As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2015
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM F-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
ArcelorMittal
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
N/A
(Translation of registrants name into English)
Grand Duchy of Luxembourg | Not Applicable | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
24-26 boulevard dAvranches
L-1160 Luxembourg
Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
Telephone: (352) 4792-3746
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Registrants principal executive offices)
Marc Jeske, Esq.
ArcelorMittal USA Holdings II LLC
1 South Dearborn Street, 19th Floor
Chicago, IL 60603-9888
United States
Telephone: (1) 312 899 3400
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
John D. Brinitzer, Esq. Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP 12, rue de Tilsitt 75008 Paris France (33) 1 40 74 68 00 |
Andrés V. Gil, Esq. Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP Paseo de la Castellana, 41 Madrid 28046 Spain (34) 91 768 97 00 |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale of the securities to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ¨
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. x
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.C. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. x
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.C. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ¨
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
| ||||
Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered |
Amount to be Registered/ Proposed Maximum Offering Price per Unit/ Proposed Maximum |
Amount of Registration Fee(2) | ||
Senior Debt Securities |
||||
Subordinated Debt Securities |
||||
Ordinary Shares(3) |
||||
| ||||
|
(1) | An indeterminate amount of securities as may be offered at indeterminate prices are being registered. |
(2) | In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant is deferring payment of the entire registration fee. In connection with the securities offered hereby, the registrant will pay pay-as-you-go registration fees in accordance with Rule 456(b). |
(3) | Also includes such indeterminate amounts of Ordinary Shares as may be issued upon conversion of or in exchange for any Senior Debt Securities or Subordinated Debt Securities that provide for conversion or exchange into Ordinary Shares. |
Senior Debt Securities
Subordinated Debt Securities
Ordinary Shares
This prospectus may be used to offer debt securities of ArcelorMittal, which may or may not be subordinated and/or convertible into or exchangeable for ordinary shares of ArcelorMittal, and/or ordinary shares of ArcelorMittal, which we collectively refer to as the securities.
This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to these securities and the general manner in which they may be offered. We will provide the specific terms of the securities being offered and the manner in which they are offered in supplements to this prospectus. The prospectus supplements will also contain the names of any selling security holders, underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the sale of the securities, together with any applicable commissions or discounts. You should read this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement carefully before you invest in any of these securities.
This prospectus may not be used to sell any securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
Investing in our securities involves risks. You should carefully consider the risks discussed under Risk Factors beginning on page 4 of this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus before you invest in any of these securities.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Prospectus dated March 2, 2015.
3 | ||||
4 | ||||
5 | ||||
5 | ||||
6 | ||||
8 | ||||
9 | ||||
10 | ||||
11 | ||||
21 | ||||
30 | ||||
32 | ||||
35 | ||||
36 | ||||
37 | ||||
39 | ||||
39 |
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which we refer to as the SEC, utilizing a shelf registration process. Under this shelf process, the securities described in this prospectus may be sold in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that may be offered. Each time securities are offered pursuant to this prospectus, we will attach a prospectus supplement to the front of this prospectus that will contain specific information about the terms of those securities and their offering. We may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus by means of a prospectus supplement or by incorporating by reference information that we file with or furnish to the SEC. The registration statement that we filed with the SEC includes exhibits that provide more detail on the matters discussed in this prospectus. Before you invest in any securities offered by this prospectus, you should read this prospectus, any related prospectus supplements and the related exhibits filed with the SEC, together with the additional information described under the heading Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.
We are responsible for the information contained and incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and in any related free-writing prospectus we prepare or authorize. We have not authorized anyone to give you any other information, and we do not take any responsibility for any other information that others may give you.
ArcelorMittal is not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale are not permitted. This document may only be used where it is legal to sell these securities.
You should not assume that the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or the prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front cover of this prospectus. ArcelorMittals business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.
3
An investment in the securities offered using this prospectus involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described below, together with the risks described in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and any risk factors included in the prospectus supplement, before making an investment decision. The Companys business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected by any of these risks, and the trading price and liquidity of the securities offered using this prospectus could decline, in which case you may lose all or part of your investment. The risks described below are those known to ArcelorMittal and that it currently believes may materially affect it.
Risks Relating to ArcelorMittal
You should read Risk Factors under Item 3DKey InformationRisk Factors in ArcelorMittals Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus, for information on risks relating to ArcelorMittal (including its industry, business and financial structure).
4
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information we file with it, which means that we may disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and certain later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014 (File No. 001-35788), which we filed on February 24, 2015, except for Item 18, which was amended and filed on February 26, 2015 and is referred to as our 2014 Form 20-F, and which includes the audited consolidated financial statements of ArcelorMittal and its consolidated subsidiaries, including the consolidated statements of financial position as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, and the consolidated statements of operations, other comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for each of the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 (the ArcelorMittal Consolidated Financial Statements). We also incorporate by reference the following report furnished by us on Form 6-K and available on the SEC website:
| Report on Form 6-K furnished on March 2, 2015, incorporating the table which sets out the consolidated capitalization and indebtedness of ArcelorMittal at December 31, 2014 and the unaudited ratio of earnings to fixed charges of ArcelorMittal for the years 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010. |
We also incorporate by reference into this prospectus any future filings made with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (which is referred to as the Exchange Act), before the termination of the offering, and, to the extent designated therein, reports on Form 6-K that we furnish to the SEC before the termination of the offering.
Each document incorporated by reference is current only as of the date of such document, and the incorporation by reference of such documents shall not create any implication that there has been no change in our affairs since the date thereof or that the information contained therein is current as of any time subsequent to its date. Any statement contained in such incorporated documents shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a subsequent statement contained in another document we incorporate by reference at a later date modifies or supersedes that statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.
We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, a copy of any or all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in the prospectus but not delivered with the prospectus. You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at ArcelorMittal USA LLC, 1 South Dearborn Street, 19th Floor, Chicago, IL 60603, Attention: Ms. Lisa M. Fortuna, Manager, Investor Relations, telephone number: (312) 899-3985.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file reports, including annual reports on Form 20-F, and other information with the SEC pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC that apply to foreign private issuers. You may read and copy any materials filed with the SEC at its Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Any filings we make electronically will be available to the public over the Internet on the SECs website at www.sec.gov and on our web site at www.arcelormittal.com. The references above to our website and the website of the SEC are inactive textual references to the uniform resource locator (URL) and are for your reference only.
5
This prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference herein, and the related prospectus supplement contain forward-looking statements based on estimates and assumptions. This prospectus and the related prospectus supplement contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning the business, future financial condition, results of operations and prospects of ArcelorMittal, including its subsidiaries. These statements usually contain the words believes, plans, expects, anticipates, intends, estimates or other similar expressions. For each of these statements, you should be aware that forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Although it is believed that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, there is no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated will be realized or, even if realized, that they will have the expected effects on the business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects of ArcelorMittal.
These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which the statements were made, and no obligation has been undertaken to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements made in this prospectus, the related prospectus supplement or elsewhere as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable laws and regulations. In addition to other factors and matters contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the related prospectus supplement, it is believed that the following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements:
| recessions or prolonged periods of weak economic growth, either globally or in ArcelorMittals key markets; |
| risks relating to continued weakness of the eurozone economy; |
| the risk that excessive capacity in the steel industry may weigh on the profitability of steel producers; |
| any volatility in the supply or prices of raw materials, energy or transportation, mismatches with steel price trends, or protracted low raw materials or steel prices; |
| increased competition in the steel industry; |
| the risk that unfair practices in steel trade could negatively affect steel prices and reduce ArcelorMittals profitability, or that national trade restrictions could hamper ArcelorMittals access to key export markets; |
| the risk that ArcelorMittal may incur in the future operating costs when production capacity is idled or increased costs to resume production at idled facilities; |
| increased competition from other materials, which could significantly reduce market prices and demand for steel products; |
| risks relating to environmental and health and safety laws and legislation; |
| laws and regulations restricting greenhouse gas emissions; |
| the risk that ArcelorMittals high level of indebtedness could make it difficult or expensive to refinance its maturing debt, incur new debt and/or flexibly manage its business; |
| risks relating to greenfield and brownfield projects; |
| risks relating to ArcelorMittals mining operations; |
| the fact that ArcelorMittals reserve estimates could materially differ from mineral quantities that it may be able to actually recover, that its mine life estimates may prove inaccurate and the fact that market fluctuations may render certain ore reserves uneconomical to mine; |
| drilling and production risks in relation to mining; |
| rising extraction costs in relation to mining; |
| failure to manage continued growth through acquisitions; |
| a Mittal family trusts ability to exercise significant influence over the outcome of shareholder voting; |
| any loss or diminution in the services of Mr. Lakshmi N. Mittal, ArcelorMittals Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer; |
| the risk that the earnings and cash flows of ArcelorMittals operating subsidiaries may not be sufficient to meet future funding needs at the holding company level; |
6
| the risk that changes in assumptions underlying the carrying value of certain assets, including as a result of adverse market conditions, could result in impairment of tangible and intangible assets, including goodwill; |
| the risk that ArcelorMittals investment projects may add to its financing requirements; |
| ArcelorMittals ability to fund under-funded pension liabilities; |
| the risk of labor disputes; |
| economic policy, political, social and legal risks and uncertainties in certain countries in which ArcelorMittal operates or proposes to operate; |
| fluctuations in currency exchange rates, particularly the euro to U.S. dollar exchange rate, and the risk of impositions of exchange controls in countries where ArcelorMittal operates; |
| the risk of disruptions to ArcelorMittals manufacturing operations; |
| the risk of damage to ArcelorMittals production facilities due to natural disasters or severe weather conditions; |
| the risk that ArcelorMittals insurance policies may provide inadequate coverage; |
| the risk of product liability claims; |
| the risk of potential liabilities from investigations, litigation and fines regarding antitrust matters; |
| risks relating to legal proceedings to which ArcelorMittal is currently, and may in the future be, subject; |
| the risk that ArcelorMittals governance and compliance processes may fail to prevent regulatory penalties or reputational harm, both at operating subsidiaries and joint ventures; |
| the fact that ArcelorMittal is subject to an extensive, complex and evolving regulatory framework and the risk of unfavorable changes to, or interpretations of, the tax laws and regulations in the countries in which ArcelorMittal operates; |
| the risk that ArcelorMittal may not be able fully to utilize its deferred tax assets; and |
| the risk that ArcelorMittals reputation and business could be materially harmed as a result of data breaches, data theft, unauthorized access or successful hacking. |
These factors are discussed in more detail in the 2014 Form 20-F, including under Item 3DKey InformationRisk Factors.
7
PRESENTATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION
Definitions and Terminology
Unless indicated otherwise, or the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus and related prospectus supplement to ArcelorMittal, we, us, our and the Company or similar terms are to ArcelorMittal, formerly known as Mittal Steel Company N.V. (Mittal Steel).
Financial Information
This prospectus (including the documents incorporated by reference herein) contains the audited consolidated financial statements of ArcelorMittal and its consolidated subsidiaries, including the consolidated statements of financial position as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, and the consolidated statements of operations, other comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for each of the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014. ArcelorMittals consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).
The financial information and certain other information presented in a number of tables in this prospectus and any related prospectus supplement have been rounded to the nearest whole number or the nearest decimal. Therefore, the sum of the numbers in a column may not conform exactly to the total figure given for that column. In addition, certain percentages presented in the tables in this prospectus and any related prospectus supplement reflect calculations based upon the underlying information prior to rounding and, accordingly, may not conform exactly to the percentages that would be derived if the relevant calculations were based upon the rounded numbers.
Market Information
This prospectus (including the documents incorporated by reference herein) and any related prospectus supplement include industry data and projections about our markets obtained from industry surveys, market research, publicly available information and industry publications. Statements on ArcelorMittals competitive position contained in this prospectus are based primarily on public sources including, but not limited to, publications of the World Steel Association. Industry publications generally state that the information they contain has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable but that the accuracy and completeness of such information is not guaranteed and that the projections they contain are based on a number of significant assumptions. We have not independently verified this data or determined the reasonableness of such assumptions. In addition, in many cases we have made statements in this prospectus (and may make statements in any related prospectus supplement) regarding our industry and our position in the industry based on internal surveys, industry forecasts and market research, as well as our own experience. While these statements are believed to be reliable, they have not been independently verified.
8
ArcelorMittal is the worlds largest and most global steel producer and a significant producer of iron ore and coal with production of 93.1 million tonnes of crude steel and, from own mines and strategic contracts, 77.0 million tonnes of iron ore and 7.70 million tonnes of coal in 2014. ArcelorMittal had sales of $79.3 billion and steel shipments of 85.1 million tonnes for the year ended December 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2014, ArcelorMittal had approximately 222,000 employees.
ArcelorMittal is the largest steel producer in North and South America, Europe and Africa, a significant steel producer in the CIS and has a smaller but growing presence in Asia.
ArcelorMittal has steel-making operations in 19 countries on four continents, including 56 integrated and mini-mill steel-making facilities. ArcelorMittals steel-making operations have a high degree of geographic diversification. Approximately 38% of its crude steel is produced in the Americas, approximately 47% is produced in Europe and approximately 15% is produced in other countries, such as Kazakhstan, South Africa and Ukraine. In addition, ArcelorMittals sales of steel products are spread over both developed and developing markets, which have different consumption characteristics. ArcelorMittals mining operations, present in North and South America, Africa, Europe and the CIS region, are integrated with its global steel-making facilities and are important producers of iron ore and coal in their own right.
ArcelorMittal produces a broad range of high-quality finished and semi-finished steel products. Specifically, ArcelorMittal produces flat steel products, including sheet and plate, and long steel products, including bars, rods and structural shapes. In addition, ArcelorMittal produces pipes and tubes for various applications. ArcelorMittal sells its steel products primarily in local markets and through its centralized marketing organization to a diverse range of customers in approximately 170 countries, including the automotive, appliance, engineering, construction and machinery industries. The Company also produces various types of mining products including iron ore lump, fines, concentrate and sinter feed, as well as coking, pulverized coal injection and thermal coal.
As a global steel producer, the Company is able to meet the needs of different markets. Steel consumption and product requirements clearly differ between developed markets and developing markets. Steel consumption in developed economies is weighted towards flat products and a higher value-added mix, while developing markets utilize a higher proportion of long products and commodity grades. To meet these diverse needs, the Company maintains a high degree of product diversification and seeks opportunities to increase the proportion of higher value-added products in its product mix.
9
Unless otherwise indicated in an accompanying prospectus supplement, the net proceeds from the sale of securities will be used to refinance existing indebtedness.
10
DESCRIPTION OF SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES
General
We may issue senior debt securities using this prospectus, which may include senior debt securities convertible into or exchangeable for our ordinary shares. As required by U.S. federal law for all bonds and notes of companies that are publicly offered, the senior debt securities that we may issue are governed by a contract between us and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, and Citibank, N.A., as securities administrator, called an indenture (as supplemented, herein the senior indenture).
The trustees main role under the senior indenture is that it can enforce your rights against us if we default. There are some limitations on the extent to which the trustee acts on your behalf, described under Events of Default below. The securities administrators main role is to perform administrative duties for us, such as sending you interest payments and transferring your senior debt securities to a new buyer if you sell your senior debt securities. Both the trustee and the securities administrator may send you notices.
The senior indenture and its associated documents contain the full legal text governing the matters described in this section. The senior indenture and the senior debt securities are governed by New York law. A form of the senior indenture is an exhibit to our registration statement. See Where You Can Find More Information for information on how to obtain a copy. In connection with an issuance of senior debt securities, we may enter into one or more additional supplemental indentures with the trustee and the securities administrator, setting forth the specific terms of such senior debt securities.
In this section, references to we, us and our are to ArcelorMittal only and do not include our subsidiaries or affiliates.
References to holders mean those who have senior debt securities registered in their names on the books that ArcelorMittal or the Registrar maintain for this purpose, and not those who own beneficial interests in senior debt securities issued in book-entry form through The Depository Trust Company or in senior debt securities registered in street name. Owners of beneficial interests in the senior debt securities should refer to Legal Ownership of Debt Securities.
This section summarizes the material provisions of the senior indenture and certain senior debt securities that may be issued under the senior indenture. In particular, this section summarizes material terms of senior debt securities to be issued in fully registered, book-entry form without coupons, that will be unsecured and rank equally with all of our other existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated debt, bear interest at a fixed rate per annum, based upon a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. This section does not describe other types of senior debt securities that may be issued under the senior indenture, such as original issue discount securities, which are debt securities that are offered and sold at a substantial discount to their stated principal amount, or indexed securities or securities denominated in foreign currencies or currency units. Any other senior debt securities, and special U.S. federal income tax, accounting and other considerations applicable to such debt securities, would be described in the prospectus supplement relating to any such debt securities.
Because it is a summary, this section does not describe every aspect of the senior indenture or the senior debt securities. This summary is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to all the provisions of the senior indenture, including some of the terms used in the senior indenture. The senior indenture is also subject to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. We describe the meaning for only the more important terms. Whenever we refer to particular sections or defined terms of the senior indenture in this prospectus or in the prospectus supplement, those sections or defined terms are incorporated by reference herein or in the prospectus supplement. This summary also is subject to and qualified by reference to the description of the particular terms of your series described in the prospectus supplement.
We may issue as many distinct series of senior debt securities under the senior indenture as we wish. Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, we may issue senior debt securities of the same series as an outstanding series of senior debt securities without the consent of holders of securities in the outstanding series. Any additional senior debt securities so issued will have the same terms as the existing senior debt securities of the same series in all respects (except for the issuance date, the date upon which interest begins accruing and, in some cases, the first interest payment on the new series, if any), so that such additional senior debt securities will be consolidated and form a single series with the existing senior debt securities of the same series; provided,
11
however, that unless such additional senior debt securities are issued under a separate CUSIP number, either such additional senior debt securities must be part of the same issue for U.S. federal income tax purposes or must be issued pursuant to a qualified reopening for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
In addition, the specific financial, legal and other terms particular to a series of senior debt securities are described in the prospectus supplement and the underwriting agreement relating to the series. Those terms may vary from the terms described here. Accordingly, this summary also is subject to and qualified by reference to the description of the terms of the series described in the prospectus supplement.
The prospectus supplement relating to a series of senior debt securities will describe the following terms of the series:
| the title of the series of senior debt securities; |
| the authorized denominations in which senior debt securities of the series may be issued; |
| the date or dates on which we will pay the principal of the series of senior debt securities (either at maturity or upon redemption); |
| the rate or rates, per annum, at which the series of senior debt securities will bear interest and the date or dates from which that interest, if any, will accrue, and whether such interest shall be subject to any adjustment; |
| the dates on which interest, if any, on the series of senior debt securities will be payable and the regular record dates for the interest payment dates; |
| any provisions for redemption at the option of the holder; |
| if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the senior debt securities of the series that will be payable upon any declaration of acceleration of maturity; |
| the currency of payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the series of senior debt securities and the manner of determining the equivalent amount in the currency of the United States of America, if applicable; |
| any additional circumstances under which the series of senior debt securities will be redeemable at our option; |
| any modifications or additional events of default, covenants or enforcement events applicable to the series of senior debt securities; |
| the terms, if any, upon which the senior debt securities of the series may be convertible into or exchangeable for ordinary shares of ArcelorMittal; |
| a discussion of any material U.S. federal income tax considerations; and |
| any other special features of the series of senior debt securities. |
Additional Amounts
The relevant prospectus supplement will specify the terms, if any, by which the Company or any successor entity, as the case may be, will pay additional amounts (Additional Amounts) as will result in receipt by the holders of such amounts as would have been received by the holders had no withholding or deduction been required by the Relevant Jurisdiction.
Redemption, Exchange and Purchase
Redemption
The prospectus supplement will state whether the senior debt securities are redeemable by us or subject to repayment at the holders option.
Exchange and Purchase
ArcelorMittal may at any time make offers to the holders to exchange their senior debt securities for other bonds or senior debt securities issued by us or any other Person. In addition, ArcelorMittal and any of our Subsidiaries or affiliates may at any time purchase senior debt securities in the open market or otherwise at any price.
12
Cancellation
All senior debt securities that are exchanged or purchased may either be held or retransferred or resold or be surrendered for cancellation and, if so surrendered, will, together with all senior debt securities redeemed by us, be cancelled immediately and accordingly may not be reissued or resold.
Consolidation, Merger, Conveyance or Transfer
So long as any of the senior debt securities are outstanding, ArcelorMittal will not consolidate with or merge into any other Person (excluding Persons controlled by one or more members of the Mittal Family) or convey or transfer substantially all of our properties and assets to any other Person (excluding Persons controlled by one or more members of the Mittal Family) unless thereafter:
(i) the Person formed by such consolidation or into which ArcelorMittal is merged, or the Person which acquired all or substantially all of our properties and assets, expressly assumes pursuant to a supplemental indenture the due and punctual payment of the principal of and interest on all the senior debt securities and the performance or observance of every covenant of the senior indenture on our part to be performed or observed (including, if such Person is not organized in or a resident of Luxembourg for tax purposes, substituting such Persons jurisdiction of organization or residence for Luxembourg for tax purposes where applicable, including for the obligation to pay Additional Amounts);
(ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no event of default has occurred and is continuing; and
(iii) the Person formed by such consolidation or into which ArcelorMittal is merged, or the Person which acquired all or substantially all of our properties and assets delivers to the trustee and the securities administrator an officers certificate signed by a duly authorized officer and an opinion of counsel, each stating that the consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with the transaction, the supplemental indenture comply with the senior indenture and that all conditions precedent in the senior indenture relating to the transaction have been complied with and, immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no event of default has occurred and is continuing, except that such certificate and opinion shall not be required in the event that any such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer is made by order of any court or tribunal having jurisdiction over us, our properties and our assets.
Negative Pledge
Unless otherwise specified in the relevant prospectus supplement, so long as any of the senior debt securities remain outstanding, we will not, and will not permit any Material Subsidiary to, create or permit to subsist any Security upon any of our Assets or their respective Assets, as the case may be, present or future, to secure any Relevant Indebtedness incurred or guaranteed by us or by any such Material Subsidiary (whether before or after the issue of the senior debt securities) other than Permitted Security, unless our obligations under the senior debt securities are (i) equally and ratably secured so as to rank pari passu with such Relevant Indebtedness or the guarantee thereof or (ii) benefit from any other Security or arrangement as is approved by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the senior debt securities of the affected series then outstanding.
Events of Default
Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement for any series of senior debt securities, each of the following will be an event of default under the senior indenture:
(1) the default in any payment of principal or any premium on any senior debt security when due, whether at maturity, redemption or otherwise, continues for 15 days;
(2) the default in any payment of interest (if any) and Additional Amounts (if any), on any senior debt security when due, continues for 30 days;
(3) our failure to comply with our other obligations contained in the senior indenture and the default or breach continues for a period of 60 days or more after ArcelorMittal receives written notice from the trustee or the securities administrator as provided for in the senior indenture;
(4) our failure, or the failure of any Material Subsidiary, (a) to pay the principal of any indebtedness for borrowed money, including obligations evidenced by any mortgage, indenture, bond, debenture, note, guarantee
13
or other similar instruments on the scheduled or original date due (following the giving of such notice, if any, as required under the document governing such indebtedness and as extended by any applicable cure period) or (b) to observe or perform any agreement or condition relating to such indebtedness such that such indebtedness has come due prior to its stated maturity and such acceleration has not been cured, unless (in the case of clauses (a) and (b)) (i) the aggregate amount of such indebtedness is less than 100,000,000 or (ii) the question of whether such indebtedness is due has been disputed in good faith by appropriate proceedings and such dispute has not been finally adjudicated against us or the Material Subsidiary, as the case may be;
(5) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency involving our company or a Material Subsidiary; and
(6) any other event of default provided in the relevant prospectus supplement for a series of senior debt securities.
Upon the occurrence and continuation of any event of default as provided for in the senior indenture, then in every such case the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding senior debt securities of the affected series may declare the principal amount of the outstanding senior debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the trustee if given by Holders). Upon any such declaration, which ArcelorMittal calls a declaration of acceleration, the senior debt securities of such series shall become due and payable immediately.
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding senior debt securities of the affected series may rescind and annul a declaration of acceleration if an amount has been paid to or deposited with the trustee sufficient to pay the amounts set forth in the applicable provisions of the senior indenture and all events of default with respect to the senior debt securities of such series, other than the failure to pay the principal and other amounts of senior debt securities of that series that have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived.
If an event of default occurs or if ArcelorMittal breaches any covenant or warranty under the senior indenture or the senior debt securities, the trustee may pursue any available remedy to enforce any provision of the senior debt securities or the senior indenture. The trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the senior debt securities or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the trustee or any holder of a senior debt security in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an event of default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the event of default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.
Except in case of an event of default of which a responsible officer of the trustee has actual knowledge, where the trustee has some special duties, the trustee and the securities administrator are not required to take any action under the senior indenture at the request of any holders unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable protection from expenses and liability. This protection is called an indemnity. If reasonable indemnity is provided, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding senior debt securities of the relevant series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any lawsuit or other proceeding seeking any remedy available to the trustee. These majority holders may also direct the trustee in performing any other action the trustee may undertake under the senior indenture.
Before you bypass the trustee and bring your own lawsuit or other formal legal action or take other steps to enforce your rights or protect your interests relating to the senior debt securities you hold, the following must occur:
| You must give the trustee written notice at its Corporate Trust Office that an event of default has occurred and remains uncured. |
| The holders of 25% in principal amount of all outstanding senior debt securities of the relevant series must make a written request that the trustee institute proceedings because of the event of default, and must offer reasonable indemnity to the trustee against the cost and other liabilities of instituting a proceeding and provide such written request to the Corporate Trust Office of the trustee. |
| The trustee must have failed to institute proceedings for 60 days after receipt of the above notice, request and offer of indemnity. |
| No direction inconsistent with such written request must have been given to the trustee during such 60-day period by holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all outstanding senior debt securities of the relevant series. |
14
| The terms of the relevant series of senior debt securities do not prohibit such remedy to be sought by the trustee and/or the holders. |
Nothing, however, will prevent an individual holder from bringing suit to enforce payment.
Street name and other indirect holders should consult their banks or brokers for information on how to give notice or direction to or make a request of the trustee and to make or cancel a declaration of acceleration.
ArcelorMittal will furnish to the securities administrator and the trustee every year a brief certification of an officer of our Company as to the Companys compliance with the conditions and covenants of the senior indenture. In addition, the Company must notify the trustee and the securities administrator promptly upon the occurrence of any event of default and in any event within ten days after it becomes aware of the occurrence of an event of default.
Amendments and Waivers
The senior indenture may be amended or modified without the consent of any holder of senior debt securities in order, among other things:
| to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency; |
| to provide for the issuance of additional senior debt securities in accordance with the limitations set forth in the senior indenture as of the date thereof; |
| to add to the covenants of the Company, for the benefit of holders of all or any series of senior debt securities or to surrender any power or right conferred upon the Company; |
| to add or modify for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of senior debt securities any events of default; |
| to provide for the assumption by a successor company of our obligations under the senior debt securities and the senior indenture in the case of a merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets; |
| to comply with any requirements of the SEC in connection with qualifying the senior indenture under the Trust Indenture Act; or |
| to correct or add any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the senior indenture, provided that such action will not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the senior debt securities of any series in any material respect. |
Modifications and amendments of the senior indenture may be made by us, the trustee and the securities administrator with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the senior debt securities of each affected series then outstanding under the senior indenture. In addition, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding senior debt securities of any series may waive any past default under the senior indenture affecting such series, except an uncured default in the payment of principal of or interest on such series of senior debt securities or an uncured default relating to a covenant or provision of the senior indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of each affected holder.
Notwithstanding the above, without the consent of each holder of an outstanding senior debt security affected, no amendment may, among other things:
| modify the stated maturity of the senior debt securities or the dates on which interest is payable in respect of the senior debt securities; |
| change the method in which amounts of payments of principal or any interest thereon is determined; |
| reduce the principal amount of, or interest on, the senior debt securities; |
| reduce the premium payable upon redemption; |
| change the obligation of the Company to pay Additional Amounts, |
| change the currency of payment of the senior debt securities; |
| change any obligation of the Company to maintain an office or agency in the places and for the purposes specified in the senior indenture; |
| impair the right of the holders of senior debt securities to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or after the date due; |
15
| reduce the percentage in principal amount of the outstanding senior debt securities, the consent of whose holders is required for any modification of or waiver of compliance with any provision of the senior indenture or defaults under the indenture and their consequences; and |
| modify the provisions of the senior indenture regarding the quorum required at any meeting of holders. |
Special Rules for Action by Holders
When holders take any action under the senior indenture, such as giving a notice of an event of default, declaring an acceleration, approving any change or waiver or giving the trustee or the securities administrator an instruction, the Company will apply the following rules in accordance with the standard procedures of the depositary for so long as the securities are in global form.
Only Outstanding Senior Debt Securities are Eligible
Only holders of outstanding senior debt securities will be eligible to participate in any action by holders. Also, the Company will count only outstanding senior debt securities in determining whether the various percentage requirements for taking action have been met. For these purposes, a senior debt security will not be outstanding if it has been cancelled or if the Company has deposited or set aside, in trust for its holder, money for its payment or redemption; provided, however, that, for such purposes, senior debt securities held by the Company or any other obligor on the senior debt securities or any affiliates of the Company or any such obligor are not considered outstanding.
Determining Record Dates for Action by Holders
The Company will generally be entitled to set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the holders that are entitled to take action under the senior indenture. In some limited circumstances, only the trustee or securities administrator will be entitled to set a record date for action by holders. If the Company, the trustee or securities administrator set a record date for an approval or other action to be taken by holders, that vote or action may be taken only by persons or entities who are holders on the record date and must be taken during the period that the Company specifies for this purpose, or that the trustee or the securities administrator specifies if it sets the record date. The Company, the trustee or the securities administrator, as applicable, may shorten or lengthen this period from time to time, but not beyond 90 days.
Satisfaction and Discharge
The senior indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all outstanding senior debt securities of any series issued thereunder, when (i) all senior debt securities of that series that have been authenticated, except lost, stolen or destroyed senior debt securities that have been replaced or paid and senior debt securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to us, have been delivered to the securities administrator for cancellation, or all senior debt securities of that series that have not been delivered to the securities administrator for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the giving of a notice of redemption or otherwise or will become due and payable within one year and ArcelorMittal has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the securities administrator as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable U.S. government securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the senior debt securities of such series not delivered to the securities administrator for cancellation for principal and accrued interest and Additional Amounts (if any) to the date of maturity or redemption; (ii) ArcelorMittal has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by us under the senior indenture with respect to such series; and (iii) ArcelorMittal has delivered irrevocable instructions to the securities administrator to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the senior debt securities of such series at maturity or on the redemption date, as the case may be.
In addition, ArcelorMittal must deliver a certificate signed by a duly authorized officer and an opinion of counsel that all conditions precedent to the satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.
Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
Unless a supplemental indenture for a series of senior debt securities provides otherwise, the senior indenture provides that ArcelorMittal may elect either (1) to defease and be discharged from any and all obligations with respect to any series of senior debt securities (except for, among other things, certain obligations
16
to register the transfer or exchange of such series of senior debt securities, to replace temporary or mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen senior debt securities of such series, to maintain an office or agency with respect to the senior debt securities of such series and to hold moneys for payment in trust) (legal defeasance) or (2) to be released from our obligations to comply with certain covenants under the senior indenture, and any omission to comply with such obligations will not constitute a default (or event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an event of default) or an event of default with respect to the senior debt securities of such series (covenant defeasance). Legal defeasance or covenant defeasance, as the case may be, will be conditioned upon, among other things, (A) the irrevocable deposit by us with the securities administrator, in trust, of an amount in U.S. dollars, or non-callable U.S. government securities, or both, applicable to the senior debt securities of such series which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount that will be sufficient, in the opinion of an internationally recognized firm of independent public accountants as appointed by the Company (a copy of which shall be provided to the trustee), to pay the principal of, and interest (if any) and Additional Amounts (if any) on the outstanding senior debt securities of the relevant series on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Company must specify whether the senior debt securities are being defeased to such stated date for payment or to a particular redemption date and (B) no event of default or default with respect to the senior debt securities of the series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit.
To effect legal defeasance or covenant defeasance, ArcelorMittal will be required to deliver to the trustee and the securities administrator an opinion of counsel with respect to U.S. federal income tax matters confirming that the deposit and related defeasance will not cause the holders and beneficial owners of the senior debt securities of such series to recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If ArcelorMittal elects legal defeasance, that opinion of counsel must be based upon a ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or a change in law to that effect. To effect legal defeasance or covenant defeasance, no default of event of default may have occurred and be continuing on the date of deposit.
ArcelorMittal may exercise our legal defeasance option notwithstanding our prior exercise of our covenant defeasance option.
Payment
Payments in respect of the senior debt securities will be made by the paying agent. Initially, Citibank, N.A., the securities administrator under the senior indenture, will act as paying agent and security registrar. The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The Company may change any paying agent or security registrar without notice to any holder. The Company or any of its subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.
Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the securities administrator and the paying agent will distribute to the Company upon request any money held by them for the payment of principal of, premium or interest on the senior debt securities that remains unclaimed for two years, and, thereafter, holders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors.
Governing Law
The senior debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of article 86 to 94-8 of the Luxembourg law of August 10, 1915 on commercial companies, as amended, do not apply to the senior debt securities.
Consent to Jurisdiction
ArcelorMittal has irrevocably submitted to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State court or any U.S. federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, in respect of any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or in relation to the senior indenture or the senior debt securities, and agreed that all claims in respect of such legal action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or U.S. federal court and will waive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of any such action or proceeding in any such court.
Notices
Notices to the holders will be provided to the addresses that appear on the security register of the senior debt securities.
17
Concerning the Trustee and Securities Administrator
Wilmington Trust, National Association is the trustee under the senior indenture. Citibank N.A. is the securities administrator and has been appointed by us as registrar and paying agent with respect to the senior debt securities. The trustees address is 1100 North Market Street, Rodney Square North, Wilmington, Delaware 19890. The securities administrators address is (i) solely for the purposes of the transfer, surrender or exchange of the senior debt securities: 480 Washington Boulevard, 30th Floor, Jersey City, New Jersey 07310, Attn: Citibank Agency & Trust, ArcelorMittal and (ii) for all other purposes: 388 Greenwich Street, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10013, Attn: Citibank Agency & Trust, ArcelorMittal.
Certain Definitions
Set forth below is a summary of certain of the defined terms used in the senior indenture. You should refer to the senior indenture for the full definition of all such terms, as well as any other terms used in this prospectus for which no definition is provided.
Applicable Accounting Standards means the International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).
Asset(s) of any Person means, all or any part of its business, undertaking, property, assets, revenues (including any right to receive revenues) and uncalled capital, wherever situated.
Closing Date means the date on which the senior debt securities of the relevant series are deposited with the Depository Trust Company, as depositary.
Consolidated Financial Statements means our most recently published:
(a) audited annual consolidated financial statements, as approved by the annual general meeting of our shareholders and audited by an independent auditor; or, as the case may be,
(b) unaudited (but subject to a review from an independent auditor) consolidated half-year financial statements, as approved by our Board of Directors,
in each case prepared in accordance with Applicable Accounting Standards.
Corporate Trust Office means (i) with respect to the trustee, 1100 North Market Street, Rodney Square North, Wilmington, Delaware 19890; and (ii) with respect to the securities administrator (A) solely for the purposes of the transfer, surrender or exchange of the senior debt securities: 480 Washington Boulevard, 30th Floor, Jersey City, New Jersey 07310, Attn: Citibank Agency & Trust, ArcelorMittal and (B) for all other purposes: 388 Greenwich Street, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10013, Attn: Citibank Agency & Trust, ArcelorMittal.
Existing Security means any Security granted by any Person over its Assets in respect of any Relevant Indebtedness and which is existing at the Closing Date or at the time any such Person becomes a Material Subsidiary or whose business and/or activities, in whole or in part, are assumed by or vested in us or a Material Subsidiary after the Closing Date (other than any Security created in contemplation thereof) or any substitute Security created over those Assets (or any part thereof) in connection with the refinancing of the Relevant Indebtedness secured on those Assets provided that the principal, nominal or capital amount secured on any such Security may not be increased.
Group means our company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
Material Subsidiary means, at any time, a Subsidiary of ours whose gross assets or pre-tax profits (excluding intra-Group items) then equal or exceed 5% of the gross assets or pre-tax profits of the Group.
For this purpose:
(a) the gross assets or pre-tax profits of a Subsidiary will be determined from its financial statements (unconsolidated if it has Subsidiaries) upon which the latest audited Consolidated Financial Statements of the Group have been based;
(b) if a company becomes a member of the Group after the date on which the latest audited Consolidated Financial Statements of the Group have been prepared, the gross assets or pre-tax profits of that Subsidiary will be determined from its latest financial statements;
18
(c) the gross assets or pre-tax profits of the Group will be determined from its latest audited Consolidated Financial Statements, adjusted (where appropriate) to reflect the gross assets or pre-tax profits of any company or business subsequently acquired or disposed of; and
(d) if a Material Subsidiary disposes of all or substantially all of its assets to another Subsidiary of ours, it will immediately cease to be a Material Subsidiary and the other Subsidiary (if it is not already) will immediately become a Material Subsidiary; the subsequent financial statements of those Subsidiaries and the Group will be used to determine whether those Subsidiaries are Material Subsidiaries or not.
If there is a dispute as to whether or not a company is a Material Subsidiary, a certificate of our auditors will be, in the absence of manifest error, conclusive and binding on us and the holders.
Mittal Family means Mr. and/or Mrs. L.N. Mittal and/or their family (acting directly or indirectly through trusts and/or other entities controlled by any of the foregoing).
Permitted Security means:
(a) any Existing Security;
(b) any Security granted in respect of or in connection with any Securitization Indebtedness; or
(c) any Security securing Project Finance Indebtedness, but only to the extent that the Security Interest is created on an asset of the project being financed by the relevant Project Finance Indebtedness (and/or the shares in, and/or shareholder loans to, the company conducting such project where such company has no assets other than those relating to such project).
Person includes any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
Project Finance Indebtedness means any indebtedness incurred by a debtor to finance the ownership, acquisition, construction, development and/or operation of an Asset or connected group of Assets in respect of which the Person or Persons to whom such indebtedness is, or may be, owed have no recourse for the repayment of or payment of any sum relating to such indebtedness other than:
(a) recourse to such debtor or its Subsidiaries for amounts limited to the cash flow from such Asset; and/or
(b) recourse to such debtor generally, or to a member of the Group, which recourse is limited to a claim for damages (other than liquidated damages and damages required to be calculated in a specific way) for breach of an obligation, representation or warranty (not being a payment obligation, representation or warranty or an obligation, representation or warranty to procure payment by another or an obligation, representation or warranty to comply or to procure compliance by another with any financial ratios or other test of financial condition) by the Person against whom such recourse is available; and/or
(c) if:
(i) such debtor has been established specifically for the purpose of constructing, developing, owning and/or operating the relevant Asset or connected group of Assets; and
(ii) such debtor owns no Assets and carries on no business which is not related to the relevant Asset or connected group of Assets, recourse to all the material Assets and undertaking of such debtor and the shares in the capital of such debtor and shareholder loans made to such debtor.
Relevant Indebtedness means any indebtedness for borrowed money represented by bonds, notes or other debt instruments which are for the time being quoted or listed on any stock exchange or other similar regulated securities market.
Relevant Jurisdiction means Luxembourg or any jurisdiction in which ArcelorMittal is resident for tax purposes (or in the case of a successor entity any jurisdiction in which such successor entity is organized or resident for tax purposes (or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein)).
Securitization Indebtedness means any Relevant Indebtedness that is incurred in connection with any securitization, asset repackaging, factoring or like arrangement or any combination thereof of any assets, revenues or other receivables where the recourse of the Person making the Relevant Indebtedness available or entering into the relevant arrangement or agreement(s) is limited fully or substantially to such assets or revenues or other receivables.
19
Security means any mortgage, charge, pledge or other real security interest (sûreté réelle).
Subsidiary means:
(a) an entity of which a Person has direct or indirect control or owns directly or indirectly more than 50% of the voting capital or similar right of ownership (and control for this purpose means the power to direct the management and the policies of the entity whether through the ownership of voting capital, by contract or otherwise); and
(b) in relation to our company, an entity that fulfils the definition in paragraph (a) above and which is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements on a fully integrated basis.
20
DESCRIPTION OF SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
General
We may issue subordinated debt securities using this prospectus, which may include subordinated debt securities convertible into or exchangeable for our ordinary shares. As required by U.S. federal law for all bonds and notes of companies that are publicly offered, the subordinated debt securities that we may issue are governed by a contract between us and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, and Citibank, N.A., as securities administrator, called an indenture (as supplemented, herein the subordinated indenture).
The trustees main role under the subordinated indenture is that it can enforce your rights against us if we default. There are some limitations on the extent to which the trustee acts on your behalf, described under Events of Default below. The securities administrators main role is to perform administrative duties for us, such as sending you interest payments and transferring your subordinated debt securities to a new buyer if you sell your senior debt securities. Both the trustee and the securities administrator may send you notices.
The subordinated indenture and its associated documents contain the full legal text governing the matters described in this section. The subordinated indenture and the subordinated debt securities are governed by New York law (see Governing Law below). A form of the subordinated indenture is an exhibit to our registration statement. See Where You Can Find More Information for information on how to obtain a copy. In connection with an issuance of subordinated debt securities, we may enter into one or more additional supplemental indentures with the trustee and the securities administrator, setting forth the specific terms of such subordinated debt securities.
In this section, references to we, us and our are to ArcelorMittal only and do not include our subsidiaries or affiliates.
