UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant ☐ Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☒
Check the appropriate box:
☐ | Preliminary Proxy Statement | |
☐ | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) | |
☐ | Definitive Proxy Statement | |
☐ | Definitive Additional Materials | |
☒ | Soliciting material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
Dollar Tree, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
Mantle Ridge LP
MR Cobalt Advisor LLC
MR Cobalt Offshore Fund AB Ltd.,
Susan M. Cameron
Frederick A. Crawford
John W. Flanigan
Cheryl W. Grisé
Steven T. Halverson
Daniel J. Heinrich
Paul C. Hilal
Edward J. Kelly, III
Mary A. Laschinger
Dennis H. Reilley
Bertram L. Scott
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
☒ | No fee required. | |||
☐ | Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11. | |||
1) | Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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2) | Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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3) | Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
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4) | Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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5) | Total fee paid:
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☐ | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. | |||
☐ | Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. | |||
1) | Amount Previously Paid:
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2) | Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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3) | Filing Party:
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4) | Date Filed:
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13D
(Rule 13d-101)
INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT
TO RULE 13d-1(a) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED
PURSUANT TO RULE 13d-2(a)
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. 1) *
Dollar Tree, Inc.
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
(Title of Class of Securities)
256746108
(CUSIP Number)
Paul C. Hilal
Mantle Ridge LP
712 Fifth Avenue, Suite 17F
New York, NY 10019
646-762-8540
With a copy to:
Richard M. Brand
Braden McCurrach
Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP
200 Liberty Street
New York, NY 10281
212-504-6000
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)
December 10, 2021
(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of This Statement)
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of Rule 13d-1(e), 13d-1(f) or 13d-1(g), check the following box. ☐
Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See Rule 13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.
* | The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting persons initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page. |
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be filed for the purpose of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Act) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
CUSIP No. 256746108 | Page 2 |
1 |
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
Mantle Ridge LP | |||||
2 | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) ☐ (b) ☐
| |||||
3 | SEC USE ONLY
| |||||
4 | SOURCE OF FUNDS
OO (See Item 3) | |||||
5 | CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)
☐ | |||||
6 | CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware |
Number of shares beneficially owned by each reporting person with
|
7 | SOLE VOTING POWER
None | ||||
8 | SHARED VOTING POWER
12,729,873 | |||||
9 | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
None | |||||
10 | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
12,729,873 |
11 |
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
12,729,873 | |||||
12 | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
☐ | |||||
13 | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
5.7%* | |||||
14 | TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
PN |
* | All percentage calculations set forth herein are based upon the aggregate of 224,956,059 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of November 19, 2021, as reported in Dollar Trees Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) on November 23, 2021. |
CUSIP No. 256746108 | Page 3 |
1 |
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
MR Cobalt Advisor LLC | |||||
2 | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) ☐ (b) ☐
| |||||
3 | SEC USE ONLY
| |||||
4 | SOURCE OF FUNDS
OO (See Item 3) | |||||
5 | CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)
☐ | |||||
6 | CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware |
Number of shares beneficially owned by each reporting person with
|
7 | SOLE VOTING POWER
None | ||||
8 | SHARED VOTING POWER
12,729,873 | |||||
9 | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
None | |||||
10 | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
12,729,873 |
11 |
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
12,729,873 | |||||
12 | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
☐ | |||||
13 | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
5.7%* | |||||
14 | TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
IA |
* | All percentage calculations set forth herein are based upon the aggregate of 224,956,059 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of November 19, 2021, as reported in Dollar Trees Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) on November 23, 2021. |
CUSIP No. 256746108 | Page 4 |
1 |
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
Paul C. Hilal | |||||
2 | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) ☐ (b) ☐
| |||||
3 | SEC USE ONLY
| |||||
4 | SOURCE OF FUNDS
OO (See Item 3) | |||||
5 | CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)
☐ | |||||
6 | CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
United States |
Number of shares beneficially owned by each reporting person with
|
7 | SOLE VOTING POWER
None | ||||
8 | SHARED VOTING POWER
12,729,873 | |||||
9 | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
None | |||||
10 | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
12,729,873 |
11 |
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
12,729,873 | |||||
12 | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
☐ | |||||
13 | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
5.7%* | |||||
14 | TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
IN |
* | All percentage calculations set forth herein are based upon the aggregate of 224,956,059 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of November 19, 2021, as reported in Dollar Trees Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) on November 23, 2021. |
CUSIP No. 256746108 | Page 5 |
This Amendment No. 1 (this Amendment) amends and supplements the Schedule 13D filed by the Reporting Persons with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 12, 2021 (the Initial 13D and, as amended and supplemented by this Amendment, together, the Schedule 13D) relating to the Common Stock of Dollar Tree, Inc. (the Issuer). Except to the extent set forth in this Amendment, all information disclosed in the Initial 13D remains unchanged. Capitalized terms not defined in this Amendment shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Initial 13D.
ITEM 4. | PURPOSE OF TRANSACTION |
Item 4 is hereby amended and supplemented by the addition of the following:
The Reporting Persons believe the Issuer will benefit from a refresh of the membership of the Board. In addition, the Reporting Persons believe the Board should undertake a thoughtful and deliberative review of the Companys strategy, with a view to, among other things, fully develop the combined value of its two primary segments. In furtherance of that objective, the Reporting Persons believe that the Board should examine closely the possibility of the Issuers hiring Richard W. Dreiling (former Chairman and CEO of Dollar General) to a leadership role with the Issuer.
A Mantle Ridge representative, along with three advisors, met with the Issuers full Board of Directors to discuss these matters, and Mantle Ridge anticipates continuing those discussions.
In the meantime and because those discussions will not have time to reach conclusion before the deadline for nominations laid out in the Issuers By-Laws, MR Cobalt Offshore Fund AB Ltd., an affiliate of the Reporting Persons, delivered on December 10, 2021 a notice to the corporate secretary of the Issuer of its decision to: (1) nominate eleven individuals (the Nominees) as candidates for election to the Issuers Board of Directors at the Issuers 2022 annual meeting of stockholders (the 2022 Annual Meeting); and (2) propose the repeal of each provision of, or amendment to, the Issuers By-Laws adopted by the Board without the approval of the Issuers stockholders after June 10, 2021 and through the end of the 2022 Annual Meeting. The Nominees are Susan M. Cameron, Frederick A. Crawford, John W. Flanigan, Cheryl W. Grisé, Steven T. Halverson, Paul C. Hilal, Daniel J. Heinrich, Edward J. Kelly, III, Mary A. Laschinger, Dennis H. Reilley and Bertram L. Scott.
The Reporting Persons intend to continue discussions with the Board concerning the matters referenced in this Item 4, including the appropriate extent of Board refreshment.
In connection with these nominations, a questionnaire supplied by the Issuer required Mr. Hilal to submit to the Issuer forms of the Cash or Physically Settled Forward Purchase Contract, Option into Cash Settled Forward Contract and Option into Cash and Physically Settled Forward Contract previously disclosed by the Reporting Persons. On a supplemental basis, forms of those agreements are filed as Exhibits 99.3, 99.4 and 99.5 hereto and are incorporated herein by reference. Also in connection with these nominations, the questionnaire referred to above required Mr. Hilal to submit information regarding the Mantle Ridge Funds as well as forms of the limited partnership agreement and side letter relating to those funds. On a supplemental basis, forms of those agreements are filed as Exhibits 99.6 and 99.7 hereto and are incorporated herein by reference.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
In connection with their intended proxy solicitation, Mantle Ridge and certain of its affiliates intend to file a proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) to solicit stockholders of the Issuer. Mantle Ridge will furnish the definitive proxy statement to the stockholders of the Issuer, together with a proxy card. MANTLE RIDGE STRONGLY ADVISES ALL STOCKHOLDERS OF THE ISSUER TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE BECAUSE IT WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION, INCLUDING INFORMATION RELATING TO THE PARTICIPANTS IN ANY SUCH PROXY SOLICITATION. SUCH PROXY STATEMENT, WHEN FILED, AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT NO CHARGE ON THE SECS WEBSITE AT HTTP://WWW.SEC.GOV.
Information about the participants in the solicitation is included as Exhibit 99.8 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 6. | CONTRACTS, ARRANGEMENTS, UNDERSTANDINGS OR RELATIONSHIPS WITH RESPECT TO SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER |
Item 6 is hereby amended and supplemented by the addition of the following:
The information set forth in Item 4 hereof is hereby incorporated by reference into this Item 6, as applicable.
ITEM 7. | MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS AN EXHIBIT |
Exhibit 99.1* |
Joint Filing Agreement among Mantle Ridge LP, MR Cobalt Advisor LLC and Paul C. Hilal. | |
Exhibit 99.2* |
Trading Data. | |
Exhibit 99.3 |
Form of Cash or Physically Settled Forward Purchase Contract. | |
Exhibit 99.4 |
Form of Option into Cash Settled Forward Contract. | |
Exhibit 99.5 |
Form of Option into Cash and Physically Settled Forward Contract. | |
Exhibit 99.6 |
Form of First Amended and Restated Exempted Limited Partnership Agreement. | |
Exhibit 99.7 |
Form of Side Letter. | |
Exhibit 99.8 |
Participant Information. |
* | Previously filed. |
CUSIP No. 256746108 | Page 6 |
SIGNATURES
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of each of the undersigneds knowledge and belief, each of the undersigned certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
Date: December 10, 2021 | MR COBALT ADVISOR LLC | |||||
By: Mantle Ridge LP, its sole member | ||||||
By: Mantle Ridge GP LLC, its general partner | ||||||
By: PCH MR Advisor Holdings LLC, its managing member | ||||||
By: |
/s/ Paul C. Hilal | |||||
Paul C. Hilal | ||||||
Sole Member | ||||||
MANTLE RIDGE LP | ||||||
By: Mantle Ridge GP LLC, its general partner | ||||||
By: PCH MR Advisor Holdings LLC, its managing member | ||||||
By: |
/s/ Paul C. Hilal | |||||
Paul C. Hilal | ||||||
Sole Member | ||||||
/s/ Paul C. Hilal | ||||||
Paul C. Hilal |
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit |
Description | |
Exhibit 99.1* |
Joint Filing Agreement among Mantle Ridge LP, MR Cobalt Advisor LLC and Paul C. Hilal. | |
Exhibit 99.2* |
Trading Data. | |
Exhibit 99.3 |
Form of Cash or Physically Settled Forward Purchase Contract. | |
Exhibit 99.4 |
Form of Option into Cash Settled Forward Contract. | |
Exhibit 99.5 |
Form of Option into Cash and Physically Settled Forward Contract. | |
Exhibit 99.6 |
Form of First Amended and Restated Exempted Limited Partnership Agreement. | |
Exhibit 99.7 |
Form of Side Letter. | |
Exhibit 99.8 |
Participant Information. |
* | Previously filed |
Exhibit 99.3
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Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd. Chesney House 96 Pitts Bay Road Pembroke HM 08 Bermuda |
Urgent Please deliver immediately |
Date: | [ ] | |
To: | [Mantle Ridge Fund] (Counterparty) | |
Address: | 712 Fifth Avenue | |
Suite 17F | ||
New York, NY 10019 | ||
Attention: | [ ] | |
Email: | [ ] | |
Phone: | [ ] | |
Fax No.: | [ ] | |
From: | Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd. (Nomura) | |
Re: | OTC Equity Forward Transactions Cash or Physical Settlement |
This master confirmation (this Master Confirmation) confirms the terms of certain forward transactions that may be entered into between us from time to time (the Transactions and each, a Transaction). Certain terms of each individual Transaction shall be as set forth in this Master Confirmation, with additional terms as set forth in one or more Supplemental Confirmations substantially in the form of Schedule A hereto. This Master Confirmation, taken alone without any Supplemental Confirmation, is neither a commitment by either party to enter into any Transaction nor evidence of a Transaction. This Master Confirmation, together with each Supplemental Confirmation, constitutes a Confirmation and each Transaction constitutes a separate Transaction as referred to in the ISDA Master Agreement specified below.
This Master Confirmation, together with each Supplemental Confirmation, supplements, forms part of, and is subject to the ISDA 2002 Master Agreement, dated as of [ ], between Nomura and Counterparty (including the Schedule thereto and the 1994 Credit Support Annex (Bilateral FormNew York Law) (the CSA) to such Schedule), as may be amended and supplemented from time to time (the Agreement). All provisions contained or incorporated by reference in the Agreement shall govern this Master Confirmation except as expressly modified below. This Master Confirmation, together with each Supplemental Confirmation, evidences a complete binding agreement between Nomura and Counterparty as to the subject matter and terms of each Transaction to which this Master Confirmation relates and shall supersede all prior or contemporaneous written or oral communications with respect thereto.
The 2006 ISDA Definitions (the Swap Definitions) and the 2002 ISDA Equity Derivatives Definitions (the Equity Definitions, and with the Swap Definitions, the Definitions), each as published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., are incorporated into this Master Confirmation. If there is any inconsistency between the Definitions and this Master Confirmation, this Master Confirmation governs. If, in relation to any Transaction to which this Master Confirmation relates, there is any inconsistency between the Agreement, this Master Confirmation, the Swap Definitions and the Equity Definitions, the following will prevail for purposes of such Transaction in the order of precedence indicated: (i) this Master Confirmation; (ii) the Equity Definitions; (iii) the Swap Definitions, and (iv) the Agreement.
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
The terms of the particular Transaction to which this Confirmation relates are as follows:
General Terms
Type of Transaction: | Share Forward Transaction | |
Trade Date: | Each date appearing on the relevant Supplemental Confirmation under the heading Trade Date. | |
Effective Date: | One Settlement Cycle following the Trade Date for the Transaction | |
Valuation Date: | Any Potential Valuation Date designated as the Valuation Date by either party upon at least 15 calendar days prior written notice. | |
Potential Valuation Date: | Each of (i) the date appearing on the relevant Supplemental Confirmation under the heading Initial Potential Valuation Date, opposite the entry of the Trade Date for the Transaction, (ii) the date 12 months after the Initial Potential Valuation Date and (iii) each date 12 months after any Potential Valuation Date. | |
Seller: | Nomura | |
Buyer: | Counterparty | |
Shares: | As set forth in Annex A hereto | |
Number of Shares: | The number of Shares appearing on the relevant Supplemental Confirmation | |
Initial Price: | The price per Share appearing on the relevant Supplemental Confirmation under the heading Initial Price, opposite the entry of the Trade Date for the Transaction. | |
Forward Price: | On the Trade Date, the Initial Price and on any date thereafter as adjusted as set forth herein. | |
Variable Obligation: | Not applicable | |
Exchange(s): | As set forth in Annex A hereto | |
Related Exchange(s): | As set forth in Annex A hereto | |
Structuring Fee: | As set forth in Annex A hereto | |
Dividends | ||
Dividend Amount Adjustment: | With respect to any ordinary or extraordinary cash dividend or distribution on the Shares for which the Record Date occurs during the Dividend Period, the Calculation Agent shall reduce the Forward Price on the Dividend Amount Adjustment Date and adjust the calculation of subsequent accruals of the Forward Price by an amount equal to the relevant Dividend Amount; provided that, for any Dividend Amount for which (x) the relevant Record Date occurs during the Dividend Period, and (y) the relevant Dividend Amount Adjustment Date occurs after any Settlement Date or Cash Settlement Payment Date with respect to all or a portion of the Transaction, as applicable, Nomura shall remit to Counterparty, within three Currency Business Days after such Dividend Amount Adjustment Date, an amount in the Settlement Currency equal to the |
2
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
product of (i) such Dividend Amount multiplied by (ii) the number of shares constituting the portion of the Number of Shares as of such Record Date for which no adjustment under Dividend Amount Adjustment was made on such Dividend Amount Adjustment Date. Notwithstanding the above, if the Forward Price is reduced pursuant to an adjustment above and the related Dividend Amount is not paid at the time and in the amount scheduled, then Nomura shall have the right to further adjust the Forward Price to account for such deficiency or (if the Transaction has then terminated) Counterparty will be required, upon request of Nomura, to promptly remit to Nomura an amount determined by the Calculation Agent as appropriate to account for such deficiency. The obligations of each party pursuant to this provision will survive settlement or termination of the Transaction. Section 11.2(e)(iii) is hereby amended by adding the word non-cash before Extraordinary Dividend. | ||
Dividend Amount Adjustment Date: | In respect of any cash dividend or distribution on the Shares, the Dividend Receipt Date (or if such day is not a Currency Business Day, the Currency Business Day immediately following such date). | |
Dividend Receipt Date: | The date of receipt of a dividend by holders of record. | |
Record Date: | Each relevant date of determination of holder of record status. | |
Dividend Amount: | The Record Amount; provided that | |
(i) the last two sentences of Section 10.1 of the Equity Definitions shall be deleted; and | ||
(ii) any gross cash dividend shall represent a sum after the withholding or deduction of taxes, if any, at the source by or on behalf of any applicable authority having power to tax in respect of such a dividend that would be incurred if such dividend were received by a QDD Hypothetical Investor. | ||
A QDD Hypothetical Investor is a hypothetical investor that is authorized to act as a Qualified Derivatives Dealer by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, holds its Shares (and receives any amounts thereon) in its capacity as a Qualified Derivatives Dealer and properly certifies the foregoing as required under applicable U.S. federal income tax laws in order to avoid withholding on dividends, amounts treated as dividends or dividend equivalent amounts. | ||
Dividend Period: | The period commencing on and including the Effective Date and ending on but excluding (i) the Cash Settlement Payment Date, if Cash Settlement applies, (ii) the Settlement Date, if Physical Settlement applies, or (iii) the Nomura Early Termination Date, as applicable. | |
Share Dividend Elections: | In the event that a dividend is payable in either cash or property or a combination thereof at the election of a person who would be a holder of record of such Shares, the Dividend Amount shall be determined as if no election were made pursuant to the election default provision set forth in the documents relating to the payment of dividends on the Shares. | |
Settlement Terms | ||
Settlement Currency: | USD |
3
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
Cash Settlement Payment Date: | One Settlement Cycle after the later of (a) the Valuation Date and (b) the last day of the VWAP Period. | |
Settlement Date: | One Settlement Cycle after the Valuation Date. | |
Accrual Payment Amount: | With respect to each Transaction, the sum of the Accrual Amounts for each Calculation Period. | |
Calculation Periods: | Notwithstanding anything in the Swap Definitions, with respect to each Transaction, each one calendar day period from, and including, the Effective Date to, but excluding, (i) the Cash Settlement Payment Date, if Cash Settlement applies, (ii) the Settlement Date, if Physical Settlement applies, or (iii) the Nomura Early Termination Date, as applicable. | |
Accrual Amount: | For each Calculation Period, the sum, for each day in such Calculation Period, of the product of (a) the Adjusted Calculation Amount for such Calculation Period multiplied by (b) (i) the Floating Rate plus (ii) the Spread, divided by (c) 360. | |
Adjusted Calculation Amount: | For each day in a Calculation Period, (a) the Base Calculation Amount for such Calculation Period minus (b) (i) the sum of all Dividend Amounts, if any, that were paid by the Issuer during such Calculation Period multiplied by (ii) the Number of Shares plus (c) the Preceding Period Amount. | |
Preceding Period Amount: | For each Calculation Period, the Accrual Amount for the immediately preceding Calculation Period, provided that for the first Calculation Period, the Preceding Period Amount shall be zero. | |
Base Calculation Amount: | For the first Calculation Period, the Forward Price multiplied by the Number of Shares and, for each subsequent Calculation Period, the Adjusted Calculation Amount for the immediately preceding Calculation Period. | |
Floating Rate: | The Interest Rate as defined in Paragraph 13(h)(i) of the CSA. | |
Spread: | As set forth in Annex A hereto | |
Reset Dates: | Each calendar day that is a Calculation Period. | |
Settlement Method Election: | Applicable | |
Electing Party: | Counterparty | |
Settlement Method Election Date: | Any Scheduled Trading Day following the Effective Date, provided that Counterparty must provide notice to Nomura of its Settlement Method Election no later than 12:00 noon New York time on the third Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Valuation Date (in the case of Cash Settlement) or the Settlement Date (in the case of Physical Settlement), and provided further that, in the case of any Counterparty Early Termination, the Settlement Method Election Date shall be the Notice Business Day on which the notice of termination is received by Nomura. | |
Default Settlement Method: | Physical Settlement, provided that Section 9.2(a)(i) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by adding plus an amount equal to the Accrual Payment Amount before and Seller will deliver in the third line thereof; and provided further that Counterparty may not elect or proceed with Physical Settlement unless the Physical Settlement Condition (as defined below) is satisfied. |
4
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
If Cash Settlement is elected or if the Physical Settlement Condition is not satisfied, Section 8.5(c) of the Equity Definitions shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced by the following: under a Share Forward Transaction or Share Basket Forward Transaction to which Prepayment is not applicable and Variable Obligation is not applicable, an amount equal to (A) the Number of Shares or the Number of Baskets, as the case may be, multiplied by (B) an amount equal to the Settlement Price minus the Forward Price, minus (C) an amount equal to the Accrual Payment Amount. | ||
Physical Settlement Condition: | Physical Settlement of a Transaction is conditioned upon (a) any required filings and any applicable waiting periods under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, relating to the transactions contemplated hereby, shall have been made or shall have been expired or been terminated, as applicable or (b) Counterparty has determined that it has an exemption for any such filings. Any Physical Settlement of the Transaction shall constitute a representation by Counterparty that such filings have been made and any such waiting periods have expired or been terminated or that Counterparty has determined that it has an exemption for such filings. | |
Settlement Price with Respect to Cash Settlement: | The Settlement Price with respect to Cash Settlement in relation to the Valuation Date shall be the VWAP per Share determined by the Calculation Agent as of the Valuation Date. | |
VWAP per Share with respect to the Transaction shall mean, as of the Valuation Date, the arithmetic mean of the volume-weighted average price per Share as listed on the relevant Bloomberg Page AQR during regular trading hours on the Exchange of each Exchange Business Day during the VWAP Period but excluding any official opening and closing transactions on the Exchange, as determined by the Calculation Agent, less USD 0.02. | ||
VWAP Period shall mean a period consisting of a number of Exchange Business Days equal to the VWAP Number, commencing on the Scheduled Valuation Date. | ||
The VWAP Number shall be equal to the quotient, rounded up to the nearest whole number, obtained by dividing (x) the aggregate of the Number of Shares with respect to all Transactions entered into under this Master Confirmation by (y) the product of (A) the ADTV Percentage and (B) the average daily trading volume, determined as of the third Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Valuation Date, on the principal Exchange for the Shares for a period of 60 consecutive calendar days, immediately preceding such date, as determined by the Calculation Agent. | ||
The ADTV Percentage shall be equal to [ ]%. | ||
In the event that Nomura reasonably determines that, as a result of any legal, regulatory, or self-regulatory requirement relating to any Hedge Position with respect to the Transactions hereunder (including, for the avoidance of doubt, in consideration of other market activity by Counterparty as well as any legal considerations applicable to Counterparty, including, but not limited to, considerations related the fact that Counterparty may be an insider or |
5
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
affiliate (or at any time during the preceding three months may have been an affiliate) of the Issuer and the application of any related securities laws), it is appropriate to extend the VWAP Period, then Nomura may extend the VWAP Period by such number of additional Exchange Business Days as, in its commercially reasonable discretion, it deems appropriate, and/or select non-consecutive Exchange Business Days to make up the VWAP Period if Nomura determines in its commercially reasonable discretion that such action is appropriate. | ||
The definition of Market Disruption Event in Section 6.3(a) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by deleting the words at any time during the one-hour period that ends at the relevant Valuation Time, Latest Exercise Time, Knock-in Valuation Time or Knock-out Valuation Time, as the case may be and inserting the words at any time on any Scheduled Trading Day during the VWAP Period after the word material, in the third line thereof. | ||
Section 6.3(d) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by deleting the remainder of the provision following the term Scheduled Closing Time in the fourth line thereof. | ||
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Equity Definitions, to the extent that a Disrupted Day occurs in the VWAP Period, the Calculation Agent may extend the VWAP Period by one for each Exchange Business Day that is a Disrupted Day. If any such Disrupted Day is a Disrupted Day because of a Market Disruption Event, the Calculation Agent shall determine whether (i) such Disrupted Day is a Disrupted Day in full, in which case the VWAP Price for such Disrupted Day shall not be included for purposes of determining the Settlement Price or (ii) such Disrupted Day is a Disrupted Day only in part, in which case the VWAP Price for such Disrupted Day shall be determined by the Calculation Agent based on transactions in the Shares on such Disrupted Day taking into account the nature and duration of the relevant Market Disruption Event, and the weighting of the VWAP Price for the relevant Exchange Business Days during the VWAP Period shall be adjusted in a commercially reasonable manner by the Calculation Agent for purposes of determining the Settlement Price. Any Exchange Business Day on which, as of the date hereof, the Exchange is scheduled to close prior to its normal close of trading shall be deemed not to be an Exchange Business Day; if a closure of the Exchange prior to its normal close of trading on any Exchange Business Day is scheduled following the date hereof, then such Exchange Business Day shall be deemed to be a Disrupted Day in full. | ||
If a Disrupted Day occurs during the VWAP Period and each of the seven immediately following Scheduled Trading Days is a Disrupted Day, then the Calculation Agent may deem such seventh Scheduled Trading Day to be an Exchange Business Day that is not a Disrupted Day and determine the VWAP Price for such seventh Scheduled Trading Day using its good faith estimate of the value of the Shares on such seventh Scheduled Trading Day based on the volume, historical trading patterns and price of the Shares and such other factors as it deems appropriate. | ||
If for any reason (including by virtue of the determination or the extension of the VWAP Period), the VWAP Period would end on a date later than the Valuation Date (as measured before giving effect to this sentence), then the Valuation Date shall be postponed to the final day of the VWAP Period. |
6
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
Share Adjustments: | ||
Method of Adjustment: | Calculation Agent Adjustment; provided that, if an event occurs that constitutes both a Potential Adjustment Event and a Spin-off as described below, it shall be treated hereunder as a Spin-off and not as a Potential Adjustment Event. | |
Section 11.2(e)(vii) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended to add the term corporate before event. | ||
Spin-off: | A distribution of New Shares (the Spin-off Shares) of any issuer, including the Issuer (any such issuer, the Spin-off Issuer), to holders of the Shares (the Original Shares). Solely for purposes of this paragraph, New Shares means ordinary or common shares of the Spinoff Issuer, including, for the avoidance of doubt, shares that are issued to separately track and reflect the economic performance of businesses and/or assets of the Spin-off Issuer, which shares are, or as of the ex-dividend date of such Spin-off are scheduled promptly to be, (i) publicly quoted, traded or listed on any of the New York Stock Exchange, The NASDAQ Global Select Market or The NASDAQ Global Market (or their respective successors) and (ii) not subject to any currency exchange controls, trading restrictions or other trading limitations. Notwithstanding anything else to the contrary in the Equity Definitions, a distribution of Spin-off Shares will in every case require the Calculation Agent to take the actions specified under Consequences of Spin-off below and the Calculation Agent will not adjust the Transactions in any other manner. | |
Consequences of Spin-off: | In connection with a Spin-off with respect to a Transaction, as of the ex-dividend date for such Spin-off, the Calculation Agent shall adjust the Transaction to continue as two separate Transactions, each with terms identical to the original Transaction (the Original Transaction), except that: (i) the Shares for the Original Transaction (the Original Shares Transaction) shall be the Original Shares and the Shares for the other transaction (the Spin-off Shares Transaction) shall be the Spin-off Shares, (ii) the Number of Shares for the Original Shares Transaction shall remain unchanged from the Number of Shares for the Original Transaction, (iii) the Number of Shares for Spin-off Shares Transaction shall equal the product of (A) the Number of Shares for the Original Transaction (as in effect immediately prior to the ex-dividend date for such Spin-off) and (B) the number of Spin-off Shares that a holder of one share of Original Shares would have owned or been entitled to receive in connection with such Spin-off, (iv) the Strike Price for each of the Original Shares Transaction and the Spin-off Shares Transaction shall be adjusted by the Calculation Agent to reflect the relative market values per share of the Original Shares and the Spin-off Shares immediately following the ex-dividend date for such Spin-off and (v) the Calculation Agent shall make such technical adjustments to the exercise, settlement, payment or any other terms of such Transactions as the Calculation Agent determines appropriate to account for such Spin-off (but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, adjustments to account for changes in volatility, expected dividends, stock loan rate or liquidity relevant to the Shares or to such Transaction. Following such adjustment, this Master Confirmation shall apply in all respects (except as provided above) to both the Original Shares Transaction and the Spinoff Shares Transaction as if each were a separate Transaction under this Master Confirmation. |
7
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
Extraordinary Events: | ||
Consequences of Merger Events: | ||
(a) Share-for-Share: |
Calculation Agent Adjustment | |
(b) Share-for-Other: |
Cancellation and Payment | |
(c) Share-for-Combined: |
Component Adjustment | |
Tender Offer: | Applicable; provided, however, that Section 12.1(d) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by adding , or of the outstanding Shares, before of the Issuer in the fourth line thereof. Sections 12.1(e) and 12.1(l)(ii) of the Equity Definitions are hereby amended by adding or Shares, as applicable, after voting Shares. | |
Consequences of Tender Offers: | ||
(a) Share-for-Share: |
Calculation Agent Adjustment | |
(b) Share-for-Other: |
Calculation Agent Adjustment | |
(c) Share-for-Combined: |
Calculation Agent Adjustment | |
Composition of Combined Consideration: | Not Applicable | |
Nationalization, Insolvency or Delisting: | Cancellation and Payment | |
Shareholder Rights Plan: | Notwithstanding any provision of the Equity Definitions or this Master Confirmation to the contrary, upon the occurrence of an event that results in any shareholder rights being distributed or becoming separated from the Shares or other shares of the Issuers capital stock (including the issuance or exercisability of rights or the issuance of Shares or other securities under a so-called poison pill or similar event), as determined by the Calculation Agent, that occurs as a result of any action taken by or any activity of Counterparty or its affiliates or related parties or any member of a group (as defined under Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), or any similar provision) of which Counterparty or any such affiliate or related party is a part, in each case as determined by the Calculation Agent, Nomura shall not be obligated to adjust the Number of Shares or other terms for any Transaction hereunder to reflect such event, and without limiting the foregoing, the Number of Shares to be Delivered or the Forward Cash Settlement Amount payable, as the case may be, by Nomura under any Transaction hereunder will be determined exclusive of additional Shares or rights with respect thereto delivered to holders of Shares as a result of such event. | |
Additional Disruption Events: | ||
(a) Change in Law: | Applicable; provided that Section 12.9(a)(ii) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by (a) adding the words or any Hedge Positions after the word Shares in clause (X) thereof; and (b) adding the words (including, for the avoidance of doubt and without limitation, adoption or promulgation of new regulations authorized or mandated by existing statute) after the word regulation in the second line thereof. | |
(b) Failure to Deliver: | Not Applicable |
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Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
(c) Insolvency Filing: | Not Applicable | |
(d) Hedging Disruption: | Not Applicable | |
(e) Increased Cost of Hedging: | Not Applicable | |
(f) Loss of Stock Borrow: | Not Applicable | |
(g) Increased Cost of Stock Borrow: | Not Applicable | |
Determining Party: | For all applicable events, Nomura. Whenever the Determining Party is required to act or to exercise judgment in any way, it will do so in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner. If Counterparty chooses to dispute a determination made by Nomura in its role as Determining Party, then it must do so within two (2) Scheduled Trading Days of the day on which Nomura communicates the relevant determination to Counterparty and provide Nomura with the reasons why Counterparty objects. If Counterparty and Nomura cannot resolve the dispute, then the dispute resolution procedures applicable to the Calculation Agent shall also apply to the Determining Party as if all references to the Calculation Agent were references to the Determining Party. | |
Hedging Party: | For all applicable events, Nomura | |
Additional Provisions: | ||
Nomura Early Termination: | Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary set forth herein, Nomura shall have the right to terminate all or a portion of the Transaction, for any reason or no reason, upon delivery of written notice of termination to Counterparty (which may be delivered electronically), which termination shall become effective six (6) months following the date of such notice (a Nomura Early Termination). The Calculation Agent shall determine any payments and adjustments for the portion of the Transaction subject to any Nomura Early Termination as if (i) the applicable Nomura Early Termination was an Extraordinary Event and (ii) Cancellation and Payment applied (the date of such cancellation, the Nomura Early Termination Date). The portion of the Independent Amount relating to the portion of the Transaction subject to any Nomura Early Termination and to be returned in connection with such Nomura Early Termination shall be due and payable on the date the Cancellation Amount is due and payable, subject to netting pursuant to Section 2(c) of the Agreement. | |
Counterparty Early Termination: | If Counterparty gives notice to Nomura on a Notice Business Day to terminate the Transaction in whole or in part by reducing the Number of Shares for such Transaction (the number of Shares by which the Transaction is reduced being the Terminated Shares): | |
(i) the Optional Termination Date shall be deemed to be the Valuation Date (subject to Disrupted Day provisions, if applicable) for a Number of Shares for such Transaction equal to the Terminated Shares; | ||
(ii) with effect from the Optional Termination Date, the Number of Shares for such Transaction shall be reduced by the Terminated Shares; |
9
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
(iii) in the case of Cash Settlement, the Settlement Price shall be calculated in accordance with Settlement Terms above as if the Optional Termination Date were the Valuation Date; | ||
(iv) the settlement method applicable to such Optional Early Termination shall be the applicable method set forth under Settlement Terms above; and | ||
(v) the Calculation Agent shall make the calculations described under Settlement Terms above with respect to all or a portion of the Transaction being terminated, as applicable, and the remainder of the Transaction, if any, shall continue in accordance with its terms. | ||
Optional Termination Date: | If Cash Settlement applies, the Exchange Business Day following the Notice Business Day on which the notice of termination is received; if Physical Settlement applies, the Notice Business Day on which the notice of termination is received if it is received in reasonably sufficient time for Nomura to execute a transaction on the Exchange prior to the actual closing time of the Exchange, and otherwise the next following Exchange Business Day. | |
Notice Business Day: | A day that is both an Exchange Business Day and a Banking Day in the city of the Office of Nomura to which the notice is given. | |
Independent Amount: | As set forth in Annex A hereto. The Independent Amount for each Transaction hereunder shall be paid by Counterparty to Nomura on or before the Currency Business Day immediately following the Trade Date. | |
IA Step-Down Percentage: | [ ]% | |
IA Step-Down Period: | A period beginning on, and including, the date specified as such in a notice from Counterparty to Nomura (the Step-Down Effective Date), to be no fewer than two Local Business Days following the date such notice is given, and ending on, and excluding, a date specified in a separate notice from Counterparty to Nomura. For the avoidance of doubt, following the termination of an IA Step-Down Period, Counterparty may elect to commence a new IA Step-Down Period by delivery of the notice described herein. | |
Additional Posted Credit Support: | Counterparty shall be obligated to Transfer to Nomura on the Local Business Day following a Step-Down Effective Date an amount equal to [ ]% of the product of (x) the Number of Shares and (y) the Initial Price (the Additional Posted Credit Support) to be held as Posted Collateral pursuant to the CSA, which obligation shall be deemed satisfied out of the portion of the Independent Amount Nomura would otherwise be obligated to return to Counterparty. On the Local Business Day following a Step-Down Effective Date, Nomura shall Transfer Posted Collateral to Counterparty to the extent the Independent Amount immediately prior to a Step-Down Effective Date exceeds the sum of the Independent Amount after giving effect to the Step-Down Effective Date and the portion of the Independent Amount necessary to satisfy Counterpartys Additional Posted Credit Support obligation. Counterparty may, from time to time, supplement the Additional Posted Credit Support by Transferring additional Eligible Collateral to Nomura and specifying that such amounts are to be held as Additional Posted Credit Support. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the CSA, the Additional Posted Credit Support shall be deemed to have a Value of zero for the purpose of calculating any Delivery Amount or Return Amount (provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, for the purposes of Paragraph 11(a) of the CSA, the Additional Posted Credit Support shall have the Value set forth in the CSA without giving effect to this sentence). |
10
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
If Counterparty fails to Transfer any Delivery Amount required by the CSA with respect to a Transaction, such failure shall not constitute an Event of Default for so long as Additional Posted Credit Support in an amount not less than such Delivery Amount (less any portion of such Delivery Amount otherwise Transferred by Counterparty) is available, and on the next Local Business Day after such Transfer was otherwise due Nomura shall apply some or all of the Additional Posted Credit Support, as applicable, to the satisfaction of such Transfer obligation. Nomura may, in its sole discretion, apply any Interest Amount or Distributions otherwise payable by Nomura pursuant to Paragraph 6(d) of the CSA in an amount of up to such Delivery Amount to replenish the Additional Posted Credit Support to the amount initially required pursuant to the immediately preceding paragraph. | ||
Calculation Agent: | As specified in the Agreement. | |
Non-Reliance: | Applicable | |
Agreements and Acknowledgements Regarding Hedging Activities: | Applicable | |
Additional Acknowledgements: | Applicable | |
Exposure: | For purposes of calculating a Credit Support Amount with respect to which Counterparty is the Secured Party, Exposure in respect of any Transaction hereunder shall be zero. | |
For purposes of calculating a Credit Support Amount with respect to which Nomura is the Secured Party, the Exposure with respect to all Transactions under this Master Confirmation shall be no greater than the difference between (x) the sum of, for each such Transaction, the product of (1) the then-applicable Number of Shares for such Transaction and (2) the Initial Price for such Transaction and (y) the Independent Amount for all such Transactions. |
Representations, Warranties and Covenants of Counterparty
Counterparty represents and warrants to, and covenants with, Nomura as of the date on which it enters into a Transaction hereunder that (in the absence of any written agreement between the parties that expressly imposes affirmative obligations to the contrary for the Transaction):
(A) Non-Reliance. It is acting for its own account, and it has made its own independent decisions to enter into the Transaction and as to whether the Transaction is appropriate or proper for it based upon its own judgment and upon advice from such advisers as it has deemed necessary. It is not relying on any communication (written or oral) of the other party as investment advice or as a recommendation to enter into the Transaction, it being understood that information and explanations related to the terms and conditions of the Transaction will not be considered investment advice or a recommendation to enter into the Transaction. No communication (written or oral) received from the other party will be deemed to be an assurance or guarantee as to the expected results of the Transaction.
(B) Assessment and Understanding. It is capable of assessing the merits of and understanding (on its own behalf or through independent professional advice), and understands and accepts, the terms, conditions and risks of the Transaction. It is also capable of assuming, and assumes, the risks of the Transaction.
(C) Status of Parties. Nomura is not acting as a fiduciary for or an adviser to it in respect of the Transaction.
11
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
(D) Non-Public Information. It is not entering into the Transaction on the basis of any material non-public information with respect to the Issuer or the Shares that, under any applicable securities laws, it would have to disclose before buying or selling the Shares.
(E) Commodity Exchange Act. It is an eligible contract participant under, and as defined in, the Commodity Exchange Act and it was not formed solely for the purposes of constituting an eligible contract participant.
(F) Private Placement. It (i) is an accredited investor as such term is defined in Regulation D as promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), (ii) is entering into the Transaction for its own account without a view to the distribution or resale thereof and (iii) understands that the assignment, transfer or other disposition of the Transaction has not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act.
Additional Agreements of the Parties
(A) Transfer. The rights and duties under this Master Confirmation may not be transferred or assigned by any party hereto without the prior written consent of the other party, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld; provided that Nomura may transfer or assign all (but not less than all) of its rights and obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of Counterparty to any one of Nomuras Affiliates if (i)(a) that Affiliate has a rating for its long term, unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness that is equal to or better than Nomuras credit rating at the time of such assignment or (b) that Affiliates obligations to Counterparty are guaranteed by Nomura Holdings, Inc.; (ii) Counterparty will not, as a result of such transfer, become subject to any adverse tax consequences (including as a result of any dividend-related adjustment); (iii) Counterparty will not, as a result of such transfer, become subject to any costs (including, without limitation, any accounting, regulatory or other compliance costs) that are materially greater than those that would have been imposed on Counterparty in the absence of such transfer; (iv) neither an Event of Default nor a Termination Event has occurred and is continuing or would occur, in each case, as a result of such transfer or assignment; and (v) Nomura shall notify Counterparty in writing prior to effecting any such transfer or assignment.
(B) Update and Acceptance of the Supplemental Confirmation. From time to time, but not less frequently than the first Exchange Business Day of a week following a week in which any Trade Date occurred, and promptly after any Trade Date if requested by Counterparty, Nomura will prepare a new Supplemental Confirmation for all Transactions entered into hereunder and not previously documented on a Supplemental Confirmation and deliver such new Supplemental Confirmation to Counterparty via email to [ ]. Following the provision of such new Supplemental Confirmation, Counterparty shall promptly notify Nomura of any disagreements as to any terms set forth therein. Unless Counterparty has notified Nomura otherwise within two Business Days of the day on which such new Supplemental Confirmation is delivered via email as described herein, Counterparty shall be deemed to have agreed to such new Supplemental Confirmation and its terms shall be final and conclusive, absent manifest error, without any requirement for Counterparty to sign such Supplemental Confirmation.
