited, properly endorsed or accompanied, if required by the Depositary, by a duly executed instrument of transfer or endorsement, in form satisfactory to the Depositary, together with:
(a) all such certifications as may be required by the Depositary in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, including the resolutions of the Board of Directors, as certified by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Corporation on the date thereof as being complete, accurate and in effect, relating to the issuance and sale of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock;
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(b) a letter of counsel to the Corporation authorizing reliance by the Depositary on such counsel’s opinions delivered to the Underwriters pursuant to the terms of the Underwriting Agreement as to (i) the existence and good standing of the Corporation, (ii) the due authorization of the Depositary Shares and the status of the Depositary Shares as validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and (iii) the effectiveness of any registration statement under the Securities Act relating to the offering and sale of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and the offering and sale of the Depositary Shares; and
(c) a written order of the Corporation, directing the Depositary to execute and deliver to the Person or Persons stated in such order a Receipt or Receipts for the number of Depositary Shares representing such deposited Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock.
Deposited Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall be held by the Depositary at the Depositary’s Office or at such other place or places as the Depositary shall determine.
Upon receipt by the Depositary of a certificate or certificates for Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock deposited in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.04, together with the other documents required as above specified, and upon recordation of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock on the books of the Corporation (or its duly appointed transfer agent) in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, the Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, shall execute and deliver to, or upon the order of, the Person or Persons named in the written order delivered to the Depositary referred to in the first paragraph of this Section 2.04, a Receipt or Receipts evidencing in the aggregate the number of Depositary Shares representing the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock so deposited and registered in such name or names as may be requested by such Person or Persons. The Depositary shall execute and deliver such Receipt or Receipts at the Depositary’s Office or, at the request of such Person or Persons, such other offices, if any, as the Depositary may designate. Delivery at other offices shall be at the risk and expense of the Person or Persons requesting such delivery.
Section 2.05. No Redemption of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock. The Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall not be subject to redemption by the Corporation.
Section 2.06. Registration of Transfer of Receipts. Subject to the express terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Depositary shall register on its books from time to time transfers of Receipts upon any surrender thereof by a Record Holder in person or by its duly authorized attorney, properly endorsed or accompanied by a properly executed instrument of transfer, including a Signature Guarantee and any other reasonable evidence of authority that may be required by the Transfer Agent, together with (if applicable) evidence of the payment of any taxes or charges as may be required by law. Thereupon, the Depositary shall, without unreasonable delay, execute a new Receipt or Receipts evidencing the same aggregate number of Depositary Shares as those evidenced by the Receipt or Receipts surrendered and deliver such new Receipt or Receipts to or upon the order of the Person entitled thereto.
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Section 2.07. Split-ups and Combinations of Receipts; Surrender of Receipts and Withdrawal of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock. Upon surrender of a Receipt or Receipts at the Depositary’s Office or at such other offices as it may designate for the purpose of effecting a split-up, adjustment or combination of such Receipt or Receipts, and the receipt by the Depositary of all other necessary information and documents, and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Depositary shall execute a new Receipt or Receipts in the authorized denomination or denominations requested, evidencing the aggregate number of Depositary Shares evidenced by the Receipt or Receipts surrendered, and shall deliver such new Receipt or Receipts to or upon the order of the Record Holder of the Receipt or Receipts so surrendered.
Any Record Holder of a Receipt or Receipts may withdraw the number of whole shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and all money and/or other property represented thereby by (x) in the case of Physical Receipt(s), surrendering such Receipt(s), or Depositary Shares represented by the Receipts, at the Depositary’s Office or at such other offices as the Depositary may designate for such withdrawals and (y) in the case of a DTC Receipt, by complying with the appropriate DTC procedures for such withdrawal. Thereafter, without unreasonable delay (provided that the Depositary has been provided with all necessary documentation), the Depositary shall deliver to such Record Holder, or to the Person or Persons designated by such Record Holder as hereinafter provided, the number of whole shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and all money and/or other property represented by such Receipt(s), or Depositary Shares represented by such Receipt(s), representing the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock subject to withdrawal, but Record Holders of such whole shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall not thereafter be entitled to deposit such Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock hereunder or to receive a Receipt evidencing Depositary Shares therefor. If a Physical Receipt delivered by the Record Holder to the Depositary in connection with such withdrawal shall evidence a number of Depositary Shares in excess of the number of Depositary Shares representing the number of whole shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock to be withdrawn, the Depositary shall at the same time, in addition to such number of whole shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and such money and/or other property to be so withdrawn, deliver to such Record Holder, or subject to Section 2.06 upon its order, a new Physical Receipt evidencing such excess number of Depositary Shares; provided, however, that such Physical Receipt shall only represent a whole number of Depositary Shares and the Depositary shall not issue any Physical Receipt evidencing a fractional Depositary Share.
Delivery of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and money and/or other property being withdrawn may be made by the delivery of such certificates, documents of title and other instruments as the Depositary may deem appropriate, which, if required by the Depositary, shall be properly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer including, but not limited to, a Signature Guarantee.
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If the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and the money and/or other property being withdrawn are to be delivered to a Person or Persons other than the Record Holder of the related Receipt or Receipts being surrendered for withdrawal of such Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, such Record Holder shall execute and deliver to the Depositary a written order so directing the Depositary, and the Depositary may require that the Physical Receipt(s) surrendered by such Record Holder for withdrawal of such shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock be properly endorsed in blank or accompanied by a properly executed instrument of transfer in blank.
Delivery of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and the money and/or other property represented by Receipts surrendered for withdrawal shall be made by the Depositary at the Depositary’s Office or at the office or offices of the Depositary designated for such purpose from time to time in writing to the Corporation and all Record Holders, except that, at the request, risk and expense of the Record Holder surrendering such Receipt or Receipts and for the account of the Record Holder thereof, such delivery may be made at such other place as may be designated by such Record Holder.
A Record Holder who withdraws shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and any such money and/or other property shall not be required to pay any taxes or duties relating to the issuance or delivery of such shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and any such money and/or other property, except that such Record Holder shall be required to pay any tax or duty that may be payable relating to any transfer involved in the issuance or delivery of such shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and any such money and/or other property in a name other than the name of such Record Holder.
Section 2.08. Limitations on Execution and Delivery, Transfer, Surrender and Exchange of Receipts. As a condition precedent to the execution and delivery, registration of transfer, split-up, adjustment, combination, surrender or exchange of any Receipt, any of the Depositary, any Depositary’s Agent and the Corporation may require (a) payment to it of a sum sufficient for the payment (or, in the event that the Depositary or the Corporation shall have made such payment, the reimbursement to it) of any charges, taxes or expenses payable by the Record Holder of a Receipt pursuant to Sections 3.02 and 5.07 (including any such tax or charge with respect to the shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock being deposited or withdrawn), (b) the production of evidence satisfactory to it as to the identity and genuineness of any signature, including a Signature Guarantee, or any other reasonable evidence of authority that may be required by the Depositary, or (c) compliance with such regulations, if any, as the Depositary or the Corporation may establish consistent with the provisions of this Agreement and applicable law.
The deposit of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock may be refused, the delivery of Receipts against Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock may be suspended, the registration of transfer of Receipts may be refused and the registration of transfer, surrender or exchange of outstanding Receipts may be suspended (i) during any period when the register of stockholders of the Corporation is closed or (ii) if any such action is deemed reasonably necessary or advisable by any of the Depositary, any of the Depositary’s Agents and the Corporation at any time or from time to time because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body or commission or under any provision of this Agreement.
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Section 2.09. Lost Receipts, etc. In case any Receipt shall be mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen, and absent notice to the Depositary that such Receipt has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Depositary shall execute and deliver a Receipt of like form and tenor in exchange and substitution for such mutilated Receipt upon cancellation thereof, or in lieu of and in substitution for such destroyed, lost or stolen Receipt, upon (a) the filing by the Record Holder thereof with the Depositary of evidence satisfactory to the Depositary of such destruction or loss or theft of such Receipt, of the authenticity thereof and of his or her ownership thereof; (b) the Record Holder thereof furnishing the Depositary with indemnification reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary and the provision of an open penalty surety bond reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary and holding it and the Corporation harmless; and (c) the payment of any reasonable expense (including reasonable fees, charges and expenses of the Depositary) in connection with such execution and delivery.
Section 2.10. Cancellation and Destruction of Surrendered Receipts. All Receipts surrendered to the Depositary or any Depositary’s Agent, including Receipts surrendered in connection with any conversion of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock into Common Stock in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation, shall be cancelled by the Depositary. Except as prohibited by applicable law or regulation, the Depositary is authorized and directed to destroy all Receipts so cancelled.
Section 2.11. Conversion at the Option of Holders. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Record Holder of any Receipt may, at any time that Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock may be converted pursuant to Section 8 or 9 of the Certificate of Designations, by (x) in the case of a Physical Receipt, surrendering such Physical Receipt at the Depositary’s Office or such other office as the Depositary may from time to time designate for such purpose together with a notice of conversion properly completed and duly executed and a proper assignment of such Receipt to the Corporation or the Transfer Agent or in blank to the Depositary or any of the Depositary’s Agents, and (y) in the case of a DTC Receipt, complying with the procedures of DTC in effect at that time, in each case, thereby instructing the Depositary to cause the conversion of a specified number (the “Conversion Number”) of whole shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock represented by the Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation, and specifying the name in which such Record Holder desires the Common Stock issuable upon conversion (including in respect of any Early Conversion Additional Conversion Amount, any Fundamental Change Dividend Make-whole Amount and any Accumulated Dividend Amount, in each case, in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation) to be registered and specifying payment instructions. Depositary Shares may be converted at the option of the Record Holder of any Receipt only in lots of 20 Depositary Shares or integral multiples thereof. The Depositary shall be deemed to have no knowledge of the Conversion Number unless and until it shall have actually received written notice thereof from the Corporation, and shall have no duty or obligation to investigate or inquire
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as to whether any Conversion Number contained in any such written notice is accurate, or whether it complies with the Certificate of Incorporation. If specified by the Record Holder in such notice of conversion that Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Depositary Shares shall be issued to a Person other than the Record Holder surrendering the Receipt for the Depositary Shares being converted, then the Record Holder shall pay or cause to be paid any transfer or similar taxes payable in connection with the Common Stock or other securities so issued that are not payable by the Corporation pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation or Section 3.02. In addition, the Record Holder shall provide any other transfer forms, tax forms or other relevant documentation required and specified by the Transfer Agent for the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, if necessary, to effect the conversion.
Upon fulfillment of the requirements in the foregoing paragraph, the Depositary is hereby authorized and instructed to, and shall, as promptly as practicable, (a) give written notice to the Transfer Agent of (i) the Conversion Number (as specified in writing by the Corporation), (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock to be delivered upon conversion of such Conversion Number of shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (including in respect of any Early Conversion Additional Conversion Amount, any Fundamental Change Dividend Make-whole Amount and any Accumulated Dividend Amount, in each case, in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation) (as specified in writing by the Corporation), (iii) the amount of immediately available funds (as specified in writing by the Corporation), if any, to be delivered to the Record Holder of such Receipts in payment of any fractional shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable upon conversion of such Conversion Number of shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and (iv) the amount of cash (as specified in writing by the Corporation), if any, to be delivered to the Record Holder of such Receipts in respect of any Fundamental Change Dividend Make-whole Amount and any Accumulated Dividend Amount, in each case, payable by the Corporation upon conversion of such Conversion Number of shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation, (b) cancel such Receipt or, if a Registrar for Receipts (other than the Depositary) shall have been appointed, cause such Registrar to cancel such Receipt, and (c) surrender to the Transfer Agent or any other authorized agent of the Corporation for conversion, in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation (as specified in writing by the Corporation), certificates for the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock represented by Depositary Shares as evidenced by such Receipt, together with delivery to the Corporation or the appropriate agent of the Corporation (pursuant to written instructions from the Corporation) any other information or payment required by the Certificate of Incorporation (as specified in writing by the Corporation) for such conversion, and such certificates shall thereupon be canceled by the Transfer Agent or other authorized agent. The Depositary shall have no duty or obligation to investigate or inquire as to whether the Corporation provided it with the correct number of shares of Common Stock to be delivered upon any conversion of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (including in respect of any Early Conversion Additional Conversion Amount, any Fundamental Change Dividend Make-whole Amount and any Accumulated Dividend Amount), or the correct amount of cash to be delivered in payment of any fractional shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable or in respect of any cash payable by the Corporation upon any conversion of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (including in respect of any Fundamental Change Dividend Make-whole Amount and any Accumulated Dividend Amount), and the Depositary may rely conclusively on any such information provided by the Corporation.
