Exhibit 1.3
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To: |
Easterly Government Properties, Inc. (“Party B”) |
From: |
Bank of Montreal (“Party A”) 55 Bloor Street West, 18th Floor Toronto, Ontario M4W 1A5 Telephone No.:(416) 552-4177 Facsimile No.:(416) 552-7904 |
Re: |
Issuer Share Forward Sale Transaction |
Date: |
August 11, 2021 |
The purpose of this communication (this “Confirmation”) is to set forth the terms and conditions of the above-referenced transaction entered into on the Trade Date specified below (the “Transaction”) between Bank of Montreal (“Party A”), represented by BMO Capital Markets Corp. as its agent (“Agent”) and Easterly Government Properties, Inc. (“Party B”). This communication constitutes a “Confirmation” as referred to in the Agreement specified below. This Confirmation is a confirmation for purposes of Rule 10b-10 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Party A is acting as principal in this Transaction and Agent, its affiliate, is acting as agent for this Transaction solely in connection with Rule 15a-6 of the Exchange Act.
1. |
This Confirmation is subject to, and incorporates, the 2002 ISDA Equity Derivatives Definitions (the “Equity Definitions”), as published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ISDA”). For purposes of the Equity Definitions, the Transaction will be deemed to be a Share Forward Transaction. |
This Confirmation shall supplement, form a part of and be subject to an agreement (the “Agreement”) in the form of the 1992 ISDA Master Agreement (Multicurrency—Cross Border) (the “ISDA Form”), as published by ISDA, as if Party A and Party B had executed the ISDA Form on the date hereof (but without any Schedule except for (i) the election of Loss and Second Method, New York law (without regard to New York’s choice of laws doctrine other than Title 14 of Article 5 of the New York General Obligations Law) as the governing law and US Dollars (“USD”) as the Termination Currency and (ii) the replacement of the word “third” in the last line of Section 5(a)(i) with the word “second”). All provisions contained in the Agreement are incorporated into and shall govern this Confirmation except as expressly modified below. This Confirmation evidences a complete and binding agreement between Party A and Party B as to the terms of the Transaction and replaces any previous agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.
The Transaction hereunder shall be the sole Transaction under the Agreement. If there exists any ISDA Master Agreement between Party A or any of its Affiliates and Party B or any confirmation or other agreement between Party A or any of its Affiliates and Party B pursuant to which an ISDA Master Agreement is deemed to exist between Party A or any of its Affiliates and Party B, then notwithstanding anything to the contrary in such ISDA Master Agreement, such confirmation or agreement or any other agreement to which Party A or any of its Affiliates and Party B are parties, the Transaction shall not be considered a Transaction under, or otherwise governed by, such existing or deemed ISDA Master Agreement. In the event of any inconsistency among the Agreement, this Confirmation and the Equity Definitions, the following will prevail in the order of precedence indicated: (i) this Confirmation; (ii) the Equity Definitions; and (iii) the Agreement.
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Unwind Activities: |
The times and prices at which Party A (or its agent or affiliate) purchases any Shares during any Unwind Period in connection with unwinding its commercially reasonable hedge position shall be determined by Party A in a commercially reasonable manner. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that Party A concludes, in its reasonable discretion based on advice of counsel, that it is appropriate with respect to any legal, regulatory or self-regulatory requirements or related policies and procedures (whether or not such requirements, policies or procedures are imposed by law or have been voluntarily adopted by Party A) (a “Regulatory Disruption”), for it to refrain from purchasing Shares in connection with unwinding its commercially reasonable hedge position on any Scheduled Trading Day that would have been an Unwind Date but for the occurrence of a Regulatory Disruption, Party A may (but shall not be required to) notify Party B in writing that a Regulatory Disruption has occurred on such Scheduled Trading Day, in which case Party A shall, to the extent practicable in its good faith discretion, specify the nature of such Regulatory Disruption, and, for the avoidance of doubt, such Scheduled Trading Day shall not be an Unwind Date and such Regulatory Disruption shall be deemed to be a Market Disruption Event; provided that Party A may exercise its right to suspend under this sentence only in good faith in relation to events or circumstances that are not the result of actions of it or any of its Affiliates that are taken with the intent to avoid its obligations under the Transaction. |
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Relevant Settlement Date: |
For any Settlement, the Settlement Date, Cash Settlement Payment Date or Net Share Settlement Date, as the case may be. |
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Other Applicable Provisions: |
To the extent Party A is obligated to deliver Shares hereunder, the provisions of Sections 9.2 (last sentence only), 9.8, 9.9, 9.10, 9.11 and 9.12 of the Equity Definitions will be applicable as if “Physical Settlement” applied to the Transaction; provided that the Representation and Agreement contained in Section 9.11 of the Equity Definitions shall be modified by excluding any representations therein relating to restrictions, obligations, limitations or requirements under applicable securities laws that exist as a result of the fact that Party B is the issuer of the Shares. |
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Potential Adjustment Events: |
An Extraordinary Dividend shall not constitute a Potential Adjustment Event. For the avoidance of doubt, a cash dividend on the Shares that differs from expected dividends as of the Trade Date shall not be a Potential Adjustment Event under Section 11.2(e)(vii) of the Equity Definitions. |
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Extraordinary Dividend: |
Any dividend or distribution on the Shares with an ex-dividend date occurring on any day following the Trade Date (other than (i) any dividend or distribution of the type described in Section 11.2(e)(i) or Section 11.2(e)(ii)(A) of the Equity Definitions or (ii) a regular, quarterly cash dividend in an amount equal to or less than the Regular Dividend Amount for such calendar quarter that has an ex-dividend date no earlier than the Forward Price Reduction Date occurring in the relevant quarter). |