(C) Tax Characterization. Each Nomura and Counterparty shall treat the Transaction as a derivative financial contract for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and it shall not take any action or tax return filing position contrary to this characterization.
Additional Representations, Warranties and Covenants of Counterparty
Counterparty represents, warrants and covenants to Nomura as of the date on which it enters into each Transaction that:
(A) Counterparty will not make any election under such Transaction while aware of any material non-public information regarding the Issuer or the Shares.
(B) Without limiting the generality of Section 3(a)(iii) of the Agreement, Counterparty, based on advice of counsel, is and, after giving effect to such Transaction, will be, in compliance with and will comply with any reporting obligations under Section 16, Section 13(d) and Section 13(g) of the Exchange Act it has with respect to the Shares.
12
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
(C) Counterparty is not and, after giving effect to such Transaction, will not be required to register as an investment company under, and as such term is defined in, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(D) Counterparty is solvent and able to pay its debts as they come due, with assets having a fair value greater than liabilities and with capital sufficient to carry on the businesses in which it engages.
(E) Counterparty is not and has not been for the preceding three months an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act) of the Issuer.
(F) Within one Exchange Business Day of Counterparty becoming aware during the term of such Transaction that the aggregate number of all Shares beneficially owned by Counterparty and its affiliates for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act together with the economic exposure of Counterparty and its affiliates to the Shares under cash-settled equity derivative transactions (with Nomura or any other counterparty) has increased to or first exceeded each of the following thresholds: 5.0%, 9.5%, 10.0% and 15.0% of the outstanding Shares (as determined by reference to the Issuers most recent reports filed under the Exchange Act), Counterparty shall so notify Nomura.
(G) Considerations relating to the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act, as amended, are not a principal purpose for Counterpartys decision to enter into the Transactions with Nomura.
Matters Relating to Nomura and Agent
(i) Nomura is not registered as a broker or dealer under the Exchange Act. Nomura Securities International, Inc. (Agent) has acted solely as agent for Nomura and Counterparty to the extent required by law in connection with each Transaction and has no obligations, by way of issuance, endorsement, guarantee or otherwise, with respect to the performance of either party under any Transaction. The parties agree to proceed solely against each other, and not against Agent, in seeking enforcement of their rights and obligations with respect to each Transaction, including their rights and obligations with respect to payment of funds and delivery of securities.
(ii) Agent may have been paid a fee by Nomura in connection with each Transaction. Further details will be furnished upon written request.
(iii) The time of each Transaction will be furnished by Agent upon written request.
Acknowledgments Regarding Hedging
Counterparty acknowledges that:
(i) during the term of any Transaction, Nomura and its affiliates may buy or sell Shares or other securities or buy or sell options or futures contracts or enter into swaps or other derivative securities in order to establish, adjust or unwind its hedge position with respect to such Transaction;
(ii) Nomura and its affiliates may also be active in the market for the Shares and derivatives linked to the Shares other than in connection with hedging activities in relation to any Transaction, including acting as agent or as principal and for its own account or on behalf of customers;
(iii) Nomura shall make its own determination as to whether, when or in what manner any of its hedging or market activities shall be conducted and shall do so in a manner that it deems appropriate to hedge its price risk, market risk and any other risk with respect to any Transaction including without limitation by transacting in securities, futures contracts or other derivatives related to the securities underlying a Transaction in amounts that may be greater than or less than the amount of securities that underlie a Transaction;
(iv) any market activities of Nomura and its affiliates with respect to the Shares may affect the market price and volatility of the Shares, each in a manner that may be adverse to Counterparty;
(v) there are no voting or hedging arrangements between Nomura and Counterparty with respect to any Shares or the Issuer;
13
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
(vi) Counterparty will not be entitled to any voting rights in respect of any of the Shares underlying any Transaction; and
(vii) Counterparty will not seek to influence Nomura with respect to the voting of any Hedge Positions of Nomura consisting of Shares (if any).
Confidentiality
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any party (or such partys affiliates) may disclose to any and all persons, without limitation of any kind, the United States tax treatment (federal, state and local) and tax structure of any Transaction contemplated hereunder and all materials of any kind relating to such tax treatment and tax structure. However, any information relating to the United States federal, state or local tax treatment or tax structure shall remain subject to the applicable confidentiality provisions (and the preceding sentence shall not apply) to the extent reasonably necessary to enable any person to comply with applicable securities laws. Tax treatment or tax structure is limited to any facts relevant to the United States federal, state or local tax treatment of any Transaction contemplated hereunder and specifically does not include information relating to the identity of Counterparty or any of its affiliates.
No Arrangements
Nomura and Counterparty each acknowledge and agree that: (i) there are no voting, hedging or settlement arrangements between Nomura and Counterparty with respect to any Shares or the Issuer, other than those set forth herein; (ii) although Nomura may hedge its risk under the Transactions in any way Nomura determines, Nomura has no obligation to hedge with the purchase or maintenance of any Shares or otherwise; (iii) Counterparty will not be entitled to any voting rights in respect of any of the Shares underlying any Transaction; and (iv) Counterparty will not seek to influence Nomura with respect to the voting of any Hedge Positions of Nomura consisting of Shares, if any.
Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act
In connection with Section 739 of the Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act of 2010 (WSTAA), the parties hereby agree that neither the enactment of WSTAA or any regulation under WSTAA, nor any requirement under WSTAA or an amendment made by WSTAA, nor any similar legal certainty provision in any legislation enacted, or rule or regulation promulgated, on or after the date of this Master Confirmation, shall limit or otherwise impair either partys otherwise applicable rights to terminate, renegotiate, modify, amend or supplement this Master Confirmation or the Agreement, as applicable, arising from a termination event, force majeure, illegality, increased costs, regulatory change or similar event under this Master Confirmation, the Equity Definitions incorporated herein, or the Agreement (including, without limitation, rights arising from Change in Law or Illegality).
Address for Notices
Notice to Nomura:
c/o Nomura Securities International, Inc.
309 West 49th Street
New York, NY 10019
Attention: [ ]
with a copy to:
c/o Nomura Securities International, Inc.
309 West 49th Street
New York, NY 10019
Attention: [ ]
14
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
Notice to Counterparty:
As set forth on the first page of this Master Confirmation.
Account Details | ||
Account details for Nomura: | To be advised. | |
Account details for Counterparty: | To be advised. |
[Signature page follows]
15
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
Please confirm that the foregoing correctly sets forth the terms of our agreement by executing a copy of this Master Confirmation and returning it to us at your earliest convenience.
Very truly yours, | ||
NOMURA SECURITIES (BERMUDA) LTD. | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |
Agreed and accepted by: | ||
[Mantle Ridge Fund] | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | [ ] | |
Title: | [ ] |
[Signature Page to Share Forward (Cash or Physical Settlement) Master Confirmation]
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd. Chesney House 96 Pitts Bay Road Pembroke HM 08 Bermuda |
Urgent Please deliver immediately |
SCHEDULE A
FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL CONFIRMATION
Date: | [ ], 20[ ] | |
To: | [Mantle Ridge Fund] (Counterparty) | |
Address: | 712 Fifth Avenue | |
Suite 17F | ||
New York, NY 10019 | ||
Attention: | [ ] | |
Email: | [ ] | |
Phone: | [ ] | |
Fax No.: | [ ] | |
From: | Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd. (Nomura) | |
Re: | OTC Equity Forward Transaction Cash or Physical Settlement |
1. This Supplemental Confirmation supplements, forms part of, and is subject to the Confirmation Re: OTC Equity Forward Transactions Cash or Physical Settlement dated as of [ ] (the Master Confirmation), between Nomura and Counterparty, as amended and supplemented from time to time. All provisions contained in the Master Confirmation govern this Supplemental Confirmation except as expressly modified below.
2. The purpose of this Supplemental Confirmation is to confirm certain terms and conditions of Transactions entered into between Nomura and Counterparty. This Supplemental Confirmation is a binding contract between Nomura and Counterparty as of the date of this Supplemental Confirmation.
Trade Date |
Initial Potential Valuation Date |
Number of Shares |
Initial Price |
Nomura Reference Number | ||||
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
Please notify Nomura promptly of any disagreements as to any terms set forth herein. Unless you notify Nomura otherwise within two Business Days of the day on which this Supplemental Confirmation is delivered as described in the Master Confirmation, you shall be deemed to have agreed to this Supplemental Confirmation and its terms shall be final and conclusive without any requirement for you to sign this Supplemental Confirmation.
Very truly yours, | ||
NOMURA SECURITIES (BERMUDA) LTD. | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |
[Signature Page to Share Forward (Cash or Physical Settlement) Supplemental Confirmation]
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
ANNEX A TO MASTER FORWARD CONFIRMATION | ||
Shares: | The common stock of Dollar Tree, Inc. (Ticker: DLTR) | |
Exchange: | Nasdaq Global Select Market | |
Related Exchange(s): | All Exchanges | |
Spread: | At any time other than during an IA Step-Down Period, [ ] basis points per annum. | |
At any time during an IA Step-Down Period, [ ] basis points per annum. | ||
Independent Amount: | Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the CSA, with respect to Counterparty for each Transaction hereunder, (i) other than during an IA Step-Down Period, the Independent Amount shall be an amount equal to 100% of the product of (x) the Number of Shares from time to time and (y) the Forward Price, (ii) during an IA Step-Down Period, the Independent Amount shall be an amount equal to the product of (x) the IA Step-Down Percentage, (y) the Number of Shares from time to time and (z) the Forward Price. | |
The return of any Independent Amount not previously Transferred from Nomura to Counterparty shall be due and payable on the Cash Settlement Payment Date, subject to netting pursuant to Section 2(c) of the Agreement. | ||
Structuring Fee: | [ ] basis points. The Structuring Fee will be incorporated into the Initial Price for each Transaction hereunder. |
Annex A-1
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
Exhibit 99.4
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd. Chesney House 96 Pitts Bay Road Pembroke HM 08 Bermuda |
Urgent Please deliver immediately |
Date: | [ ] | |
To: | [Mantle Ridge Fund] (Counterparty) | |
Address: | 712 Fifth Avenue | |
Suite 17F | ||
New York, NY 10019 | ||
Attention: | [ ] | |
Email: | [ ] | |
Phone: | [ ] | |
Fax No.: | [ ] | |
From: | Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd. (Nomura) | |
Re: | OTC Share Option Transactions Cash Settled Forward |
This master confirmation (this Master Confirmation) confirms the terms of certain option transactions that may be entered into between us from time to time (the Transactions and each, a Transaction). Certain terms of each individual Transaction shall be as set forth in this Master Confirmation, with additional terms as set forth in one or more Supplemental Confirmations substantially in the form of Schedule A hereto. This Master Confirmation, taken alone without any Supplemental Confirmation, is neither a commitment by either party to enter into any Transaction nor evidence of a Transaction. This Master Confirmation, together with each Supplemental Confirmation, constitutes a Confirmation and each Transaction constitutes a separate Transaction as referred to in the ISDA Master Agreement specified below.
This Master Confirmation, together with each Supplemental Confirmation, supplements, forms part of, and is subject to the ISDA 2002 Master Agreement, dated as of [ ], between Nomura and Counterparty (including the Schedule thereto and the 1994 Credit Support Annex (Bilateral FormNew York Law) (the CSA) to such Schedule), as may be amended and supplemented from time to time (the Agreement). All provisions contained or incorporated by reference in the Agreement shall govern this Master Confirmation except as expressly modified below. This Master Confirmation, together with each Supplemental Confirmation, evidences a complete binding agreement between Nomura and Counterparty as to the subject matter and terms of each Transaction to which this Master Confirmation relates and shall supersede all prior or contemporaneous written or oral communications with respect thereto.
The 2006 ISDA Definitions (the Swap Definitions) and the 2002 ISDA Equity Derivatives Definitions (the Equity Definitions, and with the Swap Definitions, the Definitions), each as published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., are incorporated into this Master Confirmation. If there is any inconsistency between the Definitions and this Master Confirmation, this Master Confirmation governs. If, in relation to any Transaction to which this Master Confirmation relates, there is any inconsistency between the Agreement, this Master Confirmation, the Swap Definitions and the Equity Definitions, the following will prevail for purposes of such Transaction in the order of precedence indicated: (i) this Master Confirmation; (ii) the Equity Definitions; (iii) the Swap Definitions, and (iv) the Agreement.
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
The terms of the particular Transaction to which the Confirmation relates are as follows:
General Terms | ||
Trade Date: | As specified in the relevant Supplemental Confirmation | |
Option Style: | American | |
Option Type: | Call | |
Seller: | Nomura | |
Buyer: | Counterparty | |
Shares: | As set forth in Annex A hereto | |
Number of Options: | As specified in the relevant Supplemental Confirmation | |
Option Entitlement: | One Share per Option | |
Strike Price: | As specified in the relevant Supplemental Confirmation | |
Premium per Option: | As specified in the relevant Supplemental Confirmation | |
Premium Payment Date: | One Settlement Cycle after the Trade Date | |
Exchange: | As set forth in Annex A hereto | |
Related Exchange(s): | As set forth in Annex A hereto | |
Procedure for Exercise | ||
Commencement Date: | The Trade Date | |
Expiration Date: | As specified in the relevant Supplemental Confirmation | |
Multiple Exercise: | Applicable | |
Minimum Number of Options: | One | |
Maximum Number of Options: | The Number of Options remaining unexercised | |
Integral Multiple: | One | |
Automatic Exercise: | Applicable. | |
For purposes of Automatic Exercise, Section 3.4(b) of the Equity Definitions is revised by (a) replacing Physical Settlement with Share Forward Settlement or Net Share Forward Settlement and (b) replacing Expiration Time with Valuation Time. | ||
In-the-Money: | As determined in accordance with Section 3.4 of the Equity Definitions, provided, however, that for purposes of Section 3.4(c)(i)(A) and 3.4(c)(ii)(A) of the Equity Definitions, if the Related Exchange uses a different automatic exercise threshold for dealers versus parties that are not dealers, then whether a Call or Put is In-the- |
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Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
Money shall be determined using the price for a Share at which the Related Exchange would automatically exercise a Physically-settled option for which a dealer was the buyer thereof. | ||
Reference Price: | For purposes of the definition of In-the-Money, if the Exchange is a Nasdaq market, the Nasdaq Official Closing Price (NOCP) as of the Valuation Time on the Expiration Date, as reported in the official price dissemination mechanism for the Exchange. | |
Settlement Terms | ||
Settlement Method Election: | Applicable. The Electing Party may elect (a) Share Forward Settlement, (b) Net Share Forward Settlement or (c) Cash Settlement. | |
Electing Party: | Buyer | |
Settlement Method Election Date: | Any Scheduled Trading Day following the Effective Date that is prior to the Expiration Date, provided that, for Counterpartys Settlement Method Election to be effective with respect to a particular Exercise Date, Counterparty must provide notice to Nomura of its Settlement Method Election no later than 12:00 noon New York time on the third Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding such Exercise Date. | |
Default Settlement Method: | Share Forward Settlement (as defined below). | |
Settlement Currency: | USD | |
Share Forward Settlement Terms | ||
Share Forward Settlement: | If Share Forward Settlement is applicable, then on the date which is one Settlement Cycle after the Exercise Date (if any), Buyer will pay to Seller an amount equal to (a) the Strike Price multiplied by (b) the product of the number of Options exercised or deemed exercised on that Exercise Date and the Option Entitlement; and Buyer and Seller will be deemed to have entered into a Share Forward Transaction on terms and pursuant to documentation set forth on Annex B hereto (such Share Forward Transaction, a Related Forward Transaction), with respect to a number of Shares of the Issuer equal to the number of Options exercised multiplied by the Option Entitlement. | |
Nomura will give Counterparty a written notice (the Spread Notice) of the proposed Spread applicable any time other than during an IA Step-Down Period and any time during an IA Step-Down Period for each Related Forward Transaction (x) promptly upon Counterpartys request on any date prior to the scheduled Expiration Date and (y) four Scheduled Trading Days prior to the scheduled Expiration Date (in the absence of any exercise prior to such date). | ||
Net Share Forward Settlement Terms | ||
Net Share Forward Settlement Procedures: | If Net Share Forward Settlement is applicable, then Nomura will determine the Option Cash Settlement Amount for each Settled Number of Options as set forth under Cash Settlement Terms as if Cash Settlement were applicable (the Deemed Cash Settlement). On each Cash Settlement Payment Date for such Deemed Cash Settlement, in lieu of Sellers payment of the Option Cash Settlement Amount to Buyer, Buyer and Seller will be deemed to have entered |
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Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
into a Related Forward Transaction with respect to a number of Shares of the Issuer equal to such Option Cash Settlement Amount divided by the Settlement Price. In the event that the number of shares calculated as set forth above includes any fractional share, the number of shares for purposes of the Related Forward Transaction will only include whole shares and Seller will pay to Buyer in lieu of such fractional share an amount in the Settlement Currency representing the fractional share multiplied by the Settlement Price. For the purposes of Net Share Forward Settlement, all references to Cash Settlement in Condition to Cash Settlement will be deemed to be references to Net Share Forward Settlement. | ||
Cash Settlement Terms | ||
Number of Options Exercised: | If Cash Settlement is applicable, the number of Options exercised (or deemed to be automatically exercised) on an Exercise Date; provided that the valuation related to such Number of Options exercised will occur as set forth under Cash Settlement Procedures below. | |
Condition to Cash Settlement: | Cash Settlement of the Transaction is conditioned upon Counterparty representing to Nomura in writing on each Exercise Date where Cash Settlement is applicable that either (1) Counterparty is an affiliate (as defined under Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act)) of the Issuer, (2) Counterparty is not an affiliate of the Issuer, or (3) Counterparty should be deemed an affiliate of the Issuer solely for purposes of the relevant Transaction. | |
Cash Settlement Procedures: | On an Exercise Date where Cash Settlement is applicable, the Calculation Agent will determine the Number of Options Exercised (which may be all such Number of Options Exercised) subject to cash settlement (the Settled Number of Options) in its good faith and commercially reasonable discretion (which may, for the avoidance of doubt, be exercised in consideration of advice of counsel and in consideration of other market activity or derivative transaction or unwind activity by Counterparty as well as any legal considerations applicable to Counterparty, including, but not limited to, considerations related to the fact that Counterparty may be an insider or affiliate of the Issuer and the application, if any, of any related securities laws (such considerations, the Unwind Parameters)), and will notify Nomura and Counterparty of such determination. The Calculation Agent also will determine the number of Averaging Dates in its good faith and commercially reasonable discretion and will include in such notice the number of Averaging Dates so determined (Determined Averaging Date Number) and the initial Averaging Date for such settlement which will be the first Scheduled Trading Day after the related Exercise Date (each such date, an Initial Averaging Date). In respect of the settlement on the Expiration Date, the Initial Averaging Date will be the Expiration Date. | |
Such Cash Settlement shall proceed under the Equity Definitions as if (i) the Settled Number of Options were the number of Options exercised for purposes of Section 8.2 of the Equity Definitions (Option Cash Settlement Amount), (ii) the Averaging Dates were a number of consecutive Exchange Business Days beginning on, and including, the Initial Averaging Date for such settlement, which number shall be equal to the Determined Averaging Date Number, and (iii) the Valuation Date were the final Averaging Date for the calculation of the Option Cash Settlement Amount. | ||
Following each such settlement, the Transaction will continue with a Number of Options reduced by the amounts so settled, and the Calculation Agent will select subsequent Initial Averaging Date(s) (in conjunction with a related Determined |
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Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
Averaging Date Number) in a good faith and commercially reasonable manner (taking into account the Unwind Parameters) until the total of all Settled Number of Options equals the Number of Options Exercised. For the avoidance of doubt, the Calculation Agent may select a Settled Number of Options for the first settlement hereunder that equals the total Number of Options Exercised, in which case there shall be only one such settlement hereunder. | ||
Valuation Date: | In respect of a Settled Number of Options, the final Averaging Date in respect of such Settled Number of Options. | |
Cash Settlement Payment Date: | In respect of a Settled Number of Options and an Exercise Date, one Settlement Cycle following the related Valuation Date. | |
Option Cash Settlement Amount: | As set forth in Section 8.2 of the Equity Definitions. | |
General Valuation Terms | ||
Market Disruption Event: | Section 6.3(a) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by replacing clause (ii) thereof in its entirety with the following: (ii) an Exchange Disruption, or and inserting immediately following clause (iii) thereof the following: ; in each case that the Calculation Agent determines is material.
Section 6.3(d) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by deleting the remainder of the provision following the term Scheduled Closing Time in the fourth line thereof. | |
Averaging Date Disruption: | Modified Postponement; provided that Section 6.7(c)(iii)(A) of the Equity Definitions is hereby modified by inserting the words the Calculation Agent may determine in its discretion that after the word then in the sixth line thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing and anything to the contrary in the Equity Definitions, if a Market Disruption Event occurs on any Averaging Date, the Calculation Agent may determine that such Averaging Date is a Disrupted Day only in part, in which case (i) such day shall be an Averaging Date and the Scheduled Trading Day immediately following the date that would otherwise be the last Averaging Date shall be an additional Averaging Date; (ii) the Calculation Agent shall determine the VWAP Price on the Averaging Date that is a partially Disrupted Day on the basis of transactions in the Shares on the Exchange on such Averaging Date, taking into account the nature and duration of the relevant Market Disruption Event; and (iii) the Calculation Agent shall determine the Settlement Price using an appropriately weighted average of VWAP Prices on the Averaging Dates instead of the arithmetic average. | |
Section 6.6(a) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by replacing the word shall in the fifth line thereof with the word may, and by deleting clause (i) thereof. | ||
Relevant Price: | For purposes of Section 6.7 of the Equity Definitions, with respect to any Options for which Cash Settlement is elected, the VWAP Price on the date of determination. | |
VWAP Price: | On any Exchange Business Day, the volume-weighted average price per Share as displayed on the relevant Bloomberg page AQR (or its equivalent successor if such page is not available) in respect of the period from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., New York City time, on such Trading Day (or if such volume-weighted average price is unavailable at such time, the market value of one Share on such Valid |
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Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
Day, as determined by the Calculation Agent using, if practicable, a volume-weighted average method). The VWAP Price will be determined without regard to after-hours trading or any other trading outside of the regular trading session trading hours. | ||
Share Adjustments | ||
Method of Adjustment: | Calculation Agent Adjustment.
The first sentence of Section 11.2(c) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended to read as follows: (c) If Calculation Agent Adjustment is specified as the method of adjustment in the Confirmation of a Share Transaction, then following any announcement of or the occurrence of any Potential Adjustment Event, the Calculation Agent will determine whether such announcement or occurrence of such Potential Adjustment Event has an economic effect on the Transaction and, if so, shall, following good faith consultation with Counterparty, (i) make appropriate adjustments to any one or more of the terms or variables relevant to the exercise, settlement or payment terms of such Transaction as the Calculation Agent determines appropriate to account for such effect (and, for the avoidance of doubt, adjustments may be made to account for changes in volatility, expected dividends, stock loan rate or liquidity relative to the relevant Shares or any Hedge Positions) and (ii) determine the effective date(s) of the adjustment(s).
Section 11.2(e)(vii) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended to add the term corporate before event. | |
Extraordinary Events | ||
Merger: | Applicable | |
Consequences of Merger Events: | ||
(a) Share-for-Share: |
Modified Calculation Agent Adjustment | |
(b) Share-for-Other: |
Cancellation and Payment (Calculation Agent Determination) | |
(c) Share-for-Combined: |
Component Adjustment | |
Tender Offer: | Applicable; provided, however, that Section 12.1(d) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by adding , or of the outstanding Shares, before of the Issuer in the fourth line thereof. Sections 12.1(e) and 12.1(l)(ii) of the Equity Definitions are hereby amended by adding or Shares, as applicable, after voting Shares. | |
Consequences of Tender Offers: | ||
(a) Share-for-Share: |
Modified Calculation Agent Adjustment | |
(b) Share-for-Other: |
Modified Calculation Agent Adjustment | |
(c) Share-for-Combined: |
Modified Calculation Agent Adjustment | |
Composition of Combined Consideration: | Not Applicable |
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Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
Nationalization, Insolvency or Delisting: | Cancellation and Payment (Calculation Agent Determination) | |
Shareholder Rights Plan: | Notwithstanding any provision of the Equity Definitions or this Confirmation to the contrary, upon the occurrence of an event that results in any shareholder rights being distributed or becoming separated from the Shares or other shares of the Issuers capital stock (including the issuance or exercisability of rights or the issuance of Shares or other securities under a so-called poison pill or similar event), as determined by the Calculation Agent, that occurs as a result of any action taken by or any activity of Counterparty or its affiliates or related parties or any member of a group (as defined under Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), or any similar provision) of which Counterparty or any such affiliate or related party is a part, in each case as determined by the Calculation Agent, Nomura shall not be obligated to adjust the Number of Shares or other terms for any Transaction hereunder to reflect such event, and without limiting the foregoing, the Number of Shares subject to the Related Forward Transaction or the Cash Settlement Amount payable, as the case may be, by Nomura under any Transaction hereunder will be determined exclusive of additional Shares or rights with respect thereto delivered to holders of Shares as a result of such event. | |
Separate Transactions Adjustment: | With respect to any Transaction that is, or may following an adjustment by the Calculation Agent with respect to an announced event become, a Share Basket Option Transaction, upon the request of Counterparty, the Calculation Agent shall provide Counterparty with proposed adjustments to the terms of the Transaction pursuant to this Separate Transactions Adjustment provision.
Counterparty shall have the right to elect, upon one Scheduled Trading Days written notice (the Separate Transaction Notice), to continue such Transaction as two separate Transactions, each with terms identical to the original Transaction prior to such separation (the Original Transaction), except that: (i) the Shares for the first resulting Transaction (the Original Shares Transaction) shall be the Shares of the Transaction prior to the most recent (or potential) creation of a Basket (the Original Shares) and the Shares for the other transaction (the Spin-off Shares Transaction) shall be the other Shares in the Basket (or potential Basket) (the Spin-off Shares), (ii) the Number of Options for the Original Shares Transaction shall remain unchanged from the Number of Options for the Original Transaction, (iii) the Number of Options for the Spin-off Shares Transaction shall equal the product of (A) the Number of Options for the Original Transaction (as in effect immediately prior to the separation) and (B) the number of Spin-off Shares in the Basket (or, in the case of a potential Basket, that a holder of one share of Original Shares would have owned or been entitled to receive in connection with the announced event), and (iv) the Strike Price for each of the Original Shares Transaction and the Spin-off Shares Transaction shall be adjusted by the Calculation Agent to reflect the relative market values per share and dividend practices of the Original Shares and the Spin-off Shares immediately following the separation (including, without limitation, adjustments to account for changes in volatility, expected dividends, stock loan rate or liquidity relevant to the Original Shares, the Spin-off Shares, the Original Shares Transaction or to the Spin-off Shares Transaction) in an effort to preserve the theoretical fair value of such Original Transaction. This Master Confirmation shall apply in all respects (except as provided above) to both the Original Shares Transaction and the Spinoff Shares Transaction as if each were a separate Transaction under this Master Confirmation. Any Separate Transaction Notice shall include a representation that the election is not being made on the basis of any material, non-public information regarding the Issuer or the Shares. |
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Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
Additional Disruption Events | ||
Change in Law: | Applicable; provided that Section 12.9(a)(ii) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by (a) adding the words or any Hedge Positions after the word Shares in clause (X) thereof; and (b) adding the words (including, for the avoidance of doubt and without limitation, adoption or promulgation of new regulations authorized or mandated by existing statute) after the word regulation in the second line thereof. | |
Failure to Deliver: | Not Applicable | |
Insolvency Filing: | Applicable | |
Hedging Disruption: | Applicable | |
Increased Cost of Hedging: | Applicable | |
Loss of Stock Borrow: | Not Applicable | |
Increased Cost of Stock Borrow: | Not Applicable | |
Determining Party: | For all applicable events, Nomura. Whenever the Determining Party is required to act or to exercise judgment in any way, it will do so in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner. If Counterparty chooses to dispute a determination made by Nomura in its role as Determining Party, then it must do so within two (2) Scheduled Trading Days of the day on which Nomura communicates the relevant determination to Counterparty and provide Nomura with the reasons why Counterparty objects. If Counterparty and Nomura cannot resolve the dispute, then the dispute resolution procedures applicable to the Calculation Agent shall also apply to the Determining Party as if all references to the Calculation Agent were references to the Determining Party. | |
Hedging Party: | For all applicable events, Nomura | |
Dividends | ||
Ordinary Dividend Amount: | USD 0.00 | |
Extraordinary Dividend: | Any dividend or distribution on the Shares (other than any dividend or distribution of the type described in Section 11.2(e)(i) or Section 11.2(e)(ii)(A) or (B) of the Equity Definitions) the ex-date for which occurs during the Dividend Period and the amount or value of which differs from the Ordinary Dividend Amount, as determined by the Calculation Agent. | |
Dividend Period: | The period from but excluding the Trade Date to and including the Valuation Date. | |
Consequences of Dividends: | Following the payment of a cash Extraordinary Dividend by the Issuer to holders of record of the Shares, the Calculation Agent will make an adjustment to the terms of the Transaction reflecting the Extraordinary Dividend, as such amount may be adjusted for any withholding or deduction of taxes at the source by or on behalf of any applicable authority having power to tax levied in respect of such a |
8
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
dividend that would be incurred if such dividend were received by a QDD Hypothetical Investor. In making such determination, the Calculation Agent will also provide to the parties hereto any tax forms reflecting the tax levied in the previous sentence. | ||
A QDD Hypothetical Investor is a hypothetical investor that is authorized to act as a Qualified Derivatives Dealer by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, holds its Shares (and receives any amounts thereon) in its capacity as a Qualified Derivatives Dealer and properly certifies the foregoing as required under applicable U.S. federal income tax laws in order to avoid withholding on dividends, amounts treated as dividends or dividend equivalent amounts.
Section 11.2(e)(iii) is hereby amended by adding the word non-cash before Extraordinary Dividend. | ||
Dividend Recovery: | In the event that the declared dividend is different from the actual dividend paid by the Issuer, and the Calculation Agent has previously adjusted the terms of a Transaction as set forth in Consequences of Dividends then the Calculation Agent will either (a) re-adjust the terms of such Transaction(s), or (b) determine an amount to be paid by one party to the other party, in each case to account for the discrepancy between the declared dividend and the actual dividend paid by the Issuer. This provision will survive the termination of any relevant Transaction, it being understood that if clause (b) of the previous sentence applies, the party obligated to pay such amount will do so in accordance with the instructions of the Calculation Agent. | |
Additional Representations, Agreements and Acknowledgements | ||
Calculation Agent: | As specified in the Agreement. | |
Non-Reliance: | Applicable | |
Agreements and Acknowledgments Regarding Hedging Activities: | Applicable | |
Additional Acknowledgments: | Applicable | |
Independent Amount: | None | |
Exposure: | The Exposure for Nomura in respect of any Transaction hereunder shall be zero and the Exposure for Counterparty in respect of any Transaction hereunder shall be zero, throughout the term of the Transaction. |
Representations, Warranties and Covenants of Counterparty
Counterparty represents and warrants to, and covenants with, Nomura as of the date on which it enters into a Transaction hereunder that (in the absence of any written agreement between the parties that expressly imposes affirmative obligations to the contrary for the Transaction):
(A) Non-Reliance. It is acting for its own account, and it has made its own independent decisions to enter into the Transaction and as to whether the Transaction is appropriate or proper for it based upon its own judgment and upon advice from such advisers as it has deemed necessary. It is not relying on any communication (written or oral) of the other party as investment advice or as a recommendation to enter into the Transaction, it being understood that information and explanations related to the terms and conditions of the Transaction will not be considered investment advice or a recommendation to enter into the Transaction. No communication (written or oral) received from the other party will be deemed to be an assurance or guarantee as to the expected results of the Transaction.
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Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
(B) Assessment and Understanding. It is capable of assessing the merits of and understanding (on its own behalf or through independent professional advice), and understands and accepts, the terms, conditions and risks of the Transaction. It is also capable of assuming, and assumes, the risks of the Transaction.
(C) Status of Parties. Nomura is not acting as a fiduciary for or an adviser to it in respect of the Transaction.
(D) Non-Public Information. It is not entering into the Transaction on the basis of any material non-public information with respect to the Issuer or the Shares that, under any applicable securities laws, it would have to disclose before buying or selling the Shares.
(E) Commodity Exchange Act. It is an eligible contract participant under, and as defined in, the Commodity Exchange Act and it was not formed solely for the purposes of constituting an eligible contract participant.
(F) Private Placement. It (i) is an accredited investor as such term is defined in Regulation D as promulgated under the Securities Act, (ii) is entering into the Transaction for its own account without a view to the distribution or resale thereof and (iii) understands that the assignment, transfer or other disposition of the Transaction has not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act.
Additional Agreements of the Parties
(A) Transfer. The rights and duties under this Master Confirmation may not be transferred or assigned by any party hereto without the prior written consent of the other party, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld; provided that Nomura may transfer or assign all (but not less than all) of its rights and obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of Counterparty to any one of Nomuras Affiliates if (i)(a) that Affiliate has a rating for its long term, unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness that is equal to or better than Nomuras credit rating at the time of such assignment or (b) that Affiliates obligations to Counterparty are guaranteed by Nomura Holdings, Inc.; (ii) Counterparty will not, as a result of such transfer, become subject to any adverse tax consequences (including as a result of any dividend-related adjustment); (iii) Counterparty will not, as a result of such transfer, become subject to any costs (including, without limitation, any accounting, regulatory or other compliance costs) that are materially greater than those that would have been imposed on Counterparty in the absence of such transfer; (iv) neither an Event of Default nor a Termination Event has occurred and is continuing or would occur, in each case, as a result of such transfer or assignment; and (v) Nomura shall notify Counterparty in writing prior to effecting any such transfer or assignment.
(B) Update and Acceptance of the Supplemental Confirmation. From time to time, but not less frequently than the first Exchange Business Day of a week following a week in which any Trade Date occurred, and promptly after any Trade Date if requested by Counterparty, Nomura will prepare a new Supplemental Confirmation for all Transactions entered into hereunder and not previously documented on a Supplemental Confirmation and deliver such new Supplemental Confirmation to Counterparty via email to [ ]. Following the provision of such new Supplemental Confirmation, Counterparty shall promptly notify Nomura of any disagreements as to any terms set forth therein. Unless Counterparty has notified Nomura otherwise within two Business Days of the day on which such new Supplemental Confirmation is delivered via email as described herein, Counterparty shall be deemed to have agreed to such new Supplemental Confirmation and its terms shall be final and conclusive, absent manifest error, without any requirement for Counterparty to sign such Supplemental Confirmation.
(C) Tax Characterization. Each Nomura and Counterparty shall treat the Transaction as a derivative financial contract for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and it shall not take any action or tax return filing position contrary to this characterization.
10
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
Additional Representations, Warranties and Covenants of Counterparty
Counterparty represents, warrants and covenants to Nomura as of the date on which it enters into each Transaction that:
(A) Counterparty will not make any election under such Transaction while aware of any material non-public information regarding the Issuer or the Shares.
(B) Without limiting the generality of Section 3(a)(iii) of the Agreement, Counterparty, based on advice of counsel, is and, after giving effect to such Transaction, will be, in compliance with and will comply with any reporting obligations under Section 16, Section 13(d) and Section 13(g) of the Exchange Act it has with respect to the Shares.
(C) Counterparty is not and, after giving effect to such Transaction, will not be required to register as an investment company under, and as such term is defined in, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(D) Counterparty is solvent and able to pay its debts as they come due, with assets having a fair value greater than liabilities and with capital sufficient to carry on the businesses in which it engages.
(E) Counterparty is not and has not been for the preceding three months an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act) of the Issuer.
(F) Within one Exchange Business Day of Counterparty becoming aware during the term of such Transaction that the aggregate number of all Shares beneficially owned by Counterparty and its affiliates for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act together with the economic exposure of Counterparty and its affiliates to the Shares under cash-settled equity derivative transactions (with Nomura or any other counterparty) has increased to or first exceeded each of the following thresholds: 5.0%, 9.5%, 10.0% and 15.0% of the outstanding Shares (as determined by reference to the Issuers most recent reports filed under the Exchange Act), Counterparty shall so notify Nomura.
(G) Considerations relating to the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act, as amended, are not a principal purpose for Counterpartys decision to enter into the Transactions with Nomura.
Matters Relating to Nomura and Agent
(i) Nomura is not registered as a broker or dealer under the Exchange Act. Nomura Securities International, Inc. (Agent) has acted solely as agent for Nomura and Counterparty to the extent required by law in connection with each Transaction and has no obligations, by way of issuance, endorsement, guarantee or otherwise, with respect to the performance of either party under any Transaction. The parties agree to proceed solely against each other, and not against Agent, in seeking enforcement of their rights and obligations with respect to each Transaction, including their rights and obligations with respect to payment of funds and delivery of securities.
(ii) Agent may have been paid a fee by Nomura in connection with each Transaction. Further details will be furnished upon written request.
(iii) The time of each Transaction will be furnished by Agent upon written request.
Acknowledgments Regarding Hedging
Counterparty acknowledges that:
(i) during the term of any Transaction, Nomura and its affiliates may buy or sell Shares or other securities or buy or sell options or futures contracts or enter into swaps or other derivative securities in order to establish, adjust or unwind its hedge position with respect to such Transaction;
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Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
(ii) Nomura and its affiliates may also be active in the market for the Shares and derivatives linked to the Shares other than in connection with hedging activities in relation to any Transaction, including acting as agent or as principal and for its own account or on behalf of customers;
(iii) Nomura shall make its own determination as to whether, when or in what manner any of its hedging or market activities shall be conducted and shall do so in a manner that it deems appropriate to hedge its price risk, market risk and any other risk with respect to any Transaction including without limitation by transacting in securities, futures contracts or other derivatives related to the securities underlying a Transaction in amounts that may be greater than or less than the amount of securities that underlie a Transaction;
(iv) any market activities of Nomura and its affiliates with respect to the Shares may affect the market price and volatility of the Shares, each in a manner that may be adverse to Counterparty;
(v) there are no voting or hedging arrangements between Nomura and Counterparty with respect to any Shares or the Issuer;
(vi) Counterparty will not be entitled to any voting rights in respect of any of the Shares underlying the Transaction; and
(vii) Counterparty will not seek to influence Nomura with respect to the voting of any Hedge Positions of Nomura consisting of Shares (if any).
Confidentiality
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any party (or such partys affiliates) may disclose to any and all persons, without limitation of any kind, the United States tax treatment (federal, state and local) and tax structure of any Transaction contemplated hereunder and all materials of any kind relating to such tax treatment and tax structure. However, any information relating to the United States federal, state or local tax treatment or tax structure shall remain subject to the applicable confidentiality provisions (and the preceding sentence shall not apply) to the extent reasonably necessary to enable any person to comply with applicable securities laws. Tax treatment or tax structure is limited to any facts relevant to the United States federal, state or local tax treatment of any Transaction contemplated hereunder and specifically does not include information relating to the identity of Counterparty or any of its affiliates.
No Arrangements
Nomura and Counterparty each acknowledge and agree that: (i) there are no voting, hedging or settlement arrangements between Nomura and Counterparty with respect to any Shares or the Issuer, other than those set forth herein; (ii) although Nomura may hedge its risk under the Transactions in any way Nomura determines, Nomura has no obligation to hedge with the purchase or maintenance of any Shares or otherwise; (iii) Counterparty will not be entitled to any voting rights in respect of any of the Shares underlying any Transaction; and (iv) Counterparty will not seek to influence Nomura with respect to the voting of any Hedge Positions of Nomura consisting of Shares, if any.
Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act
In connection with Section 739 of the Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act of 2010 (WSTAA), the parties hereby agree that neither the enactment of WSTAA or any regulation under WSTAA, nor any requirement under WSTAA or an amendment made by WSTAA, nor any similar legal certainty provision in any legislation enacted, or rule or regulation promulgated, on or after the date of this Master Confirmation, shall limit or otherwise impair either partys otherwise applicable rights to terminate, renegotiate, modify, amend or supplement this Master Confirmation or the Agreement, as applicable, arising from a termination event, force majeure, illegality, increased costs, regulatory change or similar event under this Master Confirmation, the Equity Definitions incorporated herein, or the Agreement (including, without limitation, rights arising from Change in Law or Illegality).
12
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
Address for Notices
Notice to Nomura:
c/o Nomura Securities International, Inc.
309 West 49th Street
New York, NY 10019
Attention: [ ]
with a copy to:
c/o Nomura Securities International, Inc.
309 West 49th Street
New York, NY 10019
Attention: [ ]
Notice to Counterparty:
As set forth on the first page of this Master Confirmation.
Account Details
Account details for Nomura: | To be advised. | |
Account details for Counterparty: | To be advised. |
[Signature page follows]
13
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
Please confirm that the foregoing correctly sets forth the terms of our agreement by executing a copy of this Master Confirmation and returning it to us at your earliest convenience.
