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UNITED STATES FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 8, 2009 (April 7, 2009) Centex Corporation 2728 N. Harwood Street (214) 981-5000 Not Applicable Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions: ¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) ý Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a -12) ¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d -2(b)) ¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e -4(c)) Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. (e) Plan Regarding Severance After a Change in Control On April 7, 2009, the Board of Directors of Centex Corporation (the Company) approved a Plan Regarding Severance After a Change in Control (the CIC Severance Plan), which will supersede the Company's Executive Severance Policy (the Severance Policy) upon a change in control of the Company. The Severance Policy, which will continue to govern benefits for participants whose employment is terminated prior to a change in control, was adopted in June 2006 and is described in the Company's current reports on Forms 8-K dated June 8, 2006, October 16, 2007 and October 14, 2008. The CIC Severance Plan generally provides substantially similar benefits to those provided under the Severance Policy, except that the CIC Severance Plan is designed to provide greater assurance to participants that they will receive benefits under the plan. Accordingly, unlike the Severance Policy, the CIC Severance Plan provides, among other things, that (1) severance benefits under the plan are not discretionary, (2) the plan cannot be amended for two years following a change in control, and (3) if there is a termination of employment within two years after a change in control, the Company will generally not reduce severance benefits by the value of previous equity and other compensatory awards that were accelerated in the change in control. The foregoing description of the CIC Severance Plan does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the CIC Severance Plan, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 hereto, and is incorporated herein by reference. Item 8.01. Other Events. On April 8, 2009, the Company issued a joint press release with Pulte Homes, Inc. (Pulte) announcing the execution of an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 7, 2009, by and among the Company, Pulte, and Pi Nevada Building Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pulte. A copy of the joint press release is filed herewith as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference. Additional Information -2- at www.centex.com under the heading Investors and then under the link SEC Filings and from the Company by directing a request to Centex Corporation, 2728 N. Harwood Street, Dallas, Texas, Attention: Investor Relations. Pulte and the Company and their respective directors and executive officers and certain other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed transaction. You can find information about Pultes directors and executive officers in its definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on April 7, 2009. You can find information about the Companys directors and executive officers in its definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on June 6, 2008. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available. You can obtain free copies of these documents from Pulte and the Company using the contact information above.
FONT> Item 9.01. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits (d) Exhibits. The following exhibits are filed as part of this report: SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. Dated: April 8, 2009 Exhibit 10.1 CENTEX CORPORATION Introduction The Board of Directors of Centex Corporation (the Company) recognizes that the possibility of a Change in Control of the Company, and the uncertainty it creates, may result in the loss or distraction of employees of the Company to the detriment of the Company and its stockholders. The Board considers the avoidance of such loss and distraction to be essential to protecting and enhancing the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. The Board also believes that when a Change in Control is perceived as imminent, or is occurring, the Board should be able to receive and rely on disinterested service from employees regarding the best interests of the Company and its stockholders without concern that employees might be distracted or concerned by the personal uncertainties and risks created by the perception of an imminent or occurring Change in Control. In addition, the Board believes that it is consistent with the Companys employment practices and policies and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders to treat fairly its employees whose employment terminates on or following a Change in Control. Accordingly, the Board has determined that appropriate steps should be taken to assure the Company of the continued employment and attention and dedication to duty of its employees and to seek to ensure the availability of their continued service, notwithstanding the possibility or occurrence of a Change in Control. Therefore, in order to fulfill the above purposes, the following plan has been developed and is hereby adopted. 1. Establishment of Plan. As of the Effective Date, the Company hereby establishes the Centex Corporation Plan Regarding Severance After a Change in Control as set forth in this document. Upon a Change in Control, only with respect to each Executive, (a) this Plan shall replace the Centex Corporation Executive Severance Policy (the ESP) and (b) the ESP shall be terminated pursuant to Section 14 thereof; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided herein, the obligations of the Company to any individual whose employment by the Company is terminated prior to a Change in Control s
hall be governed by the terms of the ESP. 2. Definitions. As used herein, the following words and phrases shall have the following respective meanings: (a) Affiliated Company. Any company controlled by, controlling or under common control with the Company. (b) Base Salary. The annual base rate of compensation payable to an Executive by the Company (excluding bonuses and other benefits), before deductions or voluntary deferrals authorized by the Executive or required by law to be withheld from the Executive by the Company. (c) Board. The Board of Directors of the Company. (d) Bonus Amount. The product of an Executives Required Base Salary and the Executives target percentage under the Companys applicable bonus plan or any comparable percentage under any predecessor or successor Company plan for the fiscal year in which the Change in Control occurs (or, if such percentage has not been established, the Executives target percentage under the Companys applicable bonus plan or any comparable percentage under any predecessor or successor Company plan for the fiscal year immediately prior to the year in which the Change in Control occurs), as determined immediately prior to the Change in Control. (e) Cause. Cause means: (i) the willful and continued failure of the Executive to perform substantially the Executives duties with the Company or any Affiliated Company (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness or following the Executives delivery of a Notice of Termination for Good Reason), after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to the Executive that specifically identifies the manner in which the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the Company believes that the Executive has not substantially performed the Executives duties, (ii) the willful engaging by the Executive in illegal conduct or gross misconduct that is ma
terially and demonstrably injurious to the Company or (iii) the willful performance by the Executive, while employed by the Company, of services for a company or person which competes with the Company, resulting in harm to the Company. (f) Change in Control. A Change in Control means the first to occur of any of the following: (i) The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)) (a Person) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 30% or more of either (A) the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the Outstanding Company Common Stock) or (B) the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the Outstanding Company Voting Securities); provided, however
, that, for purposes of this Section 2(f), the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in Control: (i) any acquisition of Outstanding Company Common Stock or Outstanding Company Voting Securities directly from the Company, (ii) any acquisition of Outstanding Company Common Stock or Outstanding Company Voting Securities by the Company, (iii) any acquisition of Outstanding Company Common Stock or Outstanding Company Voting Securities by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any Affiliated Company or (iv) any acquisition of Outstanding Company Common Stock or Outstanding Company Voting Securities by any corporation pursuant to a transaction that complies with Sections 2(f)(iii)(A), 2(f)(iii)(B) and 2(f)(iii)(C); 2 (ii) Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (the Incumbent Board) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the Companys shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assump