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Party A represents and warrants to and agrees with Party B, assuming the accuracy and completeness of the representations of Party B hereunder and the compliance with, and satisfaction of, the covenants and undertakings of Party B hereunder, that (i) based upon advice of counsel and excluding any Shares beneficially owned by Party A or its affiliates in connection with the Transaction, Party A (A) does not know of the existence on the Trade Date of an Excess Ownership Position, an Excess Charter Ownership Position or an Excess Regulatory Ownership Position and (B) based on reasonable internal inquiry in the ordinary course of Party A’s business does not know on the Trade Date of any event or circumstance that will cause the occurrence of an Excess Ownership Position, an Excess Charter Ownership Position or an Excess Regulatory Ownership Position on any day during the term of the Transaction; and (ii) Party A will not knowingly cause the occurrence of an Excess Ownership Position, an Excess Charter Ownership Position or an Excess Regulatory Ownership Position on any day during the term of the Transaction for the purpose, in whole or in part, of causing the occurrence of an Early Valuation Date. |
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If the Early Valuation Date occurs on a date that is not during an Unwind Period, then the Early Valuation Date shall be a Valuation Date for a Physical Settlement, and the number of Settlement Shares for such Settlement shall be the Number of Shares on the Early Valuation Date; provided that Party A may in its sole discretion permit Party B to elect Cash Settlement or Net Share Settlement. |
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If the Early Valuation Date occurs during an Unwind Period, then (i) (A) the last Unwind Date of such Unwind Period shall be deemed to be the Early Valuation Date, (B) a Settlement shall occur in respect of such Unwind Period, and the Settlement Method elected by Party B in respect of such Settlement shall apply, and (C) the number of Settlement Shares for such Settlement shall be the number of Unwound Shares for such Unwind Period on the Early Valuation Date, and (ii) (A) the Early Valuation Date shall be a Valuation Date for an additional Physical Settlement (provided that Party A may in its sole discretion elect that the Settlement Method elected by Party B for the Settlement described in clause (i) of this sentence shall apply) and (B) the number of Settlement Shares for such additional Settlement shall be the number of Remaining Shares on the Early Valuation Date. |
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of a Nationalization or Merger Event, if at the time of the related Relevant Settlement Date the Shares have changed into cash or any other property or the right to receive cash or any other property, the Calculation Agent shall adjust the nature of the Shares as it determines appropriate to account for such change such that the nature of the Shares is consistent with what shareholders receive in such event. |
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ISDA Event: |
(i) Any Event of Default or Termination Event, other than an Event of Default or Termination Event that also constitutes a Bankruptcy Termination Event, that gives rise to the right of either party to designate an Early Termination Date pursuant to Section 6 of the Agreement or (ii) the announcement of any event or transaction that, if consummated, would result in a Merger Event, Tender Offer, Nationalization, Delisting or Change in Law, in each case, as determined by the Calculation Agent. |
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Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Confirmation to the contrary requiring or allowing Party A to purchase, sell, receive or deliver any Shares or other securities to or from Party B, Party A may designate any of its affiliates to purchase, sell, receive or deliver such Shares or other securities and otherwise to perform Party A obligations in respect of the Transaction and any such designee may assume such obligations. Party A shall be discharged of its obligations to Party B only to the extent of any such performance. |
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Calculation Agent: |
Party A; provided that, following the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default pursuant to Section 5(a)(vii) of the Agreement with respect to which Party A is the sole Defaulting Party, Party B shall have the right to select a leading dealer in the market for U.S. corporate equity derivatives reasonably acceptable to Party A to replace Party A as Calculation Agent, and the parties shall work in good faith to execute any appropriate documentation required by such replacement Calculation Agent. Following any determination or calculation by the Calculation Agent hereunder, upon a written request by Party B, the Calculation Agent will, within a commercially reasonable period of time following such request, provide to Party B by e-mail to the e-mail address provided by Party B in such written request a report (in a commonly used file format for the storage and manipulation of financial data) displaying in reasonable detail the basis for such determination or calculation, as the case may be; provided that Party A shall not be required to disclose any proprietary or confidential models of Party A or any information that is proprietary or subject to contractual, legal or regulatory obligations to not disclose such information. |
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Party B Payment Instructions: |
To be provided by Party B |
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Party A Payment Instructions: |
Bank of New York ABA#: 021000018 A/C#: 8661062712 Acct Name: BMO Nesbitt Burns |
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The Office of Party B for the |
Inapplicable, Party B is not a Multibranch Party |
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Transaction is: |
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The Office of Party A for the |
Toronto, Ontario |
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Transaction is: |
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Party B’s Contact Details |
To be provided by Party B |
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for Purpose of Giving Notice: |
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Party A’s Contact Details for Purpose of Giving Notice: |
Bank of Montreal 55 Bloor Street West, 18th Floor Toronto, Ontario M4W 1A5 Canada
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Attention: |
Manager, Derivatives Operations |
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Facsimile: |
(416) 552-7904 |
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Telephone: |
(416) 552-4177 |
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With a copy to: |
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Bank of Montreal 100 King Street West, 20th Floor Toronto, Ontario M5X 1A1 Canada
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Attention: |
Associate General Counsel & Managing Director, |
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Derivatives Legal Group |
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Facsimile: |
(416) 956-2318 |
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and |
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BMO Capital Markets Corp. 3 Times Square 25th Floor New York, New York 10036
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Attention: |
Brian Riley |
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Telephone: |
(212) 605-1414 |
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Facsimile: |
(212) 885-4165 |
3. |
Effectiveness. The effectiveness of this Confirmation and the Transaction shall be subject to the following conditions: |