Very truly yours, | ||
NOMURA SECURITIES (BERMUDA) LTD. | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |
Agreed and accepted by:
[Mantle Ridge Fund]
By: |
| |
Name: | [ ] | |
Title: | [ ] |
[Signature Page to Share Option (Cash Settled Forward) Master Confirmation]
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd. Chesney House 96 Pitts Bay Road Pembroke HM 08 Bermuda |
Urgent Please deliver immediately |
SCHEDULE A
FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL CONFIRMATION
Date: | [ ], 20[ ] | |
To: | [Mantle Ridge Fund] (Counterparty) | |
Address: | 712 Fifth Avenue | |
Suite 17F | ||
New York, NY 10019 | ||
Attention: | [ ] | |
Email: | [ ] | |
Phone: | [ ] | |
Fax No.: | [ ] | |
From: | Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd. (Nomura ) | |
Re: | OTC Share Option Transactions |
1. This Supplemental Confirmation supplements, forms part of, and is subject to the Confirmation Re: OTC Share Option Transactions Cash Settled Forward dated as of [ ] (the Master Confirmation), between Nomura and Counterparty, as amended and supplemented from time to time. All provisions contained in the Master Confirmation govern this Supplemental Confirmation except as expressly modified below.
2. The purpose of this Supplemental Confirmation is to confirm certain terms and conditions of Transactions entered into between Nomura and Counterparty. This Supplemental Confirmation is a binding contract between Nomura and Counterparty as of the date of this Supplemental Confirmation.
Trade Date |
Number of Options |
Strike Price |
Premium per Option |
Expiration Date |
Nomura Reference Number | |||||
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
Please notify Nomura promptly of any disagreements as to any terms set forth herein. Unless you notify Nomura otherwise within two Business Days of the day on which this Supplemental Confirmation is delivered as described in the Master Confirmation, you shall be deemed to have agreed to this Supplemental Confirmation and its terms shall be final and conclusive without any requirement for you to sign this Supplemental Confirmation.
Very truly yours, | ||
NOMURA SECURITIES (BERMUDA) LTD. | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |
[Signature Page to Share Option (Cash Settled Forward) Supplemental Confirmation]
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
ANNEX A TO MASTER OPTION CONFIRMATION
Shares: | The common stock of Dollar Tree, Inc. (Ticker: DLTR) | |
Exchange: | Nasdaq Global Select Market | |
Related Exchange(s): | All Exchanges |
Annex A-1
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
ANNEX B
Cash Settled OTC Equity Forward Transactions
Upon exercise (in whole or in part) of a call option transaction (the Call Option Transaction) evidenced by the letter agreement to which this Annex is attached (such letter agreement, the Call Option Confirmation and this Annex, this Confirmation), Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd. (Nomura) and [Mantle Ridge Fund] (Counterparty) agree that they shall automatically and without further action have entered into a transaction with the terms and conditions specified below on the Pricing Date specified below (for purposes of this Annex B, the Transaction).
This Confirmation constitutes a Confirmation as referred to in the ISDA 2002 Master Agreement, dated as of [ ], between Nomura and Counterparty (including the Schedule thereto and the 1994 Credit Support Annex (Bilateral FormNew York Law) (the CSA) to such Schedule), as may be amended and supplemented from time to time (the Agreement). All provisions contained or incorporated by reference in the Agreement shall govern this Confirmation except as expressly modified below. This Confirmation evidences a complete binding agreement between Nomura and Counterparty as to the subject matter and terms of the Transaction and shall supersede all prior or contemporaneous written or oral communications with respect thereto.
The 2006 ISDA Definitions (the Swap Definitions) and the 2002 ISDA Equity Derivatives Definitions (the Equity Definitions, and with the Swap Definitions, the Definitions), each as published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., are incorporated into this Confirmation. If there is any inconsistency between the Definitions and this Confirmation, this Confirmation governs. If, in relation to the Transaction, there is any inconsistency between the Agreement, this Confirmation, the Swap Definitions and the Equity Definitions, the following will prevail for purposes of such Transaction in the order of precedence indicated: (i) this Confirmation; (ii) the Equity Definitions; (iii) the Swap Definitions, and (iv) the Agreement.
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Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
The terms of the particular Transaction to which this Confirmation relates are as follows:
General Terms | ||
Type of Transaction: | Share Forward Transaction | |
Pricing Date: | The Exercise Date of the Call Option Transaction | |
Effective Date: | One Settlement Cycle following the Pricing Date | |
Valuation Date: | Any Potential Valuation Date designated as the Valuation Date by either party upon at least 15 calendar days prior written notice. | |
Potential Valuation Date: | The third anniversary of the Effective Date and each anniversary of the Effective Date thereafter. | |
Seller: | Nomura | |
Buyer: | Counterparty | |
Shares: | As set forth in Annex A to the Call Option Confirmation | |
Number of Shares: | The Number of Options exercised under the Call Option Transaction multiplied by the Option Entitlement under the Call Option Transaction. | |
Initial Price: | The sum of (i) the Strike Price plus (ii) the Premium per Option, in each case, for the Call Option Transaction. | |
Forward Price: | On the Pricing Date, the Initial Price and on any date thereafter as adjusted as set forth herein. | |
Variable Obligation: | Not applicable | |
Exchange: | As set forth in Annex A to the Call Option Confirmation | |
Related Exchange(s): | All Exchanges | |
Dividends | ||
Dividend Amount Adjustment: | With respect to any ordinary or extraordinary cash dividend or distribution on the Shares for which the Record Date occurs during the Dividend Period, the Calculation Agent shall reduce the Forward Price on the Dividend Amount Adjustment Date and adjust the calculation of subsequent accruals of the Forward Price by an amount equal to the relevant Dividend Amount; provided that, for any Dividend Amount for which (x) the relevant Record Date occurs during the Dividend Period, and (y) the relevant Dividend Amount Adjustment Date occurs after any Cash Settlement Payment Date with respect to all or a portion of the Transaction, Nomura shall remit to Counterparty, within three Currency Business Days after such Dividend Amount Adjustment Date, an amount in the Settlement Currency equal to the product of (i) such Dividend Amount multiplied by (ii) the number of shares constituting the portion of the Number of Shares as of such Record Date for which no adjustment under Dividend Amount Adjustment was made on such Dividend Amount Adjustment Date. Notwithstanding the above, if the Forward Price is reduced pursuant to an adjustment above and the related Dividend Amount is not paid at the time and in the amount scheduled, then Nomura shall have the right to further adjust the Forward Price to account for such |
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Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
deficiency or (if the Transaction has then terminated) Counterparty will be required, upon request of Nomura, to promptly remit to Nomura an amount determined by the Calculation Agent as appropriate to account for such deficiency. The obligations of each party pursuant to this provision will survive settlement or termination of the Transaction. Section 11.2(e)(iii) is hereby amended by adding the word non-cash before Extraordinary Dividend. | ||
Dividend Amount Adjustment Date: | In respect of any cash dividend or distribution on the Shares, the Dividend Receipt Date (or if such day is not a Currency Business Day, the Currency Business Day immediately following such date). | |
Dividend Receipt Date: | The date of receipt of a dividend by holders of record. | |
Record Date: | Each relevant date of determination of holder of record status. | |
Dividend Amount: | The Record Amount; provided that | |
(i) the last two sentences of Section 10.1 of the Equity Definitions shall be deleted; and | ||
(ii) any gross cash dividend shall represent a sum after the withholding or deduction of taxes, if any, at the source by or on behalf of any applicable authority having power to tax in respect of such a dividend that would be incurred if such dividend were received by a QDD Hypothetical Investor. | ||
A QDD Hypothetical Investor is a hypothetical investor that is authorized to act as a Qualified Derivatives Dealer by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, holds its Shares (and receives any amounts thereon) in its capacity as a Qualified Derivatives Dealer and properly certifies the foregoing as required under applicable U.S. federal income tax laws in order to avoid withholding on dividends, amounts treated as dividends or dividend equivalent amounts. | ||
Dividend Period: | The period commencing on and including the Effective Date and ending on but excluding (i) the Cash Settlement Payment Date or (ii) the Nomura Early Termination Date, as applicable. | |
Share Dividend Elections: | In the event that a dividend is payable in either cash or property or a combination thereof at the election of a person who would be a holder of record of such Shares, the Dividend Amount shall be determined as if no election were made pursuant to the election default provision set forth in the documents relating to the payment of dividends on the Shares. | |
Settlement Terms | ||
Settlement Currency: | USD | |
Cash Settlement Payment Date: | One Settlement Cycle after the later of (a) the Valuation Date and (b) the last day of the VWAP Period. | |
Accrual Payment Amount: | The sum of the Accrual Amounts for each Calculation Period. | |
Calculation Periods: | Notwithstanding anything in the Swap Definitions, each one calendar day period from, and including, the Effective Date to, but excluding, (i) the Cash Settlement Payment Date or (ii) the Nomura Early Termination Date, as applicable. |
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Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
Accrual Amount: | For each Calculation Period, the sum, for each day in such Calculation Period, of the product of (a) the Adjusted Calculation Amount for such Calculation Period multiplied by (b) (i) the Floating Rate plus (ii) the Spread, divided by (c) 360. | |
Adjusted Calculation Amount: | For each day in a Calculation Period, (a) the Base Calculation Amount for such Calculation Period minus (b) (i) the sum of all Dividend Amounts, if any, that were paid by the Issuer during such Calculation Period multiplied by (ii) the Number of Shares plus (c) the Preceding Period Amount. | |
Preceding Period Amount: | For each Calculation Period, the Accrual Amount for the immediately preceding Calculation Period, provided that for the first Calculation Period, the Preceding Period Amount shall be zero. | |
Base Calculation Amount: | For the first Calculation Period, the Forward Price multiplied by the Number of Shares and, for each subsequent Calculation Period, the Adjusted Calculation Amount for the immediately preceding Calculation Period. | |
Floating Rate: | The Interest Rate as defined in Paragraph 13(h)(i) of the CSA. | |
Spread: | As specified in the Spread Notice provided by Nomura to Counterparty pursuant to the Call Option Transaction | |
Reset Dates: | Each calendar day that is a Calculation Period. | |
Settlement Method Election: | Not Applicable | |
Settlement Method: | Cash Settlement, provided that Section 8.5(c) of the Equity Definitions shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced by the following: under a Share Forward Transaction or Share Basket Forward Transaction to which Prepayment is not applicable and Variable Obligation is not applicable, an amount equal to (A) the Number of Shares or the Number of Baskets, as the case may be, multiplied by (B) an amount equal to the Settlement Price minus the Forward Price, minus (C) an amount equal to the Accrual Payment Amount. | |
Settlement Price with Respect to Cash Settlement: | The Settlement Price with respect to Cash Settlement in relation to the Valuation Date shall be the VWAP per Share determined by the Calculation Agent as of the Valuation Date. | |
VWAP per Share with respect to the Transaction shall mean, as of the Valuation Date, the arithmetic mean of the volume-weighted average price per Share as listed on the relevant Bloomberg Page AQR during regular trading hours on the Exchange of each Exchange Business Day during the VWAP Period but excluding any official opening and closing transactions on the Exchange, as determined by the Calculation Agent, less USD0.02. | ||
VWAP Period shall mean a period consisting of a number of Exchange Business Days equal to the VWAP Number, commencing on the Scheduled Valuation Date. | ||
The VWAP Number shall be equal to the quotient, rounded up to the nearest whole number, obtained by dividing (x) the aggregate of the Number of Shares with respect to all Transactions entered into under this Confirmation by (y) the product of (A) the ADTV Percentage and (B) the average daily trading volume, determined as of the third Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the |
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Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
Valuation Date, on the principal Exchange for the Shares for a period of 60 consecutive calendar days, immediately preceding such date, as determined by the Calculation Agent. | ||
The ADTV Percentage shall be equal to [ ]%. | ||
In the event that Nomura reasonably determines that, as a result of any legal, regulatory, or self-regulatory requirement relating to any Hedge Position with respect to the Transactions hereunder (including, for the avoidance of doubt, in consideration of other market activity by Counterparty as well as any legal considerations applicable to Counterparty, including, but not limited to, considerations related the fact that Counterparty may be an insider or affiliate (or at any time during the preceding three months may have been an affiliate) of the Issuer and the application of any related securities laws), it is appropriate to extend the VWAP Period, then Nomura may extend the VWAP Period by such number of additional Exchange Business Days as, in its commercially reasonable discretion, it deems appropriate, and/or select non-consecutive Exchange Business Days to make up the VWAP Period if Nomura determines in its commercially reasonable discretion that such action is appropriate. | ||
The definition of Market Disruption Event in Section 6.3(a) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by deleting the words at any time during the one-hour period that ends at the relevant Valuation Time, Latest Exercise Time, Knock-in Valuation Time or Knock-out Valuation Time, as the case may be and inserting the words at any time on any Scheduled Trading Day during the VWAP Period after the word material, in the third line thereof. | ||
Section 6.3(d) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by deleting the remainder of the provision following the term Scheduled Closing Time in the fourth line thereof. | ||
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Equity Definitions, to the extent that a Disrupted Day occurs in the VWAP Period, the Calculation Agent may extend the VWAP Period by one for each Exchange Business Day that is a Disrupted Day. If any such Disrupted Day is a Disrupted Day because of a Market Disruption Event, the Calculation Agent shall determine whether (i) such Disrupted Day is a Disrupted Day in full, in which case the VWAP Price for such Disrupted Day shall not be included for purposes of determining the Settlement Price or (ii) such Disrupted Day is a Disrupted Day only in part, in which case the VWAP Price for such Disrupted Day shall be determined by the Calculation Agent based on transactions in the Shares on such Disrupted Day taking into account the nature and duration of the relevant Market Disruption Event, and the weighting of the VWAP Price for the relevant Exchange Business Days during the VWAP Period shall be adjusted in a commercially reasonable manner by the Calculation Agent for purposes of determining the Settlement Price. Any Exchange Business Day on which, as of the date hereof, the Exchange is scheduled to close prior to its normal close of trading shall be deemed not to be an Exchange Business Day; if a closure of the Exchange prior to its normal close of trading on any Exchange Business Day is scheduled following the date hereof, then such Exchange Business Day shall be deemed to be a Disrupted Day in full. | ||
If a Disrupted Day occurs during the VWAP Period and each of the seven immediately following Scheduled Trading Days is a Disrupted Day, then the Calculation Agent may deem such seventh Scheduled Trading Day to be an Exchange Business Day that is not a Disrupted Day and determine the VWAP Price for such seventh Scheduled Trading Day using its good faith estimate of the value of the Shares on such seventh Scheduled Trading Day based on the volume, historical trading patterns and price of the Shares and such other factors as it deems appropriate. |
B-5
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
If for any reason (including by virtue of the determination or the extension of the VWAP Period), the VWAP Period would end on a date later than the Valuation Date (as measured before giving effect to this sentence), then the Valuation Date shall be postponed to the final day of the VWAP Period. | ||
Share Adjustments: | ||
Method of Adjustment: | Calculation Agent Adjustment; provided that, if an event occurs that constitutes both a Potential Adjustment Event and a Spin-off as described below, it shall be treated hereunder as a Spin-off and not as a Potential Adjustment Event. | |
Section 11.2(e)(vii) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended to add the term corporate before event. | ||
Spin-off: | A distribution of New Shares (the Spin-off Shares) of any issuer, including the Issuer (any such issuer, the Spin-off Issuer), to holders of the Shares (the Original Shares). Solely for purposes of this paragraph, New Shares means ordinary or common shares of the Spinoff Issuer, including, for the avoidance of doubt, shares that are issued to separately track and reflect the economic performance of businesses and/or assets of the Spin-off Issuer, which shares are, or as of the ex-dividend date of such Spin-off are scheduled promptly to be, (i) publicly quoted, traded or listed on any of the New York Stock Exchange, The NASDAQ Global Select Market or The NASDAQ Global Market (or their respective successors) and (ii) not subject to any currency exchange controls, trading restrictions or other trading limitations. Notwithstanding anything else to the contrary in the Equity Definitions, a distribution of Spin-off Shares will in every case require the Calculation Agent to take the actions specified under Consequences of Spin-off below and the Calculation Agent will not adjust the Transactions in any other manner. | |
Consequences of Spin-off: | In connection with a Spin-off with respect to a Transaction, as of the ex-dividend date for such Spin-off, the Calculation Agent shall adjust the Transaction to continue as two separate Transactions, each with terms identical to the original Transaction (the Original Transaction), except that: (i) the Shares for the Original Transaction (the Original Shares Transaction) shall be the Original Shares and the Shares for the other transaction (the Spin-off Shares Transaction) shall be the Spin-off Shares, (ii) the Number of Shares for the Original Shares Transaction shall remain unchanged from the Number of Shares for the Original Transaction, (iii) the Number of Shares for Spin-off Shares Transaction shall equal the product of (A) the Number of Shares for the Original Transaction (as in effect immediately prior to the ex-dividend date for such Spin-off) and (B) the number of Spin-off Shares that a holder of one share of Original Shares would have owned or been entitled to receive in connection with such Spin-off, (iv) the Strike Price for each of the Original Shares Transaction and the Spin-off Shares Transaction shall be adjusted by the Calculation Agent to reflect the relative market values per share of the Original Shares and the Spin-off Shares immediately following the ex-dividend date for such Spin-off and (v) the Calculation Agent shall make such technical adjustments to the exercise, settlement, payment or any other terms of such Transactions as the Calculation Agent determines appropriate to account for such Spin-off (but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, adjustments to account for changes in volatility, expected dividends, stock loan rate or liquidity relevant to the Shares or to such Transaction. Following such adjustment, this Confirmation shall |
B-6
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
apply in all respects (except as provided above) to both the Original Shares Transaction and the Spinoff Shares Transaction as if each were a separate Transaction under this Confirmation. | ||
Extraordinary Events: | ||
Consequences of Merger Events: | ||
(a) Share-for-Share: |
Calculation Agent Adjustment | |
(b) Share-for-Other: |
Cancellation and Payment | |
(c) Share-for-Combined: |
Component Adjustment | |
Tender Offer: | Applicable; provided, however, that Section 12.1(d) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by adding , or of the outstanding Shares, before of the Issuer in the fourth line thereof. Sections 12.1(e) and 12.1(l)(ii) of the Equity Definitions are hereby amended by adding or Shares, as applicable, after voting Shares. | |
Consequences of Tender Offers: | ||
(a) Share-for-Share: |
Calculation Agent Adjustment | |
(b) Share-for-Other: |
Calculation Agent Adjustment | |
(c) Share-for-Combined: |
Calculation Agent Adjustment | |
Composition of Combined Consideration: | Not Applicable | |
Nationalization, Insolvency or Delisting: | Cancellation and Payment | |
Shareholder Rights Plan: | Notwithstanding any provision of the Equity Definitions or this Confirmation to the contrary, upon the occurrence of an event that results in any shareholder rights being distributed or becoming separated from the Shares or other shares of the Issuers capital stock (including the issuance or exercisability of rights or the issuance of Shares or other securities under a so-called poison pill or similar event), as determined by the Calculation Agent, that occurs as a result of any action taken by or any activity of Counterparty or its affiliates or related parties or any member of a group (as defined under Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), or any similar provision) of which Counterparty or any such affiliate or related party is a part, in each case as determined by the Calculation Agent, Nomura shall not be obligated to adjust the Number of Shares or other terms for any Transaction hereunder to reflect such event, and without limiting the foregoing, the Forward Cash Settlement Amount payable by Nomura under any Transaction hereunder will be determined exclusive of additional Shares or rights with respect thereto delivered to holders of Shares as a result of such event. | |
Additional Disruption Events: | ||
(a) Change in Law: | Applicable; provided that Section 12.9(a)(ii) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by (a) adding the words or any Hedge Positions after the word Shares in clause (X) thereof; and (b) adding the words (including, for the avoidance of doubt and without limitation, adoption or promulgation of new regulations authorized or mandated by existing statute) after the word regulation in the second line thereof. | |
(b) Failure to Deliver: | Not Applicable |
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Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
(c) Insolvency Filing: | Not Applicable | |
(d) Hedging Disruption: | Not Applicable | |
(e) Increased Cost of Hedging: | Not Applicable | |
(f) Loss of Stock Borrow: | Not Applicable | |
(g) Increased Cost of Stock Borrow: | Not Applicable | |
Determining Party: | For all applicable events, Nomura. Whenever the Determining Party is required to act or to exercise judgment in any way, it will do so in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner. If Counterparty chooses to dispute a determination made by Nomura in its role as Determining Party, then it must do so within two (2) Scheduled Trading Days of the day on which Nomura communicates the relevant determination to Counterparty and provide Nomura with the reasons why Counterparty objects. If Counterparty and Nomura cannot resolve the dispute, then the dispute resolution procedures applicable to the Calculation Agent shall also apply to the Determining Party as if all references to the Calculation Agent were references to the Determining Party. | |
Hedging Party: | For all applicable events, Nomura | |
Additional Provisions: | ||
Nomura Early Termination: | Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary set forth herein, Nomura shall have the right to terminate all or a portion of the Transaction, for any reason or no reason, upon delivery of written notice of termination to Counterparty (which may be delivered electronically), which termination shall become effective six (6) months following the date of such notice (a Nomura Early Termination). The Calculation Agent shall determine any payments and adjustments for the portion of the Transaction subject to any Nomura Early Termination as if (i) the applicable Nomura Early Termination was an Extraordinary Event and (ii) Cancellation and Payment applied (the date of such cancellation, the Nomura Early Termination Date). The portion of the Independent Amount relating to the portion of the Transaction subject to any Nomura Early Termination and to be returned in connection with such Nomura Early Termination shall be due and payable on the date the Cancellation Amount is due and payable, subject to netting pursuant to Section 2(c) of the Agreement. | |
Counterparty Early Termination: | If Counterparty gives notice to Nomura on a Notice Business Day to terminate the Transaction in whole or in part by reducing the Number of Shares for such Transaction (the number of Shares by which the Transaction is reduced being the Terminated Shares): | |
(i) the Optional Termination Date shall be deemed to be the Valuation Date (subject to Disrupted Day provisions, if applicable) for a Number of Shares for such Transaction equal to the Terminated Shares; | ||
(ii) with effect from the Optional Termination Date, the Number of Shares for such Transaction shall be reduced by the Terminated Shares; | ||
(iii) the Settlement Price shall be calculated in accordance with Settlement Terms above as if the Optional Termination Date were the Valuation Date; |
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Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
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(iv) the settlement method applicable to such Optional Early Termination shall be the applicable method set forth under Settlement Terms above; and | ||
(v) the Calculation Agent shall make the calculations described under Settlement Terms above with respect to all or a portion of the Transaction being terminated, as applicable, and the remainder of the Transaction, if any, shall continue in accordance with its terms. | ||
Optional Termination Date: | The Exchange Business Day following the Notice Business Day on which the notice of termination is received. | |
Notice Business Day: | A day that is both an Exchange Business Day and a Banking Day in the city of the Office of Nomura to which the notice is given. | |
Independent Amount: | Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the CSA, (i) the Independent Amount with respect to Counterparty shall be as set forth in Annex A hereto, (ii) Counterparty shall be deemed to have Transferred the initial Independent Amount to Nomura upon entering into a Transaction, (iii) the Independent Amount deemed to be so Transferred shall constitute Posted Credit Support for the purposes of the CSA, (iv) the return of any Independent Amount not previously Transferred from Nomura to Counterparty shall be due and payable on the Cash Settlement Payment Date, in each case subject to netting pursuant to Section 2(c) of the Agreement, and (v) the Independent Amount with respect to Nomura for the Transaction shall be zero. | |
IA Step-Down Percentage: | [ ]% | |
IA Step-Down Period: | A period beginning on, and including, the date specified as such in a notice from Counterparty to Nomura (the Step-Down Effective Date), to be no fewer than two Local Business Days following the date such notice is given, and ending on, and excluding, a date specified in a separate notice from Counterparty to Nomura. For the avoidance of doubt, following the termination of an IA Step-Down Period, Counterparty may elect to commence a new IA Step-Down Period by delivery of the notice described herein. | |
Additional Posted Credit Support: | Counterparty shall be obligated to Transfer to Nomura on the Local Business Day following a Step-Down Effective Date an amount equal to [ ]% of the product of (x) the Number of Shares and (y) the Initial Price (the Additional Posted Credit Support) to be held as Posted Collateral pursuant to the CSA, which obligation shall be deemed satisfied out of the portion of the Independent Amount Nomura would otherwise be obligated to return to Counterparty. On the Local Business Day following a Step-Down Effective Date, Nomura shall Transfer Posted Collateral to Counterparty to the extent the Independent Amount immediately prior to a Step-Down Effective Date exceeds the sum of the Independent Amount after giving effect to the Step-Down Effective Date and the portion of the Independent Amount necessary to satisfy Counterpartys Additional Posted Credit Support obligation. Counterparty may, from time to time, supplement the Additional Posted Credit Support by Transferring additional Eligible Collateral to Nomura and specifying that such amounts are to be held as Additional Posted Credit Support. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the CSA, the Additional Posted Credit Support shall be deemed to have a Value of zero for the purpose of calculating any Delivery Amount or Return Amount (provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, for the purposes of Paragraph 11(a) of the CSA, the Additional Posted Credit Support shall have the Value set forth in the CSA without giving effect to this sentence). |
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Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
If Counterparty fails to Transfer any Delivery Amount required by the CSA with respect to a Transaction, such failure shall not constitute an Event of Default for so long as Additional Posted Credit Support in an amount not less than such Delivery Amount (less any portion of such Delivery Amount otherwise Transferred by Counterparty) is available, and on the next Local Business Day after such Transfer was otherwise due Nomura shall apply some or all of the Additional Posted Credit Support, as applicable, to the satisfaction of such Transfer obligation. Nomura may, in its sole discretion, apply any Interest Amount or Distributions otherwise payable by Nomura pursuant to Paragraph 6(d) of the CSA in an amount of up to such Delivery Amount to replenish the Additional Posted Credit Support to the amount initially required pursuant to the immediately preceding paragraph. | ||
Calculation Agent: | As specified in the Agreement. | |
Non-Reliance: | Applicable | |
Agreements and Acknowledgements Regarding Hedging Activities: | Applicable | |
Additional Acknowledgements: | Applicable | |
Exposure: | For purposes of calculating a Credit Support Amount with respect to which Counterparty is the Secured Party, Exposure in respect of any Transaction hereunder shall be zero. | |
For purposes of calculating a Credit Support Amount with respect to which Nomura is the Secured Party, the Exposure with respect to all Transactions under this Confirmation shall be no greater than the difference between (x) the sum of, for each such Transaction, the product of (1) the then-applicable Number of Shares for such Transaction and (2) the Initial Price for such Transaction and (y) the Independent Amount for all such Transactions. |
Representations, Warranties and Covenants of Counterparty
Counterparty represents and warrants to, and covenants with, Nomura as of the date on which it enters into a Transaction hereunder that (in the absence of any written agreement between the parties that expressly imposes affirmative obligations to the contrary for the Transaction):
(A) Non-Reliance. It is acting for its own account, and it has made its own independent decisions to enter into the Transaction and as to whether the Transaction is appropriate or proper for it based upon its own judgment and upon advice from such advisers as it has deemed necessary. It is not relying on any communication (written or oral) of the other party as investment advice or as a recommendation to enter into the Transaction, it being understood that information and explanations related to the terms and conditions of the Transaction will not be considered investment advice or a recommendation to enter into the Transaction. No communication (written or oral) received from the other party will be deemed to be an assurance or guarantee as to the expected results of the Transaction.
(B) Assessment and Understanding. It is capable of assessing the merits of and understanding (on its own behalf or through independent professional advice), and understands and accepts, the terms, conditions and risks of the Transaction. It is also capable of assuming, and assumes, the risks of the Transaction.
(C) Status of Parties. Nomura is not acting as a fiduciary for or an adviser to it in respect of the Transaction.
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Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
(D) Non-Public Information. It is not entering into the Transaction on the basis of any material non-public information with respect to the Issuer or the Shares that, under any applicable securities laws, it would have to disclose before buying or selling the Shares.
(E) Commodity Exchange Act. It is an eligible contract participant under, and as defined in, the Commodity Exchange Act and it was not formed solely for the purposes of constituting an eligible contract participant.
(F) Private Placement. It (i) is an accredited investor as such term is defined in Regulation D as promulgated under the Securities Act, (ii) is entering into the Transaction for its own account without a view to the distribution or resale thereof and (iii) understands that the assignment, transfer or other disposition of the Transaction has not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act.
Additional Agreements of the Parties
(A) Transfer. The rights and duties under this Confirmation may not be transferred or assigned by any party hereto without the prior written consent of the other party, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld; provided that Nomura may transfer or assign all (but not less than all) of its rights and obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of Counterparty to any one of Nomuras Affiliates if (i)(a) that Affiliate has a rating for its long term, unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness that is equal to or better than Nomuras credit rating at the time of such assignment or (b) that Affiliates obligations to Counterparty are guaranteed by Nomura Holdings, Inc.; (ii) Counterparty will not, as a result of such transfer, become subject to any adverse tax consequences (including as a result of any Dividend Amount Adjustment); (iii) Counterparty will not, as a result of such transfer, become subject to any costs (including, without limitation, any accounting, regulatory or other compliance costs) that are materially greater than those that would have been imposed on Counterparty in the absence of such transfer; (iv) neither an Event of Default nor a Termination Event has occurred and is continuing or would occur, in each case, as a result of such transfer or assignment; and (v) Nomura shall notify Counterparty in writing prior to effecting any such transfer or assignment.
(B) Tax Characterization. Each Nomura and Counterparty shall treat the Transaction as a derivative financial contract for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and it shall not take any action or tax return filing position contrary to this characterization.
Additional Representations, Warranties and Covenants of Counterparty
Counterparty represents, warrants and covenants to Nomura as of the date on which it enters into the Transaction that:
(A) Counterparty will not make any election under such Transaction while aware of any material non-public information regarding the Issuer or the Shares.
(B) Without limiting the generality of Section 3(a)(iii) of the Agreement, Counterparty, based on advice of counsel, is and, after giving effect to such Transaction, will be in compliance with and will comply with any reporting obligations under Section 16, Section 13(d) and Section 13(g) of the Exchange Act it has with respect to the Shares.
(C) Counterparty is not and, after giving effect to such Transaction, will not be required to register as an investment company under, and as such term is defined in, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(D) Counterparty is solvent and able to pay its debts as they come due, with assets having a fair value greater than liabilities and with capital sufficient to carry on the businesses in which it engages.
(E) Counterparty is not and has not been for the preceding three months an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act) of the Issuer.
(F) Within one Exchange Business Day of Counterparty becoming aware during the term of such Transaction that the aggregate number of all Shares beneficially owned by Counterparty and its affiliates for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act together with the economic exposure of Counterparty and its affiliates to the Shares under cash-settled equity derivative transactions (with Nomura or any other counterparty) has increased to or first exceeded each of the following thresholds: 5.0%, 9.5%, 10.0% and 15.0% of the outstanding Shares (as determined by reference to the Issuers most recent reports filed under the Exchange Act), Counterparty shall so notify Nomura.
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Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
(G) Considerations relating to the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act, as amended, are not a principal purpose for Counterpartys decision to enter into the Transactions with Nomura.
Matters Relating to Nomura and Agent
(i) Nomura is not registered as a broker or dealer under the Exchange Act. Nomura Securities International, Inc. (Agent) has acted solely as agent for Nomura and Counterparty to the extent required by law in connection with each Transaction and has no obligations, by way of issuance, endorsement, guarantee or otherwise, with respect to the performance of either party under any Transaction. The parties agree to proceed solely against each other, and not against Agent, in seeking enforcement of their rights and obligations with respect to each Transaction, including their rights and obligations with respect to payment of funds and delivery of securities.
(ii) Agent may have been paid a fee by Nomura in connection with each Transaction. Further details will be furnished upon written request.
(iii) The time of each Transaction will be furnished by Agent upon written request.
Acknowledgments Regarding Hedging
Counterparty acknowledges that:
(i) during the term of the Transaction, Nomura and its affiliates may buy or sell Shares or other securities or buy or sell options or futures contracts or enter into swaps or other derivative securities in order to establish, adjust or unwind its hedge position with respect to the Transaction;
(ii) Nomura and its affiliates may also be active in the market for the Shares and derivatives linked to the Shares other than in connection with hedging activities in relation to the Transaction, including acting as agent or as principal and for its own account or on behalf of customers;
(iii) Nomura shall make its own determination as to whether, when or in what manner any of its hedging or market activities shall be conducted and shall do so in a manner that it deems appropriate to hedge its price risk, market risk and any other risk with respect to the Transaction including without limitation by transacting in securities, futures contracts or other derivatives related to the securities underlying a Transaction in amounts that may be greater than or less than the amount of securities that underlie a Transaction;
(iv) any market activities of Nomura and its affiliates with respect to the Shares may affect the market price and volatility of the Shares, each in a manner that may be adverse to Counterparty;
(v) there are no voting or hedging arrangements between Nomura and Counterparty with respect to any Shares or the Issuer;
(vi) Counterparty will not be entitled to any voting rights in respect of any of the Shares underlying the Transaction; and
(vii) Counterparty will not seek to influence Nomura with respect to the voting of any Hedge Positions of Nomura consisting of Shares (if any).
Confidentiality
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any party (or such partys affiliates) may disclose to any and all persons, without limitation of any kind, the United States tax treatment (federal, state and local) and tax structure of any Transaction contemplated hereunder and all materials of any kind relating to such tax treatment and tax structure. However, any information relating to the United States federal, state or local tax treatment or tax structure shall remain subject to the applicable confidentiality provisions (and the preceding sentence shall not apply) to the extent reasonably necessary to enable any person to comply with applicable securities laws. Tax treatment
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Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
or tax structure is limited to any facts relevant to the United States federal, state or local tax treatment of any Transaction contemplated hereunder and specifically does not include information relating to the identity of Counterparty or any of its affiliates.
No Arrangements
Nomura and Counterparty each acknowledge and agree that: (i) there are no voting, hedging or settlement arrangements between Nomura and Counterparty with respect to any Shares or the Issuer, other than those set forth herein; (ii) although Nomura may hedge its risk under the Transactions in any way Nomura determines, Nomura has no obligation to hedge with the purchase or maintenance of any Shares or otherwise; (iii) Counterparty will not be entitled to any voting rights in respect of any of the Shares underlying any Transaction; and (iv) Counterparty will not seek to influence Nomura with respect to the voting of any Hedge Positions of Nomura consisting of Shares, if any.
Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act
In connection with Section 739 of the Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act of 2010 (WSTAA), the parties hereby agree that neither the enactment of WSTAA or any regulation under WSTAA, nor any requirement under WSTAA or an amendment made by WSTAA, nor any similar legal certainty provision in any legislation enacted, or rule or regulation promulgated, on or after the date of this Confirmation, shall limit or otherwise impair either partys otherwise applicable rights to terminate, renegotiate, modify, amend or supplement this Confirmation or the Agreement, as applicable, arising from a termination event, force majeure, illegality, increased costs, regulatory change or similar event under this Confirmation, the Equity Definitions incorporated herein, or the Agreement (including, without limitation, rights arising from Change in Law or Illegality).
Address for Notices
Notice to Nomura:
c/o Nomura Securities International, Inc.
309 West 49th Street
New York, NY 10019
Attention: [ ]
with a copy to:
c/o Nomura Securities International, Inc.
309 West 49th Street
New York, NY 10019
Attention: [ ]
Notice to Counterparty:
As set forth on the first page of the Call Option Confirmation.
Account Details
Account details for Nomura: | To be advised. | |
Account details for Counterparty: | To be advised. |
B-13
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
ANNEX A TO SHARE FORWARD CONFIRMATION
Independent Amount: | Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the CSA, with respect to Counterparty for the Transaction, (i) other than during an IA Step-Down Period, the Independent Amount shall be an amount equal to 100% of the product of (x) the Number of Shares from time to time and (y) the Forward Price, (ii) during an IA Step-Down Period, the Independent Amount shall be an amount equal to the product of (x) the then IA Step-Down Percentage, (y) the Number of Shares from time to time and (z) the Forward Price. |
Annex A-1
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
Exhibit 99.5
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd. Chesney House 96 Pitts Bay Road Pembroke HM 08 Bermuda |
Urgent Please deliver immediately |
Date: |
[ ] | |
To: |
[Mantle Ridge Fund] (Counterparty) | |
Address: |
712 Fifth Avenue | |
Suite 17F | ||
New York, NY 10019 | ||
Attention: |
[ ] | |
Email: |
[ ] | |
Phone: |
[ ] | |
Fax No.: |
[ ] | |
From: | Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd. (Nomura) | |
Re: | OTC Share Option Transactions Cash or Physically Settled Forward |
This master confirmation (this Master Confirmation) confirms the terms of certain option transactions that may be entered into between us from time to time (the Transactions and each, a Transaction). Certain terms of each individual Transaction shall be as set forth in this Master Confirmation, with additional terms as set forth in one or more Supplemental Confirmations substantially in the form of Schedule A hereto. This Master Confirmation, taken alone without any Supplemental Confirmation, is neither a commitment by either party to enter into any Transaction nor evidence of a Transaction. This Master Confirmation, together with each Supplemental Confirmation, constitutes a Confirmation and each Transaction constitutes a separate Transaction as referred to in the ISDA Master Agreement specified below.
This Master Confirmation, together with each Supplemental Confirmation, supplements, forms part of, and is subject to the ISDA 2002 Master Agreement, dated as of [ ], between Nomura and Counterparty (including the Schedule thereto and the 1994 Credit Support Annex (Bilateral FormNew York Law) (the CSA) to such Schedule), as may be amended and supplemented from time to time (the Agreement). All provisions contained or incorporated by reference in the Agreement shall govern this Master Confirmation except as expressly modified below. This Master Confirmation, together with each Supplemental Confirmation, evidences a complete binding agreement between Nomura and Counterparty as to the subject matter and terms of each Transaction to which this Master Confirmation relates and shall supersede all prior or contemporaneous written or oral communications with respect thereto.
The 2006 ISDA Definitions (the Swap Definitions) and the 2002 ISDA Equity Derivatives Definitions (the Equity Definitions, and with the Swap Definitions, the Definitions), each as published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., are incorporated into this Master Confirmation. If there is any inconsistency between the Definitions and this Master Confirmation, this Master Confirmation governs. If, in relation to any Transaction to which this Master Confirmation relates, there is any inconsistency between the Agreement, this Master Confirmation, the Swap Definitions and the Equity Definitions, the following will prevail for purposes of such Transaction in the order of precedence indicated: (i) this Master Confirmation; (ii) the Equity Definitions; (iii) the Swap Definitions, and (iv) the Agreement.