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As promptly as practicable after the Transfer Agent or other authorized agent of the Corporation has received such certificates from the Depositary, (a) the Corporation shall cause to be furnished to the Depositary (i) a certificate or certificates evidencing such number of shares of Common Stock to be delivered upon conversion of the Conversion Number of shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (including in respect of any Early Conversion Additional Conversion Amount, any Fundamental Change Dividend Make-whole Amount and any Accumulated Dividend Amount, in each case, in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation), (ii) such amount of immediately available funds, if any, to be delivered in respect of any Fundamental Change Dividend Make-whole Amount and any Accumulated Dividend Amount, in each case, payable by the Corporation upon conversion of such shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation, and (iii) such amount of immediately available funds, if any, to be delivered in lieu of receiving fractional shares of Common Stock, as specified in a written notice from the Corporation and (b) the Depositary is hereby authorized and instructed to, and shall, deliver at the Depositary’s Office, (i) a certificate or certificates evidencing the number of shares of Common Stock (including in respect of any Early Conversion Additional Conversion Amount, any Fundamental Change Dividend Make-whole Amount and any Accumulated Dividend Amount, in each case, in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation) into which the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock represented by Depositary Shares as evidenced by such Receipt has been converted, (ii) the amount of cash payable by the Corporation upon such conversion of such Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock in respect of any Fundamental Change Dividend Make-whole Amount and any Accumulated Dividend Amount, in each case, pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation and (iii) the amount of cash payable by the Corporation upon such conversion of such Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock in lieu of delivering fractional shares of Common Stock, in each case, as specified in writing by the Corporation and that has been provided by the Corporation.
In the event that a Record Holder of a surrendered Receipt elects to convert fewer than all Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt under this Section 2.11, upon such conversion, the Depositary shall, if requested in writing and provided with all necessary information and documents, authenticate, countersign and deliver to such Record Holder thereof, at the expense of the Corporation, a new Receipt evidencing the Depositary Shares as to which such conversion was not effected.
Delivery of Common Stock following a conversion pursuant to this Section 2.11 may be made by the delivery of such certificates, documents of title and other instruments as the Depositary may deem appropriate, which, if required by the Depositary, shall be properly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer. If such delivery is to be made otherwise than at the Depositary’s Office or at the office or offices of the Depositary designated for such purpose from time to time in writing to the Corporation and all Record Holders, such delivery shall be made, as hereinafter provided, without unreasonable delay, at the risk of any Record Holder surrendering Receipts, and for the account of such Record Holder, to such place designated in writing by such Record Holder and agreed by the Depositary.
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For purposes of this Section 2.11 and Section 4.02, if the Common Stock has been replaced by Exchange Property as a result of any transaction as described in Section 13(e) of the Certificate of Designations, references to Common Stock will be deemed to be references to a Unit of Exchange Property that a holder of one share of Common Stock would have been entitled to receive in such transaction as determined pursuant to Section 13(e) of the Certificate of Designations.
Section 2.12. No Pre-Release. The Depositary shall not deliver any deposited Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock represented by Depositary Shares evidenced by Receipts prior to the receipt and cancellation of such Receipts or other similar method used with respect to Receipts held by DTC. The Depositary shall not issue any Receipts prior to the receipt by the Depositary of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock corresponding to Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipts. At no time will any Receipts be outstanding if such Receipts do not evidence Depositary Shares representing Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock deposited with the Depositary, subject to the rights of holders to receive distributions upon conversion of the deposited Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 4.01 or Section 4.02.
Section 2.13. Receipt of Funds. All funds received by Computershare under this Agreement that are to be distributed or applied by Computershare in the performance of its services hereunder (the “Funds”) shall be held by Computershare as agent for the Corporation and deposited in one or more bank accounts to be maintained by Computershare in its name as agent for the Corporation. Until paid pursuant to this Agreement, Computershare may hold or invest the Funds through such accounts in: (i) obligations of, or guaranteed by, the United States of America, (ii) commercial paper obligations rated A-1 or P-1 or better by Standard & Poor’s Corporation (“S&P”) or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), respectively, (iii) money market funds that comply with Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, or (iv) demand deposit accounts, short term certificates of deposit, bank repurchase agreements or bankers’ acceptances, of commercial banks with Tier 1 capital exceeding $1 billion or with an average rating above investment grade by S&P (LT Local Issuer Credit Rating), Moody’s (Long Term Rating) and Fitch Ratings, Inc. (LT Issuer Default Rating) (each as reported by Bloomberg Finance L.P.). Computershare shall not bear responsibility or liability for any diminution of the Funds that may result from any deposit or investment made by Computershare in accordance with this paragraph, including any losses resulting from a default by any bank, financial institution or other third party. For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 2.13 shall not apply to any obligations and liabilities of the Corporation under this Agreement to Record Holders of Receipts. Computershare may from time to time receive interest, dividends or other earnings in connection with such deposits or investments. Computershare shall not be obligated to pay such interest, dividends or earnings to the Corporation, any Record Holder or any other party.
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ARTICLE 3
CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS OF RECORD HOLDERS OF RECEIPTS AND OF THE CORPORATION
Section 3.01. Filing Proofs; Certificates and Other Information. Any Record Holder of a Receipt may be required from time to time to file proof of residence, or other matters or other information, to execute certificates and to make such representations and warranties as the Depositary or the Corporation may reasonably deem necessary or proper. The Depositary or the Corporation may withhold the delivery, or delay the registration of transfer or exchange, of any Receipt or the withdrawal of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock represented by the Depositary Shares and evidenced by a Receipt or the distribution of any dividend or other distribution or the sale of any rights or of the proceeds thereof until such proof or other information is filed or such certificates are executed or such representations and warranties are made.
Section 3.02. Payment of Taxes or Other Governmental Charges. Record Holders of Receipts shall be obligated to make payments to the Depositary of certain fees, charges and expenses, as provided in Section 5.07. Registration of transfer of any Receipt or any withdrawal of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and all money and/or other property represented by the Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt may be refused until any such payment due is made or satisfactory evidence is provided by such Record Holder to the Depositary that such fees, charges and expenses have been paid, and any dividends, interest payments or other distributions may be withheld or any part of or all the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock represented by the Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt and not theretofore sold may be sold for the account of the Record Holder thereof (after attempting by reasonable means to notify such Record Holder prior to such sale), and such dividends, interest payments or other distributions or the proceeds of any such sale may be applied to any payment of such charges or expenses, the Record Holder of such Receipt remaining liable for any deficiency.
Section 3.03. Warranty as to Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock. The Corporation hereby represents and warrants that the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, when issued, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Such representation and warranty shall survive the deposit of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and the issuance of the related Receipts.
Section 3.04. Warranty as to Receipts. The Corporation hereby represents and warrants that the Receipts, when issued in accordance with this Agreement, will represent legal and valid interests in the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock. Such representation and warranty shall survive the deposit of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and the issuance of the Receipts.
Section 3.05. Listing. The Corporation hereby covenants and agrees that it will apply to list the Depositary Shares on the NYSE. If the Depositary Shares are listed on the NYSE, the Corporation covenants and agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to keep the Depositary Shares listed on the NYSE (or any of its successors).
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ARTICLE 4
THE DEPOSITED SECURITIES; NOTICES
Section 4.01. Cash Distributions. Whenever the Depositary shall receive any cash dividend or other cash distribution on the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, the Depositary shall, subject to Sections 3.01 and 3.02 and, if received, in accordance with written instructions from the Corporation, distribute to Record Holders of Receipts on the record date fixed pursuant to Section 4.04 such amounts of such dividend or distribution as are, as nearly as practicable, in proportion to the respective number of Depositary Shares evidenced by the Receipts held by such Record Holders; provided, however, that in case the Corporation or the Depositary shall be required to withhold, and shall withhold, from any cash dividend or other cash distribution in respect of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock an amount on account of taxes, the amount of cash made available for distribution or distributed in respect of Depositary Shares shall be reduced accordingly, and such withheld cash shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the Record Holder of Receipts in respect of which the Corporation or the Depositary, as the case may be, made such withholding. In the event that the calculation of any such cash dividend or other cash distribution to be paid to any Record Holder on the aggregate number of Depositary Shares held by such Record Holder results in an amount that is a fraction of a cent and that fraction of a cent is equal to or greater than $0.005, the amount the Depositary shall distribute to such Record Holder shall be rounded up to the next highest whole cent; otherwise, such fractional amount shall be disregarded by the Depositary; provided, however, that the Corporation shall pay the additional amount to the Depositary for distribution.
Each Record Holder of a Receipt shall provide the Depositary with its certified tax identification number on a properly completed Form W-8 or W-9, as may be applicable. Each Record Holder of a Receipt acknowledges that, in the event of non-compliance with the preceding sentence, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, may require withholding or backup withholding by the Depositary of a portion of any of the distributions to be made hereunder.
Section 4.02. Distributions Other than Cash, Rights, Options or Privileges. Whenever the Depositary shall receive any distribution other than cash, rights, options or privileges upon the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, the Depositary shall, at the direction of the Corporation (which the Corporation shall provide), subject to Sections 3.01 and 3.02, distribute to Record Holders of Receipts on the record date fixed pursuant to Section 4.04 such amounts of the securities or property received by it as are, as nearly as practicable, in proportion to the respective numbers of Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipts held by such Record Holders, in any manner that the Depositary may deem equitable and practicable for accomplishing such distribution, including, without limitation, through book-entry transfer
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through DTC in the case of DTC Receipts; provided that, in case the Depositary shall be required to withhold from any distribution in respect of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock an amount on account of taxes, the amount of property or securities made available for distribution or distributed in respect of Depositary Shares shall be reduced as necessary to permit any withholding, and such withheld property may be disposed of by the Depositary, without any further consent or direction from the Corporation, in such manner as the Depositary reasonably deems necessary and practicable to pay such taxes and shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the Record Holder of the Receipt in respect of which the Depositary made such withholding. The provisions of the immediately preceding sentence shall apply to any distribution by the Depositary of shares of Common Stock deliverable to the Record Holders as a result of the conversion of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock in accordance with the terms of the Certificate of Incorporation (including, without limitation, upon mandatory conversion of such Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock); provided that, in such case, the distribution of shares of Common Stock shall be made to Record Holders as of the close of business on the relevant Conversion Date. If, in the opinion of the Depositary, after consultation with the Corporation, such distribution cannot be made proportionately among such Record Holders in accordance with the direction of the Corporation (which the Corporation shall provide), or if for any other reason (including any requirement that the Corporation or the Depositary withhold an amount on account of taxes or governmental charges) the Depositary deems, after consultation with the Corporation, such distribution not to be feasible, then the Depositary may, with the approval of the Corporation, adopt such method as it deems equitable and practicable for the purpose of effecting such distribution, including the sale (at public or private sale) of the securities or property thus received, or any part thereof, in a commercially reasonable manner. The net proceeds of any such sale shall, subject to Sections 3.01 and 3.02, be distributed or made available for distribution, as the case may be, by the Depositary to Record Holders of Receipts as provided by Section 4.01 in the case of a distribution received in cash. The Corporation shall not make any distribution of such securities or property to the Depositary, and the Depositary shall not make any distribution of such securities or property to the Record Holders of Receipts, unless the Corporation shall have provided an opinion of counsel stating that such distribution of securities or property has been registered under the Securities Act or does not need to be so registered in connection therewith.