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(b) |
each of Party B and the Partnership shall have performed all of the obligations required to be performed by it under the Underwriting Agreement on or prior to the Effective Date; |
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(c) |
all of the conditions set forth in Section 7 of the Underwriting Agreement shall have been satisfied; |
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(d) |
the Closing Date (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement) shall have occurred as provided in the Underwriting Agreement; |
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(e) |
all of the representations and warranties of Party B hereunder and under the Agreement shall be true and correct on the Effective Date as if made as of the Effective Date; |
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(f) |
Party B shall have performed all of the obligations required to be performed by it hereunder and under the Agreement on or prior to the Effective Date, including without limitation its obligations under Section 6 hereof; and |
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(g) |
Party B shall have delivered to Party A an opinion of counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Party A, with respect to the matters set forth in Section 3(a) of the Agreement and that the maximum number of Shares initially issuable hereunder have been duly authorized and, upon issuance pursuant to the terms of the Transaction, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Confirmation, if (x) on or prior to 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date the Closing Date is scheduled to occur, in connection with
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establishing its commercially reasonable hedge position Party A, in its sole judgment, is unable, after using commercially reasonable efforts, to borrow and deliver for sale the Full Number of Shares or (y) in Party A’s sole judgment, it would incur a stock loan cost of more than the Maximum Stock Loan Rate with respect to all or any portion of the Full Number of Shares (in each case, an “Initial Hedging Disruption”), the effectiveness of this Confirmation and the Transaction shall be limited to the number of Shares Party A is so able to borrow in connection with establishing its commercially reasonable hedge position at a cost of not more than the Maximum Stock Loan Rate (such number of Shares, the “Reduced Number of Shares”), which, for the avoidance of doubt, may be zero.
4. |
Additional Mutual Representations and Warranties. In addition to the representations and warranties in the Agreement, each party represents and warrants to the other party that it is an “eligible contract participant”, as defined in the U.S. Commodity Exchange Act (as amended), and an “accredited investor” as defined in Section 2(a)(15)(ii) of the Securities Act of 1933 (as amended) (the “Securities Act”), and is entering into the Transaction hereunder as principal and not for the benefit of any third party. |
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(a) |
without limiting the generality of Section 13.1 of the Equity Definitions, it acknowledges that Party A is not making any representations or warranties with respect to the treatment of the Transaction, including without limitation ASC Topic 260, Earnings Per Share, ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, ASC Topic 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, ASC 815-40, Derivatives and Hedging – Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (or any successor issue statements) or under the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Liabilities & Equity Project; |
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(b) |
it shall not take any action to reduce or decrease the number of authorized and unissued Shares below the sum of (i) the Number of Shares plus (ii) the total number of Shares issuable upon settlement (whether by net share settlement or otherwise) of any other transaction or agreement to which it is a party; |
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(c) |
it will not repurchase any Shares if, immediately following such repurchase, the Number of Shares would be equal to or greater than 9.0% of the number of then-outstanding Shares and it will notify Party A immediately upon the announcement or consummation of any repurchase of Shares in an amount that, taken together with the amount of all repurchases since the date of the last such notice (or, if no such notice has been given, since the Trade Date), exceeds 0.5% of the number of then-outstanding Shares; |
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(d) |
it is not entering into this Confirmation to create actual or apparent trading activity in the Shares (or any security convertible into or exchangeable for Shares), or to raise or depress or otherwise manipulate the price of the Shares (or any security convertible into or exchangeable for Shares) for the purpose of inducing the purchase or sale of the Shares (or any security convertible into or exchangeable for Shares) by others; |
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it is not aware of any material non-public information regarding itself or the Shares; it is entering into this Confirmation and will provide any Settlement Notice in good faith and not as part of a plan or scheme to evade compliance with Rule 10b-5 or any other provision of the federal securities laws; it has not entered into or altered any hedging transaction relating to the Shares corresponding to or offsetting the Transaction; and it has consulted with its own advisors as to the legal aspects of its adoption and implementation of this Confirmation under Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act (“Rule 10b5-1”); |
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to its knowledge, no state or local (including non-U.S. jurisdictions) law, rule, regulation or regulatory order applicable to the Shares would give rise to any reporting, consent, registration or other requirement (including without limitation a requirement to obtain prior approval from any person or entity) as a result of Party A or its affiliates owning or holding (however defined) Shares; |
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provided that Party B makes no such representation or warranty regarding any such requirement that is applicable generally to the ownership of equity securities by Party A; |
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(g) |
as of the Trade Date and as of the date of any payment or delivery by Party B or Party A hereunder, it is not and will not be “insolvent” (as such term is defined under Section 101(32) of the Bankruptcy Code); |
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(h) |
it is not, and after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby will not be, required to register as an “investment company” as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; |
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(j) |
ownership positions held by Party A or any of its affiliates solely in its capacity as a nominee or fiduciary do not constitute “ownership” by Party A, and Party A shall not be deemed or treated as the “owner” of such positions for purposes of the Issuer’s Articles of Incorporation; |