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
The terms of the particular Transaction to which the Confirmation relates are as follows:
General Terms
Trade Date: | As specified in the relevant Supplemental Confirmation | |
Option Style: | American | |
Option Type: | Call | |
Seller: | Nomura | |
Buyer: | Counterparty | |
Shares: | As set forth in Annex A hereto | |
Number of Options: | As specified in the relevant Supplemental Confirmation | |
Option Entitlement: | One Share per Option | |
Strike Price: | As specified in the relevant Supplemental Confirmation | |
Premium per Option: | As specified in the relevant Supplemental Confirmation | |
Premium Payment Date: | One Settlement Cycle after the Trade Date | |
Exchange: | As set forth in Annex A hereto | |
Related Exchange(s): | As set forth in Annex A hereto | |
Procedure for Exercise | ||
Commencement Date: | The Trade Date | |
Expiration Date: | As specified in the relevant Supplemental Confirmation | |
Multiple Exercise: | Applicable | |
Minimum Number of Options: | One | |
Maximum Number of Options: | The Number of Options remaining unexercised | |
Integral Multiple: | One | |
Automatic Exercise: | Applicable. | |
For purposes of Automatic Exercise, Section 3.4(b) of the Equity Definitions is revised by (a) adding after Physical Settlement the phrase , Share Forward Settlement or Net Share Forward Settlement and (b) replacing Expiration Time with Valuation Time. | ||
In-the-Money: | As determined in accordance with Section 3.4 of the Equity Definitions, provided, however, that for purposes of Section 3.4(c)(i)(A) and 3.4(c)(ii)(A) of the Equity Definitions, if the Related Exchange uses a different automatic exercise threshold for dealers versus parties that are not dealers, then whether a Call or Put is In-the- |
2
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
Money shall be determined using the price for a Share at which the Related Exchange would automatically exercise a Physically-settled option for which a dealer was the buyer thereof. | ||
Reference Price: | For purposes of the definition of In-the-Money, if the Exchange is a Nasdaq market, the Nasdaq Official Closing Price (NOCP) as of the Valuation Time on the Expiration Date, as reported in the official price dissemination mechanism for the Exchange. | |
Settlement Terms | ||
Settlement Method Election: | Applicable. The Electing Party may elect (a) Share Forward Settlement, (b) Net Share Forward Settlement, (c) Cash Settlement or (d) Physical Settlement. | |
Electing Party: | Buyer | |
Settlement Method Election Date: | Any Scheduled Trading Day following the Effective Date that is prior to the Expiration Date, provided that, for Counterpartys Settlement Method Election to be effective with respect to a particular Exercise Date, Counterparty must provide notice to Nomura of its Settlement Method Election no later than 12:00 noon New York time on the third Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding such Exercise Date. | |
Default Settlement Method: | Share Forward Settlement (as defined below). | |
Settlement Currency: | USD | |
Share Forward Settlement Terms | ||
Share Forward Settlement: | If Share Forward Settlement is applicable, then on the date which is one Settlement Cycle after the Exercise Date (if any), Buyer will pay to Seller an amount equal to (a) the Strike Price multiplied by (b) the product of the number of Options exercised or deemed exercised on that Exercise Date and the Option Entitlement; and Buyer and Seller will be deemed to have entered into a Share Forward Transaction on terms and pursuant to documentation set forth on Annex B hereto (such Share Forward Transaction, a Related Forward Transaction), with respect to a number of Shares of the Issuer equal to the number of Options exercised multiplied by the Option Entitlement. | |
Nomura will give Counterparty a written notice (the Spread Notice) of the proposed Spread applicable any time other than during an IA Step-Down Period and any time during an IA Step-Down Period for such Related Forward Transaction (x) promptly upon Counterpartys request on any date prior to the scheduled Expiration Date and (y) four Scheduled Trading Days prior to the scheduled Expiration Date (in the absence of any exercise prior to such date). | ||
Net Share Forward Settlement Terms | ||
Net Share Forward Settlement Procedures: | If Net Share Forward Settlement is applicable, then Nomura will determine the Option Cash Settlement Amount for each Settled Number of Options as set forth under Cash Settlement Terms as if Cash Settlement were applicable (the Deemed Cash Settlement). On each Cash Settlement Payment Date for such Deemed Cash Settlement, in lieu of Sellers payment of the Option Cash Settlement Amount to Buyer, Buyer and Seller will be deemed to have entered |
3
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
into a Related Forward Transaction with respect to a number of Shares of the Issuer equal to such Option Cash Settlement Amount divided by the Settlement Price. In the event that the number of shares calculated as set forth above includes any fractional share, the number of shares for purposes of the Related Forward Transaction will only include whole shares and Seller will pay to Buyer in lieu of such fractional share an amount in the Settlement Currency representing the fractional share multiplied by the Settlement Price. For the purposes of Net Share Forward Settlement, all references to Cash Settlement in Condition to Cash Settlement will be deemed to be references to Net Share Forward Settlement. | ||
Cash Settlement Terms | ||
Number of Options Exercised: | If Cash Settlement is applicable, the number of Options exercised (or deemed to be automatically exercised) on an Exercise Date; provided that the valuation related to such Number of Options exercised will occur as set forth under Cash Settlement Procedures below. | |
Condition to Cash Settlement: | Cash Settlement of the Transaction is conditioned upon Counterparty representing to Nomura in writing on each Exercise Date where Cash Settlement is applicable that either (1) Counterparty is an affiliate (as defined under Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act)) of the Issuer, (2) Counterparty is not an affiliate of the Issuer, or (3) Counterparty should be deemed an affiliate of the Issuer solely for purposes of the relevant Transaction. | |
Cash Settlement Procedures: | On an Exercise Date where Cash Settlement is applicable, the Calculation Agent will determine the Number of Options Exercised (which may be all such Number of Options Exercised) subject to cash settlement (the Settled Number of Options) in its good faith and commercially reasonable discretion (which may, for the avoidance of doubt, be exercised in consideration of advice of counsel and in consideration of other market activity or derivative transaction or unwind activity by Counterparty as well as any legal considerations applicable to Counterparty, including, but not limited to, considerations related to the fact that Counterparty may be an insider or affiliate of the Issuer and the application, if any, of any related securities laws (such considerations, the Unwind Parameters)), and will notify Nomura and Counterparty of such determination. The Calculation Agent also will determine the number of Averaging Dates in its good faith and commercially reasonable discretion and will include in such notice the number of Averaging Dates so determined (Determined Averaging Date Number) and the initial Averaging Date for such settlement which will be the first Scheduled Trading Day after the related Exercise Date (each such date, an Initial Averaging Date). In respect of the settlement on the Expiration Date, the Initial Averaging Date will be the Expiration Date. | |
Such Cash Settlement shall proceed under the Equity Definitions as if (i) the Settled Number of Options were the number of Options exercised for purposes of Section 8.2 of the Equity Definitions (Option Cash Settlement Amount), (ii) the Averaging Dates were a number of consecutive Exchange Business Days beginning on, and including, the Initial Averaging Date for such settlement, which number shall be equal to the Determined Averaging Date Number, and (iii) the Valuation Date were the final Averaging Date for the calculation of the Option Cash Settlement Amount. | ||
Following each such settlement, the Transaction will continue with a Number of Options reduced by the amounts so settled, and the Calculation Agent will select subsequent Initial Averaging Date(s) (in conjunction with a related Determined |
4
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
Averaging Date Number) in a good faith and commercially reasonable manner (taking into account the Unwind Parameters) until the total of all Settled Number of Options equals the Number of Options Exercised. For the avoidance of doubt, the Calculation Agent may select a Settled Number of Options for the first settlement hereunder that equals the total Number of Options Exercised, in which case there shall be only one such settlement hereunder. | ||
Valuation Date: | In respect of a Settled Number of Options, the final Averaging Date in respect of such Settled Number of Options. | |
Cash Settlement Payment Date: | In respect of a Settled Number of Options and an Exercise Date, one Settlement Cycle following the related Valuation Date. | |
Option Cash Settlement Amount: | As set forth in Section 8.2 of the Equity Definitions. | |
Physical Settlement Terms | ||
Number of Options Exercised: | If Physical Settlement is applicable, the number of Options exercised (or deemed to be automatically exercised) on an Exercise Date; provided that Counterparty may not elect or proceed with Physical Settlement unless the Physical Settlement Condition (as defined below) is satisfied. | |
Physical Settlement Condition: | Physical Settlement of the Transaction is conditioned upon (a) any required filings and any applicable waiting periods under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, relating to the transactions contemplated hereby, shall have been made or shall have been expired or been terminated, as applicable or (b) Counterparty has determined that it has an exemption for any such filings. Any Physical Settlement of any Transaction hereunder shall constitute a representation by Counterparty that such filings have been made and any such waiting periods have expired or been terminated or that Counterparty has determined that it has an exemption for such filings. | |
General Valuation Terms | ||
Market Disruption Event: | Section 6.3(a) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by replacing clause (ii) thereof in its entirety with the following: (ii) an Exchange Disruption, or and inserting immediately following clause (iii) thereof the following: ; in each case that the Calculation Agent determines is material. | |
Section 6.3(d) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by deleting the remainder of the provision following the term Scheduled Closing Time in the fourth line thereof. | ||
Averaging Date Disruption: | Modified Postponement; provided that Section 6.7(c)(iii)(A) of the Equity Definitions is hereby modified by inserting the words the Calculation Agent may determine in its discretion that after the word then in the sixth line thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing and anything to the contrary in the Equity Definitions, if a Market Disruption Event occurs on any Averaging Date, the Calculation Agent may determine that such Averaging Date is a Disrupted Day only in part, in which case (i) such day shall be an Averaging Date and the Scheduled Trading Day immediately following the date that would otherwise be the last Averaging Date shall be an additional Averaging Date; (ii) the Calculation Agent shall determine the VWAP Price on the Averaging Date that is a partially Disrupted Day on the basis of transactions in the Shares on the Exchange on such Averaging Date, taking into account the nature and duration of the relevant |
5
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
Market Disruption Event; and (iii) the Calculation Agent shall determine the Settlement Price using an appropriately weighted average of VWAP Prices on the Averaging Dates instead of the arithmetic average. | ||
Section 6.6(a) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by replacing the word shall in the fifth line thereof with the word may, and by deleting clause (i) thereof. | ||
Relevant Price: | For purposes of Section 6.7 of the Equity Definitions, with respect to any Options for which Cash Settlement is elected, the VWAP Price on the date of determination. | |
VWAP Price: | On any Exchange Business Day, the volume-weighted average price per Share as displayed on the relevant Bloomberg page AQR (or its equivalent successor if such page is not available) in respect of the period from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., New York City time, on such Trading Day (or if such volume-weighted average price is unavailable at such time, the market value of one Share on such Valid Day, as determined by the Calculation Agent using, if practicable, a volume-weighted average method). The VWAP Price will be determined without regard to after-hours trading or any other trading outside of the regular trading session trading hours. | |
Share Adjustments | ||
Method of Adjustment: | Calculation Agent Adjustment. | |
The first sentence of Section 11.2(c) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended to read as follows: (c) If Calculation Agent Adjustment is specified as the method of adjustment in the Confirmation of a Share Transaction, then following any announcement of or the occurrence of any Potential Adjustment Event, the Calculation Agent will determine whether such announcement or occurrence of such Potential Adjustment Event has an economic effect on the Transaction and, if so, shall, following good faith consultation with Counterparty, (i) make appropriate adjustments to any one or more of the terms or variables relevant to the exercise, settlement or payment terms of such Transaction as the Calculation Agent determines appropriate to account for such effect (and, for the avoidance of doubt, adjustments may be made to account for changes in volatility, expected dividends, stock loan rate or liquidity relative to the relevant Shares or any Hedge Positions) and (ii) determine the effective date(s) of the adjustment(s). | ||
Section 11.2(e)(vii) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended to add the term corporate before event. | ||
Extraordinary Events | ||
Merger: | Applicable | |
Consequences of Merger Events: | ||
(a) Share-for-Share: |
Modified Calculation Agent Adjustment | |
(b) Share-for-Other: |
Cancellation and Payment (Calculation Agent Determination) | |
(c) Share-for-Combined: |
Component Adjustment |
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Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
Tender Offer: | Applicable; provided, however, that Section 12.1(d) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by adding , or of the outstanding Shares, before of the Issuer in the fourth line thereof. Sections 12.1(e) and 12.1(l)(ii) of the Equity Definitions are hereby amended by adding or Shares, as applicable, after voting Shares. | |
Consequences of Tender Offers: | ||
(a) Share-for-Share: |
Modified Calculation Agent Adjustment | |
(b) Share-for-Other: |
Modified Calculation Agent Adjustment | |
(c) Share-for-Combined: |
Modified Calculation Agent Adjustment | |
Composition of Combined Consideration: |
Not Applicable | |
Nationalization, Insolvency or Delisting: |
Cancellation and Payment (Calculation Agent Determination) | |
Shareholder Rights Plan: | Notwithstanding any provision of the Equity Definitions or this Confirmation to the contrary, upon the occurrence of an event that results in any shareholder rights being distributed or becoming separated from the Shares or other shares of the Issuers capital stock (including the issuance or exercisability of rights or the issuance of Shares or other securities under a so-called poison pill or similar event), as determined by the Calculation Agent, that occurs as a result of any action taken by or any activity of Counterparty or its affiliates or related parties or any member of a group (as defined under Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), or any similar provision) of which Counterparty or any such affiliate or related party is a part, in each case as determined by the Calculation Agent, Nomura shall not be obligated to adjust the Number of Shares or other terms for any Transaction hereunder to reflect such event, and without limiting the foregoing, the Number of Shares subject to the Related Forward Transaction, the Cash Settlement Amount payable or the Number of Shares to be Delivered, as the case may be, by Nomura under any Transaction hereunder will be determined exclusive of additional Shares or rights with respect thereto delivered to holders of Shares as a result of such event. | |
Separate Transactions Adjustment: | With respect to any Transaction that is, or may following an adjustment by the Calculation Agent with respect to an announced event become, a Share Basket Option Transaction, upon the request of Counterparty, the Calculation Agent shall provide Counterparty with proposed adjustments to the terms of the Transaction pursuant to this Separate Transactions Adjustment provision. | |
Counterparty shall have the right to elect, upon one Scheduled Trading Days written notice (the Separate Transaction Notice), to continue such Transaction as two separate Transactions, each with terms identical to the original Transaction prior to such separation (the Original Transaction), except that: (i) the Shares for the first resulting Transaction (the Original Shares Transaction) shall be the Shares of the Transaction prior to the most recent (or potential) creation of a Basket (the Original Shares) and the Shares for the other transaction (the Spin-off Shares Transaction) shall be the other Shares in the Basket (or potential Basket) (the Spin-off Shares), (ii) the Number of Options for the Original Shares Transaction shall remain unchanged from the Number of Options for the Original Transaction, (iii) the Number of Options for |
7
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
the Spin-off Shares Transaction shall equal the product of (A) the Number of Options for the Original Transaction (as in effect immediately prior to the separation) and (B) the number of Spin-off Shares in the Basket (or, in the case of a potential Basket, that a holder of one share of Original Shares would have owned or been entitled to receive in connection with the announced event), and (iv) the Strike Price for each of the Original Shares Transaction and the Spin-off Shares Transaction shall be adjusted by the Calculation Agent to reflect the relative market values per share and dividend practices of the Original Shares and the Spin-off Shares immediately following the separation (including, without limitation, adjustments to account for changes in volatility, expected dividends, stock loan rate or liquidity relevant to the Original Shares, the Spin-off Shares, the Original Shares Transaction or to the Spin-off Shares Transaction) in an effort to preserve the theoretical fair value of such Original Transaction. This Master Confirmation shall apply in all respects (except as provided above) to both the Original Shares Transaction and the Spinoff Shares Transaction as if each were a separate Transaction under this Master Confirmation. Any Separate Transaction Notice shall include a representation that the election is not being made on the basis of any material, non-public information regarding the Issuer or the Shares. | ||
Additional Disruption Events | ||
Change in Law: | Applicable; provided that Section 12.9(a)(ii) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by (a) adding the words or any Hedge Positions after the word Shares in clause (X) thereof; and (b) adding the words (including, for the avoidance of doubt and without limitation, adoption or promulgation of new regulations authorized or mandated by existing statute) after the word regulation in the second line thereof. | |
Failure to Deliver: | Not Applicable | |
Insolvency Filing: | Applicable | |
Hedging Disruption: | Applicable | |
Increased Cost of Hedging: | Applicable | |
Loss of Stock Borrow: | Not Applicable | |
Increased Cost of Stock Borrow: | Not Applicable | |
Determining Party: | For all applicable events, Nomura. Whenever the Determining Party is required to act or to exercise judgment in any way, it will do so in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner. If Counterparty chooses to dispute a determination made by Nomura in its role as Determining Party, then it must do so within two (2) Scheduled Trading Days of the day on which Nomura communicates the relevant determination to Counterparty and provide Nomura with the reasons why Counterparty objects. If Counterparty and Nomura cannot resolve the dispute, then the dispute resolution procedures applicable to the Calculation Agent shall also apply to the Determining Party as if all references to the Calculation Agent were references to the Determining Party. | |
Hedging Party: | For all applicable events, Nomura |
8
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
Dividends | ||
Ordinary Dividend Amount: | USD 0.00 | |
Extraordinary Dividend: | Any dividend or distribution on the Shares (other than any dividend or distribution of the type described in Section 11.2(e)(i) or Section 11.2(e)(ii)(A) or (B) of the Equity Definitions) the ex-date for which occurs during the Dividend Period and the amount or value of which differs from the Ordinary Dividend Amount, as determined by the Calculation Agent. | |
Dividend Period: | The period from but excluding the Trade Date to and including the Valuation Date (or, in the case of Physical Settlement, the Exercise Date). | |
Consequences of Dividends: | Following the payment of a cash Extraordinary Dividend by the Issuer to holders of record of the Shares, the Calculation Agent will make an adjustment to the terms of the Transaction reflecting the Extraordinary Dividend, as such amount may be adjusted for any withholding or deduction of taxes at the source by or on behalf of any applicable authority having power to tax levied in respect of such a dividend that would be incurred if such dividend were received by a QDD Hypothetical Investor. In making such determination, the Calculation Agent will also provide to the parties hereto any tax forms reflecting the tax levied in the previous sentence. | |
A QDD Hypothetical Investor is a hypothetical investor that is authorized to act as a Qualified Derivatives Dealer by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, holds its Shares (and receives any amounts thereon) in its capacity as a Qualified Derivatives Dealer and properly certifies the foregoing as required under applicable U.S. federal income tax laws in order to avoid withholding on dividends, amounts treated as dividends or dividend equivalent amounts. | ||
Section 11.2(e)(iii) is hereby amended by adding the word non-cash before Extraordinary Dividend. | ||
Dividend Recovery: | In the event that the declared dividend is different from the actual dividend paid by the Issuer, and the Calculation Agent has previously adjusted the terms of a Transaction as set forth in Consequences of Dividends then the Calculation Agent will either (a) re-adjust the terms of such Transaction(s), or (b) determine an amount to be paid by one party to the other party, in each case to account for the discrepancy between the declared dividend and the actual dividend paid by the Issuer. This provision will survive the termination of any relevant Transaction, it being understood that if clause (b) of the previous sentence applies, the party obligated to pay such amount will do so in accordance with the instructions of the Calculation Agent. | |
Additional Representations, Agreements and Acknowledgements | ||
Calculation Agent: | As specified in the Agreement. | |
Non-Reliance: | Applicable | |
Agreements and Acknowledgments Regarding Hedging Activities: | Applicable | |
Additional Acknowledgments: | Applicable |
9
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
Independent Amount: | None | |
Exposure: | The Exposure for Nomura in respect of any Transaction hereunder shall be zero and the Exposure for Counterparty in respect of any Transaction hereunder shall be zero, throughout the term of the Transaction. |
Representations, Warranties and Covenants of Counterparty
Counterparty represents and warrants to, and covenants with, Nomura as of the date on which it enters into a Transaction hereunder that (in the absence of any written agreement between the parties that expressly imposes affirmative obligations to the contrary for the Transaction):
(A) Non-Reliance. It is acting for its own account, and it has made its own independent decisions to enter into the Transaction and as to whether the Transaction is appropriate or proper for it based upon its own judgment and upon advice from such advisers as it has deemed necessary. It is not relying on any communication (written or oral) of the other party as investment advice or as a recommendation to enter into the Transaction, it being understood that information and explanations related to the terms and conditions of the Transaction will not be considered investment advice or a recommendation to enter into the Transaction. No communication (written or oral) received from the other party will be deemed to be an assurance or guarantee as to the expected results of the Transaction.
(B) Assessment and Understanding. It is capable of assessing the merits of and understanding (on its own behalf or through independent professional advice), and understands and accepts, the terms, conditions and risks of the Transaction. It is also capable of assuming, and assumes, the risks of the Transaction.
(C) Status of Parties. Nomura is not acting as a fiduciary for or an adviser to it in respect of the Transaction.
(D) Non-Public Information. It is not entering into the Transaction on the basis of any material non-public information with respect to the Issuer or the Shares that, under any applicable securities laws, it would have to disclose before buying or selling the Shares.
(E) Commodity Exchange Act. It is an eligible contract participant under, and as defined in, the Commodity Exchange Act and it was not formed solely for the purposes of constituting an eligible contract participant.
(F) Private Placement. It (i) is an accredited investor as such term is defined in Regulation D as promulgated under the Securities Act, (ii) is entering into the Transaction for its own account without a view to the distribution or resale thereof and (iii) understands that the assignment, transfer or other disposition of the Transaction has not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act.
Additional Agreements of the Parties
(A) Transfer. The rights and duties under this Master Confirmation may not be transferred or assigned by any party hereto without the prior written consent of the other party, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld; provided that Nomura may transfer or assign all (but not less than all) of its rights and obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of Counterparty to any one of Nomuras Affiliates if (i)(a) that Affiliate has a rating for its long term, unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness that is equal to or better than Nomuras credit rating at the time of such assignment or (b) that Affiliates obligations to Counterparty are guaranteed by Nomura Holdings, Inc.; (ii) Counterparty will not, as a result of such transfer, become subject to any adverse tax consequences (including as a result of any dividend-related adjustment); (iii) Counterparty will not, as a result of such transfer, become subject to any costs (including, without limitation, any accounting, regulatory or other compliance costs) that are materially greater than those that would have been imposed on Counterparty in the absence of such transfer; (iv) neither an Event of Default nor a Termination Event has occurred and is continuing or would occur, in each case, as a result of such transfer or assignment; and (v) Nomura shall notify Counterparty in writing prior to effecting any such transfer or assignment.
10
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
(B) Update and Acceptance of the Supplemental Confirmation. From time to time, but not less frequently than the first Exchange Business Day of a week following a week in which any Trade Date occurred, and promptly after any Trade Date if requested by Counterparty, Nomura will prepare a new Supplemental Confirmation for all Transactions entered into hereunder and not previously documented on a Supplemental Confirmation and deliver such new Supplemental Confirmation to Counterparty via email to [ ]. Following the provision of such new Supplemental Confirmation, Counterparty shall promptly notify Nomura of any disagreements as to any terms set forth therein. Unless Counterparty has notified Nomura otherwise within two Business Days of the day on which such new Supplemental Confirmation is delivered via email as described herein, Counterparty shall be deemed to have agreed to such new Supplemental Confirmation and its terms shall be final and conclusive, absent manifest error, without any requirement for Counterparty to sign such Supplemental Confirmation.
(C) Tax Characterization. Each Nomura and Counterparty shall treat the Transaction as a derivative financial contract for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and it shall not take any action or tax return filing position contrary to this characterization.
Additional Representations, Warranties and Covenants of Counterparty
Counterparty represents, warrants and covenants to Nomura as of the date on which it enters into each Transaction that:
(A) Counterparty will not make any election under such Transaction while aware of any material non-public information regarding the Issuer or the Shares.
(B) Without limiting the generality of Section 3(a)(iii) of the Agreement, Counterparty, based on advice of counsel, is and, after giving effect to such Transaction, will be, in compliance with and will comply with any reporting obligations under Section 16, Section 13(d) and Section 13(g) of the Exchange Act it has with respect to the Shares.
(C) Counterparty is not and, after giving effect to such Transaction, will not be required to register as an investment company under, and as such term is defined in, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(D) Counterparty is solvent and able to pay its debts as they come due, with assets having a fair value greater than liabilities and with capital sufficient to carry on the businesses in which it engages.
(E) Counterparty is not and has not been for the preceding three months an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act) of the Issuer.
(F) Within one Exchange Business Day of Counterparty becoming aware during the term of such Transaction that the aggregate number of all Shares beneficially owned by Counterparty and its affiliates for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act together with the economic exposure of Counterparty and its affiliates to the Shares under cash-settled equity derivative transactions (with Nomura or any other counterparty) has increased to or first exceeded each of the following thresholds: 5.0%, 9.5%, 10.0% and 15.0% of the outstanding Shares (as determined by reference to the Issuers most recent reports filed under the Exchange Act), Counterparty shall so notify Nomura.
(G) Considerations relating to the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act, as amended, are not a principal purpose for Counterpartys decision to enter into the Transactions with Nomura.
Matters Relating to Nomura and Agent
(i) Nomura is not registered as a broker or dealer under the Exchange Act. Nomura Securities International, Inc. (Agent) has acted solely as agent for Nomura and Counterparty to the extent required by law in connection with each Transaction and has no obligations, by way of issuance, endorsement, guarantee or otherwise, with respect to the performance of either party under any Transaction. The parties agree to proceed solely against each other, and not against Agent, in seeking enforcement of their rights and obligations with respect to each Transaction, including their rights and obligations with respect to payment of funds and delivery of securities.
11
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
(ii) Agent may have been paid a fee by Nomura in connection with each Transaction. Further details will be furnished upon written request.
(iii) The time of each Transaction will be furnished by Agent upon written request.
Acknowledgments Regarding Hedging
Counterparty acknowledges that:
(i) during the term of any Transaction, Nomura and its affiliates may buy or sell Shares or other securities or buy or sell options or futures contracts or enter into swaps or other derivative securities in order to establish, adjust or unwind its hedge position with respect to such Transaction;
(ii) Nomura and its affiliates may also be active in the market for the Shares and derivatives linked to the Shares other than in connection with hedging activities in relation to any Transaction, including acting as agent or as principal and for its own account or on behalf of customers;
(iii) Nomura shall make its own determination as to whether, when or in what manner any of its hedging or market activities shall be conducted and shall do so in a manner that it deems appropriate to hedge its price risk, market risk and any other risk with respect to any Transaction including without limitation by transacting in securities, futures contracts or other derivatives related to the securities underlying a Transaction in amounts that may be greater than or less than the amount of securities that underlie a Transaction;
(iv) any market activities of Nomura and its affiliates with respect to the Shares may affect the market price and volatility of the Shares, each in a manner that may be adverse to Counterparty;
(v) there are no voting or hedging arrangements between Nomura and Counterparty with respect to any Shares or the Issuer;
(vi) Counterparty will not be entitled to any voting rights in respect of any of the Shares underlying the Transaction; and
(vii) Counterparty will not seek to influence Nomura with respect to the voting of any Hedge Positions of Nomura consisting of Shares (if any).
Confidentiality
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any party (or such partys affiliates) may disclose to any and all persons, without limitation of any kind, the United States tax treatment (federal, state and local) and tax structure of any Transaction contemplated hereunder and all materials of any kind relating to such tax treatment and tax structure. However, any information relating to the United States federal, state or local tax treatment or tax structure shall remain subject to the applicable confidentiality provisions (and the preceding sentence shall not apply) to the extent reasonably necessary to enable any person to comply with applicable securities laws. Tax treatment or tax structure is limited to any facts relevant to the United States federal, state or local tax treatment of any Transaction contemplated hereunder and specifically does not include information relating to the identity of Counterparty or any of its affiliates.
No Arrangements
Nomura and Counterparty each acknowledge and agree that: (i) there are no voting, hedging or settlement arrangements between Nomura and Counterparty with respect to any Shares or the Issuer, other than those set forth herein; (ii) although Nomura may hedge its risk under the Transactions in any way Nomura determines, Nomura has no obligation to hedge with the purchase or maintenance of any Shares or otherwise; (iii) Counterparty will not be entitled to any voting rights in respect of any of the Shares underlying any Transaction; and (iv) Counterparty will not seek to influence Nomura with respect to the voting of any Hedge Positions of Nomura consisting of Shares, if any.
12
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act
In connection with Section 739 of the Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act of 2010 (WSTAA), the parties hereby agree that neither the enactment of WSTAA or any regulation under WSTAA, nor any requirement under WSTAA or an amendment made by WSTAA, nor any similar legal certainty provision in any legislation enacted, or rule or regulation promulgated, on or after the date of this Master Confirmation, shall limit or otherwise impair either partys otherwise applicable rights to terminate, renegotiate, modify, amend or supplement this Master Confirmation or the Agreement, as applicable, arising from a termination event, force majeure, illegality, increased costs, regulatory change or similar event under this Master Confirmation, the Equity Definitions incorporated herein, or the Agreement (including, without limitation, rights arising from Change in Law or Illegality).
Address for Notices
Notice to Nomura:
c/o Nomura Securities International, Inc.
309 West 49th Street
New York, NY 10019
Attention: [ ]
with a copy to:
c/o Nomura Securities International, Inc.
309 West 49th Street
New York, NY 10019
Attention: [ ]
Notice to Counterparty:
As set forth on the first page of this Master Confirmation.
Account Details
Account details for Nomura: | To be advised. | |
Account details for Counterparty: | To be advised. |
[Signature page follows]
13
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
Please confirm that the foregoing correctly sets forth the terms of our agreement by executing a copy of this Master Confirmation and returning it to us at your earliest convenience.
Very truly yours,
|
NOMURA SECURITIES (BERMUDA) LTD.
|
By: |
Name: |
Title: |
Agreed and accepted by:
[Mantle Ridge Fund]
By: |
Name: [ ] |
Title: [ ] |
[Signature Page to Share Option (Cash or Physically Settled Forward) Master Confirmation]
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd. Chesney House 96 Pitts Bay Road Pembroke HM 08 Bermuda |
Urgent Please deliver immediately |
SCHEDULE A
FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL CONFIRMATION
Date: |
[ ], 20[ ] | |
To: |
[Mantle Ridge Fund] (Counterparty) | |
Address: |
712 Fifth Avenue | |
Suite 17F | ||
New York, NY 10019 | ||
Attention: |
[ ] | |
Email: |
[ ] | |
Phone: |
[ ] | |
Fax No.: |
[ ] | |
From: | Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd. (Nomura) | |
Re: | OTC Share Option Transactions |
1. This Supplemental Confirmation supplements, forms part of, and is subject to the Confirmation Re: OTC Share Option Transactions Cash or Physically Settled Forward dated as of [ ] (the Master Confirmation), between Nomura and Counterparty, as amended and supplemented from time to time. All provisions contained in the Master Confirmation govern this Supplemental Confirmation except as expressly modified below.
2. The purpose of this Supplemental Confirmation is to confirm certain terms and conditions of Transactions entered into between Nomura and Counterparty. This Supplemental Confirmation is a binding contract between Nomura and Counterparty as of the date of this Supplemental Confirmation.
Trade Date |
Number of Options |
Strike Price |
Premium per Option |
Expiration Date |
Nomura Reference Number | |||||
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
Please notify Nomura promptly of any disagreements as to any terms set forth herein. Unless you notify Nomura otherwise within two Business Days of the day on which this Supplemental Confirmation is delivered as described in the Master Confirmation, you shall be deemed to have agreed to this Supplemental Confirmation and its terms shall be final and conclusive without any requirement for you to sign this Supplemental Confirmation.
Very truly yours, |
NOMURA SECURITIES (BERMUDA) LTD. |
By: |
Name: |
Title: |
[Signature Page to Share Option (Cash or Physically Settled Forward) Supplemental Confirmation]
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
ANNEX A TO MASTER OPTION CONFIRMATION
Shares: | The common stock of Dollar Tree, Inc. (Ticker: DLTR) | |
Exchange: | Nasdaq Global Select Market | |
Related Exchange(s): | All Exchanges |
Annex A-1
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
ANNEX B
Cash or Physically Settled OTC Equity Forward Transactions
Upon exercise (in whole or in part) of a call option transaction (the Call Option Transaction) evidenced by the letter agreement to which this Annex is attached (such letter agreement, the Call Option Confirmation and this Annex, this Confirmation), Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd. (Nomura) and [Mantle Ridge Fund] (Counterparty) agree that they shall automatically and without further action have entered into a transaction with the terms and conditions specified below on the Pricing Date specified below (for purposes of this Annex B, the Transaction).
This Confirmation constitutes a Confirmation as referred to in the ISDA 2002 Master Agreement, dated as of [ ], between Nomura and Counterparty (including the Schedule thereto and the 1994 Credit Support Annex (Bilateral FormNew York Law) (the CSA) to such Schedule), as may be amended and supplemented from time to time (the Agreement). All provisions contained or incorporated by reference in the Agreement shall govern this Confirmation except as expressly modified below. This Confirmation evidences a complete binding agreement between Nomura and Counterparty as to the subject matter and terms of the Transaction and shall supersede all prior or contemporaneous written or oral communications with respect thereto.
The 2006 ISDA Definitions (the Swap Definitions) and the 2002 ISDA Equity Derivatives Definitions (the Equity Definitions, and with the Swap Definitions, the Definitions), each as published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., are incorporated into this Confirmation. If there is any inconsistency between the Definitions and this Confirmation, this Confirmation governs. If, in relation to the Transaction, there is any inconsistency between the Agreement, this Confirmation, the Swap Definitions and the Equity Definitions, the following will prevail for purposes of such Transaction in the order of precedence indicated: (i) this Confirmation; (ii) the Equity Definitions; (iii) the Swap Definitions, and (iv) the Agreement.