References to holders mean those who have subordinated debt securities registered in their names on the books that ArcelorMittal or the Registrar maintain for this purpose, and not those who own beneficial interests in subordinated debt securities issued in book-entry form through The Depository Trust Company or in subordinated debt securities registered in street name. Owners of beneficial interests in the subordinated debt securities should refer to Legal Ownership of Debt Securities.
This section summarizes the material provisions of the subordinated indenture and certain subordinated debt securities that may be issued under the subordinated indenture. In particular, this section summarizes material terms of subordinated debt securities to be issued in fully registered, book-entry form without coupons, and that will be unsecured and subordinated obligations of ArcelorMittal. This section does not describe other types of subordinated debt securities that may be issued under the indenture, such as original issue discount subordinated securities, which are subordinated debt securities that are offered and sold at a substantial discount to their stated principal amount, or indexed securities or securities denominated in foreign currencies or currency units. Any other subordinated debt securities, and special U.S. federal income tax, accounting and other considerations applicable to such subordinated debt securities, would be described in the prospectus supplement relating to any such subordinated debt securities.
Because it is a summary, this section does not describe every aspect of the subordinated indenture or the subordinated debt securities. This summary is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to all the provisions of the subordinated indenture, including some of the terms used in the subordinated indenture. The subordinated indenture is also subject to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. We describe the meaning for only the more important terms. Whenever we refer to particular sections or defined terms of the subordinated indenture in this prospectus or in the prospectus supplement, those sections or defined terms are incorporated by reference herein or in the prospectus supplement. This summary also is subject to and qualified by reference to the description of the particular terms of your series described in the prospectus supplement.
We may issue as many distinct series of subordinated debt securities under the subordinated indenture as we wish. Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, we may issue subordinated debt securities of the same series as an outstanding series of subordinated debt securities without the consent of holders of subordinated debt securities in the outstanding series. Any additional subordinated debt securities so issued will have the same terms as the existing subordinated debt securities of the same series in all respects (except for the issuance date, the date upon which interest begins accruing and, in some cases, the first interest payment on the
21
new series, if any), so that such additional subordinated debt securities will be consolidated and form a single series with the existing subordinated debt securities of the same series; provided, however, that, with respect to subordinated debt securities that are treated as debt for U.S. federal income tax purposes, unless such additional subordinated debt securities are issued under a separate CUSIP number, either such additional subordinated debt securities must be part of the same issue for U.S. federal income tax purposes or must be issued pursuant to a qualified reopening for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
In addition, the specific financial, legal and other terms particular to a series of subordinated debt securities are described in the prospectus supplement and the underwriting agreement relating to the series. Those terms may vary from the terms described here. Accordingly, this summary also is subject to and qualified by reference to the description of the terms of the series described in the prospectus supplement.
The prospectus supplement relating to a series of subordinated debt securities will describe the following terms of the series:
| the title of the series of subordinated debt securities; |
| the authorized denominations and aggregate principal amount of the series of subordinated debt securities; |
| whether the subordinated debt securities of that series are dated securities, with a stated maturity or date fixed for redemption (and if applicable, the stated maturity or date fixed for redemption), or perpetual securities, with no stated maturity or date fixed for redemption; |
| the subordination provisions applicable to the subordinated debt securities of that series and the ranking of such subordinated debt securities to other senior and subordinated debt securities of the Company; |
| the rate or rates, per annum, at which the series of subordinated debt securities will bear interest and the date or dates from which that interest, if any, will accrue, and whether such interest shall be subject to any adjustment; |
| the date or dates on which (or, if applicable, the range of dates within which) any payment of principal, interest or premium on the series of subordinated debt securities will be payable (or the manner of determining the same), and the record date for any such payment, |
| if interest is payable, the interest rate or rates, or how the interest rate or rates may be determined; |
| the terms and conditions, if any, under which interest or other payments may or will be deferred or cancelled; |
| the terms and conditions of any mandatory or optional redemption or repayment of the subordinated debt securities of the series, including if applicable, notice requirements, legal and regulatory requirements, redemption or repayment dates, periods and prices or amounts; |
| the currency in which the subordinated debt securities are denominated, and in which we will make payments, and the manner of determining the equivalent amount in the currency of the United States of America, if applicable; |
| if other than the principal amount thereof, the amount, or how to determine the amount, that will be payable upon any declaration of acceleration of maturity or if redeemed before any stated maturity; |
| the terms and conditions, if any, under which the Company may elect to vary the terms of the subordinated debt securities of the series; |
| any mechanism to effect a temporary or permanent reduction in the principal amount outstanding of the subordinated debt securities of that series; |
| whether the events of default described in this prospectus or any other events of default, defaults, enforcement events, solvency events or other events permitting remedies apply to the subordinated debt securities of the series, and the remedies available following the occurrence thereof; |
| whether the subordinated debt securities of the series will be listed on a securities exchange; |
| whether the covenant defeasance and covenant defeasance provisions apply to the subordinated debt securities of the series; |
| the terms, if any, upon which the subordinated debt securities of the series may be convertible into or exchangeable for ordinary shares of ArcelorMittal; |
| a discussion of any material U.S. federal income tax considerations; and |
| any other special features of the series of subordinated debt securities. |
22
Additional Amounts
The relevant prospectus supplement will specify the terms, if any, by which the Company or any successor entity, as the case may be, will pay additional amounts (Additional Amounts) as will result in receipt by the holders of such amounts as would have been received by the holders had no withholding or deduction been required by the Relevant Jurisdiction.
Redemption, Exchange and Purchase
Redemption
The prospectus supplement will state whether the subordinated debt securities are redeemable by us or subject to repayment at the holders option.
Exchange and Purchase
ArcelorMittal may at any time make offers to the holders to exchange their subordinated debt securities for other bonds or subordinated debt securities issued by us or any other Person. In addition, ArcelorMittal and any of our Subsidiaries or affiliates may at any time purchase subordinated debt securities in the open market or otherwise at any price.
Cancellation
All subordinated debt securities that are exchanged or purchased may either be held or retransferred or resold or be surrendered for cancellation and, if so surrendered, will, together with all subordinated debt securities redeemed by us, be cancelled immediately and accordingly may not be reissued or resold.
Consolidation, Merger, Conveyance or Transfer
So long as any of the subordinated debt securities are outstanding, ArcelorMittal will not consolidate with or merge into any other Person (excluding Persons controlled by one or more members of the Mittal Family) or convey or transfer substantially all of our properties and assets to any other Person (excluding Persons controlled by one or more members of the Mittal Family) unless thereafter:
(i) the Person formed by such consolidation or into which ArcelorMittal is merged, or the Person which acquired all or substantially all of our properties and assets, expressly assumes pursuant to a supplemental indenture the due and punctual payment of the principal of and interest on all the subordinated debt securities and the performance or observance of every covenant of the subordinated indenture on our part to be performed or observed (including, if such Person is not organized in or a resident of Luxembourg for tax purposes, substituting such Persons jurisdiction of organization or residence for Luxembourg for tax purposes where applicable, including for the obligation to pay Additional Amounts);
(ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no event of default, if any are applicable, has occurred and is continuing; and
(iii) the Person formed by such consolidation or into which ArcelorMittal is merged, or the Person which acquired all or substantially all of our properties and assets delivers to the trustee and securities administrator an officers certificate signed by a duly authorized officer and an opinion of counsel, each stating that the consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with the transaction, the supplemental indenture comply with the subordinated indenture and that all conditions precedent in the subordinated indenture relating to the transaction have been complied with and, immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no event of default, if any are applicable, has occurred and is continuing, except that such certificate and opinion shall not be required in the event that any such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer is made by order of any court or tribunal having jurisdiction over us, our properties and our assets.
Status of the Subordinated Debt Securities
The subordinated debt securities will constitute the direct, subordinated and unsecured obligations of the Company and will be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all claims of senior creditors in respect of that series and rank pari passu with certain other subordinated obligations or guarantees thereof in respect of that series (if any), in each case as defined or identified in the applicable prospectus supplement, and in priority only to ordinary shares of the Company and any other securities, obligations or
23
guarantees thereof of the Company expressed to rank junior to the securities of that series in the applicable prospectus supplement. Investors should be aware that there are currently no limitations on the Companys ability to issue or guarantee indebtedness that would constitute claims of senior creditors. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement for a series, the subordinated debt securities will not have the benefit of any negative pledge covenant.
Default, Remedies and Waiver of Default
You will have special rights if an applicable event of default with respect to your subordinated debt securities occurs and is not cured, as described in this section.
Events of Default
Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement for a series of subordinated debt securities, the term event of default means any of the following:
(1) the default in any payment of principal or any premium on any subordinated debt security when due, whether at maturity, redemption or otherwise, continues for 15 days;
(2) the default in any payment of interest (if any) and Additional Amounts (if any), on any subordinated debt security when due, continues for 30 days;
(3) our failure to comply with our other obligations contained in the subordinated indenture and the default or breach continues for a period of 60 days or more after ArcelorMittal receives written notice from the trustee or the securities administrator as provided for in the subordinated indenture;
(4) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency involving our company; and
(5) any other event of default provided in the relevant prospectus supplement for a series of subordinated debt securities.
Remedies if an Event of Default Occurs
Upon the occurrence and continuation of any applicable event of default with respect to a series of subordinated debt securities, then in every such case the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding subordinated debt securities of the affected series may declare the principal amount of the outstanding subordinated debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the trustee if given by Holders). Upon any such declaration, which ArcelorMittal calls a declaration of acceleration, the subordinated debt securities of such series shall become due and payable immediately.
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding subordinated debt securities of the affected series may rescind and annul a declaration of acceleration if an amount has been paid to or deposited with the trustee sufficient to pay the amounts set forth in the applicable provisions of the subordinated indenture and all events of default with respect to the subordinated debt securities of such series, other than the failure to pay the principal and other amounts of subordinated debt securities of that series that have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived.
If an event of default occurs or if ArcelorMittal breaches any covenant or warranty under the subordinated indenture or the subordinated debt securities, the trustee may pursue any available remedy to enforce any applicable provision of the subordinated debt securities or the subordinated indenture. The trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the subordinated debt securities or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the trustee or any holder of a subordinated debt security in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an event of default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the event of default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.
Except in case of an event of default of which a responsible officer of the trustee has actual knowledge, where the trustee has some special duties, the trustee and the securities administrator are not required to take any action under the subordinated indenture at the request of any holders unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable protection from expenses and liability. This protection is called an indemnity. If reasonable indemnity is provided, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding subordinated debt securities of the relevant series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any lawsuit or other proceeding seeking any remedy available to the trustee. These majority holders may also direct the trustee in performing any other action the trustee may undertake under the subordinated indenture.
24
Before you bypass the trustee and bring your own lawsuit or other formal legal action or take other steps to enforce your rights or protect your interests relating to the subordinated debt securities you hold, the following must occur:
| You must give the trustee written notice at its Corporate Trust Office that an event of default has occurred and remains uncured. |
| The holders of 25% in principal amount of all outstanding subordinated debt securities of the relevant series must make a written request that the trustee institute proceedings because of the event of default, and must offer reasonable indemnity to the trustee against the cost and other liabilities of instituting a proceeding and provide such written request to the Corporate Trust Office of the trustee. |
| The trustee must have failed to institute proceedings for 60 days after receipt of the above notice, request and offer of indemnity. |
| No direction inconsistent with such written request must have been given to the trustee during such 60-day period by holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all outstanding subordinated debt securities of the relevant series. |
| The terms of the relevant series of subordinated debt securities do not prohibit such remedy to be sought by the trustee and/or the holders. |
Nothing, however, will prevent an individual holder from bringing suit to enforce payment.
Street name and other indirect holders should consult their banks or brokers for information on how to give notice or direction to or make a request of the trustee and to make or cancel a declaration of acceleration.
ArcelorMittal will furnish to the securities administrator every year a brief certification of an officer of our Company as to the Companys compliance with the conditions and covenants of the subordinated indenture. In addition, the Company must notify the trustee and the securities administrator promptly upon the occurrence of any event of default and in any event within ten days after it becomes aware of the occurrence of an event of default.
Amendments and Waivers
The subordinated indenture may be amended or modified without the consent of any holder of subordinated debt securities in order, among other things:
| to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency; |
| to provide for the issuance of additional subordinated debt securities in accordance with the limitations set forth in the subordinated indenture as of the date thereof; |
| to add to the covenants of the Company, for the benefit of holders of all or any series of subordinated debt securities or to surrender any power or right conferred upon the Company; |
| to add or modify for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of subordinated debt securities any events of default; |
| to provide for the assumption by a successor company of our obligations under the subordinated debt securities and the subordinated indenture in the case of a merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets; |
| to comply with any requirements of the SEC in connection with qualifying the subordinated indenture under the Trust Indenture Act; or |
| to correct or add any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the subordinated indenture, provided that such action will not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the subordinated debt securities of any series in any material respect. |
In addition, the prospectus supplement for a particular series of subordinated debt securities may also specify if the Company has the right to materially vary the terms of a series of subordinated debt securities.
Modifications and amendments of the subordinated indenture may be made by us, the trustee and the securities administrator with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the subordinated debt securities of each affected series then outstanding under the subordinated indenture. In addition, the holders of a
25
majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding subordinated debt securities of any series may waive any past default under the subordinated indenture affecting such series, except an uncured default in the payment of principal of or interest on such series of subordinated debt securities or an uncured default relating to a covenant or provision of the subordinated indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of each affected holder.
Notwithstanding the above and unless the prospectus supplement for the series of subordinated debt securities specifies otherwise, without the consent of each holder of an outstanding subordinated debt security affected, no amendment may, among other things:
| modify the stated maturity of the subordinated debt securities (if any) or the dates on which interest is payable in respect of the subordinated debt securities; |
| change the method in which amounts of payments of principal or any interest thereon is determined; |
| reduce the principal amount of, or interest on, the subordinated debt securities; |
| reduce the premium payable upon redemption; |
| change the obligation of the Company to pay Additional Amounts, |
| change the currency of payment of the subordinated debt securities; |
| change any obligation of the Company to maintain an office or agency in the places and for the purposes specified in the subordinated indenture; |
| impair the right of the holders of subordinated debt securities to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or after the date due; |
| reduce the percentage in principal amount of the outstanding subordinated debt securities, the consent of whose holders is required for any modification of or waiver of compliance with any provision of the subordinated indenture or defaults under the subordinated indenture and their consequences; |
| modify the provisions of the subordinated indenture with respect to the subordination of the subordinated debt securities in a manner adverse to any holder; and |
| modify the provisions of the subordinated indenture regarding the quorum required at any meeting of holders. |
Special Rules for Action by Holders
When holders take any action under the subordinated indenture, such as giving a notice of an event of default, declaring an acceleration, approving any change or waiver or giving the trustee or the securities administrator an instruction, the Company will apply the following rules.
Only Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities are Eligible
Only holders of outstanding subordinated debt securities will be eligible to participate in any action by holders. Also, the Company will count only outstanding subordinated debt securities in determining whether the various percentage requirements for taking action have been met. For these purposes, a subordinated debt security will not be outstanding if it has been cancelled or if the Company has deposited or set aside, in trust for its holder, money for its payment or redemption; provided, however, that, for such purposes, subordinated debt securities held by the Company or any other obligor on the subordinated debt securities or any affiliates of the Company or any such obligor are not considered outstanding.
Determining Record Dates for Action by Holders
The Company will generally be entitled to set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the holders that are entitled to take action under the subordinated indenture. In some limited circumstances, only the trustee or securities administrator will be entitled to set a record date for action by holders. If the Company, the trustee or securities administrator set a record date for an approval or other action to be taken by holders, that vote or action may be taken only by persons or entities who are holders on the record date and must be taken during the period that the Company specifies for this purpose, or that the trustee or the securities administrator specifies if it sets the record date. The Company, the trustee or the securities administrator, as applicable, may shorten or lengthen this period from time to time, but not beyond 90 days.
26
Satisfaction and Discharge
The subordinated indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all outstanding subordinated debt securities of any series issued thereunder, when (i) all subordinated debt securities of that series that have been authenticated, except lost, stolen or destroyed subordinated debt securities that have been replaced or paid and subordinated debt securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to us, have been delivered to the securities administrator for cancellation, or all subordinated debt securities of that series that have not been delivered to the securities administrator for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the giving of a notice of redemption or otherwise or will become due and payable within one year and ArcelorMittal has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the securities administrator as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable U.S. government securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the subordinated debt securities of such series not delivered to the securities administrator for cancellation for principal and accrued interest and Additional Amounts (if any) to the date of maturity or redemption; (ii) ArcelorMittal has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by us under the subordinated indenture with respect to such series; and (iii) ArcelorMittal has delivered irrevocable instructions to the securities administrator to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the subordinated debt securities of such series at maturity or on the redemption date, as the case may be.
In addition, ArcelorMittal must deliver a certificate signed by a duly authorized officer and an opinion of counsel stating that all conditions precedent to the satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.
Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
Unless a supplemental indenture for a series of subordinated debt securities provides otherwise, the subordinated indenture provides that ArcelorMittal may elect either (1) to defease and be discharged from any and all obligations with respect to any series of subordinated debt securities (except for, among other things, certain obligations to register the transfer or exchange of such series of subordinated debt securities, to replace temporary or mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen subordinated debt securities of such series, to maintain an office or agency with respect to the subordinated debt securities of such series and to hold moneys for payment in trust) (legal defeasance) or (2) to be released from our obligations to comply with certain covenants under the subordinated indenture, and any omission to comply with such obligations will not constitute a default (or event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an event of default) or an event of default with respect to the subordinated debt securities of such series (covenant defeasance).
Legal defeasance or covenant defeasance, as the case may be, will be conditioned upon, among other things, (A) the irrevocable deposit by us with the securities administrator, in trust, of an amount in U.S. dollars, or non-callable U.S. government securities, or both, applicable to the subordinated debt securities of such series which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount that will be sufficient, in the opinion of an internationally recognized firm of independent public accountants as appointed by the Company, to pay the principal of, and interest (if any) and Additional Amounts (if any) on the outstanding subordinated debt securities of the relevant series on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Company must specify whether the subordinated debt securities are being defeased to such stated date for payment or to a particular redemption date and (B) no event of default or default with respect to the subordinated debt securities of the series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit.
To effect legal defeasance or covenant defeasance, ArcelorMittal will be required to deliver to the trustee and the securities administrator an opinion of counsel with respect to U.S. federal income tax matters confirming that the deposit and related defeasance will not cause the holders and beneficial owners of the subordinated debt securities of such series to recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If ArcelorMittal elects legal defeasance, that opinion of counsel must be based upon a ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or a change in law to that effect. To effect legal defeasance or covenant defeasance, no default of event of default may have occurred and be continuing on the date of deposit.
ArcelorMittal may exercise our legal defeasance option notwithstanding our prior exercise of our covenant defeasance option.
27
Payment
Payments in respect of the subordinated debt securities will be made by the paying agent. Initially, Citibank, N.A., the securities administrator under the subordinated indenture, will act as paying agent and security registrar. The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The Company may change any paying agent or Security registrar without notice to any holder. The Company or any of its subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.
Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the securities administrator and the paying agent will distribute to the Company upon request any money held by them for the payment of principal of, premium or interest on the subordinated debt securities that remains unclaimed for two years, and, thereafter, holders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors.
Governing Law
The subordinated debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of article 86 to 94-8 of the Luxembourg law of August 10, 1915 on commercial companies, as amended, do not apply to the subordinated debt securities.
Consent to Jurisdiction
ArcelorMittal has irrevocably submitted to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State court or any U.S. federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, in respect of any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or in relation to the subordinated indenture or the subordinated debt securities, and agreed that all claims in respect of such legal action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or U.S. federal court and will waive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of any such action or proceeding in any such court.
Notices
Notices to the holders will be provided to the addresses that appear on the security register of the subordinated debt securities.
Concerning the Trustee and the Securities Administrator
Wilmington Trust, National Association is the trustee under the subordinated indenture. Citibank N.A. is the securities administrator and has been appointed by us as registrar and paying agent with respect to the subordinated debt securities. The trustees address is 1100 North Market Street, Rodney Square North, Wilmington, Delaware 19890. The securities administrators address is (i) solely for the purposes of the transfer, surrender or exchange of the subordinated debt securities: 480 Washington Boulevard, 30th Floor, Jersey City, New Jersey 07310, Attn: Citibank Agency & Trust, ArcelorMittal and (ii) for all other purposes: 388 Greenwich Street, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10013, Attn: Citibank Agency & Trust, ArcelorMittal.
Certain Definitions
Set forth below is a summary of certain of the defined terms used in the subordinated indenture. You should refer to the subordinated indenture for the full definition of all such terms, as well as any other terms used in this prospectus for which no definition is provided.
Applicable Accounting Standards means the International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted in the European Union, as amended from time to time.
Closing Date means the date on which the subordinated debt securities of the relevant series are deposited with the Depository Trust Company, as depositary.
Consolidated Financial Statements means our most recently published:
(a) audited annual consolidated financial statements, as approved by the annual general meeting of our shareholders and audited by an independent auditor; or, as the case may be,
(b) unaudited (but subject to a review from an independent auditor) consolidated half-year financial statements, as approved by our Board of Directors,
28
in each case prepared in accordance with Applicable Accounting Standards.
Corporate Trust Office means (i) with respect to the trustee, 1100 North Market Street, Rodney Square North, Wilmington, Delaware 19890; and (ii) with respect to the securities administrator (A) solely for the purposes of the transfer, surrender or exchange of the subordinated debt securities: 480 Washington Boulevard, 30th Floor, Jersey City, New Jersey 07310, Attn: Citibank Agency & Trust, ArcelorMittal and (B) for all other purposes: 388 Greenwich Street, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10013, Attn: Citibank Agency & Trust, ArcelorMittal.
Mittal Family means Mr. and/or Mrs. L.N. Mittal and/or their family (acting directly or indirectly through trusts and/or other entities controlled by any of the foregoing).
Person includes any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
Relevant Jurisdiction means Luxembourg or any jurisdiction in which ArcelorMittal is resident for tax purposes (or in the case of a successor entity any jurisdiction in which such successor entity is organized or resident for tax purposes (or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein)).
Subsidiary means:
(a) an entity of which a Person has direct or indirect control or owns directly or indirectly more than 50% of the voting capital or similar right of ownership (and control for this purpose means the power to direct the management and the policies of the entity whether through the ownership of voting capital, by contract or otherwise); and
(b) in relation to our company, an entity that fulfils the definition in paragraph (a) above and which is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements on a fully integrated basis.
29
LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF DEBT SECURITIES
Street Name and Other Indirect Holders
We generally will not recognize investors who hold debt securities in accounts at banks or brokers as legal Holders of securities. When we refer to the Holders of debt securities, we mean only the actual legal and (if applicable) record Holder of those debt securities. Holding securities in accounts at banks or brokers is called holding in street name. If you hold debt securities in street name, we will recognize only the bank or broker or the financial institution the bank or broker uses to hold its debt securities. These intermediary banks, brokers and other financial institutions pass along principal, interest and other payments on the debt securities, either because they agree to do so in their customer agreements or because they are legally required. If you hold debt securities in street name, you should check with your own institution to find out:
| how it handles securities payments and notices; |
| whether it imposes fees or charges; |
| how it would handle voting rights if it were ever required; |
| whether and how you can instruct it to send you debt securities and, if the debt securities are in registered form, have them registered in your own name, so you can be a direct Holder as described below; and |
| how it would pursue rights under the debt securities if there were a default or other event triggering the need for Holders to act to protect their interests. |
Direct Holders
Our obligations, as well as the obligations of the Trustee and those of any third parties employed by us or the trustee, under the debt securities run only to persons who are registered as Holders of the securities. As noted above, we do not have obligations to you if you hold in street name or other indirect means, either because you choose to hold debt securities in that manner or because the debt securities are issued in the form of global securities as described below. For example, once we make payment to the registered Holder, we have no further responsibility for the payment even if that Holder is legally required to pass the payment along to you as a street name customer but does not do so.
Global Securities
What is a Global Security?
A global security is a special type of indirectly held security. Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, debt securities will be issued in the form of global securities in registered form. In this case, the ultimate beneficial owners can only be indirect holders as the global security will be registered in the name of a financial institution we select.
In this case, we require that the debt securities included in the global security not be transferred to the name of any other direct Holder unless the special circumstances described below occur. The financial institution that acts as the sole direct Holder of the global security is called the depositary. Any person wishing to own a debt security must do so indirectly by virtue of an account with a broker, bank or other financial institution that in turn has an account with the depositary.
Special Investor Considerations for Global Securities
As an indirect holder, an investors rights relating to a global security will be governed by the account rules of the investors financial institution and of the depositary, as well as general laws relating to securities transfers. We do not recognize this type of investor as a Holder of securities and instead deal only with the depositary in whose name the global security is registered.
If you are an investor in debt securities that are issued only in the form of global securities, you should be aware that:
| You cannot have debt securities registered in your own name. |
| You cannot receive physical certificates for your interest in the debt securities. |
30
| You will be a street name Holder and must look to your own bank or broker for payments on the debt securities and protection of your legal rights relating to the debt securities, as explained earlier under Street Name and Other Indirect Holders. |
| You may not be able to sell interests in the debt securities to some insurance companies and other institutions that are required by law to own their securities in the form of physical certificates. |
| The depositarys policies will govern payments, transfers, exchange and other matters relating to your interest in the global security. We and the trustee have no responsibility for any aspect of the depositarys actions or for its records of ownership interests in the global security. We and the trustee also do not supervise the depositary in any way. |
Special Situations in Which a Global Security Will Be Terminated
Upon the occurrence in respect of any global security of any series of any one or more of the following (i) the depository notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depository for such global security or if at any time such depository ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and the Company notifies the securities administrator that it is unable to locate a qualified successor, (ii) the Company executes and delivers to the securities administrator a company order that such global security shall be so exchangeable and the transfer thereof so registrable or (iii) there shall have occurred and be continuing an event of default, with respect to the securities of such series, or such other conditions as provided in the indenture for such series, such global security may be exchanged for securities registered in the names of, and the transfer of such global security may be registered to, such persons (including persons other than the depository with respect to such series and its nominees) as such depository shall direct. After that exchange, the choice of whether to hold debt securities directly or in street name will be up to the investor. Investors must consult their own bank or brokers to find out how to have their interests in debt securities transferred to their own name so that they will be direct Holders. The rights of street name investors and direct Holders in the debt securities have been previously described in the subsections entitled Street Name and Other Indirect Holders and Direct Holders above.
31
CLEARANCE AND SETTLEMENT OF DEBT SECURITIES
Senior and subordinated debt securities we issue may be held through one or more international and domestic clearing systems. The clearing systems ArcelorMittal uses are the book-entry systems operated by The Depository Trust Company (DTC) in the United States, Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, in Luxembourg (Clearstream) and the Euroclear System, in Belgium (Euroclear). These systems have established electronic securities and payment, transfer, processing, depositary and custodial links among themselves and others, either directly or through custodians and depositaries. These links allow the debt securities to be issued, held and transferred among the clearing systems without the physical transfer of certificates.
Special procedures to facilitate clearance and settlement have been established among these clearing systems to trade the debt securities across borders in the secondary market. Where payments for the debt securities ArcelorMittal issues in global form is made in U.S. dollars, these procedures can be used for cross-market transfers and the debt securities are cleared and settled on a delivery against payment basis.
The policies of DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear will govern payments, transfers, exchanges and other matters relating to your interest in the debt securities held by them.
None of ArcelorMittal, nor the securities administrator or the trustee have any responsibility for any aspect of the actions of DTC, Clearstream or Euroclear or any of their direct or indirect participants. ArcelorMittal has no responsibility for any aspect of the records kept by DTC, Clearstream or Euroclear or any of their direct or indirect participants. ArcelorMittal also does not supervise these systems in any way.
DTC, Clearstream, Euroclear and their participants perform these clearance and settlement functions under agreements they have made with one another or with their customers. You should be aware that they are not obligated to perform these procedures and may modify them or discontinue them at any time.
The description of the clearing systems in this section reflects our understanding of the rules and procedures of DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear as they are currently in effect. Those systems could change their rules and procedures at any time.
DTC
DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a banking organization within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a clearing corporation within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a clearing agency registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC holds securities deposited with it by its participants and facilitates the settlement of transactions among its participants in such securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in accounts of the participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTCs participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. DTC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC). DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries. Access to DTCs book-entry system is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly. According to DTC, the foregoing information with respect to DTC has been provided to the financial community for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a representation, warranty or contract modification of any kind. The rules applicable to DTC participants are on file with the SEC.
Clearstream
Clearstream is a licensed bank organized as a société anonyme incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg and is subject to regulation by the Luxembourg Commission for the Supervision of the Financial Sector (Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier).
Clearstream holds securities for its customers and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between Clearstream customers through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of Clearstream customers, thus eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. Clearstream provides to its
32
customers, among other things, services for safekeeping, administration, clearance and settlement of internationally traded securities, securities lending and borrowing and collateral management. Clearstream interfaces with domestic markets in a number of countries. Clearstream has established an electronic bridge with Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., the operator of the Euroclear System, to facilitate settlement of trades between Clearstream and Euroclear.
As a registered bank in Luxembourg, Clearstream is subject to regulation by the Luxembourg Commission for the Supervision of the Financial Sector. Clearstream customers are recognized financial institutions around the world, including underwriters, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations. In the United States, Clearstream customers are limited to securities brokers and dealers and banks, and may include the underwriters for the debt securities. Other institutions that maintain a custodial relationship with a Clearstream customer may obtain indirect access to Clearstream. Clearstream is an indirect participant in DTC.
Distributions with respect to the debt securities held beneficially through Clearstream will be credited to cash accounts of Clearstream customers in accordance with its rules and procedures, to the extent received by Clearstream.
The Euroclear System
The Euroclear System was created in 1968 to hold securities for participants of the Euroclear System and to clear and settle transactions between Euroclear participants through simultaneous electronic book-entry delivery against payment, thus eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates and risk from lack of simultaneous transfers of securities and cash. Transactions may now be settled in many currencies, including United States dollars and Japanese Yen. The Euroclear System provides various other services, including securities lending and borrowing and interfaces with domestic markets in several countries generally similar to the arrangements for cross-market transfers with DTC described below.
The Euroclear System is operated by Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. (the Euroclear Operator), under contract with Euroclear Clearance System plc, a U.K. corporation (the Euroclear Clearance System). The Euroclear Operator conducts all operations, and all Euroclear securities clearance accounts and Euroclear cash accounts are accounts with the Euroclear Operator, not the Euroclear Clearance System. The Euroclear Clearance System establishes policy for the Euroclear System on behalf of Euroclear participants. Euroclear participants include banks (including central banks), securities brokers and dealers and other professional financial intermediaries and may include the underwriters. Indirect access to the Euroclear System is also available to other firms that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Euroclear participant, either directly or indirectly. Euroclear is an indirect participant in DTC.
The Euroclear Operator is a Belgian bank. The Belgian Banking Commission and the National Bank of Belgium regulate and examine the Euroclear Operator.
The Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear and the related Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System and applicable Belgian law govern securities clearance accounts and cash accounts with the Euroclear Operator. Specifically, these terms and conditions govern:
| transfers of securities and cash within the Euroclear System; |
| withdrawal of securities and cash from the Euroclear System; and |
| receipts of payments with respect to securities in the Euroclear System. |
All securities in the Euroclear System are held on a fungible basis without attribution of specific certificates to specific securities clearance accounts. The Euroclear Operator acts under the terms and conditions only on behalf of Euroclear participants and has no record of or relationship with persons holding securities through Euroclear participants.
Distributions with respect to debt securities held beneficially through Euroclear will be credited to the cash accounts of Euroclear participants in accordance with the Euroclear Terms and Conditions, to the extent received by the Euroclear Operator and by Euroclear.
33
Settlement
You will be required to make your initial payment for the debt securities in immediately available funds. Secondary market trading between DTC participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with DTC rules and will be settled in immediately available funds using DTCs Same-Day Funds Settlement System. Secondary market trading between Clearstream customers and/or Euroclear participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with the applicable rules and operating procedures of Clearstream and Euroclear and will be settled using the procedures applicable to conventional Eurobonds in immediately available funds.
Cross-market transfers between persons holding directly or indirectly through DTC, on the one hand, and directly or indirectly through Clearstream customers or Euroclear participants, on the other, will be effected in DTC in accordance with DTC rules on behalf of the relevant European international clearing system by the U.S. depositary; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to the relevant European international clearing system by the counterparty in such system in accordance with its rules and procedures and within its established deadlines (based on European time). The relevant European international clearing system will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to the U.S. depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving debt securities in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Clearstream customers and Euroclear participants may not deliver instructions directly to their respective U.S. depositaries.
Because of time-zone differences, credits of debt securities received in Clearstream or Euroclear as a result of a transaction with a DTC participant will be made during subsequent securities settlement processing and dated the business day following the DTC settlement date. Such credits or any transactions in such debt securities settled during such processing will be reported to the relevant Clearstream customers or Euroclear participants on such business day. Cash received in Clearstream or Euroclear as a result of sales of debt securities by or through a Clearstream customer or a Euroclear participant to a DTC participant will be received with value on the DTC settlement date but generally will be available in the relevant Clearstream or Euroclear cash account only as of the business day following settlement in DTC.
Although DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear have agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of debt securities among participants of DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear, they are under no obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures and such procedures may be changed or discontinued at any time.
Other Clearing Systems
We may choose any other clearing system for a particular series of securities. The clearance and settlement procedures for the clearing system we choose will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
34
DESCRIPTION OF ORDINARY SHARES
This prospectus may be used to offer our ordinary shares either alone or underlying debt securities convertible into or exchangeable for our ordinary shares.
Holders of our ordinary shares are entitled to certain rights and subject to certain conditions.
The description of the ordinary shares of ArcelorMittal is discussed in detail in the 2014 Form 20-F, including under Item 10.AAdditional InformationShare Capital and Item 10.BAdditional InformationMemorandum and Articles of Association.
35
A description of any material U.S. federal and Luxembourg income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of securities will be provided in the applicable prospectus supplement.
36
We may sell the securities offered by this prospectus:
| through underwriters; |
| through dealers; |
| through agents; or |
| directly to purchasers. |
The prospectus supplement relating to any offering will identify or describe:
| any underwriters, dealers or agents; |
| their compensation; |
| the estimated net proceeds to us; |
| the purchase price of the securities; |
| the initial public offering price of the securities; and |
| any exchange on which the securities will be listed, if applicable. |
If we use underwriters in the sale, they will acquire securities for their own account and may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. Unless we otherwise state in the prospectus supplement, various conditions to the underwriters obligation to purchase securities apply, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities contemplated in an offering if they purchase any of such securities. Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
Dealers
If we use dealers in the sale, unless we otherwise indicate in the prospectus supplement, we will sell securities to the dealers as principals. The dealers may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices that the dealers may determine at the time of resale.
Agents and Direct Sales
We may sell securities directly or through agents that we designate. The prospectus supplement will name any agent involved in the offering and sale and state any commissions we will pay to that agent. Unless we indicate otherwise in the prospectus supplement, any agent is acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.
Contracts with Institutional Investors for Delayed Delivery
If we indicate in the prospectus supplement, we will authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers from various institutional investors to purchase securities. In this case, payment and delivery will be made on a future date that the prospectus supplement specifies. The underwriters, dealers or agents may impose limitations on the minimum amount that the institutional investor can purchase. They may also impose limitations on the portion of the aggregate amount of the securities that they may sell. These institutional investors include:
| commercial and savings banks; |
| insurance companies; |
| pension funds; |
| investment companies; |
| educational and charitable institutions; and |
| other similar institutions as we may approve. |
37
The obligations of any of these purchasers pursuant to delayed delivery and payment arrangements will not be subject to any conditions. However, one exception applies. An institutions purchase of the particular securities cannot at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction that governs:
| the validity of the arrangements; or |
| the performance by us or the institutional investor. |
Indemnification
Agreements that we will enter into with underwriters, dealers or agents may entitle them to indemnification by us against various civil liabilities. These include liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933. The agreements may also entitle them to contribution for payments which they may be required to make as a result of these liabilities. Underwriters, dealers and agents may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of business.
Market Making
In the event that we do not list securities of any series on a U.S. national securities exchange, various broker-dealers may make a market in the securities, but will have no obligation to do so, and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. Consequently, it may be the case that no broker-dealer will make a market in securities of any series or that the liquidity of the trading market for the securities will be limited.
Expenses
The expenses of any offering of debt securities will be detailed in the relevant prospectus supplement.
38
Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, the validity of the ordinary shares of ArcelorMittal and the due authorization of the issuance of the securities under Luxembourg law will be passed upon for ArcelorMittal by Elvinger, Hoss & Prussen, its Luxembourg counsel, and the validity of the debt securities under New York law will be passed upon for ArcelorMittal by Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, its United States counsel, and for the underwriters by Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP.
The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference from the Companys annual report on Form 20-F and the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, have been audited by Deloitte Audit S.à.r.l., an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
39
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 8. | Indemnification of Directors and Officers. |
The Articles of Association of ArcelorMittal provide that ArcelorMittal will, to the broadest extent permitted by Luxembourg law, indemnify every director and every member of the Group Management Board as well as every former director or member of the Group Management Board for fees, costs and expenses reasonably incurred in the defense or resolution (including a settlement) of all legal actions or proceedings, whether civil, criminal or administrative, he or she has been involved in his or her role as former or current director or member of the Group Management Board of ArcelorMittal.
The right to indemnification does not exist in the case of gross negligence, fraud, fraudulent inducement, dishonesty or for a criminal offense, or if it is ultimately determined that the director or member of the Group Management Board has not acted honestly, in good faith and with the reasonable belief that he or she was acting in the best interests of ArcelorMittal.
Item 9. | Exhibits. |
Exhibit |
Description of Document | |
1.1 | Form of Underwriting Agreement. | |
4.1 | Form of Senior Debt Indenture, between ArcelorMittal and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, and Citibank, N.A., as securities administrator. | |
4.2 | Form of debt securities for ArcelorMittal relating thereto (included in Exhibit 4.1). | |
4.3 | Subordinated Debt Indenture, between ArcelorMittal and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee and Citibank, N.A., as securities administrator, dated January 16, 2013 (filed as Exhibit 4.1 of the report on Form 6-K filed on January 16, 2013 (file No. 001-35788) and incorporated by reference herein). | |
4.4 | Form of subordinated debt securities for ArcelorMittal relating thereto (included in Exhibit 4.3). | |
4.5 | Amended and Restated Articles of Association of ArcelorMittal dated May 8, 2013 and published in the Mémorial C (Official Gazette) on July 3, 2013 (filed as Exhibit 1.1 to the annual report on Form 20-F filed on February 25, 2014 (File No. 001-35788) and incorporated by reference herein). | |
5.1 | Opinion of Elvinger, Hoss & Prussen as to the validity of the ordinary shares and debt securities under Luxembourg law. | |
5.2 | Opinion of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP as to the validity of the debt securities under New York law. | |
23.1 | Consent of Deloitte Audit S.à.r.l. | |
23.2 | Consent of Elvinger, Hoss & Prussen (included in Exhibit 5.1 above). | |
23.3 | Consent of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP (included in Exhibit 5.2 above). | |
23.4 | Consent of Cardno, Inc. | |
23.5 | Consent of SRK Consulting (UK) Limited. | |
23.6 | Consent of RPA Inc. | |
24.1 | Powers of Attorney (included in signature page). | |
25.1 | Statement of eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1 with respect to Exhibits 4.1 and 4.3 above. |
40
Item 10. | Undertakings. |
(a) | The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: |
1. | To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: |
(i) | To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act); |
(ii) | To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the Calculation of Registration Fee table in the effective registration statement; and |
(iii) | To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information set forth in the registration statement; |
provided, however, that paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
2. | That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
3. | To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. |
4. | To file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement to include any financial statements required by Item 8.A. of Form 20-F at the start of any delayed offering or throughout a continuous offering. Financial statements and information otherwise required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act need not be furnished, provided, that the registrant includes in the prospectus, by means of a post-effective amendment, financial statements required pursuant to this paragraph (4) and other information necessary to ensure that all other information in the prospectus is at least as current as the date of those financial statements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a post-effective amendment need not be filed to include financial statements and information required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act or Rule 3-19 of Regulation S-X if such financial statements and information are contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act) that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement. |
5. | That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser, |
(A) | Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and |
(B) | Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration |
41
statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date. |
6. | That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser: |
(i) | Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; |
(ii) | Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant; |
(iii) | The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and |
(iv) | Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser. |
7. | That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrants annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plans annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
8. | Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. |
42
SIGNATURES OF ARCELORMITTAL
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Luxembourg, on March 2, 2015.
ARCELORMITTAL | ||
By: | /s/ H.J. Scheffer | |
Name: | H.J. Scheffer | |
Title: | Company Secretary |
Power of Attorney
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Mr. B.C. Agarwal, Mr. Genuino Christino, Mr. T. Royer, Mr. E. Jansen and/or Mr. H.J. Scheffer, severally and individually, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) his/her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him/her and in his/her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to the registration statement on Form F-3, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he/she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated in respect of ArcelorMittal.