tion of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board; (iii) Consummation of a reorganization, merger, statutory share exchange or consolidation or similar corporate transaction involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries, a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity by the Company or any of its subsidiaries (each, a Business Combination), in each case unless, following such Business Combination, (A) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities that were the beneficial owners of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and the Outstanding Company Voting Securities (the Existing Shareholders) immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 60% of the then-outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting se
curities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation that, as a result of such transaction, owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Companys assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership immediately prior to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and the Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, (B) no Person (excluding any corporation resulting from such Business Combination or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting from such Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 30% or more of, respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities
of such corporation, except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination, and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement or of the action of the Board providing for such Business Combination (provided, that any Business Combination that constitutes a Change in Control solely by reason of subsection (iii)(A) of this Section 2(f) following which the Existing Shareholders beneficially own greater than 50% (but less than 60%) of the then-outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination shal
l be referred to hereinafter as a Merger of Equals Transaction); or (iv) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company. 3 (g) Code. The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time. (h) Committee. Subject to Section 13, the Compensation and Management Development Committee of the Board, or its duly authorized designee. (i) Company. Centex Corporation, and any successor thereto or, if applicable, the ultimate parent of any such successor. (j) Date of Termination. The date of receipt of a Notice of Termination from the Company or the Executive, as applicable, or any later date specified in the Notice of Termination, which date shall not be more than 30 days after the giving of such notice. The Company and the Executive shall take all steps necessary (including with regard to any post-termination services by the Executive) to ensure that any termination under this Plan constitutes a separation from service within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, and notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the date on which such separation from service takes place shall be the Date of Termination. For purposes of the P
lan, an Executive shall experience a separation from service on the date on which the facts and circumstances indicate that the Executive and the Company reasonably anticipate that the level of bona fide services the Executive will perform for the Company after such date (whether as an employee or as an independent contractor) will permanently decrease to no more than 33 1/3 percent of the average level of bona fide services performed by the Executive (whether as an employee or an independent contractor) over the immediately preceding 12-month period. (k) Disability. A termination for Disability shall have occurred if the Company determines in good faith that the Executive has been absent from his or her duties with the Company on a full-time basis for 180 consecutive business days as a result of incapacity due to mental or physical illness that is determined to be total and permanent by a physician selected by the Company or its insurers. (l) Effective Date. April 7, 2009. (m) Employee. Any regular, full-time employee or part-time employee (who is regularly scheduled to work at least twenty (20) hours per week) of the Company or any Affiliated Company. Part-time employees who are regularly scheduled to work less than twenty (20) hours per week and individuals who are classified by the Company as independent contractors shall not be Employees. (n) Executive. An Employee who is selected, in the sole discretion of the Committee or its duly authorized designee (including without limitation, but only with respect to Employees who are not Section 16 Employees and who participate in the ESP as of the Effective Date, the Chief Executive Officer and the Senior Vice President of Human Resources of the Company), to participate in this Plan and who is listed on Exhibit A as amended from time to time. (o) Good Reason. With respect to any Executive, the occurrence of any of the following events after a Change in Control, without the Executives prior 4 written consent: (i) a material diminution in the Executives position (including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities from the level in effect immediately prior to a Change in Control; (ii) a material diminution, following a Change in Control, in the authorities, duties or responsibilities of the position to which the Executive is required to report; (iii) a reduction of 10 percent or more in the Executives annual base salary or target bonus or aggregate other incentive compensation opportunities that are awarded on an annual basis (including, without limitation, equity or other long-term incentive opportunities, but excluding special retention awards) (Other Incentive Compensation Opportunities) or aggregate employee benefits, all as in effect immediately prior to a Change in Control (provided that with respect to each of Other Incenti
ve Compensation Opportunities and aggregate employee benefits, no reduction shall be deemed to have occurred if the Executive receives aggregate Other Incentive Compensation Opportunities or aggregate employee benefits, as applicable, substantially similar to those provided to similarly situated employees of the Company and its post-Change in Control Affiliated Companies, unless, in the case of Other Incentive Compensation Opportunities only, there is a reduction of 25 percent or more in the Executives Other Incentive Compensation Opportunities as in effect immediately prior to a Change in Control); (iv) the Companys requiring the Executive to be based at any office not within 50 miles of the office at which the Executive was based immediately prior to a Change in Control, or the Companys requiring the Executive to be based at a location other than the principal executive offices of the Company, if the Executive was employed at such location immediately prior to a Change in Control; (v) any
action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Company of the terms of this Plan; or (vi) failure of the Company to require any successor to the Company to comply with the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in order to invoke a termination for Good Reason, an Executive must provide written notice to the Senior Vice President of Human Resources of the Company of the existence of one or more of the conditions described in clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v) or (vi) within 90 days after having knowledge of such condition or conditions, and the Company shall have 30 days following receipt of such written notice (the Cure Period) during which it may remedy the condition. In the event that the Company fails to remedy any condition constituting Good Reason during the Cure Period, the Executive must terminate employment, if at all, within 90 days following the Cure Period in order to terminate employment for Good Reason. (p) Nonsolicitation Period. The period beginning on the date of the Executives Qualified Termination and ending on, as applicable: (i) for an Executive in Level A of Exhibit A attached hereto, the date that is two years following the date of such Qualified Termination; (ii) for an Executive in Level B of Exhibit A attached hereto, the date that is eighteen months following the date of such Qualified Termination; and (iii) for an Executive in Level C of Exhibit A attached hereto, the date that is one year following the date of such Qualified Termination. (q) Notice of Termination. A written notice that (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Plan relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executives employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) if the Date of Termination (as defined herein) is other than the date of receipt of such notice, 5 specifies the Date of Termination (which Date of Termination shall be not more than 30 days after the giving of such notice). The failure by the Executive or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance that contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of the Executive or the Company, respectively, hereunder or preclude the Executive or the Company, respectively, from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the Executives or the Companys respective rights hereunder. (r) Plan. This Centex Corporation Plan Regarding Severance After a Change in Control. (s) Qualified Termination. Any termination of an Executives employment, during the two-year period beginning on the date of a Change in Control (or, if such Change in Control is a Merger of Equals Transaction, only during the one-year period beginning on the date of such Change in Control), by the Company other than for Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason. For the avoidance of doubt, the termination of an Executives employment on account of the Executives death or Disability shall not constitute a Qualified Termination. (t) Required Base Salary. With respect to any Executive, the higher of (i) the Executives Base Salary as in effect immediately prior to a Change in Control and (ii) the Executives highest Base Salary in effect at any time thereafter. (u) Section 16 Employee. Any employee who is subject to Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. (v) Separation Agreement. An agreement between the Company and an Executive in substantially the form appended hereto as Appendix B. 3. Eligibility. An Employee is eligible for selection by the Committee to be an Executive for purposes of the Plan if the Employee (a) is not, at the effective time of the Change in Control, on a leave of absence as to which reemployment rights are not guaranteed by applicable law and (b) has been an Employee for at least one month prior to the Employees Date of Termination. 4. Benefits Payable Upon a Qualified Termination. (a) Severance Pay. In the event that an Executive suffers a Qualified Termination, the Company shall pay such Executive an amount (Severance Pay) equal to the applicable amount set forth below: (i) For an Executive in Level A of Exhibit A attached hereto, an amount equal to 2.0 times the sum of (A) the Executives Required Base Salary and (B) the Executives Bonus Amount; (ii) For an Executive in Level B of Exhibit A attached hereto, an amount equal to 1.5 times the sum of (A) the Executives Required Base Salary and (B) the Executives Bonus Amount; and 6 (iii) For an Executive in Level C of Exhibit A attached hereto, an amount equal to 1.0 times the sum of (A) the Executives Required Base Salary and (B) the Executives Bonus Amount. (b) Certain Reductions in Severance Pay. (i) In the event that an Executive suffers a Qualified Termination in a fiscal year in respect of which an annual bonus is paid to the Executive pursuant to Section 8 of the Centex Corporation 2003 Annual Incentive Compensation Plan or any successor thereto (the Bonus Payment), such Executives Severance Pay shall be reduced by an amount equal to the product of (A) the Bonus Payment and (B) a fraction, the numerator of which equals the number of days between the date on which such Qualified Termination occurs and the end of the fiscal year in respect of which such Qualified Termination occurs and the denominator of which equals 365. (ii) In no event shall an Executives Severance Pay exceed 2.99 times the sum of (A) the Executives base salary received (including for this purpose any amounts earned but deferred) in the fiscal year prior to the fiscal year in which a Change in Control occurs (the Pre-CIC Year), (B) any annual bonus awarded (including for this purpose any amounts earned but deferred) to the Executive in respect of the Pre-CIC Year (or, if no such bonus has yet been determined for such Pre-CIC Year, in respect of the fiscal year prior to the Pre-CIC Year) and (C) the value of other incentive compensation granted to the Executive during the Pre-CIC Year (it being understood that, for this purpose, (i) the value of any equity award granted to the Executive, including without limitation stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units, shal
l be equal to the grant-date value of such award, (ii) the value of any deferred cash award granted to the Executive shall be equal to the grant-date value of such award and (iii) the value of any long-term incentive award denominated in cash shall be equal to the amount payable pursuant to such award assuming that all performance goals are achieved at target levels); provided, however, that if the Executive is paid or granted a prorated amount in respect of the amounts described in subsection (A), (B) or (C) of this Section 4(b)(ii), the value of such prorated amount shall be annualized for purposes of this Section 4(b)(ii); and provided, further, that the limits set forth in this Section 4(b)(ii) shall not apply t
o an Executive who was not employed by the Company during the Pre-CIC Year. (iii) Certain Additional Reductions. (A) Anything in this Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event that the Accounting Firm shall determine that receipt of all Payments would subject an Executive to tax under Section 4999 of the Code, the Accounting Firm shall determine whether some amount of Plan Payments meets the definition of Reduced Amount. If the Accounting Firm determines that there is a Reduced Amount, then the aggregate Plan Payments shall be reduced to such Reduced Amount. (B) If the Accounting Firm determines that the aggregate Plan Payments should be reduced to the Reduced Amount, the Company shall 7 promptly give the applicable Executive notice to that effect and a copy of the detailed calculation thereof, and the Executive may then elect, in his or her sole discretion, which and how much of the Plan Payments shall be eliminated or reduced (as long as after such election the Present Value of the aggregate Plan Payments equals the Reduced Amount) (provided, that the Executive shall not be permitted to elect to reduce any Plan Payment that constitutes nonqualified deferred compensation for purposes of Section 409A of the Code), and shall advise the Company in writing of his or her election within ten days of his or her receipt of notice. If no such election is made by the Executive within such ten-day period, the Company shall reduce the Plan Paym
ents in the following order: (1) by reducing benefits payable pursuant to Section 4(d) of the Plan and then (2) by reducing amounts payable pursuant to Section 4(a) of the Plan. All determinations made by the Accounting Firm under this Section 4(b)(iii) shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive and shall be made within 60 days of the Executives Date of Termination. (C) As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that amounts will have been paid or distributed by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive pursuant to this Plan which should not have been so paid or distributed (each, an Overpayment) or that additional amounts which will have not been paid or distributed by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive pursuant to this Plan could have been so paid or distributed (each, an Underpayment), in each case, consistent with the calculation of the Reduced Amount hereunder. In the event that the Accounting Firm, based upon the assertion of a deficiency by the Internal Revenue Service against either the Company or the Executive which t
he Accounting Firm believes has a high probability of success determines that an Overpayment has been made, any such Overpayment paid or distributed by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive shall be repaid by the Executive to the Company together with interest at the applicable federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2) of the Code; provided, however, that no such repayment shall be required if and to the extent such deemed repayment would not either reduce the amount on which the Executive is subject to tax under Section 1 and Section 4999 of the Code or generate a refund of such taxes. In the event that the Accounting Firm, based upon controlling precedent or substantial authority, determines that an Underpayment