B-1
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
The terms of the particular Transaction to which this Confirmation relates are as follows:
General Terms | ||
Type of Transaction: | Share Forward Transaction | |
Pricing Date: | The Exercise Date of the Call Option Transaction | |
Effective Date: | One Settlement Cycle following the Pricing Date | |
Valuation Date: | Any Potential Valuation Date designated as the Valuation Date by either party upon at least 15 calendar days prior written notice. | |
Potential Valuation Date: | The third anniversary of the Effective Date and each anniversary of the Effective Date thereafter. | |
Seller: | Nomura | |
Buyer: | Counterparty | |
Shares: | As set forth in Annex A to the Call Option Confirmation | |
Number of Shares: | The Number of Options exercised under the Call Option Transaction multiplied by the Option Entitlement under the Call Option Transaction. | |
Initial Price: | The sum of (i) the Strike Price plus (ii) the Premium per Option, in each case, for the Call Option Transaction. | |
Forward Price: | On the Pricing Date, the Initial Price and on any date thereafter as adjusted as set forth herein. | |
Variable Obligation: | Not applicable | |
Exchange: | As set forth in Annex A to the Call Option Confirmation | |
Related Exchange(s): | All Exchanges | |
Dividends | ||
Dividend Amount Adjustment: | With respect to any ordinary or extraordinary cash dividend or distribution on the Shares for which the Record Date occurs during the Dividend Period, the Calculation Agent shall reduce the Forward Price on the Dividend Amount Adjustment Date and adjust the calculation of subsequent accruals of the Forward Price by an amount equal to the relevant Dividend Amount; provided that, for any Dividend Amount for which (x) the relevant Record Date occurs during the Dividend Period, and (y) the relevant Dividend Amount Adjustment Date occurs after any Settlement Date or Cash Settlement Payment Date with respect to all or a portion of the Transaction, as applicable, Nomura shall remit to Counterparty, within three Currency Business Days after such Dividend Amount Adjustment Date, an amount in the Settlement Currency equal to the product of (i) such Dividend Amount multiplied by (ii) the number of shares constituting the portion of the Number of Shares as of such Record Date for which no adjustment under Dividend Amount Adjustment was made on such Dividend Amount Adjustment Date. Notwithstanding the above, if the Forward Price is reduced pursuant to an adjustment above and the related Dividend Amount is not paid at the time and in the amount scheduled, then Nomura shall have the right to further |
B-2
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
adjust the Forward Price to account for such deficiency or (if the Transaction has then terminated) Counterparty will be required, upon request of Nomura, to promptly remit to Nomura an amount determined by the Calculation Agent as appropriate to account for such deficiency. The obligations of each party pursuant to this provision will survive settlement or termination of the Transaction. Section 11.2(e)(iii) is hereby amended by adding the word non-cash before Extraordinary Dividend. | ||
Dividend Amount Adjustment Date: | In respect of any cash dividend or distribution on the Shares, the Dividend Receipt Date (or if such day is not a Currency Business Day, the Currency Business Day immediately following such date). | |
Dividend Receipt Date: | The date of receipt of a dividend by holders of record. | |
Record Date: | Each relevant date of determination of holder of record status. | |
Dividend Amount: | The Record Amount; provided that | |
(i) the last two sentences of Section 10.1 of the Equity Definitions shall be deleted; and | ||
(ii) any gross cash dividend shall represent a sum after the withholding or deduction of taxes, if any, at the source by or on behalf of any applicable authority having power to tax in respect of such a dividend that would be incurred if such dividend were received by a QDD Hypothetical Investor. | ||
A QDD Hypothetical Investor is a hypothetical investor that is authorized to act as a Qualified Derivatives Dealer by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, holds its Shares (and receives any amounts thereon) in its capacity as a Qualified Derivatives Dealer and properly certifies the foregoing as required under applicable U.S. federal income tax laws in order to avoid withholding on dividends, amounts treated as dividends or dividend equivalent amounts. | ||
Dividend Period: | The period commencing on and including the Effective Date and ending on but excluding (i) the Cash Settlement Payment Date, if Cash Settlement applies, (ii) the Settlement Date, if Physical Settlement applies, or (iii) the Nomura Early Termination Date, as applicable. | |
Share Dividend Elections: | In the event that a dividend is payable in either cash or property or a combination thereof at the election of a person who would be a holder of record of such Shares, the Dividend Amount shall be determined as if no election were made pursuant to the election default provision set forth in the documents relating to the payment of dividends on the Shares. | |
Settlement Terms | ||
Settlement Currency: | USD | |
Cash Settlement Payment Date: | One Settlement Cycle after the later of (a) the Valuation Date and (b) the last day of the VWAP Period. | |
Settlement Date: | One Settlement Cycle after the Valuation Date. | |
Accrual Payment Amount: | The sum of the Accrual Amounts for each Calculation Period. |
B-3
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
Calculation Periods: | Notwithstanding anything in the Swap Definitions, each one calendar day period from, and including, the Effective Date to, but excluding, (i) the Cash Settlement Payment Date, if Cash Settlement applies, (ii) the Settlement Date, if Physical Settlement applies, or (iii) the Nomura Early Termination Date, as applicable. | |
Accrual Amount: | For each Calculation Period, the sum, for each day in such Calculation Period, of the product of (a) the Adjusted Calculation Amount for such Calculation Period multiplied by (b) (i) the Floating Rate plus (ii) the Spread, divided by (c) 360. | |
Adjusted Calculation Amount: | For each day in a Calculation Period, (a) the Base Calculation Amount for such Calculation Period minus (b) (i) the sum of all Dividend Amounts, if any, that were paid by the Issuer during such Calculation Period multiplied by (ii) the Number of Shares plus (c) the Preceding Period Amount. | |
Preceding Period Amount: | For each Calculation Period, the Accrual Amount for the immediately preceding Calculation Period, provided that for the first Calculation Period, the Preceding Period Amount shall be zero. | |
Base Calculation Amount: | For the first Calculation Period, the Forward Price multiplied by the Number of Shares and, for each subsequent Calculation Period, the Adjusted Calculation Amount for the immediately preceding Calculation Period. | |
Floating Rate: | The Interest Rate as defined in Paragraph 13(h)(i) of the CSA. | |
Spread: | As specified in the Spread Notice provided by Nomura to Counterparty pursuant to the Call Option Transaction | |
Reset Dates: | Each calendar day that is a Calculation Period. | |
Settlement Method Election: | Applicable | |
Electing Party: | Counterparty | |
Settlement Method Election Date: | Any Scheduled Trading Day following the Effective Date, provided that Counterparty must provide notice to Nomura of its Settlement Method Election no later than 12:00 noon New York time on the third Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Valuation Date (in the case of Cash Settlement) or the Settlement Date (in the case of Physical Settlement), and provided further that, in the case of any Counterparty Early Termination, the Settlement Method Election Date shall be the Notice Business Day on which the notice of termination is received by Nomura. | |
Default Settlement Method: | Physical Settlement, provided that Section 9.2(a)(i) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by adding plus an amount equal to the Accrual Payment Amount before and Seller will deliver in the third line thereof; and provided further that Counterparty may not elect or proceed with Physical Settlement unless the Physical Settlement Condition (as defined below) is satisfied. | |
If Cash Settlement is elected or if the Physical Settlement Condition is not satisfied, Section 8.5(c) of the Equity Definitions shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced by the following: under a Share Forward Transaction or Share Basket Forward Transaction to which Prepayment is not applicable and Variable Obligation is not applicable, an amount equal to (A) the Number of Shares or the Number of Baskets, as the case may be, multiplied by (B) an amount equal to the Settlement Price minus the Forward Price, minus (C) an amount equal to the Accrual Payment Amount. |
B-4
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
Physical Settlement Condition: | Physical Settlement of the Transaction is conditioned upon (a) any required filings and any applicable waiting periods under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, relating to the transactions contemplated hereby, shall have been made or shall have been expired or been terminated, as applicable or (b) Counterparty has determined that it has an exemption for any such filings. Any Physical Settlement of the Transaction shall constitute a representation by Counterparty that such filings have been made and any such waiting periods have expired or been terminated or that Counterparty has determined that it has an exemption for such filings. | |
Settlement Price with Respect to Cash Settlement: | The Settlement Price with respect to Cash Settlement in relation to the Valuation Date shall be the VWAP per Share determined by the Calculation Agent as of the Valuation Date. | |
VWAP per Share with respect to the Transaction shall mean, as of the Valuation Date, the arithmetic mean of the volume-weighted average price per Share as listed on the relevant Bloomberg Page AQR during regular trading hours on the Exchange of each Exchange Business Day during the VWAP Period but excluding any official opening and closing transactions on the Exchange, as determined by the Calculation Agent, less USD0.02. | ||
VWAP Period shall mean a period consisting of a number of Exchange Business Days equal to the VWAP Number, commencing on the Scheduled Valuation Date. | ||
The VWAP Number shall be equal to the quotient, rounded up to the nearest whole number, obtained by dividing (x) the aggregate of the Number of Shares with respect to all Transactions entered into under this Confirmation by (y) the product of (A) the ADTV Percentage and (B) the average daily trading volume, determined as of the third Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Valuation Date, on the principal Exchange for the Shares for a period of 60 consecutive calendar days, immediately preceding such date, as determined by the Calculation Agent. | ||
The ADTV Percentage shall be equal to [ ]%. | ||
In the event that Nomura reasonably determines that, as a result of any legal, regulatory, or self-regulatory requirement relating to any Hedge Position with respect to the Transactions hereunder (including, for the avoidance of doubt, in consideration of other market activity by Counterparty as well as any legal considerations applicable to Counterparty, including, but not limited to, considerations related the fact that Counterparty may be an insider or affiliate (or at any time during the preceding three months may have been an affiliate) of the Issuer and the application of any related securities laws), it is appropriate to extend the VWAP Period, then Nomura may extend the VWAP Period by such number of additional Exchange Business Days as, in its commercially reasonable discretion, it deems appropriate, and/or select non-consecutive Exchange Business Days to make up the VWAP Period if Nomura determines in its commercially reasonable discretion that such action is appropriate. | ||
The definition of Market Disruption Event in Section 6.3(a) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by deleting the words at any time during the one- |
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Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
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hour period that ends at the relevant Valuation Time, Latest Exercise Time, Knock-in Valuation Time or Knock-out Valuation Time, as the case may be and inserting the words at any time on any Scheduled Trading Day during the VWAP Period after the word material, in the third line thereof. | ||
Section 6.3(d) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by deleting the remainder of the provision following the term Scheduled Closing Time in the fourth line thereof. | ||
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Equity Definitions, to the extent that a Disrupted Day occurs in the VWAP Period, the Calculation Agent may extend the VWAP Period by one for each Exchange Business Day that is a Disrupted Day. If any such Disrupted Day is a Disrupted Day because of a Market Disruption Event, the Calculation Agent shall determine whether (i) such Disrupted Day is a Disrupted Day in full, in which case the VWAP Price for such Disrupted Day shall not be included for purposes of determining the Settlement Price or (ii) such Disrupted Day is a Disrupted Day only in part, in which case the VWAP Price for such Disrupted Day shall be determined by the Calculation Agent based on transactions in the Shares on such Disrupted Day taking into account the nature and duration of the relevant Market Disruption Event, and the weighting of the VWAP Price for the relevant Exchange Business Days during the VWAP Period shall be adjusted in a commercially reasonable manner by the Calculation Agent for purposes of determining the Settlement Price. Any Exchange Business Day on which, as of the date hereof, the Exchange is scheduled to close prior to its normal close of trading shall be deemed not to be an Exchange Business Day; if a closure of the Exchange prior to its normal close of trading on any Exchange Business Day is scheduled following the date hereof, then such Exchange Business Day shall be deemed to be a Disrupted Day in full. | ||
If a Disrupted Day occurs during the VWAP Period and each of the seven immediately following Scheduled Trading Days is a Disrupted Day, then the Calculation Agent may deem such seventh Scheduled Trading Day to be an Exchange Business Day that is not a Disrupted Day and determine the VWAP Price for such seventh Scheduled Trading Day using its good faith estimate of the value of the Shares on such seventh Scheduled Trading Day based on the volume, historical trading patterns and price of the Shares and such other factors as it deems appropriate. | ||
If for any reason (including by virtue of the determination or the extension of the VWAP Period), the VWAP Period would end on a date later than the Valuation Date (as measured before giving effect to this sentence), then the Valuation Date shall be postponed to the final day of the VWAP Period. | ||
Share Adjustments: | ||
Method of Adjustment: | Calculation Agent Adjustment; provided that, if an event occurs that constitutes both a Potential Adjustment Event and a Spin-off as described below, it shall be treated hereunder as a Spin-off and not as a Potential Adjustment Event. | |
Section 11.2(e)(vii) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended to add the term corporate before event. | ||
Spin-off: | A distribution of New Shares (the Spin-off Shares) of any issuer, including the Issuer (any such issuer, the Spin-off Issuer), to holders of the Shares (the Original Shares). Solely for purposes of this paragraph, New Shares means ordinary or common shares of the Spinoff Issuer, including, for the avoidance of |
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Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
doubt, shares that are issued to separately track and reflect the economic performance of businesses and/or assets of the Spin-off Issuer, which shares are, or as of the ex-dividend date of such Spin-off are scheduled promptly to be, (i) publicly quoted, traded or listed on any of the New York Stock Exchange, The NASDAQ Global Select Market or The NASDAQ Global Market (or their respective successors) and (ii) not subject to any currency exchange controls, trading restrictions or other trading limitations. Notwithstanding anything else to the contrary in the Equity Definitions, a distribution of Spin-off Shares will in every case require the Calculation Agent to take the actions specified under Consequences of Spin-off below and the Calculation Agent will not adjust the Transactions in any other manner. | ||
Consequences of Spin-off: | In connection with a Spin-off with respect to a Transaction, as of the ex-dividend date for such Spin-off, the Calculation Agent shall adjust the Transaction to continue as two separate Transactions, each with terms identical to the original Transaction (the Original Transaction), except that: (i) the Shares for the Original Transaction (the Original Shares Transaction) shall be the Original Shares and the Shares for the other transaction (the Spin-off Shares Transaction) shall be the Spin-off Shares, (ii) the Number of Shares for the Original Shares Transaction shall remain unchanged from the Number of Shares for the Original Transaction, (iii) the Number of Shares for Spin-off Shares Transaction shall equal the product of (A) the Number of Shares for the Original Transaction (as in effect immediately prior to the ex-dividend date for such Spin-off) and (B) the number of Spin-off Shares that a holder of one share of Original Shares would have owned or been entitled to receive in connection with such Spin-off, (iv) the Strike Price for each of the Original Shares Transaction and the Spin-off Shares Transaction shall be adjusted by the Calculation Agent to reflect the relative market values per share of the Original Shares and the Spin-off Shares immediately following the ex-dividend date for such Spin-off and (v) the Calculation Agent shall make such technical adjustments to the exercise, settlement, payment or any other terms of such Transactions as the Calculation Agent determines appropriate to account for such Spin-off (but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, adjustments to account for changes in volatility, expected dividends, stock loan rate or liquidity relevant to the Shares or to such Transaction. Following such adjustment, this Confirmation shall apply in all respects (except as provided above) to both the Original Shares Transaction and the Spinoff Shares Transaction as if each were a separate Transaction under this Confirmation. | |
Extraordinary Events: | ||
Consequences of Merger Events: | ||
(a) Share-for-Share: | Calculation Agent Adjustment | |
(b) Share-for-Other: | Cancellation and Payment | |
(c) Share-for-Combined: | Component Adjustment | |
Tender Offer: | Applicable; provided, however, that Section 12.1(d) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by adding , or of the outstanding Shares, before of the Issuer in the fourth line thereof. Sections 12.1(e) and 12.1(l)(ii) of the Equity Definitions are hereby amended by adding or Shares, as applicable, after voting Shares. | |
Consequences of Tender Offers: | ||
(a) Share-for-Share: | Calculation Agent Adjustment | |
(b) Share-for-Other: | Calculation Agent Adjustment | |
(c) Share-for-Combined: | Calculation Agent Adjustment |
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Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
Composition of Combined Consideration: | Not Applicable | |
Nationalization, Insolvency or Delisting: | Cancellation and Payment | |
Shareholder Rights Plan: | Notwithstanding any provision of the Equity Definitions or this Confirmation to the contrary, upon the occurrence of an event that results in any shareholder rights being distributed or becoming separated from the Shares or other shares of the Issuers capital stock (including the issuance or exercisability of rights or the issuance of Shares or other securities under a so-called poison pill or similar event), as determined by the Calculation Agent, that occurs as a result of any action taken by or any activity of Counterparty or its affiliates or related parties or any member of a group (as defined under Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), or any similar provision) of which Counterparty or any such affiliate or related party is a part, in each case as determined by the Calculation Agent, Nomura shall not be obligated to adjust the Number of Shares or other terms for any Transaction hereunder to reflect such event, and without limiting the foregoing, the Number of Shares to be Delivered or the Forward Cash Settlement Amount payable, as the case may be, by Nomura under any Transaction hereunder will be determined exclusive of additional Shares or rights with respect thereto delivered to holders of Shares as a result of such event. | |
Additional Disruption Events: | ||
(a) Change in Law: | Applicable; provided that Section 12.9(a)(ii) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by (a) adding the words or any Hedge Positions after the word Shares in clause (X) thereof; and (b) adding the words (including, for the avoidance of doubt and without limitation, adoption or promulgation of new regulations authorized or mandated by existing statute) after the word regulation in the second line thereof. | |
(b) Failure to Deliver: | Not Applicable | |
(c) Insolvency Filing: | Not Applicable | |
(d) Hedging Disruption: | Not Applicable | |
(e) Increased Cost of Hedging: | Not Applicable | |
(f) Loss of Stock Borrow: | Not Applicable | |
(g) Increased Cost of Stock Borrow: | Not Applicable | |
Determining Party: | For all applicable events, Nomura. Whenever the Determining Party is required to act or to exercise judgment in any way, it will do so in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner. If Counterparty chooses to dispute a determination made by Nomura in its role as Determining Party, then it must do so within two (2) Scheduled Trading Days of the day on which Nomura communicates the relevant determination to Counterparty and provide Nomura with the reasons why Counterparty objects. If Counterparty and Nomura cannot resolve the dispute, then the dispute resolution procedures applicable to the Calculation Agent shall also apply to the Determining Party as if all references to the Calculation Agent were references to the Determining Party. |
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Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
Hedging Party: | For all applicable events, Nomura | |
Additional Provisions: | ||
Nomura Early Termination: | Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary set forth herein, Nomura shall have the right to terminate all or a portion of the Transaction, for any reason or no reason, upon delivery of written notice of termination to Counterparty (which may be delivered electronically), which termination shall become effective six (6) months following the date of such notice (a Nomura Early Termination). The Calculation Agent shall determine any payments and adjustments for the portion of the Transaction subject to any Nomura Early Termination as if (i) the applicable Nomura Early Termination was an Extraordinary Event and (ii) Cancellation and Payment applied (the date of such cancellation, the Nomura Early Termination Date). The portion of the Independent Amount relating to the portion of the Transaction subject to any Nomura Early Termination and to be returned in connection with such Nomura Early Termination shall be due and payable on the date the Cancellation Amount is due and payable, subject to netting pursuant to Section 2(c) of the Agreement. | |
Counterparty Early Termination: | If Counterparty gives notice to Nomura on a Notice Business Day to terminate the Transaction in whole or in part by reducing the Number of Shares for such Transaction (the number of Shares by which the Transaction is reduced being the Terminated Shares): | |
(i) the Optional Termination Date shall be deemed to be the Valuation Date (subject to Disrupted Day provisions, if applicable) for a Number of Shares for such Transaction equal to the Terminated Shares; | ||
(ii) with effect from the Optional Termination Date, the Number of Shares for such Transaction shall be reduced by the Terminated Shares; | ||
(iii) in the case of Cash Settlement, the Settlement Price shall be calculated in accordance with Settlement Terms above as if the Optional Termination Date were the Valuation Date; | ||
(iv) the settlement method applicable to such Optional Early Termination shall be the applicable method set forth under Settlement Terms above; and | ||
(v) the Calculation Agent shall make the calculations described under Settlement Terms above with respect to all or a portion of the Transaction being terminated, as applicable, and the remainder of the Transaction, if any, shall continue in accordance with its terms. | ||
Optional Termination Date: | If Cash Settlement applies, the Exchange Business Day following the Notice Business Day on which the notice of termination is received; if Physical Settlement applies, the Notice Business Day on which the notice of termination is received if it is received in reasonably sufficient time for Nomura to execute a transaction on the Exchange prior to the actual closing time of the Exchange, and otherwise the next following Exchange Business Day. | |
Notice Business Day: | A day that is both an Exchange Business Day and a Banking Day in the city of the Office of Nomura to which the notice is given. |
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Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
Independent Amount: | Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the CSA, (i) the Independent Amount with respect to Counterparty shall be as set forth in Annex A hereto, (ii) Counterparty shall be deemed to have Transferred the initial Independent Amount to Nomura upon entering into a Transaction, (iii) the Independent Amount deemed to be so Transferred shall constitute Posted Credit Support for the purposes of the CSA, (iv) the return of any Independent Amount not previously Transferred from Nomura to Counterparty shall be due and payable on the Settlement Date or Cash Settlement Payment Date, as applicable, in each case subject to netting pursuant to Section 2(c) of the Agreement, and (v) the Independent Amount with respect to Nomura for the Transaction shall be zero. | |
IA Step-Down Percentage: | [ ]% | |
IA Step-Down Period: | A period beginning on, and including, the date specified as such in a notice from Counterparty to Nomura (the Step-Down Effective Date), to be no fewer than two Local Business Days following the date such notice is given, and ending on, and excluding, a date specified in a separate notice from Counterparty to Nomura. For the avoidance of doubt, following the termination of an IA Step-Down Period, Counterparty may elect to commence a new IA Step-Down Period by delivery of the notice described herein. | |
Additional Posted Credit Support: | Counterparty shall be obligated to Transfer to Nomura on the Local Business Day following a Step-Down Effective Date an amount equal to [ ]% of the product of (x) the Number of Shares and (y) the Initial Price (the Additional Posted Credit Support) to be held as Posted Collateral pursuant to the CSA, which obligation shall be deemed satisfied out of the portion of the Independent Amount Nomura would otherwise be obligated to return to Counterparty. On the Local Business Day following a Step-Down Effective Date, Nomura shall Transfer Posted Collateral to Counterparty to the extent the Independent Amount immediately prior to a Step-Down Effective Date exceeds the sum of the Independent Amount after giving effect to the Step-Down Effective Date and the portion of the Independent Amount necessary to satisfy Counterpartys Additional Posted Credit Support obligation. Counterparty may, from time to time, supplement the Additional Posted Credit Support by Transferring additional Eligible Collateral to Nomura and specifying that such amounts are to be held as Additional Posted Credit Support. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the CSA, the Additional Posted Credit Support shall be deemed to have a Value of zero for the purpose of calculating any Delivery Amount or Return Amount (provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, for the purposes of Paragraph 11(a) of the CSA, the Additional Posted Credit Support shall have the Value set forth in the CSA without giving effect to this sentence). | |
If Counterparty fails to Transfer any Delivery Amount required by the CSA with respect to a Transaction, such failure shall not constitute an Event of Default for so long as Additional Posted Credit Support in an amount not less than such Delivery Amount (less any portion of such Delivery Amount otherwise Transferred by Counterparty) is available, and on the next Local Business Day after such Transfer was otherwise due Nomura shall apply some or all of the Additional Posted Credit Support, as applicable, to the satisfaction of such Transfer obligation. Nomura may, in its sole discretion, apply any Interest Amount or Distributions otherwise payable by Nomura pursuant to Paragraph 6(d) of the CSA in an amount of up to such Delivery Amount to replenish the Additional Posted Credit Support to the amount initially required pursuant to the immediately preceding paragraph. | ||
Calculation Agent: | As specified in the Agreement. |
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Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
Non-Reliance: | Applicable | |
Agreements and Acknowledgements Regarding Hedging Activities: | Applicable | |
Additional Acknowledgements: | Applicable | |
Exposure: | For purposes of calculating a Credit Support Amount with respect to which Counterparty is the Secured Party, Exposure in respect of any Transaction hereunder shall be zero. | |
For purposes of calculating a Credit Support Amount with respect to which Nomura is the Secured Party, the Exposure with respect to all Transactions under this Confirmation shall be no greater than the difference between (x) the sum of, for each such Transaction, the product of (1) the then-applicable Number of Shares for such Transaction and (2) the Initial Price for such Transaction and (y) the Independent Amount for all such Transactions. |
Representations, Warranties and Covenants of Counterparty
Counterparty represents and warrants to, and covenants with, Nomura as of the date on which it enters into a Transaction hereunder that (in the absence of any written agreement between the parties that expressly imposes affirmative obligations to the contrary for the Transaction):
(A) Non-Reliance. It is acting for its own account, and it has made its own independent decisions to enter into the Transaction and as to whether the Transaction is appropriate or proper for it based upon its own judgment and upon advice from such advisers as it has deemed necessary. It is not relying on any communication (written or oral) of the other party as investment advice or as a recommendation to enter into the Transaction, it being understood that information and explanations related to the terms and conditions of the Transaction will not be considered investment advice or a recommendation to enter into the Transaction. No communication (written or oral) received from the other party will be deemed to be an assurance or guarantee as to the expected results of the Transaction.
(B) Assessment and Understanding. It is capable of assessing the merits of and understanding (on its own behalf or through independent professional advice), and understands and accepts, the terms, conditions and risks of the Transaction. It is also capable of assuming, and assumes, the risks of the Transaction.
(C) Status of Parties. Nomura is not acting as a fiduciary for or an adviser to it in respect of the Transaction.
(D) Non-Public Information. It is not entering into the Transaction on the basis of any material non-public information with respect to the Issuer or the Shares that, under any applicable securities laws, it would have to disclose before buying or selling the Shares.
(E) Commodity Exchange Act. It is an eligible contract participant under, and as defined in, the Commodity Exchange Act and it was not formed solely for the purposes of constituting an eligible contract participant.
(F) Private Placement. It (i) is an accredited investor as such term is defined in Regulation D as promulgated under the Securities Act, (ii) is entering into the Transaction for its own account without a view to the distribution or resale thereof and (iii) understands that the assignment, transfer or other disposition of the Transaction has not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act.
Additional Agreements of the Parties
(A) Transfer. The rights and duties under this Confirmation may not be transferred or assigned by any party hereto without the prior written consent of the other party, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld; provided that Nomura may transfer or assign all (but not less than all) of its rights and obligations hereunder without the prior
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Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
written consent of Counterparty to any one of Nomuras Affiliates if (i)(a) that Affiliate has a rating for its long term, unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness that is equal to or better than Nomuras credit rating at the time of such assignment or (b) that Affiliates obligations to Counterparty are guaranteed by Nomura Holdings, Inc.; (ii) Counterparty will not, as a result of such transfer, become subject to any adverse tax consequences (including as a result of any Dividend Amount Adjustment); (iii) Counterparty will not, as a result of such transfer, become subject to any costs (including, without limitation, any accounting, regulatory or other compliance costs) that are materially greater than those that would have been imposed on Counterparty in the absence of such transfer; (iv) neither an Event of Default nor a Termination Event has occurred and is continuing or would occur, in each case, as a result of such transfer or assignment; and (v) Nomura shall notify Counterparty in writing prior to effecting any such transfer or assignment.
(B) Tax Characterization. Each Nomura and Counterparty shall treat the Transaction as a derivative financial contract for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and it shall not take any action or tax return filing position contrary to this characterization.
Additional Representations, Warranties and Covenants of Counterparty
Counterparty represents, warrants and covenants to Nomura as of the date on which it enters into the Transaction that:
(A) Counterparty will not make any election under such Transaction while aware of any material non-public information regarding the Issuer or the Shares.
(B) Without limiting the generality of Section 3(a)(iii) of the Agreement, Counterparty, based on advice of counsel, is and, after giving effect to such Transaction, will be in compliance with and will comply with any reporting obligations under Section 16, Section 13(d) and Section 13(g) of the Exchange Act it has with respect to the Shares.
(C) Counterparty is not and, after giving effect to such Transaction, will not be required to register as an investment company under, and as such term is defined in, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(D) Counterparty is solvent and able to pay its debts as they come due, with assets having a fair value greater than liabilities and with capital sufficient to carry on the businesses in which it engages.
(E) Counterparty is not and has not been for the preceding three months an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act) of the Issuer.
(F) Within one Exchange Business Day of Counterparty becoming aware during the term of such Transaction that the aggregate number of all Shares beneficially owned by Counterparty and its affiliates for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act together with the economic exposure of Counterparty and its affiliates to the Shares under cash-settled equity derivative transactions (with Nomura or any other counterparty) has increased to or first exceeded each of the following thresholds: 5.0%, 9.5%, 10.0% and 15.0% of the outstanding Shares (as determined by reference to the Issuers most recent reports filed under the Exchange Act), Counterparty shall so notify Nomura.
(G) Considerations relating to the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act, as amended, are not a principal purpose for Counterpartys decision to enter into the Transactions with Nomura.
Matters Relating to Nomura and Agent
(i) Nomura is not registered as a broker or dealer under the Exchange Act. Nomura Securities International, Inc. (Agent) has acted solely as agent for Nomura and Counterparty to the extent required by law in connection with each Transaction and has no obligations, by way of issuance, endorsement, guarantee or otherwise, with respect to the performance of either party under any Transaction. The parties agree to proceed solely against each other, and not against Agent, in seeking enforcement of their rights and obligations with respect to each Transaction, including their rights and obligations with respect to payment of funds and delivery of securities.
(ii) Agent may have been paid a fee by Nomura in connection with each Transaction. Further details will be furnished upon written request.
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Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
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(iii) The time of each Transaction will be furnished by Agent upon written request.
Acknowledgments Regarding Hedging
Counterparty acknowledges that:
(i) during the term of the Transaction, Nomura and its affiliates may buy or sell Shares or other securities or buy or sell options or futures contracts or enter into swaps or other derivative securities in order to establish, adjust or unwind its hedge position with respect to the Transaction;
(ii) Nomura and its affiliates may also be active in the market for the Shares and derivatives linked to the Shares other than in connection with hedging activities in relation to the Transaction, including acting as agent or as principal and for its own account or on behalf of customers;
(iii) Nomura shall make its own determination as to whether, when or in what manner any of its hedging or market activities shall be conducted and shall do so in a manner that it deems appropriate to hedge its price risk, market risk and any other risk with respect to the Transaction including without limitation by transacting in securities, futures contracts or other derivatives related to the securities underlying a Transaction in amounts that may be greater than or less than the amount of securities that underlie a Transaction;
(iv) any market activities of Nomura and its affiliates with respect to the Shares may affect the market price and volatility of the Shares, each in a manner that may be adverse to Counterparty;
(v) there are no voting or hedging arrangements between Nomura and Counterparty with respect to any Shares or the Issuer;
(vi) Counterparty will not be entitled to any voting rights in respect of any of the Shares underlying the Transaction; and
(vii) Counterparty will not seek to influence Nomura with respect to the voting of any Hedge Positions of Nomura consisting of Shares (if any).
Confidentiality
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any party (or such partys affiliates) may disclose to any and all persons, without limitation of any kind, the United States tax treatment (federal, state and local) and tax structure of any Transaction contemplated hereunder and all materials of any kind relating to such tax treatment and tax structure. However, any information relating to the United States federal, state or local tax treatment or tax structure shall remain subject to the applicable confidentiality provisions (and the preceding sentence shall not apply) to the extent reasonably necessary to enable any person to comply with applicable securities laws. Tax treatment or tax structure is limited to any facts relevant to the United States federal, state or local tax treatment of any Transaction contemplated hereunder and specifically does not include information relating to the identity of Counterparty or any of its affiliates.
No Arrangements
Nomura and Counterparty each acknowledge and agree that: (i) there are no voting, hedging or settlement arrangements between Nomura and Counterparty with respect to any Shares or the Issuer, other than those set forth herein; (ii) although Nomura may hedge its risk under the Transactions in any way Nomura determines, Nomura has no obligation to hedge with the purchase or maintenance of any Shares or otherwise; (iii) Counterparty will not be entitled to any voting rights in respect of any of the Shares underlying any Transaction; and (iv) Counterparty will not seek to influence Nomura with respect to the voting of any Hedge Positions of Nomura consisting of Shares, if any.
Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act
In connection with Section 739 of the Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act of 2010 (WSTAA), the parties hereby agree that neither the enactment of WSTAA or any regulation under WSTAA, nor any requirement under WSTAA or an amendment made by WSTAA, nor any similar legal certainty provision in any legislation
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Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
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enacted, or rule or regulation promulgated, on or after the date of this Confirmation, shall limit or otherwise impair either partys otherwise applicable rights to terminate, renegotiate, modify, amend or supplement this Confirmation or the Agreement, as applicable, arising from a termination event, force majeure, illegality, increased costs, regulatory change or similar event under this Confirmation, the Equity Definitions incorporated herein, or the Agreement (including, without limitation, rights arising from Change in Law or Illegality).
Address for Notices
Notice to Nomura:
c/o Nomura Securities International, Inc.
309 West 49th Street
New York, NY 10019
Attention: [ ]
with a copy to:
c/o Nomura Securities International, Inc.
309 West 49th Street
New York, NY 10019 Attention: [ ]
Notice to Counterparty:
As set forth on the first page of the Call Option Confirmation.
Account Details
Account details for Nomura: | To be advised. | |
Account details for Counterparty: | To be advised. |
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Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
ANNEX A TO SHARE FORWARD CONFIRMATION
Independent Amount: | Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the CSA, with respect to Counterparty for the Transaction, (i) other than during an IA Step-Down Period, the Independent Amount shall be an amount equal to 100% of the product of (x) the Number of Shares from time to time and (y) the Forward Price, (ii) during an IA Step-Down Period, the Independent Amount shall be an amount equal to the product of (x) the then IA Step-Down Percentage, (y) the Number of Shares from time to time and (z) the Forward Price. |
Annex A-1
Nomura Securities (Bermuda) Ltd.
A member of the Nomura group of companies
Exhibit 99.6
[FORM OF]
FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED
EXEMPTED LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
OF
MR Cobalt Offshore Fund [] LP
Dated [], 2021
THE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS OF MR COBALT OFFSHORE FUND [] LP (THE INTERESTS) HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE SECURITIES ACT), THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS IN RELIANCE UPON EXEMPTIONS FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND SUCH OTHER LAWS. THE INTERESTS MUST BE ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT ONLY AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED, SOLD, ASSIGNED OR TRANSFERRED AT ANY TIME EXCEPT IN COMPLIANCE WITH (I) THE SECURITIES ACT, ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS; AND (II) THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF EXEMPTED LIMITED PARTNERSHIP. THEREFORE, PURCHASERS OF THE INTERESTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO BEAR THE RISK OF THEIR INVESTMENT FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD OF TIME.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||
ARTICLE I Interpretation |
2 | |||||
Section 1.01 |
Definitions | 2 | ||||
Section 1.02 |
Interpretation and Construction | 18 | ||||
Section 1.03 |
Discretion; Good Faith | 19 | ||||
ARTICLE II General Provisions |
19 | |||||
Section 2.01 |
Formation of the Partnership | 19 | ||||
Section 2.02 |
Partnership Name and Address | 19 | ||||
Section 2.03 |
Registered Office | 19 | ||||
Section 2.04 |
Fiscal Year | 19 | ||||
Section 2.05 |
Continuation of the Partnership | 19 | ||||
Section 2.06 |
Purposes of the Partnership | 20 | ||||
ARTICLE III The Partners |
20 | |||||
Section 3.01 |
General Partner; Withdrawal of Initial Limited Partner; Admission of Other Limited Partners | 20 | ||||
Section 3.02 |
Liability of the Partners and Former Partners | 21 | ||||
Section 3.03 |
Classes of Partners | 22 | ||||
Section 3.04 |
Feeder Funds | 22 | ||||
ARTICLE IV Management of the Partnership |
23 | |||||
Section 4.01 |
General | 23 | ||||
Section 4.02 |
No Participation in Management by Limited Partners | 26 | ||||
Section 4.03 |
Reliance by Third Parties | 26 | ||||
Section 4.04 |
Other Activities of the General Partner | 26 | ||||
Section 4.05 |
Exculpation | 27 | ||||
Section 4.06 |
Indemnification | 28 | ||||
Section 4.07 |
Trade Errors | 29 | ||||
Section 4.08 |
Management Fee; Special Profits Interest; Payment of Certain Costs and Expenses | 29 | ||||
Section 4.09 |
Independent Client Committee | 35 | ||||
Section 4.10 |
Principal Transactions and Other Related Party Transactions | 35 | ||||
Section 4.11 |
Assignment of Investment Advisory Contract | 36 | ||||
ARTICLE V Capital Contributions; Default; Capital Accounts; Allocations; Distributions |
36 | |||||
Section 5.01 |
Capital Contributions | 36 | ||||
Section 5.02 |
Capital Accounts | 39 | ||||
Section 5.03 |
Partnership and Voting Percentages | 39 | ||||
Section 5.04 |
Allocation of Net Capital Appreciation or Net Capital Depreciation | 40 | ||||
Section 5.05 |
Provisional Allocations | 41 | ||||
Section 5.06 |
Distributions | 42 |
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Section 5.07 |
Special Allocations | 46 | ||||
Section 5.08 |
Amendment of Special Profits Interest and Carried Interest | 47 | ||||
Section 5.09 |
Valuation of the Partnerships Portfolio | 47 | ||||
Section 5.10 |
Liabilities | 48 | ||||
Section 5.11 |
Goodwill | 48 | ||||
Section 5.12 |
Allocation for Tax Purposes | 48 | ||||
Section 5.13 |
Determination by General Partner of Certain Matters | 49 | ||||
Section 5.14 |
Adjustments to Take Account of Certain Events | 49 | ||||
Section 5.15 |
Withholding Taxes | 49 | ||||
ARTICLE VI Other Provisions Relating to Distributions |
50 | |||||
Section 6.01 |
No Right to Distributions | 50 | ||||
Section 6.02 |
Required Withdrawals | 50 | ||||
Section 6.03 |
Specified Distribution Event | 50 | ||||
Section 6.04 |
Death, Disability, etc. of Limited Partners | 50 | ||||
Section 6.05 |
Key Person | 50 | ||||
Section 6.06 |
Portfolio Liquidation | 51 | ||||
Section 6.07 |
Additional Limitations on Distributions | 51 | ||||
Section 6.08 |
Withdrawals by BHC Limited Partners | 51 | ||||
Section 6.09 |
Distributions to the General Partner | 52 | ||||
Section 6.10 |
Distributions to the Investment Manager | 52 | ||||
ARTICLE VII Transfers of Interest |
52 | |||||
Section 7.01 |
Assignability of Interest | 52 | ||||
Section 7.02 |
Substitute Limited Partner | 53 | ||||
Section 7.03 |
No Derivative Transfers | 53 | ||||
ARTICLE VIII Duration, Winding Up and Dissolution of the Partnership |
53 | |||||
Section 8.01 |
Duration and Winding Up | 53 | ||||
Section 8.02 |
Dissolution | 55 | ||||
Section 8.03 |
Time for Liquidation, etc | 55 | ||||
ARTICLE IX Tax Returns; Reports to Partners; Books and Records |
55 | |||||
Section 9.01 |
Independent Auditors | 55 | ||||
Section 9.02 |
Filing of Tax Returns | 56 | ||||
Section 9.03 |
Tax Matters | 56 | ||||
Section 9.04 |
Financial Statements | 57 | ||||
Section 9.05 |
Reports to Partners and Former Partners | 57 | ||||
Section 9.06 |
Limited Partner Information | 58 | ||||
Section 9.07 |
Books and Records | 58 | ||||
ARTICLE X Confidential Information |
58 | |||||
Section 10.01 |
Confidentiality | 58 | ||||
Section 10.02 |
Equitable and Injunctive Relief | 59 | ||||
ARTICLE XI Miscellaneous |
60 | |||||
Section 11.01 |
Entire Agreement | 60 |
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Section 11.02 |
Execution of Other Documents | 60 | ||||
Section 11.03 |
Power of Attorney | 60 | ||||
Section 11.04 |
Amendments to Partnership Agreement | 62 | ||||
Section 11.05 |
Non-Voting Interests of BHC Limited Partners | 64 | ||||
Section 11.06 |
Non-Voting Interests of Registered Fund Limited Partners | 64 | ||||
Section 11.07 |
Choice of Law | 65 | ||||
Section 11.08 |
Severability | 65 | ||||
Section 11.09 |
Forum | 65 | ||||
Section 11.10 |
Counterparts | 65 | ||||
Section 11.11 |
Successors and Assigns | 65 | ||||
Section 11.12 |
No Waiver | 65 | ||||
Section 11.13 |
Notices | 66 | ||||
Section 11.14 |
No Third-Party Rights | 66 | ||||
Section 11.15 |
Waiver of Partition | 66 | ||||
Section 11.16 |
Waiver of Jury Trial | 67 |
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FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED
EXEMPTED LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
OF
MR Cobalt Offshore Fund [] LP
Dated [], 2021
This First Amended and Restated Exempted Limited Partnership Agreement is executed and delivered as a deed on the date set forth above by and among the undersigned Persons and shall hereafter govern the Partnership. Capitalized terms used in the preamble and recitals of this Agreement and not otherwise defined therein are defined in ARTICLE I.
