-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, QxHRKUQFjgQ9U8kw0moxHyTCZxa+6aWL3nkfeSTym2llhvjwbtuMgXe7ti9OBwz0 t38nYz88KVK5KnK9Kwh1wQ== 0001193125-08-166019.txt : 20080805 0001193125-08-166019.hdr.sgml : 20080805 20080805110127 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-08-166019 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 4 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20080730 ITEM INFORMATION: Other Events ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20080805 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20080805 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: MERRILL LYNCH & CO INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000065100 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SECURITY BROKERS, DEALERS & FLOTATION COMPANIES [6211] IRS NUMBER: 132740599 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-07182 FILM NUMBER: 08990099 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 4 WORLD FINANCIAL CTR CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10080 BUSINESS PHONE: 2124491000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 4 WORLD FINANCIAL CTR CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10080 8-K 1 d8k.htm FORM 8-K Form 8-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

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): July 30, 2008

    Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.    

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   1-7182   13-2740599

(State or other

jurisdiction of

incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

4 World Financial Center, New York, New York    10080

(Address of principal executive offices)              (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 449-1000

 

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))


Item 8.01. Other Events

Exhibits are filed herewith in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-132911) filed by Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (the “Company”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission covering Senior Debt Securities issuable under an indenture dated as of April 1, 1983, as amended through the date hereof, between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon (as so amended, the “Indenture”). The Company has issued as part of its Medium-Term Notes, Series C, $5,946,000 aggregate principal amount of 100% Principal Protected Notes Linked to the 10-Year Constant Maturity Treasury Rate due July 30, 2013 under the Indenture. The exhibits consist of the form of Note and an opinion of counsel relating thereto.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits

 

EXHIBITS   
(4)    Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including indentures.
   Form of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.’s 100% Principal Protected Notes Linked to the 10-Year Constant Maturity Treasury Rate due July 30, 2013.
(5) & (23)    Opinion re: legality; consent of counsel.
   Opinion of Sidley Austin LLP relating to the 100% Principal Protected Notes Linked to the 10-Year Constant Maturity Treasury Rate due July 30, 2013 (including consent for inclusion of such opinion in this report and in Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.’s Registration Statement relating to such Notes).

 

 

2


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.

 

MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.
                (Registrant)
By:   /S/    JOHN THURLOW          
 

John Thurlow

Assistant Treasurer

Date: July 30, 2008

 

 

3


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.

EXHIBITS TO CURRENT REPORT ON

FORM 8-K DATED JULY 30, 2008

Commission File Number 1-7182


Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit No.    Description    Page
(4)    Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including indentures.   
  

Form of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.’s 100% Principal Protected Notes Linked to the 10-Year Constant Maturity Treasury Rate due July 30, 2013.

  
(5) & (23)    Opinion re: legality; consent of counsel.   
  

Opinion of Sidley Austin LLP relating to the 100% Principal Protected Notes Linked to the 10-Year Constant Maturity Treasury Rate due July 30, 2013 (including consent for inclusion of such opinion in this report and in Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.’s Registration Statement relating to such Notes).

  

 

 

EX-4 2 dex4.htm INSTRUMENTS DEFINING THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS, INCLUDING INDENTURES. Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including indentures.

EXHIBIT (4)

THIS NOTE IS A GLOBAL NOTE WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITORY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF. UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN CERTIFICATED FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (THE “DEPOSITORY”) TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY OR BY THE DEPOSITORY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY. UNLESS THIS NOTE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY, TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY NOTE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

 

REGISTERED No. 1   CUSIP No.: 59018YR52  

PRINCIPAL AMOUNT

5,946 Units, $1,000 principal

amount per Unit ($5,946,000

aggregate principal amount)

MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.

MEDIUM-TERM NOTE, SERIES C

100% Principal Protected Notes Linked to the 10-Year Constant Maturity Treasury Rate

due July 30, 2013

(the “Notes”)

MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC., a Delaware corporation (hereinafter referred to as the “Company,” which term includes any successor corporation under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to CEDE & CO., or registered assigns, the Redemption Amount (as defined below) per Unit on July 30, 2013 (the “Stated Maturity Date”), and to pay interest on the principal amount hereof, at a rate per annum determined in accordance with the provisions hereof, until the Redemption Amount is paid or duly made available for payment in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for public and private debts.