has occurred, any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive together with interest at the applicable federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2) of the Code. (D) All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm in implementing the provisions of this Section 4(b)(iii) shall be borne by the Company. (E) For purposes of this Section 4(b)(iii): (1) a Payment shall mean any payment or distribution in the nature of compensation to or for the benefit of the Executive, whether paid or payable pursuant to this Plan or otherwise; (2) Plan Payment shall mean a Payment paid or payable pursuant to this 8 Plan (disregarding this Section); (3) Net After-Tax Receipt shall mean the Present Value of a Payment net of all taxes imposed on the Executive with respect thereto under Sections 1 and 4999 of the Code and under applicable state and local laws, determined by applying the highest marginal rate under Section 1 of the Code and under state and local laws which applied to the Executives taxable income for the immediately preceding taxable year, or such other rate(s) as the Executive shall certify, in the Executives sole discretion, as likely to apply to the Executive in the relevant tax year(s); (4) Accounting Firm shall mean Deloitte & Touche LLP, or such nationally recognized certified public accounting firm other than the accounting firm serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting a Change in Control, as shall be designated by the Company p
rior to a Change in Control; (5) Present Value shall mean such value determined in accordance with Sections 280G(b)(2)(A)(ii) and 280G(d)(4) of Code; (6) Reduced Amount shall mean the amount of Plan Payments that (x) has a Present Value that is less than the Present Value of all Plan Payments and (y) results in aggregate Net After-Tax Receipts for all Payments that are greater than the Net After-Tax Receipts for all Payments that would result if the aggregate Present Value of Plan Payments were any other amount that is less than the Present Value of all Plan Payments; and (7) Code shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. (F) Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 4(b)(iii) shall not apply to any Executive who is party to an agreement with the Company providing for additional payments in the event that receipt of all Payments would subject the Executive to tax under Section 4999 of the Code. (c) Method of Payment. Any payment of Severance Pay shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum, less applicable tax and authorized withholdings (and subject to the Executives execution and non-revocation, within 52 days after the Date of Termination, of a Separation Agreement), within 60 days following the Date of Termination. (d) Outplacement Services. In the event that an Executive suffers a Qualified Termination, the Company shall, at its sole expense as incurred, provide the Executive with standard outplacement services from an established placement firm selected by the Company; provided, however, that, absent special circumstances, the cost of such services shall not exceed in total an amount equal to $30,000 for an Executive in Level A of Exhibit A, $
25,000 for an Executive in Level B of Exhibit A, and $20,000 for an Executive in Level C of Exhibit A; and provided, further, that all such fees shall be paid directly to the outplacement firm, and such outplacement services shall end not later than the last day of the second calendar year that begins after the Date of Termination. (e) Other Benefits Payable. Nothing in this Plan shall prevent or limit an Executives continuing or future participation in any benefit, bonus, incentive or other plan, program, arrangement or policy provided by the Company or any Affiliated Company for which an Executive and/or Executives dependents may qualify. Amounts that are vested benefits or that an Executive and/or an Executives dependents are 9 otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, program, arrangement, or policy of the Company or any Affiliated Company shall be payable in accordance with such plan, program, arrangement or policy. The payment provided pursuant to Section 4(a) above shall be provided in addition to, and not in lieu of, all other accrued or vested or earned but deferred compensation, retention bonuses, rights, options or other benefits which may be owed to an Executive upon or following termination, including but not limited to accrued paid time off, amounts or benefits payable under any bonus or other compensation plan, stock option plan, stock ownership plan, stock purchase plan, life insurance plan, health plan, disability plan or similar or successor plan. 5. Full Settlement; Legal Fees. The Companys obligation to make the payments provided for in this Plan and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have against an Executive or others. In no event shall an Executive be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to such Executive under any of the provisions of this Plan and no amounts received from other employment shall serve to mitigate the payments hereunder. The Company agrees to pay as incurred (within 10 days following the Companys receipt of an
invoice from the Executive), to the full extent permitted by law, for all legal fees and expenses that the Executive may reasonably incur as a result of any contest by the Company, the Executive or others of the validity or enforceability of, or liability under, any provision of this Plan or any guarantee of performance thereof (including as a result of any contest by the Executive about the amount of any payment pursuant to this Plan), plus, in each case, Interest; provided, that the Company shall not be obligated to reimburse an Executive for legal fees and expenses unless the Executive prevails on at least one material claim (regardless of by whom brought). In order to comply with Section 409A of the Code, in no event shall the payments by the Company under this Section 5 be made later than the end of the calendar year next following the calendar year in which su
ch fees and expenses were incurred, provided, that the Executive shall have submitted an invoice for such fees and expenses at least 10 days before the end of the calendar year next following the calendar year in which such fees and expenses were incurred. The amount of such legal fees and expenses that the Company is obligated to pay in any given calendar year shall not affect the legal fees and expenses that the Company is obligated to pay in any other calendar year, and the Executives right to have the Company pay such legal fees and expenses may not be liquidated or exchanged for any other benefit. 6. Confidential Information and Nonsolicitation Covenants. (a) Confidential Information. As a condition of receiving benefits under the Plan, each Executive shall agree to hold, in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Company, all confidential information required by the Company. (b) Nonsolicitation. As a condition of receiving benefits under the Plan, each Executive that receives Severance Pay in respect of a Qualified Termination shall agree that such Executive shall not, during the Nonsolicitation Period, directly or indirectly, without the consent of the Company, hire, call on, solicit or take away or attempt to hire, call on, solicit or take away any of the Companys or any Affiliated 10 Companys employees for the purpose of hiring such employees or encouraging them to terminate their employment with the Company or any Affiliated Company. (c) Equitable Relief. In the event of any breach by an Executive of the provisions of this Section 6, the Company shall be entitled to injunctive relief in addition to all other rights it may have at law or in equity. 7. Controlling Law. This Plan shall be construed and enforced according to the internal laws of the State of Texas to the extent not preempted by Federal law, which shall otherwise control. Exclusive venue and jurisdiction for purposes of any dispute, controversy, claim or cause of action arising out of or related to this Plan shall be in any federal or state court of competent jurisdiction that regularly conducts proceedings in Dallas County, Texas; provided, however, that nothing in the Plan shall be construed to preclude the Plan or an Executive from removing a civil action from any sta
te court to federal court. 8. Amendments; Termination. The Company reserves the right to amend, modify, suspend or terminate the Plan at any time by action of a majority of the Committee; provided, that no such amendment, modification, suspension or termination (including without limitation any amendment or alteration to Exhibit A) that has the effect of reducing or diminishing the rights of any Employee (including the right of an Employee to be listed on Exhibit A and to receive benefits hereunder) and that is taken upon or following a Change in Control shall be effective without the written consent of the Employee for a period of two years following the Change in Control. 9. Assignment. The Company shall require any corporation, entity, individual or other person who is the successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise) to all or substantially all the business and/or assets of the Company to expressly assume and agree to perform, by a written agreement in form and in substance satisfactory to the Company, all of the obligations of the Company under this Plan. As used in this Plan, the term Company shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Plan by operation of law, written agreement or otherwise. It is a condition of this Plan, and all rights o