RECITALS:
WHEREAS, the Partnership was registered as an exempted limited partnership under the Act pursuant to a Statement filed with the Registrar of Exempted Limited Partnerships in the Cayman Islands on [], 2021;
WHEREAS, the General Partner and the Initial Limited Partner entered into the initial Exempted Limited Partnership Agreement of the Partnership on [], 2021 (the Original Agreement);
WHEREAS, the General Partner and the Initial Limited Partner wish to amend and restate the Original Agreement in its entirety and to enter into this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Initial Limited Partner will enter into this Agreement in order to withdraw from the Partnership pursuant to Section 3.01(b) and for no other purpose.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto hereby agree to continue the Partnership and amend and restate the Original Agreement, which is replaced and superseded in its entirety by this Agreement, as follows:
ARTICLE I
Interpretation
Section 1.01 Definitions. Unless otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, the following terms used in this Agreement shall have the following meanings:
Accounting Period |
means the following periods: each Accounting Period shall commence immediately after the close of the immediately preceding Accounting Period. Each Accounting Period hereunder shall close at the close of business on the first to occur of: (i) the last day of each month; (ii) the date immediately prior to the effective date of a Capital Contribution to the Partnership pursuant to Section 5.01; (iii) the date immediately prior to the effective date of any distribution (including distributions made pursuant to Section 6.09); (iv) the date when the Partnership is required to be wound up; and (v) any other date the General Partner determines, in its sole discretion. The initial Accounting Period of the Partnership shall begin upon the commencement of the Partnership. | |
Act |
means the Exempted Limited Partnership Act (as amended) of the Cayman Islands, as amended from time to time. | |
Additional Compensation |
means all compensation received in exchange for services (including, but not limited to, board service) provided to the Company by the Investment Manager, its employees, Paul C. Hilal or its Affiliates, which compensation may be paid in various forms, including, but not limited to, deferred share units, restricted stock, options, cash, and other remuneration, in each case, net of unreimbursed out-of-pocket expenses, incurred by the Investment Manager, its employees, Paul C. Hilal or its Affiliates in connection with the provision of such services. | |
Administrator |
means [], or any other firm or firms as the General Partner may, in its sole discretion, select, at the expense of the Partnership, for the purpose of maintaining the Partnerships books and records and performing administrative services (which may include back-office and middle-office services) on behalf of the Partnership, including tax and accounting functions. |
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Advisers Act |
means the U.S. Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. | |
Affected Accounts |
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.03(b). | |
Affiliate |
means, with respect to any specified Person: | |
(a) any Person that directly or indirectly controls, is directly or indirectly controlled by, or is directly or indirectly under common control with, such specified Person (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall exclude the Partnership); | ||
(b) any Person that serves as a director or officer (or in any similar capacity) of such specified Person; or | ||
(c) any Person with respect to which such specified Person serves as a general partner or trustee (or in any similar capacity). | ||
For purposes of this definition, control (including controlling, controlled by and under common control with) means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. | ||
Affiliated Fund |
means any account, fund or investment vehicle (other than the Partnership) currently sponsored or managed by, or that in the future may be sponsored or managed by, the Mantle Ridge Group. | |
Agreement |
means this First Amended and Restated Exempted Limited Partnership Agreement. | |
Authorized Representative |
means, with respect to any Person, directors, employees, agents, advisers, or representatives responsible for matters relating to the Partnership or any other Person approved in writing by the General Partner. |
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BBA Rules |
means Subchapter C of Chapter 63 of the Code (Sections 6221 et seq.), as enacted by the U.S. Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, as amended from time to time, any Treasury Regulations and other guidance promulgated thereunder, and any similar state or local law or regulation. | |
Beginning Value |
means, with respect to any Accounting Period, the Net Asset Value at the beginning of such Accounting Period (without giving effect to any payment of, or deduction or accrual/amortization for the payment of, Management Fees at the beginning of such Accounting Period, if applicable, but after deduction for any distributions made on such date (or withdrawals effective on such date as determined pursuant to Section 6.02) and after taking into account Capital Contributions made or deemed made as of such date). | |
BHC Limited Partner |
means any Limited Partner that (i) is subject to the BHC Act or HOLA, is a foreign banking organization as defined in Regulation K of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (12 C.F.R. § 211.23) or any successor regulation, or is an affiliate (as that term is defined in the BHC Act, HOLA or Regulation K, as applicable) of a Limited Partner that is subject thereto and (ii) so indicates in its Subscription Agreement or otherwise in writing to the General Partner. In addition, a BHC Limited Partner shall also include any other Limited Partner that such Limited Partner and the General Partner shall agree will be treated as a BHC Limited Partner. | |
BHCA |
means the U.S. Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, and any regulations, including Regulation Y of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, promulgated thereunder and interpretations thereof. | |
Business Day |
means any day other than: (a) Saturday or Sunday; and (b) any other day on which banks located in New York City or the Cayman Islands are closed. |
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Calculation Period |
means, with respect to any Capital Account of any Limited Partner for which the Special Profits Interest mechanism has been elected, the period commencing on the date such Capital Account was established for such Limited Partner in respect of the applicable Capital Commitment and ending on the earliest of (i) the expiration of the Term; (ii) the distribution of all or a portion of such Capital Account (solely with respect to the distributed portion of such Capital Account); and (iii) full or any partial liquidation of the Partnerships portfolio and distribution of proceeds to the Limited Partners during the Term (solely with respect to the liquidated and distributed portion of such Capital Account). | |
Call Amount |
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.01(b)(i). | |
Call Notice |
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.01(b)(i). | |
Capital Account |
means each capital account established for a Partner. | |
Capital Commitment |
means, with respect to any Partner, the amount of cash such Partner has agreed to contribute to the Partnership (as may be increased or otherwise adjusted at the times and upon the terms set forth in Section 5.01(c)). | |
Capital Contribution |
of a Partner means a contribution by such Partner to the Partnership, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. | |
Carried Interest |
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.06. | |
Class |
means any class of Interests as may from time to time be established by the Partnership. | |
Code |
means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. | |
Company |
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.06(a). |
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Company Act |
means the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. | |
Company Insurance |
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.06(b). | |
Confidential Information |
means all information concerning the business and affairs of the Partnership, its Affiliates, the General Partner, the Investment Manager or the Affiliated Funds that the General Partner, in its sole discretion, reasonably believes to be in the nature of trade secrets or other information, the disclosure of which the General Partner, in its sole discretion, believes is not in the best interests of the Partnership or its Affiliates, or could damage the Partnership, its Affiliates, the General Partner, the Investment Manager or the Affiliated Funds or their respective businesses, or which the Partnership, its Affiliates, the General Partner, the Investment Manager or the Affiliated Funds are required by law or agreement with a third party to keep confidential, including any information relating to the Partnerships financials, investment strategy (e.g., portfolio positions, trades and contemplated trades), valuations, the names and addresses of each of the Partners, their contact information and their initial and subsequent (if any) Capital Commitments and any details regarding any arrangement the Partnership may have with any Persons. Any and all notes, analyses, compilations, forecasts, studies or other documents prepared by a Limited Partner or its Authorized Representatives that contain, reflect, or are based on any of the foregoing shall be considered Confidential Information. | |
Confidential Memorandum |
means the Confidential Private Placement Memorandum of the Funds, as amended or supplemented from time to time. | |
Default |
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.01(c)(i). |
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Default Amount |
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.01(c)(i). | |
Defaulting Partner |
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.01(c)(i). | |
Effective Date |
means, with respect to a Capital Account, the date on which the Partnership first accepts Capital Contributions to such Capital Account. | |
Ending Value |
means, with respect to any Accounting Period, the Net Asset Value at the end of such Accounting Period (before giving effect to distributions and after giving effect to the payment of Management Fees during such period). | |
Entity Taxes |
means any U.S. federal, state, local and other taxes imposed on or payable by the Partnership under the BBA Rules or similar state, local or other rules imposing tax liability on the Partnership at the entity level (including any interest, fines, assessments, penalties or additions to tax imposed in connection therewith or with respect thereto). | |
ERISA |
means the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated thereunder. | |
Excluded Parties |
means Limited Partners that are Affiliates of the Mantle Ridge Group, partners and employees (and former partners and former employees) of the Mantle Ridge Group, immediate family members of such persons, trusts or other entities primarily for such persons benefit or for charitable purposes, close friends and strategic investors. | |
Fair Value |
means, with respect to any assets and liabilities held by the Partnership, as of any time of determination hereunder, the value determined as provided in Section 5.09. |
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FATCA |
means (i) Sections 1471 to 1474 of the Code and any associated legislation, regulations or guidance, including any intergovernmental agreements entered into thereunder, and any other similar legislation, regulations or guidance enacted in any other jurisdiction which seeks to implement similar financial account information reporting and/or withholding tax regimes; (ii) the OECD Standard for Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information in Tax Matters the Common Reporting Standard and any associated guidance; (iii) any intergovernmental agreement, treaty, regulation, guidance, standard or other agreement between the Cayman Islands (or any Cayman Islands government body) and any other jurisdiction (including any government bodies in such jurisdiction), entered into in order to comply with, facilitate, supplement or implement the legislation, regulations, guidance or standards described in sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii); and (iv) any legislation, regulations or guidance in the Cayman Islands that give effect to the matters outlined in the preceding sub-paragraphs. | |
Feeder Fund |
means a Limited Partner that is (a) formed by or at the direction of the General Partner or one of its Affiliates to serve as a collective investment vehicle for the principal purpose of investing substantially all of its investable assets in the Partnership and (b) designated as such by the General Partner upon its admission to the Partnership. | |
Financial Instruments |
means interests commonly referred to as securities, other financial instruments and other assets of U.S. and non-U.S. entities, of any kind whatsoever, whether traded on an organized exchange, through pink sheets, over-the-counter, or otherwise, including capital stock; shares of beneficial interest; partnership interests and similar equity interests; equity and all equity-related derivative products, including, but not limited to, (i) futures contracts (and options thereon) relating to stock indices, other financial instruments and commodities; (ii) swaps (including total return swaps), options, |
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swaptions, warrants; and (iii) agreements relating to or securing such transactions; participations; mutual funds, exchange traded funds and similar financial instruments; money market funds; in each case, of any natural person, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, unincorporated association, joint venture, trust, state or any other entity or any governmental agency or political subdivision thereof, whether or not publicly traded or readily marketable. | ||
Fiscal Year |
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.04. | |
Former Partner |
means each such Person that hereafter from time to time ceases to be a Partner, whether voluntarily or otherwise. | |
Full Offset Amount |
means an amount equal to the Additional Compensation multiplied by a ratio equal to the Partnerships ownership in the Company (on a look-through basis) relative to the aggregate ownership of all Affiliated Funds (and the Partnership) in the Company (on a look-through basis). | |
Funding Date |
means any date on which any Partner is required to pay to the Partnership a portion of its Capital Commitment, which date shall be upon at least two (2) Business Days written notice and set out in the applicable Call Notice. | |
Funds |
means the Partnership, other special purpose entities formed for the purpose of investing alongside the Partnership and accounts managed with the objective of investing alongside the Partnership. | |
GAAP |
means U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, in effect from time to time. | |
General Partner |
means MR Cobalt GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, in its capacity as a general partner of the Partnership, and any additional or successor general partner, each in its capacity as a general partner of the Partnership. |
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Global Partners |
means, collectively, the Limited Partners and the limited partners or members (or similarly situated persons) of any of the other Funds (i.e. other than the Partnership). | |
Gross Negligence |
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.05(a). | |
HOLA |
shall mean the U.S. Home Owners Loan Act, as amended from time to time, and any regulations, including Regulation LL of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, promulgated thereunder and interpretations thereof. | |
IFRS |
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.02(c). | |
Indemnified Losses |
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.05(a). | |
Indemnified Party |
means the General Partner, the Investment Manager, their respective Affiliates (but excluding the Partnership), their and their respective Affiliates members, partners, directors, officers, employees, and legal representatives (e.g., executors, guardians and trustees), including Persons formerly serving in such capacities, the Initial Limited Partner and, with respect to matters related to the Independent Client Committee, each Independent Client Representative and, only with respect to Indemnified Losses arising out of or related to the appointment of such Independent Client Representative, the Limited Partner appointing such Independent Client Representative. | |
Independent Client Committee |
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.09. | |
Independent Client Representative |
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.09. | |
Initial Limited Partner |
means WNL Limited. |
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Initial Management Fee |
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.08(a). | |
Initial Target Amount |
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.08(b)(i)(A). | |
Interests |
means the limited partner interests of the Limited Partners in the Partnership held in accordance with this Agreement. | |
Investment Management Agreement |
means the investment management agreement between the Investment Manager and the Partnership dated [], as may be amended and restated from time to time. | |
Investment Manager |
means MR Cobalt Advisor LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, or other Affiliated Persons selected by the General Partner to provide certain management and administrative services to the Partnership. | |
Key Person Event |
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.05. | |
Key Person Event Notice |
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.05. | |
Launch Date |
means August 2, 2021. | |
Limited Partner |
means each Person admitted as a limited partner of the Partnership in accordance with this Agreement (excluding any Persons ceasing to be Limited Partners, including by way of withdrawal). | |
Majority-in-Interest |
of the Limited Partners or the Global Partners (or any sub-group of Limited Partners or Global Partners) means, as of any date of determination, the Limited Partners or Global Partners (or any such sub-group thereof), as applicable, that are entitled to vote or consent on a matter pursuant to the terms of this Agreement (and the terms of the limited partnership agreement (or similar governing document) of the other Funds, as applicable) and have in excess of 50% of the Voting Percentages of the Limited Partners or the Global Partners (or such sub-group thereof), as applicable, that are entitled to vote or consent on such matter. |
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Management Fee |
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.08(a). | |
Mantle Ridge Group |
means the General Partner, the Investment Manager and any of their respective Affiliates acting in similar capacities. | |
Memorandum Account |
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.04(c). | |
Net Asset Value |
means the excess of the value of the Partnerships assets over the value of its liabilities as determined in accordance with this Agreement. | |
Net Capital Appreciation |
means, with respect to any Accounting Period, the excess, if any, of the Ending Value over the Beginning Value. | |
Net Capital Depreciation |
means, with respect to any Accounting Period, the excess, if any, of the Beginning Value over the Ending Value. | |
Non-Affiliated Limited Partners |
means Limited Partners that are not Affiliates of the General Partner. | |
Non-Defaulting Partners |
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.01(c)(i). | |
Non-Disclosure Agreement |
means a written confidentiality agreement entered into by and between any Limited Partner (or its Affiliates) and the Mantle Ridge Group in connection with such Persons evaluation and consideration of its investment in the Partnership. Any reference herein to a Non-Disclosure Agreement entered into by a Limited Partner shall be deemed to include a Non-Disclosure Agreement entered into by such Limited Partners Affiliate(s). | |
Non-Pro Rata Expense Allocation |
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.08(i). |
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Non-Voting Interests |
means Interests, the holder of which is not entitled to vote, consent or withhold consent with respect to any Partnership matter, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or any Other Agreement. | |
Notice of Dissolution |
shall mean a notice of dissolution signed by the General Partner or liquidator of the Partnership pursuant to the Act. | |
Original Agreement |
shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals. | |
Other Agreements |
means side letters or similar separate written agreements (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, a Non-Disclosure Agreement), the provisions of which may modify the terms of this Agreement, including any agreement with a Limited Partner or future investor in the Partnership that provides for special or more favorable rights, including, among other things, (i) greater information than may be provided to other investors (including greater transparency into the Partnerships portfolio); (ii) withdrawal rights; (iii) different terms in respect of Management Fees, Carried Interest or allocations and Capital Contribution mechanics; (iv) more favorable transfer rights; and/or (v) different portfolios. | |
Partners |
means, collectively, the Limited Partners and the General Partner, including any Persons hereafter admitted as Partners in accordance with this Agreement and excluding any Former Partners. | |
Partnership |
means MR Cobalt Offshore Fund [] LP, a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership. | |
Partnership Expenses |
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.08(g)(iii). | |
Partnership Insurance |
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.06(b). | |
Partnership Percentage |
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.03(a). |
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Partnership Representative |
means the General Partner acting in the capacity of the partnership representative (as such term is defined under the BBA Rules, including any similar, analogous, or successor tax representative of the Partnership under applicable tax law) or such other Person as may be appointed by the General Partner and any designated individual through whom the Partnership Representative that is an entity may act, if applicable. | |
Pass-Thru Partner |
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.03. | |
Person |
means a natural person, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, unincorporated association, joint venture, trust, state or any other entity or any governmental agency or political subdivision thereof. | |
Prime Rate |
means the rate of interest published from time to time in The Wall Street Journal, Eastern Edition, and designated as the prime rate. | |
Proceedings |
means claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings (civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, which includes formal and informal inquiries and sweep examinations (whether cooperation with such inquiries is voluntary or mandatory), in connection with the Partnerships activities), actual or threatened, in which an Indemnified Party may be involved, as a party or otherwise, arising out of or in connection with such Indemnified Partys service to or on behalf of, or management of the affairs or assets of, the Partnership, or which relate to the Partnership. | |
Provisional Allocation |
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.05(a). | |
Provisional Capital Account |
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.05(a). | |
Provisional Special Profits Interest |
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.08(b)(i)(B). | |
Provisional SPI Memorandum Account |
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.08(b)(i)(B). | |
Purchase Price |
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.04(c). |
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Realized |
means (i) with respect to cash payments of Additional Compensation, the time such Additional Compensation is received; and (ii) with respect to non-cash payments of Additional Compensation, the time such Additional Compensation is vested (if unvested when granted), can be sold in regular market transactions (if restricted from being sold when granted), or is exercisable for stock (if not exercisable when granted). Realization shall have a correlative meaning. | |
Register |
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.07(a). | |
Registered Fund Limited Partner |
means a Limited Partner that is an investment fund registered as an investment company under the Company Act. | |
SEC |
means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. | |
Shortfall Amount |
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.01(c)(i). | |
Short-Swing Notice Period |
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.05. | |
Special Profits Interest |
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.08(b)(i)(A). | |
Special Purpose Vehicle |
means one or more corporations or other entities formed to invest in or hold (whether alone or together with the Affiliated Funds), directly or indirectly, Financial Instruments or participations in Financial Instruments held by the Partnership or any other Person. | |
Specified Distribution Event |
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.03. | |
Specified Distribution Event Notice |
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.03. | |
Statement |
means the statement of registration filed by the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership with the Registrar of Exempted Limited Partnerships in the Cayman Islands pursuant to section 9 of the Act. |
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Subscription Agreement |
means the Subscription Agreement (including the investor questionnaire attached to such Subscription Agreement as completed by each Limited Partner prior to the Partnerships acceptance of such Limited Partners subscription) between each Limited Partner and the Partnership pursuant to which such Limited Partner has subscribed for and purchased Interests. | |
Substitute Limited Partner |
means a Transferee of an Interest admitted to all of the rights of a Limited Partner with respect to the Interest Transferred to it pursuant to ARTICLE VII. | |
Suspension Period |
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.05. | |
Tax Rate |
means the highest hypothetical combined U.S. federal, state and local tax rates for an individual resident of New York City, New York applicable to income and gain allocated by the Partnership, taking into account (where relevant) the holding period of the Financial Instruments held by the Partnership, the year in which the taxable net income or gain is recognized by the Partnership, the character of such income or gain, limitations on the deduction of investment expenses and other deduction limitations and such other reasonable assumptions as the General Partner may determine in its discretion. | |
Term |
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.01(a). | |
Termination Event |
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.01. | |
Trade Error |
means any trade error and similar human error involving any transaction in any Partnership account, including: (i) the placement of orders (either purchases or sales) in excess of the amount of Financial Instruments the Partnership intended to trade; (ii) the sale of a Financial Instrument when it should have been purchased; (iii) the purchase of a Financial Instrument when it should have been sold; (iv) the purchase or sale of the wrong Financial Instrument; (v) the purchase or sale of a Financial Instrument contrary to regulatory restrictions or Partnership investment guidelines or restrictions; and (vi) incorrect allocations of Financial Instruments. |
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Trade Error Losses |
means Indemnified Losses attributable to any Trade Error. | |
Transfer |
means any transaction by which a Partner may directly, indirectly or synthetically transfer, pledge, charge (or otherwise create a security interest in), assign, hypothecate, sell, convey, exchange, reference under a derivatives contract or any other arrangement or otherwise dispose of all, or any portion, of its Interest, or the economic or non-economic rights in its Interest, to any other beneficial owner or other Persons. | |
Transferee |
means any Person to which an Interest is transferred in accordance with ARTICLE VII. | |
Transferor |
means any Person that makes a Transfer of its Interest in accordance with ARTICLE VII. | |
Treasury Regulations |
means the regulations promulgated under the Code. | |
U.S. |
means the United States of America. | |
Unfunded Commitment |
means, with respect to any Partner, as of any date, the excess, if any, of such Partners Capital Commitment over (b) such Partners aggregate Capital Contributions previously made. | |
Unrestricted Capital Account |
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.04(b). | |
Valuation Policy |
means the Investment Managers valuation policy and procedures, as may be amended from time to time. | |
Voting Percentage |
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.03(b). | |
Withholding Tax |
means any tax (including interest, penalties and additions to tax) withheld from the income of the Partnership or a Special Purpose Vehicle or paid over by the Partnership or a Special Purpose Vehicle that is, in each case, determined based on the status of a Partner. |
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Section 1.02 Interpretation and Construction.
(a) | In this Agreement, unless a clear contrary intention appears: |
(i) | common nouns and pronouns and any variation thereof shall be deemed to refer to masculine, feminine, or neuter, singular or plural, as the identity of the Person, Persons or other reference in the context requires; |
(ii) | where specific language is used to clarify by example a general statement contained in this Agreement, such specific language shall not be deemed to modify, limit or restrict in any manner the construction of the general statement to which it relates; |
(iii) | any shall mean one or more; |
(iv) | including (and with correlative meaning include) means including without limiting the generality of any description preceding such term; |
(v) | all references to a law, rule or regulation shall include any amendments to such law, rule or regulation and any successor law, rule or regulation, as applicable; |
(vi) | all references to discretion shall mean sole discretion unless otherwise explicitly specified; |
(vii) | the table of contents, titles of the Articles and the headings of the Sections of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, and are not to be considered in construing the terms and provisions of this Agreement; as such, references to Article or Section shall be deemed to refer to the indicated Article or Section of this Agreement, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise; and |
(viii) | all references to funds, dollars or payments shall mean U.S. dollars. |
(b) | The language used in this Agreement has been chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent, and no rule of construction or interpretation requiring this Agreement to be construed or interpreted against any party shall apply. |
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(c) | Unless otherwise specified in this Agreement, all accounting terms used in this Agreement shall be interpreted, and all accounting determinations hereunder shall be made, in accordance with GAAP. However, at any time, the General Partner may choose to change the Partnerships accounting guidelines from GAAP to the International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) (or to any other acceptable reporting standard) and, in such case, all references in this Agreement to GAAP will mean IFRS (or any other acceptable reporting standard). |
Section 1.03 Discretion; Good Faith. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, whenever in this Agreement the General Partner is permitted or required to make a decision (i) in its discretion or under a grant of similar authority or latitude, the General Partner shall be entitled to consider such interests and factors as it desires, including its own interests; or (ii) in its good faith or under another express standard, the General Partner shall act under such express standard, shall not be subject to any other or different standard imposed by applicable law and may exercise its discretion differently with respect to different Limited Partners.
ARTICLE II
General Provisions
Section 2.01 Formation of the Partnership. The Partnership was formed pursuant to the Original Agreement and registered as an exempted limited partnership under the Act, pursuant to a Statement filed with the Registrar of Exempted Limited Partnerships in the Cayman Islands on June 10, 2021. The formation and all related actions are hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects.
Section 2.02 Partnership Name and Address. The name of the Partnership is MR Cobalt Offshore Fund [] LP. The principal office of the Partnership is located at 712 Fifth Avenue, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10019, or at such other location as the General Partner in the future may designate. The General Partner shall promptly notify the Limited Partners of any change in the Partnerships address.
Section 2.03 Registered Office. The registered office of the Partnership is Walkers Corporate Limited, 190 Elgin Avenue, George Town, Grand Cayman KY1-9008, Cayman Islands.
Section 2.04 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Partnership (the Fiscal Year) shall end on December 31 of each year or such other date as required under the Code for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Section 2.05 Continuation of the Partnership. The existence of the Partnership began on the date the Statement was filed with the Registrar of Exempted Limited Partnerships in the Cayman Islands, and shall continue until a Notice of Dissolution is filed with the Registrar of Exempted Limited Partnerships in the Cayman Islands following a Termination Event and the period of winding up in accordance with the Act and this Agreement.
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Section 2.06 Purposes of the Partnership.
(a) The Partnership is organized for the purposes of investing exclusively in equity securities issued by a particular company (the Company) and derivatives thereof to gain exposure, directly or indirectly, to the securities of the Company; provided, however, the Partnership may invest in a broader array of Financial Instruments for effecting certain hedging strategies or for short-term tactical reasons, if determined reasonably appropriate by the Investment Manager. The Partnership may also engage in all activities and transactions as the General Partner may deem necessary, advisable or incidental in connection therewith, including doing such acts as are necessary, advisable or incidental in connection with the maintenance and administration of the Partnership, and any other lawful act or activity in connection with this stated purpose, permitted under the Act.
(b) The Partnership may invest all or a portion of its capital, directly or indirectly, through one or more Special Purpose Vehicles.
ARTICLE III
The Partners
Section 3.01 General Partner; Withdrawal of Initial Limited Partner; Admission of Other Limited Partners.
(a) The General Partner of the Partnership is MR Cobalt GP LLC.
(b) The Initial Limited Partner hereby withdraws from the Partnership effective immediately following the signing, execution and delivery of this Agreement by the other parties hereto and the admission of one or more Limited Partners and executes this Agreement exclusively in order to confirm its withdrawal from the Partnership. The Partnership shall return the original capital contribution (if any) made by the Initial Limited Partner and the Initial Limited Partner (in its capacity as such) shall thereafter have no further rights, liabilities or obligations under or in respect of this Agreement. The Partners hereby agree to exculpate and indemnify the Initial Limited Partner therefor in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.05 and Section 4.06
(c) A Person shall be admitted to the Partnership as a Limited Partner upon written acceptance of such Persons Subscription Agreement by the General Partner, which acceptance or rejection shall be in the General Partners discretion, on behalf of the Partnership. A written acknowledgement by way of a confirmation sent to the Person by the Administrator in accordance with the Subscription Agreement shall constitute acceptance for the purposes of this Section 3.01(c).
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(d)Admission of a new Partner shall not be a cause for dissolution of the Partnership.
Section 3.02 Liability of the Partners and Former Partners.
(a) Except as otherwise expressly provided in the Act, the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Partnership, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, shall be solely the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Partnership, and a Limited Partner shall not be obligated personally for any such debt, obligation or liability of the Partnership solely by reason of being a Limited Partner; provided, however, that a Limited Partner or Former Partner shall be required to contribute to the Partnership any amounts required under the Act and pursuant to Section 3.02(c) (return of distributions), Section 5.01(c) (default interest and other expenses), Section 5.06(e)(ii) (tax withholding), Section 7.01 (transfer expenses) and Section 9.03(e) (Entity Taxes) in excess of such Partners Unfunded Commitment.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in the Act, the General Partner shall have unlimited liability for the repayment and discharge of all debts, obligations and liabilities of the Partnership to the extent the assets of the Partnership are inadequate. Neither the General Partner nor any of its Affiliates (other than the Partnership), shall be liable for the return of the Capital Contributions of any Limited Partner, and each Limited Partner hereby irrevocably waives any and all claims that it may have against the General Partner or any Affiliate thereof (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, the Partnership) in this regard.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, for a period of [] following each distribution to a Limited Partner pursuant to this Agreement, the General Partner, in its sole discretion, may require a Limited Partner (including a former Limited Partner) to return such distributions made to such Limited Partner pursuant to this Agreement for the purpose of satisfying such Limited Partners pro rata share of Partnership Expenses (it being understood that the General Partner shall use its reasonable efforts to reserve for expected Partnership Expenses), including the Partnerships indemnification obligations under Section 4.06, in an amount up to the lesser of (i) []%, in the aggregate, of such Limited Partners Capital Commitment and (ii) the aggregate amount of distributions made to such Limited Partner. Any amounts contributed by a Partner pursuant to this Section 3.02(c) shall not constitute a Capital Contribution hereunder. The portion of any distribution repaid pursuant to this Section 3.02(c) shall be treated as if it had not been made for purposes of applying this Section 3.02(c) and Section 5.06, and the General Partner shall be required to return the portion of distributions attributable to its Carried Interest, if any, in order to ensure that distributions as between each Limited Partner and the General Partner have been made, in the aggregate, in accordance with Section 5.06. In addition, in the event a Limited Partner whose Capital Account is subject to the Special Profits Interest is required to return distributions pursuant to this Section 3.02(c), the Investment Manager shall also be required to return the portion of distributions attributable to its Special Profits Interest, if any, in order to ensure that the calculations of the Special Profits Interest with respect to such Capital Account are, in the aggregate, in accordance with Section 4.08(b).
(d) In the event that General Partner requires Limited Partners to return distributions pursuant to Section 3.02(c) to meet an obligation of the Partnership, the General Partner shall also be required to return distributions in respect of its Capital Commitment (and solely in respect of its Capital Commitment) in an amount equal to its pro rata portion of the obligation of the Partnership giving rise to such return of distributions.
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Section 3.03 Classes of Partners.
(a) Once a Limited Partners Subscription Agreement has been accepted in accordance with Section 3.01(c), such Limited Partner shall be designated by the General Partner as a Limited Partner.
(b) The Partnership, in the General Partners sole discretion, may in the future offer Interests and/or establish Classes, sub-classes, series, tranches or lots, in any case, with different offering terms including with respect to, among other things, the Carried Interest, Special Profits Interest, Management Fees, withdrawal rights, minimum and additional subscription amounts, portfolios, denomination of currencies, informational rights and other rights. The General Partner may establish such Interests and/or new Classes, sub-classes, series, tranches or lots without providing prior notice to, or receiving consent from, existing Limited Partners. The General Partner shall determine the terms of such Interests and/or, Classes, sub-classes, series, tranches or lots, in its sole discretion.
Section 3.04 Feeder Funds.
(a) In order to accommodate certain legal, regulatory, tax, administrative or other requirements of investors who wish to participate in the Partnership, the General Partner or any of its Affiliates may establish one or more Feeder Funds and/or may require certain investors to hold their Interests in the Partnership indirectly through one or more Feeder Funds; provided, that such investors generally will hold their indirect Interests in the Partnership on the same or less favorable economic terms as compared to the other Limited Partners. Only those entities designated as such by the General Partner shall be deemed to be Feeder Funds. The General Partner may cause the Management Fee, Special Profits Interest and Carried Interest payable in respect of the Capital Account(s) of any Feeder Fund to be calculated as if each investor in such Feeder Fund had made a Capital Commitment directly to the Partnership and held a Capital Account(s) herein. In addition, the General Partner may, in its sole discretion, apply Section 5.01 and any related provisions to the Interests of a Feeder Fund as if each investor in such Feeder Fund had made a Capital Commitment directly to the Partnership and held a Capital Account herein rather than to such Feeder Fund.
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(b) The General Partner may make any adjustments to the Capital Account(s) of a Feeder Fund and take such other actions as are reasonably necessary to give effect to the overall objectives of this Section 3.04 and the other terms of this Agreement relating to Feeder Funds; provided, that such adjustments and actions will not adversely affect the Capital Accounts of any other Limited Partner; provided, further that nothing in this Section 3.04 will be construed as making any interest holder in a Feeder Fund a Limited Partner for any purpose. The General Partner may, in its sole discretion, apply the provisions of this Agreement regarding Section 5.01 to the interests of any Feeder Fund in such manner as the General Partner determines appropriate in its sole discretion to effect the intent of the provisions relating to Section 5.01. For the avoidance of doubt, and without duplication of Section 5.06(e)(ii) and Section 5.15, any taxes incurred by a Feeder Fund, or which the General Partner determines in its discretion are allocable to such Feeder Fund, will be borne solely by such Feeder Fund in accordance with its applicable governing documents and Carried Interest payable in respect of any Feeder Funds Capital Account shall be calculated on the gross distributions to a Feeder Fund, without deduction for any taxes or other expenses borne by such Feeder Fund or its investors.
(c) Unless otherwise agreed by the General Partner and such Feeder Fund, the Voting Percentage of a Feeder Fund will be calculated and voted on any action or amendment providing for Limited Partner or Global Partner consent under this Agreement in the same manner and proportions as the investors in such Feeder Fund vote or consent on such matter.
ARTICLE IV
Management of the Partnership
Section 4.01 General. The management of the Partnership shall be vested exclusively in the General Partner. The General Partner (or its duly appointed agents or delegates, including the Investment Manager (as applicable)) shall have the authority, on behalf and in the name of the Partnership, to (whether directly or indirectly, including through Special Purpose Vehicles or otherwise) take any action or make any decisions on behalf of the Partnership hereunder (whether or not this Agreement specifies that the General Partner is authorized to take such action or make such decision), to carry out any and all of the purposes of the Partnership set forth in Section 2.06, and to perform all acts and enter into and perform all contracts and other undertakings that it may deem necessary, advisable, convenient or incidental thereto, all in accordance with, and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in, this Agreement, including to:
(a) provide research and analysis and direct the formulation of investment policies and strategies for the Partnership;
(b) acquire a long position or a short position with respect to any Financial Instrument and make purchases or sales increasing, decreasing or liquidating such position or changing from a long position to a short position or from a short position to a long position, without any limitation as to the frequency of the fluctuation in such positions or as to the frequency of the changes in the nature of such positions;
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(c) purchase Financial Instruments and hold them for investment;
(d) enter (including on behalf of the Partnership) into contracts for or in connection with investments in Financial Instruments or otherwise in connection with the Partnership;
(e) own, manage, supervise and dispose of investments, and to distribute proceeds to Partners from disposition of any investment (or to retain disposition proceeds in the Partnership for any purpose) in accordance with the terms of this Agreement;
(f) exercise all rights, powers, privileges and other incidents of ownership or possession with respect to, Financial Instruments and other property and funds held or owned by the Partnership;
(g) lend, either with or without security, any Financial Instruments, funds or other properties of the Partnership and borrow amounts for any purpose including to finance the purchase of any investment permitted hereunder, for the payment of Partnership Expenses (or reimbursement to the General Partner or Investment Manager therefor) and to make or facilitate any distribution, and secure the payment of obligations of the Partnership by mortgage upon, or pledge, charge (or otherwise create a security interest in) or hypothecation of, or guarantee of, all or any part of the property of the Partnership;
(h) open, maintain and close (including on behalf of the Partnership) accounts, including custodial accounts, with banks, including banks located outside the United States, and wire funds, draw checks, or make other orders for the payment of monies;
(i) open, maintain and close (including on behalf of the Partnership) accounts, including margin and custodial accounts, with brokers and dealers, which power shall include the authority to issue all instructions and authorizations to brokers and dealers regarding the Financial Instruments and/or money therein;
(j) pay, or authorize the payment and reimbursement of (including on behalf of the Partnership), brokerage commissions that may be in excess of the lowest rates available that are paid to brokers who execute transactions for the account of the Partnership; provided, that portfolio transactions for the Partnership will be allocated to brokers while seeking best execution, in consideration of such factors as commission rates, transaction costs, strength of the broker and the ability of the broker to efficiently execute transactions, its facilities, reliability and financial responsibility, commitment of capital, access to company management, access to deal flow and the provision by the broker of the costs of brokerage research and research-related services which are of benefit to the Partnership, the Investment Manager or Affiliated Funds, as well as other factors that are deemed appropriate to consider under the circumstances;
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(k) combine purchase or sale orders on behalf of the Partnership with orders for Affiliated Funds and allocate the Financial Instruments or other assets so purchased or sold, on an average-price basis or by any other method of fair and equitable allocation as determined by the General Partner, in its sole discretion, among such accounts;
(l) purchase liability insurance at the expense of the Partnership in respect of any liabilities for which the General Partner, the Investment Manager or any Indemnified Party would otherwise be entitled to indemnity under this Agreement or in respect of any other liabilities;
(m) enter (including on behalf of the Partnership) into arrangements with brokers to open average price accounts wherein orders placed during a trading day are placed on behalf of the Partnership;
(n) organize one or more corporations or other entities to hold (whether alone or together with the Affiliated Funds) Financial Instruments or participations in Financial Instruments held by the Partnership or any Special Purpose Vehicle;
(o) retain the Investment Manager and cause the Partnership to compensate the Investment Manager for its services; provided, however, that management, control and conduct of the activities of the Partnership shall remain the responsibility of the General Partner;
(p) direct or permit the Investment Manager to enter (including on behalf of the Partnership) into direct or indirect sub-advisory arrangements; provided, however, that management, control and conduct of the activities of the Partnership shall remain the responsibility of the General Partner;
(q) retain (including on behalf of the Partnership) the Administrator and cause the Partnership to compensate the Administrator for its services;
(r) enter into Other Agreements with Limited Partners containing such terms and conditions as determined by the General Partner;
(s) engage (including on behalf of the Partnership) attorneys, independent accountants, investment bankers, consultants, other service providers and such other Persons as the General Partner may deem necessary or advisable;
(t) assist the Partnership with marketing and investor relations services, including communications from the Partnership to the Limited Partners and prospective investors;
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(u) assist the Partnership with any legal, compliance, tax or regulatory filings;
(v) accept subscriptions to the Partnership for any amount, and determine all matters related to subscriptions and distributions;
(w) authorize any partner, member, employee or other agent of the General Partner or its Affiliates or other agent of the Partnership to act for and on behalf of the Partnership in all matters incidental to the foregoing;
(x) prepare and file all tax returns of the Partnership, act as Partnership Representative, appoint, in its discretion, any Person to serve as Partnership Representative and to take those actions with respect to tax matters as set forth in ARTICLE IX and ARTICLE XI of this Agreement; and
(y) do any and all acts on behalf of the Partnership as it may deem necessary, advisable or incidental in connection with the maintenance and administration of the Partnership, and exercise all rights of the Partnership, with respect to its interest in any person, including the voting of its interest in Financial Instruments, participation in arrangements with creditors, the institution and settlement or compromise of suits and administrative proceedings and other like or similar matters.
For the avoidance of doubt, where the General Partner is authorized to retain, engage or employ any Person on behalf of, or in connection with, the Partnership, such authorization shall include determining the compensation of any such Person and the terms of the engagement or employment (including under what circumstances such Person may be exculpated or indemnified).
Section 4.02 No Participation in Management by Limited Partners. Except as authorized by the General Partner, the Limited Partners, in their capacities as such, shall not take part in the management or control of the Partnership or the conduct of the business of the Partnership, transact any business in the Partnerships name or have the power to sign documents for or otherwise bind the Partnership. In no circumstances shall a Limited Partner, in its capacity as such, take part in the conduct of the business of the Partnership or deal with third parties.
Section 4.03 Reliance by Third Parties. Persons dealing with the Partnership are entitled to rely conclusively upon the certificate of the General Partner, to the effect that it is then acting as the General Partner, and upon the authority of the General Partner as set forth in this Agreement.
Section 4.04 Other Activities of the General Partner. The General Partner and its Affiliates shall devote so much of their time to the affairs of the Partnership as in the judgment of the General Partner the conduct of the Partnerships business shall reasonably require, and neither the General Partner nor its Affiliates shall be obligated to do or perform any act or thing in connection with the business of the Partnership not expressly required under the terms of this Agreement. Nothing contained in this Section
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4.04 shall preclude the General Partner or its Affiliates from exercising investment responsibility, from engaging, directly or indirectly, in any other business or from, directly or indirectly, purchasing, selling, holding or otherwise dealing with any Financial Instruments for the account of any such other business, for their own accounts, for any of their family members or for Affiliated Funds. No Limited Partner shall, by reason of being a Partner in the Partnership, have any right to participate in any manner in any profits or income earned, derived by or accruing to the General Partner or any Affiliate from the conduct of any business other than the business of the Partnership (to the extent provided in this Agreement) or from any transaction in Financial Instruments effected by the General Partner or such Affiliate for any account other than that of the Partnership.
Section 4.05 Exculpation.
(a) No Indemnified Party shall be liable to any Partner or the Partnership for any costs, losses, claims, damages, liabilities, taxes, expenses (including reasonable legal and other reasonable professional fees and disbursements), judgments, fines or settlements (collectively, Indemnified Losses) arising out of, related to or in connection with any act or omission of such Indemnified Party taken, or omitted to be taken, in connection with the Partnership or this Agreement, except for any Indemnified Losses arising out of, related to or in connection with any act or omission that is primarily attributable to the bad faith, Gross Negligence, willful misconduct or fraud of such Indemnified Party. In addition, no Indemnified Party shall be liable to any Partner or the Partnership for any Indemnified Losses arising out of, related to or in connection with any act or omission taken, or omitted to be taken, by any broker or agent of the Partnership if such broker or agent was selected, engaged, monitored and retained by such Indemnified Party directly or on behalf of the Partnership in accordance with the standard of care set forth above. Any Indemnified Party may consult with counsel, accountants, investment bankers, financial advisers, appraisers and other specialized, reputable, professional consultants in respect of affairs of the Partnership and be fully protected and justified in any action or inaction that is taken in accordance with the advice or opinion of such Persons; provided, that the Indemnified Party selected, engaged, monitored and retained such Persons in accordance with the standard of care set forth above. Gross Negligence shall have the meaning given to such term under the laws of the State of Delaware.
(b) Notwithstanding any of the foregoing to the contrary, the provisions of this Section 4.05 shall not be construed so as to provide for the exculpation of any Indemnified Party for any liability (including liability under U.S. federal securities laws which, under certain circumstances, impose liability even on Persons that act in good faith), to the extent (but only to the extent) that such liability may not be waived, modified or limited under applicable law, but shall be construed so as to effectuate the provisions of this Section 4.05 to the fullest extent permitted by law.
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Section 4.06 Indemnification.
(a) To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Partnership shall indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnified Party from and against any and all Indemnified Losses suffered or sustained by such Indemnified Party by reason of any act, omission or alleged act or omission arising out of, related to or in connection with the Partnership or this Agreement, or any and all Proceedings except for (i) any Indemnified Losses that are primarily attributable to the bad faith, Gross Negligence, willful misconduct or fraud of such Indemnified Party and (ii) any Indemnified Losses resulting from Proceedings arising solely out of disputes between or among Indemnified Parties (including disputes between or among the partners and employees of the General Partner and Investment Manager). The Partnership shall also indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnified Party from and against any and all Indemnified Losses suffered or sustained by such Indemnified Party by reason of any acts, omissions or alleged acts or omissions of any broker or agent of the Partnership; provided, that such broker or agent was selected, engaged, monitored and retained by such Indemnified Party directly or on behalf of the Partnership in accordance with the standard of care set forth above. The termination of a Proceeding by settlement or upon a plea of nolo contendere, or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that such Indemnified Partys acts, omissions or alleged acts or omissions were primarily attributable to the bad faith, Gross Negligence, willful misconduct or fraud of such Indemnified Party. Expenses (including legal and other professional fees and disbursements) incurred in any Proceeding (if the General Partner so determines) shall be paid by the Partnership in advance of the final disposition of such Proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Indemnified Party to repay such amounts if it shall ultimately be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction (or arbitrator) that such Indemnified Party is not entitled to be indemnified by the Partnership as authorized hereunder.
(b) To the maximum extent permitted by law, as among (i) any director and officer liability insurance policies or other any liability insurance policies that may be maintained by or on behalf of the Company (Company Insurance), (ii) the Company, (iii) any director and officer liability insurance policies, general partnership liability insurance policies or other liability insurance policies that may be maintained by or on behalf of the Partnership, the General Partner, the Investment Manager or any of their respective Affiliates (other than the Company) (Partnership Insurance), (iv) the Partnership and (v) the General Partner, this Section 4.06 shall be interpreted to reflect an ordering of liability for potentially overlapping or duplicative indemnification payments, with (1) any Company Insurance (if applicable) having primary liability, (2) the Company (if applicable) having secondary liability, (3) any Partnership Insurance (if applicable) having tertiary liability, (4) the Partnership having quaternary liability and (5) the General Partner having quinary liability.
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(c) Notwithstanding any of the foregoing to the contrary, the provisions of this Section 4.06 shall not be construed so as to provide for the indemnification of an Indemnified Party for any liability (including liability under U.S. federal securities laws which, under certain circumstances, impose liability even on Persons that act in good faith), to the extent (but only to the extent) that such indemnification would be in violation of applicable law, but shall be construed so as to effectuate the provisions of this Section 4.06 to the fullest extent permitted by law.
(d) The General Partner is hereby authorized to enter into any agreement with any Indemnified Party which agreement has the effect of conferring directly on such Indemnified Party the exculpation and indemnity protection set out in Section 4.05 and this Section 4.06.
(e) The provisions of Section 4.05 and this Section 4.06 shall survive the termination of this Agreement, the termination of the Investment Management Agreement and/or the resignation of the General Partner of the Partnership.
Section 4.07 Trade Errors. The General Partner shall seek to detect Trade Errors prior to settlement and promptly correct and mitigate any Trade Error Losses. Trade Error Losses resulting from acts or omissions of any Indemnified Party (or broker or agent of the Partnership selected, engaged and retained by such Indemnified Party) shall be borne directly out of the assets of the Partnership; provided, that such Indemnified Party is entitled to exculpation pursuant to Section 4.05. To the extent that a Trade Error is caused by a counterparty of the Partnership, such as a broker or agent, the General Partner shall seek to recover any related Trade Error Losses from such counterparty.
Section 4.08 Management Fee; Special Profits Interest; Payment of Certain Costs and Expenses.
(a) Management Fee. The Partnership shall pay to the Investment Manager, pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, a management fee (the Management Fee) for management services, payable in advance on the first day of each calendar quarter equal to []. To the extent the Investment Manager has elected to reduce its management fee and to utilize the Special Profits Interest mechanism set forth in Section 4.08(b) below, which election shall be irrevocable and shall apply as set forth below, during the Term, the Partnership shall pay to the Investment Manager, pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, an initial management fee (the Initial Management Fee) for management services, payable in advance at the beginning of each calendar quarter equal to [] (all references to Management Fee shall include the Initial Management Fee unless stated otherwise). The Initial Management Fee is computed and paid based on the beginning balance of each Capital Account as of the beginning of each calendar quarter, but shall be prorated for subscriptions or distributions that are effective other than at the beginning or the end, respectively, of a calendar quarter. Neither the General Partner nor the Investment Manager shall be subject to the Initial Management Fee. For the avoidance of doubt, following the expiration of the Term, or to the extent the Investment Manager has not elected to reduce its management
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fee and to utilize the Special Profits Interest mechanism set forth in Section 4.08(b) below, during the Term (and following the Term until the Partnership is dissolved), the Partnership shall pay to the Investment Manager the Management Fee equal to []. The Management Fee is computed and paid based on the beginning balance of each Capital Account as of the beginning of each calendar quarter, but shall be prorated for subscriptions or distributions that are effective other than at the beginning or the end, respectively, of a calendar quarter. Neither the General Partner nor the Investment Manager shall be subject to the Management Fee.
(b) Special Profits Interest.
(i) General Rule.
(A) Upon the Investment Managers election to reduce its management fee and to utilize the Special Profits Interest mechanism set forth herein with respect to a Capital Account of any Limited Partner, which election shall be irrevocable and shall apply for the entire Term, subject to Section 4.08(b)(ii), the Investment Manager will be entitled to a special profits allocation (the Special Profits Interest) with respect to such Capital Account in an amount equal to (I) the aggregate amount of Initial Management Fees (or relevant portion thereof) borne by such Capital Account during the applicable Calculation Period (such amount, the Initial Target Amount) plus (II)(x) the aggregate [] minus (y) the aggregate [] that, in each of cases (x) and (y), would have been allocated to the Investment Managers Capital Account during such Calculation Period if the Investment Managers Capital Account had been credited with amounts equal to []; provided, that in no event shall the Special Profits Interest allocated to the Investment Managers Capital Account from a Limited Partners Capital Account pursuant to Section 4.08(b)(i)(C) exceed the sum of (v) [] plus (w) [].
(B) For each Capital Account of a Limited Partner subject to the Special Profits Interest mechanism, a Provisional Special Profits Interest shall be calculated at the end of each Accounting Period during the Calculation Period with respect to such Capital Account. At the end of each Accounting Period during such Calculation Period, an amount equal to the Special Profits Interest accrued during such Accounting Period shall be reallocated to a provisional memorandum account (the Provisional SPI Memorandum Account) of the Investment Manager (the Provisional Special Profits Interest).
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(C) As of the last day of the applicable Calculation Period with respect to a Capital Account, an amount equal to the Special Profits Interest, less the cumulative distributions pursuant to Section 6.10 previously made during such period with respect to the correlative Provisional SPI Memorandum Account, shall be allocated to the Investment Managers Capital Account. To the extent the Investment Manager has elected to utilize the Special Profits Interest mechanism set forth herein with respect to a Capital Account of any Limited Partner, it shall be deemed to have a Capital Account as a Limited Partner for purposes of distributions pursuant to Section 5.06, and, for the avoidance of doubt, shall receive distributions in respect of such Capital Account at the times and in the relative amounts as if it were a Limited Partner thereunder. Notwithstanding anything otherwise provided herein, the Investment Manager shall not be obligated to restore the amount of any distributions made pursuant to Section 6.10.
(ii) For the avoidance of doubt, a Special Profits Interest shall be calculated and may be allocated to the Investment Managers Capital Account at any instance of the distribution of any portion of a Capital Account solely with respect to that portion being then distributed, and the amount of Special Profits Interest so allocated (including the []) shall not be included in the calculation of the Special Profits Interest with respect to any other Calculation Period.
(c) The General Partner may, in its sole discretion, elect to reduce, waive or calculate differently the Management Fee or the Special Profits Interest with respect to any Limited Partner, including, without limitation, the Excluded Parties.
(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Investment Manager may elect to have the Management Fee paid (without duplication) to the Investment Manager (or to any of its Affiliates) at the level of any trading or investing vehicle through which the investment program of the Partnership is being effectuated, for so long as such election does not result in any material adverse economic consequences to the Limited Partners.
(e) The Management Fee and the Special Profits Interest shall reduce the Capital Accounts with respect to which it is paid or allocated, as applicable.