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(k) |
it has not applied for or received a loan, loan guarantee, direct loan (as that term is defined in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”)) or other investment, or any financial assistance or relief under any program or facility (collectively, “Financial Assistance”) that (a) is established under applicable law, including without limitation the CARES Act and the Federal Reserve Act, as amended, and (b) (i) would preclude or limit, as a condition to such Financial Assistance or otherwise, Party B’s ability to enter into, exercise its rights or perform its obligations under any Transaction (including in connection with any Cash Settlement or Net Share Settlement) or (ii) for which the terms of any Transaction would cause Party B to fail to satisfy any condition for application for or receipt or retention of the Financial Assistance and it acknowledges that entering into a Transaction may limit its ability to receive any such Financial Assistance; |
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(l) |
as of July 30, 2021, Party B represents and warrants to Party A that the number of Shares that would result in an Excess Charter Ownership Position is 5,960,471; and |
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(a) |
Party B acknowledges and agrees that any Shares delivered by Party B to Party A on any Settlement Date or Net Share Settlement Date will be (i) newly issued, (ii) approved for listing or quotation on the Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance, and (iii) registered under the Exchange Act, and, when delivered by Party A (or an affiliate of Party A) to securities lenders from whom Party A (or an affiliate of Party A) borrowed Shares in connection with hedging its exposure to the Transaction, will be freely saleable without further registration or other restrictions under the Securities Act in the hands of those securities lenders, irrespective of whether any such stock loan is effected by Party A or an affiliate of Party A. Accordingly, Party B agrees that any Shares so delivered will not bear a restrictive legend and will be deposited in, and the delivery thereof shall be effected through the facilities of, the Clearance System. In addition, Party B represents and agrees that any such Shares shall be, upon such delivery, duly and validly authorized, issued and outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable, free of any lien, charge, claim or other encumbrance. |
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(b) |
Party B agrees that Party B shall not enter into or alter any hedging transaction relating to the Shares corresponding to or offsetting the Transaction. Without limiting the generality of the provisions set |
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forth opposite the caption “Unwind Activities” in Section 2 of this Confirmation, Party B acknowledges that it has no right to, and agrees that it will not seek to, control or influence Party A’s decision to make any “purchases or sales” (within the meaning of Rule 10b5-1(c)(1)(i)(B)(3)) under or in connection with the Transaction, including, without limitation, Party A’s decision to enter into any hedging transactions. |
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(c) |
Party B acknowledges and agrees that any amendment, modification, waiver or termination of this Confirmation must be effected in accordance with the requirements for the amendment or termination of a “plan” as defined in Rule 10b5-1(c). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any such amendment, modification, waiver or termination shall be made in good faith and not as part of a plan or scheme to evade the prohibitions of Rule 10b-5, and no such amendment, modification or waiver shall be made at any time at which Party B or any officer, director, manager or similar person of Party B is aware of any material non-public information regarding Party B or the Shares. |
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(d) |
Party B shall promptly provide notice thereof to Party A (i) upon the occurrence of any event that would constitute an Event of Default or a Termination Event in respect of which Party B is a Defaulting Party or an Affected Party, as the case may be, and (ii) upon announcement of any event that, if consummated, would constitute an Extraordinary Event or Potential Adjustment Event. |
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(e) |
Neither Party B nor any of its “affiliated purchasers” (as defined by Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act (“Rule 10b-18”)) shall take any action that would cause any purchases of Shares by Party A or any of its Affiliates in connection with any Cash Settlement or Net Share Settlement not to meet the requirements of the safe harbor provided by Rule 10b-18 if such purchases were made by Party B. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, during any Unwind Period, except with the prior written consent of Party A, Party B will not, and will cause its affiliated purchasers (as defined in Rule 10b-18) not to, directly or indirectly (including, without limitation, by means of a derivative instrument) purchase, offer to purchase, place any bid or limit order that would effect a purchase of, or announce or commence any tender offer relating to, any Shares (or equivalent interest, including a unit of beneficial interest in a trust or limited partnership or a depository share) or any security convertible into or exchangeable for the Shares. |
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(f) |
Party B will not be subject to any “restricted period” (as such term is defined in Regulation M promulgated under the Exchange Act (“Regulation M”)) in respect of Shares or any security with respect to which the Shares are a “reference security” (as such term is defined in Regulation M) during any Unwind Period. |
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an election by Party B of Physical Settlement, unless such Merger Transaction or the announcement thereof is also an ISDA Event. |
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Termination on Bankruptcy. The parties hereto agree that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Agreement or the Equity Definitions, the Transaction constitutes a contract to issue a security of Party B as contemplated by Section 365(c)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code and that the Transaction and the obligations and rights of Party B and Party A (except for any liability as a result of breach of any of the representations or warranties provided by Party B in Section 4 or Section 5 above) shall immediately terminate, without the necessity of any notice, payment (whether directly, by netting or otherwise) or other action by Party B or Party A, if, on or prior to the final Settlement Date, Cash Settlement Payment Date or Net Share Settlement Date, an Insolvency Filing occurs or any other proceeding commences with respect to Party B under the Bankruptcy Code (a “Bankruptcy Termination Event”). |
8. |
Additional Provisions. |
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(a) |