In the event of a distribution of securities, whether upon mandatory conversion of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock into Common Stock or otherwise, fractional shares of such securities shall not be distributed to the Record Holders. Instead, a Record Holder that otherwise would have been entitled to receive a fraction of a security will receive an amount in cash, rounded to the nearest cent, equal to such Record Holder’s proportionate interest in the net proceeds from the sale in the open market by the Depositary, or an agent of the Depositary or other entity as so instructed in writing by the Corporation, on behalf of all such Record Holders, of the aggregate fractional shares of the securities that would otherwise have been issued, unless (i) the distribution of securities in question is the Corporation’s issuance of the shares of Common Stock upon conversion of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, in which case such Record Holder will be entitled to receive an amount in cash (computed to the nearest cent)
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equal to the product of (x) that same fraction and (y) the Average VWAP per share of Common Stock over the five consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the second Trading Day immediately preceding the relevant Conversion Date; provided that if more than one share of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock is surrendered for, or subject to, conversion at one time by or for the same Record Holder, the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate number of shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock so surrendered for, or subject to, conversion or (ii) the distribution of securities in question is the Corporation’s issuance of shares of Common Stock in payment or partial payment of a dividend on the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, in which case such Record Holder will be entitled to receive an amount in cash (computed to the nearest cent) equal to the product of (x) that same fraction and (y) the Average VWAP per share of Common Stock over the five consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the second Trading Day immediately preceding the applicable Dividend Payment Date. The sale described in the immediately preceding sentence shall occur as soon as practicable following the distribution date for such securities. In the event that such sale of the aggregate fractional shares of the securities that otherwise would have been issued is completed and a fraction of a share of such security still remains (the “Remaining Fractional Share”), the Depositary shall immediately notify the Corporation in writing of the Remaining Fractional Share, which notice may be delivered via electronic mail to the address set forth in Section 7.04. Upon receipt of such notice, the Board of Directors shall determine the cash equivalent of the Remaining Fractional Share (the “Remaining Fractional Share Amount”), which Remaining Fractional Share Amount shall be equal to the Remaining Fractional Share, multiplied by the Closing Sale Price of such securities on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the distribution of such securities. The determination of the Remaining Fractional Share Amount by the Board of Directors shall be binding on the parties hereto and on the Record Holders. The Corporation shall promptly transfer funds for the Remaining Fractional Share Amount to an account selected by the Depositary, and the Depositary shall add the Remaining Fractional Share Amount to the net proceeds from the sale described above for distribution to the Record Holders otherwise entitled to receive the fractional shares of the securities.
The Person or Persons entitled to receive any shares of Common Stock issuable upon any conversion of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder(s) of such shares of Common Stock as of the close of business on the relevant Conversion Date.
Section 4.03. Subscription Rights, Options or Privileges. If the Corporation shall at any time offer or cause to be offered to the Persons in whose names the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock is recorded on the books of the Corporation any rights, options or privileges to subscribe for or to purchase any securities or any rights, options or privileges of any other nature, the terms of such rights, options or privileges shall in each such instance be communicated promptly to the Depositary and thereafter such rights, options or privileges shall be made available by the Depositary to the Record Holders of Receipts in such manner as the Corporation shall instruct, either by the issue to such Record Holders of warrants representing such rights,
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options or privileges or by such other method as may be approved by the Depositary in its discretion with the approval of the Corporation; provided, however, that (a) if at the time of issuance or offer of any such rights, options or privileges, the Depositary determines that it is not lawful or (after consultation with the Corporation) not feasible to make such rights, options or privileges available to Record Holders of Receipts by the issue of warrants or otherwise or (b) if Record Holders of Receipts do not desire to exercise such rights, options or privileges and so instruct the Depositary, then the Depositary, in its reasonable discretion (with approval of the Corporation, in any case where the Depositary has determined that it is not feasible to make such rights, options or privileges available), may, if applicable laws or the terms of such rights, options or privileges permit such transfer, sell such rights, options or privileges at public or private sale, at such place or places and upon such terms as it may deem proper. The net proceeds of any such sale shall, subject to Sections 3.01 and 3.02, be distributed by the Depositary to the Record Holders of Receipts entitled thereto as provided by Section 4.01 in the case of a distribution received in cash.
The Corporation shall notify the Depositary whether registration under the Securities Act of the securities to which any rights, options or privileges relate is required in order for Record Holders of Receipts to be offered or sold the securities to which such rights, options or privileges relate, and the Corporation agrees with the Depositary that it will file promptly a registration statement pursuant to the Securities Act with respect to such rights, options or privileges and securities and use its commercially reasonable efforts and take all steps available to it to cause such registration statement to become effective sufficiently in advance of the expiration of such rights, options or privileges to enable such Record Holders to exercise such rights, options or privileges in compliance with the Securities Act. In no event shall the Depositary make available to the Record Holders of Receipts any right, option or privilege to subscribe for or to purchase any securities unless and until such registration statement shall have become effective, or the Corporation shall have provided to the Depositary an opinion of counsel to the effect that the offering and sale of such securities to the Record Holders are exempt from registration under the provisions of the Securities Act.
The Corporation shall notify the Depositary whether any other action under the laws of any jurisdiction or any governmental or administrative authorization, consent or permit is required in order for such rights, options or privileges to be made available to Record Holders of Receipts, and the Corporation agrees with the Depositary that the Corporation shall use its reasonable best efforts to take such action or obtain such authorization, consent or permit sufficiently in advance of the expiration of such rights, options or privileges to enable such Record Holders to exercise such rights, options or privileges.
Section 4.04. Notice of Dividends, etc.; Fixing Record Date for Record Holders of Receipts. Whenever any cash dividend or other cash distribution shall become payable or any distribution other than cash shall be made, or if rights, options or privileges shall at any time be offered, with respect to the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, or whenever the Depositary shall receive notice of any meeting at which holders of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred
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Stock are entitled to vote or of which holders of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock are entitled to notice, or whenever the Depositary and the Corporation shall decide it is appropriate, the Depositary shall in each such instance fix a record date (which shall be the same date as the record date fixed by the Corporation with respect to or otherwise in accordance with the terms of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock) for the determination of the Record Holders of Receipts who shall be entitled to receive such dividend, distribution, rights, options or privileges or the net proceeds of the sale thereof, or to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at any such meeting, or who shall be entitled to notice of such meeting or for any other appropriate reasons.
Section 4.05. Voting Rights. Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock are entitled to vote, the Depositary shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, send to the Record Holders of Receipts, determined on the record date as set forth in Section 4.04, a notice prepared by the Corporation that shall contain (a) such information as is contained in such notice of meeting and (b) a statement that the Record Holders may, subject to any applicable restrictions, instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock represented by their respective Depositary Shares (including an express indication that instructions may be given to the Depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a Person designated by the Corporation) and a brief statement as to the manner in which such instructions may be given. Each Record Holder of Receipts on the record date (which shall be the same date as the record date fixed by the Corporation with respect to or otherwise in accordance with the terms of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock) may instruct the Depositary as to how to vote the amount of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock represented by such Record Holder’s Receipts in accordance with these instructions. Upon the written request of the Record Holders of Receipts on the relevant record date, the Depositary shall endeavor insofar as practicable to vote or cause to be voted, in accordance with the instructions set forth in such requests, the maximum number of whole shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock represented by the Depositary Shares evidenced by all Receipts as to which any particular voting instructions are received. The Corporation hereby agrees to take all action which may be deemed necessary by the Depositary in order to enable the Depositary to vote such Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock or cause such Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock to be voted. In the absence of specific instructions from Record Holders of Receipts, the Depositary shall abstain from voting the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock to the extent it does not receive such specific instructions from the Record Holders of Receipts.
Section 4.06. Changes Affecting Deposited Securities and Reclassifications, Recapitalizations, Etc. Upon any change in par or stated value, split-up, combination or any other reclassification of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, or upon any recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation affecting the Corporation or to which it is a party, the Corporation shall instruct the Depositary in writing to, and the Depositary upon receipt of such written instructions setting forth any of the following adjustments from the Corporation (which the Corporation shall
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provide), shall, (a) make such adjustments as are certified by the Corporation in the fraction of an interest represented by one Depositary Share in one share of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock as may be necessary fully to reflect the effects of such change in par or stated value, split-up, combination or other reclassification of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, or of such recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation and (b) treat any securities that shall be received by the Depositary in exchange for or, subject to the final sentence of this Section 4.06, upon conversion of or in respect of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock as new deposited securities so received in exchange for or upon conversion or in respect of such Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock. In any such case the Corporation may in its discretion direct the Depositary to execute and deliver additional Receipts or may call for the surrender of all outstanding Receipts to be exchanged for new Receipts specifically describing such new deposited securities. Anything to the contrary herein notwithstanding, Record Holders of Receipts shall have the right from and after the effective date of any such change in par or stated value, split-up, combination or other reclassification of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock or any such recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation to surrender such Receipts to the Depositary with instructions to convert, exchange or surrender the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock represented thereby only into or for, as the case may be, the kind and amount of shares and other securities and property and cash into which the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock represented by such Receipts might have been converted or for which such Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock might have been exchanged or surrendered immediately prior to the effective date of such transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Common Stock issuable upon conversion of, or in lieu of cash dividends on, the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall not constitute new deposited securities hereunder and instead the provisions set forth in Section 4.02 shall apply.
Section 4.07. Delivery of Reports. The Depositary shall, at the sole expense of the Corporation, furnish to Record Holders of Receipts any reports and communications received from the Corporation that are received by the Depositary, as the holder of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, and that the Corporation is required to furnish to the holders of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock.
Section 4.08. Lists of Receipt Record Holders. Reasonably promptly upon request from time to time by the Corporation, at the sole expense of the Corporation, the Depositary shall furnish to it a list, as of the most recent practicable date, of the names, addresses and holdings of Depositary Shares of all registered Record Holders of Receipts.
Section 4.09. Corporation-owned Depositary Shares Disregarded. In determining whether the Record Holders of the requisite number of Depositary Shares have concurred in any vote (including, without limitation, in respect of any direction, consent, request, amendment, alteration or supplement) referred to in this Agreement, Depositary Shares that are owned by the Corporation, by any Subsidiary thereof or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Corporation or any Subsidiary thereof shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding for the purpose of any such determination.
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ARTICLE 5
THE DEPOSITARY, THE DEPOSITARY’S AGENTS, THE REGISTRAR AND THE CORPORATION
Section 5.01. Maintenance of Offices, Agencies and Transfer Books by the Depositary; Registrar; Depositary’s Agents. Upon execution of this Agreement, the Depositary shall maintain at the Depositary’s Office, facilities for the execution and delivery, transfer, surrender and exchange, split-up and combination of Receipts and deposit and withdrawal of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, and at the offices of the Depositary’s Agents, if any, facilities for the delivery, transfer, surrender and exchange of Receipts and deposit and withdrawal of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, all in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
The Registrar shall keep books at the Depositary’s Office for the registration and transfer of Receipts. Upon direction by the Corporation and with reasonable notice to the Registrar, the Registrar shall open its books for inspection by the Record Holders of Receipts as directed by the Corporation; provided that any Record Holder shall be granted such right by the Corporation only after certifying that such inspection shall be for a proper purpose reasonably related to such Person’s interest as an owner of Depositary Shares evidenced by the Receipts.