f each person eligible to receive benefits under this Plan shall be subject hereto, that no right or interest of any such person in this Plan shall be assignable or transferable in whole or in part, except by operation of law, including, but not by way of limitation, lawful execution, levy, garnishment, attachment, pledge, bankruptcy, alimony, child support or qualified domestic relations order. 10. Withholding. The Company may withhold from any amount payable or benefit provided under this Plan such Federal, state, local, foreign and other taxes as are required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation. 11. Gender and Plurals. Wherever used in this Plan document, words in the masculine gender shall include masculine or feminine gender, and, unless the context otherwise requires, words in the singular shall include the plural, and words in the plural shall include the singular. 11 12. Plan Controls. In the event of any inconsistency between this Plan document and any other communication regarding this Plan, this Plan document shall control. 13. Committee Administration. This Plan shall be administered by the Committee. Except as otherwise provided in this Plan (including, without limitation, Section 4(b)(iii)(B) hereof), the decision of the Committee upon all matters within the scope of its authority shall be conclusive and binding on all parties, provided, that any determination by the Committee following a Change in Control shall be subject to de novo review. 14. Benefits Claims and Appeals; Claims Procedure; Certain Rights. (a) Plan Not Intended to be Subject to ERISA. The Plan is not intended to be subject to ERISA. If and only if, however, the Plan is determined to be subject to ERISA, the intention of the Company is that it shall be construed as a welfare plan, as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA, and this Section 14 shall apply. (b) Claims Procedure. If an Executive believes that he or she has been denied benefits under the Plan, the Executive (or his or her authorized representative) may file a written claim with the Committee, to the following address: 2728 N. Harwood, Dallas, Texas 75201-1516 or P.O. Box 199000, Dallas, Texas 75219-9000. If a claim for Plan benefits is denied in whole or in part, the Executive will receive a written notice of the denial. This notice must be provided to the Executive within a reasonable period of time, but not later than 90 days after receipt of the claim by the Committee, unless the Committee determines that special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the Executives claim. If
the Committee determines that an extension is necessary, notice of the extension will be furnished to the Executive prior to the termination of the initial 90-day period. In no event will such extension exceed a period of 90 days from the end of the initial 90-day period. The extension notice will indicate the special circumstances requiring an extension of time and when the Executive can expect such benefit determination. The Committees notice of denial of an Executives claim shall contain the following information: (i) the specific reason or reasons for the adverse determination; (ii) references to specific Plan provisions on which the determination is based; (iii) a description of any additional material or information necessary for the Executive to perfect the claim and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary; and (iv) appropriate information as to the steps to be taken if the Executive wants to submit a denied claim for review, including a statement of the right to b
ring a civil action under ERISA following an adverse benefit determination on review. If a claim is denied in whole or in part by the Committee, the Executive (or his or her representative) may appeal the adverse determination by filing a written request for a review of the denied claim with the Committee. The request for review must be made within 60 days of the date the Executive receives the denial (or, if no written denial is received, within 60 days of the date when the denial was due). The Executive should send the written request for review to the Committee. An Executive may submit written comments, documents, records, and other information relating to his or her claim for benefits. An Executive will be provided, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to his or her claim for benefits. The review will take into account all comments, documents, records, and other information 12 submitted by the Executive relating to his or her claim, without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination. The Committee will provide the Executive with a written notice of its decision on review within 60 days after the Committees receipt of the Executives written claim for review, unless the Committee determines that special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the claim. If the Committee determines that an extension of time is required, written notice of the extension will be furnished to the Executive prior to the end of the initial 60-day period. The extension notice will indicate the special circumstances requiring an extension of the time and the date by which the Committee expects to render its determination on review. The extension will not exceed a period of 60 days from the end of the initial 60-day period. In t
he case of an adverse benefit determination on review, the notice will set forth: (A) the specific reason or reasons for the adverse determination; (B) references to the specific Plan provisions on which the determination is based; (C) a statement that the Executive is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the claim for benefits; and (D) the Executives right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA. By participating in the Plan, Executives agree that, subject to Section 14(e), (x) the Plan will not pay any benefit for a claim filed more than one year from the date an Executive terminates employment and (y) no legal or equitable action may be filed against the Plan or any Plan fiduciary more than 90 days after exhaustion of the Executives rights under the above claims procedure. Subject to Section 14(e), an Executive must exhaust all levels of the appeal procedure before the
Executive can bring an action at law or equity. The power and authority of the Committee shall be discretionary with respect to all matters arising before each of them under this claims procedure. (c) Certain Rights. Executives in the Plan may be entitled to certain rights and protections under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). ERISA provides that all participants in a plan subject to ERISA are entitled to (i) examine, without charge, at the Plan Administrators office and at other specified locations, all documents governing the Plan, including insurance contracts, if any; and (ii) obtain copies of documents governing the operation of the Plan, including insurance contracts, if any, and updated summary plan description upon written request to the Plan Administrator. The Plan Administrator may make a reasonable charge for the copies. In addition to creating rights,
ERISA imposes duties upon the people who are responsible for the operation of a plan subject to ERISA. These people, called fiduciaries, have a duty to do so prudently and in the interest of the participants in a plan to which ERISA applies. No one, including an employer or any other person, may fire a participant in a plan subject to ERISA or otherwise discriminate against such a participant in any way to prevent that participant from obtaining a benefit or exercising his or her rights under a plan subject to ERISA. If a claim for a benefit under a plan subject to ERISA is denied in whole or in part, the participant has a right to know why this was done, to obtain copies of documents relating to the decision without charge and to appeal the denial, all within certain time schedules. ERISA provides participants in plans subject to ERISA with certain steps they may take to enforce these rights. For instance, if a participant in a plan subject to ERISA requests materials from the plan and does not
receive them within 30 days, the participant may file suit in a federal court. In such a case, the court may require the administrator of 13 such a plan to provide the materials and pay the participant up to $110 a day until the participant receives them, unless the materials were not sent because of reasons beyond the control of the administrator of the plan. If a participant in a plan subject to ERISA has a claim for benefits which is denied or ignored, in whole or in part, such a participant may file suit in a state or federal court. In addition, if a participant in a plan subject to ERISA disagrees with such a plans benefit decision, or lack thereof, concerning the qualified status of a domestic relations order, such a participant may file suit in federal court after exhausting all of the plans claims and appeal procedures. If it should happen that fiduciaries of a plan subject to ERISA misuse that plans money, or if a participant in such a plan is discriminated against for asserting his or her rights, such a participant may seek