Signature |
Title |
Date | ||||||
/s/ Lakshmi N. Mittal |
Chief Executive Officer, Director and Chairman of the Board of Directors | March 2, 2015 | ||||||
Lakshmi N. Mittal | ||||||||
/s/ Aditya Mittal |
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) | March 2, 2015 | ||||||
Aditya Mittal | ||||||||
|
Director | |||||||
Vanisha Mittal Bhatia | ||||||||
|
Director | |||||||
Narayanan Vaghul | ||||||||
|
Director | |||||||
Wilbur L. Ross, Jr. | ||||||||
|
Director | |||||||
Lewis B. Kaden | ||||||||
/s/ Suzanne P. Nimocks |
Director | March 2, 2015 | ||||||
Suzanne P. Nimocks |
43
Signature |
Title |
Date | ||||||
|
Director | |||||||
Jeannot Krecké | ||||||||
/s/ Antoine Spillmann |
Director | March 2, 2015 | ||||||
Antoine Spillmann | ||||||||
/s/ Bruno Lafont |
Director | March 2, 2015 | ||||||
Bruno Lafont | ||||||||
/s/ Michel Wurth |
Director | March 2, 2015 | ||||||
Michel Wurth | ||||||||
/s/ Tye Burt |
Director | March 2, 2015 | ||||||
Tye Burt |
44
Signature of Authorized Representative of ArcelorMittal
Pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, the undersigned, the duly authorized representative in the United States of ArcelorMittal, has signed this registration statement in the City of Chicago, State of Illinois, on March 2, 2015.
Signature |
Title | |||
/s/ Marc Jeske |
Authorized Representative in the United States Assoc. GC/Asst. Secretary | |||
Marc Jeske |
45
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit |
Description of Document | |
1.1 | Form of Underwriting Agreement. | |
4.1 | Form of Senior Debt Indenture, between ArcelorMittal and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, and Citibank, N.A., as securities administrator. | |
4.2 | Form of debt securities for ArcelorMittal relating thereto (included in Exhibit 4.1). | |
4.3 | Subordinated Debt Indenture, between ArcelorMittal and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee and Citibank, N.A., as securities administrator, dated January 16, 2013 (filed as Exhibit 4.1 of the report on form 6-K filed on January 16, 2013 (File No. 001-35788) and incorporated by reference herein). | |
4.4 | Form of subordinated debt securities for ArcelorMittal relating thereto (included in Exhibit 4.3). | |
4.5 | Amended and Restated Articles of Association of ArcelorMittal dated May 8, 2013 and published in the Mémorial C (Official Gazette) on July 3, 2013 (filed as Exhibit 1.1 to the annual report on Form 20-F filed on February 25, 2014 (File No. 001-35788) and incorporated by reference herein). | |
5.1 | Opinion of Elvinger, Hoss & Prussen as to the validity of the ordinary shares and debt securities under Luxembourg law. | |
5.2 | Opinion of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP as to the validity of the debt securities under New York law. | |
23.1 | Consent of Deloitte Audit S.à.r.l. | |
23.2 | Consent of Elvinger, Hoss & Prussen (included in Exhibit 5.1 above). | |
23.3 | Consent of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP (included in Exhibit 5.2 above). | |
23.4 | Consent of Cardno, Inc. | |
23.5 | Consent of SRK Consulting (UK) Limited. | |
23.6 | Consent of RPA Inc. | |
24.1 | Powers of Attorney (included in signature page). | |
25.1 | Statement of eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1 with respect to Exhibits 4.1 and 4.3 above. |
46
Exhibit 1.1
ArcelorMittal
Debt Securities
Underwriting Agreement Standard Provisions
From time to time, ArcelorMittal, a Luxembourg société anonyme (the Company), may enter into one or more underwriting agreements in the form of Annex A hereto that incorporate by reference these Standard Provisions (collectively with these Standard Provisions, an Underwriting Agreement) that provide for the sale of the securities designated in such Underwriting Agreement (the Securities) to the several Underwriters named therein (the Underwriters), for whom the Underwriter(s) named therein shall act as representative (the Representative). The Underwriting Agreement, including these Standard Provisions, is sometimes referred to herein as this Agreement. The Securities will be issued pursuant to an Indenture dated as of , 2015 between the Company and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the Trustee) and Citibank, N.A., as securities administrator (the Securities Administrator), as applicable with respect to the Securities, as supplemented by a supplemental indenture (as supplemented, the Indenture).
1. Registration Statement. The Company has prepared and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (collectively, the Securities Act), a registration statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333- ) including any post-effective amendments thereto, including a prospectus (the Base Prospectus), relating to the debt securities to be issued from time to time by the Company. The Company has also filed, or proposes to file, with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act a prospectus supplement specifically relating to the Securities. The registration statement, as amended at the time it becomes effective, including the information, if any, deemed pursuant to Rule 430A, 430B or 430C under the Securities Act to be part of the registration statement at the time of its effectiveness, is referred to herein as the Registration Statement; and as used herein, the term Prospectus means the Base Prospectus as supplemented by the prospectus supplement specifically relating to the Securities in the form first used (or made available upon request of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173 under the Securities Act) in connection with confirmation of sales of the Securities and the term Preliminary Prospectus means the preliminary prospectus supplement specifically relating to the Securities together with the Base Prospectus. All references in this Agreement to financial statements and schedules and other information which is given, contained, included, stated or described in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus (or other references of like import) shall be deemed to mean and include all such financial statements and schedules and other information that are incorporated by reference in or otherwise deemed by the rules and regulations under the Securities 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 (or other references of like import) shall be deemed to mean and include the filing of any document under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), which is incorporated by reference in or otherwise deemed by the rules and regulations under Securities Act to be a part of or included in the Registration Statement, such Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, as the case may be.
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus. References herein to the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the documents incorporated by reference therein. For purposes of this Agreement, the term Effective Time means the effective date of the Registration Statement with respect to the offering of Securities, as determined for the Company pursuant to Section 11 of the Securities Act and Item 512 of Regulation S-K, as applicable.
At or prior to the time when sales of Securities will first be made, the Company will prepare certain information, which will be identified in Schedule 3 to the Underwriting Agreement and which, together with the Preliminary Prospectus most recently used prior to the execution of the Underwriting Agreement constitute the Time of Sale Information for such offering of Securities. The Time of Sale will be defined in the Underwriting Agreement.
2. Purchase of the Securities by the Underwriters. (a) The Company agrees to issue and sell the Securities to the several Underwriters named in the Underwriting Agreement, and each Underwriter, on the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements set forth herein and subject to the conditions set forth herein, agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company the respective principal amount of Securities set forth opposite such Underwriters name in the Underwriting Agreement at the purchase price set forth in the Underwriting Agreement.
(b) Payment for and delivery of the Securities will be made at the time and place set forth in the Underwriting Agreement. The time and date of such payment and delivery is referred to herein as the Closing Date.
(c) The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Underwriters named in the Underwriting Agreement are acting solely in the capacity of an arms length contractual counterparty to the Company with respect to the offering of Securities contemplated hereby (including in connection with determining the terms of the offering) and not as financial advisors or fiduciaries to, or agents of, the Company or any other person. Additionally, no such Underwriter is advising the Company or any other person as to any legal, tax, investment, accounting or regulatory matters in any jurisdiction. The Company shall consult with its own advisors concerning such matters and shall be responsible for making its own independent investigation and appraisal of the transactions contemplated hereby, and such Underwriters shall have no responsibility or liability to the Company with respect thereto. Any review by such Underwriters named in the
2
Underwriting Agreement of the Company, the transactions contemplated thereby or other matters relating to such transactions will be performed solely for the benefit of the Underwriters and shall not be on behalf of the Company or any other person.
3. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company represents and warrants to each Underwriter that:
(a) Registration Statement and Prospectus. The Registration Statement is an automatic shelf registration statement as defined under Rule 405 under the Securities Act that has been filed with the Commission not earlier than three years prior to the date hereof; and no notice of objection of the Commission to the use of such registration statement or any post-effective amendment thereto pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) under the Securities Act has been received by the Company. No order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued by the Commission and no proceeding for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Securities Act against the Company or related to the offering has been initiated or threatened by the Commission; as of the Effective Time, the Registration Statement complied in all material respects with the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (collectively, the Trust Indenture Act), and did not 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, 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 that the Company makes no representation and warranty with respect to (i) that part of the Registration Statement that constitutes the Statement of Eligibility and Qualification (Form T-1) of the Trustee under the Trust Indenture Act or (ii) any statements or omissions in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representative expressly for use therein.
(b) Time of Sale Information. The Time of Sale Information, at the Time of Sale, did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the Company makes no representation and warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representative expressly for use in such Time of Sale Information.
3
(c) Issuer Free Writing Prospectus. The Company (including its agents and representatives, other than the Underwriters in their capacity as such) has not prepared, made, used, authorized, approved or referred to and will not prepare, make, use, authorize, approve or refer to any written communication (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) that constitutes an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy the Securities (each such communication by the Company or its agents and representatives (other than a communication referred to in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) below) an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus) other than (i) any document not constituting a prospectus pursuant to Section 2(a)(10)(a) of the Securities Act or Rule 134 under the Securities Act, (ii) the Preliminary Prospectus, (iii) the Prospectus, (iv) the documents listed on Schedule 3 to the Underwriting Agreement and (v) any electronic road show that is a written communication within the meaning of Rule 433(d)(8)(i), whether or not required to be filed with the Commission, or other written communications, in each case approved in writing in advance by the Representative. Each such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus complied in all material respects with the Securities Act, has been or will be (within the time period specified in Rule 433) filed in accordance with the Securities Act (to the extent required thereby) and, when taken together with the Time of Sale Information filed prior to the first use of such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, did not, at the Time of Sale, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus does not include any information that conflicts with the information contained in the Registration Statement, including any document incorporated by reference therein and any supplement or amendment deemed to be a part thereof that has not been superseded or modified; provided that the Company makes no representation and warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in each such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representative expressly for use in any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus.
(d) Incorporated Documents. The documents incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information, when filed with the Commission, conformed or will conform, as the case may be, in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(e) Financial Statements. The financial statements and the related notes thereto included or incorporated by reference in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as applicable, and present fairly the financial position of the Company and its
4
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 International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IFRS) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered thereby, and the supporting schedules included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement present fairly the information required to be stated therein; and the other financial information included or incorporated by reference in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus has been derived from the accounting records of the Company and its subsidiaries and presents fairly 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 Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus have been prepared in accordance with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as applicable, and the assumptions underlying such pro forma financial information are reasonable and are set forth in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus.
(f) No Material Adverse Change. Since the date of the most recent financial statements of the Company included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, (i) there has not been any change in the capital stock or long-term debt of the Company or any of its significant subsidiaries, or any dividend or distribution of any kind declared, set aside for payment, paid or made by the Company on any class of capital stock, or any material adverse change, or any development involving a future material adverse change, in or affecting the business, properties, management, financial position, results of operations or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; (ii) neither the Company nor any of its significant subsidiaries has entered into any transaction or agreement that is material to the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole or incurred any liability or obligation, direct or contingent, that is material to the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; and (iii) neither the Company nor any of its significant subsidiaries has sustained any material loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor disturbance or dispute or any action, order or decree of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, except in each case as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus.
(g) Incorporation and Valid Existence. The Company and each of its significant subsidiaries are duly incorporated and are validly existing under the laws of their respective jurisdictions of incorporation, with full power and capacity to own or lease their respective property and assets and conduct their respective business as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, and are lawfully qualified to do business in those jurisdictions in which business is conducted by them, except where the failure to be so qualified, validly existing or have such power or capacity would not,
5
individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the business, properties, management, financial position or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole or on the performance by the Company of its obligations under the Securities (a Material Adverse Effect).
(h) Capitalization. All the outstanding shares of capital stock or other equity interests of the Company and each significant subsidiary of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and in case of shares or other equity interests in significant subsidiaries of the Company are owned directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of any lien (other than liens created by operation of law), charge, encumbrance, security interest, restriction on voting or transfer or any other claim of any third party (except that, no representation is made with respect to shares or other equity interests in any significant subsidiary that are not owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company or in the case of any foreign significant subsidiary, for directors qualifying shares), and except as otherwise described in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus (including the documents incorporated by reference therein).
(i) Due Authorization. The Company has full right, power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, the Securities and the Indenture (collectively, the Transaction Documents) and to perform its respective obligations hereunder and thereunder; and all action required to be taken for the due and proper authorization, execution and delivery of each of the Transaction Documents and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby has been duly and validly taken.
(j) The Indenture. The Indenture has been duly authorized by the Company, duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the Trust Indenture Act) and, when duly executed and delivered in accordance with its terms by each of the parties thereto, will constitute a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors rights generally or by general principles of equity (collectively, the Enforceability Exceptions).
(k) The Securities. The Securities have been duly authorized by the Company and, when duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered as provided in the Indenture and paid for as provided herein, will be duly and validly issued and outstanding and will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions, and will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.
(l) Underwriting Agreement. The Underwriting Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.
6
(m) Descriptions of the Transaction Documents. Each Transaction Document conforms in all material respects to the description thereof contained in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus.
(n) No Violation or Default. Neither the Company nor any of its significant subsidiaries is (i) in violation of its charter or by-laws or similar organizational documents; (ii) in default, and no event has occurred that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default, in the due performance or observance of any term, covenant or condition contained in any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its significant subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its significant subsidiaries is bound; or (iii) in violation of any law or statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority applicable to it, except, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above, for any such default or violation that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
(o) No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of each of the Transaction Documents, the issuance and sale of the Securities and compliance by the Company with the terms thereof and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents do not or will not, as the case may be (i) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company or any of its significant subsidiaries pursuant to, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its significant subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its significant subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its significant subsidiaries is subject, (ii) result in any violation of the provisions of the charter or by-laws or similar organizational documents of the Company or any of its significant subsidiaries or (iii) result in the violation of any law or statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, except, in the case of clauses (i) and (iii) above, for any such conflict, breach, violation, default, lien, charge or encumbrance that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
(p) No Consents Required. No consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority is required for the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of each of the Transaction Documents, the issuance and sale of the Securities and compliance by the Company with the terms thereof and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, except for such consents, approvals, authorizations, orders and registrations or qualifications (i) as have been obtained under the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act and (ii) as may be required under applicable state securities laws in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Securities by the Underwriters.
7
(q) Legal Proceedings. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, there are no legal, governmental or regulatory investigations, actions, suits or 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 the subject that, individually or in the aggregate, if determined adversely to the Company or any of its significant subsidiaries, would have a Material Adverse Effect; and no such investigations, actions, suits or proceedings are, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened by any governmental or regulatory authority or by others.
(r) Independent Accountants. Deloitte Audit, who has audited certain financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, included or incorporated by reference in each of the Registration Statement, Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, is an independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries within the applicable rules and regulations adopted by the Commission and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and as required by the Securities Act.
(s) Investment Company Act. The Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Securities and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, will not be an investment company as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (collectively, Investment Company Act).
(t) Forward-Looking Statements. No forward-looking statement (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act) contained or incorporated by reference in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus has been made or reaffirmed without a reasonable basis or has been disclosed other than in good faith.
(u) Status Under the Securities Act. The Company is not an ineligible issuer and is a well-known seasoned issuer, in each case as defined under the Securities Act and in each case at the times specified in the Securities Act in connection with the offering of the Securities.
(v) No Labor Disputes. No labor disturbance by or dispute with employees of the Company or any of its significant subsidiaries exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is contemplated or threatened and the Company is not aware of any existing or imminent labor disturbance by, or dispute with, the employees of any of its or its significant subsidiaries principal suppliers, contractors or customers, except as would not have a Material Adverse Effect and except as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus.
8
(w) Title to Real and Personal Property. The Company and its significant subsidiaries have good and marketable title to, or have valid rights to lease or otherwise use, all items of real and personal property that are material to the respective businesses of the Company and its significant subsidiaries, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, claims and defects and imperfections of title except those that (i) do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and its significant subsidiaries or (ii) could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(x) Licenses and Permits. The Company and its significant subsidiaries possess all licenses, certificates, permits and other authorizations issued by, and have made all declarations and filings with, the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign governmental or regulatory authorities that are necessary for the ownership or lease of their respective properties or the conduct of their respective businesses as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, except where the failure to possess or make the same would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; and except as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, neither the Company nor any of its significant subsidiaries has received notice of any revocation or modification of any such license, certificate, permit or authorization or has any reason to believe that any such license, certificate, permit or authorization will not be renewed in the ordinary course.
(y) Disclosure Controls. The Company maintains an effective system of disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act) that is designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commissions rules and forms, including controls and procedures designed to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Companys management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company has carried out evaluations of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures as required by Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act.
(z) Taxes. The Company and its significant subsidiaries have paid all material federal, state, local and foreign taxes and filed all material tax returns required to be paid or filed through the date hereof; and except as otherwise disclosed in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, there is no material tax deficiency that has been, or could reasonably be expected to be, asserted against the Company or any of its significant subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets.
9
(aa) Accounting Controls. The Company and its significant subsidiaries maintain internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with managements general or specific authorizations; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS and to maintain asset accountability; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with managements general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. The Companys internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) is effective and the Company is not aware of any material weakness in its internal control over financial reporting.
(bb) Compliance with Sanctions and Anti-corruption. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer or employee of the Company is currently a person with whom dealings are restricted or prohibited under any economic sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (OFAC) or any other U.S., EU, United Nations, or UK economic sanctions (Sanctions Target); neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries will lend, invest, contribute or otherwise make available directly or indirectly the proceeds raised in connection with the issue of the Notes to, or for the benefit of, any then-current Sanctions Target; neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has engaged in any activity or conduct which would violate any applicable anti-bribery or anti-corruption law or regulation; and the Company has instituted and maintains policies and procedures designed to prevent bribery and corruption.
(cc) No Unlawful Payments. Neither the Company nor any of its significant subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer or employee acting on behalf of the Company or any of its significant subsidiaries has (i) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity; (ii) made any direct or indirect unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee from corporate funds; or (iii) violated or is in violation of any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977.
(dd) No Stabilization. The Company has not taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that could reasonably be expected to cause or result in any stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Securities.
(ee) Sarbanes-Oxley Act. There is and has been no material failure on the part of the Company or any of the Companys directors or officers, in their capacities as such, to comply with any provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith (the Sarbanes-Oxley Act), including Section 402 related to loans and Sections 302 and 906 related to certifications.
10
(ff) No Restrictions or Withholding Taxes on Payments. There are no stamp or other issuance or transfer taxes or duties or other similar fees or charges required to be paid in Luxembourg or in the United States in connection with the execution and delivery of the Underwriting Agreement, the Indenture or the issuance or sale of the Securities. Other than as described in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, under the current laws and regulations of Luxembourg, all payments of principal, premium (if any) and interest on the Securities may be paid by the Company to the registered holder thereof in U.S. dollars that may be freely transferred out of Luxembourg, and all such payments and other distributions made to holders of the Securities who are non-residents of Luxembourg and who have no permanent establishment nor permanent representative in Luxembourg to which the Securities are attributable will not be subject to Luxembourg income, withholding or other taxes under the laws and regulations of Luxembourg and are otherwise free and clear of any other tax, duty withholding or deduction in Luxembourg and without the necessity of obtaining any governmental authorization in Luxembourg.
(gg) Compliance with Money Laundering Laws. The operations of the Company, in its capacity as a non-financial institution, are and have at all times been, so far as the Company is aware, conducted in compliance with all material applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Money Laundering Laws (as defined below) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending, or, to the best of the Companys knowledge, threatened, where Money Laundering Laws means the money laundering statutes of any jurisdiction in which the Issuer operates, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency.
4. Further Agreements of the Company. The Company covenants and agrees with each Underwriter that:
(a) Filings with the Commission. The Company will (i) pay the registration fees for this offering within the time period required by Rule 456(b)(1)(i) under the Securities Act and in any event prior to the Closing Date and (ii) file the Prospectus in a form approved by the Underwriters with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities 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 Securities Act. The Company will file any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to the extent required by Rule 433 under the Securities Act; and the Company will furnish copies of the Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (to the extent not previously delivered) to the Underwriters in New York City prior to 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on the business day next succeeding the date of this Agreement in such quantities as the Representative may reasonably request.
11
(b) Delivery of Copies. The Company will deliver, without charge, to each Underwriter during the Prospectus Delivery Period (as defined below), as many copies of the Prospectus (including all amendments and supplements thereto) and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (if applicable) as the Representative 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 reasonable opinion of counsel for the Underwriters a prospectus relating to the Securities is required by law to be delivered (or required to be delivered but for Rule 172 under the Securities Act) in connection with sales of the Securities by any Underwriter or dealer.
(c) Amendments or Supplements; Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses. Before making, preparing, using, authorizing, approving, referring to or filing any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, and before filing any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, the Company will furnish to the Representative and counsel for the Underwriters a copy of the proposed Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, amendment or supplement for review and will not make, prepare, use, authorize, approve, refer to or file any such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or file any such proposed amendment or supplement to which the Representative reasonably objects within a reasonable time.
(d) Notice to the Representative. The Company will advise the Representative 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 during the offering period 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 Securities Act; (v) of the occurrence of any event within the Prospectus Delivery Period as a result of which the Prospectus, the Time of Sale Information or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact 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 Time of Sale Information or any such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading; (vi) of the receipt by the Company of any notice of objection of the Commission to the use of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) under the Securities Act; and (vii) 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
12
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, to obtain as soon as possible the withdrawal thereof.
(e) Time of Sale Information. If at any time prior to the Closing Date (i) any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which any of the Time of Sale Information as then amended or supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or (ii) it is necessary to amend or supplement any of the Time of Sale Information to comply with applicable law, the Company will promptly notify the Underwriters thereof and promptly prepare and, subject to paragraph (b) above, furnish to the Underwriters such amendments or supplements to any of the Time of Sale Information as may be necessary so that the statements in any of the Time of Sale Information as so amended or supplemented will not, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, be misleading or so that any of the Time of Sale Information will comply with applicable law.
(f) Ongoing Compliance. If during the Prospectus Delivery Period (i) any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state 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 applicable law, the Company will promptly notify the Underwriters thereof and promptly prepare and, subject to paragraph (c) above, file with the Commission and furnish to the Underwriters and to such dealers as the Representative 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 applicable law.
(g) Blue Sky Compliance. The Company will arrange, if necessary, for the qualification of the Securities for offer and sale by the Underwriters under the laws of such jurisdictions as the Representative shall reasonably request and will continue such qualifications in effect so long as required for the offer and sale of the Securities; provided that the Company shall not be required to (i) qualify as a foreign corporation or other entity or as a dealer in securities in any such jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to so qualify, (ii) file any general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction or (iii) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction if it is not otherwise so subject.
13
(h) Earning Statement. The Company will make generally available to its security holders and the Representative as soon as practicable an earning statement that satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
(i) Clear Market. During the period from the date hereof through and including the Closing Date, the Company will not, without the prior written consent of the Representative, not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed, offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of any debt securities issued or guaranteed by the Company and having a tenor of more than one year, other than debt securities offered and sold exclusively outside the United States in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act.
(j) Use of Proceeds. The Company will apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Securities as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus under the heading Use of Proceeds.
(k) No Stabilization. The Company will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that could reasonably be expected to cause or result in any stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Securities.
(l) Filing of Exchange 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 Exchange 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 Securities Act.
5. Certain Agreements of the Underwriters. Each Underwriter hereby represents and agrees that:
(a) It has not and will not use, authorize use of, refer to, or participate in the planning for use of, any free writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act (which term includes use of any written information furnished to the Commission by the Company and not incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement) other than (i) a free writing prospectus that, solely as a result of use by such Underwriter, would not trigger an obligation to file such free writing prospectus with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433, (ii) any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus listed on Schedule 3 to the Underwriting Agreement or prepared pursuant to Section 3(c) or Section 4(c) above (including any electronic road show), or (iii) any free writing prospectus prepared by such underwriter and approved by the Company in advance in writing (each such free writing prospectus referred to in clauses (i) or (iii), an Underwriter Free Writing Prospectus).
14
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Underwriters may use a term sheet substantially in the form of Schedule 4 to this Agreement without the consent of the Company.
(c) It is not subject to any pending proceeding under Section 8A of the Securities Act with respect to the offering (and will promptly notify the Company if any such proceeding against it is initiated during the Prospectus Delivery Period).
(d) With effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in any Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a Relevant Member State) (the Relevant Implementation Date), it has not made and will not make an offer of Securities which are the subject of the offering contemplated by the Prospectus to the public in that Relevant Member State other than:
(i) to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive;
(ii) to fewer than 100 or, if the Relevant Member State has implemented the relevant provision of the 2010 PD Amending Directive, 150, natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive), as permitted under the Prospectus Directive, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the Representative; or
(iii) in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive,
provided that no such offer of Securities shall result in a requirement for the publication by the Company or any Initial Purchaser of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 16 of the Prospectus Directive.
For the purposes of this provision, the expression an offer of Securities to the public in relation to any Securities in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the Securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the Securities, as the same may be varied in that Relevant Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Relevant Member State and the expression Prospectus Directive means Directive 2003/71/EC and includes any relevant implementing measure in each Relevant Member State and the expression 2010 PD Amending Directive means Directive 2010/73/EU.
15
(e) It has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, or FSMA) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of the Securities which are the subject of the offering contemplated by the Prospectus in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to the Company.
(f) It has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the Securities in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.
6. Conditions of Underwriters Obligations. The obligation of each Underwriter to purchase Securities on the Closing Date as provided herein is subject to the performance by the Company of its covenants and other obligations hereunder and to the following additional conditions:
(a) Registration Compliance; No Stop Order. The Registration Statement has become effective and no order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall be in effect, and no proceeding for such purpose, pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) or pursuant to Section 8A under the Securities Act shall be pending before or threatened by the Commission; the Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus shall have been timely filed with the Commission under the Securities Act (in the case of an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, to the extent required by Rule 433 under the Securities Act) and in accordance with Section 4(a) hereof; and all requests during the offering period by the Commission for additional information shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of the Representative.
(b) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Company contained herein shall be true and correct on the date hereof and on and as of the Closing Date; and the statements of the Company and its officers made in any certificates delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall be true and correct on and as of the Closing Date.
(c) No Downgrade. Subsequent to the earlier of (A) the Time of Sale and (B) the execution and delivery of this Agreement, (ii) no downgrading shall have occurred in the rating accorded the Securities or any other debt securities or preferred stock issued or guaranteed by the Company by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization, as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act and (iii) no such organization shall have publicly announced that it has under surveillance or review, or has changed its outlook with respect to, its rating of the Securities or of any other debt securities or preferred stock issued or guaranteed by the Company (other than an announcement with positive implications of a possible upgrading).
16
(d) No Material Adverse Change. No event or condition of a type described in Section 3(f) hereof shall have occurred or shall exist, which event or condition is not described or contemplated in each of the Time of Sale Information (excluding any amendment or supplement thereto) and the Prospectus (excluding any amendment or supplement thereto), the effect of which in the reasonable judgment of the Representative makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offering, sale or delivery of the Securities on the terms and in the manner contemplated by this Agreement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus.
(e) Officers Certificate. The Representative shall have received on and as of the Closing Date certificates of two authorized representatives of the Company who have specific knowledge of the Companys financial matters and are reasonably satisfactory to the Representative (i) confirming that such officer has carefully reviewed the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus and, to the knowledge of such officers, the representations set forth in Sections 3(a) and 3(b) hereof are true and correct, (ii) confirming that the other representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement are true and correct and that the Company has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to the Closing Date and (iii) to the effect set forth in paragraphs (a), (c) and (d) above.
(f) Comfort Letters. On the date of this Agreement and on the Closing Date, Deloitte Audit shall have furnished to the Representative, at the request of the Company, a letter, dated the date of delivery thereof and addressed to the Underwriters, in the form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative, to the effect set forth in Annex B hereto; provided that the letter delivered on the Closing Date shall use a cut-off date no more than five business days prior to the Closing Date.
(g) Opinion and 10b-5 Statement of Counsel for the Company. Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, counsel for the Company, shall have furnished to the Representative, their written opinion and 10b-5 negative comfort letter, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Underwriters, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative, to the effect set forth in Annex C hereto.
(h) Opinion of Luxembourg Counsel for the Company. Elvinger, Hoss & Prussen, Luxembourg counsel for the Company, shall have furnished to the Representative their written opinion, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Underwriters, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative, to the effect set forth in Annex D hereto.
(i) Opinion and 10b-5 Statement of Counsel for the Underwriters. The Representative shall have received on and as of the Closing Date an opinion and 10b-5 statement of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, with respect to such matters as the Representative may reasonably request, and such counsel shall have received such documents and information as they may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such matters.
17
(j) No Legal Impediment to Issuance. No action shall have been taken and no statute, rule, regulation or order shall have been enacted, adopted or issued by any U.S. federal, state or foreign governmental or regulatory authority that would, as of the Closing Date, prevent the issuance or sale of the Securities; and no injunction or order of any federal, state or foreign court shall have been issued that would, as of the Closing Date, prevent the issuance or sale of the Securities.
(k) Incorporation and Valid Existence. The Representative shall have received on and as of the Closing Date reasonably satisfactory evidence of the due incorporation and valid existence of the Company in Luxembourg, in each case in writing or any standard form of telecommunication, from the appropriate governmental authorities of such jurisdictions.
(l) Additional Documents. On or prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall have furnished to the Representative such further certificates and documents as the Representative may reasonably request.
All opinions, letters, certificates and evidence mentioned above or elsewhere in this Agreement shall be deemed to be in compliance with the provisions hereof only if they are in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters.
7. Indemnification and Contribution.
(a) Indemnification of the Underwriters. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its affiliates, directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls such Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against any and all duly documented losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, legal fees and other reasonable expenses incurred in connection with any suit, action or proceeding or any claim asserted, as such fees and expenses are incurred), joint or several, that arise out of, or are based upon, (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, not misleading, or (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any Time of Sale Information, or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, in each case except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with any information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by or on behalf of such Underwriter through the Representative expressly for use therein.
18
(b) Indemnification of the Company. Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, and officers and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent as the indemnity set forth in paragraph 7(a) above, but only with respect to any duly documented losses, claims, damages or liabilities that arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with any information relating to such Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by or on behalf of such Underwriter through the Representative expressly for use in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any Time of Sale Information, it being understood and agreed that the only such information consists of the information identified in the Underwriting Agreement as being provided by the Underwriters.
(c) Notice and Procedures. If any suit, action, proceeding (including any governmental or regulatory investigation), claim or demand shall be brought or asserted against any person in respect of which indemnification may be sought pursuant to either paragraph (a) or (b) above, such person (the Indemnified Person) shall promptly notify the person against whom such indemnification may be sought (the Indemnifying Person) in writing; provided that the failure to notify the Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have under paragraph (a) or (b) above except to the extent that it has been materially prejudiced (through the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses) by such failure; and provided, further, that the failure to notify the Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have to an Indemnified Person otherwise than under this paragraph (a) or (b) above.
If any such proceeding shall be brought or asserted against an Indemnified Person and it shall have notified the Indemnifying Person thereof, the Indemnifying Person shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person to represent the Indemnified Person and any others entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Section 7 in such proceeding that the Indemnifying Person may designate and shall pay the fees and expenses of such proceeding and shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel related to such proceeding, as incurred. In any such proceeding, any Indemnified Person shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and reasonable and documented expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Person unless (i) the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person shall have mutually agreed to the contrary; (ii) the Indemnifying Person has failed within a reasonable time to retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person; (iii) the Indemnified Person shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it that are different from or in addition to those available to the Indemnifying
19
Person; or (iv) the named parties in any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them. It is understood and agreed that the Indemnifying Person shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related proceeding in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all Indemnified Persons, and that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred. Any such separate firm for any Underwriter, its affiliates, directors and officers and any control persons of such Underwriter shall be designated in writing by the Representative and any such separate firm for the Company, its directors and officers and any control persons of the Company shall be designated in writing by the Company. The Indemnifying Person shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the Indemnifying Person agrees to indemnify each Indemnified Person from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an Indemnified Person shall have requested that an Indemnifying Person reimburse the Indemnified Person for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by this paragraph, the Indemnifying Person shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 90 days after receipt by the Indemnifying Person of such request and (ii) (A) the Indemnifying Person shall not have reimbursed the Indemnified Person in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement or (B) the Indemnifying Person shall not have, on or before the 90th day after the receipt by the Indemnifying Person of such request, disputed in good faith that the fees and expenses claimed by the Indemnified Party are payable by the Indemnifying Person hereunder. No Indemnifying Person shall, without the written consent of the Indemnified Person, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Person is or was threatened to be made a party and indemnification could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Person, unless such settlement (x) includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Person, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Person, from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding and (y) does not include any statement as to or any admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any Indemnified Person.
(d) Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in paragraphs (a) or (b) above is unavailable to an Indemnified Person or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then each Indemnifying Person under such paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Person thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Person as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other from the offering of the Securities or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) is not permitted by
20
applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the net proceeds (before deducting expenses) received by the Company from the sale of the Securities and the total discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters in connection therewith, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover of the Prospectus, bear to the aggregate offering price of the Securities. The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or by the Underwriters and the parties relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
(e) Limitation on Liability. The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in paragraph (d) above. The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Person as a result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to in paragraph (d) above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses incurred by such Indemnified Person in connection with any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, in no event shall an Underwriter be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total discounts and commissions received by such Underwriter with respect to the offering of the Securities exceeds the amount of any damages that such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Underwriters obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 7 are several in proportion to their respective purchase obligations hereunder and not joint.
(f) Non-Exclusive Remedies. The remedies provided for in this Section 7 are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies that may otherwise be available to any Indemnified Person at law or in equity.
8. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated in the absolute discretion of the Representative, by written notice to the Company, if after the execution and delivery of this Agreement and on or prior to the Closing Date (i) trading generally shall have been suspended or materially limited on the New York Stock Exchange or the U.S.
21
over-the-counter market; (ii) trading of any securities issued or guaranteed by the Company shall have been suspended on any exchange or the U.S. over-the-counter market (other than as a result of exchange or market wide trading suspensions); (iii) a general moratorium on commercial banking activities shall have been declared by U.S. federal or New York State authorities; or (iv) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities or any change in financial markets or any calamity or crisis, either within or outside the United States, that, in the reasonable judgment of the Representative, is material and adverse and makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offering, sale or delivery of the Securities on the terms and in the manner contemplated by this Agreement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus.
9. Defaulting Underwriter. (a) If, on the Closing Date, any Underwriter defaults on its obligation to purchase the Securities that it has agreed to purchase hereunder, the non-defaulting Underwriters may in their discretion arrange for the purchase of such Securities by other persons satisfactory to the Company on the terms contained in this Agreement. If, within 36 hours after any such default by any Underwriter, the non-defaulting Underwriters do not arrange for the purchase of such Securities, then the Company shall be entitled to a further period of 36 hours within which to procure other persons reasonably satisfactory to the non-defaulting Underwriters to purchase such Securities on such terms. If other persons become obligated or agree to purchase the Securities of a defaulting Underwriter, either the non-defaulting Underwriters or the Company may postpone the Closing Date for up to five full business days in order to effect any changes that in the opinion of counsel for the Company and counsel for the Underwriters may be necessary in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus or in any other document or arrangement, and the Company agrees to promptly prepare any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus that effects any such changes. As used in this Agreement, the term Underwriter includes, for all purposes of this Agreement unless the context otherwise requires, any person not listed in Schedule 1 hereto that, pursuant to this Section 9, purchases Securities that a defaulting Underwriter agreed but failed to purchase.
(b) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the Securities of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by the non-defaulting Underwriters and the Company as provided in paragraph (a) above, the aggregate principal amount of such Securities that remains unpurchased does not exceed one-eleventh of the aggregate principal amount of all the Securities, then the Company shall have the right to require each non-defaulting Underwriter to purchase the principal amount of Securities that such Underwriter agreed to purchase hereunder plus such Underwriters pro rata share (based on the principal amount of Securities that such Underwriter agreed to purchase hereunder) of the Securities of such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters for which such arrangements have not been made.
(c) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the Securities of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by the non-defaulting Underwriters and the Company as provided in paragraph (a) above, the aggregate
22
principal amount of such Securities that remains unpurchased exceeds one-eleventh of the aggregate principal amount of all the Securities, or if the Company shall not exercise the right described in paragraph (b) above, then this Agreement shall terminate without liability on the part of the non-defaulting Underwriters. Any termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 9 shall be without liability on the part of the Company, except that the Company will continue to be liable for the payment of expenses as set forth in Section 10 hereof and except that the provisions of Section 7 hereof shall not terminate and shall remain in effect.
(d) Nothing contained herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter of any liability it may have to the Company or any non-defaulting Underwriter for damages caused by its default.
10. Payment of Expenses. (a) Whether or not the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, the Company agrees to pay or cause to be paid all reasonable and documented costs and expenses incident to the performance of its obligations hereunder, including without limitation, (i) the costs incident to the authorization, issuance, sale, preparation and delivery of the Securities and any taxes payable in that connection; (ii) the costs incident to the preparation, printing and filing under the Securities Act of the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus (including any amendment or supplement thereto) and the distribution thereof; (iii) the costs of reproducing and distributing each of the Transaction Documents; (iv) the fees and expenses of the Companys counsel and independent accountants; (v) any fees charged by rating agencies for rating the Securities; (vi) the fees and expenses of the Trustee and any paying agent (including related fees and expenses of any counsel to such parties); (vii) all expenses and application fees incurred in connection with any filing the approval of the Securities for book-entry transfer by DTC; and (viii) all expenses incurred by the Company in connection with any road show presentation to potential investors. For the sake of clarity, the Company shall not be obligated to pay, or cause to be paid, the fees of legal counsel to the Underwriters.
(b) If (i) the Company for any reason fails to tender the Securities for delivery to the Underwriters or (ii) the Underwriters decline to purchase the Securities for any reason permitted under this Agreement (other than as a result of termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8(i), 8(iii) or 8(iv)), the Company agrees to reimburse the Underwriters for all out-of-pocket reasonable and documented costs and expenses (including the fees and expenses of their counsel) reasonably incurred by the Underwriters in connection with this Agreement and the offering contemplated hereby.
11. Persons Entitled to Benefit of Agreement. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and any controlling persons referred to herein, and the affiliates, officers and directors of each Underwriter referred to in Section 7 hereof. Nothing in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any other person any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim
23
under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision contained herein. No purchaser of Securities from any Underwriter shall be deemed to be a successor merely by reason of such purchase.
12. 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 investigation made by or on behalf of the Company or the Underwriters. The provisions of Section 7 and Section 10 will survive the termination or cancellation of this Agreement.
13. Certain Defined Terms. For purposes of this Agreement, (a) except where otherwise expressly provided, the term affiliate has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act; (b) the term business day means any day other than a day on which banks are permitted or required to be closed in New York City, Paris or Luxembourg; (c) the term subsidiary has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act; (d) the term written communication has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act ; and (e) the term significant subsidiary has the meaning set forth in Rule 1.02(w) of Regulation S-X promulgated by the Commission.
14. Submission to Jurisdiction; Appointment of Agent for Service. (a) The Company irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State or United States Federal court sitting in The City of New York, Borough of Manhattan, over any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement. The Company irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such a court and any claim that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such a court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. To the extent that the Company has or hereafter may acquire any immunity (on the grounds of sovereignty or otherwise) from the jurisdiction of any court or from any legal process with respect to itself or its property, the Company irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, such immunity in respect of any such suit, action or proceeding.
(b) The Company hereby irrevocably appoints ArcelorMittal USA Holdings II LLC, 1 South Dearborn Street, 19th floor, Chicago, Illinois 60603-9888, United States of America, as its agent for service of process in any suit, action or proceeding described in the preceding paragraph and agrees that service of process in any manner permitted by applicable law in any such suit, action or proceeding may be made upon it at the office of such agent. The Company waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any other requirements of or objections to personal jurisdiction with respect thereto. The Company represents and warrants that such agent has agreed to act as its agent for service of process and agrees to take any and all action, including the filing of any and all documents and instruments that may be necessary to continue such appointment in full force and effect.
24
15. Judgment Currency. If for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder into any currency other than United States dollars, the parties hereto agree, to the fullest extent permitted by law, that the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which the Underwriters could purchase United States dollars with such other currency in The City of New York on the business day preceding that on which final judgment is given. The obligation of the Company with respect to any sum due from it to any Underwriter or any person controlling any Underwriter shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency other than United States dollars, not be discharged until the first business day following receipt by such Underwriter or controlling person of any sum in such other currency, and only to the extent that such Underwriter or controlling person may purchase United States dollars with such other currency. If the United States dollars so purchased are less than the sum originally due to such Underwriter or controlling person hereunder, the Company agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify such Underwriter or controlling person against such loss. If the United States dollars so purchased are greater than the sum originally due to such Underwriter or controlling person hereunder, such Underwriter or controlling person agrees to pay to the Company an amount equal to the excess of the dollars so purchased over the sum originally due to such Underwriter or controlling person hereunder.
16. Miscellaneous. (a) Authority of the Representative. Any action by the Underwriters hereunder may be taken by the Representative on behalf of the Underwriters, and any such action taken by the Representative shall be binding upon the Underwriters.
(b) Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed or transmitted and confirmed by any standard form of telecommunication. Notices to the Underwriters shall be given to it at the addresses and facsimile numbers specified in the Underwriting Agreement. Notices to the Company shall be given to it at 24-26 boulevard dAvranches, L-1160 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, (fax: +352 4792 89 2129); Attention: External Funding Department and Immeuble le Cézanne, 6 rue André Campra, 93212 La Plaine Saint-Denis Cedex, France, (fax: +33 1 71 92 10 05); Attention: External Funding Department.
(c) Governing Law. This Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
(d) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts (which may include counterparts delivered by any standard form of telecommunication), each of which shall be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
(e) Amendments or Waivers. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement, nor any consent or approval to any departure therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the parties hereto.
25
(f) Headings. The headings herein are included for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be part of, or to affect the meaning or interpretation of, this Agreement.