The Corporation may cause the Registrar to close such books, at any time or from time to time, when deemed expedient by it in connection with the performance of its duties hereunder.
The Depositary may, with the approval of the Corporation, appoint a Registrar for registration of the Receipts or the Depositary Shares evidenced thereby. If the Receipts or the Depositary Shares evidenced thereby or the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock represented by such Depositary Shares shall be listed on one or more national securities exchanges, the Depositary shall appoint a registrar (acceptable to the Corporation) for registration of the Receipts or Depositary Shares in accordance with any requirements of such exchange. Such registrar (which may be the Registrar if so permitted by the requirements of any such exchange) may be removed and a substitute registrar may be appointed by the Depositary upon the request or with the approval of the Corporation. If the Receipts, Depositary Shares or Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock are listed on one or more other securities exchanges, the Registrar shall, at the expense and request of the Corporation, arrange such facilities for the delivery, transfer, surrender and exchange of the Receipts, Depositary Shares or Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock as may be required by law or applicable securities exchange regulation.
The Depositary may from time to time appoint one or more Depositary’s Agents to act in any respect for the Depositary for the purposes of this Agreement and may from time to time appoint additional Depositary’s Agents and vary or terminate the appointment of such Depositary’s Agents; provided that the Depositary shall notify the Corporation of any such appointment or variation or termination of such appointment.
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Section 5.02. Prevention of or Delay in Performance by the Depositary, the Depositary’s Agents, the Registrar or the Transfer Agent. None of the Depositary, any Depositary’s Agent, any Registrar and any Transfer Agent shall incur any liability to the Corporation or to any Record Holder of a Receipt if by reason of any provision of any present or future law, or regulation thereunder, of the United States of America or of any other governmental authority or by reason of any provision, present or future, of the Certificate of Incorporation or by reason of any act of God, pandemics, epidemics, terrorist acts, shortage of supply, breakdowns or malfunctions, interruptions or malfunction of computer facilities, or loss of data due to power failures or mechanical difficulties with information storage or retrieval systems, labor difficulties, civil unrest, war or other circumstance beyond the control of the relevant party, the Depositary, any such Depositary’s Agent, any such Registrar or any such Transfer Agent shall be prevented, delayed or forbidden from, or subjected to any penalty on account of, doing or performing any act or thing which the terms of this Agreement provide shall be done or performed. Nor shall the Depositary, any Depositary’s Agent, any Registrar nor any Transfer Agent incur liability to the Corporation or to any Record Holder of a Receipt (a) by reason of any nonperformance or delay, caused as aforesaid, in the performance of any act or thing which the terms of this Agreement shall provide shall or may be done or performed or (b) by reason of any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for in this Agreement except, in case of any such exercise of, or failure to exercise, discretion not caused as aforesaid, if caused by the gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of the party charged with such exercise or failure to exercise (which gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith must be determined by a final, non-appealable order, judgment, decree or ruling of a court of competent jurisdiction), or as otherwise explicitly set forth in this Agreement.
Section 5.03. Obligations of the Depositary, the Depositary’s Agents, the Registrar and the Transfer Agent. None of the Depositary, any Depositary’s Agent, any Registrar and any Transfer Agent assumes any obligation or shall be subject to any liability under this Agreement to Record Holders of Receipts, the Corporation or any other Person or entity other than for its gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith (which gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith must be determined by a final, non-appealable order, judgment, decree or ruling of a court of competent jurisdiction). Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the aggregate liability of the Depositary, any Depositary’s Agent, any Transfer Agent or any Registrar during any term of this Agreement with respect to, arising from, or arising in connection with this Agreement, or from all services provided or omitted to be provided under this Agreement, whether in contract, or in tort, or otherwise, is limited to, and shall not exceed, the amounts paid hereunder by the Corporation to the Depositary as fees and charges, but not including reimbursable expenses, during the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the event for which recovery is being sought. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Depositary shall not be liable for any incidental, indirect, special, punitive or consequential damages of any nature whatsoever, including, but not limited to, loss of anticipated profits, occasioned by breach of any provision of this Agreement even if apprised of the possibility of such damages. For the avoidance of doubt, the limitations of liability set forth in this Section 5.03 shall not apply to any obligations and liabilities of the Corporation under this Agreement to Record Holders of Receipts.
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The Depositary, any Depositary’s Agent, any Transfer Agent and any Registrar hereunder may consult legal counsel satisfactory to it, and the advice or opinion of such legal counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of, and it shall not be liable and shall be indemnified by the Corporation for, any actions taken, suffered or omitted by such party hereunder in accordance with the advice or opinion of such legal counsel.
None of the Depositary, any Depositary’s Agent, any Registrar and any Transfer Agent shall be under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, the Depositary Shares or the Receipts, which, in its reasonable opinion, may involve it in expense or liability, unless indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against all expense and liability be furnished as often as may be reasonably required.
None of the Depositary, any Depositary’s Agent, any Registrar and any Transfer Agent shall be liable for any action or any failure to act by it in reliance upon the written advice of legal counsel or accountants, or information from any Person presenting Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock for deposit, any Record Holder of a Receipt or any other Person believed by it in the absence of bad faith to be competent to give such information. Each of the Depositary, any Depositary’s Agent, any Registrar and any Transfer Agent may rely, and shall each be protected in acting or omitting to act, upon any written notice, request, direction or other document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.
The Depositary shall not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instruction to vote any of the shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock or for the manner or effect of any such vote made, as long as any such action or non-action is not taken in bad faith or due to the willful misconduct or gross negligence of the Depositary (which bad faith, willful misconduct or gross negligence must be determined by a final, non-appealable order, judgment, decree or ruling of a court of competent jurisdiction). The Depositary undertakes, and any Registrar or Transfer Agent shall be required to undertake, to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Agreement, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Agreement against the Depositary or any Registrar or Transfer Agent.
The Depositary, its parent, affiliates and Subsidiaries, any Depositary’s Agent and any Registrar or Transfer Agent may own, buy, sell and deal in any class of securities of the Corporation and its affiliates and in Receipts or Depositary Shares or have a pecuniary interest in any transaction in which the Corporation or its affiliates may be interested or contract with or lend money to any such Person or otherwise act as fully or as freely as if it were not the Depositary, the Depositary’s parent, affiliate or Subsidiary, the Depositary’s Agent, the Registrar or the Transfer Agent hereunder. The Depositary may also act as trustee, transfer agent or registrar of any of the securities of the Corporation and its affiliates.
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It is intended that none of the Depositary, its agents and any Registrar, acting as a Depositary’s Agent or Registrar, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be an “issuer” of the securities under federal securities laws or applicable state securities laws, it being expressly understood and agreed that the Depositary, any Depositary’s Agent and the Registrar are acting only in a ministerial capacity as Depositary or Registrar for the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock.
The Corporation agrees that it has previously registered or will register the offer and sale of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and the Depositary Shares in accordance with all applicable securities laws.
None of the Depositary, its officers, directors, employees or agents and the Registrar makes any representation or has any responsibility (i) as to the validity of (a) the registration statement pursuant to which the offer and sale of the Depositary Shares and Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock are registered under the Securities Act, (b) the Certificate of Incorporation, (c) the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, (d) the Depositary Shares, (e) the Receipts (except for its counter-signatures thereon) or (f) any instruments referred to in any of the foregoing or (ii) as to the correctness of any statement made in any of the foregoing.
The Depositary assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the description that appears in the Receipts. Notwithstanding any other provision herein or in the Receipts, the Depositary makes no warranties or representations as to the validity or genuineness of any Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock at any time deposited with the Depositary hereunder or of the Depositary Shares, as to the validity or sufficiency of this Agreement, as to the value of the Depositary Shares or as to any right, title or interest of the Record Holders of Receipts in and to the Depositary Shares. The Depositary shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Corporation of the Depositary Shares or the Receipts or the proceeds thereof.
The Depositary shall not have any liability for interest on any monies at any time received by it pursuant to any of the provisions of this Agreement or of the Receipts, the Depositary Shares or the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, nor shall it be obligated to segregate such monies from other monies held by it, except as required by applicable law. The Depositary shall not be responsible for advancing funds on behalf of the Corporation and shall have no duty or obligation to make any payments if it has not timely received sufficient funds to make timely payments.
In the event the Depositary, the Depositary’s Agent or any Registrar or Transfer Agent believes any ambiguity or uncertainty exists hereunder or in any notice, instruction, direction, request or other communication, paper or document received by the Depositary, the Depositary’s Agent or any Registrar or Transfer Agent hereunder, or in the administration of any of the
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provisions of this Agreement, the Depositary shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, omitting or suffering to take any action hereunder, the Depositary may, in its sole discretion upon written notice to the Corporation, refrain from taking any action and shall be fully protected and shall not be liable in any way to the Corporation, any Record Holders of Receipts or any other Person or entity for refraining from taking such action, unless the Depositary receives written instructions or a certificate signed by the Corporation that eliminates such ambiguity or uncertainty to the reasonable satisfaction of the Depositary, Depositary’s Agent, Registrar or Transfer Agent or that proves or establishes the applicable matter to the reasonable satisfaction of the Depositary, Depositary’s Agent, Registrar or Transfer Agent.
The Depositary undertakes not to issue any Receipt other than to evidence the Depositary Shares that have been delivered to, and are then on deposit with, the Depositary. The Depositary also undertakes not to sell, except as provided herein, pledge or lend Depositary Shares or shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock held by it as Depositary.
Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Agreement, the Depositary, any Transfer Agent or any Registrar shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter be proved or established by the Corporation prior to taking, suffering or omitting to take any action hereunder, such fact or matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively provided and established by a certificate signed by the Corporation and delivered to the Depositary, such Transfer Agent or such Registrar; and such certificate shall be full and complete authorization and protection to the Depositary, such Transfer Agent or such Registrar and the Depositary, such Transfer Agent or such Registrar shall incur no liability for or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it under the provisions of this Agreement in reliance upon such certificate.
The Depositary may rely on and be fully authorized and protected in acting or failing to act upon (a) any guaranty of signature by an “eligible guarantor institution” that is a member or participant in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program or other comparable “signature guarantee program” or insurance program in addition to, or in substitution for, the foregoing; or (b) any law, act, regulation or any interpretation of the same even though such law, act, or regulation may thereafter have been altered, changed, amended or repealed.
The Depositary, any Transfer Agent, or any Registrar may execute and exercise any of the rights or powers hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder either itself or by or through its attorneys or agents, and the Depositary shall not be answerable or accountable for any act, omission, default, neglect or misconduct of any such attorneys or agents or for any loss to the Corporation, to the holders of the Receipts or any other Person resulting from any such act, omission, default, neglect or misconduct, absent gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith in the selection and continued employment thereof (which gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith must be determined by a final, non-appealable order, judgment, decree or ruling of a court of competent jurisdiction).
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The obligations of the Corporation and the rights and benefits of the Depositary set forth in this Section 5.03 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and any replacement, removal, resignation or succession of any Depositary, Registrar, Transfer Agent or Depositary’s Agent.
Section 5.04. Resignation and Removal of the Depositary; Appointment of Successor Depositary. The Depositary may at any time resign as Depositary hereunder by delivering notice of its election to do so to the Corporation, such resignation to take effect 60 days after receipt of written notice by the Corporation.