Party A acknowledges and agrees that Party B’s obligations under the Transaction are not secured by any collateral and that this Confirmation is not intended to convey to Party A rights with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby that are senior to the claims of common stockholders in any U.S. bankruptcy proceedings of Party B; provided that nothing herein shall limit or shall be deemed to limit Party A’s right to pursue remedies in the event of a breach by Party B of its obligations and agreements with respect to this Confirmation or the Agreement; provided further that nothing herein shall limit or shall be deemed to limit Party A’s rights in respect of any transaction other than the Transaction. |
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(b) |
[Reserved] |
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(c) |
The parties hereto intend for: |
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(i) |
the Transaction to be a “securities contract” as defined in Section 741(7) of the Bankruptcy Code, and the parties hereto to be entitled to the protections afforded by, among other Sections, Sections 362(b)(6), 362(b)(27), 362(o), 546(e), 546(j), 555 and 561 of the Bankruptcy Code; |
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(ii) |
the rights given to Party A pursuant to “Early Valuation” in Section 2 above to constitute “contractual rights” to cause the liquidation of a “securities contract” and to set off mutual debts and claims in connection with a “securities contract”, as such terms are used in Sections 555 and 362(b)(6) of the Bankruptcy Code; |
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(iii) |
any cash, securities or other property provided as performance assurance, credit support or collateral with respect to the Transaction to constitute “margin payments” and “transfers” under a “securities contract” as defined in the Bankruptcy Code; |
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(d) |
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Agreement or this Confirmation, in no event will Party B be required to deliver in the aggregate in respect of all Settlement Dates, Net Share Settlement Dates or other dates on which Shares are delivered in respect of any amount owed under this Agreement a number of Shares greater than 6,300,000 (the “Capped Number”). The Capped Number shall be subject to adjustment only on account of (x) Potential Adjustment Events of the type specified in (1) Sections 11.2(e)(i) through (vi) of the Equity Definitions or (2) Section 11.2(e)(vii) of the Equity Definitions so long as, in the case of this sub-clause (2), such event is |
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within Issuer’s control, (y) Merger Events requiring corporate action of Issuer (or any surviving entity of the Issuer hereunder in connection with any such Merger Event) and (z) Announcement Events that are not outside Issuer’s control. Party B represents and warrants to Party A (which representation and warranty shall be deemed to be repeated on each day that the Transaction is outstanding) that the Capped Number is equal to or less than the number of authorized but unissued Shares that are not reserved for future issuance in connection with transactions in the Shares (other than the Transaction) on the date of the determination of the Capped Number (such Shares, the “Available Shares”). In the event Party B shall not have delivered the full number of Shares otherwise deliverable as a result of this Section 8(d) (the resulting deficit, the “Deficit Shares”), Party B shall be continually obligated to deliver Shares, from time to time until the full number of Deficit Shares have been delivered pursuant to this paragraph, when, and to the extent that, (A) Shares are repurchased, acquired or otherwise received by Party B or any of its subsidiaries after the Trade Date (whether or not in exchange for cash, fair value or any other consideration), (B) authorized and unissued Shares reserved for issuance in respect of other transactions prior to such date which prior to the relevant date become no longer so reserved and (C) Party B additionally authorizes any unissued Shares that are not reserved for other transactions (such events as set forth in clauses (A), (B) and (C) above, collectively, the “Share Issuance Events”). Party B shall promptly notify Party A of the occurrence of any of the Share Issuance Events (including the number of Shares subject to clause (A), (B) or (C) and the corresponding number of Shares to be delivered) and, as promptly as reasonably practicable, deliver such Shares thereafter. Party B shall not, until Party B’s obligations under the Transaction have been satisfied in full, use any Shares that become available for potential delivery to Party A as a result of any Share Issuance Event for the settlement or satisfaction of any transaction or obligation other than the Transaction or reserve any such Shares for future issuance for any purpose other than to satisfy Party B’s obligations to Party A under the Transaction. |
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(e) |
The parties intend for this Confirmation to constitute a “Contract” as described in the letter dated October 6, 2003 submitted on behalf of Goldman, Sachs & Co. to Paula Dubberly of the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Staff”) to which the Staff responded in an interpretive letter dated October 9, 2003. |
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(f) |
The parties intend for this Transaction (taking into account purchases of Shares in connection with any Cash Settlement or Net Share Settlement) to comply with the requirements of Rule 10b5-1(c)(1)(i)(A) under the Exchange Act and for this Confirmation to constitute a binding contract or instruction satisfying the requirements of 10b5-1(c) and to be interpreted to comply with the requirements of Rule 10b5-1(c). |
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(g) |
[Reserved] |
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(h) |
Party B acknowledges that: |
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(i) |
during the term of the Transaction, Party A and its affiliates may buy or sell Shares or other securities or buy or sell options or futures contracts or enter into swaps or other derivative securities in order to establish, adjust or unwind its hedge position with respect to the Transaction; |
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(ii) |
Party A and its affiliates may also be active in the market for the Shares and derivatives linked to the Shares other than in connection with hedging activities in relation to the Transaction, including acting as agent or as principal and for its own account or on behalf of customers; |
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(iv) |
any market activities of Party A and its affiliates with respect to the Shares may affect the market price and volatility of the Shares, as well as the Forward Price and the Settlement Price, each in a manner that may be adverse to Party B; and |
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(v) |
the Transaction is a derivatives transaction; Party A may purchase or sell shares for its own account at an average price that may be greater than, or less than, the price received by Party B under the terms of the Transaction. |