26
Annex A
[Form of Underwriting Agreement]
Underwriting Agreement
, 20
[Name(s) of Representative(s)]
As Representative(s) of the several Underwriters
listed in Schedule 1 hereto
c/o [Name(s) and Address(es) of Representatives]
Ladies and Gentlemen:
ArcelorMittal, a Luxembourg société anonyme (the Company), proposes to issue and sell to the several Underwriters listed in Schedule 1 hereto (the Underwriters), for whom you are acting as representative(s) (the Representative(s)), $ principal amount of its % Notes due 20 having the terms set forth in Schedule 2 hereto (the Securities). The Securities will be issued pursuant to an Indenture dated as of [], 2015, among the Company, Wilmington Trust, National Association as trustee (the Trustee) and Citibank, N.A. as securities administrator (the Securities Administrator), as supplemented by a supplemental indenture thereto dated as of , 201 (the Indenture).
The Company agrees to issue and sell the Securities to the several Underwriters as provided in this Agreement, and each Underwriter, on the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements set forth herein and subject to the conditions set forth herein, agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company the respective principal amount of Securities set forth opposite such Underwriters name in Schedule 1 hereto at a price equal to % of the principal amount thereof plus accrued interest, if any, from , 201 to the Closing Date (as defined below). The Company will not be obligated to deliver any of the Securities except upon payment for all the Securities to be purchased as provided herein.
The Company understands that the Underwriters intend to make a public offering of the Securities as soon after the effectiveness of this Agreement as in the judgment of the Representative(s) is advisable, and initially to offer the Securities on the terms set forth in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus.
Schedule 3 hereto sets forth information that together with the Preliminary Prospectus used most recently prior to the execution of this Underwriting Agreement, constitute the Time of Sale Information made available at the Time of Sale. The Time of Sale with respect to the Securities is defined as [TIME], on [DATE]. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Underwriters may offer and sell Securities to or through any affiliate of an Underwriter and that any such affiliate may offer and sell Securities purchased by it to or through any Underwriter.
Annex A-1
Payment for and delivery of the Securities shall be made at the offices of [specify closing location] at 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on , or at such other time or place on the same or such other date, not later than the fifth business day thereafter, as the Representative(s) and the Company may agree upon in writing. The time and date of such payment and delivery is referred to herein as the Closing Date.
Payment for the Securities shall be made by wire transfer in immediately available funds to the account(s) specified by the Company to the Representative(s) against delivery to the nominee of The Depository Trust Company, for the account of the Underwriters, of one or more global notes representing the Securities (collectively, the Global Note), with any transfer taxes payable in connection with the sale of the Securities duly paid by the Company. The Global Note will be made available for inspection by the Representative(s) not later than 1:00 P.M., New York City time, on the business day prior to the Closing Date.
The Company and the Underwriters acknowledge and agree that the only information relating to any Underwriter which has been furnished to the Company by any Underwriter expressly for use in the Registration Statement, including the Basic Prospectus included therein, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any Time of Sale Information consists of the following: the legal and marketing names of the Underwriters [on the cover page and in the first paragraph under the heading Underwriting in the prospectus supplement included in the Preliminary Prospectus and in the prospectus supplement included in the Prospectus, the information contained in the table and in the third, fourth, seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth full paragraphs and in Other Relationships under the heading Underwriting in the prospectus supplement included in the Preliminary Prospectus and the prospectus supplement included in the Final Prospectus, and the following information in the final Pricing Term Sheets dated [ ]: (i) the Spread to Benchmark Treasury, (ii) Benchmark Treasury and (iii) the Benchmark Treasury Price and Yield].
Notices to the Underwriters shall be given at: [ ]
All provisions contained in the document entitled ArcelorMittal Debt Securities Underwriting Agreement Standard Provisions, which was filed as Exhibit 99.1 of the Form 6-K furnished by the Company on [ ], 2015 and indicating incorporation by reference into the Registration Statement on Form F-3 dated [ ], 2015 (File No. 333-[ ]), are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety and shall be deemed to be a part of this Underwriting Agreement to the same extent as if such provisions had been set forth in full herein, except that if any term defined in such Underwriting Agreement Standard Provisions is otherwise defined herein, the definition set forth herein shall control.
This Agreement may be signed in counterparts (which may include counterparts delivered by any standard form of telecommunication), each of which shall be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
Annex A-2
If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please indicate your acceptance of this Agreement by signing in the space provided below.
Very truly yours,
ARCELORMITTAL | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |
Accepted: , 20
For themselves and on behalf of the
several Underwriters listed
in Schedule 1 hereto.
[ ]
By |
| |
Authorized Signatory |
Annex A-3
Schedule 1
Underwriter |
Principal Amount |
|||
$ | ||||
Total |
$ |
Schedule 1-1
Schedule 2
Representative(s) and Address(es) for Notices:
Certain Terms of the Securities:
Title of Securities: % Notes due 20
Aggregate Principal Amount of Securities: $
Maturity Date: , 20
Interest Rate: %
Interest Payment Dates: and , commencing , 20
Record Dates: and
Redemption Provisions:
[Other Provisions:]
Schedule 2-1
Schedule 3
Time of Sale Information
1. List each document or any information provided as an amendment or supplement to the Preliminary Prospectus
2. Term sheet containing the terms of the Securities, substantially in the form of Schedule 4
Schedule 3-1
Schedule 4
ArcelorMittal
Pricing Term Sheet
Issuer: |
||
Security description: |
% notes due 20 | |
Size: |
$ | |
Price: |
% of face amount | |
Maturity: |
, 20 | |
Coupon: |
% | |
Yield to maturity: |
% | |
[Benchmark Treasury:] |
] | |
[Spread to Benchmark Treasury: |
%] | |
[Benchmark Treasury [Price] and Yield: |
%] | |
[Reference Treasury Dealers:] |
||
Interest Payment Dates: |
and , commencing , | |
[Proceeds to Company Before Expenses:] |
||
[Use of Proceeds:] |
||
[Change of control: |
101%] | |
[Make-whole spread: |
] | |
Trade date: |
||
Settlement: |
T+ ; , 20 | |
CUSIP: |
||
ISIN: |
||
Denominations/Multiple: |
||
Underwriters: |
||
[ ] |
The issuer has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus) with the SEC for the offering to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that registration statement and other documents the issuer has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the issuer and this offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, the issuer, any underwriter or any dealer participating in the offering will arrange to send you the prospectus if you request it by calling toll-free 1-8[xx-xxx-xxxx] [or emailing [ ] at [. ]]
Schedule 4-1
Annex B
[Form of Comfort Letter]
[To be provided]
Annex B-1
Annex C
[Form of Opinion of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, Counsel for the Company]
Annex C-1
Annex D
[Form of Opinion of Luxembourg Counsel to the Company]
Annex D-1
Exhibit 4.1
ArcelorMittal
and
Wilmington Trust, National Association,
as Trustee
and
Citibank, N.A.
as Securities Administrator
Senior Indenture
Dated as of , 2015
ArcelorMittal
and
Wilmington Trust. National Association,
as Trustee
and
Citibank, N.A.
as Securities Administrator
Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the
Indenture, dated as of , 2015
Trust Indenture Act Section |
Indenture Section | |
§310(a)(1) |
6.09 | |
(a)(2) |
6.09 | |
(a)(3) |
Not Applicable | |
(a)(4) |
Not Applicable | |
(a)(5) |
6.09 | |
(b) |
6.08 | |
6.10 | ||
§311 |
6.13 | |
§312(a) |
7.01 | |
7.02(a) | ||
(b) |
7.02(b) | |
(c) |
7.02(c) | |
§313(a) |
7.03(a) | |
(b) |
7.03(b) | |
(c) |
7.03(b) | |
(d) |
7.03(c) | |
§314(a)(1)(2) and (3) |
7.04 | |
(a)(4) |
10.06 | |
(b) |
Not Applicable | |
(c)(1) |
1.02 | |
(c)(2) |
1.02 | |
(c)(3) |
Not Applicable | |
(d) |
Not Applicable | |
(e) |
1.02 | |
§315(a) |
6.01(a) | |
(b) |
6.02 | |
(c) |
6.01(b) | |
(d) |
6.01(c) | |
(d)(1), (2) and (3) |
6.01(c) | |
(e) |
5.12 | |
§316(a) |
1.01 | |
(a)(1)(A) |
5.05 | |
(a)(1)(B) |
5.04 | |
(a)(2) |
Not Applicable | |
(b) |
5.07 and 5.08 | |
(c) |
1.04 | |
§317(a)(1) |
5.08 | |
(a)(2) |
5.09 | |
(b) |
6.06 | |
§318(a) |
1.08 |
Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.
ArcelorMittal
and
Wilmington Trust. National Association,
as Trustee
and
Citibank, N.A.
as Securities Administrator
Indenture, dated as of , 2015
Reference is made to the following provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, which establish certain duties and responsibilities of the Company and the Trustee which may not be set forth fully in this Indenture:
Section | Subject | |
310(b) | Disqualifications of Trustee for conflicting interest | |
311 | Preferential collection of claims of Trustee as creditor of Company | |
312(a) | Periodic filing of information by Company with Trustee | |
312(b) | Access of Securityholders to information | |
313(a) | Annual report of Trustee to Securityholders | |
313(b) | Additional reports of Trustee to Securityholders | |
314(a) | Reports by Company, including annual compliance certificate | |
314(c) | Evidence of compliance with conditions precedent | |
315(a) | Duties of Trustee prior to default | |
315(b) | Notice of default from Trustee to Securityholders | |
315(c) | Duties of Trustee in case of default | |
315(d) | Provisions relating to responsibility of Trustee | |
315(e) | Assessment of costs against litigating Securityholders in certain circumstances | |
316(a) | Directions and waivers by Securityholders in certain circumstances | |
316(b) | Prohibition of impairment of right of Securityholders to payment | |
316(c) | Right of Company to set record date for certain purposes | |
317(a) | Special powers of Trustee | |
318(a) | Provisions of Act to control in case of conflict |
Page | ||||||
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION | 1 | |||||
Definitions | 1 | |||||
Compliance Certificates and Opinions | 11 | |||||
Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee or the Securities Administrator | 12 | |||||
Acts of Holders | 12 | |||||
Notices, Etc., to Trustee, the Securities Administrator and Company | 14 | |||||
Notice to Holders; Waiver | 15 | |||||
Language of Notices, Etc | 15 | |||||
Conflict with Trust Indenture Act | 16 | |||||
Effect of Headings and Table of Contents | 16 | |||||
Successors and Assigns | 16 | |||||
Separability Clause | 16 | |||||
Benefits of Indenture | 16 | |||||
Governing Law | 16 | |||||
Jurisdiction | 16 | |||||
Process Agent | 16 | |||||
Calculation Agent | 17 | |||||
Legal Holidays | 17 | |||||
Judgment Currency | 17 | |||||
Immunity of Incorporators, Shareholders, Officers, Directors and Employees | 18 | |||||
SECURITY FORMS | 18 | |||||
Forms Generally | 18 | |||||
Form of Securities Administrators Certificate of Authentication | 19 | |||||
Securities in Global Form | 19 | |||||
Form of Legend for Book-Entry Securities | 20 | |||||
THE SECURITIES | 20 | |||||
Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series | 20 | |||||
Denominations | 23 | |||||
Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating | 23 | |||||
Temporary Securities | 25 | |||||
Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange | 26 | |||||
Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities | 29 | |||||
Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved | 30 | |||||
Persons Deemed Owners | 31 | |||||
Cancellation | 32 |
Computation of Interest | 32 | |||||
Electronic Security Issuance | 32 | |||||
CUSIP Numbers | 33 | |||||
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE | 33 | |||||
Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance | 33 | |||||
Legal Defeasance and Discharge | 33 | |||||
Covenant Defeasance | 34 | |||||
Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance | 34 | |||||
Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations To Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions | 35 | |||||
Repayment to Company | 35 | |||||
Reinstatement | 36 | |||||
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES | 36 | |||||
Events of Default | 36 | |||||
Acceleration | 38 | |||||
Other Remedies | 38 | |||||
Waiver Of Past Defaults | 39 | |||||
Control by Majority | 39 | |||||
Limitation on Suits | 39 | |||||
Rights of Holders of Securities To Receive Payment | 40 | |||||
Collection Suit by Trustee | 40 | |||||
Trustee May File Proofs of Claim | 40 | |||||
Priorities | 41 | |||||
Restoration of Rights and Remedies | 41 | |||||
Undertaking for Costs | 41 | |||||
THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITIES ADMINISTRATOR | 41 | |||||
Certain Duties and Responsibilities | 41 | |||||
Notice of Defaults | 43 | |||||
Certain Rights of Trustee | 43 | |||||
Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities | 46 | |||||
May Hold Securities | 46 | |||||
Money Held in Trust | 46 | |||||
Compensation and Reimbursement | 47 | |||||
Disqualification; Conflicting Interests | 47 | |||||
Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility | 47 | |||||
Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor | 48 | |||||
Acceptance of Appointment by Successor | 49 | |||||
Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business | 50 | |||||
Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company | 50 | |||||
Appointment of Authenticating Agent | 51 | |||||
Certain Rights of the Securities Administrator | 52 |
2
HOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS BY SECURITIES ADMINISTRATOR AND COMPANY | 52 | |||||
Company to Furnish Securities Administrator Names and Addresses of Holders of Securities | 52 | |||||
Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders | 53 | |||||
Reports by Trustee | 54 | |||||
Reports by Company | 54 | |||||
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER | 55 | |||||
Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only On Certain Terms | 55 | |||||
Successor Substituted | 56 | |||||
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES | 56 | |||||
Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders | 56 | |||||
Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders | 57 | |||||
Execution of Supplemental Indentures | 58 | |||||
Effect of Supplemental Indentures | 59 | |||||
Conformity with Trust Indenture Act | 59 | |||||
Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures | 59 | |||||
COVENANTS | 59 | |||||
Payments | 59 | |||||
Maintenance of Office or Agency | 59 | |||||
Appointment To Fill a Vacancy in the Office of the Trustee | 60 | |||||
Notice of Certain Events | 60 | |||||
[Reserved] | 60 | |||||
Compliance Certificate | 60 | |||||
Further Actions | 61 | |||||
Stay, Extension and Usury Laws | 61 | |||||
Corporate Existence | 61 | |||||
Negative Pledge | 61 | |||||
Payment of Additional Amounts | 61 | |||||
Offer To Purchase upon a Change of Control | 61 | |||||
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES | 62 | |||||
Applicability of this Article | 62 | |||||
Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee and the Securities Administrator | 62 | |||||
Redemption at the Option of the Company | 62 | |||||
Mandatory Redemption | 62 | |||||
Cancellation of Redeemed Securities | 62 | |||||
Selection by Securities Administrator of Securities to be Redeemed | 62 | |||||
Notice of Redemption | 63 |
3
Deposit of Redemption Price | 64 | |||||
Securities Payable on Redemption Date | 64 | |||||
Securities Redeemed in Part | 64 | |||||
Open Market Purchases | 65 | |||||
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE | 65 | |||||
Satisfaction and Discharge | 65 | |||||
Application of Trust Money | 66 | |||||
MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES | 66 | |||||
Call and Notice of Holders Meeting | 66 | |||||
Communication by Holders of Securities with Other Holders of Securities | 67 | |||||
Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings | 67 | |||||
Quorum; Action | 67 | |||||
Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings | 68 | |||||
Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings | 68 |
4
INDENTURE, dated as , 2015, between ArcelorMittal, a société anonyme incorporated under Luxembourg law (hereinafter called the Company), Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking association (hereinafter called the Trustee) and Citibank, N.A., a national banking association (hereinafter called the Securities Administrator).
RECITALS OF THE COMPANY
The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (hereinafter called the Securities), to be issued in one or more series as is provided in this Indenture.
All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of a series thereof, as follows:
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION
Section 1.01. Definitions. For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article, and include the plural as well as the singular;
(b) all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein; and
(c) the words herein, hereof and hereunder and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.
Certain terms, used principally in Article 6, are defined in that Article.
Act, when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in Section 1.04.
Additional Amounts has the meaning specified in Section 10.11.
Affiliate of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, control, as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise. For purposes of this definition, the terms controlling, controlled by and under common control with have correlative meanings.
Applicable Accounting Standards means the International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
asset(s) of any Person means, all or any part of its business, undertaking, property, assets, revenues (including any right to receive revenues) and uncalled capital, wherever situated.
Authenticating Agent means any Person authorized by the Securities Administrator pursuant to Section 6.14 to act on behalf of the Securities Administrator to authenticate Securities of one or more series.
Authorized Officer, means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Corporate Secretary, any Vice-President, any Finance Special Proxy Holder of such Person and, with respect to the Company only, any member of the Group Management Board.
Board of Directors means:
(a) with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board;
(b) with respect to a partnership, the board of directors of the general partner of the partnership;
(c) with respect to a limited liability company, the managing member or members or any controlling committee of managing members thereof; and
(d) with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such Person serving a similar function.
Board Resolution means a resolution of the Board of Directors, in relation to which a certificate of the Corporate Secretary or an Authorized Officer of the Company certifying due authorization of the matter(s) set forth in such resolution and certifying that such resolution is in full force and effect on the date of such certification, has been delivered to the Securities Administrator.
Book-Entry Security means a Security bearing the legend specified in Section 2.04, evidencing all or part of a series of Securities, issued to the Depository for such series or its nominee, and registered in the name of such Depository or such nominee. Book-Entry Securities shall not be deemed to be Securities in global form for purposes of Sections 2.01 and 2.03 and Article 3 of the Indenture.
Business Day means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York, Paris or Luxembourg or a place of payment (which shall have been notified in writing to the Trustee and the Securities Administrator) are authorized by law, regulation or executive order to close.
Calculation Agent means the Person, if any, authorized by the Company under a separate agreement to calculate the interest rate or other amounts from time to time in relation to any series of Securities.
2
Clearstream means Clearstream Banking, a société anonyme, or its successor.
Closing Date means the date on which the Securities of the relevant series are deposited with DTC, as Depository.
Commission means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or if at any time after the execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.
Common Depository has the meaning specified in Section 3.04.
Company means the Person named as the Company in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter Company shall mean such successor Person.
Company Request and Company Order mean, respectively, a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by two Authorized Officers of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee and/or the Securities Administrator, as applicable.
Consolidated Financial Statements means the Companys most recently published:
(a) audited annual consolidated financial statements, as approved by the annual general meeting of its shareholders and audited by an independent auditor; or, as the case may be,
(b) unaudited (but subject to a review from an independent auditor) consolidated half-year financial statements, as approved by the Board of Directors, in each case prepared in accordance with Applicable Accounting Standards.
Corporate Trust Office means (i) with respect to the Trustee, the principal office of the Trustee at which at any time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date hereof is located at 1100 North Market Street, Rodney Square North, Wilmington, Delaware 19890, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company) and (ii) with respect to the Securities Administrator, (i) solely for purposes of the transfer, surrender or exchange of the Securities: 480 Washington Boulevard, 30th Floor, Jersey City, New Jersey 07310, Attn: Citibank Agency & Trust, ArcelorMittal and (ii) for all other purposes: 388 Greenwich Street, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10013, Attn: Citibank Agency & Trust, ArcelorMittal.
Covenant Defeasance has the meaning specified in Section 4.03.
Defaulted Interest has the meaning specified in Section 3.07. For the avoidance of doubt, the term Defaulted Interest shall not include interest which has been duly deferred or cancelled in accordance with the terms of any series of Securities as may be expressly set forth in any supplemental indenture with respect to such series of Securities issued pursuant to Section 3.01, unless and until such previously deferred or cancelled interest becomes due and payable and the Company defaults at that time on the payment thereof.
3
Depository means with respect to the Securities of any series issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Book-Entry Securities, the clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, specified for that purpose contemplated by Section 3.05. The Company initially appoints DTC to act as Depository with respect to the Securities.
Dollar or $ means a dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin or currency of the United States as at the time shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.
DTC means The Depository Trust Company.
Euroclear means the operator of the Euroclear System.
Event of Default has the meaning specified in Section 5.01, except as expressly set forth in any supplemental indenture with respect to Securities of any series issued pursuant to Section 3.01.
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Exchange Date has the meaning specified in Section 3.04.
Existing Security means any Security granted by any Person over its Assets in respect of any Relevant Indebtedness and which is existing at the Closing Date or at the time any such Person becomes a Material Subsidiary or whose business and/or activities, in whole or in part, are assumed by or vested in the Company or a Material Subsidiary after the Closing Date (other than any Security created in contemplation thereof) or any substitute Security created over those Assets (or any part thereof) in connection with the refinancing of the Relevant Indebtedness secured on those Assets provided that the principal, nominal or capital amount secured on any such Security may not be increased.
Fitch means Fitch, Inc. and its successors.
Government Securities means direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed by, the United States of America, and payment for which the United States pledges its full faith and credit.
Group means the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
Holder means the Person in whose name the Security is registered in the Security Register.
Indenture means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of a particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 3.01.
4
interest, when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity.
Interest Payment Date, when used with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.
Investment Grade Rating means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 by Moodys (or its equivalent under any successor rating category of Moodys), BBB- by S&P (or its equivalent under any successor rating category of S&P) and BBB- by Fitch (or its equivalent under any successor rating category of Fitch) and the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any replacement Rating Agency or Rating Agencies selected by the Company.
Judgment Currency has the meaning specified in Section 1.18.
Legal Defeasance has the meaning specified in Section 4.02.
Legal Holiday has the meaning specified in Section 1.17.
Material Subsidiary means, at any time, a Subsidiary of the Company whose gross assets or pre-tax profits (excluding intra-Group items) then equal or exceed 5% of the gross assets or pre-tax profits of the Group.
For this purpose:
(a) the gross assets or pre-tax profits of a Subsidiary will be determined from its financial statements (unconsolidated if it has Subsidiaries) upon which the latest audited Consolidated Financial Statements of the Group have been based;
(b) if a company becomes a member of the Group after the date on which the latest audited Consolidated Financial Statements of the Group have been prepared, the gross assets or pre-tax profits of that Subsidiary will be determined from its latest financial statements;
(c) the gross assets or pre-tax profits of the Group will be determined from its latest audited Consolidated Financial Statements, adjusted (where appropriate) to reflect the gross assets or pre-tax profits of any company or business subsequently acquired or disposed of; and
(d) if a Material Subsidiary disposes of all or substantially all of its assets to another Subsidiary of ours, it will immediately cease to be a Material Subsidiary and the other Subsidiary (if it is not already) will immediately become a Material Subsidiary; the subsequent financial statements of those Subsidiaries and the Group will be used to determine whether those Subsidiaries are Material Subsidiaries or not.
If there is a dispute as to whether or not a company is a Material Subsidiary, a certificate of the Companys auditors will be, in the absence of manifest error, conclusive and binding on the Company and the Holders.
5
Material Subsidiary Insolvency Event has the meaning specified in Section 5.01(f).
Maturity, when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or, herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity, if any, or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise, subject to any permitted deferral or cancellation of such payment and the consequent delay or cancellation of such Maturity as may be expressly set forth in any supplemental indenture with respect to Securities of any series issued pursuant to Section 3.01.
Mittal Family means Mr. and/or Mrs. L.N. Mittal and/or their family (acting directly or indirectly through trusts and/or other entities controlled by any of the foregoing).
Moodys means Moodys Investors Service, Inc., and its successors.
New York Banking Day has the meaning specified in Section 1.18.
Officers Certificate means a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by an Authorized Officer (as defined above) of the Company, that meets the requirements of Section 1.02 hereof.
Opinion of Counsel means a written opinion of counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee and/or the Securities Administrator, as applicable.
Original Issue Discount Security means any Security that provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Stated Maturity thereof.
Outstanding, when used with respect to Securities of all series or Securities of any series means, as of the date of determination, all such Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:
(i) Such Securities theretofore cancelled by the Securities Administrator or delivered to the Securities Administrator for cancellation;
(ii) Such Securities or portions thereof for whose payment or redemption, or in the case of a Change of Control Offer (if such term is defined in the relevant supplemental indenture issued pursuant to Section 3.01) purchase (a) money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited in trust with the Securities Administrator or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities or (b) U.S. Government Obligations as contemplated by Section 4.04 in the necessary amount have been theretofore deposited in satisfaction of the requirements of Section 4.04 with the Securities Administrator (or a trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 6.09) in trust for the Holders of such Securities in accordance with Section 4.04; provided that, if such Securities are to be redeemed or purchased, notice of such redemption or purchase has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee and the Securities Administrator has been made; and
6
(iii) Such Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 3.06 or in exchange for, or in lieu of, which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee and the Securities Administrator proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company;
provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of such Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder or whether a quorum is present at a meeting of Holders of such Securities, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon acceleration of the Stated Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.02, (ii) the principal amount of Securities denominated in more than one currency (including composite currencies) shall be the Dollar equivalent (determined, unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.01, on the basis of the spot rate of exchange, on the date of such determination, for any currency other than Dollars as determined by the Company or by an authorized exchange rate agent and evidenced to the Trustee and the Securities Administrator by an Officers Certificate) of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the Dollar equivalent on the date of such determination of the amount determined as provided in (i) above) of such Securities, and (iii) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee or the Securities Administrator shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, or upon any such determination as to the presence of a quorum only Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee or the Securities Administrator actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee and the Securities Administrator the pledgees right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or such other obligor. For purposes of clause (ii) above, an exchange rate agent may be authorized in advance or from time to time by the Company, and may be the Securities Administrator. Any such determination by the Company or by any such exchange rate agent shall be conclusive and binding on all Holders of Securities, the Trustee and the Securities Administrator, and neither the Company nor such exchange rate agent shall be liable therefor in the absence of bad faith.
Paying Agent means any Person (including the Company) authorized by the Company to pay the principal of, and premium (if any) or interest (if any) on, any Securities on behalf of the Company.
Permitted Security means:
(a) any Existing Security;
7
(b) any Security granted in respect of or in connection with any Securitization Indebtedness; or
(c) any Security securing Project Finance Indebtedness, but only to the extent that the Security Interest is created on an asset of the project being financed by the relevant Project Finance Indebtedness (and/or the shares in, and/or shareholder loans to, the company conducting such project where such company has no assets other than those relating to such project).
Person means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
Place of Payment, when used with respect to any series of Securities, means the place or places where, subject to the provisions of Section 10.02, the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest (if any) on the Securities of that series are payable as specified as contemplated by Section 3.01.
Process Agent has the meaning specified in Section 1.15.
Project Finance Indebtedness means any indebtedness incurred by a debtor to finance the ownership, acquisition, construction, development and/or operation of an Asset or connected group of Assets in respect of which the Person or Persons to whom such indebtedness is, or may be, owed have no recourse for the repayment of or payment of any sum relating to such indebtedness other than:
(a) recourse to such debtor or its Subsidiaries for amounts limited to the cash flow from such Asset; and/or
(b) recourse to such debtor generally, or to a member of the Group, which recourse is limited to a claim for damages (other than liquidated damages and damages required to be calculated in a specific way) for breach of an obligation, representation or warranty (not being a payment obligation, representation or warranty or an obligation, representation or warranty to procure payment by another or an obligation, representation or warranty to comply or to procure compliance by another with any financial ratios or other test of financial condition) by the Person against whom such recourse is available; and/or
(c) if:
(i) such debtor has been established specifically for the purpose of constructing, developing, owning and/or operating the relevant Asset or connected group of Assets; and
(ii) such debtor owns no Assets and carries on no business which is not related to the relevant Asset or connected group of Assets, recourse to all the material Assets and undertaking of such debtor and the shares in the capital of such debtor and shareholder loans made to such debtor.
8
Rating Agency means (a) each of Moodys, S&P and Fitch; (b) if any of Moodys, S&P or Fitch ceases to rate the Securities or fails to make a rating of the Securities publicly available for reasons outside of the Companys control, a nationally recognized statistical rating organization within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act selected by the Company (as certified by a certificate of officers confirming the decision of the Companys Board of Directors) to act as a replacement rating agency for Moodys, S&P or Fitch or all of them, as the case may be.
Rating Downgrade means the credit rating previously assigned to the Companys long-term, unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness by any Rating Agency is (a) withdrawn or (b) is changed from investment grade to non-investment grade (for example, from BBB- to BB+ by S&P, or worse) or (c) if the credit rating previously assigned by the relevant Rating Agency was below investment grade, is lowered one rating notch (for example, from BB+ to BB by S&P), and such Rating Agency shall have publicly announced or confirmed in writing to the Company that such withdrawal or downgrade is principally the result of any event or circumstance comprised in or arising as a result of, or in respect of, the Change of Control or potential Change of Control.
Redemption Date, when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.
Redemption Price, when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture or in such Security (including any premium with respect thereto).
Regular Record Date for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Securities of any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 3.01.
Relevant Indebtedness means any indebtedness for borrowed money represented by bonds, notes or other debt instruments which are for the time being quoted or listed on any stock exchange or other similar regulated securities market.
Relevant Jurisdiction has the meaning specified in Section 10.11.
Required Currency has the meaning specified in Section 1.18.
Responsible Officer, (i) when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant treasurer, assistant secretary or any other officer or assistant officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by the persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred at the Trustees principal Corporate Trust Office because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject, in each case having direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture and (ii) when used with respect to the Securities Administrator, means any officer within the corporate trust department of the Securities Administrator (or any successor group of the Securities Administrator) including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant treasurer, assistant secretary or any other officer
9
or assistant officer of the Securities Administrator customarily performing functions similar to those performed by the persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred at the Securities Administrators principal Corporate Trust Office because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject, in each case having direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.
S&P means Standard & Poors Rating Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and its successors.
Securities has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and more particularly means any Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.
Securities Administrator means Citibank, N.A., a national banking association.
Security means any Security substantially in the form of the Security set forth in Exhibit A or established pursuant to Section 2.01 which is registered in the Security Register.
Security Register and Security Registrar have the respective meanings specified in Section 3.05.
Securitization Indebtedness means any Relevant Indebtedness that is incurred in connection with any securitization, asset repackaging, factoring or like arrangement or any combination thereof of any assets, revenues or other receivables where the recourse of the Person making the Relevant Indebtedness available or entering into the relevant arrangement or agreement(s) is limited fully or substantially to such assets or revenues or other receivables.
Special Record Date for the payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Securities of any series means a date fixed by the Securities Administrator pursuant to Section 3.07.
Stated Maturity, when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.
Subsidiary means:
(a) an entity of which a Person has direct or indirect control or owns directly or indirectly more than 50% of the voting capital or similar right of ownership (and control for this purpose means the power to direct the management and the policies of the entity whether through the ownership of voting capital, by contract or otherwise); and
(b) in relation to the Company, an entity that fulfils the definition in paragraph (a) above and which is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements on a fully integrated basis.
Trustee means the Person named as the Trustee in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter Trustee shall mean or include each Person who is then a
10
Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, Trustee as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.
Trust Indenture Act means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and as it may be further amended from time to time.
United States or United States of America means the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia), its territories and possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.
U.S. Government Obligations means securities which are (i) direct obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such obligation evidenced by such depository receipt or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the obligation set forth in (i) or (ii) above or the specific payment of interest on or principal of such obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.
Section 1.02. Compliance Certificates and Opinions. Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee or the Securities Administrator to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, as applicable, an Officers Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.
Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include:
(a) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such condition or covenant and the definitions herein relating thereto;
(b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(c) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such condition or covenant has been complied with; and
11
(d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
Section 1.03. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee or the Securities Administrator. In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.
Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are erroneous.
Any such certificate or Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an Authorized Officer or Authorized Officers, of the Company stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters is or are erroneous.
Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.
Section 1.04. Acts of Holders.
(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments or record, or both, are delivered to the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, as applicable, and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments and any such record (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the Act of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments or so voting at any such meeting. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent or proxy, or of the holding by any Person of a Security, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 6.01) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company and any agent of the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section. The record of any meeting of Holders of Securities shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 13.06.
(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of any
12
notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by an officer of a corporation or association or a member of a partnership, or an official of a public or governmental body, on behalf of such corporation, association, partnership or public or governmental body or by a fiduciary, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his authority. The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which shall be satisfactory to the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, as applicable.
(c) The principal amount and serial numbers of Securities held by any Person, and the date of holding the same, shall be proved by the Security Register.
(d) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done or suffered to be done by the Trustee, the Securities Administrator or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security.
(e) With respect to the Securities of any series, upon receipt by the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, as applicable, of (i) any written notice directing the time, method or place of conducting any proceeding or exercising any trust or power pursuant to Section 5.05 with respect to Securities of such series or (ii) any written demand, request or notice with respect to any matter of which the Holders of Securities of such series are entitled to act under this Indenture, in each case from Holders of less than, or proxies representing less than, the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of such series entitled to give such demand, request or notice, the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, as applicable, shall promptly notify the Company in writing that it has received such demand, request or notice, and the Company shall establish a record date for determining Holders of Outstanding Securities of such series entitled to join in such demand, request or notice, which record date shall be the close of business on the day the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, as applicable, received such demand, request or notice. The Holders on such record date, or their duly designated proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to join in such demand, request or notice whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided, however, that unless the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of such series shall have joined in such demand, request or notice prior to the day which is the ninetieth day after such record date, such demand, request or notice shall automatically and without further action by any Holder be canceled and of no further effect. Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent a Holder, or a proxy of a Holder, from giving, (i) after the expiration of such 90-day period, a new demand, request or notice identical to a demand, request or notice which has been cancelled pursuant to the proviso to the preceding sentence or (ii) during any such 90-day period, a new demand, request or notice which has been cancelled pursuant to the proviso to the preceding sentence or (iii) during any such 90-day period, a new demand, request or notice contrary to or different from such demand, request or notice, in any of which events a new record date shall be established pursuant to the provisions of this clause.
13
(f) The Company may set any day as the record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series. With regard to any record date set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on such record date (or their duly appointed agents), and only such Persons, shall be entitled to give or take the relevant action, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date. With regard to any action that may be given or taken hereunder only by Holders of a requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of any series (or their duly appointed agents) and for which a record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Company may, at its option, set an expiration date after which no such action purported to be given or taken by any Holder shall be effective hereunder unless given or taken on or prior to such expiration date by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of such series on such date (or their duly appointed agents). On or prior to any expiration date set pursuant to this paragraph, the Company may, on one or more occasions at its option, extend such date to any later date, but not beyond 90 days. Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent any Holder (or any duly appointed agent thereof) from giving or taking, after any expiration date, any action identical to, or, at any time, contrary to or different from, any action, given or taken, or purported to have been given or taken, hereunder by a Holder on or prior to such date, in which event the Company may set a record date in respect thereof pursuant to this paragraph. Notwithstanding the foregoing or the Trust Indenture Act, the Company shall not set a record date for, and the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply with respect to, any action to be given or taken by Holders pursuant to Sections 5.01, 5.02 or 5.05.
Section 1.05. Notices, Etc., to Trustee, the Securities Administrator and Company. Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,
(a) the Trustee or the Securities Administrator by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing to or with the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, as applicable, at its Corporate Trust Office; or
(b) the Company by the Trustee, the Securities Administrator or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Company addressed to it at the address of its principal office specified in paragraph (20) of the back of the Form of Security set forth in Exhibit A hereto to the attention of the Corporate Secretary or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, as applicable, by the Company; provided, however, that such instrument will be considered properly given if submitted by facsimile.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, each of the Trustee and the Securities Administrator agrees to accept and act upon instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured e-mail (so long as they are provided in a manually signed document on the applicable letterhead that has been scanned in and attached to such e-mail in a format that is readable by the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, as applicable, including but not limited to .pdf format),
14
facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods; provided, however, that (a) the party providing such written instructions, subsequent to such transmission of written instructions, shall provide the originally executed instructions or directions to the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, as applicable, in a timely manner, and (b) such originally executed instructions or directions shall be signed by an authorized representative of the party providing such instructions or directions. If the party elects to give the Trustee or the Securities Administrator e-mail or facsimile instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, as applicable, in its sole discretion elects to act upon such instructions, the Trustees or the Securities Administrators, as applicable, understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling. Neither the Trustee nor the Securities Administrator shall be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustees or the Securities Administrators, as applicable, reliance upon and compliance with such instructions notwithstanding such instructions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. The party providing electronic instructions agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, as applicable, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, as applicable, acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk or interception and misuse by third parties.
Section 1.06. Notice to Holders; Waiver. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given to Holders of Securities if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder of a Security affected by such event, at such Holders address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice, or, if the Security is registered in the name of DTC or another Depository, or their respective nominees, if delivered in accordance with the applicable procedures of DTC or such other Depository.
If, by reason of the suspension of regular mail service, it shall be impracticable to mail notice of any event to Holders of Securities when such notice is required to be given pursuant to any provision of this Indenture, then such manner of giving such notice as shall be acceptable to the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, as applicable, shall constitute sufficient giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders of Securities is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder of a Security shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders of Securities.
Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Securities Administrator, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.
Section 1.07. Language of Notices, Etc. Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver, Act of Holders or other document required or permitted under this Indenture shall be in the English language, except that any published notice may be in an official language of the country of publication.
15
Section 1.08. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act. If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision hereof which is required to be included in this Indenture by any of the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, such required provision shall control.
Section 1.09. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents. The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
Section 1.10. Successors and Assigns. All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
Section 1.11. Separability Clause. In case any provision in this Indenture or the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 1.12. Benefits of Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture or the Securities, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, their successors hereunder and the Holders of Securities, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.
Section 1.13. Governing Law. THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. FOR THE AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 86 TO 94-8 OF THE LUXEMBOURG LAW OF AUGUST 10, 1915 ON COMMERCIAL COMPANIES, AS AMENDED, SHALL NOT APPLY TO THE SECURITIES.
Section 1.14. Jurisdiction. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW AS APPLICABLE, THE COMPANY IRREVOCABLY AGREES THAT ANY LEGAL SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT BY ANY HOLDER OR BY ANY PERSON WHO CONTROLS SUCH HOLDER OR THE TRUSTEE OR SECURITIES ADMINISTRATOR ON BEHALF OF SUCH HOLDER ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY MAY BE INSTITUTED IN ANY FEDERAL OR STATE COURT IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, THE CITY OF NEW YORK, NEW YORK, AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF THE VENUE OF ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING AND ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN SUCH A COURT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM, AND IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF ANY SUCH COURT IN ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING.
Section 1.15. Process Agent. The Company has appointed ArcelorMittal USA Holdings II LLC (the Process Agent), at One South Dearborn, Chicago, Illinois 60603, United States (Attention: Corporate Secretary), as its agent to receive on its behalf service of copies of the summons and complaints and any other process which may be served in any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Indenture, the Securities or the transactions
16
contemplated hereby brought in such New York State or federal court sitting in The City of New York. The Company further agrees to take any and all action as may be necessary to maintain such designation and appointment of such agent in full force and effect for a period of five years from the date of this Indenture. Such service may be made in any manner permitted by applicable law in any such suit, action or proceeding at the address for the Process Agent, and the Company hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs such Process Agent to accept such service on its behalf. The Company represents and warrants that the Process Agent has agreed to act as said agent for service of process, and agrees that service of process in such manner upon the Process Agent shall be deemed, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, in every respect effective service of process upon the Company in any such suit, action or proceeding.
Section 1.16. Calculation Agent. If the Company appoints a Calculation Agent with respect to any series of Securities, any determination of the interest rate on, or other amounts in relation to, such series of Securities in accordance with the terms of such series of Securities by such Calculation Agent shall (in the absence of manifest error, bad faith or willful misconduct) be binding on the Company, the Trustee, the Securities Administrator and all Holders and (in the absence of manifest error, bad faith or willful misconduct) no liability to the Holders shall attach to the Calculation Agent in connection with the exercise or non-exercise by it of its powers, duties and discretions.
Section 1.17. Legal Holidays. In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, or Stated Maturity or Maturity of any Security shall not be a Business Day (a Legal Holiday), then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Securities other than a provision in the Securities of any series which specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section) payment of principal and premium (if any) or interest (if any), need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment (or such other Business Day as shall be provided in such Security) with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date, or at the Stated Maturity or Maturity, if any, provided that no interest shall accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Stated Maturity or Maturity, as the case may be to such succeeding Business Day (or such other Business Day as shall be provided in such Security).
Section 1.18. Judgment Currency. The Company agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due on the Securities of any series from the currency in which such sum is payable in accordance with the terms of such Securities (the Required Currency) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the Judgment Currency), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, as applicable, could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the New York Banking Day preceding that on which a final unappealable judgment is rendered and (b) its obligations under this Indenture to make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, or any recovery pursuant to any judgment (whether or not entered in accordance with subsection (a)), in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the
17
Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be payable and (iii) shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Indenture. For purposes of the foregoing, New York Banking Day means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday in The City of New York or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or required by law or executive order to close.
Section 1.19. Immunity of Incorporators, Shareholders, Officers, Directors and Employees.
(a) No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of this Indenture, or of any Security, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, shall be held against any incorporator, shareholder, officer, director or employee, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor corporation, either directly or through the Company, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that this Indenture and the obligations issued hereunder are solely corporate obligations of the Company, and that no such personal liability whatever shall attach to, or is or shall be incurred by, the incorporators, shareholders, officers, directors or employees, as such, of the Company or of any successor corporation, or any of them, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities or implied therefrom; and that any and all such personal liability, either at common law or in equity or by constitution or statute, of, and any and all such rights and claims against, every such incorporator, shareholder, officer, director or employee, as such, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities or implied therefrom, are hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of such Securities.
(b) All payments of interest and other amounts (if any) to be made by the Trustee or the Securities Administrator hereunder shall be made only from the money deposited with the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, as applicable, and only to the extent that the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, as applicable, shall have sufficient income or proceeds to make such payments in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, and each Holder hereof, by its acceptance of a Security, agrees that it will look solely to the income and proceeds deposited by the Company with the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, as applicable, to the extent available for distribution to the Holder thereof as provided and that neither the Trustee nor the Securities Administrator is personally liable in any manner to the Holder hereof for any amounts payable or any liability under this Indenture of any Security.