The Depositary may at any time be removed by the Corporation by notice of such removal delivered to the Depositary, such removal to take effect upon the appointment of a successor Depositary hereunder and its acceptance of such appointment as hereinafter provided.
In the event the transfer agency relationship in effect between the Corporation and the Depositary terminates, the Depositary shall be deemed to have resigned automatically and be discharged from its duties under this Agreement.
In case at any time the Depositary acting hereunder shall resign or be removed, the Corporation shall, within 60 days after the delivery of the notice of resignation or removal, as the case may be, appoint a successor Depositary, which shall be a bank or trust company that (a) is not an affiliate of the Corporation, (b) has its principal office in the United States of America and (c) has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. If no successor Depositary shall have been so appointed and have accepted appointment within 60 days after delivery of such notice or removal, the resigning or removed Depositary may, at the Corporation’s expense, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Depositary. Every successor Depositary shall execute and deliver to its predecessor and to the Corporation an instrument in writing accepting its appointment hereunder, and thereupon such successor Depositary, without any further act or deed, shall become fully vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor and for all purposes shall be the Depositary under this Agreement, and such predecessor, upon payment of all sums due it and on the written request of the Corporation, shall promptly execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor all rights and powers of such predecessor hereunder, shall duly assign, transfer and deliver all right, title and interest in the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and any moneys, securities or other property held hereunder to such successor, and shall deliver to such successor Depositary a list of the Record Holders of all outstanding Receipts and such records, books and other information in its possession relating thereto. Any successor Depositary shall promptly send notice of its appointment to the Record Holders of Receipts.
Any entity into or with which the Depositary may be merged, consolidated or converted, or any successor Person to which all or a substantial part of the assets of the Depositary may be transferred or which succeeds to the shareholder services business of the Depositary shall be the successor of the Depositary without the execution or filing of any document or any further act, and notice thereof shall not be required hereunder. Such successor Depositary may authenticate the Receipts in the name of the predecessor Depositary or its own name as successor Depositary.
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The provisions of this Section 5.04 as they apply to the Depositary apply to the Registrar and Transfer Agent, as if specifically enumerated herein.
Section 5.05. Corporate Notices and Reports. The Corporation agrees that it shall deliver to the Depositary, and the Depositary shall, promptly after receipt thereof, transmit to the Record Holders of Receipts, in each case at the addresses recorded in the Depositary’s books, copies of all notices and reports (including, without limitation, financial statements) required by law, by the rules of the NYSE or any other national securities exchange upon which the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, the Depositary Shares or the Receipts are listed or by the Certificate of Incorporation, to be furnished to the Record Holders of Receipts. Such transmission will be at the Corporation’s expense and the Corporation will provide the Depositary with such number of copies of such documents as the Depositary may reasonably request. In addition, the Depositary shall transmit to the Record Holders of Receipts at the Corporation’s expense, including applicable fees, such other documents as may be requested by the Corporation.
Section 5.06. Indemnification by the Corporation. Subject to Section 5.03, the Corporation shall indemnify the Depositary, any Depositary’s Agent and any Registrar or Transfer Agent (including each of their officers, directors, agents and employees) against, and hold each of them harmless from, any loss, damage, cost, penalty, liability or expense (including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending itself) which may arise out of acts performed, suffered or omitted to be taken in connection with this Agreement and the Receipts by the Depositary, any Registrar, any Transfer Agent or any of their respective agents (including any Depositary’s Agent) and any transactions or documents contemplated hereby, except for any liability arising out of gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith on the respective parts of any such Person or Persons (which gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith must be determined by a final, non-appealable order, judgment, decree or ruling of a court of competent jurisdiction).
From time to time, the Corporation may provide the Depositary with instructions concerning the services performed by the Depositary hereunder. In addition, at any time the Depositary may apply to any officer of the Corporation for instruction, and may consult with legal counsel for the Depositary or the Corporation with respect to any matter arising in connection with the services to be performed by the Depositary under this Agreement. The Depositary, any Depositary’s Agent, any Registrar, any Transfer Agent and their respective agents and subcontractors, as applicable, shall not be liable and shall be indemnified by the Corporation for any action taken, suffered or omitted by them in reliance upon any Corporation instructions or upon the advice or opinion of such counsel. The Depositary shall not be held to have notice of any change of authority of any person, until receipt of written notice thereof from the Corporation. The obligations of the Corporation set forth in this Section 5.06 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and any replacement, removal, resignation or succession of any Depositary, Registrar, Transfer Agent or Depositary’s Agent.
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Section 5.07. Fees, Charges and Expenses. The Corporation agrees promptly to pay the Depositary the compensation to be agreed upon with the Corporation for all services rendered by the Depositary hereunder and to reimburse the Depositary, any Depositary’s Agent, any Transfer Agent and any Registrar for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) incurred by the Depositary, such Depositary’s Agent, such Transfer Agent and such Registrar in connection with the preparation, delivery, amendment, execution and administration of this Agreement and incident to the performance of their (or any of their agent’s) respective obligations hereunder. The Corporation shall pay all charges of the Depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and the initial issuance of the Depositary Shares and any change of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock in accordance with Section 4.06. The Corporation shall pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. The Record Holders shall not be required to pay any transfer and other taxes and governmental charges relating to the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, the Receipts or the Depositary Shares; provided that a Record Holder shall be required to pay any tax or duty that may be payable relating to any issuance or delivery of shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock or Common Stock or transfers or exchanges of Depositary Shares or Receipts, in each case, in a name other than the name of such Record Holder. If, at the request of a Record Holder of Receipts, the Depositary incurs charges or expenses for which the Corporation is not otherwise liable hereunder, then such Record Holder shall be liable for such charges and expenses; provided, however, that the Depositary may, at its sole option, request that the Corporation direct a Record Holder of a Receipt to prepay the Depositary any charge or expense the Depositary has been asked to incur at the request of such Record Holder of Receipts. The Depositary shall not be liable for any failure to act or delay in acting for such Person’s failure to prepay any such charge or expense. The Depositary shall present its statement for charges and expenses to the Corporation at such intervals as the Corporation and the Depositary may agree.
Section 5.08. Tax Compliance. The Depositary, on its own behalf and on behalf of the Corporation, will comply with all applicable certification, information reporting and withholding (including “backup” withholding) requirements imposed by applicable tax laws, regulations or administrative practice with respect to (a) any payments made with respect to the Depositary Shares and Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock or (b) the issuance, delivery, holding, transfer or exercise of rights under the Receipts or the Depositary Shares. Such compliance shall include, without limitation, the preparation and timely filing of required returns and the timely payment of all amounts required to be withheld to the appropriate taxing authority or its designated agent. The Corporation will provide withholding and reporting instructions in writing to the Depositary from time to time as relevant, and upon reasonable request of the Depositary. The Depositary shall have no responsibilities with respect to tax withholding, reporting or payment except as specifically instructed by the Corporation or as required by applicable law.
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The Depositary shall comply with any lawful direction received from the Corporation with respect to the application of such requirements to particular payments or holders or in other particular circumstances, and may for purposes of this Agreement rely on any such direction in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.03 hereof.
The Depositary shall maintain all appropriate records documenting compliance with such requirements in accordance with its retention policies, and shall make such records available on request to the Corporation or to its authorized representatives during the term of this Agreement.
ARTICLE 6
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
Section 6.01. Amendment Without Consent of Record Holders. Without the consent of the Record Holders of Receipts, the Receipts and any provisions of this Agreement may at any time and from time to time be amended, altered or supplemented by agreement between the Corporation and the Depositary for the following purposes:
(a) to cure any ambiguity, omission, inconsistency or mistake in this Agreement or the Receipts;
(b) to make any provision with respect to matters or questions relating to the Depositary Shares that is not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement and that does not materially and adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of any Record Holder of Receipts;
(c) to make any change reasonably necessary, in the Corporation’s reasonable determination, to reflect each Depositary Share’s representation of 1/20th of a share of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock;
(d) to make any change reasonably necessary, in the Corporation’s reasonable determination, to comply with the procedures of the Depositary and that does not materially and adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of any Record Holder of Receipts; or
(e) to make any other change that does not materially and adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of any Record Holder of Receipts (other than any Record Holder that consents to such change).
In addition, without the consent of the Record Holders of Receipts, the Receipts and any provisions of this Agreement may at any time and from time to time be amended, altered, supplemented or repealed to conform such provisions to the description thereof in the “Description of Depositary Shares” and the “Description of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock” sections of the preliminary prospectus supplement for the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and the Depositary Shares, as further supplemented and/or amended by the pricing term sheet related thereto. Every Record Holder of an outstanding Receipt at the time any such action takes effect shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such Receipt, to consent and agree to such action and to be bound by this Agreement.
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As a condition precedent to the Depositary’s execution of any amendment pursuant to this Section 6.01 or Section 6.02, the Corporation shall deliver to the Depositary a certificate from a duly authorized officer of the Corporation that states that the proposed amendment is in compliance with the terms of this Section 6.01 or of Section 6.02, as applicable. No supplement or amendment to the form of Receipts or this Agreement shall be effective unless duly executed by the Depositary and the Corporation. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Depositary may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any supplement or amendment that adversely affects the Depositary’s own rights, duties, immunities or obligations under this Agreement.
Section 6.02. Amendment With Consent of Record Holders. With the consent of the Record Holders of at least a majority of the aggregate number of Receipts then outstanding (determined in accordance with Section 4.09), the Receipts and any provisions of this Agreement may at any time and from time to time be amended, altered or supplemented by agreement between the Corporation and the Depositary; provided, however, that, without the consent of each Record Holder of an outstanding Receipt affected, no such amendment, alteration or supplement shall:
(a) reduce the number of Receipts the Record Holders of which must consent to an amendment, alteration or supplement of the Receipts or this Agreement;
(b) reduce the amount payable or deliverable in respect of the Receipts or extend the stated time for such payment or delivery;
(c) impair the right, subject to the provisions of Section 2.07, Section 2.08 and Article 3, of any owner of Depositary Shares to surrender any Receipt evidencing such Depositary Shares to the Depositary with instructions to deliver to the Record Holder the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and all money and/or other property represented thereby;
(d) change the currency in which payments in respect of the Depositary Shares or any Receipt evidencing such Depositary Shares is made;
(e) impair the right of any Record Holder of Receipts to receive payments or deliveries on such Record Holder’s Receipts on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment or delivery;
(f) make any change that materially and adversely affects the conversion rights of any Record Holder of Receipts; or
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(g) make any change that materially and adversely affects the voting rights of any Record Holder of Receipts.
Section 6.03. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated by the Corporation or the Depositary only if (a) all outstanding Depositary Shares issued hereunder have been cancelled, upon conversion of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock into Common Stock in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation or otherwise, or (b) there shall have been made a final distribution in respect of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation and such distribution shall have been distributed to the Record Holders of Receipts representing Depositary Shares pursuant to Section 4.01 or 4.02, as applicable.
Upon the termination of this Agreement, the Corporation shall be discharged from all obligations under this Agreement except for its obligations to the Depositary, any Depositary’s Agent, any Transfer Agent and any Registrar under Sections 5.03, 5.06 and 5.07, provided, further, that Sections 5.02, 5.03, 5.06 and 5.07 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
ARTICLE 7
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 7.01. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and by each of the parties hereto on separate counterparts, each of which counterparts, when so executed and delivered, shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. A signature to this Agreement transmitted electronically shall have the same authority, effect, and enforceability as an original signature.