assistance from the U.S. Department of Labor, or may file suit in a federal court. In such a case, the court will decide who should pay court costs and legal fees. If such a participant were to be successful, the court may order the person the participant has sued to pay these costs and fees. However, if a participant in a plan subject to ERISA brings such a claim and loses, the court may order that participant to pay the costs and fees; for example, if it finds that the participants claim is frivolous. If a participant in a plan subject to ERISA has any questions about his or her rights under ERISA, or needs assistance in obtaining documents with respect to such plan, such participant may contact the nearest office of the Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor listed in his or her telephone directory or the Division of Technical Assistance and Inquiries, Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. 202
10. Such a participant may also obtain certain publications about his or her rights and responsibilities under ERISA by calling the publications hotline of the Employee Benefits Security Administration. (d) Plan Information. For purposes of ERISA, (i) this document serves as the Plans official plan document and as the summary plan description and (ii) the Company shall be the Plan Administrator for ERISA reporting and disclosure purposes. The Companys physical address is 2728 N. Harwood, Dallas, Texas 75201-1216, and service of process may be made on the Company at this address. The Companys mailing address is P.O. Box 199000, Dallas Texas, 75219-9000. The Companys employer identification number is 75-0778259, and the telephone number is 214-981-5000. (e) Change in Control. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 14, the claims and appeals procedure described in the Plan is provided for the use and benefit of Executives who may choose to avail themselves of such procedures, but compliance with the provisions of these claims and appeals procedures by the Executive will not be mandatory for any Executive claiming benefits after a Change in Control. It will not be necessary for any Executive to exhaust these procedures and remedies after a Change in Control prior to bringing any legal claim or action, or asserting any other demand, for payments or other benefits to which such Executive claims entitlement. 15. Grantor Trust. The Committee may establish a trust with a bank trustee, for the purpose of paying benefits under this Plan. If so established, the trust shall be a grantor trust subject to the claims of the Companys creditors and shall, immediately prior to a Change in Control, be funded in cash or common stock of the Company or such other assets as the 14 Committee deems appropriate with an amount equal to 100 percent of the aggregate benefits payable under this Plan assuming that all Executives in the Plan incurred a termination of employment entitling them to benefits under the Plan immediately following the Change in Control, or such lesser amount as the Committee shall determine prior to the Change in Control; provided, however, that the trust shall not be funded if the funding thereof would result in taxable income to the Executive by reason of Section 409A(b) of the Code; and provided, further, that in no event shall any trust assets at any time be located or transferred outside of the United States, within the meaning of Section 409A(b) of the Code. Notwithstanding the establishment of any such trust, an Executives rights hereunder will be solely those of a general unsecured creditor. 16. Indemnification. To the extent permitted by law, the Company shall indemnify the Committee from all claims for liability, loss, or damage (including the payment of expenses in connection with defense against such claims) arising from any act or failure to act in connection with the Plan. 17. Section 409A of the Code. The Plan is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code or an exception or exclusion therefrom and shall in all respects be administered in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. Severance payments shall be made under the separation pay exception under Section 409A of the Code, to the maximum extent possible, and then under the short-term deferral exclusion Section 409A of the Code or another applicable exception. Within the time period permitted by the applicable Treasury Regulations, the Company may, in consultation with an Executive, modify the Plan, in the least restrictive manner necessary and without any diminution in the value of the payments to the Exe
cutive, in order to cause the provisions of the Plan to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, so as to avoid the imposition of taxes and penalties on the Participant pursuant to Section 409A of the Code. 18. Employment Status. This Plan does not constitute a contract of employment or impose on the Executive or the Company any obligation to retain the Executive as an Employee, to change the status of the Executives employment, or to change the Companys policies or those of any Affiliated Company regarding termination of employment. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Plan to be executed on this 7th day of April, 2009. 15 EXHIBIT A And such additional persons as are designated by the Compensation and Management Development Committee. -A1-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Nevada
1-6776
75-0778259
(State or other jurisdiction of
(Commission
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
File Number)
Identification No.)
Dallas, Texas 75201
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
In connection with the proposed transaction, Pulte and the Company will be filing documents with the SEC, including the filing by Pulte of a registration statement on Form S-4, and Pulte and the Company intend to mail a joint proxy statement regarding the proposed merger to their respective stockholders that will also constitute a prospectus of Pulte. Before making any voting or investment decision, investors are urged to read the joint proxy statement/prospectus when it becomes available because it will contain important information about the proposed transaction. You may obtain copies of all documents filed with the SEC regarding this transaction, free of charge, at the SECs website (www.sec.gov), by accessing Pultes website at www.pulte.com under the heading Investor Relations and then under the link SEC Filings and from Pulte by directing a request to Pulte Homes, Inc., 100 Bloomfield Hills
Parkway, Suite 300, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48304, Attention: Investor Relations, and by accessing the Companys website
Exhibit
Number
Description
10.1
Plan Regarding Severance After a Change in Control dated April 7, 2009
99.1
Press Release dated April 8, 2009
CENTEX CORPORATION
By: /s/ Brian J. Woram
Name: Brian J. Woram
Title: Senior Vice President and
Chief Legal Officer
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number
Description
10.1
Plan Regarding Severance After a Change in Control dated April 7, 2009
99.1
Press Release dated April 8, 2009
PLAN REGARDING SEVERANCE AFTER A CHANGE IN CONTROL
CENTEX CORPORATION
By: /s/ Joseph A. Bosch
Name: Joseph A. Bosch
Title: Senior Vice President - Human Resources
LEVELS OF EXECUTIVES
Name
Title
Severance
Level
Tim Eller
Chairman and
A
Chief Executive Officer
Cathy Smith
Executive Vice President and
B
Chief Financial Officer
Brian Woram
Chief Legal Officer
B
Joe Bosch
Senior Vice President,
B
Human Resources
Bob Stewart
Senior Vice President of Strategy,
B
Sales, Marketing and Corporate
Development
Scott Richter
Executive Vice President,
B
Operations Support
Mark Kemp
Senior Vice President
C
Controller
Exhibit 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
PULTE AND CENTEX TO MERGE CREATING
AMERICAS LARGEST HOMEBUILDING COMPANY
Combined Organization Positioned For Growth through Segment and Market Diversity,
Streamlined Operations, Unmatched Leadership in Customer Satisfaction
Expects to Retire in Excess of $1 Billion of Debt Maturities Prior to Year-End 2009
Expected to Realize Efficiencies and Cost Savings of Approximately $350 Million Annually
Poised for Accelerated Return to Profitability |
Bloomfield Hills, Mich. and Dallas, April 8, 2009 Pulte Homes, Inc. (NYSE: PHM) and Centex Corporation (NYSE: CTX) announced today that their respective boards of directors have unanimously approved a definitive merger agreement under which Pulte and Centex will combine in a stock-for-stock transaction valued at $3.1 billion, including $1.8 billion of net debt.