Payment on the Stated Maturity Date

On the Stated Maturity Date, for each Unit, a Holder (as defined below) shall receive a cash amount equal to $1,000, plus any accrued and unpaid interest per Unit (the “Redemption Amount”).


Interest

The Company shall pay interest in cash in arrears on each Interest Payment Date (as defined below) commencing with the first Interest Payment Date next succeeding July 30, 2008, to and including the Stated Maturity Date. Interest will accrue from and including July 30, 2008, for the initial interest period, or the most recent Interest Payment Date, to but excluding the next succeeding Interest Payment Date or the Stated Maturity Date, as applicable.

“Interest Payment Dates” for the Notes shall be the 30th day of January, April, July and October of each year, expected to commence on October 30, 2008.

During the first quarterly interest period, interest on the Notes shall accrue at 8.00% per annum.

During the quarterly interest period beginning on October 30, 2008 and during each quarterly interest period thereafter, interest shall accrue on the Notes at a rate per annum, to be determined on each Interest Determination Date (as defined below) immediately preceding the interest period, that shall be equal to:

Leverage Factor × (10-Year Constant Maturity Treasury Rate – Strike Rate)

subject to an interest rate floor of 0.00% per annum.

The “Leverage Factor” equals 6.30.

The “10-Year Constant Maturity Treasury Rate” is the rate which expresses the yield to maturity on U.S. Treasury securities with a constant maturity of 10 years as published by the Federal Reserve H15 publication at approximately 5:00 p.m., New York City time, available on Bloomberg (as defined below) page H15T10Y on the second Business Day (as defined below) prior to the beginning of each Interest Payment Date commencing on October 30, 2008.

The “Strike Rate” equals 4.16%.

“Bloomberg” means Bloomberg data services or any successor service or page displaying such rate. If the 10-Year Constant Maturity Treasury Rate cannot be determined by reference to Bloomberg page H15T10Y at approximately 5:00 p.m., New York City time, such rate shall be determined by reference to Reuters page FRBCMT. If the 10-Year Constant Maturity Treasury Rate cannot be determined by reference to Reuters page FRBCMT, such rate shall be determined in accordance with the procedures set forth in the accompanying MTN prospectus supplement dated March 31, 2006 and filed on April 3, 2006 relating to the determination of the CMT Rate in the event of the unavailability of CMT Moneyline Telerate Page 7051 (the predecessor of Reuters page FRBCMT).

The “Interest Determination Date” for any interest period shall be the second Business Day prior to each Interest Payment Date immediately preceding the relevant interest period.

Each interest period (other than the first quarterly interest period) shall commence on, and shall include, an Interest Payment Date, and shall extend to, but shall exclude, the next succeeding Interest Payment Date or the Stated Maturity Date, as applicable.

The Company shall pay interest to the person in whose name this Note is registered (the “Holder”) on the fifteenth calendar day (whether or not a Business Day) immediately preceding each Interest Payment Date (the “Record Date”). Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for on any Interest Payment Date (“Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the close of business on any Record Date and, instead, shall be paid to the person in whose name this Note is registered at the close of business on a special record date

 

7


(the “Special Record Date”) for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee (as defined below) hereinafter referred to, notice whereof shall be given to the Holder of this Note by the Trustee not less than 10 calendar days prior to such Special Record Date or may be paid at any time in any other lawful manner, all as more fully provided for in the Indenture. Interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. If any Interest Payment Date or the Stated Maturity Date falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the required payment of the Redemption Amount and/or interest shall be made on the next Business Day and no additional interest shall accrue as a result of such delayed payment.

Payment of the Redemption Amount and interest in respect of this Note due on the Stated Maturity Date shall be made in immediately available funds upon presentation and surrender of this Note at the office or agency maintained by the Company for that purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York. Payment of interest due on any Interest Payment Date shall be made at the aforementioned office or agency maintained by the Company or, at the option of the Company, by check mailed to the address of the person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register maintained by the Trustee on the Record Date; provided, however, that a Holder of U.S.$10,000,000 or more in aggregate principal amount of Notes (whether having identical or different terms and provisions) shall be entitled to receive interest payments on such Interest Payment Date by wire transfer of immediately available funds if such Holder has delivered appropriate wire transfer instructions in writing to the Trustee not less than 15 calendar days prior to such Interest Payment Date. Any such wire transfer instructions received by the Trustee shall remain in effect until revoked by such Holder.