Section 7.02. Record Holders of Receipts Are Parties; Exclusive Benefit of Parties. The Record Holders of Receipts from time to time shall be parties to this Agreement and shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions hereof and of the Receipts. This Agreement is for the exclusive benefit of the parties hereto, and their respective assigns and successors hereunder, and shall not be deemed to give any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim to any other entity or Person whatsoever.
Section 7.03. Invalidity of Provisions. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement or in the Receipts should be or become invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein or therein shall in no way be affected, prejudiced or disturbed thereby; provided, however, that if any such provision adversely affects the rights, duties, liabilities or obligations of the Depositary, the Depositary shall be entitled to resign immediately.
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Section 7.04. Notices. Any and all notices to be given to the Corporation hereunder or under the Receipts shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered or sent by mail, or by facsimile transmission or electronic mail, confirmed by letter, addressed to the Corporation at:
Whirlpool Corporation
2000 North M-63,
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
Attention: Treasurer
Email: [***];
[***]
With a copy to (which alone shall not constitute notice):
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
333 West Wolf Point Plaza,
Chicago, IL 60654
Attention: Robert M. Hayward, P.C.
Email: [email protected]
or at any other addresses of which the Corporation shall have notified the Depositary in writing.
Any and all notices to be given to the Depositary hereunder or under the Receipts shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered or sent by mail, overnight courier service, or, if sent by facsimile transmission confirmed by letter, addressed to the Depositary at the Depositary’s Office at:
Computershare Inc.
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
150 Royall Street
Canton, MA 02021
Attention: Client Services
or at any other address of which the Depositary shall have notified the Corporation in writing.
Subject to the immediately succeeding sentence, the Depositary shall give any and all notices directed to be given by the Corporation to any Record Holder of a Receipt in writing, and such notices shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered or sent by mail or facsimile transmission or confirmed by letter, addressed to such Record Holder at the address of such Record Holder as it appears on the books of the Depositary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Depositary Shares are issued in book-entry form through DTC or any similar facility, such notices may be given to Record Holders in any manner permitted by DTC or such facility, as the case may be.
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Delivery of a notice sent by mail or by facsimile transmission shall be deemed to be effected at the time when a duly addressed letter containing the same (or a confirmation thereof in the case of a facsimile transmission) is deposited, postage prepaid, in a post office letter box. However, the Depositary or the Corporation may act upon any facsimile transmission received by it from the other, notwithstanding that such facsimile transmission shall not subsequently be confirmed by letter or as aforesaid.
Section 7.05. Appointment of Registrar and Transfer Agent. Unless otherwise set forth on a certificate duly executed by an authorized officer of the Corporation, the Corporation hereby appoints Computershare Trust Company, N.A. as Registrar and Transfer Agent in respect of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock deposited with the Depositary hereunder, and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. hereby accepts such appointment. Computershare Trust Company, N.A., in such capacity under such appointment, shall be entitled to the same rights, indemnities, immunities and benefits as the Depositary hereunder as if explicitly named in each such provision.
Section 7.06. Governing Law. This Agreement and the Receipts and all rights hereunder and thereunder and provisions hereof and thereof, including without limitation any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Agreement or the Receipts, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to applicable conflicts of law principles.
Section 7.07. Inspection of Deposit Agreement and Certificate. Copies of this Agreement and the Certificate of Incorporation shall be filed with the Depositary and any of the Depositary’s Agents and shall be open to inspection upon reasonable notice during business hours at the Depositary’s Office by any Record Holder of any Receipt.
Section 7.08. Headings. The headings of articles and sections in this Agreement and in the form of the Receipt set forth in Exhibit A hereto have been inserted for convenience only and are not to be regarded as a part of this Agreement or the Receipts or to have any bearing upon the meaning or interpretation of any provision contained herein or in the Receipts.
Section 7.09. Further Assurances. Each of the Corporation and the Depositary, respectively, agrees that it will perform, acknowledge, and deliver or cause to be performed, acknowledged or delivered, all such further and other acts, documents, instruments and assurances as the Depositary or the Corporation, respectively, may reasonably require in connection with the performance of this Agreement.
Section 7.10. Confidentiality. The Depositary and the Corporation agree that all books, records, information and data pertaining to the business of the other party, including, inter alia, personal, non-public Record Holder information, and the fees for services to be performed hereunder, which are exchanged or received pursuant to the negotiation or the carrying out of this Agreement, shall remain confidential, and shall not be voluntarily disclosed to any other
35
Person, except as may be required by law or legal process. Notwithstanding anything contained herein, each party may disclose relevant aspects of the other party’s confidential information to its officers, affiliates, agents, subcontractors and employees to the extent reasonably necessary to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement and such disclosure is not prohibited by applicable law.
[Signatures on following page]
36
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation and the Depositary have duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above set forth.
| WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION | ||
| By: | /s/ Scott E. Cartwright | |
| Name: Scott E. Cartwright | ||
| Title: Vice President, Investor Relations and Treasury | ||
| COMPUTERSHARE INC. and COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Depositary | ||
| By: | /s/ Fred Papenmeier | |
| Name: Fred Papenmeier | ||
| Title: Vice President and Manager | ||
[Deposit Agreement Signature Page]
EXHIBIT A
[FORM OF FACE OF RECEIPT]
THE DEPOSITARY SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS RECEIPT ARE NOT SAVINGS ACCOUNTS, DEPOSITS OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS OF A BANK AND ARE NOT INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY.
[UNLESS THIS RECEIPT IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), TO COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, N.A. OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE, OR PAYMENT, AND ANY RECEIPT ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREUNDER IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.]1
| 1 | Insert for a DTC Receipt. |
A-1
| Number DR-___ | [Initially]2 __________ Depositary Shares | |
| (CUSIP: 963320 205) |
DEPOSITARY RECEIPT FOR DEPOSITARY SHARES,
EACH REPRESENTING ONE ONE-TWENTIETH OF ONE SHARE OF
8.50% SERIES A MANDATORY CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK, OF
WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
Incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware
(See reverse for certain definitions.)
COMPUTERSHARE INC., a Delaware corporation, and its affiliate, COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, N.A., a federally chartered trust company, jointly as depositary (the “Depositary”), hereby certifies that ____________3 is the registered owner of [________ (________)]4 [the number shown on Schedule I hereto of]5 DEPOSITARY SHARES (“Depositary Shares”), each Depositary Share representing a one one-twentieth interest in one share of the 8.50% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share (the “Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock”), of WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), on deposit with the Depositary, subject to the terms and entitled to the benefits of the Deposit Agreement dated as of February 27, 2026 (the “Deposit Agreement”), among the Corporation, the Depositary and the Record Holders from time to time of the Depositary Receipts. The rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock are set forth in a Certificate of Designations filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. The aggregate number of Depositary Shares evidenced by Receipts that may be executed and delivered under the Deposit Agreement is initially limited to 11,500,000.
This Receipt and all rights hereunder and provisions hereof, including without limitation any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Receipt, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to applicable conflicts of law principles.
In the case of any conflict between this Receipt and the Deposit Agreement, the provisions of the Deposit Agreement shall control and govern.
This Depositary Receipt is issuable to ____________6 as the registered owner of the Depositary Shares represented hereby. By accepting this Depositary Receipt, the Record Holder hereof becomes a party to and agrees to be bound by all the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement.
| 2 | Insert for a DTC Receipt. |
| 3 | Insert “CEDE & CO.” for a DTC Receipt. |
| 4 | Insert for Physical Receipt. |
| 5 | Insert for DTC Receipt. |
| 6 | Insert “CEDE & CO.” for a DTC Receipt. |
A-2
This Depositary Receipt shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose or entitled to any benefits under the Deposit Agreement unless it shall have been executed by the Depositary by the manual, electronic or facsimile signature of a duly authorized officer and, if a Registrar in respect of the Depositary Receipts (other than the Depositary) shall have been appointed, by the manual, electronic or facsimile signature of a duly authorized officer of such Registrar.
[Signatures on following page]
A-3
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Depositary, Transfer Agent and Registrar have duly executed this Depositary Receipt as of the day and year set below.
| Dated: ______________ | Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as Depositary | |||||
| By: | ||||||
| Authorized Signatory | ||||||
| Countersigned and Registered:
Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as Transfer Agent and Registrar | ||
| By: | ||
| Authorized Signatory | ||
A-4
[FORM OF REVERSE OF RECEIPT]
WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
UPON REQUEST, WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION (THE “CORPORATION”) WILL FURNISH WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH HOLDER OF A DEPOSITARY RECEIPT WHO SO REQUESTS A COPY OF THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT AND/OR A COPY OF THE CORPORATION’S RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION, AS AMENDED (INCLUDING THE CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS ESTABLISHING THE TERMS OF THE CORPORATION’S 8.50% SERIES A MANDATORY CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK). ANY SUCH REQUEST IS TO BE ADDRESSED TO THE DEPOSITARY NAMED ON THE FACE OF THIS RECEIPT.
The Corporation will furnish without charge to each Record Holder of a Receipt who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof of the Corporation, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences or rights. Such request may be made to the Corporation or to the Registrar.
KEEP THIS RECEIPT IN A SAFE PLACE. IF IT IS LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED THE CORPORATION WILL REQUIRE A BOND OF INDEMNITY AS A CONDITION TO THE ISSUANCE OF A REPLACEMENT RECEIPT.
A-5
ABBREVIATIONS
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription of the face of this Receipt, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:
TEN COM = as tenants in common
UNIF GIFT MIN ACT = Uniform Gifts to Minors Act
CUST = Custodian
TEN ENT = as tenants by the entireties
JT TEN = joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common
Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.
A-6
Schedule I7
SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES
Whirlpool Corporation
Depositary Shares, Each Representing a 1/20th Interest in 8.50% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share
The number of Depositary Shares initially represented by this DTC Receipt shall be [ ]. Thereafter the Transfer Agent and Registrar shall note changes in the number of Depositary Shares evidenced by this DTC Receipt in the table set forth below:
| Date of Exchange |
|
Amount of Decrease in Number of Depositary Shares Evidenced by This DTC Receipt |
|
Amount of Increase in Number of Depositary Shares Evidenced by This DTC Receipt |
|
Number of Depositary Shares |
|
Signature of Authorized Officer of Transfer Agent and Registrar | ||||||||
| 7 | Attach Schedule I only to DTC Receipts. |
A-7
[FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND TRANSFER]
For value received, __________________ hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto __________________________________________________ (Please insert social security or other identifying number of assignee, together with such assignee’s name and address, including zip code) ___________ Depositary Shares represented by the within receipt, and hereby irrevocably constitute(s) and appoint(s) _________________ attorney to transfer the Depositary Shares on the books of the within named Depositary, with full power of substitution in the premises.
| Dated: ________________________ |
| Signature(s) |
| Signature Guarantee |
| NOTICE: | THE SIGNATURE TO THIS ASSIGNMENT MUST CORRESPOND WITH THE NAME AS WRITTEN UPON THE FACE OF THE RECEIPT IN EVERY PARTICULAR, WITHOUT ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT OR ANY CHANGE WHATEVER. | |||
| SIGNATURE(S) GUARANTEED: | THE SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS) WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM PURSUANT TO SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION RULE 17Ad-15. | |||
A-8
Exhibit 5.1
| 333 West Wolf Point Plaza Chicago, IL 60654 United States
+1 312 862 2000
www.kirkland.com |
Facsimile: +1 312 862 2200 |
February 27, 2026
Whirlpool Corporation
2000 North M-63
Benton Harbor, MI 49022-2692
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are issuing this opinion letter in our capacity as legal counsel to Whirlpool Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the issuance and sale by the Company of (a) 6,884,057 shares of common stock (the “Firm Shares”), par value $1.00 per share (“Common Stock”) of the Company and (b) an additional 1,014,493 shares of Common Stock sold pursuant to the exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of Common Stock (the “Option Shares”) The Firm Shares and the Option Shares are collectively referred to herein as the “Shares”.