ARTICLE 2
SECURITY FORMS
Section 2.01. Forms Generally. The Securities of each series shall be in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit A to this Indenture, respectively, or in such other form (including
18
temporary or permanent global form) as shall be established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with any applicable law or rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with the rules of any securities exchange or Depository therefor, or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Securities as evidenced by their execution of the Securities.
Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to any series of Securities, the Securities of each series shall be issuable in registered form.
The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or produced by any combination of these methods on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner permitted by the rules of any securities exchange on which the Securities may be listed, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.
Section 2.02. Form of Securities Administrators Certificate of Authentication. The Securities Administrators certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:
This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein referred to in the within mentioned Indenture.
Citibank, N.A., not in its individual | ||
By: |
|
Section 2.03. Securities in Global Form. If Securities of a series are issuable in global form, as specified as contemplated by Section 3.01, then, notwithstanding clause (i) of Section 3.01 and the provisions of Section 3.02, any such Security shall represent such of the Outstanding Securities of such series as shall be specified therein and may provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be reduced to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of a Security in global form to reflect the amount, or any decrease in the amount, of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made by the Securities Administrator in such manner and upon instructions given by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or in the Company Order to be delivered to the Securities Administrator pursuant to Section 3.03 or 3.04. Subject to the provisions of Section 3.03 and, if applicable, Section 3.04, the Securities Administrator shall deliver and redeliver any Security in
19
permanent global form in the manner and upon instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or in the applicable Company Order. If a Company Order pursuant to Section 3.03 or 3.04 has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Company with respect to endorsement or delivery or redelivery of a Security in global form shall be in writing but need not comply with Section 1.02 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.
The provisions of the last sentence of Section 3.03 shall apply to any Security represented by a Security in global form if such Security was never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company delivers to the Securities Administrator the Security in global form together with written instructions in the form of an Officers Certificate upon which the Securities Administrator may conclusively rely, and which need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel, with regard to the reduction in the principal amount of Securities represented thereby, together with the Officers Certificate contemplated by the last sentence of Section 3.03.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 2.01 and 3.07, payment of principal of, and premium (if any) and interest (if any) on, any Security in permanent global form shall be made to the Person in whose name such Security is registered in the Securities Administrators Security Register.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.08, the Company, the Trustee, the Securities Administrator and any agent of the Company, the Securities Administrator and the Trustee shall treat as the Holder a Person in whose name such Security is registered in the Securities Administrators Security Register.
Section 2.04. Form of Legend for Book-Entry Securities. Any Book-Entry Security authenticated and delivered hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
If a Book-Entry Security This Security is a Book-Entry Security within the meaning of the Indenture hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of a Depository or a nominee of a Depository. This Security is exchangeable for Securities registered in the name of a Person other than the Depository or its nominee only in the limited circumstances described in the Indenture, and no transfer of this Security (other than a transfer of this Security as a whole by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository or by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another nominee of the Depository) may be registered except in such limited circumstances.
ARTICLE 3
THE SECURITIES
Section 3.01. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series. The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.
The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series,
(a) the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from all other Securities);
20
(b) the authorized denominations in which any Securities of the series shall be issuable;
(c) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Sections 3.04, 3.05, 3.06, 9.06 or 11.10 and except for any Securities which, pursuant to Section 3.03 are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder);
(d) the applicable Stated Maturity, if any, Maturity, if any, and Redemption Dates, if any, of the Securities of the series;
(e) the rate or rates per annum, (which may be fixed or floating and which may reset) at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest (if any) the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable, and the Regular Record Date for any interest payable on Securities on any Interest Payment Date or the formula or method by which such rate or rates, or date or dates may be determined and whether such interest shall be subject to any adjustment;
(f) the terms applicable to deferral or cancellation of payments of principal, premium or interest, if any;
(g) the place or places where, subject to the provisions of Section 10.02, the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest (if any) on Securities of the series shall be payable, any Securities of the series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, Securities of the series may be surrendered for exchange and notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of the series and this Indenture may be served;
(h) the applicability of Section 11.03 of this Indenture to the Securities of such series, including but not limited to the terms of any mandatory or optional redemption, repayment or repurchase of the Securities of the series (including pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision) and the period or periods within which and the price or prices at which the Securities of the series may be redeemed, repaid or repurchased, in whole or in part;
(i) if other than the full principal amount thereof, the portion, or the manner of calculation of such portion, of the principal amount of Securities of the series which shall be payable upon any declaration of acceleration of the Stated Maturity thereof (if any) pursuant to Section 5.02 or upon redemption of Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity or which do not have a Stated Maturity;
(j) any Paying Agents, transfer agents, Calculation Agents, Registrars or any other agents with respect to the Securities of the series other than as set forth in this Indenture;
(k) the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which payment of the principal of, and premium (if any) and interest (if any) on such Securities shall be payable if other than the currency of the United States;
21
(l) if the principal of, and premium (if any) and interest (if any) on such Securities is to be payable, at the election of the Company or any Holder thereof, in a coin or currency or currencies, including composite currencies, other than that or those in which such Securities are stated to be payable, the coin or currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which payment of the principal of (and premium, if any), or interest (if any) on Securities of such series as to which such election is made shall be payable, and the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made;
(m) if such Securities are to be denominated in more than one currency, including composite currencies, the basis of determining the equivalent price in the currency of the United States (if other than as set forth in the definition of Outstanding) for purposes of determining the voting rights of Holders of such Securities under this Indenture;
(n) the mechanism, if any, by which the Company may effect a temporary or permanent reduction in the principal of the Outstanding Securities of the series;
(o) the terms and conditions, if any, under which the Company may elect to vary the terms of the Securities of the series pursuant to a supplemental indenture;
(p) any requirement that the Securities of the series be listed on a securities exchange;
(q) the applicability of Section 4.01, Section 4.02 and/or Section 4.03 to the Securities of any series;
(r) the respective rights and obligations, if any, of the Company and holders of the Securities following a change of control of the Company, including, if applicable, the terms and conditions under which the Company could be required to redeem or make an offer to purchase Securities of the series;
(s) if the amounts of payments of principal of, and premium (if any) or portions thereof or interest (if any) on, such Securities may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method or are otherwise not fixed on the original issue date thereof, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined and the Calculation Agent, if any, who shall be appointed and authorized to calculate such amounts;
(t) whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable initially in temporary global form and whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable in permanent global form and, if so, whether beneficial owners of interests in any such permanent global Security may exchange such interests for Securities of such series and of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the manner provided in Section 3.05;
(u) the applicability of Section 10.12 of this Indenture to the Securities of any series;
(v) any deletions from, limitations or modifications of or additions to the Events of Default, defaults, enforcement events, solvency events or covenants of the Company or other events permitting remedies that apply with respect to Securities of the series, whether or not such Events of Default, defaults, enforcement events, solvency events or covenants of the Company or other events are consistent with the Events of Default or covenants, as the case may be, set forth herein;
22
(w) whether the Securities of the series shall be issued upon original issuance in whole or in part in the form of one or more Book-Entry Securities and, in such case (a) the Depository with respect to such Book-Entry Security or Securities; and (b) the circumstances under which any such Book-Entry Security may be exchanged for Securities registered in the name of, and any transfer of such Book-Entry Security may be registered to, a Person other than such Depository or its nominee, if other than as set forth in Section 3.05;
(x) the terms, if any, upon which the Securities of the series may be convertible into and/or exchangeable for common shares of the Company; and
(y) any other terms of or provisions applicable to the series.
All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical as to denomination and except, as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such supplemental indenture referred to above and (subject to Section 3.03) set forth in any such indenture supplemental hereto. All Securities of one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, a series may be reopened for issuances of additional Securities of such series; provided, however, that unless such additional notes are issued under a separate CUSIP number, either such additional notes must be part of the same issue for U.S. federal income tax purposes or must be issued pursuant to a qualified reopening for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Securities may differ between series in respect of any matters.
Section 3.02. Denominations. The denomination of each series of Securities issued as contemplated by Section 3.01 shall be set forth in the applicable supplemental indenture.
Section 3.03. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating. The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by an Authorized Officer. The signature of any of such officer on the Securities may be manual or by facsimile.
Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities.
At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Securities Administrator for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the Securities Administrator in accordance with the Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities.
In authenticating such Securities, and/or accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee and the Securities Administrator shall receive, and (subject to Section 6.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating,
23
(a) that all conditions precedent in this Indenture to the issuance and authentication of the Securities have been complied with by the Company; and
(b) that such Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Securities Administrator and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to customary qualifications specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject, as to enforcement to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors rights and to general equity principles. If such forms or terms have been so established, the Securities Administrator shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Securities Administrators or the Trustees rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or will otherwise affect the Trustee or the Securities Administrator in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to either the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, in either of their sole discretion.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.01 and of the preceding paragraphs, if all Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Company Order and Opinion of Counsel otherwise required pursuant to such preceding paragraphs at or prior to the time of authentication of each Security of such series if such documents are delivered at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first Security of such series to be issued.
A Company Order delivered in the circumstances set forth in the preceding paragraphs may provide that Securities which are the subject thereof will be authenticated and delivered by the Securities Administrator on original issue from time to time upon the written order of persons designated in such Company Order, and that such persons are authorized to determine, consistent with the applicable supplemental indenture, such terms and conditions of said Securities as are specified in such Company Order, provided the foregoing procedure is acceptable to the Securities Administrator.
Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.
No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the Securities Administrator by manual signature, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and that such Security is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Securities Administrator for cancellation as provided in Section 3.09 together with an Officers Certificate (which need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) stating that such Security has never been issued and sold by the Company, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
24
If Securities of any series are issued in global form, any such global Security shall, unless otherwise provided therein, be delivered to either (i) the depository or common depository (the Common Depository), for the benefit of DTC or Euroclear and Clearstream, as applicable, or (ii) the Securities Administrator as custodian for such Common Depository, in any such case, for credit to the respective accounts of the beneficial owners of such Securities (or to such other accounts as they may direct).
Section 3.04. Temporary Securities. Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Securities Administrator shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued in registered form and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.
Except in the case of temporary Securities in global form (which shall be exchanged in accordance with the provisions of the following paragraphs), if temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company maintained pursuant to Section 10.02 in a Place of Payment for that series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series the Company shall execute and the Securities Administrator shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor of authorized denominations. Until so exchanged the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.
Without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the date specified in, or determined pursuant to the terms of, any such temporary global Security of a series (the Exchange Date), the Company shall deliver to the Securities Administrator definitive Securities of such series in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such temporary global Security, executed by the Company. On or after the Exchange Date, such temporary global Security shall be surrendered by the Common Depository to the Securities Administrator, as the Companys agent for such purpose, to be exchanged, in whole or from time to time in part, for definitive Securities of such series without charge and the Securities Administrator shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for each portion of such temporary global Security, a like aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such temporary global Security to be exchanged; provided, however, that, unless otherwise specified in such temporary global Security, upon such presentation by the Common Depository, such temporary global Security is accompanied by a certificate dated the Exchange Date or a subsequent date and signed by Euroclear as to the portion of such temporary global Security held for its account then to be exchanged and a certificate dated the Exchange Date or a subsequent date and signed by Clearstream as to the portion of such temporary global Security held for its account then to be exchanged, each in the form set forth in Exhibit B to this Indenture. The definitive Securities to
25
be delivered in exchange for any such temporary global Security shall be in registered form or permanent global registered form, or any combination thereof, as specified as contemplated by Section 3.01, and, if any combination thereof is so specified, as requested by the beneficial owner thereof.
Unless otherwise specified in such temporary global Security, the interest of a beneficial owner of Securities of a series in a temporary global Security shall be exchanged for definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor following the Exchange Date when the account holder instructs Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, to request such exchange on his behalf and delivers to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, a certificate in the form set forth in Exhibit C to this Indenture, dated no earlier than 15 days prior to the Exchange Date, copies of which certificate shall be available from the offices of Euroclear and Clearstream, the Securities Administrator and each Paying Agent. Unless otherwise specified in such temporary global Security, any such exchange shall be made free of charge to the beneficial owners of such temporary global Security, except that a Person receiving definitive Securities must bear the cost of insurance, postage, transportation and the like in the event that such Person does not take delivery of such definitive Securities in person at the offices of Euroclear or Clearstream.
Until exchanged in full as hereinabove provided, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor authenticated and delivered hereunder, except that, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01, any interest payable on a temporary global Security on an Interest Payment Date for Securities of such series occurring prior to the applicable Exchange Date shall be payable to Euroclear and Clearstream on such Interest Payment Date upon delivery by Euroclear and Clearstream to the Securities Administrator of a certificate or certificates in the form set forth in Exhibit C to this Indenture, for credit without further interest on or after such Interest Payment Date to the respective accounts of the Persons who are the beneficial owners of such temporary global Security on such Interest Payment Date and who have each delivered to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, a certificate in the form set forth in Exhibit B to this Indenture. Any interest so received by Euroclear and Clearstream and not paid as herein provided shall be returned to the Securities Administrator immediately prior to the expiration of two years after such Interest Payment Date in order to be repaid to the Company.
Section 3.05. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange. The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of the Securities Administrator a register (the register maintained in such office and in any other office or agency to be maintained by the Company in accordance with Section 10.02 being herein sometimes collectively referred to as the Security Register) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Securities and of transfers of Securities. The Securities Administrator is hereby appointed Security Registrar for the purpose of registering Securities and transfers of Securities as herein provided.
If and to the extent required under Luxembourg law, the Company shall cause to be kept at its registered office in Luxembourg a register of registered notes, which shall be a duplicate copy of the Security Register, and the Security Registrar shall provide, on an annual basis or more frequently upon the reasonable request of the Company, a duplicate copy of the Security
26
Register. In the event of a conflict between the register of registered notes kept at the registered office and the Security Register, the Security Register shall control for the purposes of this Indenture.
Upon due surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of any series at the office or agency maintained pursuant to Section 10.02 for such purpose in a Place of Payment for that series, the Company shall execute, and the Securities Administrator shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor.
At the option of the Holder, Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01, any permanent global Security shall be exchangeable only as provided in this paragraph. If the beneficial owners of interest in a permanent global Security are entitled to exchange such interests for Securities of such series and of like tenor and principal amount of another authorized form and denomination, as specified as contemplated by Section 3.01, then without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, the Company shall deliver to the Securities Administrator definitive Securities of that series in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such permanent global Security or the portion to be exchanged, executed by the Company. On or after the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, such permanent global Security shall be surrendered by the Common Depository or such other depositary as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto to the Securities Administrator as the Companys agent for such purpose, to be exchanged, in whole or from time to time in part, for definitive Securities of the same series without charge and the Securities Administrator shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for each portion of such permanent global Security, a like aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such permanent global Security to be exchanged, provided, however, that no such exchanges may occur during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of Securities of that series to be redeemed and ending on the relevant Redemption Date. Promptly following any such exchange in part and any endorsement thereon to reflect the amount represented by such exchange, such permanent global Security shall be returned by the Securities Administrator to the Common Depository or such other depositary or Common Depository referred to above in accordance with the instructions of the Company referred to above. If a Security is issued in exchange for any portion of a permanent global Security after the close of business at the office or agency where such exchange occurs on (i) any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed date for payment of Defaulted Interest, interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of such Security, but will be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, only to the Person to whom interest in respect of such portion of such permanent global Security is payable in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.
27
Notwithstanding the foregoing and except as otherwise specified or contemplated by Section 3.01, any Book-Entry Security shall be exchangeable pursuant to this Section 3.05 or Section 3.04, 9.06 and 11.10 for Securities registered in the name of, and a transfer of a Book Entry Security or any series may be registered to, any Person other than the Depository for such Security or its nominee only if (i) such Depository notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for such Book-Entry Security or if at any time such Depository ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and the Company notifies the Securities Administrator that it is unable to locate a qualified successor, (ii) the Company executes and delivers to the Securities Administrator a Company Order that such Book-Entry Security shall be so exchangeable and the transfer thereof so registrable or (iii) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default, with respect to the Securities of such series. Upon the occurrence in respect of any Book-Entry Security of any series of any one or more of the conditions specified in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) of the preceding sentence or such other conditions as may be specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for such series, such Book-Entry Security may be exchanged for Securities registered in the names of, and the transfer of such Book-Entry Security may be registered to, such Persons (including Persons other than the Depository with respect to such series and its nominees) as such Depository shall direct. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, any Security authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, any Book-Entry Security shall also be a Book-Entry Security and shall bear the legend specified in Section 2.04 except for any Security authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or upon registration of transfer of, Book-Entry Security pursuant to the preceding sentence.
All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company, the Securities Administrator, the Securities Registrar or any transfer agent) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company, the Securities Administrator and the Security Registrar or any transfer agent duly executed, by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.
No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Sections 3.04, 9.06 and 11.10 not involving any transfer.
The Company shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of Securities of that series to be redeemed and ending at the close of business on the day of the mailing of the relevant notice of redemption or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.
28
Each Holder of a Security agrees to indemnify the Company, the Securities Administrator, the Securities Registrar, the Paying Agent and the Trustee against any liability that may result from the transfer, exchange or assignment of such Holders Security in violation of any provision of this Indenture and/or applicable United States Federal or state securities law. None of the Trustee, the Securities Administrator, the Securities Registrar or the Paying Agent shall have any obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Security (including any transfers between or among Depository participants or beneficial owners of interests in any global Security) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.
Section 3.06. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities. If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Securities Administrator, the Company shall execute, and the Securities Administrator shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor, a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously Outstanding.
If there shall have been delivered to the Company and the Securities Administrator (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Securities Administrator that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon its request the Securities Administrator shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously Outstanding.
In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.
Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Securities Administrator) connected therewith.
Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security, and any such new Security shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series duly issued hereunder.
The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.
29
Section 3.07. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved. Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to any series of Securities, interest, if any, on any Security which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest; provided, however, that each installment of interest (if any) on any Security may at the Companys option be paid by (i) mailing a check for such interest, payable to the Person entitled thereto pursuant to Section 3.08, to the address of such Person as it appears on the Security Register or (ii) transfer to an account maintained by such Person inside the United States; provided, however, that if payment is to be made pursuant to (ii) above, the Securities Administrator shall have received written wire instructions by no later than the Regular Record Date preceding such Interest Payment Date. Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to any series of Securities, such payment will be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.
Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.01, every permanent global Security or Book-Entry Security will provide that interest (if any) payable on any Interest Payment Date will be paid to DTC, Euroclear and or Clearstream, as the case may be, with respect to that portion of such permanent global Security held for its account by Cede & Co. or the Common Depository, as the case may be, for the purpose of permitting such party to credit the interest received by it in respect of such permanent global Security or Book-Entry Security to the accounts of the beneficial owners thereof.
Any interest on any Security of any series which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for or deferred or cancelled (if permitted pursuant to the terms of the series of such Securities as established pursuant to the supplemental indenture issued pursuant to Section 3.01), on any Interest Payment Date (herein called Defaulted Interest) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (a) or (b) below.
(a) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee and the Securities Administrator in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Securities Administrator an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Securities Administrator for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this Clause provided. Thereupon the Company shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee and the Securities Administrator of the notice of the proposed payment. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee and the Securities
30
Administrator of such Special Record Date, and the Securities Administrator, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause a copy of such notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder of Securities of such series at the Holders address as it appears in the Security Register, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. The Securities Administrator may, in addition, in the name and at the expense of the Company, cause a similar notice to be published at least once in a newspaper published in the English language customarily published on each Business Day and of general circulation in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, New York, but such publication shall not be a condition precedent to the establishment of such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (b).
(b) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice is given by the Company to the Trustee and the Securities Administrator of the proposed payment pursuant to this Clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Securities Administrator.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section and Section 3.05, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry any rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.
Section 3.08. Persons Deemed Owners. Prior to due presentment of a Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee, the Securities Administrator, the Securities Registrar, the Paying Agent and any agent of the Company, the Securities Administrator, the Securities Registrar, the Paying Agent or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Sections 3.05 and 3.07) interest (if any) on such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and none of the Company, the Securities Administrator, the Securities Registrar, the Paying Agent, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company, the Securities Administrator, the Securities Registrar, the Paying Agent, or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
Except as provided in Section 3.05, owners of any beneficial interests in a Book-Entry Security shall not be entitled to have Securities represented by such Book-Entry Security registered in their names, shall not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of Securities in certificated form and shall not be considered the Holders thereof for any purpose under this Indenture. Members or participants in the Depository shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Book-Entry Security held on their behalf by the Depository, and such Depository may be treated by the Company, the Securities Administrator, the Securities Registrar, the Paying Agent, the Trustee and any agent of the Company, the Securities Administrator, the Securities Registrar, the Paying Agent or the Trustee as the Holder of such
31
Book-Entry Security under this Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Book-Entry Security, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Securities Administrator, the Securities Registrar, the Paying Agent, the Trustee, or any agent of the Company, the Securities Administrator, the Securities Registrar, the Paying Agent or the Trustee, from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depository, as a Holder, with respect to such Book-Entry Security or impair, as between the Depository and owners of beneficial interests in such Book-Entry Security, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of the Depository (or its nominee) as Holder of such Book-Entry Security.
None of the Company, the Trustee, the Securities Administrator, any Paying Agent or the Security Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Book-Entry Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests or for the delivery to any member of or participants in the Depository of any notice permitted or required to be given to the Holders of the Securities under this Indenture.
Section 3.09. Cancellation. All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Securities Administrator, be delivered to the Securities Administrator and such Securities shall be promptly cancelled by the Securities Administrator. The Company may at any time deliver to the Securities Administrator for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Securities Administrator. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. All cancelled Securities held by the Securities Administrator shall be destroyed by the Securities Administrator unless other instructions are furnished to the Securities Administrator by a Company Order. No cancelled Securities may be reissued or resold.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Book-Entry Security, nothing shall prevent the Company, the Securities Administrator or any agent of the Company or the Securities Administrator, from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by a Depository or impair, as between a Depository and holders of beneficial interests in any Book-Entry Security, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of the Depository (or its nominee) as Holder of such Book-Entry Security.
Section 3.10. Computation of Interest. Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for the Securities of any series, interest, if any on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
Section 3.11. Electronic Security Issuance. The Securities may, pursuant to a supplemental indenture complying with Section 3.01 hereof, be issued by means of an electronic issuance system. Any such Security issuance instructions may specify the name, address and taxpayer identification number of the Holder, the principal amount and Stated Maturity of the Security (if any), the interest rate to be borne by the Security and any other terms not inconsistent
32
with such supplemental indenture. Nothing in this Section 3.11 shall be construed as prohibiting the Company from issuing Securities by any means not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture.
Section 3.12. CUSIP Numbers. The Company in issuing the Securities may use CUSIP numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Company and the Securities Administrator shall use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that a reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee, the Securities Administrator, the Securities Registrar and the Paying Agent of any change in the CUSIP numbers.
ARTICLE 4
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
Section 4.01. Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. Unless the supplemental indenture issued pursuant to Section 3.01 specifies that this Section 4.01 and either or both of Section 4.02 and Section 4.03 do not apply to a given series of Securities, the Company may at any time, at the option of its Board of Directors as evidenced by an Officers Certificate confirming the due authorization by the Company, elect to have either Section 4.02 or Section 4.03 hereof be applied to all outstanding Securities of such series upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 4.
Section 4.02. Legal Defeasance and Discharge. Upon the Companys exercise under Section 4.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 4.02, the Company will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 4.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to all outstanding Securities of the series on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, Legal Defeasance). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the outstanding Securities of the series, which will thereafter be deemed to be outstanding only for the purposes of Section 4.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (a) and (b) below, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities of the series and this Indenture (and the Trustee and the Securities Administrator, on demand of, at the expense of and as prepared by the Company (such expense being documented), shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which will survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:
(a) the rights of Holders of outstanding Securities of the series to receive payments in respect of the principal of, or interest (if any) or Additional Amounts (if any) on, such Securities when such payments are due from the trust referred to in Section 4.04 hereof;
(b) the Companys obligations with respect to such Securities under Article 3 and Section 10.02 hereof;
33
(c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee and the Securities Administrator hereunder and the Companys obligations in connection therewith; and
(d) this Article 4.
Subject to compliance with this Article 4, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 4.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 4.03 hereof.
Section 4.03. Covenant Defeasance. Upon the Companys exercise under Section 4.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 4.03, the Company will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 4.04 hereof, be released from each of its obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 10.10, 10.12 and 8.01 hereof with respect to the outstanding Securities of the series on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 4.04 hereof are satisfied (hereinafter, Covenant Defeasance), and the Securities will thereafter be deemed not outstanding for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but will continue to be deemed outstanding for all other purposes hereunder. For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Securities of the series, the Company may omit to comply with and will have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply will not constitute an Event of Default under Section 5.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities will be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Companys exercise under Section 4.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 4.03, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 4.04 hereof, Section 5.01(d), Section 5.01(e) and Section 5.01(f) hereof will not constitute Events of Default. The Companys obligations under Section 6.07 shall survive an exercise under Section 4.01.
Section 4.04. Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance. In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance under either Section 4.02 or 4.03 hereof:
(a) the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Securities Administrator, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, cash in Dollars, non-callable U.S. Government Obligations, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of an internationally recognized firm of independent public accountants as appointed by the Company (a copy of which shall be provided to the Trustee), to pay the principal of, and interest (if any) and Additional Amounts (if any) on, the outstanding Securities of the relevant series on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable Redemption Date, as the case may be, and the Company must specify whether the Securities are being defeased to such stated date for payment or to a particular Redemption Date;
(b) the Company must deliver to the Trustee and the Securities Administrator an Opinion of Counsel of recognized standing with respect to U.S. federal income tax matters confirming that the Holders and beneficial owners of the outstanding Securities of the relevant series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance or Legal or Covenant Defeasance; with respect to a Legal Defeasance, such opinion of counsel must be based upon a ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or a change in law to that effect;
34
(c) no Default or Event of Default, if any, with respect to the Securities of such series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit;
(d) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not cause the Trustee and the Securities Administrator to have a conflicting interest for purposes of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to any of the Companys securities; and
(e) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.
Section 4.05. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations To Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions. Subject to Section 4.06 hereof, all money and non-callable U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Securities Administrator (or other qualifying securities administrator, collectively for purposes of this Section 4.05, the Securities Administrator) pursuant to Section 4.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Securities will be held in trust and applied by the Securities Administrator, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Securities Administrator may determine, to the Holders of such Securities of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, interest (if any) and Additional Amounts (if any), but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
The Company will pay and indemnify the Trustee and the Securities Administrator against any duly documented tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 4.04 hereof or the principal, interest (if any) and Additional Amounts (if any) received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Securities.
Notwithstanding anything in this Article 4 to the contrary, the Securities Administrator will deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the request of the Company any money or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 4.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants as appointed by the Company expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Securities Administrator (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 4.04(a) hereof, a copy of which shall be provided to the Trustee), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
Section 4.06. Repayment to Company. Any money deposited with the Securities Administrator or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, interest (if any) or Additional Amounts (if any) on, any Security and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, interest (if any) or Additional Amounts (if any) has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its request or (if then held by the
35
Company) will be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security will thereafter be permitted to look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee, the Securities Administrator or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, will thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Securities Administrator or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company (such expense being documented) cause to be published once, in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which will not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.
Section 4.07. Reinstatement. If the Securities Administrator or Paying Agent is unable to apply any Dollars or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 4.02 or 4.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Companys obligations under this Indenture and the Securities will be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 4.02 or 4.03 hereof until such time as the Securities Administrator or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 4.02 or 4.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of, or interest (if any) or Additional Amounts (if any) on, any Security following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company will be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money held by the Securities Administrator or Paying Agent.
ARTICLE 5
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
Section 5.01. Events of Default. Except as expressly provided in any supplemental indenture with respect to Securities of a series issued pursuant to Section 3.01, each of the following is an Event of Default:
(a) default in any payment of principal or any premium on any Security of a series when due (at Maturity, including upon redemption, or otherwise), which continues for 15 days;
(b) default in the payment of interest (if any) and Additional Amounts (if any) on any Security of a series when due, which continues for 30 days;
(c) the Companys failure to comply with any other obligation contained in this Indenture (other than a covenant default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given to the Company by the Trustee or the Securities Administrator written notice, as provided in accordance with Section 1.05, specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied;
(d) the Companys failure, or the failure of any Material Subsidiary, (a) to pay the principal of any indebtedness for borrowed money, including obligations evidenced by any mortgage, indenture, bond, debenture, note, guarantee or other similar instruments on the
36
scheduled or original date due (following the giving of such notice, if any, as required under the document governing such indebtedness and as extended by any applicable cure period) or (b) to observe or perform any agreement or condition relating to such indebtedness such that such indebtedness has come due prior to its stated maturity and such acceleration has not been cured, unless (in the case of clauses (a) and (b)) (i) the aggregate amount of such indebtedness is less than 100,000,000 or (ii) the question of whether such indebtedness is due has been disputed in good faith by appropriate proceedings and such dispute has not been finally adjudicated against the Company or the Material Subsidiary, as the case may be;
(e) if the Company is (or is deemed by law or a court to be) insolvent or bankrupt or presents a request for controlled management (gestion contrôlée) or is granted a moratorium on payments or is unable to pay its debts, stops, suspends or threatens to stop or suspend payment of all or a material part of (or of a particular type of) its debts within the meaning of any applicable law, proposes or makes any agreement for the deferral, rescheduling or other readjustment of all of (or all of a particular type of) its debts (or of any part which it will or might otherwise be unable to pay when due), proposes or makes a general assignment or any arrangement or composition with or for the benefit of the relevant creditors in respect of any of such debts or a moratorium is agreed or declared in respect of or affecting all or any part of (or of a particular type of) the debts of the Company or any event occurs which under the laws of any relevant jurisdiction has an analogous effect to any of the foregoing events;
(f) if any Material Subsidiary is (or is deemed by law or a court to be) insolvent or bankrupt or presents a request for controlled management (gestion contrôlée) or is granted a moratorium on payments or is unable to pay its debts, stops, suspends or threatens to stop or suspend payment of all or a material part of (or of a particular type of) its debts within the meaning of any applicable law, proposes or makes any agreement for the deferral, rescheduling or other readjustment of all of (or all of a particular type of) its debts (or of any part which it will or might otherwise be unable to pay when due), proposes or makes a general assignment or any arrangement or composition with or for the benefit of the relevant creditors in respect of any of such debts or a moratorium is agreed or declared in respect of or affecting all or any part of (or of a particular type of) the debts of any such Material Subsidiary or any event occurs which under the laws of any relevant jurisdiction has an analogous effect to any of the foregoing events (in each case, a Material Subsidiary Insolvency Event), provided that no Event of Default under this paragraph (ii) will occur in relation to any such Material Subsidiary Insolvency Event unless (x) the credit rating assigned by any Rating Agency to the long-term, unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company within the period of 60 days immediately following such Material Subsidiary Insolvency Event is less than the credit rating assigned by such agency to the long-term, unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company immediately prior to or on the effective date of such Material Subsidiary Insolvency Event and (y) a Rating Agency making a Rating Downgrade publicly announces or confirms that such Rating Downgrade was the result of any event or circumstance comprised in or arising as a result of, or in respect of, such Material Subsidiary Insolvency Event; or
(g) or any other Event of Default expressly provided with respect to Securities of that series.
37
Section 5.02. Acceleration. Upon the occurrence and continuation of any Event of Default, then in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of the affected series may declare the principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), in accordance with Section 1.05 hereof. Upon any such declaration, the Securities of such series shall become due and payable immediately.
At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to outstanding Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:
(a) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay
(i) all overdue interest on all Securities of that series;
(ii) the principal of (and premium (if any) on) any Securities of that series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities;
(iii) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities; and
(iv) all sums paid or advanced by either of the Trustee or the Securities Administrator hereunder and the reasonable and documented compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of each of the Trustee and the Securities Administrator, its agents and counsel;
and
(b) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the non-payment of the principal and other amounts of Securities of that series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 5.04.
No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 5.03. Other Remedies. Subject to the terms of the relevant series of Securities established under the supplemental indenture issued pursuant to Section 3.01, if an Event of Default occurs or if the Company breaches any covenant or warranty under this Indenture or the Securities, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to enforce any provision of the Securities or this Indenture.
The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Securities or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any
38
Holder of a Security in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.
Section 5.04. Waiver Of Past Defaults. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any series by notice to the Trustee may waive any past default under this Indenture affecting such series, except an uncured default in the payment of principal of or interest on such series of Securities or an uncured default relating to a covenant or provision of this Indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of each affected Holder.
Section 5.05. Control by Majority. Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of a series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, in each case with respect to such series and subject to the limitations specified herein. Subject to Article 6 herein relating to the Trustees duties, neither of the Trustee nor the Securities Administrator will be under any obligation to exercise any of its rights and powers under the Indenture unless such Holder has offered an indemnity to its reasonable satisfaction against any loss, costs, expenses and liabilities it may incur.
Section 5.06. Limitation on Suits. No Holder of Securities of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to this Indenture or the Securities of the series or for any remedy thereunder, unless:
(a) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office of a continuing Event of Default under the Securities of the series has occurred;
(b) Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of the relevant series have made a written request to the Trustee to institute the proceedings in respect of the Event of Default or breach in its own name as Trustee under this Indenture;
(c) the Holders of the Securities of the relevant series have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity against the cost and other liabilities of instituting a proceeding and provided a written request to the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office;
(d) the Trustee for 60 days thereafter has failed to institute any such proceeding;
(e) during such 60-day period, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of the relevant series have not given the Trustee a direction that is inconsistent with such written request; and
(f) the terms of such series of Securities do not prohibit such remedy to be sought by the Trustee and/or the Holders,
it being understood and intended that no one or more Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb
39
or prejudice the rights of any other Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all the Holders
Section 5.07. Rights of Holders of Securities To Receive Payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Security to receive payment of principal of, and interest (if any) and Additional Amounts (if any) on the Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Security (including in connection with a Change of Control Offer, if such term is defined in the relevant supplemental indenture issued pursuant to Section 3.01), or to institute a suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.
Section 5.08. Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of Default specified in Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b) hereof occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole remaining unpaid amount of principal of, and interest (if any) and Additional Amounts (if any) on, the Securities and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable and documented compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.
Section 5.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders of the Securities allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities), its creditors or its property (including, but not limited to, any bankruptcy, dissolution, insolvency, liquidation, winding-up or similar judicial proceeding) and shall be entitled and empowered to take any and all actions authorized under the Trust Indenture Act in order to have claims of the Holders and the Trustee allowed in any such proceeding, and to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims. Any custodian, receiver, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.07 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.07 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by the lien as specified in Section 6.07 on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.
40
Section 5.10. Priorities. If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article 5, it shall pay out the money in the following order:
First: to the Trustee, the Securities Administrator, the Securities Registrar and the Paying Agent, and each of their agents and attorneys in respect of their documented fees and for amounts due under Section 6.07 hereof, including payment of all compensation, expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by any of the Trustee, the Securities Administrator, the Securities Registrar, the Paying Agent and the costs and expenses of collection;
Second: to Holders of Securities for amounts due and unpaid on the Securities for principal, interest (if any) and Additional Amounts (if any), ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Securities for principal, interest (if any) and Additional Amounts (if any) respectively; and
Third: to the Company or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.
The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders of Securities pursuant to this Section 5.10.
Section 5.11. Restoration of Rights and Remedies. If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company shall be restored to its former position hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.
Section 5.12. Undertaking for Costs. In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against any of the Trustee, the Securities Administrator, the Securities Registrar or the Paying Agent for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, Securities Administrator, Securities Registrar or Paying Agent, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 5.12 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, Securities Administrator, Securities Registrar or Paying Agent, a suit by a Holder of a Security pursuant to Section 5.07 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Securities.
ARTICLE 6
THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITIES ADMINISTRATOR
Section 6.01. Certain Duties and Responsibilities.
(a) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default, if any, with respect to the Securities of any series of which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge,
41
(i) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture with respect to such series, and the Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and
(ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provisions hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture, but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein.
(b) In case an Event of Default of which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge, has occurred with respect to Securities of any series and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture with respect to such series of Securities, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.
(c) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that
(i) this Subsection shall not be construed to limit the effect of Subsection (a) of this Section;
(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it shall be finally proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;
(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, determined as provided in Section 5.05, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series; and
(iv) no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
42
(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section.
(e) The Trustee shall not be required to take notice or be deemed to have notice or knowledge of any default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received written notice or obtained actual knowledge thereof. In the absence of receipt of such written notice or actual knowledge, the Trustee may conclusively assume that there is no default or Event of Default.
(f) The Trustee shall have no duty (A) to see to any recording, filing, or depositing of this Indenture or any agreement referred to herein or any financing statement or continuation statement evidencing a security interest, or to see to the maintenance of any such recording or filing or depositing or to any rerecording, refiling or redepositing of any thereof, (B) to see to any insurance, (C) to see to the payment or discharge of any tax, assessment, or other governmental charge or any lien or encumbrance of any kind owing with respect to, assessed or levied against, any part of the trust or (D) to confirm or verify the contents of any reports or certificates of the Company delivered to the Trustee pursuant to this Indenture believed by the Trustee to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.
Section 6.02. Notice of Defaults. Within 90 days after the occurrence of any default hereunder with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall transmit in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 7.03(c), notice of such default hereunder actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, unless such default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that, except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest (if any) on any Security of such series, or in the payment of any sinking fund installment with respect to Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders of Securities of such series, and provided, further, that in the case of any default of the character specified in Section 5.01 with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 60 days after the occurrence thereof. For the purpose of this Section, the term default means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series.
Section 6.03. Certain Rights of Trustee. Except as otherwise provided in Section 6.01:
(a) the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
(b) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order or as otherwise expressly provided herein;
(c) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action
43
hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officers Certificate and such Officers Certificate, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof;
(d) the Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;
(e) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders of Securities of any series shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses, losses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;
(f) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, calculation or quotation, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its sole discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney, in each case with reasonable prior notice to the Company;
(g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any willful misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;
(h) in no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, incidental, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action;
(i) the Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture;
(j) the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed by the Trustee to act hereunder;
(k) in no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation strikes, work stoppages, accidents, severe
44
weather, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, the provisions of any present or future law or regulation or any act of any governmental authority, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services or Federal Reserve Bank wire service; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances;
(l) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;
(m) The right of the Trustee to perform any discretionary act enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty, and the Trustee shall not be answerable for other than its negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct in the performance of such act;
(n) The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the execution of this Indenture or the performance of the powers granted hereunder;
(o) In making or disposing of any investment permitted by this Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to deal with itself (in its individual capacity) or with any one or more of its Affiliates, in each case on an arms-length basis and on standard market terms, whether it or such Affiliate is acting as a subagent of the Trustee or for any third person or dealing as principal for its own account;
(p) Delivery of reports, information and documents to the Trustee shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Companys or any other entitys compliance with any covenants under this Indenture, any supplemental indenture, any Notes or any other related documents. The Trustee shall not be obligated to monitor or confirm, on a continuing basis or otherwise, the Companys or any other entitys compliance with the covenants described herein or with respect to any reports or other documents filed under this Indenture, any supplemental indenture, any Notes or any other related document;
(q) No provision of this Indenture, any supplemental indenture or any Notes shall be deemed to impose any duty or obligation on the Trustee to take or omit to take any action, or suffer any action to be taken or omitted, in the performance of its duties or obligations, or to exercise any right or power, to the extent that taking or omitting to take such action or suffering such action to be taken or omitted would violate applicable law binding upon it;
(r) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, any and all email communications (both text and attachments) by or from the Securities Administrator that the Securities Administrator deems to contain confidential, proprietary, and/or sensitive information may be encrypted. The recipient (the Email Recipient) of the encrypted email communication will be required to complete a registration process. Instructions on how to register and/or retrieve an encrypted message will be included in the first secure email sent by the Securities Administrator to the Email Recipient. Additional information and assistance on using the
45
encryption technology can be found at Citibanks Secure Email website at http://www.citigroup.net/informationsecurity/dataprotect.htm or by calling (866) 535-2504 (in the U.S.) or (904) 954-6181;
(s) The Trustee shall have the right to require that any directions, instructions or notices provided to it be signed by an Authorized Person (as hereinafter defined), be provided on corporate letterhead and contain such other evidence as may be reasonably requested by the Trustee to establish the identity and/or signatures thereon. The identity of such Authorized Persons, as well as their specimen signatures, title, telephone number and e-mail address, shall be delivered to the Trustee in a list of authorized signers and shall remain in effect until the applicable party, or an entity acting on its behalf, notifies the Trustee of any change thereto (the person(s) so designated from time to time, the Authorized Persons); and
(t) To help the U.S. government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. When an account is opened, the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, as applicable, each acting reasonably, will ask for information that will allow the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, as applicable, to identify relevant parties. The parties hereto hereby acknowledge such information disclosure requirements and agree to comply with all such information disclosure requests from time to time from the Securities Administrator.
Section 6.04. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities. The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustees certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Securities and perform its obligations hereunder and that the statements made by it in its Statements of Eligibility on Form T-1 supplied to the Company are true and accurate. The Trustee or any Authenticating Agent shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof.
Section 6.05. May Hold Securities. The Trustee, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar, any Calculation Agent or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections 6.08 and 6.13, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Paying Agent, Security Registrar, Calculation Agent or such other agent.
Section 6.06. Money Held in Trust. Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed with the Company. Each Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders or the Trustee all sums held by such Paying Agent for the payment of the principal of or interest on the Securities, and shall give to the Trustee notice of any default by the Company on the Securities in the making of any such payment.
46
Section 6.07. Compensation and Reimbursement. The Company agrees:
(a) to pay to each of the Trustee and the Securities Administrator from time to time reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);
(b) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse each of the Trustee and the Securities Administrator upon its request for all reasonable and duly documented expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence or bad faith; and
(c) to indemnify each of the Trustee and the Securities Administrator, its agents and counsel for, and to hold them harmless against, any duly documented loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on their part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending themselves against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of their powers or duties hereunder.