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permitted under Applicable Laws and (B) the number of Shares that would give rise to reporting or registration obligations or other requirements (including obtaining prior approval by a state or federal regulator) of a Party A Person under Applicable Laws and with respect to which such requirements have not been met or the relevant approval has not been received or that would give rise to any consequences under the constitutive documents of Party B) or any contract or agreement to which Party B is a party, in each case minus (y) 1% of the number of Shares outstanding on the date of determination(such condition described in clause (iii), an “Excess Regulatory Ownership Position”). If any delivery owed to Party A hereunder is not made, in whole or in part, as a result of this provision, (i) Party B’s obligation to make such delivery shall not be extinguished and Party B shall make such delivery as promptly as practicable after, but in no event later than one Exchange Business Day after, Party A gives notice to Party B that such delivery would not result in (x) any Party A Person directly or indirectly so beneficially owning in excess of 4.5% of the outstanding Shares or (y) the occurrence of an Excess Charter Ownership Position or Excess Regulatory Ownership Position and (ii) if such delivery relates to a Physical Settlement, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Party A shall not be obligated to satisfy the portion of its payment obligation corresponding to any Shares required to be so delivered until the date Party B makes such delivery. Upon request of Party A, Party B shall promptly confirm to Party A the number of Shares then outstanding and Party A shall then promptly advise Party B with respect to any limitations under this Section 10 applicable to any anticipated delivery of Shares hereunder; provided, however, that neither a failure by Party B to notify Party A of the number of Shares then outstanding nor a failure of Party A to advise Party B with respect to any applicable limitations shall be deemed a default hereunder and notwithstanding such failure the remainder of this Section 10 shall continue to apply. For the avoidance of doubt, any delivery of Shares made by Party B to Party A that Party A was not entitled to receive under the terms of this Section 10 shall not be deemed to satisfy any of the delivery obligations of Party B hereunder and Party A shall promptly return such Shares to Party B, pending which Party A shall be deemed to hold any such Shares solely as custodian for the benefit of Party B. |
11. |
Non-Confidentiality. The parties hereby agree that (i) effective from the date of commencement of discussions concerning the Transaction, Party B and each of its employees, representatives, or other agents may disclose to any and all persons, without limitation of any kind, the tax treatment and tax structure of the Transaction and all materials of any kind, including opinions or other tax analyses, provided by Party A and its affiliates to Party B relating to such tax treatment and tax structure; provided that the foregoing does not constitute an authorization to disclose the identity of Party A or its affiliates, agents or advisers, or, except to the extent relating to such tax structure or tax treatment, any specific pricing terms or commercial or financial information, and (ii) Party A does not assert any claim of proprietary ownership in respect of any description contained herein or therein relating to the use of any entities, plans or arrangements to give rise to a particular United States federal income tax treatment for Party B. |
12. |
Restricted Shares. If Party B is unable to comply with the covenant of Party B contained in Section 6 above or Party A otherwise determines in its reasonable opinion that any Shares to be delivered to Party A by Party B may not be freely returned by Party A to securities lenders as described in the covenant of Party B contained in Section 6 above, then delivery of any such Settlement Shares (the “Unregistered Settlement Shares”) shall be effected pursuant to Annex A hereto, unless waived by Party A |
13. |
Use of Shares. Party A acknowledges and agrees that, except in the case of a Private Placement Settlement, Party A shall use any Shares delivered by Party B to Party A on any Settlement Date to return to securities lenders to close out borrowings created by Party A in connection with its hedging activities related to exposure under this Transaction or otherwise in compliance with applicable law. |
14. |
Rule 10b-18. In connection with bids and purchases of Shares in connection with any Net Share Settlement or Cash Settlement of the Transaction, Party A shall use commercially reasonable efforts to conduct its activities, or cause its affiliates to conduct their activities, in a manner consistent with the requirements of the safe harbor provided by Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act, as if such provisions were applicable to such purchases and taking into account any applicable Securities and Exchange Commission no-action letters as appropriate, and subject to any delays between the execution and reporting of a trade of the Shares on the Exchange and other circumstances beyond Party A’s control. |
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17. |
Staggered Settlement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Party A may, by prior notice to Party B, satisfy its obligation to deliver any Shares or other securities on any date due (an “Original Delivery Date”) by making separate deliveries of Shares or such securities, as the case may be, at more than one time on or prior to such Original Delivery Date, so long as the aggregate number of Shares and other securities so delivered on or prior to such Original Delivery Date is equal to the number required to be delivered on such Original Delivery Date. |
18. |
Waiver of Right to Trial by Jury. EACH OF PARTY A AND PARTY B HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES (ON SUCH PARTY’S OWN BEHALF AND, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ON BEHALF OF SUCH PARTY’S STOCKHOLDERS) ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS CONFIRMATION OR THE ACTIONS OF PARTY A, PARTY B OR THEIR AFFILIATES IN THE NEGOTIATION, PERFORMANCE OR ENFORCEMENT HEREOF. |
19. |
Jurisdiction. THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY SUBMIT TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND THE UNITED STATES COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK IN CONNECTION WITH ALL MATTERS RELATING HERETO AND WAIVE ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE IN, AND ANY CLAIM OF INCONVENIENT FORUM WITH RESPECT TO, THESE COURTS. |
20. |
Counterparts. This Confirmation may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument, and any party hereto may execute this Confirmation by signing and delivering one or more counterparts. Counterparts may be delivered via electronic mail (including any electronic signature covered by the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, the Electronic Signatures and Records Act or other applicable law, e.g., www.docusign.com) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes. |
21. |