In that connection, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, corporate records and other instruments as we have deemed necessary for the purposes of this opinion, including (i) the restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Company, (ii) a registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-293648), as amended or supplemented (the “Registration Statement”) to which this letter is an exhibit, and (iii) the Underwriting Agreement, dated February 24, 2026, among the Company and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., as representatives of the several underwriters listed on Exhibit A thereto.
For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies and the authenticity of the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies. We have also assumed the genuineness of the signatures of persons signing all documents in connection with which this opinion is rendered, the authority of such persons signing on behalf of the parties thereto, and the due authorization, execution and delivery of all documents by the parties thereto. As to any facts material to the opinions expressed herein that we have not independently established or verified, we have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing qualifications, assumptions and limitations and the further limitations set forth below, we are of the opinion that the Shares have been duly authorized and, when delivered and paid for in accordance with the Underwriting Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), of the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Austin Bay Area Beijing Boston Brussels Dallas Frankfurt Hong Kong Houston London Los Angeles Miami Munich New York Paris Philadelphia Riyadh Salt Lake City Shanghai Washington, D.C.
Whirlpool Corporation
February 27, 2026
Page 2
We do not find it necessary for the purposes of this opinion, and accordingly we do not purport to cover herein, the application of the securities or “blue sky” laws of the various states to the sale of the Shares.
Our advice on every legal issue addressed in this letter is based exclusively on the internal law of the State of New York and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
This opinion is limited to the specific issues addressed herein, and no opinion may be inferred or implied beyond that expressly stated herein. This opinion speaks only as of the date hereof and we assume no obligation to revise or supplement this opinion.
We have also assumed that the execution and delivery of the Underwriting Agreement and the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder do not and will not violate, conflict with or constitute a default under any agreement or instrument to which the Company is bound.
This opinion is furnished to you in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement, and in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act, and is not to be used, circulated, quoted or otherwise relied upon for any other purposes.
| Sincerely, |
| /s/ Kirkland & Ellis LLP |
| KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP |
Exhibit 5.2
| 333 West Wolf Point Plaza Chicago, IL 60654 United States
+1 312 862 2000
www.kirkland.com |
Facsimile: +1 312 862 2200 |
February 27, 2026
| Whirlpool Corporation 2000 North M-63 |
| Benton Harbor, MI 49022-2692 |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are issuing this opinion letter in our capacity as legal counsel to Whirlpool Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the issuance and sale by the Company of (a) 10,500,000 depositary shares (“Initial Depositary Shares”), each representing a 1/20th interest in a share of the Company’s 8.50% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share (the “Preferred Stock”) of the Company and (b) an additional 1,000,000 Depositary Shares sold pursuant to the exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional Depositary Shares (together with the Initial Depositary Shares, the “Depositary Shares”). The Preferred Stock is convertible into shares of common stock of the Company, par value $1.00 per share (the “Common Stock”), pursuant to the certificate of designations (the “Certificate of Designations”) establishing the terms of the Preferred Stock filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on the date hereof.
In that connection, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, corporate records and other instruments as we have deemed necessary for the purposes of this opinion, including (i) the restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Company, (ii) the registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-293648), as amended or supplemented (the “Registration Statement”) to which this letter is an exhibit, (iii) the Underwriting Agreement, dated February 24, 2026, among the Company and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., as representatives of the several underwriters listed on Exhibit A thereto, (iv) the Deposit Agreement, dated February 27, 2026 (the “Deposit Agreement”), among the Company, Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., jointly as depositary of the Preferred Stock, and (v) the Certificate of Designations.
For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies and the authenticity of the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies. We have also assumed the genuineness of the signatures of persons signing all documents in connection with which this opinion is rendered, the authority of such persons signing on behalf of the parties thereto, and the due authorization, execution and delivery of all documents by the parties thereto. As to any facts material to the opinions expressed herein that we have not independently established or verified, we have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company.
Austin Bay Area Beijing Boston Brussels Dallas Frankfurt Hong Kong Houston London Los Angeles Miami Munich New York Paris Philadelphia Riyadh Salt Lake City Shanghai Washington, D.C.
Whirlpool Corporation
February 27, 2026
Page 2
Based upon and subject to the foregoing qualifications, assumptions and limitations and the further limitations set forth below, we are of the opinion that:
| 1. | The Depositary Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued and delivered in accordance with the Deposit Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and will entitle the holders thereof to the rights specified in the Deposit Agreement and the depositary receipts evidencing ownership of such Depositary Shares. |
| 2. | The Preferred Stock has been duly authorized for issuance and deposit and, when issued and deposited against issuance of the Depositary Shares, and upon the filing and effectiveness of the Certificate of Designations, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. |
| 3. | The shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of, or declaration and payment of a dividend on, the Preferred Stock, in accordance with the Certificate of Designations, when issued and delivered by the Company, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. |
For purposes of rendering our opinion expressed above, we have assumed that at the time of the issuance and delivery of each share of Preferred Stock and the issuance and delivery of each share of Common Stock to be issued upon conversion of, or declaration and payment of a dividend on, the Preferred Stock (x) there will not have occurred any change in law affecting the validity or legally binding character of such share of Preferred Stock or Common Stock, as applicable, and (y) the issuance and delivery of such share of Preferred Stock or the issuance and delivery of such share of Common Stock, the terms of such share of Preferred Stock or Common Stock, as applicable, and compliance by the Company with the terms of such share of Preferred Stock or Common Stock, as applicable, will not violate any applicable law, any agreement or instrument then binding upon the Company or any restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.2 to the Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), of the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
We do not find it necessary for the purposes of this opinion, and accordingly we do not purport to cover herein, the application of the securities or “blue sky” laws of the various states to the sale of the Depositary Shares, the Preferred Stock or the Common Stock.
Our advice on every legal issue addressed in this letter is based exclusively on the internal law of the State of New York and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
This opinion is limited to the specific issues addressed herein, and no opinion may be inferred or implied beyond that expressly stated herein. This opinion speaks only as of the date hereof and we assume no obligation to revise or supplement this opinion.
We have also assumed that the execution and delivery of the Underwriting Agreement or the Deposit Agreement and the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder do not and will not violate, conflict with or constitute a default under any agreement or instrument to which the Company is bound.
Whirlpool Corporation
February 27, 2026
Page 3
This opinion is furnished to you in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement, and in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act, and is not to be used, circulated, quoted or otherwise relied upon for any other purposes.
| Sincerely, |
| /s/ Kirkland & Ellis LLP |
| KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP |
Exhibit 99.1
Whirlpool Announces Strategic Recapitalization to Accelerate Deleveraging and Strategic Growth
BENTON HARBOR, Mich., Feb. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ – Whirlpool Corporation [NYSE: WHR] (“Whirlpool” or the “Company”) announced today the launch of concurrent separate underwritten public offerings of (i) shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share (“Common Stock”) and (ii) depositary shares (“Depositary Shares”), each representing a 1/20th interest in a share of newly issued Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share (“Preferred Stock”) (together, the “Offerings”). The aggregate proceeds from the Offerings are anticipated to be $800,000,000. Whirlpool expects to grant to the underwriters of the Offerings a 30-day option to purchase additional shares of Common Stock and Depositary Shares, solely to cover over-allotments, if any. Whirlpool intends to use the net proceeds from the Offerings to repay a portion of the amounts outstanding under the Company’s revolving credit facility and for general corporate purposes, including strategic investments in vertical integration and automation.
Holders of the Depositary Shares will be entitled to a proportional fractional interest in the rights and preferences of the Preferred Stock, including conversion, dividend, liquidation and voting rights, subject to the provisions of a deposit agreement. The Preferred Stock is expected to have a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share. Unless earlier converted, each share of Preferred Stock will automatically convert, for settlement on or about February 15, 2029, into a variable number of shares of Common Stock based on the applicable conversion rate, and each Depositary Share will automatically convert into a number of shares of Common Stock equal to a proportionate fractional interest in such shares of Common Stock. The dividend rate, conversion terms and other terms of the Preferred Stock will be determined at the time of pricing of the offering of the Depositary Shares. Currently, there is no public market for the Depositary Shares or the Preferred Stock. Whirlpool intends to apply to list the Depositary Shares on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “WHR.PRA.”
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. are acting as lead joint bookrunning managers for the Offerings. BNP Paribas Securities Corp. and Mizuho Securities USA LLC are acting as joint bookrunning managers for the Offerings. Scotia Capital (USA) Inc. is also acting as a joint bookrunning manager for the offering of the Depositary Shares and a co-manager for the offering of the Common Stock. ICR Capital LLC is acting as Whirlpool’s financial advisor for the offering of the Depositary Shares.
A registration statement on Form S-3 relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and has become effective. Each Offering may be made only by means of a prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus. Copies of the preliminary prospectus supplements and accompanying prospectuses related to the Offerings can be obtained by visiting the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov or by contacting Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Attention: Wells Fargo Securities, 90 South 7th Street, 5th Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55402, by telephone at 800-645-3751 or by email at [email protected]; J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Attention: J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717 or by email at [email protected]; or Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Attention: Citigroup, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, by telephone at 800-831-9146.
This release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor does it constitute an offer, solicitation or sale of these securities, in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is unlawful.
ABOUT WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is a leading home appliance company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home. As the only major U.S.-based manufacturer of kitchen and laundry appliances, the company is driving meaningful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, JennAir, Maytag, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, and InSinkErator. In 2025, the company reported approximately $16 billion in annual net sales—close to 90% of which were in the Americas—41,000 employees and 35 manufacturing and technology research centers. Additional information about the company can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com.
WEBSITE DISCLOSURE
We routinely post important information for investors on our website, WhirlpoolCorp.com, in the “Investors” section. We also intend to update the “Hot Topics Q&A” portion of this webpage as a means of disclosing material, non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor the “Investors” section of our website, in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, presentations and webcasts. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, our webpage is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this document.
WHIRLPOOL ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf. Certain statements contained in this document do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and may contain forward-looking statements that reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. As such, they are considered “forward-looking statements” which provide current expectations or forecasts of future events. Such statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as “may,” “could,” “will,” “should,” “possible,” “plan,” “predict,” “forecast,” “potential,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “believe,” “may impact,” “on track,” “guarantee,” “seek,” and the negative of these words and words and terms of similar substance. Examples of forward-looking statements include statements relating to the offerings of Common Stock, Preferred Stock and Depositary Shares, our ability to complete the Offerings on the anticipated timeline or at all and the anticipated use of the net proceeds therefrom, as well as any other statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. These forward-looking statements should be considered with the understanding that such statements involve a variety of risks and uncertainties, known and unknown, and may be affected by inaccurate assumptions. Consequently, no forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual results may vary materially.