“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday or Sunday that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

As used herein, the “Calculation Agent” is Merrill Lynch Capital Services, Inc. All determinations made by the Calculation Agent, absent a determination of manifest error, shall be conclusive for all purposes and binding on ML&Co. and the holders and beneficial owners of the Notes.

General

All percentages resulting from any calculation on the Notes shall be rounded to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with five one-millionths of a percentage point rounded upwards. For example, 9.876545% (or .09876545) would be rounded to 9.87655% (or .0987655). All dollar amounts used in or resulting from any calculation shall be rounded to the nearest cent with one-half cent being rounded upward.

Unless the Certificate of Authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee by manual signature, this Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of Securities (hereinafter called the “Securities”) of the Company designated as its Medium-Term Notes, Series C. The Securities are issued and to be issued under an indenture (the “Indenture”) dated as of April 1, 1983, as amended and restated, between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon (herein called the “Trustee”, which term includes any successor Trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights,

 

8


limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes and the terms upon which the Notes are to be authenticated and delivered.

The Notes are issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the Notes are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Notes as requested by the Holder surrendering the same. If (x) the Depository is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depository and a successor depository is not appointed by the Company within 60 days, (y) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee a Company Order to the effect that this Note shall be exchangeable or (z) an Event of Default (as defined in the Indenture) has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Notes, this Note shall be exchangeable for Notes in definitive form of like tenor and of an equal aggregate principal amount, in authorized denominations. Such definitive Notes shall be registered in such name or names as the Depository shall instruct the Trustee. If definitive Notes are so delivered, the Company may make such changes to the form of this Note as are necessary or appropriate to allow for the issuance of such definitive Notes.

This Note is not subject to any sinking fund.

In case an Event of Default with respect to any Notes shall have occurred and be continuing, the amount payable to a Holder of a Note upon any acceleration permitted by the Notes, with respect to each Unit, will be equal to the amount payable on the Stated Maturity Date, calculated as though the date of default were the Stated Maturity Date.

In case of default in payment of this Note, whether on the Stated Maturity Date or upon acceleration, from and after such date this Note shall bear interest, payable upon demand of the Holders thereof, at the then current Federal Funds Rate, reset daily, to the extent that such payment of interest shall be legally enforceable, on the unpaid amount due and payable on such date in accordance with the terms of this Note to the date payment of such amount has been made or duly provided for.

“Federal Funds Rate” means:

(1) the rate with respect to a particular interest determination date displayed on Reuters or any successor service on page FEDFUNDS1 under the heading “EFFECT” or any other page as may replace page FEDFUNDS1 on that service (“Reuters Page FEDFUNDS1”), or

(2) if the rate referred to in clause (1) does not appear on Reuters Page FEDFUNDS1 or is not published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related calculation date, the rate with respect to a particular interest determination date for United States dollar federal funds as published in H.15 Daily Update, or other recognized electronic source used for the purpose of displaying the applicable rate, under the caption “Federal Funds (Effective)”, or

(3) if the rate referred to in clause (2) is not published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related calculation date, the rate with respect to a particular interest determination date calculated by the Calculation Agent as the arithmetic mean of the rates for the last transaction in overnight United States dollar federal funds arranged by three leading brokers of United States dollar federal funds transactions in The City of New York, which may include the agent or its affiliates, selected by the Calculation Agent prior to

 

9


9:00 A.M., New York City time, on the Business Day following that interest determination date, or

(4) if the brokers selected by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned in clause (3), the Federal Funds Rate for the Business Day preceding the particular interest determination date.

The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of 66 2/3% in aggregate original public offering price or principal amount, as the case may be, of the Securities at any time Outstanding of each series affected thereby. Holders of specified percentages in aggregate original public offering price or principal amount, as the case may be, of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of each series, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Note and of any Note issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Note.

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the Redemption Amount and interest on this Note at the time, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations set forth therein and herein, the transfer of this Note may be registered on the Security Register of the Company, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company duly executed by, the Holder hereof or by his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Notes of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, shall be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.