In calendar year 2008, Pulte and Centex delivered more than 39,000 closings with combined pro forma revenues of $11.6 billion. The combined company will have the strongest liquidity position among its peer group with more than $3.4 billion of cash as of March 31, 2009. Pulte and Centex ended March with approximately $1.7 billion of cash each.
Under the terms of the agreement, Centex shareholders will receive 0.975 shares of Pulte common stock for each share of Centex they own. Based on the closing price of Pulte stock on April 7, 2009, the transaction has a value of $10.50 per Centex share, representing a premium of 32.6% to the 20-day volume weighted average trading price of Centexs shares. The combined company currently would have an equity market capitalization of $4.1 billion and an enterprise value of $7.2 billion. Upon closing of the transaction, Pulte shareholders will own approximately 68% of the combined company, and Centex shareholders will own approximately 32%.
Combining these two industry leaders with proud legacies into one company puts us in an excellent position to navigate through the current housing downturn, poised to accelerate our return to profitability, said Pulte President and Chief Executive Officer Richard J. Dugas, Jr. Centexs significant presence in the entry level and move-up categories is complemented by Pultes strength in both the move-up and active adult segments, the latter through our popular Del Webb brand. Together we will have considerable presence in more than 59 markets across America. In addition, both organizations share an unwavering focus on delivering unparalleled customer satisfaction, maximizing the influence of strong brands and setting new standards of achievement in operational efficiency.
The combination will also allow us to capitalize on the opportunities presented by the addition of Centexs land positions to Pultes, including Centexs sizable holdings in both Texas and the Carolinas, two areas that continue to exhibit strength in the face of todays difficult housing market.
Centex Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Timothy Eller said, Today represents a significant milestone in this industrys history as two leading companies join forces. We share common cultures and
rich traditions of delivering quality and value, doing the right thing and exceeding the expectations of our customers. Were proud to begin writing this next chapter together.
We are always looking for the best way to deliver more value to all our stakeholders and drive the company forward. We have had a high regard for the Pulte management team and their performance during this downturn, and I strongly believed that our organizations would complement each others strengths. My conversations with Richard reinforced that conviction.
We believe this is the right combination at the right time in the business cycle. By acting decisively now, were creating unrivaled firepower to capitalize on the opportunities in homebuilding that are now becoming visible on the horizon. We will have a deeper and more expanded presence that we are confident will allow us to begin realizing the benefits of our combined scale immediately. Moreover, our shareholders will receive an immediate premium for their shares as well as participate in the upside potential of the combined company.
Complementary Portfolio of Brands
The combination of Pulte and Centex will offer exceptional homes in well-designed communities that meet the desires of a cross-section of customers, ranging from first-time buyers to Baby Boomers. Fox & Jacobs Homes, Centex Homes, Pulte Homes, DiVosta Homes and Del Webb are all top brands known by entry level, first move-up, second move-up and active adult purchasers throughout the nation. This powerful brand lineup is consistent with Pultes vision of creating the industrys best and most-recognized brands, and leveraging their presence across America. The combined organization will expand its geographic footprint to cover 59 markets, 29 states and the District of Columbia.
The two companies are the industrys recognized leaders in customer satisfaction. They are the only homebuilders to have received the Platinum Award from J.D. Power & Associates for excellence in customer satisfaction.
Efficiencies and Cost Savings
Pulte expects that efficiency gains and other savings from this transaction should generate cost reductions of approximately $350 million annually, consisting of approximately $250 million in overhead savings and $100 million in debt expense relief, resulting from the expected retirement of debt maturities in excess of $1 billion prior to year-end 2009. The company expects to realize a significant portion of the estimated cost savings during the first full year of operations after the transaction is completed, with the full amount realized by the third year. Pulte also expects to realize additional savings opportunities through production efficiencies and purchasing synergies.
The companies have confidence in the ability to achieve the estimated efficiencies and cost savings based on Pultes successful track record of integration, including its acquisition of Del Webb in 2001. That acquisition, the largest of its kind at the time, helped make Pulte the number-one builder of active adult communities in America, the fastest-growing segment of home buying.
Management, Board and Headquarters
Upon completion of the transaction, Mr. Dugas will assume the positions of chairman, president and chief executive officer of Pulte, Inc. Mr. Eller will join the board of directors of Pulte as vice chairman and will serve as a consultant to the company for two years following the close of the transaction. The board of directors of Pulte will be expanded and will include four current members from the Centex board, including Mr. Eller, and eight members of the current Pulte board, including company founder and current Pulte Chairman William J. Pulte.
To guide and ensure a successful transition, a transition executive committee will be formed and will be headed by Mr. Dugas and Mr. Eller.
The combined company will use the Pulte name and will be headquartered in Bloomfield Hills. The company plans to maintain a significant presence in Dallas.
Approvals and Timing
The transaction is subject to approval by Pulte and Centex shareholders and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, including expiration or termination of any applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended. Certain Pulte and Centex officers and directors, including Mr. Pulte, have agreed to vote their shares in favor of the transaction. Pulte and Centex expect to complete the transaction in the third quarter of 2009. The transaction is intended to qualify as a tax-free reorganization for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Amendment of Pultes Bylaws
As previously disclosed, Pulte is seeking approval at its 2009 annual meeting of shareholders of an amendment to its charter to restrict certain transfers of shares of Pulte common stock in order to preserve the tax treatment of Pultes net operating losses and other tax benefits. As an additional measure to address any transfers that may occur prior to the adoption of a charter amendment, Pultes board of directors has amended Pultes by-laws to incorporate transfer restrictions substantially similar to those reflected in the proposed charter amendment.