Many risks, contingencies and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from Whirlpool’s forward-looking statements. Among these factors are: (1) intense competition in the home appliance industry, and the impact of the changing retail environment, including direct-to-consumer sales; (2) Whirlpool’s ability to maintain or increase sales to significant trade customers and builders; (3) Whirlpool’s ability to maintain its reputation and brand image; (4) Whirlpool’s ability to achieve its business objectives and successfully manage its strategic portfolio transformation and outsourced business unit service model; (5) Whirlpool’s ability to understand consumer preferences and successfully develop new products; (6) Whirlpool’s ability to obtain and protect intellectual property rights; (7) acquisition, divestiture, and investment-related risks, including risks associated with our past transactions; (8) the ability of suppliers of critical parts, components and manufacturing equipment to deliver sufficient quantities to Whirlpool in a timely and cost-effective manner; (9) risks related to Whirlpool’s international operations; (10) Whirlpool’s ability to respond to unanticipated social, political and/or economic events, including epidemics/pandemics; (11) information technology system and cloud failures, data security breaches, data privacy compliance, network disruptions, and cybersecurity attacks; (12) product liability and product recall costs; (13) Whirlpool’s ability to attract, develop and retain executives and other qualified employees; (14) the impact
of labor relations; (15) fluctuations in the cost of key materials (including steel, resins, and base metals) and components and the ability of Whirlpool to offset cost increases; (16) Whirlpool’s ability to manage foreign currency fluctuations; (17) impacts from goodwill, intangible asset and/or inventory impairment charges; (18) health care cost trends, regulatory changes and variations between results and estimates that could increase future funding obligations for pension and postretirement benefit plans; (19) impacts from credit rating agency downgrades; (20) litigation, tax, and legal compliance risk and costs; (21) the effects and costs of governmental investigations or related actions by third parties; (22) changes in the legal and regulatory environment including environmental, health and safety regulations, data privacy, taxes and AI; (23) the impacts of changes in foreign trade policies, including tariffs; (24) Whirlpool’s ability to respond to the impact of climate change and climate change or other environmental regulation; and (25) the uncertain global economy and changes in economic conditions. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, and investors are advised to review disclosures in our filings with the SEC. It is not possible to foresee or identify all factors that could cause actual results to differ from expected or historic results. Therefore, investors should not consider the foregoing factors to be an exhaustive statement of all risks, uncertainties, or factors that could potentially cause actual results to differ from forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning these factors can be found in our periodic filings with the SEC, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated by our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and other filings we make with the SEC.
SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation
Exhibit 99.2
Whirlpool Corporation Announces Pricing of Upsized Concurrent Offerings of Common Stock and Depositary Shares
BENTON HARBOR, Mich., Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ – Whirlpool Corporation [NYSE: WHR] (“Whirlpool” or the “Company”) announced today the pricing of its previously announced separate underwritten public offerings of (i) 6,884,057 shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share (“Common Stock”), at a public offering price of $69.00 per share (the “Common Stock Offering”) and (ii) 10,500,000 depositary shares (“Depositary Shares”), each representing a 1/20th interest in a share of newly issued 8.50% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share (“Preferred Stock”), at a public offering price of $50.00 per Depositary Share (the “Depositary Shares Offering” and, together, the “Offerings”). Whirlpool has granted the underwriters in each respective offering a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional (i) 1,014,493 shares of Common Stock and (ii) 1,000,000 Depositary Shares, solely to cover over-allotments, if any, in each case at the public offering price less the applicable underwriting discount. The Offerings are expected to close on February 27, 2026, subject to customary closing conditions.
On February 24, 2026, the Company entered into a Common Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Guangdong Whirlpool Electrical Appliances Co., Ltd. (the “Buyer”) for the sale of an aggregate of 434,782 shares of the Company’s Common Stock at a price per share of $69.00, for an aggregate purchase price of $30 million. The sale was done in a private placement (the “Private Placement”) in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Buyer is a wholly owned subsidiary of Whirlpool (China) Co., Ltd. (“Whirlpool China”), an entity of which the Company indirectly holds a minority equity interest and which is listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. The effectiveness of the Purchase Agreement is subject to the approval of the shareholders of Whirlpool China. Also on February 24, 2026, Guangdong Galanz Household Appliances Co., Ltd. (the “Support Party”), the controlling shareholder of Whirlpool China, delivered a Letter of Understanding to the Company, which provides, among other things, that the Support Party will use reasonable best efforts to cause Whirlpool China to convene a shareholder meeting to consider the approval of the Purchase Agreement and to vote in favor of the Purchase Agreement at such meeting. The closing of the Private Placement is also subject to customary conditions, including certain regulatory approvals. The closing date for the Private Placement is initially scheduled to occur on July 31, 2026. The closing date can be unilaterally delayed by the Buyer for up to 240 days. The closing of the Private Placement is not a condition to the closing of the Offerings. No assurance can be given that the Private Placement will be consummated in a timely manner or at all. Wells Fargo Securities, LLC acted as placement agent in connection with the Private Placement.
The net proceeds from the Common Stock Offering will be approximately $454.9 million (assuming the underwriters do not exercise the option to purchase additional shares of Common Stock) and the net proceeds from the Depositary Shares Offering will be approximately $508.1 million (assuming the underwriters do not exercise the over-allotment option to purchase additional Depositary Shares), in each case after deducting the applicable underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses payable by Whirlpool. Whirlpool intends to use the net proceeds from the Offerings to repay a portion of the amounts outstanding under the Company’s revolving credit facility and for general corporate purposes, including strategic investments in vertical integration and automation.
Holders of the Depositary Shares will be entitled to a proportional fractional interest in the rights and preferences of the Preferred Stock, including conversion, dividend, liquidation and voting rights, subject to the provisions of a deposit agreement. The Preferred Stock will accumulate dividends (which may be paid in cash or, subject to certain limitations, in shares of Common Stock or in any combination of cash and shares of Common Stock) at a rate per annum equal to 8.50% on the liquidation preference thereof, which is $1,000 per share, payable when, as and if declared by Whirlpool’s board of directors (or an authorized committee thereof), on February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year, beginning on May
15, 2026 and ending on, and including, February 15, 2029. Unless earlier converted, each outstanding share of Preferred Stock will automatically convert for settlement on or about February 15, 2029, into between 12.334 and 14.492 shares of Common Stock (and, correspondingly, each Depositary Share will automatically convert into between 0.6167 and 0.7246 shares of Common Stock), subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments, determined based on the volume-weighted average price of the Common Stock over the 20 consecutive trading day period beginning on, and including, the 21st scheduled trading day prior to February 15, 2029. Other than during a fundamental change conversion period (as defined in the prospectus supplement relating to the Depositary Shares Offering), at any time prior to the mandatory conversion settlement date, a holder of 20 Depositary Shares may cause the bank depositary to convert one share of Preferred Stock, on such holder’s behalf, into a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the minimum conversion rate of 12.334, subject to certain anti-dilution and other adjustments. Currently, there is no public market for the Depositary Shares or the Preferred Stock. Whirlpool has applied to list the Depositary Shares on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “WHR.PRA.”
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. are acting as lead joint bookrunning managers for the Offerings. BNP Paribas Securities Corp. and Mizuho Securities USA LLC are acting as joint bookrunning managers for the Offerings. BofA Securities, Inc., Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and Scotia Capital (USA) Inc. are acting as joint bookrunning managers for the Depositary Shares Offering, BofA Securities, Inc. and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC are acting as joint bookrunning managers for the Common Stock Offering and Scotia Capital (USA) Inc. is acting as a co-manager for the Common Stock Offering. MUFG Securities Americas Inc., PNC Capital Markets LLC, Loop Capital Markets LLC and Itau BBA USA Securities, Inc. are acting as co-managers for the Offerings. ICR Capital LLC is acting as Whirlpool’s financial advisor for the Depositary Shares Offering.
A registration statement on Form S-3 relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and has become effective. Each Offering may be made only by means of a prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus. When available, copies of the final prospectus supplements and accompanying prospectuses related to the Offerings can be obtained by visiting the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov or by contacting Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Attention: Wells Fargo Securities, 90 South 7th Street, 5th Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55402, by telephone at 800-645-3751 or by email at [email protected]; J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Attention: J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717 or by email at [email protected]; or Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Attention: Citigroup, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, by telephone at 800-831-9146.
This release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor does it constitute an offer, solicitation or sale of these securities, in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is unlawful.
ABOUT WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is a leading home appliance company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home. As the only major U.S.-based manufacturer of kitchen and laundry appliances, the company is driving meaningful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, JennAir, Maytag, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, and InSinkErator. In 2025, the company reported approximately $16 billion in annual net sales—close to 90% of which were in the Americas—41,000 employees and 35 manufacturing and technology research centers. Additional information about the company can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com.
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WEBSITE DISCLOSURE
We routinely post important information for investors on our website, WhirlpoolCorp.com, in the “Investors” section. We also intend to update the “Hot Topics Q&A” portion of this webpage as a means of disclosing material, non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor the “Investors” section of our website, in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, presentations and webcasts. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, our webpage is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this document.
WHIRLPOOL ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf. Certain statements contained in this document do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and may contain forward-looking statements that reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. As such, they are considered “forward-looking statements” which provide current expectations or forecasts of future events. Such statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as “may,” “could,” “will,” “should,” “possible,” “plan,” “predict,” “forecast,” “potential,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “believe,” “may impact,” “on track,” “guarantee,” “seek,” and the negative of these words and words and terms of similar substance. Examples of forward-looking statements include statements relating to the offerings of Common Stock, Preferred Stock and Depositary Shares, our ability to complete the Offerings on the anticipated timeline or at all and the anticipated use of the net proceeds therefrom, as well as any other statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. These forward-looking statements should be considered with the understanding that such statements involve a variety of risks and uncertainties, known and unknown, and may be affected by inaccurate assumptions. Consequently, no forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual results may vary materially.
Many risks, contingencies and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from Whirlpool’s forward-looking statements. Among these factors are: (1) intense competition in the home appliance industry, and the impact of the changing retail environment, including direct-to-consumer sales; (2) Whirlpool’s ability to maintain or increase sales to significant trade customers and builders; (3) Whirlpool’s ability to maintain its reputation and brand image; (4) Whirlpool’s ability to achieve its business objectives and successfully manage its strategic portfolio transformation and outsourced business unit service model; (5) Whirlpool’s ability to understand consumer preferences and successfully develop new products; (6) Whirlpool’s ability to obtain and protect intellectual property rights; (7) acquisition, divestiture, and investment-related risks, including risks associated with our past transactions; (8) the ability of suppliers of critical parts, components and manufacturing equipment to deliver sufficient quantities to Whirlpool in a timely and cost-effective manner; (9) risks related to Whirlpool’s international operations; (10) Whirlpool’s ability to respond to unanticipated social, political and/or economic events, including epidemics/pandemics; (11) information technology system and cloud failures, data security breaches, data privacy compliance, network disruptions, and cybersecurity attacks; (12) product liability and product recall costs; (13) Whirlpool’s ability to attract, develop and retain executives and other qualified employees; (14) the impact of labor relations; (15) fluctuations in the cost of key materials (including steel, resins, and base metals) and components and the ability of Whirlpool to offset cost increases; (16) Whirlpool’s ability to manage foreign currency fluctuations; (17) impacts from goodwill, intangible asset and/or inventory impairment charges; (18) health care cost trends, regulatory changes and variations between results and estimates that could increase future funding obligations for pension and postretirement benefit plans; (19) impacts from credit rating agency downgrades; (20) litigation, tax, and legal compliance risk and costs; (21) the effects and costs of governmental investigations or related actions by third parties; (22) changes in the legal and regulatory environment including environmental, health and safety regulations, data privacy, taxes and AI; (23) the impacts of changes in foreign trade policies, including tariffs; (24) Whirlpool’s ability to respond to the impact of climate change and climate change or other environmental regulation; and (25) the
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uncertain global economy and changes in economic conditions. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, and investors are advised to review disclosures in our filings with the SEC. It is not possible to foresee or identify all factors that could cause actual results to differ from expected or historic results. Therefore, investors should not consider the foregoing factors to be an exhaustive statement of all risks, uncertainties, or factors that could potentially cause actual results to differ from forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning these factors can be found in our periodic filings with the SEC, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated by our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and other filings we make with the SEC.
SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation
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