No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

Prior to due presentment of this Note for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Note be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

The Company and each Holder or beneficial owner by acceptance hereof hereby agree to treat this Note for all tax purposes as a debt instrument that is subject to U.S. Treasury Regulation section 1.1275-4(b) governing contingent payment debt instruments, and, where required, the Company shall file information returns with the Internal Revenue Service in accordance with this treatment, in the absence of any change or clarification in the law, by regulation or otherwise, requiring a different characterization of the Notes.

 

10


The Indenture and the Notes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

All terms used in this Note which are defined in the Indenture but not in this Note shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

 

11


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed, manually or in facsimile, and an imprint or facsimile of its corporate seal to be imprinted hereon.

Dated: July 30, 2008

 

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Securities of the series

designated therein referred to in the

within-mentioned Indenture.

    Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
[Facsimile of Seal]               Attest:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, as Trustee     By:        
         

John Thurlow

Assistant Treasurer

By:          By:    
  Authorized Officer        

Judith A. Witterschein

Secretary

 

12


ASSIGNMENT/TRANSFER FORM

FOR VALUE RECEIVED the undersigned registered Holder hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto (insert Taxpayer Identification No.)                                                                                                                                                                                                             _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________(Please print or typewrite name and address including postal zip code of assignee)_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ the within Note and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting and appointing                                                                                                                                             attorney to transfer said Note on the books of the Company with full power of substitution in the premises.

 

Date

  ___________      
        NOTICE: The signature of the registered Holder to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the within instrument in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.

 

13

EX-5 3 dex5.htm OPINION RE: LEGALITY; CONSENT OF COUNSEL. Opinion re: legality; consent of counsel.

EXHIBIT (5)

 

LOGO   

SIDLEY AUSTIN LLP

787 SEVENTH AVENUE

NEW YORK, NY 10019

(212) 839 5300

(212) 839 5599 FAX

     

BEIJING

BRUSSELS

CHICAGO

DALLAS

FRANKFURT

GENEVA

HONG KONG

LONDON

    

LOS ANGELES

NEW YORK

SAN FRANCISCO

SHANGHAI

SINGAPORE

SYDNEY

TOKYO

WASHINGTON,

D.C.

  
        

 

FOUNDED 1866

  

July 30, 2008      

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

4 World Financial Center

New York, New York 10080

Ladies and Gentlemen:

As your counsel, we have examined a copy of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (the “Company”), certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. We are familiar with the corporate proceedings had in connection with the proposed issuance and sale by the Company to Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“MLPF&S”), pursuant to a Distribution Agreement dated March 31, 2006 (the “Distribution Agreement”) between the Company and MLPF&S, of the Company’s 100% Principal Protected Notes Linked to the 10-Year Constant Maturity Treasury Rate due July 30, 2013 (the “Notes”) in an amount equal to $5,946,000 aggregate principal amount of the Notes. We have also examined a copy of the Indenture between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon as successor Trustee, dated as of April 1, 1983, as amended (the “Indenture”), and the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-132911) relating to the Notes (the “Registration Statement”).


LOGO   

SIDLEY AUSTIN LLP

787 SEVENTH AVENUE

NEW YORK, NY 10019

(212) 839 5300

(212) 839 5599 FAX

     

BEIJING

BRUSSELS

CHICAGO

DALLAS

FRANKFURT

GENEVA

HONG KONG

LONDON

    

LOS ANGELES

NEW YORK

SAN FRANCISCO

SHANGHAI

SINGAPORE

SYDNEY

TOKYO

WASHINGTON,

D.C.

  
        

 

FOUNDED 1866

  

Based upon the foregoing and upon such further investigation as we deemed relevant in the premises, we are of the opinion that:

1. The Company has been duly incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware.

2. The Notes have been duly and validly authorized by the Company and, when the Notes have been duly executed and authenticated in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and delivered against payment therefor as set forth in the Distribution Agreement, the Notes will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except to the extent that enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, moratorium, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and except as enforcement thereof is subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and as an exhibit to the Current Report of the Company on Form 8-K dated July 30, 2008.

Very truly yours,

/S/    SIDLEY AUSTIN LLP

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