The obligations of the Company under this Section shall constitute additional indebtedness hereunder and shall survive the satisfaction and discharges of this Indenture. Such additional indebtedness shall be a senior claim to that of the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by each of the Trustee or the Securities Administrator as such (except funds held in trust for the benefit of the Holders of particular Securities), and the Securities are hereby subordinated to such senior claim.
When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 5.01(e) or (f) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under applicable bankruptcy law.
Section 6.08. Disqualification; Conflicting Interests. If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture.
Section 6.09. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility. There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any State or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000, subject to supervision or examination by Federal, State or District of Columbia authority and having its Corporate Trust Office in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, New York. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so
47
published. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.
Section 6.10. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.
(a) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee under Section 6.11.
(b) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 6.11 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
(c) The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Trustee and to the Company.
(d) If at any time:
(i) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or
(ii) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 6.09 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Holder, or
(iii) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,
then, in any such case, (i) the Company, when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (ii) subject to Section 5.12, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.
The Company may also remove the Trustee with or without cause if the Company so notifies the Trustee six months in advance and if no Event of Default occurs during the six-month period.
(e) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a
48
successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series) and shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 6.11. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 6.11, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders of Securities of that series and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 6.11, any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months, subject to Section 5.12, may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
(f) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series in the manner provided in Section 1.06. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.
Section 6.11. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.
(a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of the charges due it pursuant to Section 6.07, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee, and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder. Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts.
(b) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (i) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such
49
successor Trustee relates, (ii) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (iii) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates.
(c) Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.
(d) No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.
Section 6.12. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business. Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities.
Section 6.13. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company. If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities of a series), the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of claims against the Company (or any such other obligor). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act to the extent provided therein.
50
Section 6.14. Appointment of Authenticating Agent. The Securities Administrator may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Securities Administrator to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon original issue or upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof or pursuant to Section 3.06, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Securities Administrator hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Securities Administrator or the Securities Administrators certificate of authentication such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Securities Administrator by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Securities Administrator by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.
Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or corporate trust business of such Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Securities Administrator or such Authenticating Agent.
An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Securities Administrator and to the Company. The Securities Administrator may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Securities Administrator may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall promptly give notice of such appointment to all Holders of Securities pursuant to Section 1.06. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.
The Company agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section.
If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to the Securities Administrators certificate of authentication, an alternative certificate of authentication in the following form:
51
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within mentioned Indenture.
Citibank, N.A., not in its individual capacity but solely as Securities Administrator | ||
By: |
|
If the Securities Administrator does not have an office capable of authenticating Securities upon original issuance located in a Place of Payment where the Company wishes to have Securities of such series authenticated upon original issuance, the Securities Administrator, if so requested by the Company in writing (which writing need not comply with Section 1.02 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel), shall appoint (at the expense of the Company) in accordance with this Section an Authenticating Agent having an office in a Place of Payment designated by the Company with respect to such series of Securities.
Section 6.15. Certain Rights of the Securities Administrator. The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits provided to the Trustee under this Article 6 (including but not limited to its right to be indemnified) are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Securities Administrator in each of its capacities hereunder and to each of its Responsible Officers and other Persons duly employed by the Securities Administrator hereunder as if they were each expressly set forth herein for the benefit of the Securities Administrator in each such capacity, Responsible Officers or employees of the Securities Administrator mutatis mutandis.
ARTICLE 7
HOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS BY SECURITIES ADMINISTRATOR AND COMPANY
Section 7.01. Company to Furnish Securities Administrator Names and Addresses of Holders of Securities. The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Securities Administrator and the Trustee with respect to the Securities of each series:
(a) not more than 15 days after each Regular Record Date or in the case of any series of Securities on which semi-annual interest is not payable, not more than 6 months after the most recently so provided list, a list, in such form as the Securities Administrator may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of such Securities as of such Regular Record Date, as the case may be, and
(b) at such other times as the Securities Administrator or the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished, provided, however, that so long as the Securities Administrator is the Security Registrar, no such list need be furnished.
52
Section 7.02. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.
(a) The Securities Administrator shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders of Securities (i) contained in the most recent list furnished to the Securities Administrator as provided in Section 7.01, (ii) received by the Securities Administrator in its capacity as Security Registrar (or Paying Agent, if so acting) and (iii) filed with it during the two preceding years pursuant to Section 7.03(c). The Securities Administrator may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 7.01 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.
(b) If three or more Holders of Securities of any series (hereinafter referred to as applicants) apply in writing to the Securities Administrator, and furnish to the Securities Administrator reasonable proof that each such applicant has owned a Security for a period of at least six months preceding the date of such application, and such application states that the applicants desire to communicate with other Holders of Securities of such series with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities of such series and is accompanied by a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which such applicants propose to transmit, then the Securities Administrator shall within five business days after the receipt of such application, at its election, either:
(i) afford such applicants access to the information preserved at the time by the Securities Administrator in accordance with Section 7.02(a) (provided, however, that the Securities Administrator shall have no obligation to investigate or confirm the information so provided), or
(ii) inform such applicants as to the approximate number of Holders of Securities of such series whose names and addresses appear in the information preserved at the time by the Securities Administrator in accordance with Section 7.02(a) (provided, however, that the Securities Administrator shall have no obligation to investigate or confirm the information so provided), and as to the approximate cost of mailing to such Holders of Securities of such series the form of proxy or other communication, if any, specified in such application.
If the Securities Administrator shall, after receiving direction from the Company, elect not to afford such applicants access to such information, the Securities Administrator shall, upon the written request of such applicants, mail to each Holder of Securities of such series whose name and address appears in the information preserved at the time by the Securities Administrator in accordance with Section 7.02(a), a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which is specified in such request, with reasonable promptness after a tender to the Securities Administrator of the material to be mailed and of payment, or provision for the payment, of the reasonable expenses of mailing, unless within five days after such tender, the Securities Administrator shall mail to such applicants and file with the Commission, together with a copy of the material to be mailed, a written statement to the effect that, in the opinion of the Company, such mailing would be contrary to the best interests of the Holders of Securities of such series or would be in violation of applicable law. Such written statement shall specify the basis of such opinion. If the Commission, after opportunity for a hearing upon the objections specified in the written statement so filed, shall enter an order refusing to sustain any of such
53
objections or if, after the entry of an order sustaining one or more of such objections, the Commission shall find, after notice and opportunity for hearing, that all the objections so sustained have been met and shall enter an order so declaring, the Securities Administrator shall mail copies of such material to all such Holders of Securities of such series with reasonable promptness after the entry of such order and the renewal of such tender; otherwise the Securities Administrator shall be relieved of any obligation or duty to such applicants respecting their application.
(c) Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company, the Securities Administrator and the Trustee that neither the Company, the Securities Administrator or the Trustee, nor any agent of the Company, the Securities Administrator or the Trustee shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities in accordance with Section 7.02(b), regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Securities Administrator shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under Section 7.02(b).
Section 7.03. Reports by Trustee.
(a) The Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto. If required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall, within 60 days after each September 1 following the date of this Indenture deliver to Holders a report, dated as of such September 1, which complies with the provisions of such Section 313(a).
(b) The Trustee shall comply with Sections 313(b) and 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.
(c) A copy of such report shall, at the time of such transmission to the Holders of Securities, be filed by the Trustee with the Company, with each securities exchange upon which any of the Securities are listed (if so listed) and also with the Commission. The Company agrees to notify the Trustee when any Securities become listed on any stock exchange or market center.
Section 7.04. Reports by Company. The Company will:
(a) file with the Securities Administrator (with a copy to the Trustee), within 15 days after the Company is required to file the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of said Sections, then it will file with the Securities Administrator and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations adopted pursuant to Section 314(a)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act;
54
(b) file with the Securities Administrator (with a copy to the Trustee) and the Commission such information, documents and other reports, and such summaries thereof, as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided in the Trust Indenture Act;
(c) transmit by mail to all Holders, within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Securities Administrator, in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 7.03(c) with respect to reports pursuant to Section 7.03(a), such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission; and
(d) be deemed to have filed with the Securities Administrator and the Trustee and made available to Holders such reports and the other documents and information referred to above if the Company has filed such reports, documents and information with the Commission via its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System filing system and such reports, documents and information are publicly available.
ARTICLE 8
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER
Section 8.01. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only On Certain Terms. So long as any Securities are outstanding, the Company will not consolidate with or merge into any other Person (excluding Persons controlled by one or more members of the Mittal Family) or convey or transfer substantially all of its properties and assets to any other Person (excluding Persons controlled by one or more members of the Mittal Family) unless thereafter:
(a) the Person formed by such consolidation or into which it is merged, or the Person which acquired all or substantially all of the Companys properties and assets, expressly assumes pursuant to a supplemental indenture the due and punctual payment of the principal of and interest on all the Securities and the performance or observance of every covenant herein on the Companys part to be performed or observed (including, if such Person is not organized in or a resident of Luxembourg for tax purposes, substituting such Persons jurisdiction of organization or residence for Luxembourg for tax purposes, where applicable, including for the obligation to pay Additional Amounts);
(b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; and
(c) the Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged, or the Person which acquired all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company delivers to the Trustee and the Securities Administrator an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that the consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with the transaction, the supplemental indenture, comply with the terms and conditions herein and that all conditions precedent in this
55
Indenture relating to the transaction have been complied with and, immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, except that such Officers Certificate and Opinion of Counsel shall not be required in the event that any such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer is made by order of any court or tribunal having jurisdiction over the Company, its properties and assets.
Section 8.02. Successor Substituted. Upon any consolidation or merger by the Company with or into any other Person, or any sale, conveyance, transfer or lease by the Company of the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety to any Person in accordance with Section 8.01, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such sale, conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein; and thereafter, the Company (which term shall for this purpose mean the Person named as the Company in the first paragraph of this Indenture or any successor Person which shall theretofore become such in the manner described in Section 8.01) shall be discharged from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities, and may be dissolved and liquidated.
ARTICLE 9
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
Section 9.01. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders. Without the consent of any Holder of Securities, the Company, when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, the Trustee and the Securities Administrator, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee and the Securities Administrator, for any of the following purposes:
(a) to provide for the issuance of additional Securities in accordance with the limitations set forth in this Indenture as of the date hereof; or
(b) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company herein and in the Securities contained; or
(c) to comply with any requirements of the Commission in connection with qualifying this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act; or
(d) to add to the covenants of the Company, for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; or
(e) to add or modify for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities any Events of Default (and if such additional or modified Events of Default are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such additional or modified Events of Default are expressly being included or modified solely for the benefit of such series); or
56
(f) to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture, provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no Security Outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture which is entitled to the benefit of such provision; or
(g) to secure the Securities; or
(h) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Section 2.01 and 3.01; or
(i) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee or successor Securities Administrator with respect to the Securities of one or more series and/or to add or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee or Securities Administrator, pursuant to the requirements of Section 6.11(b); or
(j) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein; or
(k) to correct or add any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture, provided that such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series in any material respect.
Section 9.02. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders. With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company, the Securities Administrator and the Trustee, the Company, when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, the Securities Administrator and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby,
(a) change the Stated Maturity (if any) of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or any interest on, any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or any rate of interest thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or change any obligation of the Company to pay additional amounts pursuant to Section 10.11 (except as contemplated by Section 8.01(a) and permitted by Section 9.01(a)), or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Stated Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.02, or change the method in which amounts of payments of principal or any interest thereon are determined, or change any Place of Payment, or change the coin or currency in which any Security or any premium or any interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity (if any) thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date), or
57
(b) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (or compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture, or
(c) impair the right of the Holders of Securities to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or after the date due, or
(d) modify any of the provisions of this Section or Section 5.04, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby, provided, however, that this clause shall not be deemed to require the consent of any Holder of a Security with respect to changes in the references to the Trustee and concomitant changes in this Section, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Section 6.11(b) and Section 9.01(i), or
(e) change the provisions of this Indenture regarding the quorum required at any meeting of Holders, or
(f) change any obligation of the Company to maintain an office or agency in the places and for the purposes specified in Section 10.02.
Any supplemental indenture may specify whether the Company may materially modify the terms of a series of Securities, provided that any such modification to the provisions of this Indenture be made in accordance with this Section 9.02. A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.
It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.
Section 9.03. Execution of Supplemental Indentures. In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, each of the Trustee and the Securities Administrator shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 6.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture, and that such supplemental indenture, when executed and delivered by the Company, will constitute a valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable in accordance with its terms. Each of the Trustee and the Securities Administrator may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
58
Section 9.04. Effect of Supplemental Indentures. Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.
Section 9.05. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act. Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.
Section 9.06. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures. Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required by the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, bear a notation in form acceptable to the Trustee and the Securities Administrator as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Securities Administrator in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.
ARTICLE 10
COVENANTS
Section 10.01. Payments. The Company shall pay, or cause to be paid, the principal, interest (if any) and Additional Amounts (if any) on the dates and in the manner referred to in Section 10.11 hereof.
Principal, any other amounts to be paid in accordance with Section 11.03, and interest (if any) and Additional Amounts (if any) will be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, holds as of 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the due date money deposited by the Company in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, any other amounts to be paid in accordance with Section 11.03, and interest (if any) and Additional Amounts (if any) then due.
If a payment date is a Legal Holiday, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue or be reduced, as the case may be, on such payment for the intervening period. The Company shall provide in its notice of any such Place of Payment to the Trustee and the Securities Administrator, notice of the Legal Holidays in such jurisdiction.
Section 10.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Company will maintain in the United States at the applicable Corporate Trust Office an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee, the Securities Administrator, the Securities Registrar or an affiliate of the Trustee, the Securities Administrator, Security Registrar or co-registrar) where Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and will maintain an office in the United States where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities and this Indenture may be served. The Company hereby designates the office for registration of transfer or for exchange of Securities to be at the office of the Securities Administrator at 480
59
Washington Boulevard, 30th Floor, Jersey City, New Jersey 07310, Attn: Citibank Agency & Trust, ArcelorMittal, and designates the office for service of notices and demands to or upon the Company to be at ArcelorMittal USA Holdings II LLC, 1 South Dearborn Street, 19th Floor, Chicago, IL 60603-9888, United States. The Company hereby agrees not to change the designation of either such office without prior written notice to the Trustee and the Securities Administrator and designation of a replacement for such office or agency. If at any time the Company fails to maintain at least one such required office or agency where Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities and this Indenture may be served or fails to furnish the Trustee and the Securities Administrator with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the applicable Corporate Trust Office of the Securities Administrator.
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission will in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency at the applicable Corporate Trust Office for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee and the Securities Administrator of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency. The Company hereby designates the applicable Corporate Trust Office of the Securities Administrator as one such office or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 3.05 hereof.
Section 10.03. Appointment To Fill a Vacancy in the Office of the Trustee. Whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of the Trustee, the Company will appoint a successor trustee in accordance with Section 6.10 hereof so that there will at all times be a Trustee with respect to the Securities.
Section 10.04. Notice of Certain Events.
(a) The Company will give written notice to the Trustee and the Securities Administrator at its respective Corporate Trust Office, promptly and in any event within 10 days after it becomes aware of the occurrence of any Event of Default hereunder.
(b) If the Trustee has received written notice of an Event of Default, the Trustee will give notice of that event to the Holders within 90 days after the Trustee has received written notice thereof. The Trustee may withhold notice to the Holders of such an event (except the non-payment of principal or interest) if a committee of its trust officers determines in good faith that withholding notice is in the interests of the Holders.
Section 10.05. [Reserved].
Section 10.06. Compliance Certificate. The Company shall deliver to the Securities Administrator (a copy of which shall be provided to the Trustee) within 120 days after the end of its fiscal year an Officers Certificate stating that it has complied with its obligations under this Indenture and, if any outstanding series of Securities under this Indenture are subject to potential Events of Default, that no Event of Default has occurred during such period, or if one or more
60
has occurred, specifying those Events of Default and what actions, if any, have been taken by the Company upon becoming aware of the occurrence of, or what actions, if any, the Company proposes to take with respect to, each such Event of Default.
Section 10.07. Further Actions. The Company will execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper or as either of the Trustee or the Securities Administrator may reasonably request to carry out more effectively the purpose of this Indenture.
Section 10.08. Stay, Extension and Usury Laws. The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not, at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim, or to the extent permitted by law, take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company hereby expressly waives (to the extent it may lawfully do so) all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to either of the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, but will, to the extent permitted by law, suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.
Section 10.09. Corporate Existence. Subject to Article 8, the Company will preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence.
Section 10.10. Negative Pledge. The Company covenants that so long as any of the Securities remain outstanding, it will not, and will not permit any Material Subsidiary to, create or permit to subsist, any Security upon any of their respective Assets, present or future, to secure any Relevant Indebtedness incurred or guaranteed by it or by any Material Subsidiary (whether before or after the issue of the Securities) other than Permitted Security unless the obligations of the Company under the Securities are (i) equally and rateably secured so as to rank pari passu with such Relevant Indebtedness or the guarantee thereof or (ii) benefit from any other Security or arrangement as shall be approved by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the affected series then outstanding. For the purposes of this provision, Security means any mortgage, charge, pledge or other real security interest (sûreté réelle).
Section 10.11. Payment of Additional Amounts. The applicable supplemental indenture in respect of a series issued pursuant to Section 3.01 shall state the terms, if any, by which the Company or any successor entity, as the case may be, will pay additional amounts (Additional Amounts) as will result in receipt by the Holders of such amounts as would have been received by the Holders had no withholding or deduction been required by a Relevant Jurisdiction.
A Relevant Jurisdiction means Luxembourg or any jurisdiction in which ArcelorMittal is resident for tax purposes (or in the case of a successor entity any jurisdiction in which such successor entity is organized or resident for tax purposes (or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein)).
Section 10.12. Offer To Purchase upon a Change of Control. If applicable to a series of Securities, the provisions of any requirement for the Company to offer to purchase any Securities following a change of control of the Company shall be specified in the applicable supplemental indenture issued pursuant to Section 3.01.
61
ARTICLE 11
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
Section 11.01. Applicability of this Article. Securities of any series that are redeemable before their Stated Maturity, if any, shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article.
Section 11.02. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee and the Securities Administrator. The due authorization of the election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by a certificate of an Authorized Officer. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of less than all the Securities of any series, the Company shall, at least 60 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee and the Securities Administrator), notify the Trustee and the Securities Administrator of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed and the Redemption Price for such Securities, such notice to be accompanied by a written statement signed by an Authorized Officer of the Company stating that no defaults in the payment of interest or Events of Default (if applicable to the Securities of that series) with respect to the Securities of that series have occurred (which have not been waived or cured). In the case of any redemption of Securities (i) prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, or (ii) pursuant to an election of the Company which is subject to a condition or computation specified in the terms of such Securities, the Company shall furnish the Trustee and the Securities Administrator with an Officers Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction, condition or computation.
In the event that any election by the Company necessitates the retention of any agent by either of the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, the Company agrees that such retention shall be at the sole expense of the Company, subject to the Companys prior approval of such agent.
Section 11.03. Redemption at the Option of the Company. The provisions of any redemption at the option of the Company shall only be applicable to a series of Securities if such applicability and the terms of such redemption are specified pursuant to Section 3.01.
Section 11.04. Mandatory Redemption. The provisions of any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments shall only be applicable to a series of Securities if such applicability and the terms of such redemption or payments are specified pursuant to Section 3.01.
Section 11.05. Cancellation of Redeemed Securities. Any Securities that are redeemed will be cancelled.
Section 11.06. Selection by Securities Administrator of Securities to be Redeemed. If less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Securities
62
Administrator, from the Outstanding Securities of such series not previously called for redemption by random lot or by such other method as the Securities Administrator shall deem fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or any integral multiple of the minimum authorized incremental denomination above such minimum authorized denomination) of the principal amount of Securities of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or of portions of the principal amount of global Securities of such series, provided, however, that any such redemption shall be conducted in accordance with the standard procedures of the Depositary for so long as the Securities are in global form.
The Securities Administrator shall promptly notify the Company and the Trustee in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.
For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed.
Section 11.07. Notice of Redemption. Notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided in Section 1.06 not less than 30 and not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, to the Holders of Securities to be redeemed.
All notices of redemption shall include the CUSIP number and state:
(a) the Redemption Date,
(b) the Redemption Price and any accrued interest,
(c) if less than all Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amounts) of the particular Securities to be redeemed,
(d) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price, and any accrued interest thereon will become due and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed and that interest thereon shall cease to accrue from and after said date,
(e) the place or places where such Securities are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price and any accrued interest thereon, and
(f) if such be the case, that the installment of interest on Securities whose Stated Maturity is the Redemption Date is payable to the Persons in whose names such Securities are registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date immediately preceding the Redemption Date.
63
Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed shall be given by the Company or, at the Companys request, by the Securities Administrator in the name of, as prepared by and at the expense of the Company.
Section 11.08. Deposit of Redemption Price. Prior to the opening of business on any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Securities Administrator or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust an amount of money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) any accrued interest on, all the Securities which are to be redeemed on that date.
Section 11.09. Securities Payable on Redemption Date. Notice of Redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified together with any accrued interest thereon and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Securities for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Securities shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with any accrued interest to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01, installments of interest on Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 3.07.
If the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest on any Security called for redemption, the principal (and premium, if any) of such Security shall, until paid or until payment is provided for in accordance herewith, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate, if any, prescribed therefor in the Security.
So long as it is known to a Responsible Officer of the Securities Administrator that an Event of Default is continuing hereunder, the Securities Administrator shall not redeem any Securities of any series pursuant to this Article (unless all Outstanding Securities of such series are to be redeemed) or mail or give any notice of redemption of Securities except that, where the mailing of notice of redemption of any Securities shall theretofore have been made, the Securities Administrator shall redeem or cause to be redeemed such Securities provided that it shall have received from the Company a sum sufficient for such redemption. Except as aforesaid, any monies theretofore or thereafter received by the Trustee or the Securities Administrator shall, during the continuance of such Event of Default, be deemed to have been collected under Article 5 and held for the payment of all such Securities. In case such Event of Default shall have been waived as provided in Section 5.04 or the default cured on or before the sixtieth day preceding the Redemption Date, such monies shall hereafter be applied in accordance with the provisions of this Article.
Section 11.10. Securities Redeemed in Part. Any Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at any Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company, the Trustee or the Securities Administrator so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company, the Trustee and the Securities Administrator
64
duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing) and the Company shall execute and the Securities Administrator shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series and of like tenor, of any authorized denomination as requested by the Holder, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered.
Section 11.11. Open Market Purchases. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or the Securities, the Company or its Affiliates may, from time to time, purchase any Securities either in the open market at prevailing prices for such Securities at such time or in private transactions at a negotiated price with the Holder or Holders thereof or the Company may at any time make offers to the Holders to exchange their Securities for other bonds or senior debt securities issued by the Company or any other Person.
ARTICLE 12
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
Section 12.01. Satisfaction and Discharge. This Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all Securities of any series issued hereunder, when:
(a) either:
(i) all Securities of such series that have been authenticated, except lost, stolen or destroyed Securities that have been replaced or paid and Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Company, have been delivered to the Securities Administrator for cancellation; or
(ii) all Securities of such series that have not been delivered to the Securities Administrator for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the mailing of a notice of redemption or otherwise or will become due and payable within one year and the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Securities Administrator as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Securities of such series not delivered to the Securities Administrator for cancellation for principal and accrued interest and Additional Amounts (if any) to the date of maturity or redemption;
(b) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under this Indenture with respect to such series; and
(c) the Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Securities Administrator under this Indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Securities of such series at Maturity or on the Redemption Date, as the case may be.
In addition, the Company must deliver an Officers Certificate and Opinion of Counsel stating that all conditions precedent to the satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.
65
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, if money has been deposited with the Securities Administrator pursuant to subclause (ii) of clause (a) of this Section 12.01, the provisions of Sections 12.02 and 4.06 hereof will survive. In addition, nothing in this Section 12.01 will be deemed to discharge those provisions of Section 6.07 hereof, that, by their terms, survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.
Section 12.02. Application of Trust Money.
Subject to the provisions of Section 4.06 hereof, all money deposited with the Securities Administrator pursuant to Section 12.01 hereof shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Securities Administrator may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal and interest (if any) and Additional Amounts (if any) for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Securities Administrator; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
If the Securities Administrator or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or Government Securities in accordance with Section 12.01 hereof by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Companys obligations under this Indenture and the Securities shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 12.01 hereof; provided that if the Company has made any payment of principal of, or interest (if any) or Additional Amounts (if any) on, any Securities because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money or Government Securities held by the Securities Administrator or Paying Agent.
ARTICLE 13
MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
Section 13.01. Call and Notice of Holders Meeting. A meeting of Holders of any series may be called by the Securities Administrator at any time. The Company or the Holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of any series may call a meeting if the Company or the Holders have requested the Securities Administrator in writing to call such a meeting and the Securities Administrator has not given notice of such meeting within 20 days of receiving the request. Notices of meetings must include the time and place of the meeting and a general description of the action proposed to be taken at the meeting and must be given not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting, except that notices of meetings reconvened after adjournment must be given not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting. At any meeting, the presence of Holders holding Securities in an aggregate principal amount sufficient to take the action for which the meeting was called will constitute a quorum. Any modifications to or waivers of the Indenture or the Securities will be conclusive and binding on all Holders of Securities of such series, whether or not they have given their consent (unless required under this Indenture) or were present at any duly held meeting.
66
Section 13.02. Communication by Holders of Securities with Other Holders of Securities. Holders may communicate pursuant to Trust Indenture Act Section 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities. The Company, any guarantor, the Trustee, the Securities Administrator, the Security Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of Trust Indenture Act Section 312(c).
Section 13.03. Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings. To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, a Person shall be (1) a Holder of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series, or (2) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy for a Holder or Holders of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series by such Holder or Holders. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel, any representatives of either of the Trustee or the Securities Administrator and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.
Section 13.04. Quorum; Action. The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of Holders of Securities of such series; provided, however, that if any action is to be taken at such meeting with respect to a consent or waiver which this Indenture or the terms of such series expressly provides may be given by the Holders of not less than a specified percentage of the principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series, the Persons entitled to vote such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes of the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Holders of Securities of such series, be dissolved. In any other case the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting. In the absence of a quorum at any such adjourned meeting, such adjourned meeting may be further adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such adjourned meeting. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting need be given only once not less than five days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened. Notice of the reconvening of an adjourned meeting shall state expressly the percentage, as provided above, of the principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series which shall constitute a quorum.
Except as limited by the proviso to Section 9.02, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series; provided, however, that, except as limited by the proviso to Section 9.02, any resolution with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which this Indenture or the terms of such series expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid by the affirmative vote of the Holders of such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series.
67
Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly held in accordance with this Section shall be binding on all the Holders of Securities of such series, whether or not present or represented at the meeting.
Section 13.05. Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Securities Administrator may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders of Securities of a series in regard to proof of the holding of Securities of such series and of the appointment of proxies and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem appropriate. Except as otherwise permitted or required by any such regulations, the holding of Securities shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 1.04 and the appointment of any proxy shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 1.04. Such regulations may provide that written instruments appointing proxies, regular on their face, may be presumed valid and genuine without the proof specified in Section 1.04 or other proof.
(b) The Securities Administrator shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint, a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Holders of Securities, in which case the Company or the Holders of Securities of the series calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting.
(c) Except as otherwise set forth in the applicable supplemental indenture issued pursuant to Section 3.01 in respect of a given series of Securities, at any meeting each Holder of a Security of such series or proxy shall be entitled to such number of votes as is equal to the ratio of the principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by such Holder or proxy, divided by the minimum denomination in which the Securities were issued under the applicable supplemental indenture; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Security challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not Outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote, except as a Holder of a Security of such series or proxy.
(d) Any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly called pursuant to Section 13.01 at which a quorum is present may be adjourned from time to time by Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting; and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.
Section 13.06. Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings. The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders of Securities of such series or of their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts and serial numbers of the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for
68
or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in duplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record, at least in duplicate, of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one, or more persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was given as provided in Section 13.01 and, if applicable, Section 13.04. Each copy shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one such copy shall be delivered to the Company, and another to the Securities Administrator to be preserved by the Securities Administrator, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting. Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.
This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
69
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company, the Securities Administrator and the Trustee have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed and attested, all as of the day and year first above written.
ARCELORMITTAL | ||
By: |
||
Name: | ||
Title: |
By: |
||
Name: | ||
Title: |
CITIBANK, N.A., as Securities Administrator | ||
By: |
||
Name: | ||
Title: |
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee | ||
By: |
||
Name: | ||
Title: |
70
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF SECURITY1
[Form of Face of Security]
[If an Original Issue Discount Security, insert any legend required by the Internal Revenue Code and the Regulations thereunder.]
If a Book-Entry Security This Security is a Book-Entry Security within the meaning of the Indenture hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of a Depository or a nominee of a Depository. This Security is exchangeable for Securities registered in the name of a Person other than the Depository or its nominee only in the limited circumstances described in the Indenture, and no transfer of this Security (other than a transfer of this Security as a whole by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository or by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another nominee of the Depository) may be registered except in such limited circumstances.
No. R- |
$ |
ARCELORMITTAL
promises to pay to Cede & Co. or registered assigns,
the principal sum of DOLLARS on .
Interest Payment Dates: and of each year, commencing on , 20 .
Record Dates: and of each year, commencing on , 20 .
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of the Security evidenced hereby set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
1 | To be completed and supplemented to reflect the terms of any series of Securities. |
A-1
Unless the Certificate of Authentication has been duly executed by the Securities Administrator by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefits under the Indenture, or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
Dated: , 20
ARCELORMITTAL | ||
By: |
||
Name: | ||
Title: |
By: |
||
Name: | ||
Title: |
This is one of the Securities referred to
in the within-mentioned Indenture:
Dated:
CITIBANK, N.A., not in its individual capacity but solely as Securities Administrator
By: |
A-2
[Back of Security]
Capitalized terms used herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.
(1) INTEREST. ArcelorMittal, a société anonyme organized under Luxembourg law will pay interest on the principal amount of the Securities at [ ]% per annum from [ ], until Maturity. The Company will pay interest and Additional Amounts (if any) pursuant to Section [ ], semi-annually in arrears on and of each year (each an Interest Payment Date) commencing on [ ], to the Holders of Securities registered as such as of close of business on and (each a Regular Record Date), immediately preceding the relevant Interest Payment Date.
If an Interest Payment Date or the maturity date in respect of the Securities is a Legal Holiday, we will pay interest or principal, as the case may be, on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday. Payments postponed to the next Business Day in this situation will be treated under this Indenture as if they were made on the original due date. Postponement of this kind will not result in a default under the Securities or this Indenture, and no interest will accrue on the postponed amount from the original due date to the next day that is a Business Day.
Interest on the Securities will accrue from the Closing Date or, if interest has already been paid, from the date it was most recently paid to (but excluding) the relevant interest payment date (each such period, an Interest Period). Interest on the Securities will be calculated in accordance with Section 3.10 of the Indenture.
Interest will cease to accrue on the Securities on the due date for their redemption, unless, upon such due date, payment of principal is improperly withheld or refused or if default is otherwise made in respect of payment of principal, in which case interest will continue to accrue on the Securities at the rates set forth above, as the case may be, until the earlier of (a) the day on which all sums due in respect of such Securities up to that day are received by the relevant Holder or (b) the day falling seven days after the Securities Administrator has notified the Holders of receipt of all sums due in respect of the such Securities up to that seventh day, except to the extent that there is failure in the subsequent payment to the relevant Holders following such notification.
(2) DEFAULTED INTEREST. Any interest on the Securities which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Company, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities of this series not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Securities of this series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in said Indenture.
A-3
(3) METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Company will pay interest on the Securities (except Defaulted Interest) and Additional Amounts (if any) to the Persons who are registered Holders of Securities at the close of business in New York City on or (whether or not a Business Day) immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 3.07 of the Indenture with respect to Defaulted Interest. The Securities will be payable as to principal, interest and Additional Amounts (if any) at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose within or without the City and State of New York, or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest and Additional Amounts (if any) may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders; provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be required with respect to principal of, interest and Additional Amounts (if any) on, all Securities the Holders of which will have provided wire transfer instructions to the Company or the Paying Agent. Such payment will be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.
(4) PAYING AGENT AND SECURITY REGISTRAR. Initially, Citibank, N.A., the Securities Administrator under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and Security Registrar. The Company may appoint one or more Co-Registrars and one or more additional Paying Agents. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Security Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.
(5) INDENTURE. The Company issued the Securities under an Indenture dated as of , between the Company, the Securities Administrator and the Trustee. The terms of the Securities include those stated in the Indenture and those expressly made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act as in effect on the date of the Indenture and, to the extent required by any amendment after such date, as so amended. The Securities are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and the U.S. Trust Indenture Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Security conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.
(6) REDEMPTION AT THE OPTION OF THE COMPANY. Redemption at the option of the Company shall only be applicable to these Securities if such applicability and the terms of such redemption are specified pursuant to Section 3.01 of the Indenture.
(7) MANDATORY REDEMPTION. Mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments shall only be applicable to these Securities if such applicability and the terms of such payments are specified pursuant to Section 3.01 of the Indenture.
(8) NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each Holder at its registered address.
(9) OFFER TO PURCHASE UPON A CHANGE OF CONTROL. A requirement for the Company to offer to purchase any Securities following a change of control shall only be applicable if such applicability and the terms of such redemption are specified pursuant to Section 3.01 of the Indenture.
A-4
(10) LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE. Section 4.02 of the Indenture [shall be] applicable to the Securities.
(11) COVENANT DEFEASANCE. Section 4.03 of the Indenture [shall be] applicable to the Securities.
(12) SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE. The Indenture specifies the means by which it may be discharged and cease to be of further effect with respect to the Securities.
(13) DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Securities are in registered form without coupons. The transfer of Securities may be registered and Securities may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Security Registrar, the Securities Administrator and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Security or portion of a Security selected for redemption. Also, the Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Securities for a period of 15 days before a selection of Securities of such series to be redeemed or selected for redemption or during the period between a record date and the corresponding Interest Payment Date.
(14) PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder of a Security may be treated as its owner for all purposes.
(15) AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company, the Securities Administrator and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.
As set forth in the Indenture, the Indenture may be amended or modified without the consent of any Holder of Securities in order, among other things: (i) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency; (ii) to provide for the issuance of additional Securities in accordance with the limitations set forth in the Indenture; (iii) to provide for the assumption by a successor company of the Companys obligations under the Securities and the Indenture in the case of a merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the Companys assets; (iv) to comply with any requirements of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with qualifying the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act; or (v) to correct or add any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the Indenture, so long as that correction or added provision will not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of the Securities in any material respect.
A-5
As set forth in the Indenture, without the consent of each Holder of an Outstanding Security affected, no amendment may, among other things: (i) modify the Stated Maturity of the Securities or the dates on which interest is payable in respect of the Securities; (ii) reduce the principal amount of, or interest on, the Securities; (iii) change the currency of payment of the Securities; (iv) impair the right of the Holders of Securities to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or after the date due; (v) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities, the consent of whose Holders is required for any modification of or waiver of compliance with any provision of the Indenture or defaults under the Indenture and their consequences; and (vi) modify the provisions of the Indenture regarding the quorum required at any meeting of Holders.
(16) DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. Each of the following is an Event of Default:
(1) default in any payment of principal or any premium on any Security of a series when due (at Maturity, including upon redemption, or otherwise), which continues for 15 days;
(2) default in the payment of interest (if any) and Additional Amounts (if any) on any Security of a series when due, which continues for 30 days;
(3) the Companys failure to comply with any other obligation contained in the Indenture (other than a covenant default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in Section 5.01 of the Indenture specifically dealt with), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given to the Company by the Trustee or the Securities Administrator written notice, as provided in accordance with Section 1.05 of the Indenture, specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied;
(4) the Companys failure, or the failure of any Material Subsidiary, (a) to pay the principal of any indebtedness for borrowed money, including obligations evidenced by any mortgage, indenture, bond, debenture, note, guarantee or other similar instruments on the scheduled or original date due (following the giving of such notice, if any, as required under the document governing such indebtedness and as extended by any applicable cure period) or (b) to observe or perform any agreement or condition relating to such indebtedness such that such indebtedness has come due prior to its stated maturity and such acceleration has not been cured, unless (in the case of clauses (a) and (b)) (i) the aggregate amount of such indebtedness is less than 100,000,000 or (ii) the question of whether such indebtedness is due has been disputed in good faith by appropriate proceedings and such dispute has not been finally adjudicated against the Company or the Material Subsidiary, as the case may be;
(5) if the Company is (or is deemed by law or a court to be) insolvent or bankrupt or presents a request for controlled management (gestion contrôlée) or is granted a moratorium on payments or is unable to pay its debts, stops, suspends or
A-6
threatens to stop or suspend payment of all or a material part of (or of a particular type of) its debts within the meaning of any applicable law, proposes or makes any agreement for the deferral, rescheduling or other readjustment of all of (or all of a particular type of) its debts (or of any part which it will or might otherwise be unable to pay when due), proposes or makes a general assignment or any arrangement or composition with or for the benefit of the relevant creditors in respect of any of such debts or a moratorium is agreed or declared in respect of or affecting all or any part of (or of a particular type of) the debts of the Company or any event occurs which under the laws of any relevant jurisdiction has an analogous effect to any of the foregoing events;
(6) if any Material Subsidiary is (or is deemed by law or a court to be) insolvent or bankrupt or presents a request for controlled management (gestion contrôlée) or is granted a moratorium on payments or is unable to pay its debts, stops, suspends or threatens to stop or suspend payment of all or a material part of (or of a particular type of) its debts within the meaning of any applicable law, proposes or makes any agreement for the deferral, rescheduling or other readjustment of all of (or all of a particular type of) its debts (or of any part which it will or might otherwise be unable to pay when due), proposes or makes a general assignment or any arrangement or composition with or for the benefit of the relevant creditors in respect of any of such debts or a moratorium is agreed or declared in respect of or affecting all or any part of (or of a particular type of) the debts of any such Material Subsidiary or any event occurs which under the laws of any relevant jurisdiction has an analogous effect to any of the foregoing events (in each case, a Material Subsidiary Insolvency Event), provided that no Event of Default under this paragraph (ii) will occur in relation to any such Material Subsidiary Insolvency Event unless (x) the credit rating assigned by any Rating Agency to the long-term, unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company within the period of 60 days immediately following such Material Subsidiary Insolvency Event is less than the credit rating assigned by such agency to the long-term, unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company immediately prior to or on the effective date of such Material Subsidiary Insolvency Event and (y) a Rating Agency making a Rating Downgrade publicly announces or confirms that such Rating Downgrade was the result of any event or circumstance comprised in or arising as a result of, or in respect of, such Material Subsidiary Insolvency Event; or
(7) or any other Event of Default expressly provided with respect to Securities of that series.
Upon the occurrence and continuation of any Event of Default, then in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of the affected series may declare the principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), in accordance with Section 1.05 of the Indenture. Upon any such declaration, the Securities of such series shall become due and payable immediately.
At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to outstanding Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of a majority in
A-7
principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:
(1) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay
(a) all overdue interest on all Securities of that series,
(b) the principal of (and premium (if any) on) any Securities of that series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities,
(c) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and
(d) all sums paid or advanced by either of the Trustee or the Securities Administrator hereunder and the reasonable and documented compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of each of the Trustee and the Securities Administrator, its agents and counsel;
and
(2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the non-payment of the principal and other amounts of Securities of that series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 5.04 of the Indenture.
No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.
The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any series by notice to the Trustee may waive any past default under the Indenture affecting such series, except an uncured default in the payment of principal of or interest on such series of Securities or an uncured default relating to a covenant or provision of the Indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of each affected Holder.
Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of a series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, in each case with respect to such series and subject to the limitations specified herein. Subject to Article 6 of the Indenture relating to the Trustees duties, neither of the Trustee nor the Securities Administrator will be under any obligation to exercise any of its rights and powers under the Indenture unless such Holder has offered an indemnity to its reasonable satisfaction against any loss, costs, expenses and liabilities it may incur.
No Holder of Securities of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture or the Securities of the series or for any remedy thereunder, unless:
A-8
(1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office of a continuing Event of Default under the Securities of the series has occurred;
(2) Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of the relevant series have made a written request to the Trustee to institute the proceedings in respect of the Event of Default in its own name as Trustee under the Indenture;
(3) the Holders of the Securities of the relevant series have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity against the cost and other liabilities of instituting a proceeding and provided a written request to the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office;
(4) the Trustee for 60 days thereafter has failed to institute any such proceeding;
(5) during such 60-day period, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of the relevant series have not given the Trustee a direction that is inconsistent with such written request; and
(6) the terms of such series of Securities do not prohibit such remedy to be sought by the Trustee and/or the Holders,
it being understood and intended that no one or more Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of the Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other Holders or to enforce any right under the Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all the Holders
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Security to receive payment of principal of, and interest (if any) and Additional Amounts (if any) on the Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Security (including in connection with a Change of Control Offer, if such term is defined in the relevant supplemental indenture issued pursuant to Section 3.01 of the Indenture), or to institute a suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.
(17) TRUSTEE AND SECURITIES ADMINISTRATOR DEALINGS WITH COMPANY. Each of the Trustee and the Securities Administrator, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or any Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee or Securities Administrator, as applicable. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest as defined under the Trust Indenture Act, it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, or resign.
(18) NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company, as such, will have any liability for any
A-9
obligations of the Company under the Securities or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Securities.
(19) AUTHENTICATION. This Security will not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Securities Administrator or an authenticating agent.