Delivery of Cash. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Confirmation shall be interpreted as requiring Party B to deliver cash or other assets in respect of the settlement of the Transaction, except in circumstances where the required cash or other asset settlement thereof is permitted for classification of the contract as equity by ASC 815-40, Derivatives and Hedging – Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity, as in effect on the Trade Date. |
22. |
Adjustments. For the avoidance of doubt, whenever the Calculation Agent, the Hedging Party or the Determining Party is called upon to make an adjustment pursuant to the terms of this Confirmation or the Equity Definitions to take into account the effect of an event, the Calculation Agent, the Hedging Party or the Determining Party, as applicable, shall make such adjustment by reference to the effect of such event on the Hedging Party, assuming that the Hedging Party maintains a commercially reasonable hedge position at the time of the event. |
23. |
Ownership Limit. Party B represents and undertakes to Party A that Party A, solely in its capacity as Forward Counterparty or Forward Seller (each as defined in the Underwriting Agreement) and solely with respect to its entering into and consummating the transactions contemplated by this Confirmation and the Underwriting Agreement, will not, either individually or collectively with any other Forward Purchasers or Forward Sellers, |
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be subject to the ownership limitations set forth in clauses (1) and (2) of Section 6.2.1(a)(i) of Party B’s Amended and Restated Articles of Amendment and Restatement. |
24. |
Matters Relating to Agent. Each of Party A and Party B acknowledges to and agrees with the other party hereto and to and with the Agent that (i) the Agent is acting as agent for Party A under the Transaction pursuant to instructions from such party, (ii) the Agent is not a principal or party to the Transaction, and may transfer its rights and obligations with respect to the Transactions, (iii) the Agent shall have no responsibility, obligation or liability, by way of issuance, guaranty, endorsement or otherwise in any manner with respect to the performance of either party under the Transaction (including arising from any failure by Party A or Party B to pay or perform any obligation under the Transaction), (iv) Party A and the Agent have not given, and Party B is not relying (for purposes of making any investment decision or otherwise) upon, any statements, opinions or representations (whether written or oral) of Party A or the Agent, other than the representations expressly set forth in this Confirmation or the Agreement and (v) each party agrees to proceed solely against the other party, and not the Agent, to collect or recover any money or securities owed to it in connection with the Transaction. Each party hereto acknowledges and agrees that the Agent is an intended third party beneficiary hereunder. Party B acknowledges that the Agent is an affiliate of Party A. Party A will be acting for its own account in respect of this Confirmation and the Transactions contemplated hereunder. |
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(a) |
For the purpose of Section 3(f) of the Agreement: |
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(i) |
Party A makes the following representation: |
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A. |
It is a “foreign person” (as that term is used in section 1.6041-4(a)(4) of the United States Treasury Regulations) for U.S. federal income tax purposes and each payment received or to be received by it in connection with this Confirmation is effectively connected with its conduct of a trade or business in the United States. |
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(ii) |
Party B makes the following representations: |
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A. |
It is a “U.S. person” (as that term is used in Treasury Regulation section 1.1441-4(a)(3)(ii)) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. |
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B. |
It is a real estate investment trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes and is organized under the laws of the State of Maryland, and is an exempt recipient under Treasury Regulation section 1.6049-4(c)(1)(ii)(J). |
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(b) |
Withholding Tax imposed on payments to non-US counterparties under the United States Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act. “Indemnifiable Tax”, as defined in Section 14 of the Agreement, shall not include any U.S. federal withholding tax imposed or collected pursuant to Sections 1471 through 1474 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreement entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b) of the Code, or any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement entered into in connection with the implementation of such Sections of the Code (a “FATCA Withholding Tax”). For the avoidance of doubt, a FATCA Withholding Tax is a Tax the deduction or withholding of which is required by applicable law for the purposes of Section 2(d) of the Agreement. |
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(c) |
871(m) Protocol. The parties agree that the definitions and provisions contained in the ISDA 2015 Section 871(m) Protocol, as published by ISDA and as may be amended, supplemented, replaced or superseded from time to time shall be incorporated into and apply to the Agreement solely for purposes of this Confirmation as if set forth in full herein. |
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(d) |
Tax documentation. For the purposes of Sections 4(a)(i) and 4(a)(ii) of the Agreement, Party B shall provide to Party A valid and duly executed U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-9, or any |
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successor thereto, and Party A shall provide to Party B a properly completed Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI “Certificate of Foreign Person’s Claim That Income Is Effectively Connected With the Conduct of a Trade or Business in the United States” (or successor thereto) (i) on or before the date of execution of this Confirmation; (ii) promptly upon reasonable demand by Party A; and (iii) promptly upon learning that any such tax form previously provided has become invalid, obsolete, or incorrect. Additionally, Party B or Party A shall, promptly upon reasonable request by the other party, provide such other tax forms and documents reasonably requested by such other party. |
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(e) |
Change of Account. Section 2(b) of the Agreement is hereby amended by the addition of the following after the word “delivery” in the first line thereof: “to another account in the same legal and tax jurisdiction”. |
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Party B hereby agrees (a) to check this Confirmation carefully and immediately upon receipt so that errors or discrepancies can be promptly identified and rectified and (b) to confirm that the foregoing (in the exact form provided by Party A) correctly sets forth the terms of the agreement between Party A and Party B with respect to the Transaction, by signing this Confirmation or this page hereof as evidence of agreement to such terms and providing the other information requested herein and immediately returning an executed copy to us.