(f) In consideration for the Management Fee, the Investment Manager shall provide the Partnership with access to office space and certain utilities, secretarial, clerical and other personnel. The Investment Manager shall bear the costs of providing such goods and services (except to the extent borne by the Partnership in accordance with Section 4.08(g)), and all of its own overhead costs and expenses, except to the extent such goods, services, costs and expenses are provided for through soft dollars generated by the Partnership as permitted in this Agreement and under Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
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(g)
(i) The Partnership shall bear all of its (and the attributable share (which generally is expected to be the pro rata share based on capital) of the Funds and any subsidiaries or Special Purpose Vehicles through which the Funds invest) legal and other organizational expenses incurred in the formation of the Partnership, including all expenses relating to the offer and sale of Interests. The Partnership shall bear its own operating and other expenses (and the attributable share (which generally is expected to be the pro rata share based on capital) of the Funds and any subsidiaries or Special Purpose Vehicles through which the Funds invest), including, but not limited to, investment-related expenses (e.g., []), research-related expenses, including, without limitation, news and quotation equipment and services, market data services, fees to third-party providers of research and/or portfolio risk management services), legal expenses (including with respect to litigation and threatened litigation, if any, but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any expenses with respect to which an Indemnified Party would not be entitled to indemnification or advancement by reason of the limitations set forth in Section 4.05 and Section 4.06), any expenses associated with regulatory filings made in connection with the Partnerships operations and portfolio holdings (e.g., filings with the SEC or the U.S. Federal Trade Commission), including Form PF (but excluding the preparation of Form ADV and any other ordinary course compliance with the Advisers Act that does not relate directly to the affairs of the Partnership), costs relating to communications with investors (including maintenance of the website for the benefit of investors), external accounting, audit and tax advice and preparation expenses (including preparation costs of financial statements, tax returns, reports to the Limited Partners and schedule K-1s, if applicable), accounting software, printing and mailing costs, market information systems and computer software and information expenses, fees of pricing services, valuation firms and financial modeling services, the costs and expenses of third-party risk management products and services (including, without limitation, the costs of risk management software or database packages), insurance costs (including, without limitation, directors and officers liability or other similar insurance policies, errors and omissions insurance and other similar policies for the benefit of the Partnership), filing and registration fees (e.g., blue sky and corporate filing fees and expenses), fees of the Administrator, the Management Fee, any expenses arising from the Partnerships indemnification obligations, any and all taxes (including entity-level taxes) and governmental fees or other charges payable by or with respect to or levied against the Partnership, its investments, or to federal, state or other governmental agencies, domestic or foreign, including real estate, stamp or other transfer taxes and expenses related to complying with FATCA, winding-up, dissolution and liquidation expenses and other similar expenses related to the Partnership). For the avoidance of doubt, similar expenses refers to any expenses that are similar in type and nature to the expenses described in the previous sentence, including, for example,
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expenses relating to the offering and sale of Interests in compliance with the Directive 2011/61/EU on Alternative Investment Fund Managers or similar regulations. To the extent that expenses to be borne by the Partnership are paid by the General Partner (in excess of its ratable share) or the Investment Manager, the Partnership shall reimburse (without interest) the General Partner or the Investment Manager for such expenses.
(ii) For the avoidance of doubt, the Partnership shall bear any costs (and the attributable share (which may be the pro rata share based on capital) of the Funds and any subsidiaries or Special Purpose Vehicles through which the Funds invest) (including legal costs) associated with proxy solicitation contests, the preparation of any letters with respect to plans and proposals regarding the management, ownership and capital structure of the Company (and related anti-trust or other regulatory filings) by the Investment Manager in connection with the Partnerships investments, any compensation paid on behalf of the Partnership to individuals considered for nomination, nominated and/or appointed, at the Partnerships request, to the board of the Company (including any compensation paid on behalf of the Partnership in relation to such individuals serving in such capacity) and any related expenses (such as proxy solicitors, public relations experts, costs associated with white papers, lobbying organizations to the extent reasonably determined by the Investment Manager to be employed in connection with investments or prospective investments of the Partnership in the Company and public presentations).
(iii) All such organizational, operating and other expenses described in this Section 4.08(g) are referred to herein as Partnership Expenses.
(h) All or a portion of brokerage- and research-related expenses, whether incurred by the Investment Manager or the Partnership pursuant to Section 4.08(f) or Section 4.08(g), respectively, may be paid for using soft dollars generated by the Partnership or any Affiliated Fund.
(i) Except as otherwise noted, expenses paid by the Partnership shall be shared by all of its Partners, including the General Partner. Expenses incurred by the Partnership shall generally be shared on a pro rata basis by all Capital Accounts or in any other manner deemed fair and equitable by the General Partner (any such allocation, a Non-Pro Rata Expense Allocation); provided, however, that certain expenses incurred on behalf or for the benefit of one or a few Capital Accounts (such as Withholding Taxes or for a Feeder Fund) may be borne, in the discretion of the General Partner, only by such Capital Account(s). For the avoidance of doubt, the General Partner may in its sole discretion make a Non-Pro Rata Expense Allocation to a Feeder Fund for any Partnership Expenses and any other expenses, obligations, indemnities, liabilities, contingent or otherwise, of the Partnership relating to such Feeder Fund. Each of the Funds shall bear its own costs and expenses as well as its attributable share of any costs and expenses of
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the Partnership and any Special Purpose Vehicles through which the Partnership invests. Any expenses common to the Partnership and to any Affiliated Funds shall be paid pro rata by the Partnership and such Affiliated Funds based on, without limitation and depending on the nature of the expense, position size, fund size (i.e., net asset value, notional value, or capital commitments, as applicable), available cash, or in any other manner deemed fair and equitable by the General Partner (any such allocation on such other fair and equitable basis shall be included in the definition of Non-Pro Rata Expense Allocation).
(j) The General Partner shall amortize its organizational and offering expenses, for accounting purposes, for up to a 60-month period. Amortization of such expenses over a period up to 60 months is a divergence from GAAP, and may, in certain circumstances, result in a qualification of the Partnerships annual audited financial statements. In those instances, the General Partner may decide to (i) avoid the qualification by recognizing the unamortized expenses or (ii) make GAAP conforming changes for financial reporting purposes, but amortize expenses for purposes of calculating the Partnerships Net Asset Value. There will be a divergence in the Partnerships Fiscal Year-end Net Asset Value and in the Net Asset Value reported in the Partnerships financial statements in any year where, pursuant to clause (ii), GAAP conforming changes are made only to the Partnerships financial statements for financial reporting purposes. If the Partnership is terminated within 60 months of its commencement, any unamortized expenses will be recognized.
Each Partner will bear its pro rata portion (based on its Capital Commitment relative to the total Capital Commitments of the Partners) of the organizational and offering expenses of the Partnership. If a Limited Partner is distributed all or a portion of its Capital Account prior to the end of the 60-month period during which the Partnership is amortizing such expenses, the General Partner expects to accelerate a proportionate share (as determined based on the net asset value of such Limited Partners Capital Account relative to the Net Asset Value of the Partnership) of the unamortized expenses based upon the amount being distributed and reduce distribution proceeds by the amount of such accelerated expenses.
(k) The Management Fee payable pursuant to Section 4.08(a) (but not, for the avoidance of doubt, the Special Profits Interest, if applicable) shall be reduced in a manner set forth below to reflect the Realization of Additional Compensation. The Management Fee paid by the Partnership shall be reduced, in the period of, or the periods following, any Additional Compensation becoming Realized by an amount equal to the Full Offset Amount. With respect to each Capital Account, any such reduction shall reduce the Management Fees (but not, for the avoidance of doubt, the Special Profits Interest, if applicable) paid by such Capital Account in proportion to the amount of fees that would otherwise have been due from such Capital Account at the time of the relevant reduction as compared to all other Capital Accounts at such time or in such other manner that the General Partner determines to be fair and equitable. Any such reduction in the Management Fees apportioned to a Capital Account in accordance with this Section 4.08(k) shall be applied to such Capital Accounts successive quarterly installments of such fees until such Capital Account receives the full benefit of such reduction.
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Section 4.09 Independent Client Committee. The General Partner may select a committee (the Independent Client Committee and any member thereof, the Independent Client Representative) consisting of a number of the Global Partners or their representatives or designees as determined by the General Partner. To the extent applicable, the General Partner shall provide each member of the Independent Client Committee with the identity and contact information of each other member of the Independent Client Committee promptly following the earlier of (i) the Launch Date or (ii) such other members admission to the Independent Client Committee. The Independent Client Committee shall act by a majority of its members. In all cases where the notice to, vote, waiver or consent of the Independent Client Committee is required or permitted under this Agreement, the General Partner may determine that such notice to, vote, waiver or consent with respect to the Partnership will be submitted to, and calculated solely as if, such Independent Client Committee is composed only of members representing Limited Partners in the Partnership if the General Partner in good faith determines that a matter of which notice is to be provided, or to be submitted to a vote, waiver or consent of the Independent Client Committee under this Agreement, relates solely to the Partnership or involves a conflict between the Partnership and any other Fund (unless there are no Independent Client Representatives appointed by the Limited Partners on the Independent Client Committee, in which case the General Partner may determine in its discretion to submit such matter to the Limited Partners for consent of a Majority-in-Interest of the Non-Affiliated Limited Partners, rather than to the Independent Client Committee). Any such determinations by the General Partner shall be conclusive and binding on the Limited Partners. To the fullest extent permitted by law, no member of the Independent Client Committee, and no Global Partner appointing any such member, shall (i) owe any fiduciary duty to the Partnership, any other Fund or the Global Partners as a group in connection with the activities of the Independent Client Committee; or (ii) be obligated to act in the interests of the Partnership (or any other Fund), any other Global Partner or the Global Partners as a group. The participation by any Limited Partner who is a member of the Independent Client Committee in the activities of the Independent Client Committee shall not be construed to constitute participation by such Limited Partner in the management or control of the business of the Partnership so as to make such Limited Partner liable as though they were a general partner for the debts and obligations of the Partnership for purposes of the Act.
Section 4.10 Principal Transactions and Other Related Party Transactions. The Independent Client Committee shall consider and, on behalf of the Global Partners (without prejudice to Section 4.02), approve or disapprove, to the extent required by applicable law or deemed advisable by the General Partner, principal transactions, certain other related-party transactions and certain other transactions and matters involving potential conflicts of interest presented to the Independent Client Committee. Any transaction between the Partnership and [] will be presented to and approved by the Independent Client Committee in advance thereof. Each Limited Partner acknowledges that such committee may approve of any such transactions prior to or contemporaneous with, or ratify (except as set forth in the immediately preceding
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sentence) such transactions subsequent to, the consummation of such transactions. The Partnership may exculpate and indemnify the Person(s) so selected in the same manner and to the same extent as the General Partner is so exculpated and indemnified under the terms of this Agreement, and Section 4.05(b) and Section 4.06(c) shall apply in respect of such exculpation and indemnification.
Section 4.11 Assignment of Investment Advisory Contract. The General Partner may only enter into a transaction that would constitute an assignment as such term is defined under the Advisers Act with the consent of a Majority-in-Interest of the Non-Affiliated Limited Partners.
ARTICLE V
Capital Contributions; Default; Capital Accounts; Allocations; Distributions
Section 5.01 Capital Contributions.
(a) Each Partner shall be required to contribute cash to the Partnership in United States dollars up to an aggregate amount equal to such Partners Capital Commitment from time to time, as provided in this Section 5.01. Subject to Section 3.02, no Partner shall be obligated to make any Capital Contributions to the Partnership in excess of such Partners then Unfunded Commitment. All payments by the Partners to the Partnership pursuant to this Section 5.01 shall be made in immediately available funds.
(b) Call Amounts and Call Notices.
(i) Capital Contributions will be called from the Partners from time to time by the General Partner in such amounts (the Call Amount) and on such Funding Dates as shall be specified by the General Partner in a written notice (the Call Notice) to such Partners; provided, that no more than []% of a Partners Capital Commitment may be drawn down after the [] anniversary of the applicable Effective Date.
(ii) The General Partner shall have the right to exclude any Limited Partner from participating in any part of an investment in the Company (in whole or in part, including by reducing such Limited Partners required Capital Contribution towards such investment) if (a) there is a substantial likelihood that the Limited Partners participation in such investment would result in a violation of, or noncompliance with, any law or regulation to which such Limited Partner, the Partnership, the Company or any other Partner is or would be subject, or (b) in the General Partners opinion, due to legal, regulatory, tax or other considerations, such participation would (x) place an undue economic or other burden on the Partnership, the Company or any Partner, (y) prevent the Partnership, a subsidiary thereof or the Company (or any category of Partner), from claiming a reduction in or exemption from withholding or other taxes or governmental charges imposed on or with respect to any of the foregoing, in each case whether under applicable statutory rules and regulations or a tax treaty or (z) cause an undue delay in the obtaining of any regulatory or similar approval.
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(c) Default.
(i) Upon any Partner failing to contribute all or any portion of any Call Amount as set forth in a Call Notice on or before the Funding Date therefor, or other payment when due under the terms of this Agreement, the Partnership shall promptly thereafter provide written notice to such Partner that such payment is past due (such amount, the Shortfall Amount, and together with any such collection costs, including, attorneys fees and expenses, plus interest, if any, the Default Amount). If such Partner fails to satisfy its payment obligation within two (2) Business Days after such notice has been delivered, such Partner may be deemed a Defaulting Partner (and such failure to cure being herein referred to as a Default) and the Partnership may take any or all of the following actions: (1) prohibit such Defaulting Partner from making any further Capital Contributions and exercising any rights otherwise conferred upon such Defaulting Partner under this Agreement; (2) charge interest to such Defaulting Partner at the Prime Rate plus 2%, or any other annual rate that the General Partner may deem commercially reasonable, on the Shortfall Amount from the date thereof until such amount is paid; (3) reduce the Partnership Percentage of the Defaulting Partner in the Partnership by up to fifty percent (50%) and, to the extent neither prohibited by ERISA nor causing the Partnerships assets to be deemed plan assets for purposes of ERISA, increase, in the aggregate, the Partnership Percentages of the Partners who have funded their share of such Call Amount (the Non-Defaulting Partners) in the Partnership by the same amount, such increase to be allocated pro rata in accordance with the Non-Defaulting Partners respective Interests; (4) permit one or more existing Partners to fund the Shortfall Amount (and increase their Capital Commitments in connection therewith) or admit one or more new Partners to the Partnership, including any Affiliates of the General Partner, for the purposes of funding the Shortfall Amount; (5) require such Defaulting Partner to transfer its Interest to one or more Persons designated by the General Partner for a price of at least fifty percent (50%) of the fair market value thereof (as determined by the General Partner); and (6) pursue any other actions or remedies at law or in equity. A Defaulting Partner shall continue to be liable for (x) the Default Amount and (y) all damages caused to the Partnership as a result of such Defaulting Partners Default; it being understood that the payment of any interest, expenses or other damages in connection with the Default Amount shall not reduce such Defaulting Partners Unfunded Commitment (or increase such Partners Capital Contribution) and any such payment shall be payable without regard to such Partners Unfunded Commitment. Unless expressly waived by the General Partner, neither the Default by a Defaulting Partner nor the exercise by the
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General Partner of its remedies hereunder with respect to such Default shall relieve such Defaulting Partner of its obligation to make any Capital Contributions or other payments required of it hereunder. The General Partner shall have the right, in its discretion, to offset amounts payable by any Defaulting Partner to the Partnership (including Partnership Expenses and other amounts payable hereunder) against amounts payable by the Partnership to such Defaulting Partner. While any Default Amount remains outstanding, the Defaulting Partner shall automatically forfeit its right, if any, to participate in any vote, give consent or provide or withhold approvals in respect of any matters on which the Defaulting Partner would otherwise be entitled to vote on, give consent to or approve under this Agreement or pursuant to applicable law, and the Defaulting Partners Interest shall not be considered for purposes of any such vote, consent or approval. Any such vote, consent or approval taken or sought without such Defaulting Partner shall be binding upon such Defaulting Partner.
(ii) For so long as the Defaulting Partner remains a Limited Partner, it shall not be allocated any portion of Net Capital Appreciation, or otherwise be taken account of in any determination of Capital Accounts or Interests, but shall be allocated its portion of Net Capital Depreciation. Any such Net Capital Appreciation shall instead be allocated to the Non-Defaulting Partners or additional Limited Partners in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.06. Defaulting Partners (including Defaulting Partners removed as Limited Partners) shall not be entitled to any distributions until the Partnership is dissolved and its affairs wound up pursuant to ARTICLE VIII.
(iii) No right, power or remedy conferred upon the General Partner in this Section 5.01(c) shall be exclusive, and each such right, power or remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right, power or remedy whether conferred in this Section 5.01(c) or now or hereafter available at law or in equity or by statute or otherwise. No course of dealing between the General Partner and any Limited Partner and no delay in exercising any right, power or remedy conferred in this Section 5.01(c) or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute or otherwise shall operate as a waiver or otherwise prejudice any such right, power or remedy.
(d) Creditors. The provisions of this Section 5.01 are solely intended for the benefit of the Partners and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, shall not be construed as conferring any benefit upon any creditor of the Partnership (and no such creditor shall be a third-party beneficiary of this Agreement). Except as expressly required by the Act, no Partner shall have any duty or obligation to any creditor of the Partnership to make any Capital Contribution.
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Section 5.02 Capital Accounts. A separate Capital Account shall be established on the books of the Partnership for each Capital Commitment made by each Partner. Each Capital Account of a Partner shall be increased to account for each Capital Contribution made by such Partner with respect to such Capital Commitment and shall be further adjusted as hereinafter provided. At the beginning of each Accounting Period, each Capital Account shall be decreased by the amount of any distributions made from such Capital Account pursuant to Section 5.06 and any amounts advanced pursuant to Section 6.09 (to the extent that such decrease has not already taken place at the time of such distribution). At the end of each Accounting Period, each Capital Account shall be increased or decreased by the amount credited or debited to such Capital Account pursuant to Section 5.04 and Section 5.05. At the beginning of each Accounting Period, the Capital Account(s) of each Limited Partner shall be decreased by the amount of the Management Fee amortized or paid in respect of such Capital Account(s) for that Accounting Period in accordance with Section 4.08. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the General Partner may have one Capital Account that aggregates all of its Capital Commitments.
Section 5.03 Partnership and Voting Percentages.
(a) Subject to Section 5.01(c), with respect to any Partner, a Partnership Percentage shall be determined for each Capital Account of any such Partner for each Accounting Period of the Partnership by dividing the balance of each such Capital Account by the aggregate balance of the Capital Accounts of all Partners as of the beginning of such Accounting Period after taking into account Capital Contributions, withdrawals, distributions and any applicable reduction for the Management Fee accrued or paid as of such date. The sum of the Partnership Percentages shall be equal to 100%.
(b) Solely for purposes of providing Limited Partner (or Global Partner, as applicable) consent to any action or amendment under this Agreement (including under Section 4.11 and Section 11.04), a separate Partnership Percentage (the Voting Percentage) shall be calculated for each Limited Partner holding a Capital Account (and each Global Partner holding a capital account in any other Fund, as applicable) to be affected by or entitled to vote or consent on such action or amendment (the accounts to be affected or entitled to vote or consent thereon, the Affected Accounts) by dividing the balance of each such Limited Partners Affected Account(s) (or Global Partners Affected Account, as applicable) by the aggregate balance of all of the Affected Accounts (including the Global Partners, as applicable) as of the beginning of such Accounting Period after taking into account Capital Contributions, withdrawals and distributions (including similar adjustments to the accounts of the Global Partners as provided in the governing documents for any Fund other than the Partnership). The sum of the Voting Percentages established for purposes of this Section 5.03(b) shall be equal to 100%. For the avoidance of doubt, the Voting Percentage of a Defaulting Partner shall be zero. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the General Partner may subject any action, amendment or other matter requiring the vote or consent of the Limited Partners hereunder to a vote or consent of the Global Partners or the Affected Accounts thereof (by Majority-in-Interest or other applicable threshold as provided herein) to the extent the General Partner determines in good faith that the interests of the relevant Global Partners are aligned.
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Section 5.04 Allocation of Net Capital Appreciation or Net Capital Depreciation.
(a) At the end of each Accounting Period, each Capital Account (including the General Partners Capital Account) shall be adjusted by crediting (in the case of Net Capital Appreciation) or debiting (in the case of Net Capital Depreciation) the Net Capital Appreciation or Net Capital Depreciation for such Accounting Period, as the case may be, to the Capital Accounts of all the Partners (including the General Partner) in proportion to their respective Partnership Percentages (in each case, after giving effect to any adjustments described in this Section 5.04, if applicable; provided, that certain items of income or loss (such as income attributable to new issues or certain taxes withheld) may be allocated only, or to a limited extent, to the Capital Accounts of certain Partners.
(b) If the General Partner determines that, based upon tax or regulatory considerations, or for any other reasons as to which the General Partner and any Partner agree, a Capital Account held by such Partner should not participate (or should be limited in its participation) in the Net Capital Appreciation, Net Capital Depreciation or other appreciation and depreciation if any, attributable to any Financial Instrument, type of Financial Instrument or any other transaction, the General Partner may allocate such Net Capital Appreciation, Net Capital Depreciation or otherwise appreciation and depreciation only to the Capital Accounts of Partners to which such considerations or reasons (or agreement) do not apply (or may allocate to the Capital Account to which such considerations or reasons apply, the portion of such Net Capital Appreciation, Net Capital Depreciation or otherwise appreciation and depreciation attributable to such Capital Accounts limited participation in such Financial Instrument, type of Financial Instrument or other transaction). If any of the considerations or reasons described above apply, then a separate memorandum account may be established in which only the Capital Accounts having an interest in such Financial Instrument, type of Financial Instrument or transaction shall have an interest (any such Capital Account having such an interest shall be referred to as an Unrestricted Capital Accounts) and the Net Capital Appreciation, Net Capital Depreciation or otherwise appreciation and depreciation for each such memorandum account shall be separately calculated.
(c) At the end of each Accounting Period during which a memorandum account created pursuant to Section 5.04(b) (each, a Memorandum Account) was in existence (or during which an interest in particular Financial Instruments was otherwise allocated away from one or more Capital Accounts), each Unrestricted Capital Account may be debited pro rata in accordance with all Unrestricted Capital Accounts at the opening of such Accounting Period in an amount equal to the interest that would have accrued on the amount used to purchase the Financial Instruments attributable to the Memorandum Account (the Purchase Price) had the Purchase Price earned interest at the rate per annum being paid by the Partnership from time to time during the applicable Accounting Period for borrowed funds, or, if funds have not been borrowed by the Partnership during such Accounting Period, at the interest rate per annum that the General Partner determines would have been paid if funds had been borrowed by the Partnership during such Accounting Period. The amount so debited shall then be credited to all of the Capital Accounts pro rata in accordance with their Capital Account balances as of the opening of the Accounting Period.
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Section 5.05 Provisional Allocations.
(a) A Provisional Allocation shall be calculated on December 31 of each Fiscal Year of the Partnership and recalculated immediately prior to each distribution pursuant to Section 5.06. On each such date, an amount equal to the Carried Interest distribution that would be made to the General Partner in respect of each Capital Account if the Partnership were dissolved, its affairs wound up and its assets sold for cash equal to their Fair Value, all Partnership liabilities were satisfied (limited with respect to each nonrecourse liability to the Fair Value of the assets securing such liability) and the net assets of the Partnership were distributed to the Partners in accordance with Section 5.06(b)(ii), shall be reallocated to a provisional capital account corresponding to such Capital Account (each, a Provisional Capital Account) of the General Partner (the Provisional Allocation). The General Partner may not withdraw or receive any distributions (except for tax distributions) in respect of the Provisional Allocation. As of each date on which a Provisional Allocation is calculated, each Provisional Capital Account balance shall be adjusted through allocations of Net Capital Appreciation and Net Capital Depreciation so that such Provisional Capital Account has been allocated an amount equal to the Carried Interest distribution that would be made to the General Partner in respect of the applicable Capital Account as described in this Section 5.05(a) as of such date, if any; provided, that such Provisional Capital Account balance shall not be reduced below zero.
(b) As of each date on which Carried Interest is to be distributed to the General Partner pursuant to Section 5.06(b)(ii) in respect of any Capital Account, after the determination of the amount of such Carried Interest and immediately before the distribution of such Carried Interest to the General Partner, an amount equal to the amount of such Carried Interest shall be reallocated from such Capital Account to the Capital Account of the General Partner and the Provisional Capital Account balance maintained in respect of such Capital Account shall be reduced by such amount.
(c) Upon the final distribution of the balance in any Capital Account, any balance remaining in the corresponding Provisional Capital Account shall be reduced to zero.
(d) For the avoidance of doubt, except for purpose of calculating allocations for tax purposes pursuant to Section 5.12, the amounts credited to a Provisional Capital Account shall remain in the Capital Account of the Limited Partner and shall not be allocated to the Capital Account of the General Partner until a distribution is required pursuant to Section 5.06(b)(ii) as described in Section 5.05(b). Thus, any Net Capital Appreciation or Net Capital Depreciation attributable to a Provisional Capital Account will generally be credited or debited, as the case may be, to the related Capital Account and not to the Capital Account of the General Partner.
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Section 5.06 Distributions.
(a) General Principles.
(i) Subject to Section 5.06(a)(iii), the General Partner may at any time, in its sole discretion, cause the Partnership to make distributions to the Partners, in cash or in kind, or in a combination thereof; provided, however, that the Partnership shall not distribute any asset in-kind other than publicly traded Financial Instruments that can be sold without any limitations under the Act or any other instrument received by the Partnership from the Company (such as securities of subsidiaries that have been spun out from the Company) as provided in this Section 5.06.
(ii) If the Partnership proposes to make a distribution in kind, unless a Partner consents, such distribution will include no more of any particular Financial Instrument or other asset than the Partners share of such Financial Instrument or asset (as determined on a look-through basis) based on such Partners Partnership Percentage (it being understood that if a Partner has provided its consent, distributions shall not be required to be made on such basis in respect of such Partner).
(iii) Distributions in Kind. The General Partner may choose, in its sole discretion, which assets of the Partnership to distribute in kind. If a distribution is made in kind, immediately prior to such distribution, the General Partner shall determine the Fair Value of the property distributed and adjust the Capital Accounts of all Partners upwards or downwards to reflect the difference between the book value and the Fair Value thereof, as if such gain or loss had been recognized upon an actual sale of such property and allocated pursuant to this Section 5.06. Each such distribution shall reduce the Capital Account(s) of the distributee Partner by the Fair Value thereof. In kind distributions may comprise, among other things, interests in trading vehicles or Special Purpose Vehicles holding the actual investment or participations in the actual investment or participation notes (or similar derivative instruments), which provide a return with respect to certain Financial Instruments of the Partnership. The holders of interests in a Special Purpose Vehicle shall bear the expenses of such Special Purpose Vehicle, including a Management Fee in such vehicle, on the same terms and conditions otherwise set forth in Section 4.08(a).
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(A) Any Limited Partner may elect in its Subscription Agreement that the General Partner use its good faith efforts to assist such Limited Partner in administering a sale on behalf of such Limited Partner of the publicly traded Financial Instruments that would otherwise be distributed in kind to such Limited Partner pursuant to this Section 5.06. Each such Limited Partner hereby grants the General Partner a power of attorney to execute all documents necessary to effect such disposition. Each such Limited Partner shall be entitled to receive the net proceeds obtained by the General Partner from such disposition, reduced by any expenses associated with such disposition; provided, that the Financial Instruments associated with such disposition shall be valued, for purposes of this Section 5.06, at the same Fair Value in respect of all Limited Partners, irrespective of the amount of net proceeds actually received by such Limited Partner.
(B) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 5.06, the General Partner may elect to receive (or elect for an Affiliate to receive) in kind all or a portion of its share (or its Affiliates share) of any Financial Instruments or other property that would otherwise be sold or disposed of by the Partnership (directly or indirectly) in exchange for cash proceeds. If the General Partner so determines, then for the purposes of this Agreement, the Fair Value of such Financial Instruments or other property so distributed to the General Partner and/or its Affiliates shall equal the amount of cash that otherwise would have been distributed to the General Partner and/or its Affiliates if the Partnership had (directly or indirectly) sold or disposed of such securities or other property for the same price as the securities or other property sold or disposed of by the Partnership (directly or indirectly) for cash proceeds, and the Limited Partners shall receive the same amount of cash that otherwise would have been distributed to the Limited Partners absent any election by the General Partner. [].
(iv) The provisions of this Section 5.06 shall apply to distributions made in connection with any distribution under this ARTICLE V or ARTICLE VI and in connection with dissolution pursuant to ARTICLE VIII.
(v) The General Partner shall cause the Partnership to distribute to Partners any net amount of dividends or other current income as reduced (in either case) by any amounts determined by the General Partner to be appropriately reserved or held back for estimated accrued expenses, expenses that may be incurred, liabilities or contingencies, including general reserves for unspecified contingencies.
(b) Distribution Priorities.
(i) Amounts to be distributed shall initially be apportioned among (prior to distribution) the Partners in proportion to their respective Partnership Percentages (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Capital Account of the General Partner, but only to the extent attributable to Capital Contributions made by the General Partner and ignoring for purposes of this clause (i) any right to Carried Interest) as of the date of such distribution.
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(ii) The amount of any distribution apportioned to the Capital Account of the General Partner in accordance with clause (i), above, shall be distributed to the General Partner. The amount of any distribution apportioned to each Capital Account held by a Limited Partner shall be divided between the Limited Partner holding such Capital Account and the General Partner and distributed as follows:
(A) Return of Capital. First, 100% to such Limited Partner under this paragraph (A) until such Limited Partner has received cumulative distributions in respect of such Capital Account equal to such Limited Partners Capital Contributions attributable to such Capital Account.
(B) Sharing of Profits. Thereafter, []% to such Limited Partner and []% to the General Partner.
All amounts distributed to the General Partner pursuant to Section 5.06(b)(ii)(B) are referred to as the Carried Interest.
(c) The General Partner may, in its sole discretion, elect to reduce, waive or calculate differently (but in no event in a manner that increases the amounts borne by the Partnership) the Carried Interest with respect to any Limited Partner. The General Partner may, in its sole discretion, waive the Carried Interest for Excluded Parties and the Investment Manager.
(d) The General Partner may at any time elect not to receive all or any portion of any Carried Interest. Any such amounts not distributed to the General Partner may, at the General Partners discretion, be retained by the Partnership on the General Partners behalf or be distributed to the Limited Partners. Thereafter, the General Partner may elect to have up to 100% of the amount otherwise distributable to the Limited Partners in any future distributions distributed to the General Partner until the General Partner has received the same amount of distributions as it would have had it not elected to not receive such Carried Interest.
(e) Withholding on Distributions.
(i) The General Partner may withhold and pay over to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (or any other relevant taxing authority) such amounts as the Partnership is required to withhold or pay over, pursuant to the Code or any other applicable law, on account of a Partners distributive share of the Partnerships items of gross income, income or gain.
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(ii) For purposes of this Agreement, any Withholding Taxes or other taxes withheld (directly or indirectly) or paid over (directly or indirectly) by the Partnership or any other Person (or with respect to distributions to the Partnership) with respect to a Partners or Former Partners distributive share of the Partnerships gross income, income or gain (including under the BBA Rules) shall be deemed to be a distribution or payment to such Partner or Former Partner reducing (without duplication) the Capital Account(s) of such Partner or Former Partner and reducing the amount otherwise distributable to such Partner or Former Partner pursuant to this Agreement. If the amount of such taxes is greater than such Capital Account balance and/or any such distributable amounts, then such Partner, Former Partner and any successor to such Partners or Former Partners Interest shall pay the amount of such excess to the Partnership, plus interest thereon at a rate equal to (i) the Prime Rate as of the date any such obligation is incurred plus (ii) two percent per annum, as a contribution to the capital of the Partnership. This Section 5.06(e)(ii) shall survive the termination of the Partnership.
(iii) The General Partner shall not be obligated to apply for or obtain a reduction of or exemption from Withholding Tax on behalf of any Partner that may be eligible for such reduction or exemption. To the extent that a Partner claims to be entitled to a reduced rate of, or exemption from, a Withholding Tax pursuant to an applicable income tax treaty, or otherwise, the Partner shall furnish the General Partner with such information and forms as such Partner may be required to complete where necessary to comply with any and all laws and regulations governing the obligations of withholding tax agents. Each Partner represents and warrants that any such information and forms furnished by such Partner shall be true and accurate and agrees to indemnify the Partnership and each of the Partners from any and all damages, costs and expenses resulting from the filing of inaccurate or incomplete information or forms relating to any such Withholding Tax.
(iv) Neither the Partnership nor the General Partner shall be liable for any excess Withholding Tax withheld (directly or indirectly) in respect of any Limited Partner, and, in the event of overwithholding, a Limited Partners sole recourse shall be to apply for a refund from the appropriate taxing authority.
(f) The General Partner shall give at least 15 calendar days prior written notice to each Limited Partner that is a BHC Limited Partner of any proposal to distribute property in kind to such Limited Partner and the proposed date of such distribution, and shall not make any such distribution in kind to the extent that such BHC Limited Partner advises the General Partner at least five (5) calendar days prior to the date set forth in such notice for such distribution that such distribution in kind could reasonably be expected to cause it to violate the BHCA.
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(g) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Partnership, and the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership, shall not be required to make a distribution to any Partner on account of its Interest if such distribution would violate (or in the discretion of the General Partner advisable to maintain compliance with) the Act or other applicable law.
(h) The General Partner may, in its sole discretion, establish reasonable reserves and holdbacks for estimated accrued expenses, liabilities or contingencies, including general reserves or holdbacks for unspecified contingencies (even if such reserves or holdbacks are not in accordance with GAAP). All such reserves and holdbacks will reduce the amount of any distributions. The Partnership will distribute the remainder (if any) of the holdback, and the good faith estimated interest that the Partnership earned thereon or is attributed thereto (in each case, if any) shall be distributed or credited, as applicable, to the Capital Accounts for which such holdback was established, if any. The Partnership will provide to the Limited Partners, upon request, the nature and amount of any reserve or holdback that is not otherwise required by GAAP.
Section 5.07 Special Allocations.
(a) Tax Allocations. Special allocations of items of income, gain, loss or deduction as shall be required for any Fiscal Year (or other Accounting Period) shall be made for U.S. federal income tax purposes (and shall not adjust Capital Accounts) as follows:
(i) Minimum Gain Chargeback. The Partnership shall allocate items of income and gain among the Partners at such times and in such amounts as necessary to satisfy the minimum gain chargeback requirements of Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(f) and 1.704-2(i)(4).
(ii) Qualified Income Offset. The Partnership shall specially allocate items of income and gain when and to the extent required to satisfy the qualified income offset requirement within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d).
(iii) Other Regulatory Adjustments. The Partnership shall also appropriately adjust the allocations for U.S. federal income tax purposes to reflect other adjustments required to be made pursuant to the principles of Section 704(b) of the Code and Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1 or 1.704-2.
(b) Adjustment of Allocations. In the event that the General Partner reasonably determines that the allocations otherwise required pursuant to Section 5.04 or Section 5.07(a) would not properly reflect the economic arrangement of the Partners or would otherwise cause any inequitable or onerous result for any Partner, then, notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, the General Partner may adjust such allocations in the manner as the General Partner reasonably determines to be required to prevent or minimize such result.
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Section 5.08 Amendment of Special Profits Interest and Carried Interest. The General Partner shall have the right to amend, without the consent of the Limited Partners, Section 4.08(b) and Section 5.06 so that the Special Profits Interest and Carried Interest therein provided, respectively, conforms to any applicable requirements of the SEC and other regulatory authorities or to effect the intended tax treatment of the Special Profits Interest and Carried Interest, the Provisional Special Profits Interest, the Provisional Allocation or any income allocated to the General Partner, the Investment Manager, their respective Affiliates or any Person providing management and/or administrative services to the Partnership; provided, however, that no such amendment shall increase the Special Profits Interest or Carried Interest that otherwise would be made with respect to a Capital Account in a material manner.
Section 5.09 Valuation of the Partnerships Portfolio.
(a) The Partnerships portfolio shall be valued in accordance with the Valuation Policy.
(b) All values assigned to Financial Instruments and other assets by the General Partner pursuant to this Section 5.09 and to liabilities pursuant to Section 5.10 shall be final and conclusive as to all of the Partners; provided, however, at least 10 calendar days prior to any distribution, the General Partner shall provide to the members of the Independent Client Committee in writing the valuation of any Financial Instrument that does not have an external valuation quote, together with written information as to the basis upon which the General Partner made such determination. Such determination will be final and binding on the Partnership and all Partners unless disapproved of in writing at least five (5) calendar days prior to the date of such proposed distribution or allocation by a majority of the members of the Independent Client Committee. In case of such a disapproval, such Financial Instruments shall be valued by a nationally recognized investment bank or valuation expert selected by the General Partner and reasonably acceptable to the Independent Client Committee. The determination made by such expert will be final and binding on the Partnership and all Partners.
(c) To the extent that GAAP would require any of the Partnerships assets or liabilities to be valued in a manner that differs from the Valuation Policy, the General Partner may value such assets or liabilities (i) in accordance with GAAP, solely for purposes of preparing the Partnerships GAAP-compliant annual audited financial statements; and (ii) in accordance with the Valuation Policy (without regard to any GAAP requirements relating to the determination of fair value) for all other purposes, including for purposes of determining and allocating among the Partners Net Capital Appreciation, Net Capital Depreciation, Partnership Percentages, Management Fee, Special Profits Interest, Carried Interest, items of income, deduction, gain, loss or credit.
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Section 5.10 Liabilities. Liabilities shall be determined using GAAP, applied on a consistent basis; provided, however, that the General Partner, in its sole discretion, may provide reasonable reserves and holdbacks for estimated accrued expenses, liabilities or contingencies, including general reserves and holdbacks for unspecified contingencies (even if such reserves or holdbacks are not required by GAAP). All such reserves or holdbacks could reduce the amount of distributions to Partners. Such reserves or holdbacks may be invested or maintained in a manner deemed appropriate by the General Partner. Any holdback shall be applied equally and equitably to all Capital Accounts that are subject to the expenses, liabilities and contingencies for which such holdback was established. Upon the determination of the General Partner that such holdback is no longer needed, the remainder (if any) of the holdback, and the good faith estimated interest that the Partnership earned thereon or is attributed thereto (in each case, if any) shall be distributed or credited, as applicable, to the Capital Accounts for which such holdback was established. Limited Partners shall be provided upon request the nature and amount of any holdback that is not otherwise required by GAAP.
Section 5.11 Goodwill. No value shall be placed on the name or goodwill, if any, of the Partnership, which shall belong exclusively to the General Partner.
Section 5.12 Allocation for Tax Purposes.
(a) For each tax year, items of income, deduction, gain, loss or credit shall be allocated for income tax purposes among the Partners in such manner as to reflect equitably amounts credited or debited to each Partners Capital Account(s) for the current and prior Fiscal Years (or relevant portions thereof), including, with respect to the General Partner and the Investment Manager, by taking into account amounts included in the Provisional Capital Account and the Provisional SPI Memorandum Account. Allocations under this Section 5.12 shall be made pursuant to the principles of Sections 704(b) and 704(c) of the Code, and Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f) and (g), 1.704-l(b)(4)(i) and 1.704-3(e) promulgated thereunder, as applicable, or the successor provisions to such Sections and Treasury Regulations, and taking into account the special allocations described in Section 5.07(a). Items described in this Section 5.12 shall neither be credited nor charged to the Partners Capital Accounts.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the General Partner shall be entitled, in its sole discretion, to specially allocate items of income and gain (or loss and deduction) to Partners or Former Partners who receive distributions of a portion of their capital during any Fiscal Year in a manner designed to ensure that each such Partner or Former Partner is allocated income or gain (or loss or deduction) in an amount equal to the difference between such Partners or Former Partners Capital Account balance (or portion thereof being distributed) at the time of the distribution and the tax basis for his or her or its Interest in the Partnership at that time (or proportionate amount thereof), determined, in all cases, (x) with regard to deemed distributions and contributions under Section 752 of the Code; and (y) without regard to any adjustments that have been made to the tax basis of such Partners or Former Partners Interest as a result of any Transfers or assignment of its Interest prior to the distribution (other than the original issue of the Interest) including by reason of death.
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(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing in this Section 5.12, if the General Partner receives as a distribution all or a portion of its Capital Account during any tax year, the General Partner may specially allocate income to itself equal to the amount by which such distributable amounts exceed its adjusted tax basis, for income tax purposes, in its interest in the Partnership (determined prior to any such allocations).
Section 5.13 Determination by General Partner of Certain Matters. All matters concerning the valuation of Financial Instruments and other assets and liabilities of the Partnership, the allocation of income, deductions, gains and losses among the Partners, including taxes thereon, and accounting procedures not expressly provided for by the terms of this Agreement shall be determined by the General Partner, whose determination shall be final and conclusive as to all of the Partners.
Section 5.14 Adjustments to Take Account of Certain Events. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if the Code or Treasury Regulations require withholding on or other adjustment to the Capital Account(s) or otherwise to the interest of a Partner or Former Partner, or any other event or events occur(s) necessitating or justifying, in the General Partners sole judgment, an equitable adjustment to the Capital Account(s) or otherwise to the interest of a Partner or Former Partner (including, without limitation, if allocations would not properly reflect the economic arrangement of the Partners or would otherwise cause an inequitable or onerous result for any Partner), the General Partner shall make such adjustments, without limitation, in the determination and allocation among the Partners of Net Capital Appreciation, Net Capital Depreciation, Capital Accounts, Partnership Percentages, Management Fee, Special Profits Interest, Carried Interest, items of income, deduction, gain, loss, credit or withholding for tax purposes, accounting procedures or such other financial or tax items as shall equitably take into account such event (or events) and applicable provisions of law, and the determination thereof, in the sole discretion of the General Partner, shall be final and conclusive as to all of the Partners.