(20) ABBREVIATIONS. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).
(21) CUSIP NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Securities, and each of the Trustee and the Securities Administrator may use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of redemption, and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.
(22) GOVERNING LAW. THE INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. FOR THE AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 86 TO 94-8 OF THE LUXEMBOURG LAW OF AUGUST 10, 1915 ON COMMERCIAL COMPANIES, AS AMENDED, SHALL NOT APPLY TO THE SECURITIES.
The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to:
ArcelorMittal
24-26 boulevard dAvranches
L-1160 Luxembourg
Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
Facsimile: +352 4792 2189
Attention: Funding Department
A-10
ASSIGNMENT FORM
To assign this Security, fill in the form below: |
||||||
(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Security to: |
||||||
(Insert assignees legal name) | ||||||
(Insert assignees soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.) | ||||||
(Print or type assignees name, address and zip code) | ||||||
and irrevocably appoint to transfer this Security on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him. |
||||||
Date: | Your Signature: | |||||
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Security) | ||||||
Signature Guarantee*: |
* | Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, as applicable). |
A-11
SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE *
The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global Note or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:
Date of Exchange |
Amount of decrease in Principal Amount of this Global Note |
Amount of increase in Principal Amount of this Global Note |
Principal Amount of this Global Note following such decrease (or increase) |
Signature of authorized officer of Trustee or Custodian |
* | This schedule should be included only if the Security is issued in global form. |
A-12
EXHIBIT B
[FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE GIVEN BY EUROCLEAR AND
CLEARSTREAM IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXCHANGE OF A
PORTION OF A TEMPORARY GLOBAL SECURITY
Whenever any provision of this Indenture or the forms of Security contemplates that certification be given by Euroclear or Clearstream in connection with the exchange of a portion of a temporary global Security, such certification shall be provided substantially in the form of the following certificate, with only such changes as shall be approved by the Company:]
CERTIFICATE
[Insert title or sufficient description of Securities to be delivered]
This is to certify with respect to U.S.$ principal amount of the above-captioned Securities (i) that we have received from each of the persons appearing in our records as persons entitled to a portion of such principal amount (our Qualified Account Holders) a certificate with respect to such portion substantially in the form attached hereto, and (ii) that we are not submitting herewith for exchange any portion of the temporary global Security representing the above-captioned Securities excepted in such certificates.
We further certify that as of the date hereof we have not received any notification from any of our Qualified Account Holders to the effect that the statements made by such Qualified Account Holders with respect to any portion of the Principal amount submitted herewith for exchange are no longer true and cannot be relied upon as of the date hereof.
We understand that this certificate may be required in connection with certain securities and tax legislation in the United States. If administrative or legal proceedings are commenced or threatened in connection with which this certificate is or would be relevant, we irrevocably authorize you to produce this certificate or a copy thereof to any interested party in such proceedings.
Dated: , 20
[To be dated no earlier than
the Exchange Date]
[EUROCLEAR BANK S.A./N.V., as Operator of the Euroclear System] [CLEARSTREAM BANKING, SOCIETE ANONYME] | ||
By: |
|
B-1
EXHIBIT C
[FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE GIVEN BY EUROCLEAR AND
CLEARSTREAM TO OBTAIN INTEREST PRIOR TO AN EXCHANGE
DATE
Whenever any provision of this Indenture or the forms of Security contemplates that certification be given by Euroclear or Clearstream to obtain interest prior to an Exchange Date, such certification shall be provided substantially in the form of the following certificate, with only such changes as shall be approved by the Company:]
CERTIFICATE
[Insert title or sufficient description of Securities]
We confirm that the interest payable on the Interest Payment Date on [Insert Date] will be paid to each of the persons appearing in our records as being entitled to interest payable on such date from whom we have received a written certification, dated not earlier than such Interest Payment Date, substantially in the form attached hereto. We undertake to retain certificates received from our member organizations in connection herewith for four years from the end of the calendar year in which such certificates are received.
We undertake that any interest received by us and not paid as provided above shall be returned to the Securities Administrator for the above Securities immediately prior to the expiration of two years after such Interest Payment Date in order to be returned by such Securities Administrator to the above issuer at the end of two years after such Interest Payment Date.
Dated: , 20
[To be dated on or after
the relevant Interest
Payment Date]
[EUROCLEAR BANK S.A./N.V., as Operator of the Euroclear System] [CLEARSTREAM BANKING, SOCIETE ANONYME] | ||
By: |
|
C-1
Exhibit 5.1
ArcelorMittal S.A.
24-26, boulevard dAvranches
L-1160 Luxembourg
Luxembourg, March 2, 2015
O/Ref. : |
PH/TKA | |
Re : |
Registration Statement |
Dear Sirs,
1. We have acted as your Luxembourg counsel in connection with the filing by ArcelorMittal, a société anonyme organised under the laws of Luxembourg with registered office at 24-26, boulevard dAvranches, L-1160 Luxembourg, registered with the Luxembourg Register of Commerce and Companies (RCS) under number B 82.454 (the Company), of a registration statement on Form F-3 (the Registration Statement) filed on even date herewith with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) pursuant to the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act) relating to the offering of (i) ordinary shares without nominal value of the Company (the Shares), (ii) senior unsecured debt securities (Senior Debt Securities) and (iii) unsecured and subordinated debt securities (the Subordinated Debt Securities). The Senior Debt Securities and the Subordinated Debt Securities (together the Debt Securities) may be convertible into Shares where it is so provided in their terms.
2. The Senior Debt Securities will be issued under a form of senior securities indenture to be entered into between the Company, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the Trustee) and Citibank, N.A., as securities administrator (the Securities Administrator) (the Senior Indenture).
3. The Subordinated Debt Securities will be issued under the subordinated securities indenture entered into between the Company, the Trustee and the Securities Administrator on January 16, 2013 (the Subordinated Indenture and together with the Senior Indenture the Indentures).
2, place Winston Churchill - B.P. 425 - L 2014 Luxembourg - T (352) 44 66 44 0 - F (352) 44 22 55 - www.ehp.lu
1
4. The Company is filing a Registration Statement with the Commission to register the Debt Securities and the Shares. This opinion is rendered to you in order to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
5. For the purpose of this opinion, we have reviewed the following documents:
5.1 | an e-mailed copy of the Registration Statement; |
5.2 | an e-mailed copy of the form of Senior Indenture, set out as exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement; |
5.3 | an e-mailed copy of the executed Subordinated Indenture, incorporated by reference as exhibit 4.3 to the Registration Statement; |
5.4 | a copy of the Companys consolidated articles of association (statuts coordonnés) as at May 8, 2013 as deposited in the Companys file with the RCS on May 14, 2013 (the Articles); |
5.5 | an e-mailed scanned copy of the certificate executed by Mr Henk Scheffer, Company Secretary, and Mr Thierry Royer, Group Treasurer of the Company, acting in their capacity as authorised signatories for daily affairs of the Company and dated March 2, 2015 certifying that on 9 February 2015 the board of directors of the Company (the Board of Directors) has authorized an envelope of USD 5 billion (five billion US dollars) or its equivalent in order to raise funds in the debt capital markets, in particular via public and/or private issuances, in various currencies and markets: Europe, North America (Canada and U.S.), Brazil or Japan and the delegation of power to any two persons Authorized for Daily Affairs and/or Finance Special Proxyholders to execute all agreements, ancillary documents and any other documents and/or to take any action necessary to implement any such raising of funds and that such envelope includes a US bond offering by the Company (the Officers Certificate); |
5.6 | an electronic non-certified certificat de non-inscription dune décision judiciaire (certificate as to the non-inscription of a court decision) issued by the RCS on March 2, 2015 (the RCS Certificate) certifying that as of March 1, 2015 no Luxembourg court decision as to inter alia the |
2
faillite (bankruptcy), concordat préventif de faillite (moratorium), gestion contrôlée (controlled management), sursis de paiement (suspension of payments) or liquidation judiciaire (compulsory liquidation), and no foreign court decision as to faillite, concordat or other analogous procedures according to Council Regulation (EC) n°1346/2000 of 29 May 2000 on insolvency proceedings (Regulation 1346/2000) is filed with the RCS in respect of the Company; and |
5.7 | an electronic non-certified extract issued by the RCS in relation to the Company dated March 2, 2015 (the Extract). |
The documents listed under paragraphs 5.1 through 5.7 are hereinafter referred to as the Documents.
6. We have made an enquiry on the website of the Bar of Luxembourg (Barreau de Luxembourg) (www.barreau.lu) on March 2, 2015 at 8.45 a.m. (CET) as to whether bankruptcy proceedings against the Company have been filed with the court in Luxembourg and we have made an electronic company search on the Company on the website of the RCS on March 2, 2015 at 8.43 a.m. (CET) (the Company Search). Our enquiries showed that no bankruptcy procedure had been filed to that time and we have received the RCS Certificate. It should be noted that such searches are subject to the disclaimers on the relevant websites and are not capable of revealing whether a writ has been served on the Company but has not yet been enrolled with the court and thus we cannot opine thereon or as to whether a writ commencing any such proceeding has been served on the Company but has not yet been enrolled with the court. The search at the RCS showed further that as at its date no compulsory liquidation procedure is pending in relation to the Company. It should be noted that notice of a winding-up order or a resolution to that effect passed may not be filed with the RCS immediately or may, even though filed, not be published on the website of the RCS immediately. Thus, we cannot opine as to whether any liquidation procedure has been initiated but not yet filed and published with the RCS. We have not made any enquiries other than those described in this section 6.
7. For this opinion, we have relied on the accuracy and completeness of the Articles and that they correctly reflect the issued share capital of the Company. We have furthermore assumed that all copies of documents that we have reviewed conform to the originals, that all originals are genuine and complete and that each signature is the genuine signature of the individual as signatory on the document. In addition, we have assumed and have not verified (i) the accuracy as to factual matters of each document
3
we have reviewed, and (ii) that the Debt Securities will conform to the form thereof that we have reviewed and (iii) that the Debt Securities will be duly authenticated in accordance with the terms of the Indentures. We have assumed Shares (other than Shares issued on conversion of convertible Debt Securities) and Debt Securities will be issued against a payment in cash and the Shares issued on conversion of convertible Debt Securities are issued in exchange for the converted convertible Debt Securities. We have also assumed that the statements made in the Officers Certificate are a true record of the proceedings and facts described therein, and that the resolutions described in the Officers Certificate were validly passed in a duly convened and constituted meeting of the Board of Directors and that such resolutions are and remain in full force and effect without modification and have not been amended, rescinded or terminated and that the information contained therein is true, complete and accurate at the date of this opinion. We have furthermore assumed that the Articles have not been amended.
8. This opinion is confined to matters of Luxembourg law (as defined below). Accordingly, we express no opinion with regard to any system of law other than the laws of Luxembourg as they stand as of the date hereof and as such laws as of the date hereof have been interpreted in published case law of the courts of Luxembourg (Luxembourg law). This opinion speaks as of the date hereof. No obligation is assumed to update this opinion or to inform any person of any changes of law or other matters coming to our knowledge and occurring after the date hereof, which may affect this opinion letter in any respect.
9. On the basis of the above assumptions and subject to the qualifications set out below, having considered the Documents listed above and having regard to all relevant laws of Luxembourg, we are of the opinion that:
9.1 | The Company is a public limited liability company (société anonyme) duly incorporated and existing in Luxembourg. The Company possesses the capacity to be sued and to sue in its own name. |
9.2. | The Company has all the necessary corporate power and authority to issue and deliver authorised but unissued Shares and Debt Securities. Upon the Board of Directors resolving (a) the issue of (i) Shares, (ii) Debt Securities and/or (iii), in case of Debt Securities which are convertible into new Shares, new Shares deliverable on conversion, and (b), where relevant, the suspension of preferential subscription rights of existing shareholders, the Company shall have taken all necessary corporate actions, and no other action is required to be taken by it, to |
4
authorise the issuance and delivery of Shares and Debt Securities, and, in case of convertible Debt Securities, the issuance and delivery of Shares upon conversion of convertible Debt Securities in accordance with their terms, provided that, where the aggregate of the new Shares issued by the Board of Directors to subscribers of new Shares and the new Shares to be issued on conversions of convertible Debt Securities or of any other debt securities or other instruments convertible into Shares or giving the right to obtain delivery of Shares, exceeds the aggregate of authorised but unissued Shares of the Company and Shares held in treasury, the Company will, with respect to such balance of Shares, first need to acquire further Shares and/or seek the approval of its extraordinary general meeting of shareholders for an increase in the number of authorised but unissued Shares. |
9.3. | The existing Shares are validly issued and fully paid. |
9.4. | Subject to opinion 9.2 and due payment of their issue price at the time of their issue, the new Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable (which term when used herein means that no further sums are required to be paid to the Company by the holders thereof in connection with the issue of such Shares). |
We express no opinion on the legality, validity or enforceability of the Debt Securities under the laws of New York.
10. This opinion is subject to any limitations arising from bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, moratorium, reorganisation and other laws of general application relating to or affecting the rights of creditors. Insofar as the foregoing opinions relate to the valid existence of the Company, they are based solely on the Articles, the Extract and the searches described above in section 6. However such searches are not capable of conclusively revealing whether or not any bankruptcy (faillite), compulsory liquidation (liquidation judiciaire), re-organisation, reconstruction or reprieve from payment (sursis de paiement), controlled management (gestion contrôlée) or composition with creditors (concordat) proceedings or voluntary dissolution and liquidation proceedings have been initiated and the relevant corporate documents (including, but not limited to, the notice of a winding-up order or resolution, notice of the appointment of a receiver, manager, administrator or administrative receiver) may not be held at the RCS immediately and there may be a delay in the relevant notice appearing on the files of the relevant party.
5
11. This opinion speaks as of its date and is strictly limited to the matters stated herein and does not extend to, and is not to be read as extending by implication to, any other matters. In this opinion Luxembourg legal concepts are translated into English terms and not in their original French terms used in Luxembourg laws. The concepts concerned may not be identical to the concepts described by the same English terms as they exist under the laws of other jurisdictions. This opinion is governed by Luxembourg law and the Luxembourg courts shall have exclusive jurisdiction thereon.
12. It is understood that this opinion is to be used only in connection with the offer and sale of Shares or Debt Securities while the Registration Statement is in effect and with respect to the issue of new Shares and of convertible Debt Securities (but not with respect to the issue of new Shares on conversion of such Debt Securities), before the expiry date of the current authorisation period of the authorised share capital being 3rd July 2018, but subject to section 8 hereof.
13. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name in the Registration Statement under the heading Validity of the Securities and in any prospectus supplement under the heading Validity of Notes or Validity of the Securities, as Luxembourg counsel for the Company. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are experts with respect to any part of the Registration Statement, including this Exhibit 5.1, within the meaning of the term expert as used in the United States Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. The opinions expressed herein are rendered on and as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to advise you or any other person, or to make any investigations, as to any legal developments or factual matters arising subsequent to the date hereof that might affect the opinion expressed herein
Yours faithfully,
/s/ Philippe Hoss
Philippe Hoss
Elvinger, Hoss & Prussen
6
Exhibit 5.2
March 2, 2015
ArcelorMittal
24-26 boulevard dAvranches
L-1160 Luxembourg
Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special United States counsel to ArcelorMittal, a société anonyme organized under the laws of Luxembourg (the Company), in connection with the preparation and filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) of a registration statement on Form F-3 (the Registration Statement) relating to the offering from time to time, together or separately and in one or more series (if applicable) of unsecured debt securities (the Debt Securities), which may or may not be subordinated and/or convertible into common shares of the Company, or of common shares of the Company (the Common Shares and together with the Debt Securities, the Securities). The Securities being registered under the Registration Statement will be offered on a continuous or delayed basis pursuant to the provisions of Rule 415 under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act). Unless otherwise provided in any prospectus supplement forming a part of the Registration Statement relating to a particular series of Debt Securities, Debt Securities that are unsubordinated (Senior Debt Securities) are to be issued under an indenture (the Senior Indenture) to be entered into among the Company, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the Trustee), and Citibank, N.A., as securities administrator (the Securities Administrator), and Debt Securities that are subordinated (Subordinated Debt Securities) are to be issued under an indenture (the Subordinated Indenture) entered into among the Company, the Trustee and the Securities Administrator, dated as of January 16, 2013.
ArcelorMittal, p. 2
In arriving at the opinions expressed below, we have reviewed the following documents:
(a) the Registration Statement;
(b) a form of the Senior Indenture, including the form of the Senior Debt Securities; and
(c) a copy of the executed Subordinated Indenture.
In addition, we have reviewed the originals or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction of all such corporate records of the Company and such other instruments and other certificates of public officials, officers and representatives of the Company and such other persons, and we have made such investigations of law, as we have deemed appropriate as a basis for the opinions expressed below.
In rendering the opinions expressed below, we have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies. In addition, we have assumed and have not verified (i) the accuracy as to factual matters of each document we have reviewed, and (ii) that the Debt Securities will conform to the forms thereof that we have reviewed and will be duly authenticated in accordance with the terms of the Senior Indenture or Subordinated Indenture, as applicable.
Based on the foregoing, and subject to the further assumptions and qualifications set forth below, it is our opinion that:
1. The Senior Debt Securities, when duly authorized, issued and authenticated in accordance with the Senior Indenture, will be the valid, binding and enforceable obligations of the Company, entitled to the benefits of the Senior Indenture.
2. The Subordinated Debt Securities, when duly authorized, issued and authenticated in accordance with the Subordinated Indenture, will be the valid, binding and enforceable obligations of the Company, entitled to the benefits of the Subordinated Indenture.
Insofar as the foregoing opinions relate to the validity, binding effect or enforceability of any agreement or obligation of the Company, (a) we have assumed that the Company and each other party to such agreement or obligation has satisfied those legal requirements that are applicable to it to the extent necessary to make such agreement or obligation enforceable against it (except that no such assumption is made as to the Company regarding matters of the federal law of the United States of America or the law of the State of New York that in our experience normally would be applicable to general business entities with respect to such agreement or obligation), (b) such opinions are subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors rights generally and to general principles of equity and (c) such opinions are subject to the effect of judicial application of foreign laws or foreign governmental actions affecting creditors rights.
ArcelorMittal, p. 3
We have further assumed that (i) the Registration Statement will be effective and will comply with all applicable laws at the time the Securities are offered or issued as contemplated by the Registration Statement, (ii) the Company will establish the final terms and conditions of the offering and issuance of the Debt Securities and will enter, together with the Trustee and the Securities Administrator, into any necessary supplemental indenture relating to such Debt Securities, (iii) the Senior Indenture, as duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company at the time of the issuance of Senior Debt Securities, will conform to the form thereof contained in the Registration Statement, and (iv) the Subordinated Indenture, as duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company at the time of the issuance of Subordinated Debt Securities, will conform to the executed copy thereof contained in the Registration Statement.
We note that the designation in Section 1.14 of each of the Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture of the U.S. federal courts sitting in New York City as the venue for actions or proceedings relating to the Subordinated Indenture (notwithstanding the waiver in Section 1.14) is subject to the power of such courts to transfer actions pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §1404(a) or to dismiss such actions or proceedings on the grounds that such a federal court is an inconvenient forum for such an action or proceeding.
The foregoing opinions are limited to the federal law of the United States of America and the law of the State of New York.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.2 to the Registration Statement and to the reference to this firm in the prospectus constituting a part of the Registration Statement and in any prospectus supplements thereto under the heading Validity of the Securities or Validity of Notes as counsel for the Company who have passed on the validity of the Debt Securities being registered by the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are experts with respect to any part of the Registration Statement, including this Exhibit, within the meaning of the term expert as used in the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. The opinions expressed herein are rendered on and as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to advise you or any other person, or to make any investigations, as to any legal developments or factual matters arising subsequent to the date hereof that might affect the opinion expressed herein.
Very truly yours, | ||
CLEARY GOTTLIEB STEEN & HAMILTON LLP | ||
By |
/s/ John D. Brinitzer | |
John D. Brinitzer, a Partner |
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form F-3 of our reports dated February 24, 2015, relating to the consolidated financial statements of ArcelorMittal and subsidiaries (the Company) (which report expresses an unqualified opinion and includes an explanatory paragraph regarding the Companys change in the composition of reportable segments, as described in Notes 1 and 27), and the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 20-F of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2014, and to the reference to us under the heading Experts in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.
/s/ Deloitte Audit
Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
March 2, 2015
Exhibit 23.4
CONSENT OF CARDNO, INC.
We hereby consent to (a) being named in the Annual Report on Form 20-F of ArcelorMittal for the year ended December 31, 2014 (the 2014 20-F) as having prepared certain coal reserve estimates and (b) the incorporation by reference of the 2014 20-F into this Registration Statement on Form F-3. | Cardno, Inc.
| |||||||||||
534 Industrial Park Road Bluefield, VA 24605 | ||||||||||||
USA | ||||||||||||
CARDNO INC. |
Phone Fax |
+1 276 322 5467 +1 276 322 5460 | ||||||||||
By: | /s/ J. Scott Nelson |
www.cardno.com | ||||||||||
[J. Scott Nelson, C.P.G.] | ||||||||||||
[Principal, Practice Leader - Geology] | ||||||||||||
[Blacksburg, Virginia] | ||||||||||||
[February 26, 2015] | ||||||||||||
By: | /s/ Justin S. Douthat |
|||||||||||
[Justin S. Douthat, P.E., M.B.A.] | ||||||||||||
[Business Unit Manager - Mining Advisory Services] | ||||||||||||
[Bluefield, Virginia] | ||||||||||||
[February 26, 2015] |
Australia Belgium Canada Colombia Ecuador Germany Indonesia Italy
Kenya New Zealand Papua New Guinea Peru Tanzania United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom United States Operations in 85 countries
Exhibit 23.5
![]() |
SRK Consulting (UK) Limited 5th Floor Churchill House 17 Churchill Way City and County of Cardiff CF10 2HH, Wales United Kingdom E-mail: enquiries@srk.co.uk URL: www.srk.co.uk Tel: + 44 (0) 2920 348 150 Fax: + 44 (0) 2920 348 199 | |
Our Ref: 800063_1(SRK Consulting Consent Language).DOCX |
23 February 2015 |
Dear Sirs/Mesdames
I hereby consent to (a) SRK Consulting UK Ltd. being named in the Annual Report on Form 20-F of ArcelorMittal SA for the year ended December 31, 2014 (the 2014 20-F) as having conducted independent audits of the 2011 iron ore reserve estimates on ArcelorMittal SAs properties in Kazakhstan, Bosnia and Ukraine, and coal reserve estimates on ArcelorMittal SAs properties in Russia and Kazakhstan and (b) the incorporation by reference of the 2014 20-F into this Registration Statement on Form F-3.
Yours truly,
/s/ Keith Philpott |
/s/ Richard Oldcorn |
|||||
Keith Philpott |
Richard Oldcorn | |||||
Corporate Consultant, Coal Geology |
Director and Corporate Consultant (Due | |||||
Diligence) |
||||||
SRK Consulting (UK) Limited | ||||||
SRK Consulting (UK) Limited |
|
Registered Address: 21 Gold Tops, City and County of Newport, NP20 4PG, Wales, United Kingdom. SRK Consulting (UK) Limited Reg No 01575403 (England and Wales) |
Group Offices: Africa Asia Australia Europe North America South America |
|
Exhibit 23.6 |
February 27, 2015
United States Securities and Exchange Commission
Dear Sirs/Mesdames:
I hereby consent to (a) Roscoe Postle Associates Inc. being named in the Annual Report on Form 20-F of ArcelorMittal SA for the year ended December 31, 2014 (the 2014 20-F) as having (i) conducted independent audits of the 2011 iron ore reserve estimates on ArcelorMittal SAs properties in Canada, Mexico, Liberia, and United States and (ii) completed an independent audit of the 2013 iron ore reserve estimates on ArcelorMittal SAs properties in Liberia and in Canada, including Baffinland, and (b) the incorporation by reference of the 2014 20-F into this Registration Statement on Form F-3.
Yours truly,
Roscoe Postle Associates Inc.
Per:
/s/ Graham G. Clow
Graham G. Clow, P.Eng.
Chairman
RPA Inc. 55 University Ave. Suite 501 | Toronto, ON, Canada M5J 2H7 | T +1 (416) 947 0907 |
www.rpacan.com |
Exhibit 25.1
File No.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM T-1
STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE
¨ | CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2) |
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
16-1486454
(I.R.S. employer identification no.)
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, DE 19890
(Address of principal executive offices)
Robert C. Fiedler
Vice President and Counsel
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19890
(302) 651-8541
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
ArcelorMittal
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)
Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (State of incorporation) |
Not Applicable (I.R.S. employer identification no.) |
24, 26 boulevard dAvranches
L-1160 Luxembourg
Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
(Address of principal executive offices)
Senior Debt Securities
Subordinated Debt Securities
(Title of the indenture securities)
Item 1. | GENERAL INFORMATION. Furnish the following information as to the trustee: |
(a) | Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject. |
Comptroller of Currency, Washington, D.C.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C.
(b) | Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers. |
Yes.
Item 2. | AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR. If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each affiliation: |
Based upon an examination of the books and records of the trustee and upon information furnished by the obligor, the obligor is not an affiliate of the trustee.
Item 16. | LIST OF EXHIBITS. Listed below are all exhibits filed as part of this Statement of Eligibility and Qualification. |
1. | A copy of the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 of Form T-1. |
2. | The authority of Wilmington Trust, National Association to commence business was granted under the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 of Form T-1. |
3. | The authorization to exercise corporate trust powers was granted under the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 of Form T-1. |
4. | A copy of the existing By-Laws of Trustee, as now in effect, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 of form T-1. |
5. | Not applicable. |
6. | The consent of Trustee as required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 6 of Form T-1. |
7. | Current Report of the Condition of Trustee, published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, attached as Exhibit 7. |
8. | Not applicable. |
9. | Not applicable. |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this Statement of Eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Wilmington and State of Delaware on the 27th day of February, 2015.
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION | ||
By: |
/s/ W. Thomas Morris II | |
Name: W. Thomas Morris II Title: Vice President |
EXHIBIT 1
CHARTER OF WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
OF
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
For the purpose of organizing an association to perform any lawful activities of national banks, the undersigned do enter into the following articles of association:
FIRST. The title of this association shall be Wilmington Trust, National Association.
SECOND. The main office of the association shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware. The general business of the association shall be conducted at its main office and its branches.
THIRD. The board of directors of this association shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five persons, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit. The exact number is to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any annual or special meeting thereof. Each director shall own common or preferred stock of the association or of a holding company owning the association, with an aggregate par, fair market or equity value $1,000. Determination of these values may be based as of either (i) the date of purchase or (ii) the date the person became a director, whichever value is greater. Any combination of common or preferred stock of the association or holding company may be used.
Any vacancy in the board of directors may be filled by action of a majority of the remaining directors between meetings of shareholders. The board of directors may not increase the number of directors between meetings of shareholders to a number which:
1) | exceeds by more than two the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 15 or less; or |
2) | exceeds by more than four the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 16 or more, but in no event shall the number of directors exceed 25, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit. |
Directors shall be elected for terms of one year and until their successors are elected and qualified. Terms of directors, including directors selected to fill vacancies, shall expire at the next regular meeting of shareholders at which directors are elected, unless the directors resign or are removed from office. Despite the expiration of a directors term, the director shall continue to serve until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until there is a decrease in the number of directors and his or her position is eliminated.
Honorary or advisory members of the board of directors, without voting power or power of final decision in matters concerning the business of the association, may be appointed by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors, or by resolution of shareholders at any annual or special meeting. Honorary or advisory directors shall not be counted to determine the number of directors of the association or the presence of a quorum in connection with any board action, and shall not be required to own qualifying shares.
FOURTH. There shall be an annual meeting of the shareholders to elect directors and transact whatever other business may be brought before the meeting. It shall be held at the main office or any other convenient place the board of directors may designate, on the day of each year specified therefor in the bylaws, or, if that day falls on a legal holiday in the state in which the association is located, on the next following banking day. If no election is held on the day fixed, or in the event of a legal holiday on the following banking day, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the day fixed, to be designated by the board of directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the day, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares issued and outstanding. In all cases at least 10 days advance notice of the time, place and purpose of a shareholders meeting shall be given to the shareholders by first class mail, unless the OCC determines that an emergency circumstance exists. The sole shareholder of the bank is permitted to waive notice of the shareholders meeting.
In all elections of directors, the number of votes each common shareholder may cast will be determined by multiplying the number of shares such shareholder owns by the number of directors to be elected. Those votes may be cumulated and cast for a single candidate or may be distributed among two or more candidates in the manner selected by the shareholder. If, after the first ballot, subsequent ballots are necessary to elect directors, a shareholder may not vote shares that he or she has already fully cumulated and voted in favor of a successful candidate. On all other questions, each common shareholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock held by him or her.
Nominations for election to the board of directors may be made by the board of directors or by any stockholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the association entitled to vote for election of directors. Nominations other than those made by or on behalf of the existing management shall be made in writing and be delivered or mailed to the president of the association not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days notice of the meeting is given to shareholders, such nominations shall be mailed or delivered to the president of the association not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed. Such notification shall contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder:
1) | The name and address of each proposed nominee. |
2) | The principal occupation of each proposed nominee. |
3) | The total number of shares of capital stock of the association that will be voted for each proposed nominee. |
4) | The name and residence address of the notifying shareholder. |
5) | The number of shares of capital stock of the association owned by the notifying shareholder. |
Nominations not made in accordance herewith may, in his/her discretion, be disregarded by the chairperson of the meeting, and the vote tellers may disregard all votes cast for each such nominee. No bylaw may unreasonably restrict the nomination of directors by shareholders.
A director may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the board of directors, its chairperson, or to the association, which resignation shall be effective when the notice is delivered unless the notice specifies a later effective date.
A director may be removed by shareholders at a meeting called to remove the director, when notice of the meeting stating that the purpose or one of the purposes is to remove the director is provided, if there is a failure to fulfill one of the affirmative requirements for qualification, or for cause; provided, however, that a director may not be removed if the number of votes sufficient to elect the director under cumulative voting is voted against the directors removal.
FIFTH. The authorized amount of capital stock of this association shall be ten thousand shares of common stock of the par value of one hundred dollars ($100) each; but said capital stock may be increased or decreased from time to time, according to the provisions of the laws of the United States.
No holder of shares of the capital stock of any class of the association shall have any preemptive or preferential right of subscription to any shares of any class of stock of the association, whether now or hereafter authorized, or to any obligations convertible into stock of the association, issued, or sold, nor any right of subscription to any thereof other than such, if any, as the board of directors, in its discretion, may from time to time determine and at such price as the board of directors may from time to time fix. Preemptive rights also must be approved by a vote of holders of two-thirds of the banks outstanding voting shares. Unless otherwise specified in these articles of association or required by law, (1) all matters requiring shareholder action, including amendments to the articles of association, must be approved by shareholders owning a majority voting interest in the outstanding voting stock, and (2) each shareholder shall be entitled to one vote per share.
Unless otherwise specified in these articles of association or required by law, all shares of voting stock shall be voted together as a class, on any matters requiring shareholder approval. If a proposed amendment would affect two or more classes or series in the same or a substantially similar way, all the classes or series so affected must vote together as a single voting group on the proposed amendment.
Shares of one class or series may be issued as a dividend for shares of the same class or series on a pro rata basis and without consideration. Shares of one class or series may be issued as share dividends for a different class or series of stock if approved by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the class or series to be issued, unless there are no outstanding shares of the class or series to be issued. Unless otherwise provided by the board of directors, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to a share dividend shall be the date authorized by the board of directors for the share dividend.
Unless otherwise provided in the bylaws, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting is the close of business on the day before the first notice is mailed or otherwise sent to the shareholders, provided that in no event may a record date be more than 70 days before the meeting.
If a shareholder is entitled to fractional shares pursuant to a stock dividend, consolidation or merger, reverse stock split or otherwise, the association may: (a) issue fractional shares; (b) in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares, issue script or warrants entitling the holder to receive a full share upon surrendering enough script or warrants to equal a full share; (c) if there is an established and active market in the associations stock, make reasonable arrangements to provide the shareholder with an opportunity to realize a fair price through sale of the fraction, or purchase of the additional fraction required for a full share; (d) remit the cash equivalent of the fraction to the shareholder; or (e) sell full shares representing all the fractions at public auction or to the highest bidder after having solicited and received sealed bids from at least three licensed stock brokers; and distribute the proceeds pro rata to shareholders who otherwise would be entitled to the fractional shares. The holder of a fractional share is entitled to exercise the rights for shareholder, including the right to vote, to receive dividends, and to participate in the assets of the association upon liquidation, in proportion to the fractional interest. The holder of script or warrants is not entitled to any of these rights unless the script or warrants explicitly provide for such rights. The script or warrants may be subject to such additional conditions as: (1) that the script or warrants will become void if not exchanged for full shares before a specified date; and (2) that the shares for which the script or warrants are exchangeable may be sold at the option of the association and the proceeds paid to scriptholders.
The association, at any time and from time to time, may authorize and issue debt obligations, whether or not subordinated, without the approval of the shareholders. Obligations classified as debt, whether or not subordinated, which may be issued by the association without the approval of shareholders, do not carry voting rights on any issue, including an increase or decrease in the aggregate number of the securities, or the exchange or reclassification of all or part of securities into securities of another class or series.
SIXTH. The board of directors shall appoint one of its members president of this association, and one of its members chairperson of the board and shall have the power to appoint one or more vice presidents, a secretary who shall keep minutes of the directors and shareholders meetings and be responsible for authenticating the records of the association, and such other officers and employees as may be required to transact the business of this association.
A duly appointed officer may appoint one or more officers or assistant officers if authorized by the board of directors in accordance with the bylaws.
The board of directors shall have the power to:
1) | Define the duties of the officers, employees, and agents of the association. |
2) | Delegate the performance of its duties, but not the responsibility for its duties, to the officers, employees, and agents of the association. |
3) | Fix the compensation and enter into employment contracts with its officers and employees upon reasonable terms and conditions consistent with applicable law. |
4) | Dismiss officers and employees. |
5) | Require bonds from officers and employees and to fix the penalty thereof. |
6) | Ratify written policies authorized by the associations management or committees of the board. |
7) | Regulate the manner in which any increase or decrease of the capital of the association shall be made, provided that nothing herein shall restrict the power of shareholders to increase or decrease the capital of the association in accordance with law, and nothing shall raise or lower from two-thirds the percentage required for shareholder approval to increase or reduce the capital. |
8) | Manage and administer the business and affairs of the association. |
9) | Adopt initial bylaws, not inconsistent with law or the articles of association, for managing the business and regulating the affairs of the association. |
10) | Amend or repeal bylaws, except to the extent that the articles of association reserve this power in whole or in part to shareholders. |
11) | Make contracts. |
12) | Generally perform all acts that are legal for a board of directors to perform. |
SEVENTH. The board of directors shall have the power to change the location of the main office to any other place within the limits of Wilmington, Delaware, without the approval of the shareholders, or with a vote of shareholders owning two-thirds of the stock of such association for a relocation outside such limits and upon receipt of a certificate of approval from the Comptroller of the Currency, to any other location within or outside the limits of Wilmington Delaware, but not more than 30 miles beyond such limits. The board of directors shall have the power to establish or change the location of any branch or branches of the association to any other location permitted under applicable law, without approval of shareholders, subject to approval by the Comptroller of the Currency.
EIGHTH. The corporate existence of this association shall continue until termination according to the laws of the United States.
NINTH. The board of directors of this association, or any one or more shareholders owning, in the aggregate, not less than 50 percent of the stock of this association, may call a special meeting of shareholders at any time. Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws or the laws of the United States, a notice of the time, place, and purpose of every annual and special meeting of the shareholders shall be given at least 10 days prior to the meeting by first-class mail, unless the OCC determines that an emergency circumstance exists. If the association is a wholly-owned subsidiary, the sole shareholder may waive notice of the shareholders meeting. Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws or these articles, any action requiring approval of shareholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting.
TENTH. For purposes of this Article Tenth, the term institution-affiliated party shall mean any institution-affiliated party of the association as such term is defined in 12 U.S.C. 1813(u).
Any institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may be indemnified or reimbursed by the association for reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions or proceedings and appeals therein, whether civil, criminal, governmental, administrative or investigative, in accordance with and to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such law now or hereafter exists; provided, however, that when an administrative proceeding or action instituted by a federal banking agency results in a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association, then the association shall require the repayment of all legal fees and expenses advanced pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph and may not indemnify such institution-affiliated parties (or their heirs, executors or administrators) for expenses, including expenses for legal fees, penalties or other payments incurred. The association shall provide indemnification in connection with an action or proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) only if such action or proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the board of directors.
Expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding under 12 U.S.C. 164 or 1818 may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) a determination by the board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding that the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) has a reasonable basis for prevailing on the merits, (b) a determination that the indemnified individual (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) will have the financial capacity to reimburse the bank in the event he or she does not prevail, (c) a determination that the payment of expenses and fees by the association will not adversely affect the safety and soundness of the association, and (d) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event of a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association. In all other instances, expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding as to which indemnification may be given under these articles of association may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by or
on behalf of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event that such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification as authorized by these articles of association and (b) approval by the board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding or, if such a quorum is not obtainable, then approval by stockholders. To the extent permitted by law, the board of directors or, if applicable, the stockholders, shall not be required to find that the institution-affiliated party has met the applicable standard of conduct provided by law for indemnification in connection with such action or proceeding.
In the event that a majority of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the remaining members of the board may authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the remaining members of the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Article Tenth have been met. If independent legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the remaining members of the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
In the event that all of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the board shall authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Article Tenth have been met. If legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
To the extent permitted under applicable law, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association (a) shall be available with respect to events occurring prior to the adoption of these articles of association, (b) shall continue to exist after any restrictive amendment of these articles of association with respect to events occurring prior to such amendment, (c) may be interpreted on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time of the occurrence of the event or events giving rise to the action or proceeding, or on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time such rights are claimed, and (d) are in the nature of contract rights which may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction as if the association and the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) for whom such rights are sought were parties to a separate written agreement.
The rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association shall not, to the extent permitted under applicable law, be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any such institution affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may now or hereafter be otherwise entitled whether contained in these articles of association, the bylaws, a resolution of stockholders, a resolution of the board of directors, or an agreement providing such indemnification, the creation of such other rights being hereby expressly authorized. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights, pursuant to statute or otherwise, of any such institution-affiliated party (or of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in any such action or proceeding to have assessed or allowed in his or her favor, against the association or otherwise, his or her costs and expenses incurred therein or in connection therewith or any part thereof.
If this Article Tenth or any part hereof shall be held unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remainder of this Article Tenth shall remain fully enforceable.
The association may, upon affirmative vote of a majority of its board of directors, purchase insurance to indemnify its institution-affiliated parties to the extent that such indemnification is allowed in these articles of association; provided, however, that no such insurance shall include coverage to pay or reimburse any institution-affiliated party for the cost of any judgment or civil money penalty assessed against such person in an administrative proceeding or civil action commenced by any federal banking agency. Such insurance may, but need not, be for the benefit of all institution-affiliated parties.
ELEVENTH. These articles of association may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the shareholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of this association, unless the vote of the holders of a greater amount of stock is required by law, and in that case by the vote of the holders of such greater amount. The associations board of directors may propose one or more amendments to the articles of association for submission to the shareholders.
EXHIBIT 4
BY-LAWS OF WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
OF
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
ARTICLE I
Meetings of Shareholders
Section 1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the shareholders to elect directors and transact whatever other business may properly come before the meeting shall be held at the main office of the association, Rodney Square North, 1100 Market Street, City of Wilmington, State of Delaware, at 1:00 oclock p.m. on the first Tuesday in March of each year, or at such other place and time as the board of directors may designate, or if that date falls on a legal holiday in Delaware, on the next following banking day. Notice of the meeting shall be mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, at least 10 days and no more than 60 days prior to the date thereof, addressed to each shareholder at his/her address appearing on the books of the association. If, for any cause, an election of directors is not made on that date, or in the event of a legal holiday, on the next following banking day, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the date fixed, to be designated by the board of directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the date, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares. In these circumstances, at least 10 days notice must be given by first class mail to shareholders.
Section 2. Special Meetings. Except as otherwise specifically provided by statute, special meetings of the shareholders may be called for any purpose at any time by the board of directors or by any one or more shareholders owning, in the aggregate, not less than fifty percent of the stock of the association. Every such special meeting, unless otherwise provided by law, shall be called by mailing, postage prepaid, not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting, to each shareholder at the address appearing on the books of the association a notice stating the purpose of the meeting.
The board of directors may fix a record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice and to vote at any meeting, in reasonable proximity to the date of giving notice to the shareholders of such meeting. The record date for determining shareholders entitled to demand a special meeting is the date the first shareholder signs a demand for the meeting describing the purpose or purposes for which it is to be held.
A special meeting may be called by shareholders or the board of directors to amend the articles of association or bylaws, whether or not such bylaws may be amended by the board of directors in the absence of shareholder approval.
If an annual or special shareholders meeting is adjourned to a different date, time, or place, notice need not be given of the new date, time or place, if the new date, time or place is announced at the meeting before adjournment, unless any additional items of business are to be considered, or the association becomes aware of an intervening event materially affecting any matter to be voted on more than 10 days prior to the date to which the meeting is adjourned. If a new record date for the adjourned meeting is fixed, however, notice of the adjourned meeting must be given to persons who are shareholders as of the new record date. If, however, the meeting to elect the directors is adjourned before the election takes place, at least ten days notice of the new election must be given to the shareholders by first-class mail.