Yours faithfully,
BANK OF MONTREAL |
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By: |
/s/ Sue Henderson |
Name: |
Sue Henderson |
Title: |
Director, Derivatives Operations |
BMO CAPITAL MARKETS CORP., as agent for BANK OF MONTREAL |
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By: |
/s/ Matthew Coley |
Name: |
Matthew Coley |
Title: |
Manager, Derivatives Operations |
[Signature Page to Forward Confirmation]
Agreed and accepted by:
EASTERLY GOVERNMENT PROPERTIES, INC.
By: |
/s/ Meghan G. Baivier |
Name: |
Meghan G. Baivier |
Title: |
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer |
[Signature Page to Forward Confirmation]
ANNEX A
If Party B delivers Unregistered Settlement Shares pursuant to Section 12 above (a “Private Placement Settlement”), then:
(a)all Unregistered Settlement Shares shall be delivered to Party A (or any affiliate of Party A designated by Party A) pursuant to the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act provided by Section 4(a)(2) thereof;
(b)as of or prior to the date of delivery, Party A and any potential purchaser of any such shares from Party A (or any affiliate of Party A designated by Party A) identified by Party A shall be afforded a commercially reasonable opportunity to conduct a due diligence investigation with respect to Party B customary in scope for private placements of equity securities of similar size (including, without limitation, the right to have made available to them for inspection all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and other information reasonably requested by them);
(c)as of the date of delivery, Party B shall enter into an agreement (a “Private Placement Agreement”) with Party A (or any affiliate of Party A designated by Party A) in connection with the private placement of such shares by Party B to Party A (or any such affiliate) and the private resale of such shares by Party A (or any such affiliate), substantially similar to private placement purchase agreements customary for private placements of equity securities of similar size, in form and substance commercially reasonably satisfactory to Party A, which Private Placement Agreement shall include, without limitation, provisions substantially similar to those contained in such private placement purchase agreements relating, without limitation, to the indemnification of, and contribution in connection with the liability of, Party A and its affiliates and obligations to use best efforts to obtain customary opinions, accountants’ comfort letters and lawyers’ negative assurance letters, and shall provide for the payment by Party B of all commercially reasonable fees and expenses in connection with such resale, including all commercially reasonable fees and expenses of counsel for Party A, and shall contain representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of Party B reasonably necessary or advisable to establish and maintain the availability of an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act for such resales; and
(d)in connection with the private placement of such shares by Party B to Party A (or any such affiliate) and the private resale of such shares by Party A (or any such affiliate), Party B shall, if so requested by Party A, prepare, in cooperation with Party A, a private placement memorandum in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Party A.
In the case of a Private Placement Settlement, Party A shall, in its good faith discretion, adjust the amount of Unregistered Settlement Shares to be delivered to Party A hereunder in a commercially reasonable manner to reflect the fact that such Unregistered Settlement Shares may not be freely returned to securities lenders by Party A and may only be saleable by Party A at a discount to reflect the lack of liquidity in Unregistered Settlement Shares.
If Party B delivers any Unregistered Settlement Shares in respect of the Transaction, Party B agrees that (i) such Shares may be transferred by and among Party A and its affiliates and (ii) after the minimum “holding period” within the meaning of Rule 144(d) under the Securities Act has elapsed after the applicable Settlement Date (or earlier, if applicable), Party B shall promptly remove, or cause the transfer agent for the Shares to remove, any legends referring to any transfer restrictions from such Shares upon delivery by Party A (or such affiliate of Party A) to Party B or such transfer agent of seller’s and broker’s representation letters customarily delivered by Party A or its affiliates in connection with resales of restricted securities pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, each without any further requirement for the delivery of any certificate, consent, agreement, opinion of counsel, notice or any other document, any transfer tax stamps or payment of any other amount or any other action by Party A (or such affiliate of Party A).
ANNEX B
FORWARD PRICE REDUCTION AMOUNTS
REGULAR DIVIDEND AMOUNTS