Advisors
Citi acted as lead financial advisor and Banc of America Securities and Merrill Lynch and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. acted as financial advisors to Pulte and Sidley Austin LLP acted as legal advisor. Goldman, Sachs & Co. acted as financial advisor to Centex and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz acted as legal advisor.
Conference Call and Webcast
Pulte and Centex will host a conference call today, April 8, 2009, at 8:30 a.m. EDT. To access the call, please dial 866-610-1072 (international: 973-935-2840) and reference conference ID number 93547602. A replay of the conference call will be available as soon as practicable following the end of the call until April 22, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. To access the rebroadcast, please dial 800-642-1687 (international: 706-645-9291) and reference conference ID number 5530. In addition, an audio webcast of the call will be available live and will be archived on the investor relations portions of both companies Web sites at www.pulteinc.com and www.centex.com, respectively, as well as on the joint Web site launched by the companies this morning, www.premierbuilderusa.com.
# # # |
About Pulte
Pulte Homes, Inc., (NYSE: PHM), based in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., is one of America's largest home building companies with operations in 49 markets and 25 states. During its 59-year history, the company has delivered more than 500,000 new homes. In 2008, Pulte Homes operations ranked highest in customer satisfaction in 11 U.S. markets, the most of any homebuilder, in the annual J.D. Power and Associates(R) New Home-Builder Customer Satisfaction Study(SM). Under its Del Webb brand, Pulte is the nation's largest builder of active adult communities for people age 55 and older. Its DiVosta Homes brand is renowned in Florida for its distinctive master-planned communities. Pulte Mortgage LLC is a nationwide lender offering Pulte customers a wide variety of loan products and superior service.
About Centex
Dallas-based Centex, founded in 1950, is one of the nation's leading home building companies. Its leading brands include Centex Homes, Fox & Jacobs Homes and CityHomes. In addition to its home building operations, Centex also offers mortgage and title services. Centex has ranked among the top three builders on FORTUNE magazine's list of "America's Most Admired Companies" for 10 straight years and is a leader in quality and customer satisfaction.
Forward Looking Statements
This communication includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of the proposed transaction, including future financial and operating results, the combined companys plans, objectives, expectations and intentions. These statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual results, performance, prospects or opportunities, as well as those of the markets we serve or intend to serve, to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements. You can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate to matters of a strictly factual or historical nature and generally discuss or relate to forecasts, estimates or other expect
ations regarding future events. Generally, the words believe, expect, intend, estimate, anticipate, project, may, can, could, might, will and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, including statements related to expected operating and performing results, planned transactions, planned objectives of management, future developments or conditions in the industries in which we participate and other trends, developments and uncertainties that may affect our business in the future.
Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among other things: the possibility that the expected efficiencies and cost savings from the proposed transaction will not be realized, or will not be realized within the expected time period; the ability to obtain governmental approvals of the merger on the proposed terms and schedule contemplated by the parties; the failure of Centexs stockholders to approve the proposed merger; the failure of Pultes stockholders to approve either the charter amendment increasing the number of authorized shares of Pultes common stock or the issuance of Pultes common stock to Centex stockholders; the risk that the Pulte and Centex businesses will not be integrated successfully; disruption from the proposed transaction making it more difficult to maintain business and operational relationships; the possibility that the proposed transaction does not close, including, but not limited to, due to the failure to satisfy the closing conditions; interest rate changes and the availability of mortgage financing; continued volatility in, and potential further deterioration of, the debt and equity markets; competition within the industries in which Pulte and Centex operate; the availability and cost of land and other raw materials used by Pulte and Centex in their homebuilding operations; the availability and cost of insurance covering risks associated with Pultes and Centexs businesses; shortages and the cost of labor; weather related slowdowns; slow growth initiatives and/or local building moratoria; governmental regulation, including the effects from the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the interpretation of tax, labor and environmental laws; changes in consumer confidence and preferences; terrorist acts and other acts of war; and other factors of national, regional and global scale, including those of a political, eco nomic, business and competitive nature. See Pultes and Centexs Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Annual Reports to Stockholders for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2008 and March 31, 2008, respectively, and other public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) for a further discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties applicable to our businesses. Neither Pulte nor Centex undertakes any duty to update any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, future events or changes in our respective expectations.
Additional Information
In connection with the proposed transaction, Pulte will be filing documents with the SEC, including the filing by Pulte of a registration statement on Form S-4, and Pulte and Centex intend to mail a joint proxy statement regarding the proposed merger to their respective stockholders that will also constitute a prospectus of Pulte. Before making any voting or investment decision, investors are urged to read the joint proxy statement/prospectus when it becomes available because it will contain important information about the proposed transaction. You may obtain copies of all documents filed with the SEC regarding this transaction, free of charge, at the SECs website (www.sec.gov), by accessing Pultes website at www.pulte.com under the heading Investor Relations and then under the link SEC Filings and from Pulte by directing a request to Pulte Homes, Inc., 100 Bloomfield Hills Parkway, Suit
e 300, Bloomfield Hills, MI, 48304, Attention: Investor Relations, and by accessing Centexs website at www.centex.com under the heading Investors and then under the link SEC Filings and from Centex by directing a request to Centex Corporation Investor Relations, P.O. Box 199000, Dallas, Texas 75219-9000.
Pulte and Centex and their respective directors and executive officers and certain other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed transaction. You can find information about Pultes directors and executive officers in its definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on April 7, 2009. You can find information about Centexs directors and executive officers in its definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on June 6, 2008. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available. You can obtain free copies of these documents from Pulte and Centex using the contact information above.
Contact Information: | |
Contacts for Pulte | Contacts for Centex |
Investors: | Investors: |
Calvin Boyd | Matt Moyer |
Office: (248) 433-4527 | Office: (214) 981-6901 |
Mobile: (248) 459-9227 | Mobile: (214) 725-7157 |
email: calvin.boyd@pulte.com | email: matt.moyer@centex.com |
News Media: | News Media: |
Mark Marymee | David Webster |
Office: (248) 433-4648 | Office: (214) 981-6688 |
Mobile: (248) 797-8091 | Mobile: (972) 259-7339 |
email: mark.marymee@pulte.com | email: david.webster@centex.com |