Section 3. Nominations of Directors. Nominations for election to the board of directors may be made by the board of directors or by any stockholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the association entitled to vote for the election of directors. Nominations, other than those made by or on behalf of the existing management of the association, shall be made in writing and shall be delivered or mailed to the president of the association and the Comptroller of the Currency, Washington, D.C., not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days notice of the meeting is given to shareholders, such nomination shall be mailed or delivered to the president of the association not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed. Such notification shall contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder:
(1) | The name and address of each proposed nominee; |
(2) | The principal occupation of each proposed nominee; |
(3) | The total number of shares of capital stock of the association that will be voted for each proposed nominee; |
(4) | The name and residence of the notifying shareholder; and |
(5) | The number of shares of capital stock of the association owned by the notifying shareholder. |
Nominations not made in accordance herewith may, in his/her discretion, be disregarded by the chairperson of the meeting, and upon his/her instructions, the vote tellers may disregard all votes cast for each such nominee.
Section 4. Proxies. Shareholders may vote at any meeting of the shareholders by proxies duly authorized in writing, but no officer or employee of this association shall act as proxy. Proxies shall be valid only for one meeting, to be specified therein, and any adjournments of such meeting. Proxies shall be dated and filed with the records of the meeting. Proxies with facsimile signatures may be used and unexecuted proxies may be counted upon receipt of a written confirmation from the shareholder. Proxies meeting the above requirements submitted at any time during a meeting shall be accepted.
Section 5. Quorum. A majority of the outstanding capital stock, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of shareholders, unless otherwise provided by law, or by the shareholders or directors pursuant to Article IX, Section 2, but less than a quorum may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as adjourned, without further notice. A majority of the votes cast shall decide every question or matter submitted to the shareholders at any meeting, unless otherwise provided by law or by the articles of association, or by the shareholders or directors pursuant to Article IX, Section 2. If a meeting for the election of directors is not held on the fixed date, at least 10 days notice must be given by first-class mail to the shareholders.
ARTICLE II
Directors
Section 1. Board of Directors. The board of directors shall have the power to manage and administer the business and affairs of the association. Except as expressly limited by law, all corporate powers of the association shall be vested in and may be exercised by the board of directors.
Section 2. Number. The board of directors shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five members, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit. The exact number within such minimum and maximum limits is to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any meeting thereof.
Section 3. Organization Meeting. The secretary or treasurer, upon receiving the certificate of the judges of the result of any election, shall notify the directors-elect of their election and of the time at which they are required to meet at the main office of the association, or at such other place in the cities of Wilmington, Delaware or Buffalo, New York, to organize the new board of directors and elect and appoint officers of the association for the succeeding year. Such meeting shall be held on the day of the election or as soon thereafter as practicable, and, in any event, within 30 days thereof. If, at the time fixed for such meeting, there shall not be a quorum, the directors present may adjourn the meeting, from time to time, until a quorum is obtained.
Section 4. Regular Meetings. The Board of Directors may, at any time and from time to time, by resolution designate the place, date and hour for the holding of a regular meeting, but in the absence of any such designation, regular meetings of the board of directors shall be held, without notice, on the first Tuesday of each March, June and September, and on the second Tuesday of each December at the main office or other such place as the board of directors may designate. When any regular meeting of the board of directors falls upon a holiday, the meeting shall be held on the next banking business day unless the board of directors shall designate another day.
Section 5. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the board of directors may be called by the Chairman of the Board of the association, or at the request of two or more directors. Each member of the board of directors shall be given notice by telegram, first class mail, or in person stating the time and place of each special meeting.
Section 6. Quorum. A majority of the entire board then in office shall constitute a quorum at any meeting, except when otherwise provided by law or these bylaws, but a lesser number may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as adjourned, without further notice. If the number of directors present at the meeting is reduced below the number that would constitute a quorum, no business may be transacted, except selecting directors to fill vacancies in conformance with Article II, Section 7. If a quorum is present, the board of directors may take action through the vote of a majority of the directors who are in attendance.
Section 7. Meetings by Conference Telephone. Any one or more members of the board of directors or any committee thereof may participate in a meeting of such board or committees by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment allowing all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by such means shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
Section 8. Procedures. The order of business and all other matters of procedure at every meeting of the board of directors may be determined by the person presiding at the meeting.
Section 9. Removal of Directors. Any director may be removed for cause, at any meeting of stockholders notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by vote of the stockholders. Any director may be removed without cause, at any meeting of stockholders notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by the vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of the Corporation entitled to vote. Any director may be removed for cause, at any meeting of the directors notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors.
Section 10. Vacancies. When any vacancy occurs among the directors, a majority of the remaining members of the board of directors, according to the laws of the United States, may appoint a director to fill such vacancy at any regular meeting of the board of directors, or at a special meeting called for that purpose at which a quorum is present, or if the directors remaining in office constitute fewer than a quorum of the board of directors, by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the directors remaining in office, or by shareholders at a special meeting called for that purpose in conformance with Section 2 of Article I. At any such shareholder meeting, each shareholder entitled to vote shall have the right to multiply the number of votes he or she is entitled to cast by the number of vacancies being filled and cast the product for a single candidate or distribute the product among two or more candidates. A vacancy that will occur at a specific later date (by reason of a resignation effective at a later date) may be filled before the vacancy occurs but the new director may not take office until the vacancy occurs.
ARTICLE III
Committees of the Board
The board of directors has power over and is solely responsible for the management, supervision, and administration of the association. The board of directors may delegate its power, but none of its responsibilities, to such persons or committees as the board may determine.
The board of directors must formally ratify written policies authorized by committees of the board of directors before such policies become effective. Each committee must have one or more member(s), and who may be an officer of the association or an officer or director of any affiliate of the association, who serve at the pleasure of the board of directors. Provisions of the articles of association and these bylaws governing place of meetings, notice of meeting, quorum and voting requirements of the board of directors, apply to committees and their members as well. The creation of a committee and appointment of members to it must be approved by the board of directors.
Section 1. Loan Committee. There shall be a loan committee composed of not less than 2 directors, appointed by the board of directors annually or more often. The loan committee, on behalf of the bank, shall have power to discount and purchase bills, notes and other evidences of debt, to buy and sell bills of exchange, to examine and approve loans and discounts, to exercise authority regarding loans and discounts, and to exercise, when the board of directors is not in session, all other powers of the board of directors that may lawfully be delegated. The loan committee shall keep minutes of its meetings, and such minutes shall be submitted at the next regular meeting of the board of directors at which a quorum is present, and any action taken by the board of directors with respect thereto shall be entered in the minutes of the board of directors.
Section 2. Investment Committee. There shall be an investment committee composed of not less than 2 directors, appointed by the board of directors annually or more often. The investment
committee, on behalf of the bank, shall have the power to ensure adherence to the investment policy, to recommend amendments thereto, to purchase and sell securities, to exercise authority regarding investments and to exercise, when the board of directors is not in session, all other powers of the board of directors regarding investment securities that may be lawfully delegated. The investment committee shall keep minutes of its meetings, and such minutes shall be submitted at the next regular meeting of the board of directors at which a quorum is present, and any action taken by the board of directors with respect thereto shall be entered in the minutes of the board of directors.
Section 3. Examining Committee. There shall be an examining committee composed of not less than 2 directors, exclusive of any active officers, appointed by the board of directors annually or more often. The duty of that committee shall be to examine at least once during each calendar year and within 15 months of the last examination the affairs of the association or cause suitable examinations to be made by auditors responsible only to the board of directors and to report the result of such examination in writing to the board of directors at the next regular meeting thereafter. Such report shall state whether the association is in a sound condition, and whether adequate internal controls and procedures are being maintained and shall recommend to the board of directors such changes in the manner of conducting the affairs of the association as shall be deemed advisable.
Notwithstanding the provisions of the first paragraph of this section 3, the responsibility and authority of the Examining Committee may, if authorized by law, be given over to a duly constituted audit committee of the associations parent corporation by a resolution duly adopted by the board of directors.
Section 4. Trust Audit Committee. There shall be a trust audit committee in conformance with Section 1 of Article V.
Section 5. Other Committees. The board of directors may appoint, from time to time, from its own members, compensation, special litigation and other committees of one or more persons, for such purposes and with such powers as the board of directors may determine.
However, a committee may not:
(1) | Authorize distributions of assets or dividends; |
(2) | Approve action required to be approved by shareholders; |
(3) | Fill vacancies on the board of directors or any of its committees; |
(4) | Amend articles of association; |
(5) | Adopt, amend or repeal bylaws; or |
(6) | Authorize or approve issuance or sale or contract for sale of shares, or determine the designation and relative rights, preferences and limitations of a class or series of shares. |
Section 6. Committee Members Fees. Committee members may receive a fee for their services as committee members and traveling and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending any meeting of a committee of which they are a member. The fee may be a fixed sum to be paid for attending each meeting or a fixed sum to be paid quarterly, or semiannually, irrespective of the number of meetings attended or not attended. The amount of the fee and the basis on which it shall be paid shall be determined by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IV
Officers and Employees
Section 1. Chairperson of the Board. The board of directors shall appoint one of its members to be the chairperson of the board to serve at its pleasure. Such person shall preside at all meetings of the board of directors. The chairperson of the board shall supervise the carrying out of the policies adopted or approved by the board of directors; shall have general executive powers, as well as the specific powers conferred by these bylaws; and shall also have and may exercise such further powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred upon or assigned by the board of directors.
Section 2. President. The board of directors shall appoint one of its members to be the president of the association. In the absence of the chairperson, the president shall preside at any meeting of the board of directors. The president shall have general executive powers and shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation, or practice to the office of president, or imposed by these bylaws. The president shall also have and may exercise such further powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred or assigned by the board of directors.
Section 3. Vice President. The board of directors may appoint one or more vice presidents. Each vice president shall have such powers and duties as may be assigned by the board of directors. One vice president shall be designated by the board of directors, in the absence of the president, to perform all the duties of the president.
Section 4. Secretary. The board of directors shall appoint a secretary, treasurer, or other designated officer who shall be secretary of the board of directors and of the association and who shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings. The secretary shall attend to the giving of all notices required by these bylaws; shall be custodian of the corporate seal, records, documents and papers of the association; shall provide for the keeping of proper records of all transactions of the association; shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation or practice to the office of treasurer, or imposed by these bylaws; and shall also perform such other duties as may be assigned from time to time, by the board of directors.
Section 5. Other Officers. The board of directors may appoint one or more assistant vice presidents, one or more trust officers, one or more assistant secretaries, one or more assistant treasurers, one or more managers and assistant managers of branches and such other officers and attorneys in fact as from time to time may appear to the board of directors to be required or desirable to transact the business of the association. Such officers shall respectively exercise such powers and perform such duties as pertain to their several offices, or as may be conferred upon or assigned to them by the board of directors, the chairperson of the board, or the president. The board of directors may authorize an officer to appoint one or more officers or assistant officers.
Section 6. Tenure of Office. The president and all other officers shall hold office for the current year for which the board of directors was elected, unless they shall resign, become disqualified, or be removed; and any vacancy occurring in the office of president shall be filled promptly by the board of directors.
Section 7. Resignation. An officer may resign at any time by delivering notice to the association. A resignation is effective when the notice is given unless the notice specifies a later effective date.
ARTICLE V
Fiduciary Activities
Section 1. Trust Audit Committee. There shall be a Trust Audit Committee composed of not less than 2 directors, appointed by the board of directors, which shall, at least once during each calendar year make suitable audits of the associations fiduciary activities or cause suitable audits to be made by auditors responsible only to the board, and at such time shall ascertain whether fiduciary powers have been administered according to law, Part 9 of the Regulations of the Comptroller of the Currency, and sound fiduciary principles. Such committee: (1) must not include any officers of the bank or an affiliate who participate significantly in the administration of the banks fiduciary activities; and (2) must consist of a majority of members who are not also members of any committee to which the board of directors has delegated power to manage and control the fiduciary activities of the bank.
Notwithstanding the provisions of the first paragraph of this section 1, the responsibility and authority of the Trust Audit Committee may, if authorized by law, be given over to a duly constituted audit committee of the associations parent corporation by a resolution duly adopted by the board of directors.
Section 2. Fiduciary Files. There shall be maintained by the association all fiduciary records necessary to assure that its fiduciary responsibilities have been properly undertaken and discharged.
Section 3. Trust Investments. Funds held in a fiduciary capacity shall be invested according to the instrument establishing the fiduciary relationship and applicable law. Where such instrument does not specify the character and class of investments to be made, but does vest in the association investment discretion, funds held pursuant to such instrument shall be invested in investments in which corporate fiduciaries may invest under applicable law.
ARTICLE VI
Stock and Stock Certificates
Section 1. Transfers. Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the association, and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of stock shall be recorded. Every person becoming a shareholder by such transfer shall in proportion to such shareholders shares, succeed to all rights of the prior holder of such shares. The board of directors may impose conditions upon the transfer of the stock reasonably calculated to simplify the work of the association with respect to stock transfers, voting at shareholder meetings and related matters and to protect it against fraudulent transfers.
Section 2. Stock Certificates. Certificates of stock shall bear the signature of the president (which may be engraved, printed or impressed) and shall be signed manually or by facsimile process by the secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer, assistant treasurer, or any other officer appointed by the board of directors for that purpose, to be known as an authorized officer, and the seal of the association shall be engraved thereon. Each certificate shall recite on its face that the stock represented thereby is transferable only upon the books of the association properly endorsed.
The board of directors may adopt or use procedures for replacing lost, stolen, or destroyed stock certificates as permitted by law.
The association may establish a procedure through which the beneficial owner of shares that are registered in the name of a nominee may be recognized by the association as the shareholder. The procedure may set forth:
(1) | The types of nominees to which it applies; |
(2) | The rights or privileges that the association recognizes in a beneficial owner; |
(3) | How the nominee may request the association to recognize the beneficial owner as the shareholder; |
(4) | The information that must be provided when the procedure is selected; |
(5) | The period over which the association will continue to recognize the beneficial owner as the shareholder; |
(6) | Other aspects of the rights and duties created. |
ARTICLE VII
Corporate Seal
Section 1. Seal. The seal of the association shall be in such form as may be determined from time to time by the board of directors. The president, the treasurer, the secretary or any assistant treasurer or assistant secretary, or other officer thereunto designated by the board of directors shall have authority to affix the corporate seal to any document requiring such seal and to attest the same. The seal on any corporate obligation for the payment of money may be facsimile.
ARTICLE VIII
Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the association shall be the calendar year.
Section 2. Execution of Instruments. All agreements, indentures, mortgages, deeds, conveyances, transfers, certificates, declarations, receipts, discharges, releases, satisfactions, settlements, petitions, schedules, accounts, affidavits, bonds, undertakings, proxies and other instruments or documents may be signed, executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the association by the chairperson of the board, or the president, or any vice president, or the secretary, or the treasurer, or, if in connection with the exercise of fiduciary powers of the association, by any of those offices or by any trust officer. Any such instruments may also be executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the association in such other manner and by such other officers as the board of directors may from time to time direct. The provisions of this section 2 are supplementary to any other provision of these bylaws.
Section 3. Records. The articles of association, the bylaws and the proceedings of all meetings of the shareholders, the board of directors, and standing committees of the board of directors shall be recorded in appropriate minute books provided for that purpose. The minutes of each meeting shall be signed by the secretary, treasurer or other officer appointed to act as secretary of the meeting.
Section 4. Corporate Governance Procedures. To the extent not inconsistent with federal banking statutes and regulations, or safe and sound banking practices, the association may follow the Delaware General Corporation Law, Del. Code Ann. tit. 8 (1991, as amended 1994, and as amended thereafter) with respect to matters of corporate governance procedures.
Section 5. Indemnification. For purposes of this Section 5 of Article VIII, the term institution-affiliated party shall mean any institution-affiliated party of the association as such term is defined in 12 U.S.C. 1813(u).
Any institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may be indemnified or reimbursed by the association for reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions or proceedings and appeals therein, whether civil, criminal, governmental, administrative or investigative, in accordance with and to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such law now or hereafter exists; provided, however, that when an administrative proceeding or action instituted by a federal banking agency results in a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association, then the association shall require the repayment of all legal fees and expenses advanced pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph and may not indemnify such institution-affiliated parties (or their heirs, executors or administrators) for expenses, including expenses for legal fees, penalties or other payments incurred. The association shall provide indemnification in connection with an action or proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) only if such action or proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the board of directors.
Expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding under 12 U.S.C. 164 or 1818 may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) a determination by the board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding that the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) has a reasonable basis for prevailing on the merits, (b) a determination that the indemnified individual (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) will have the financial capacity to reimburse the bank in the event he or she does not prevail, (c) a determination that the payment of expenses and fees by the association will not adversely affect the safety and soundness of the association, and (d) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event of a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association. In all other instances, expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding as to which indemnification may be given under these articles of association may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by or on behalf of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event that such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification as authorized by these bylaws and (b) approval by the board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding or, if such a quorum is not obtainable, then approval by stockholders. To the extent permitted by law, the board of directors or, if applicable, the stockholders, shall not be required to find that the institution-affiliated party has met the applicable standard of conduct provided by law for indemnification in connection with such action or proceeding.
In the event that a majority of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the remaining members of the board may authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the remaining members of the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Section 5 of Article VIII have been met. If independent legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the remaining members of the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
In the event that all of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the board shall authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Section 5 of Article VIII have been met. If legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
To the extent permitted under applicable law, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association (a) shall be available with respect to events occurring prior to the adoption of these bylaws, (b) shall continue to exist after any restrictive amendment of these bylaws with respect to events occurring prior to such amendment, (c) may be interpreted on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time of the occurrence of the event or events giving rise to the action or proceeding, or on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time such rights are claimed, and (d) are in the nature of contract rights which may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction as if the association and the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) for whom such rights are sought were parties to a separate written agreement.
The rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these bylaws shall not, to the extent permitted under applicable law, be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may now or hereafter be otherwise entitled whether contained in the associations articles of association, these bylaws, a resolution of stockholders, a resolution of the board of directors, or an agreement providing such indemnification, the creation of such other rights being hereby expressly authorized. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these bylaws shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights, pursuant to statute or otherwise, of any such institution-affiliated party (or of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in any such action or proceeding to have assessed or allowed in his or her favor, against the association or otherwise, his or her costs and expenses incurred therein or in connection therewith or any part thereof.
If this Section 5 of Article VIII or any part hereof shall be held unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remainder of this Section 5 of Article VIII shall remain fully enforceable.
The association may, upon affirmative vote of a majority of its board of directors, purchase insurance to indemnify its institution-affiliated parties to the extent that such indemnification is allowed in these bylaws; provided, however, that no such insurance shall include coverage for a final order assessing civil money penalties against such persons by a bank regulatory agency. Such insurance may, but need not, be for the benefit of all institution-affiliated parties.
ARTICLE IX
Inspection and Amendments
Section 1. Inspection. A copy of the bylaws of the association, with all amendments, shall at all times be kept in a convenient place at the main office of the association, and shall be open for inspection to all shareholders during banking hours.
Section 2. Amendments. The bylaws of the association may be amended, altered or repealed, at any regular meeting of the board of directors, by a vote of a majority of the total number of the directors except as provided below, and provided that the following language accompany any such change.
I, , certify that: (1) I am the duly constituted (secretary or treasurer) of and secretary of its board of directors, and as such officer am the official custodian of its records; (2) the foregoing bylaws are the bylaws of the association, and all of them are now lawfully in force and effect.
I have hereunto affixed my official signature on this day of .
|
||
(Secretary or Treasurer) |
The associations shareholders may amend or repeal the bylaws even though the bylaws also may be amended or repealed by the board of directors.
EXHIBIT 6
Section 321(b) Consent
Pursuant to Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, Wilmington Trust, National Association hereby consents that reports of examinations by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon requests therefor.
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION | ||||||||
Dated: February 27, 2015 |
By: |
/s/ W. Thomas Morris II | ||||||
Name: |
W. Thomas Morris II | |||||||
Title: |
Vice President |
EXHIBIT 7
R E P O R T O F C O N D I T I O N
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
As of the close of business on September 30, 2014
Thousands of Dollars | ||||
ASSETS |
||||
Cash and balances due from depository institutions: |
2,209,972 | |||
Securities: |
5,367 | |||
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreement to resell: |
0 | |||
Loans and leases held for sale: |
0 | |||
Loans and leases net of unearned income, allowance: |
457,849 | |||
Premises and fixed assets: |
8,535 | |||
Other real estate owned: |
243 | |||
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies: |
0 | |||
Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures: |
0 | |||
Intangible assets: |
2,539 | |||
Other assets: |
62,620 | |||
Total Assets: |
2,747,125 | |||
Thousands of Dollars | ||||
LIABILITIES | ||||
Deposits |
2,148,025 | |||
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase |
97,000 | |||
Other borrowed money: |
0 | |||
Other Liabilities: |
68,901 | |||
Total Liabilities |
2,313,926 | |||
Thousands of Dollars | ||||
EQUITY CAPITAL |
||||
Common Stock |
1,000 | |||
Surplus |
386,419 | |||
Retained Earnings |
46,207 | |||
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
(427 | ) | ||
Total Equity Capital |
433,199 | |||
Total Liabilities and Equity Capital |
2,747,125 |
D!
M\@'Z`@,"#`(4`AT")@(O`C@"00)+`E0"70)G`G$">@*$`HX"F`*B`JP"M@+!
M`LL"U0+@`NL"]0,``PL#%@,A`RT#.`-#`T\#6@-F`W(#?@.*`Y8#H@.N`[H#
MQP/3`^`#[`/Y!`8$$P0@!"T$.P1(!%4$8P1Q!'X$C`2:!*@$M@3$!-,$X03P
M!/X%#044%]@8&!A8&)P8W!D@&
M609J!GL&C`:=!J\&P`;1!N,&]0<'!QD'*P<]!T\'80=T!X8'F0>L![\'T@?E
M!_@("P@?"#((1@A:"&X(@@B6"*H(O@C2".<(^PD0"24).@E/"60)>0F/":0)
MN@G/">4)^PH1"B<*/0I4"FH*@0J8"JX*Q0K<"O,+"PLB"SD+40MI"X`+F`NP
M"\@+X0OY#!(,*@Q##%P,=0R.#*<,P`S9#/,-#0TF#4`-6@UT#8X-J0W##=X-
M^`X3#BX.20YD#G\.FPZV#M(.[@\)#R4/00]>#WH/E@^S#\\/[!`)$"800Q!A
M$'X0FQ"Y$-<0]1$3$3$13Q%M$8P1JA')$>@2!Q(F$D429!*$$J,2PQ+C$P,3
M(Q-#$V,3@Q.D$\43Y10&%"<4211J%(L4K13.%/`5$A4T%585>!6;%;T5X!8#
M%B86219L%H\6LA;6%OH7'1=!%V47B1>N%](7]Q@;&$`891B*&*\8U1CZ&2`9
M11EK&9$9MQG=&@0:*AI1&G<:GAK%&NP;%!L[&V,;BANR&]H<`APJ'%(<>QRC
M',P<]1T>'4<=:AZ4'KX>Z1\3'SX?:1^4'[\?ZB`5($$@
M;""8(,0@\"$<(4@A=2&A( &YXS'DJ>8EYYWI&
M>J5[!'MC>\)\(7R!?.%]07VA?@%^8G["?R-_A'_E@$>`J($*@6N!S8(P@I*"
M](-7@[J$'82`A..%1X6KA@Z&
D!
M\@'Z`@,"#`(4`AT")@(O`C@"00)+`E0"70)G`G$">@*$`HX"F`*B`JP"M@+!
M`LL"U0+@`NL"]0,``PL#%@,A`RT#.`-#`T\#6@-F`W(#?@.*`Y8#H@.N`[H#
MQP/3`^`#[`/Y!`8$$P0@!"T$.P1(!%4$8P1Q!'X$C`2:!*@$M@3$!-,$X03P
M!/X%#044%]@8&!A8&)P8W!D@&
M609J!GL&C`:=!J\&P`;1!N,&]0<'!QD'*P<]!T\'80=T!X8'F0>L![\'T@?E
M!_@("P@?"#((1@A:"&X(@@B6"*H(O@C2".<(^PD0"24).@E/"60)>0F/":0)
MN@G/">4)^PH1"B<*/0I4"FH*@0J8"JX*Q0K<"O,+"PLB"SD+40MI"X`+F`NP
M"\@+X0OY#!(,*@Q##%P,=0R.#*<,P`S9#/,-#0TF#4`-6@UT#8X-J0W##=X-
M^`X3#BX.20YD#G\.FPZV#M(.[@\)#R4/00]>#WH/E@^S#\\/[!`)$"800Q!A
M$'X0FQ"Y$-<0]1$3$3$13Q%M$8P1JA')$>@2!Q(F$D429!*$$J,2PQ+C$P,3
M(Q-#$V,3@Q.D$\43Y10&%"<4211J%(L4K13.%/`5$A4T%585>!6;%;T5X!8#
M%B86219L%H\6LA;6%OH7'1=!%V47B1>N%](7]Q@;&$`891B*&*\8U1CZ&2`9
M11EK&9$9MQG=&@0:*AI1&G<:GAK%&NP;%!L[&V,;BANR&]H<`APJ'%(<>QRC
M',P<]1T>'4<=:AZ4'KX>Z1\3'SX?:1^4'[\?ZB`5($$@
M;""8(,0@\"$<(4@A=2&A( &YXS'DJ>8EYYWI&
M>J5[!'MC>\)\(7R!?.%]07VA?@%^8G["?R-_A'_E@$>`J($*@6N!S8(P@I*"
M](-7@[J$'82`A..%1X6KA@Z&
D!
M\@'Z`@,"#`(4`AT")@(O`C@"00)+`E0"70)G`G$">@*$`HX"F`*B`JP"M@+!
M`LL"U0+@`NL"]0,``PL#%@,A`RT#.`-#`T\#6@-F`W(#?@.*`Y8#H@.N`[H#
MQP/3`^`#[`/Y!`8$$P0@!"T$.P1(!%4$8P1Q!'X$C`2:!*@$M@3$!-,$X03P
M!/X%#044%]@8&!A8&)P8W!D@&
M609J!GL&C`:=!J\&P`;1!N,&]0<'!QD'*P<]!T\'80=T!X8'F0>L![\'T@?E
M!_@("P@?"#((1@A:"&X(@@B6"*H(O@C2".<(^PD0"24).@E/"60)>0F/":0)
MN@G/">4)^PH1"B<*/0I4"FH*@0J8"JX*Q0K<"O,+"PLB"SD+40MI"X`+F`NP
M"\@+X0OY#!(,*@Q##%P,=0R.#*<,P`S9#/,-#0TF#4`-6@UT#8X-J0W##=X-
M^`X3#BX.20YD#G\.FPZV#M(.[@\)#R4/00]>#WH/E@^S#\\/[!`)$"800Q!A
M$'X0FQ"Y$-<0]1$3$3$13Q%M$8P1JA')$>@2!Q(F$D429!*$$J,2PQ+C$P,3
M(Q-#$V,3@Q.D$\43Y10&%"<4211J%(L4K13.%/`5$A4T%585>!6;%;T5X!8#
M%B86219L%H\6LA;6%OH7'1=!%V47B1>N%](7]Q@;&$`891B*&*\8U1CZ&2`9
M11EK&9$9MQG=&@0:*AI1&G<:GAK%&NP;%!L[&V,;BANR&]H<`APJ'%(<>QRC
M',P<]1T>'4<=:AZ4'KX>Z1\3'SX?:1^4'[\?ZB`5($$@
M;""8(,0@\"$<(4@A=2&A( &YXS'DJ>8EYYWI&
M>J5[!'MC>\)\(7R!?.%]07VA?@%^8G["?R-_A'_E@$>`J($*@6N!S8(P@I*"
M](-7@[J$'82`A..%1X6KA@Z&
D!
M\@'Z`@,"#`(4`AT")@(O`C@"00)+`E0"70)G`G$">@*$`HX"F`*B`JP"M@+!
M`LL"U0+@`NL"]0,``PL#%@,A`RT#.`-#`T\#6@-F`W(#?@.*`Y8#H@.N`[H#
MQP/3`^`#[`/Y!`8$$P0@!"T$.P1(!%4$8P1Q!'X$C`2:!*@$M@3$!-,$X03P
M!/X%#044%]@8&!A8&)P8W!D@&
M609J!GL&C`:=!J\&P`;1!N,&]0<'!QD'*P<]!T\'80=T!X8'F0>L![\'T@?E
M!_@("P@?"#((1@A:"&X(@@B6"*H(O@C2".<(^PD0"24).@E/"60)>0F/":0)
MN@G/">4)^PH1"B<*/0I4"FH*@0J8"JX*Q0K<"O,+"PLB"SD+40MI"X`+F`NP
M"\@+X0OY#!(,*@Q##%P,=0R.#*<,P`S9#/,-#0TF#4`-6@UT#8X-J0W##=X-
M^`X3#BX.20YD#G\.FPZV#M(.[@\)#R4/00]>#WH/E@^S#\\/[!`)$"800Q!A
M$'X0FQ"Y$-<0]1$3$3$13Q%M$8P1JA')$>@2!Q(F$D429!*$$J,2PQ+C$P,3
M(Q-#$V,3@Q.D$\43Y10&%"<4211J%(L4K13.%/`5$A4T%585>!6;%;T5X!8#
M%B86219L%H\6LA;6%OH7'1=!%V47B1>N%](7]Q@;&$`891B*&*\8U1CZ&2`9
M11EK&9$9MQG=&@0:*AI1&G<:GAK%&NP;%!L[&V,;BANR&]H<`APJ'%(<>QRC
M',P<]1T>'4<=:AZ4'KX>Z1\3'SX?:1^4'[\?ZB`5($$@
M;""8(,0@\"$<(4@A=2&A( &YXS'DJ>8EYYWI&
M>J5[!'MC>\)\(7R!?.%]07VA?@%^8G["?R-_A'_E@$>`J($*@6N!S8(P@I*"
M](-7@[J$'82`A..%1X6KA@Z&
HKNX[%_+:Y5B(
M9%&XL]WIW'-HY[B*$@DM!^BT+]!>RGI$VGVIR++#F6FK/.=:B-KKB]NXFS_?
M4JX6T4H=';QL)+8RQ@E 84XD=!=CB.!N!3'.
M**L39KT6X/`EO=;LE4*X:!;*C(P>U&GAG]13CK./HV&S
MXOJDH2KIMGA53`JZL.*Y3TH5Z;M_:QYX]?O65.Y4`$>.HY%:1^X@WDVSU%R;
MI?$ZT96LF/VUO2R-.V2!KK2&7+=I2O6#';:"C)<)&)DEGK'TY)PC[7^@5]R;
MO(<>WH*,`(-5.37?5#RQVO*V/=B=L/(.RHK%O/Q5JLFG^%L25E[CA*N&:SSQ!6JV>-#R,;&^)?,,NY/0
WFBJ+
MO'IU">W<5(#2":*3/W7W^'O4[^^6Z_V(1X*,YE=+FN?^'O!/]S6,/[$0?)5!
MYE;EX4)PB<(G"+__UMU+89MWD^\D^0LM^0W+=R\;T)725B$T^QKDBU5O`FPL
MLFE=W#/%+;$55RJK'V"6].6:/9"3G(=FY3<6IV5O'JB8IBMJ>:Y?HCAQ5Y'\
M&;(7_MW\L'_=)-_ZOR:>:IQ#[(5&VYNF5FT)VXPWLAHCM]?=W-V*EDT/K/@F
MVY+KF9]M)9B2IMWW?-8]I:ZN7;319K';1U&6$BL>LZ81#ILY(H1L!EF\*H&H
M((H%F_W%-GE,HW+Q0Y(D*?.8WD,@U:?GGV/K][>`NU&EK%.86EG=6N$-)G8O
MH>3KKA\+1XHX111371.`B42F`)/10WDY=K')7&N,#6NKYK\9>[.RV4]"8JA^
M3'43);I(,FT36+,%(R9FG%#1]9Y^7HC6W5"GR-@M#:Y51RI,LF2P1SJ-FF0N
M>]1HZZE;1R7(:$`'@5<1(^7[+TR6"BL6^(?R>3UOE7#=N\8Y1P5]&::P%0$?
M<'#($@]M<<5)$QE.T[UM'IG`I1,9/N'L5\E3A'V@JM/.OKCCZ;V5PWN-4\G:
M?*YYH-.H(9KTBV:SAA"I25SKD"[D+##NU82ZWNO,;.W?Q
7MN]C=TM"\J;!:XR.JV,)7(\-5->L97ZU5EQDY
MZQBLEX_=7B\Y$ADWC67J#B??3$
D!
M\@'Z`@,"#`(4`AT")@(O`C@"00)+`E0"70)G`G$">@*$`HX"F`*B`JP"M@+!
M`LL"U0+@`NL"]0,``PL#%@,A`RT#.`-#`T\#6@-F`W(#?@.*`Y8#H@.N`[H#
MQP/3`^`#[`/Y!`8$$P0@!"T$.P1(!%4$8P1Q!'X$C`2:!*@$M@3$!-,$X03P
M!/X%#044%]@8&!A8&)P8W!D@&
M609J!GL&C`:=!J\&P`;1!N,&]0<'!QD'*P<]!T\'80=T!X8'F0>L![\'T@?E
M!_@("P@?"#((1@A:"&X(@@B6"*H(O@C2".<(^PD0"24).@E/"60)>0F/":0)
MN@G/">4)^PH1"B<*/0I4"FH*@0J8"JX*Q0K<"O,+"PLB"SD+40MI"X`+F`NP
M"\@+X0OY#!(,*@Q##%P,=0R.#*<,P`S9#/,-#0TF#4`-6@UT#8X-J0W##=X-
M^`X3#BX.20YD#G\.FPZV#M(.[@\)#R4/00]>#WH/E@^S#\\/[!`)$"800Q!A
M$'X0FQ"Y$-<0]1$3$3$13Q%M$8P1JA')$>@2!Q(F$D429!*$$J,2PQ+C$P,3
M(Q-#$V,3@Q.D$\43Y10&%"<4211J%(L4K13.%/`5$A4T%585>!6;%;T5X!8#
M%B86219L%H\6LA;6%OH7'1=!%V47B1>N%](7]Q@;&$`891B*&*\8U1CZ&2`9
M11EK&9$9MQG=&@0:*AI1&G<:GAK%&NP;%!L[&V,;BANR&]H<`APJ'%(<>QRC
M',P<]1T>'4<=:AZ4'KX>Z1\3'SX?:1^4'[\?ZB`5($$@
M;""8(,0@\"$<(4@A=2&A( &YXS'DJ>8EYYWI&
M>J5[!'MC>\)\(7R!?.%]07VA?@%^8G["?R-_A'_E@$>`J($*@6N!S8(P@I*"
M](-7@[J$'82`A..%1X6KA@Z& :7XU?'27P#X`U7Q3X1GT/4=/MHO#US:7KRQRV\UOJ.I"VDE$C7$,17
MR3O1FECCS\S/LR0`>ST5\LZY^UC-HL/@N]_X2?P*VE^*[#5[J6ZDFTX+;SVC
MV"):+)_:XMBY%S,S;;F0\+@`*QKOG^-]]_PSWHGB\2:'_P`)/>^']"U35HDC
MD>WTB'4'C274)8-XE%I"#/+>*XFFA1`.NX-;R$]L%<$Y('D7BO]J?7M=O+#0_V?_AGXV\3Z]?SQ;[[7
M]`NM%TFPAWYE,]Q.B,&V*VT*IR3QN(V-+XA\
TN9(R4>:4(D&(Y`NYR90
M.2%=
.6W6<2JZVEI`)1NEW+,Y9V#[2J^7OE]PH`****`"BOG_P"(/[6E
MKX)U'XD:-:^&Y=0\1>!;NSBTZPEU%;9-?BELX+RY>"0HQ#6L$LDLJ!7VHD;9
M_>@+U%Q\;KR&ZO=33P[#)X(L?$$?AY]7&J8O)+YKZ.Q=DL_*VFW2X=D9VF5S
MY3LL3+L+@'K%%>23_'S^Q--\5:KXQT&;2-.\/6FJ7UK;M).M_J%M8G;(Z0S0
M11Y8\KLF=2KQL6`?B74?BEXS\.I8V/B;P-I46O\`B'4HM/\`#T.G^)_M%G=3
M-!QN_VM+8R>,CI'A;498/"NGZU>1'4UN=+GN_[.T[3
M;PJUO/;++#YAU(Q@LIXA#@.)`!W&G_%75-+^%?B/QM\1?#T.E0>'K.ZOC9:5
M_M">#+!-.:\NKF,ZO;Q7.GCR-QN(Y+JTM%;@G9^^U"T7$FTXD
M)Z*Y7L3X1LF\5W6ORM)+
D!
M\@'Z`@,"#`(4`AT")@(O`C@"00)+`E0"70)G`G$">@*$`HX"F`*B`JP"M@+!
M`LL"U0+@`NL"]0,``PL#%@,A`RT#.`-#`T\#6@-F`W(#?@.*`Y8#H@.N`[H#
MQP/3`^`#[`/Y!`8$$P0@!"T$.P1(!%4$8P1Q!'X$C`2:!*@$M@3$!-,$X03P
M!/X%#044%]@8&!A8&)P8W!D@&
M609J!GL&C`:=!J\&P`;1!N,&]0<'!QD'*P<]!T\'80=T!X8'F0>L![\'T@?E
M!_@("P@?"#((1@A:"&X(@@B6"*H(O@C2".<(^PD0"24).@E/"60)>0F/":0)
MN@G/">4)^PH1"B<*/0I4"FH*@0J8"JX*Q0K<"O,+"PLB"SD+40MI"X`+F`NP
M"\@+X0OY#!(,*@Q##%P,=0R.#*<,P`S9#/,-#0TF#4`-6@UT#8X-J0W##=X-
M^`X3#BX.20YD#G\.FPZV#M(.[@\)#R4/00]>#WH/E@^S#\\/[!`)$"800Q!A
M$'X0FQ"Y$-<0]1$3$3$13Q%M$8P1JA')$>@2!Q(F$D429!*$$J,2PQ+C$P,3
M(Q-#$V,3@Q.D$\43Y10&%"<4211J%(L4K13.%/`5$A4T%585>!6;%;T5X!8#
M%B86219L%H\6LA;6%OH7'1=!%V47B1>N%](7]Q@;&$`891B*&*\8U1CZ&2`9
M11EK&9$9MQG=&@0:*AI1&G<:GAK%&NP;%!L[&V,;BANR&]H<`APJ'%(<>QRC
M',P<]1T>'4<=:AZ4'KX>Z1\3'SX?:1^4'[\?ZB`5($$@
M;""8(,0@\"$<(4@A=2&A( &YXS'DJ>8EYYWI&
M>J5[!'MC>\)\(7R!?.%]07VA?@%^8G["?R-_A'_E@$>`J($*@6N!S8(P@I*"
M](-7@[J$'82`A..%1X6KA@Z&Y_#C]C7X4_"3RV\.?#OP?HSQCB6'38Q*/\`
M@9!;]:]3"`@'FAXE<8-=$*%.&L(I/T/FL;Q#FF,TQ6(G->
D!
M\@'Z`@,"#`(4`AT")@(O`C@"00)+`E0"70)G`G$">@*$`HX"F`*B`JP"M@+!
M`LL"U0+@`NL"]0,``PL#%@,A`RT#.`-#`T\#6@-F`W(#?@.*`Y8#H@.N`[H#
MQP/3`^`#[`/Y!`8$$P0@!"T$.P1(!%4$8P1Q!'X$C`2:!*@$M@3$!-,$X03P
M!/X%#044%]@8&!A8&)P8W!D@&
M609J!GL&C`:=!J\&P`;1!N,&]0<'!QD'*P<]!T\'80=T!X8'F0>L![\'T@?E
M!_@("P@?"#((1@A:"&X(@@B6"*H(O@C2".<(^PD0"24).@E/"60)>0F/":0)
MN@G/">4)^PH1"B<*/0I4"FH*@0J8"JX*Q0K<"O,+"PLB"SD+40MI"X`+F`NP
M"\@+X0OY#!(,*@Q##%P,=0R.#*<,P`S9#/,-#0TF#4`-6@UT#8X-J0W##=X-
M^`X3#BX.20YD#G\.FPZV#M(.[@\)#R4/00]>#WH/E@^S#\\/[!`)$"800Q!A
M$'X0FQ"Y$-<0]1$3$3$13Q%M$8P1JA')$>@2!Q(F$D429!*$$J,2PQ+C$P,3
M(Q-#$V,3@Q.D$\43Y10&%"<4211J%(L4K13.%/`5$A4T%585>!6;%;T5X!8#
M%B86219L%H\6LA;6%OH7'1=!%V47B1>N%](7]Q@;&$`891B*&*\8U1CZ&2`9
M11EK&9$9MQG=&@0:*AI1&G<:GAK%&NP;%!L[&V,;BANR&]H<`APJ'%(<>QRC
M',P<]1T>'4<=:AZ4'KX>Z1\3'SX?:1^4'[\?ZB`5($$@
M;""8(,0@\"$<(4@A=2&A( &YXS'DJ>8EYYWI&
M>J5[!'MC>\)\(7R!?.%]07VA?@%^8G["?R-_A'_E@$>`J($*@6N!S8(P@I*"
M](-7@[J$'82`A..%1X6KA@Z& M>&M-TG[=XJGM=:AT*
M_EUBV_LH:/?2QR33S6<#09O([9>$`SY:[SYI2MC0]5\4O9>./M2ZM<#3=4NH
M]%DN+!+>::#[+%)B(`?O42=YXHY&C!98UR)<>=*44`<+-K_[06L?!FPN[W1D
M\+>)M0O/#5O%$4U>QT2U\[P]OGDM[MV&EQRL
MEG$ME,MVQG+A=S',F4Q@8HHH`Z=/%OC@_$,H/!OB`^%6N?[)^UF.V^SJ54_Z
M;L)%X,W&;