Section 5.15 Withholding Taxes. Notwithstanding anything in this ARTICLE V to the contrary, if the Partnership incurs a Withholding Tax or other tax described in Section 5.06(e)(ii) with respect to any Partner, then the General Partner, without limitation of any other rights of the Partnership or the General Partner, shall cause the amount of such obligation to be debited against the Capital Account of such Partner as of the close of the Accounting Period during which such obligation is withheld or paid. Any such amount referred to in the immediately preceding sentence shall be disregarded in calculating the Special Profits Interest, Net Capital Appreciation and Net Capital Depreciation with respect to any such Capital Account, and, accordingly, the Special Profits Interest shall be determined as if such Withholding Tax had not occurred.
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ARTICLE VI
Other Provisions Relating to Distributions
Section 6.01 No Right to Distributions.
(a) No Partner shall be entitled to receive distributions from the Partnership, except as provided in Section 5.06, Section 6.09, Section 6.10 and Section 8.02.
(b) A Partner shall cease to be a Partner (i) as of the effective date of the full distribution of all of such Partners Capital Account(s), (ii) as of the effective date of the Transfer of all of such Partners Interests in accordance with Section 7.01, or (iii) in the event of the dissolution of the Partnership, as of the final distribution of the assets of the Partnership to which such Partner is entitled.
Section 6.02 Required Withdrawals. The General Partner may, in its sole discretion, require the withdrawal of, and terminate, all or any part of the Interest of any Limited Partner upon prior written notice, for any reason or no reason.
Section 6.03 Specified Distribution Event. Upon a final determination by a court or regulatory body of competent jurisdiction of [] (a Specified Distribution Event), the Partnership shall promptly provide written notice to each Limited Partner (a Specified Distribution Event Notice). Each Limited Partner who notifies the General Partner in writing of its election to receive distributions of all or a portion of its Capital Account within [] calendar days of receipt of a Specified Distribution Event Notice shall have the right as of the [] falling after the Short-Swing Notice Period or Suspension Period, as applicable, expires to receive as a distribution such portion of its Capital Account (subject to the other limitations and restrictions on distributions contained in this Agreement). For purposes of this Section 6.03, the Short-Swing Notice Period shall be measured from the date of the Specified Distribution Event Notice.
Section 6.04 Death, Disability, etc. of Limited Partners. The death, disability, incapacity, adjudication of incompetency, termination, bankruptcy, insolvency or dissolution of a Limited Partner shall not, in and of itself, dissolve the Partnership. The legal representatives of a Limited Partner shall succeed as assignee to the Limited Partners Interest upon the death, disability, incapacity, adjudication of incompetency, termination, bankruptcy, insolvency or dissolution of such Limited Partner, but shall not be admitted as a substituted Partner without the written consent of the General Partner, which may be granted, in its sole discretion.
Section 6.05 Key Person. If Mr. Hilal [] (each, a Key Person Event), the Partnership shall promptly provide written notice to each Limited Partner (a Key Person Event Notice). Immediately upon the sending of a Key Person Event Notice, the Partnership shall not make any distributions to Partners for (i) a period of the longer of (a) [] calendar days or (b) such amount of time as is necessary for neither the Mantle Ridge Group nor the Partnership nor any of the Partnerships direct or indirect Limited Partners
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to be subject to short-swing profit disgorgement or to violate any applicable black-out periods, but in no instance exceeding [] calendar days (such longer period, the Short-Swing Notice Period); or (ii) such other shorter period as the General Partner, in its sole discretion, determines (the Suspension Period), so as to facilitate an orderly transition in the management of the Partnerships portfolio. Each Limited Partner who notifies the General Partner in writing of its election to receive distributions of all or a portion of its Capital Account within [] calendar days of receipt of a Key Person Event Notice shall have the right as of the [] falling after the Suspension Period or the Short-Swing Notice Period, as applicable, expires to receive as a distribution such portion of its Capital Account, subject to any other limitations and restrictions on distributions that may exist at the time.
Section 6.06 Portfolio Liquidation. The General Partner will liquidate the Partnerships portfolio in a manner deemed by it to be commercially reasonable in order to meet the distributions required in connection with Section 6.03 or Section 6.05.
Section 6.07 Additional Limitations on Distributions.
(a) The right of any Partner or its legal representatives to receive distributions of any amount from its Capital Account(s) pursuant to this ARTICLE VI is subject to the provision by the General Partner for all Partnership liabilities in accordance with the Act and for reserves and holdbacks in accordance with Section 5.06(h). In addition, no distribution shall be permitted that would result in a Capital Account having a negative balance.
(b) The General Partner may suspend distributions to any Limited Partner if the General Partner reasonably deems it necessary or advisable to do so, including in order to comply with laws and regulations (including anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing laws and regulations) applicable to the Partnership, the General Partner, the Investment Manager or any of the Partnerships other service providers.
Section 6.08 Withdrawals by BHC Limited Partners. If at any time, as a result of proposed distributions to other Partners, or for any other reason, the General Partner expects a BHC Limited Partners Interest to equal or exceed 33.3% of the aggregate Interests of all of the Partners (or such lower percentage as the General Partner and Limited Partner separately agree), the General Partner shall immediately notify such BHC Limited Partner and distribute to such BHC Limited Partner so much of its capital in the Partnership as shall be necessary to maintain such BHC Limited Partners total investment in the Partnership at a level below 33.3% of the aggregate Interests of all of the Partners (or such lower percentage as the General Partner and Limited Partner have separately agreed).
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Section 6.09 Distributions to the General Partner. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in the General Partners sole discretion, the Partnership may, at any time, distribute to the General Partner amounts not to exceed, when combined with all other amounts distributed pursuant to this Section 6.09 in respect of the then-current taxable year or otherwise distributed to the General Partner in respect of the then-current taxable year pursuant to Section 5.06, the hypothetical taxes payable by the General Partner or its direct or indirect members with respect to the net taxable income or gain allocated to it, whether provisionally or otherwise, for the then-current taxable year (or such immediately preceding taxable year) calculated at the Tax Rate. Any tax distributions made to the General Partner pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be treated as an advance of amounts otherwise distributable to the General Partner under this Agreement.
Section 6.10 Distributions to the Investment Manager. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in the General Partners sole discretion, the Partnership may, at any time, distribute to the Investment Manager amounts not to exceed, when combined with all other amounts distributed pursuant to this Section 6.10 in respect of the then-current taxable year or otherwise distributed to the Investment Manager in respect of the then-current taxable year pursuant to Section 5.06, the hypothetical taxes payable by the Investment Manager or its direct or indirect members with respect to the net taxable income or gain allocated to it in respect of its Special Profits Interest, whether provisionally or otherwise, for the then-current taxable year (or such immediately preceding taxable year) calculated at the Tax Rate. Any tax distributions made to the Investment Manager pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be treated as an advance of amounts otherwise distributable to the Investment Manager under this Agreement.
ARTICLE VII
Transfers of Interest
Section 7.01 Assignability of Interest. Without the prior written consent of the General Partner, which consent may be granted or withheld in its sole discretion, a Partner may not make a Transfer. Without the prior written consent of the General Partner, which consent may be given or withheld in its sole discretion, a Limited Partner may not (i) make a Transfer, in whole or in part, to any Person except by operation of law; or (ii) substitute for itself as a Partner any other Person. Prior to consenting to any Transfer, the General Partner may, at the expense of the Transferor and Transferee, consult with counsel to the Partnership to ensure that such Transfer would be unlikely, either alone or with other Transfers or withdrawals, to cause the Partnership to be treated as a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code. Any Limited Partner seeking to Transfer all or any part of its Interest agrees that it and its potential Transferee will be jointly and severally liable for all reasonable expenses, including attorneys fees, or taxes under Section 1446(f) of the Code, incurred by the Partnership or the General Partner in connection with such Transfer or potential Transfer, and if such expenses are not reimbursed promptly upon the General Partners request, they may be withheld from amounts otherwise distributable to such Limited Partner or the Transferee. Any attempted Transfer or substitution not made in accordance with this Section 7.01, to the fullest extent permitted by law, shall be void and of no force and effect. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein (including Section 4.11), the General Partner may Transfer any of its Interest in the Partnership to an Affiliate without the consent of the Limited Partners.
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Section 7.02 Substitute Limited Partner. No Transferee of an Interest shall become a Substitute Limited Partner unless all of the following conditions have been satisfied, within such reasonable time period as the General Partner shall determine:
(a) the Transfer is permitted under Section 7.01;
(b) the Partnership receives a duplicate original of all documents effecting the Transfer from the Transferor to the Transferee;
(c) the General Partner consents to the admission of the Transferee as a Substitute Limited Partner, which consent may be granted or withheld in the General Partners sole discretion; and
(d) the Transferee has executed an instrument, in form and substance satisfactory to the General Partner, accepting and agreeing to be bound by all terms and conditions of this Agreement.
If a Transferee becomes a Substitute Limited Partner, such Substitute Limited Partner shall succeed to the Capital Account of the Transferor to the extent such Capital Account relates to the transferred Interest (or portion thereof), and shall pay to the Partnership the appropriate portion of any amounts thereafter becoming due in respect of the Capital Commitment committed to be made by the Transferor and shall assume any other obligations to the Partnership of the Transferor. Unless the General Partner agrees otherwise, each Limited Partner agrees that, notwithstanding the Transfer of all or any part of its interest in the Partnership, it will remain liable for its Capital Commitment and for all Capital Contributions required to be made by it (without taking into account the Transfer of all or a part of such interest in the Partnership), in each case prior to the time, if any, when the Transferee of such interest in the Partnership (or portion thereof) is admitted as a Substitute Limited Partner.
Section 7.03 No Derivative Transfers. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no Limited Partner may enter into, create, sell or Transfer any financial instrument or contract the value of which is determined, in whole or in part, by reference to the Partnership (including the amount of Partnership distributions, the value of Partnership assets, or the results of Partnership operations), within the meaning of Section 1.7704-1(a)(2)(i)(B) of the Treasury Regulations, without the prior written consent of the General Partner, and subject to such conditions as the General Partner may determine, in each case, in the General Partners discretion.
ARTICLE VIII
Duration, Winding Up and Dissolution of the Partnership
Section 8.01 Duration and Winding Up.
(a) The term of the Partnership (including any extensions thereof, the Term) shall continue until the close of the Partnership business on the fourth anniversary of the Launch Date, unless:
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(i) extended for
(A) a one-year period at the sole discretion of the General Partner; and
(B) a second one-year period at the sole discretion of the General Partner unless []; or
(ii) the Partnership is sooner wound up and dissolved as provided in Section 8.01(b).
(b) The Partnership and its affairs shall be required to be wound up upon the first to occur of any of the following events (each, a Termination Event):
(i) the expiration of the Term;
(ii) a determination by the General Partner that the Partnership should be wound up and dissolved;
(iii) the termination, bankruptcy, insolvency or dissolution of the General Partner (or any other entity then acting as the Partnerships general partner);
(iv) at any time there are no Limited Partners, unless the Partnership continues its business in accordance with the Act;
(v) any event that would constitute an event of withdrawal with respect to the General Partner under the Act; provided, that the Partnership shall not be required to be wound up in connection with any such event if (A) at the time of the occurrence of such event there is at least one remaining general partner of the Partnership who is hereby authorized to and does carry on the business of the Partnership; or (B) within 90 calendar days after the occurrence of such event, a Majority-In-Interest of the Non-Affiliated Limited Partners agree in writing or vote to continue the business of the Partnership and to the appointment, effective as of the date of such event, if required, of one or more additional general partners of the Partnership; or
(vi) an order of court of competent jurisdiction to wind up and dissolve the Partnership pursuant to the Act.
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Section 8.02 Dissolution.
(a) Following the commencement of the winding up of the Partnership, the General Partner shall, within no more than [] calendar days after completion of a final audit of the Partnerships financial statements, make distributions out of the Partnerships assets, in the following manner and order:
(i) to creditors, including Partners who are creditors, to the extent otherwise permitted by law, in satisfaction of liabilities of the Partnership (whether by payment or by establishment of reserves); and
(ii) to the Partners in accordance with Section 5.06(b)(ii).
(b) The General Partner, in its sole discretion, or a Majority-in-Interest of Limited Partners if the Partnership no longer has a General Partner, may, at any time and from time to time, designate one or more liquidators, including the General Partner or one or more members of the General Partner, subject to Section 4.10, who shall have full authority to wind up and liquidate the business of the Partnership and to make final distributions as provided in this Section 8.02. The appointment of any liquidator may be revoked or a successor or additional liquidator or liquidators may be appointed at any time by an instrument in writing signed by the General Partner or a Majority-in-Interest of Limited Partners, as the case may be. Any such liquidator may receive compensation as shall be fixed, from time to time, by the General Partner or a Majority-in-Interest of Limited Partners, as the case may be.
(c) If the Partnership is dissolved on a date other than the last day of a Fiscal Year, the date of such dissolution shall be deemed to be the last day of a Fiscal Year for purposes of adjusting the Capital Accounts of the Partners pursuant to Section 5.02. For purposes of distributing the assets of the Partnership upon dissolution, the General Partner shall be entitled to a return, on a pari passu basis with the Limited Partners, of the amount standing to its credit in its Capital Account.
Section 8.03 Time for Liquidation, etc. The General Partner shall use commercially reasonable efforts to wind up and liquidate the assets of the Partnership in an orderly manner and discharge the liabilities of the Partnership to creditors as soon as reasonably practicable. The provisions of this Agreement, including the provisions relating to the payment of the Management Fee and the making of the Special Profits Interest, shall remain in full force and effect during the period of winding up and until the General Partner (or liquidator, as applicable) shall execute a Notice of Dissolution in respect of the Partnership and shall cause such Notice of Dissolution to be filed with the Registrar of Exempted Limited Partnerships in the Cayman Islands.
ARTICLE IX
Tax Returns; Reports to Partners; Books and Records
Section 9.01 Independent Auditors. The General Partner shall engage an independent certified public accountant to audit the financial statements of the Partnership as of the end of each Fiscal Year.
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Section 9.02 Filing of Tax Returns. The General Partner or its designated agent shall prepare and file, or cause the accountants of the Partnership to prepare and file, a U.S. federal information tax return in compliance with Section 6031 of the Code, and any required state and local income tax and information returns for each tax year of the Partnership.
Section 9.03 Tax Matters.
(a) The Partnership Representative shall be permitted to take any and all actions under the BBA Rules, and shall have any and all powers necessary to perform fully in such capacity. In such regard, the authority of the Partnership Representative shall include the authority to represent the Partnership before taxing authorities and courts in tax matters affecting the Partnership and the Partners in their capacity as such and the authority, in its sole discretion, to make any election under the BBA Rules, including the election under Section 6226 of the Code, in connection with any tax audit, investigation or judicial proceeding with respect to the Partnership. All expenses incurred in connection with any such audit, investigation, settlement or review shall be borne by the Partnership. At the reasonable request of the General Partner, each Limited Partner and Former Partner shall cooperate with the General Partner in connection with any tax audit, investigation or judicial proceeding with respect to the Partnership.
(b) Any Limited Partner or Former Partner that is in dispute with any tax authority in relation to a matter relating to the Partnership shall notify the Partnership Representative within 30 days or as promptly as practicable thereafter following the occurrence of the dispute, and if the Partnership Representative reasonably determines that the matter is of material relevance to the tax position of the Partnership, such Limited Partner or Former Partner shall consult in good faith with the Partnership Representative as to how that dispute is to be handled. Any Limited Partner or Former Partner that enters into a settlement agreement with respect to any Partnership item shall notify the Partnership Representative of such settlement agreement and its terms within 30 days after the date of settlement.
(c) Each Person (for purposes of this Section 9.03, called a Pass-Thru Partner) that holds or controls an Interest as a Partner on behalf of, or for the benefit of, another Person or Persons, or which Pass-Thru Partner is beneficially owned (directly or indirectly) by another Person or Persons, shall, within 30 calendar days following receipt from the Partnership Representative, of any notice, demand, request for information or similar document, convey such notice or other document in writing to all holders of beneficial interests in the Partnership holding such interests through such Pass-Thru Partner.
(d) Each Limited Partner and Former Partner shall provide the Partnership Representative any tax information reasonably requested (including providing information in connection with Section 743 of the Code) so that the Partnership Representative can implement the provisions of this Section 9.03 (including by making any election permitted hereunder), file any tax return of the Partnership, and conduct any tax audit or similar proceeding of the Partnership. The General Partner may, in its sole discretion, cause the Partnership to make or revoke any tax election that the General Partner deems appropriate, including an election pursuant to Section 475 or Section 754 of the Code.
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(e) If the Partnership is subject to any Entity Taxes, the General Partner shall allocate among the Partners such Entity Taxes in a manner it determines to be fair and equitable by reducing amounts otherwise distributable to Partners, taking into account any modifications attributable to a Partner pursuant to Section 6225(c) of the BBA Rules (if applicable) and any similar state and local authority. Any tax liabilities so allocated shall be treated as withheld amounts in accordance with Section 5.15. To the extent that a portion of the tax liabilities imposed under the BBA Rules for a prior year relates to a Former Partner, the General Partner may (i) if it considers it in the best interests of the Partnership, require a Former Partner to indemnify the Partnership for its allocable portion of such tax or (ii) allocate such portion to the Partners in accordance with the preceding sentence. Each Limited Partner acknowledges that, notwithstanding the Transfer of all or any portion of its interest in the Partnership, it may remain liable pursuant to this Section 9.03 for tax liabilities with respect to its allocable share of income and gain of the Partnership for the Partnerships taxable years (or portions thereof) prior to such Transfer, as applicable, under the BBA Rules, or any similar state or local provisions. The Partners acknowledge and agree that the General Partner and Partnership Representative shall be permitted to take any actions to avoid Entity Taxes being imposed on the Partnership under the BBA Rules. Each Limited Partner agrees that, notwithstanding the Transfer of all or any portion of its interest in the Partnership, if requested by the General Partner, it shall provide the appropriate U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 or W-9 or any other certificate or documentation, which, the General Partner reasonably determines, is necessary to reduce Entity Taxes.
(f) This Section 9.03 shall survive the termination of the Partnership.
Section 9.04 Financial Statements. Within 120 calendar days after the completion of each Fiscal Years audit or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter, the Partnership shall prepare and deliver to each Partner (either via mail or electronic delivery) financial statements of the Partnership, audited by the independent certified public accountant selected by the General Partner. The Partnership shall also provide to the Limited Partners unaudited performance information on a quarterly basis.
Section 9.05 Reports to Partners and Former Partners. As soon as reasonably practicable after the completion of each Fiscal Years audit, the Partnership shall prepare and deliver (either via mail or electronic delivery), or cause its accountants to prepare and deliver (either via mail or electronic delivery), to each Partner and, to the extent necessary, to each Former Partner (or its legal representatives), a report setting forth in sufficient detail such information as shall enable such Partner or Former Partner (or such Partners legal representatives) to prepare its U.S. federal income tax return in accordance with the laws, rules and regulations then prevailing.
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Section 9.06 Limited Partner Information. Upon the reasonable request of the General Partner, each Limited Partner shall provide the Partnership with such non-confidential information concerning the Limited Partner and its business so that the Partnership can comply, or determine its compliance, with any laws or regulations applicable to it (including, without limitation, the Investment Company Act, the Code, and other tax laws).
Section 9.07 Books and Records.
(a) The General Partner shall keep books and records pertaining to the Partnerships affairs showing all of its assets and liabilities, receipts and disbursements, gains and losses, Partners Capital Accounts and all transactions entered into by the Partnership. The Partnership shall keep such books and records at the Partnerships office or at the office of an agent of the Partnership. The General Partner shall cause to be maintained at the principal office of the Partnership, or at such other place as the Act may permit, a register of limited partnership interests which shall include such information as may be required by the Act (the Register). The Register shall not be part of this Agreement. The General Partner shall, from time to time, update the Register as required by the Act to accurately reflect the information therein and no action of any Limited Partner shall be required to amend or update the Register. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the General Partner may take any action authorised hereunder in respect of the Register, including making the Register available at the registered office to satisfy any order or notice pursuant to the Tax Information Authority Act, (as amended) without any need to obtain the consent of any other Partner.
(b) Pursuant to the Act, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or any Other Agreement, no Limited Partner shall have any right to inspect the register of limited partners or to obtain any information contained in the books and records of the Partnership (whether kept by the General Partner, the Investment Manager, the Administrator or any other Person), including any Confidential Information and any information relating to any other Limited Partner or the Partnerships trading activity.
ARTICLE X
Confidential Information
Section 10.01 Confidentiality.
(a) In connection with the organization of the Partnership and its ongoing business, the Limited Partners will receive or have access to Confidential Information. Subject to express permissions granted under any Other Agreement between a Partner and the General Partner (including a Subscription Agreement),
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each Limited Partner shall keep confidential, and not make any use of (other than for purposes reasonably related to its Interest or for purposes of filing such Limited Partners tax returns) or disclose to any Person, any Confidential Information except (i) to its Authorized Representatives on a need-to-know basis or as otherwise required by any regulatory authority, law or regulation, or by legal process or (ii) in connection with enforcing its rights under this Agreement, but only to the extent such disclosure is necessary to the enforcement of such rights. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, to the extent required by applicable Treasury Regulations, each Partner (and each employee, representative, or other agent of such Partner) may disclose to any and all Persons, without limitation of any kind, the tax treatment and tax structure of (A) the Partnership; and (B) any of its transactions, and all materials of any kind (including opinions or other tax analyses) that are provided to the Partner relating to such tax treatment and tax structure, it being understood that tax treatment and tax structure do not include the name or the identifying information of the Partnership or a transaction. Prior to making any disclosure required by any regulatory authority, law or regulation, or by legal process, each Limited Partner shall use its reasonable best efforts to notify the General Partner of such disclosure. Prior to any disclosure to any Authorized Representative of a Limited Partner, such Limited Partner must advise such Authorized Representative of the obligations set forth in this Section 10.01.
(b) Each Limited Partner agrees that the General Partner has the right, and, as permitted by the Act, the General Partner intends, to keep confidential from the Limited Partners, for such period of time as the General Partner, in its sole discretion, deems reasonable, any Confidential Information.
(c) For the avoidance of doubt, the terms of this Section 10.01 are without prejudice to the terms of any applicable Non-Disclosure Agreement.
Section 10.02 Equitable and Injunctive Relief. The Partners acknowledge that (a) the provisions of Section 10.01 hereof are intended to preserve the unique relationship between the Partners; and (b) the provisions of Section 10.01 are intended to preserve the value and goodwill of the Partnerships business; and that, in the event of a breach or a threatened breach by any Partner of its obligations under Section 10.01, the other Partners may not have an adequate remedy at law. Accordingly, in the event of any such breach or threatened breach by a Partner, any of the other Partners shall be entitled to seek such equitable and injunctive relief as may be available to restrain such Partner and any Person participating in such breach or threatened breach from the violation of the provisions thereof. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as prohibiting a Partner from pursuing any other remedies available at law or in equity for such breach or threatened breach, including the recovery of damages.
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ARTICLE XI
Miscellaneous
Section 11.01 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, each Subscription Agreement and, with reference to a Limited Partner that has entered into Non-Disclosure Agreement and/or an Other Agreement, such Non-Disclosure Agreement and/or Other Agreement, supersede any and all existing agreements, oral or written, between or among the Partnership, the General Partner and the Limited Partners, with respect to the Partnership. Subject to Section 11.04 to the extent it affects other Limited Partners, the parties hereto acknowledge and agree that the Partnership and/or the General Partner, without the approval of any Limited Partner, may enter into Other Agreements with Limited Partners that have the effect of establishing rights under, or altering or supplementing the terms of, this Agreement, including rights relating to greater portfolio transparency, fee waivers or reductions, minimum investment amounts, capital contribution mechanics, reports and other information and other more favorable investment terms. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that any rights established, or any terms of this Agreement altered or supplemented in such Other Agreement with a Limited Partner, shall govern with respect to such Limited Partner notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement. In the event of a conflict between the provisions a Limited Partners Non-Disclosure Agreement and the terms of ARTICLE X of this Agreement or such Limited Partners Other Agreement, the provisions of such Limited Partners Non-Disclosure Agreement shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, govern with respect to such Limited Partner notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or such Other Agreement.
Section 11.02 Execution of Other Documents. Each of the Partners shall execute upon demand such certificates, counterparts, instruments and documents as may from time to time be required to be filed or recorded by law.
Section 11.03 Power of Attorney.
(a) Each of the Partners hereby appoints the General Partner as its true and lawful representative and attorney-in-fact, in its name, place and stead to make, execute, sign, acknowledge, swear to and file:
(i) any duly adopted amendment to this Agreement;
(ii) any and all instruments, certificates and other documents that may be deemed necessary or desirable to effect the winding up and dissolution of the Partnership;
(iii) any and all certificates and other instruments deemed advisable by the General Partner to comply with the provisions of this Agreement and applicable law or to permit the Partnership to become or to continue as a limited partnership or other entity wherein the Limited Partners have limited liability in each jurisdiction where the Partnership may be doing business;
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(iv) any and all instruments that the General Partner deems appropriate to reflect a change or modification of this Agreement or the Partnership in accordance with this Agreement;
(v) any business certificate, fictitious name certificate, amendment thereto or other instrument or document of any kind necessary to accomplish the business, purpose and objectives of the Partnership, or required by any applicable U.S. federal, state or local law; and
(vi) any and all documents, including loan agreements, promissory notes, and transfer and sale documents that the General Partner deems necessary to implement the rights and remedies set forth in Section 5.01(c).
(b) Each of the Partners hereby appoints the General Partner as its true and lawful representative and attorney-in-fact, in its name, place and stead to direct or transfer the Capital Commitments (or Capital Accounts) of some of the Limited Partners to another Fund if the General Partner determines that the use of such other Fund would allow certain Limited Partners or certain Funds to overcome legal and regulatory constraints, be more tax efficient, and/or facilitate participation in certain types of investments or for any other reason deemed proper by the General Partner. Any such Funds will contain terms and conditions generally comparable to those of the Partnership and will be managed by the General Partner or an Affiliate thereof.
(c) With respect to each Limited Partner and each Substitute Limited Partner, the foregoing power of attorney:
(i) is granted to secure an interest in property and, in addition, the performance of each Partners obligations hereunder, shall be irrevocable and shall survive, and shall not be affected by, the death, disability, incapacity adjudication of incompetency, termination, bankruptcy, insolvency or dissolution of such Limited Partner;
(ii) may be exercised by the General Partner either by signing separately as attorneyinfact for such Limited Partner or, after listing all of the Limited Partners executing an instrument, by a single signature of the General Partner acting as attorneyinfact for all of them;
(iii) shall survive the delivery of an assignment by such Limited Partner of any portion of its interest; except that, where the assignee of the whole of such Limited Partners interest has been approved by the General Partner for admission to the Partnership as a substituted Limited Partner, the power of attorney of the assignor shall survive the delivery of such assignment for the sole purpose of enabling the General Partner to execute, swear to, acknowledge and file any instrument necessary or appropriate to effect such substitution; and
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(iv) shall immediately terminate with respect to each Limited Partner upon such Limited Partner receiving distributions of 100% of such Limited Partners Capital Account(s) or the occurrence of a bankruptcy of the General Partner.
Section 11.04 Amendments to Partnership Agreement.
(a) The terms and provisions of this Agreement may be modified or amended at any time and from time to time by the consent of a Majority-in-Interest of the Non-Affiliated Limited Partners, which may be written or passive (i.e., Limited Partners shall be deemed to have consented to such modification or amendment if they fail to object to such modification or amendment within a reasonable period of time set by the General Partner from the date such Limited Partners are notified of such modification or amendment), and the affirmative vote of the General Partner, except that:
(i) without the consent of the Limited Partners, the General Partner may amend this Agreement to: (A) reflect a change in the name of the Partnership; (B) change the provisions relating to the Carried Interest as provided in, and subject to the provisions of, Section 5.08; (C) make any change that is necessary or, in the opinion of the General Partner, advisable to qualify the Partnership as a limited partnership or a partnership in which the Limited Partners have limited liability under the laws of any state or non-U.S. jurisdiction, or ensure that the Partnership will not be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or as a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal tax purposes; (D) make any change that does not adversely affect the Limited Partners in any material respect; (E) make any change that is necessary or desirable to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision in this Agreement that would be inconsistent with any other provision in this Agreement, or to make any other provision with respect to matters or questions arising under this Agreement that will not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement, in each case, so long as such change does not adversely affect the Limited Partners in any material respect; (F) correct any printing, stenographic or clerical error or effect changes of an administrative or ministerial nature which do not increase the authority of the General Partner in any material respect or adversely affect the Limited Partners in any material respect; (G) make any change that is necessary or desirable to satisfy any requirements, conditions or guidelines contained in any opinion, directive, order, statute, ruling or regulation of any U.S. federal, state or non-U.S. governmental entity, so long as such change is made in a manner that minimizes any adverse effect on the Limited Partners; (H) prevent the Partnership from in any manner being deemed an investment company subject to the provisions of the Company Act; (I) reflect the admission or substitution of Partners or an increase in the
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Capital Commitment of any Partner (with the consent of such Partner) in accordance with this Agreement; or (J) enable, when applicable, the Partnership (x) to elect any alternative to the Partnerships payment of any amount under the BBA Rules or (y) to avoid or minimize taxes, interest and penalties being imposed on the Partnership under the BBA Rules;
(ii) Partners having two-thirds or more of the Voting Percentages of the affected Limited Partners must consent, which may be written or passive, to any amendment that would (x) reduce Capital Account(s); or (y) amend the provisions of this Agreement relating to amendments; and
(iii) a Majority-in-Interest of the Non-Affiliated Global Partners must consent, which may be written or passive, to any amendment that would amend Section 8.01(a) of this Agreement (and the corresponding provision of the constituent documents of the other Funds).
(b) A Partner may divide its Interests for purposes of exercising any voting rights under this Agreement.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 11.04, upon the expiration of the Term, the General Partner may amend this Agreement without the consent of the Limited Partners, at any time and without limitation, if any Limited Partner that would be materially and adversely directly affected by such amendment is given a reasonable opportunity to receive distributions of 100% of its Capital Account(s) after notification, and prior to the effective date, of such amendment.
(d) Any amendment adopted in accordance with this Section 11.04 shall not require signature by the Limited Partners of any such amendment, and shall be deemed amended as if all parties hereto had executed such amendment and may be executed by the General Partner on behalf of Limited Partners in accordance with the power of attorney provided in Section 11.03. In connection with any proposed amendment pursuant to this Section 11.04 (other than as set forth in Section 11.04(c)), the General Partner will provide the Independent Client Committee with a copy of such amendment, which will become effective unless, on or before the fifth (5th) Business Day following receipt of such copy, a majority of the members of the Independent Client Committee has notified the General Partner that it disagrees with the General Partners determination that such amendment is as described in Section 11.04(a)(i) above. If the General Partner receives the foregoing notice from a majority of such members of the Independent Client Committee, such amendment will require consent pursuant to Section 11.04(a) to become effective.
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Section 11.05 Non-Voting Interests of BHC Limited Partners.
(a) The portion of any Interests held for their own account by a BHC Limited Partner whose Interests are determined, at any time, to be in excess of 4.99% of the total outstanding aggregate voting Interests of all Limited Partners, excluding any other Interests that are Non-Voting Interests pursuant to this Section 11.05, shall irrevocably be deemed to be Non-Voting Interests to the extent of such excess above 4.99% (whether or not subsequently transferred, in whole or in part, to any other Person); provided, that such Non-Voting Interests shall be permitted to vote (i) on any proposal to wind-up, dissolve or continue the business of the Partnership; and (ii) on matters with respect to which voting rights are not considered to be voting securities under 12 C.F.R. § 225.2(q)(2), including such matters which may significantly and adversely affect the rights and preferences of the Interests held by such BHC Limited Partner (such as modifications of the terms of its Interest). To the extent permitted by the BHCA, and except as otherwise provided in this Section 11.05 and Section 11.06, Non-Voting Interests shall not be counted as Interests held by any Limited Partner for purposes of determining whether any vote or consent required by this Agreement has been approved or given by the requisite percentage of the Limited Partners or the Global Partners, as applicable.
(b) A BHC Limited Partner shall be permitted to vote on the selection of any successor General Partner only to the extent of its voting Interests, and each BHC Limited Partner irrevocably waives its right to vote its Non-Voting Interest on the selection of a successor General Partner under the Act, which waiver shall be binding upon such BHC Limited Partner or any Person that succeeds to its Interest.
(c) Except as provided in this Section 11.05, an Interest held by a Limited Partner as a Non-Voting Interest shall be identical in all regards to all other Interests held by Limited Partners.
Section 11.06 Non-Voting Interests of Registered Fund Limited Partners.
(a) An Interest owned by a Registered Fund Limited Partner, or by an affiliate (as such term is defined under the Company Act) of a Registered Fund Limited Partner, or by a Person controlling, controlled by or under common control with a Registered Fund Limited Partner, shall be a Non-Voting Interest; provided, however, that such Non-Voting Interest shall be permitted to vote on matters with respect to which voting rights are not considered to be voting securities as defined under Section 2(a)(42) of the Company Act.
(b) Except as provided in this Section 11.06, an Interest held by a Registered Fund Limited Partner as a Non-Voting Interest shall be identical in all regards to all other Interests held by Limited Partners.
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Section 11.07 Choice of Law. Notwithstanding the place where this Agreement may be executed by any of the parties hereto, the parties expressly agree that, except as otherwise expressly provided, all of the terms and provisions hereof shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the Cayman Islands and, without limitation thereof, that the Act as now adopted or as may be hereafter amended shall govern all partnership aspects of this Agreement.
Section 11.08 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable under any applicable law, then such provision shall be deemed inoperative to the extent that it may conflict therewith and shall be deemed modified to conform with such applicable law. Any provision hereof which may be held invalid or unenforceable under any applicable law shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provisions hereof, and to this extent the provisions hereof shall be severable.
Section 11.09 Forum. Any action, proceeding or claim relating in any way to, arising out of or concerning this Agreement or the Partnerships affairs shall be brought and maintained exclusively in the Federal courts located in New York County, and each party irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of such courts to the broadest extent possible for any such action, proceeding or claim and waives any objection to proceeding there that such party might have on the basis of inconvenient forum, improper venue, or otherwise; provided, that if the Federal courts located in New York County would not have or are found not to have subject matter jurisdiction over any action, proceeding or claim relating in any way to, arising out of or concerning this Agreement or the Partnerships affairs, such action, proceeding or claim shall be brought and maintained only in the courts of the State of Delaware, and each party irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of such courts to the broadest extent possible for any such action, proceeding or claim and waives any objection to proceeding there that such party might have on the basis of inconvenient forum, improper venue, or otherwise.
Section 11.10 Counterparts. Counterparts may be executed through the use of separate signature pages (or the Subscription Agreement) or in any number of counterparts with the same effect as if the parties executing such counterparts had all executed one counterpart. Each party understands and agrees that any portable document format (PDF) file, facsimile or other reproduction of its signature on any counterpart shall be equal to and enforceable as its original signature and that any such reproduction shall be a counterpart hereof that is fully enforceable in any court or arbitral panel of competent jurisdiction.
Section 11.11 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of each Partner and the executors, administrators, estates, heirs, legal successors and representatives of such Partner.
Section 11.12 No Waiver. The failure of a party to insist upon strict adherence to any term or provision of this Agreement on any occasion shall not be considered a waiver thereof or deprive that party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to that term or provision or any other term or provision of this Agreement.
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Section 11.13 Notices. Each notice relating to this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered in person, by registered or certified mail, by Federal Express or similar overnight courier service, or by electronic mail (e-mail). All notices to the Partnership shall be addressed to its principal office and place of business (if delivered personally or by post) or to [] (if sent by e-mail). All notices addressed to a Partner shall be addressed to such Partner at the address set forth on the books and records of the Partnership. Any Partner may designate a new address by written notice to that effect given to the Partnership. Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, a notice shall be deemed to have been effectively given: when delivered personally, if delivered on a Business Day; the next Business Day after personal delivery if delivered personally on a day that is not a Business Day; four (4) Business Days after being deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, if mailed; on the next Business Day after being deposited for next day delivery with Federal Express or similar overnight courier; when sent, if e-mailed on a Business Day; the next Business Day following the day on which the e-mail is sent if e-mailed on a day that is not a Business Day.
Section 11.14 No Third-Party Rights. Except for the provisions of Section 4.05 and Section 4.06, the provisions of this Agreement, including the provisions of Section 3.02, are not intended to be for the benefit of any creditor or other Person (other than the Partners in their capacities as such) to which any debts, liabilities or obligations are owed by (or who otherwise have a claim against or dealings with) the Partnership or any Partner, and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, no such creditor or other Person shall obtain any rights under any of such provisions (whether as a third-party beneficiary or otherwise) or shall by reason of any such provisions have a right to make any claim in respect to any debt, liability or obligation (or otherwise) including any debt, liability or obligation against the Partnership or any Partner; provided, that, without the prior explicit and written consent of the General Partner (such consent to refer specifically to this Section 11.14), no Indemnified Party (other than the General Partner, the Investment Manager and any Independent Client Representative) shall be entitled to claim the benefit of any right otherwise accruing to such Indemnified Party under Section 4.05 or Section 4.06. Except with respect to any Indemnified Party not being a party to this Agreement, who may with the prior explicit and written consent of the General Partner enforce any rights granted to them under Section 4.05 or Section 4.06 in their own right as if they were a party to this Agreement, a person who is not a party to this Agreement shall not have any rights under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act, 2014 (as amended) of the Cayman Islands to enforce any provision of this Agreement. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, including the foregoing, the consent of or notice to any person who is not a party to this Agreement shall not be required for any termination, rescission or agreement to any amendment, waiver or other variation, assignment, novation, release or settlement under this Agreement at any time.
Section 11.15 Waiver of Partition. Except as may otherwise be required by law in connection with the winding up, liquidation and dissolution of the Partnership, each Partner hereby irrevocably waives any and all rights that it may have to maintain an action for partition of any of the Partnerships property.
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Section 11.16 Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVES ITS RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT. THIS WAIVER APPLIES TO ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING, WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE. EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS RECEIVED THE ADVICE OF COMPETENT COUNSEL. THE PARTNERSHIP OR ANY PARTNER MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR COPY OF THIS SECTION 11.16 WITH ANY COURT OR JURISDICTION AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF THE PARTNERS TO THE WAIVER OF THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have duly executed and delivered this Agreement as a deed on the date first above written.
GENERAL PARTNER: | ||
MR COBALT GP LLC | ||
By: | MR GP HoldCo LLC, its managing member | |
By: | MR GP HoldCo MM LLC, its managing member | |
By: | PCH MR GP Holdings LLC, its managing member |
By: |
||
Name: |
Paul Hilal | |
Title: |
Sole Member |
Witness: |
||
Name: |
INITIAL LIMITED PARTNER (solely for the purposes of Section 3.01) | ||
[] |
Witness: |
||
Name: |
[Signature Page to the First A&R Exempted Limited Partnership Agreement of MR Cobalt Offshore Fund [] LP]
INVESTMENT MANAGER (in its capacity as the Special Profits Interest recipient): | ||
MR COBALT ADVISOR LLC | ||
By: | Mantle Ridge LP, its managing member | |
By: | Mantle Ridge GP LLC, its general partner | |
By: | PCH MR Advisor Holdings LLC, its managing member |
By: | ||
Name: | Paul Hilal | |
Title: | Sole Member |
Witness: |
||
Name: |
LIMITED PARTNERS: |
Each Person that shall sign a Partnership Agreement Signature Page in the form attached in the Subscription Agreement (which signature page constitutes a counterpart signature page to this Agreement) and that shall be accepted by the General Partner to the Partnership as a Limited Partner in accordance with Section 3.01 of this Agreement. |
[Signature Page to the First A&R Exempted Limited Partnership Agreement of MR Cobalt Offshore Fund [] LP]
Exhibit 99.7
MANTLE RIDGE LP
712 Fifth Avenue, 17th Floor
New York, NY 10019
[Investor]
[Address]
[Date]
Re: MR Cobalt Offshore Fund [] LP, a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (the Fund)
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In connection with an investment by [] (the Investor) in the Fund, and for other good and valuable consideration set forth herein, the parties hereto hereby agree to enter into this letter agreement (this Agreement), by and among the Investor, the Fund, MR Cobalt GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the General Partner) and MR Cobalt Advisor LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Investment Manager and together with the General Partner, the MR Parties). Reference is made to the terms and provisions of the First Amended and Restated Exempted Limited Partnership Agreement of the Fund dated [], 2021 (as amended from time to time, the Partnership Agreement), the Investors subscription agreement with respect to the Fund (the Subscription Agreement), the Funds Confidential Private Placement Memorandum dated [] (as amended and/or supplemented from time to time, the Memorandum) and the Investment Management Agreement dated [] entered into between the Investment Manager and the other parties thereto (the Investment Management Agreement and, together with the Partnership Agreement, the Subscription Agreement and the Memorandum, the Fund Documents). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Fund Documents.
1. | Most Favored Nation. |
(a) | For purposes of this Agreement: |
Parallel Funds means any other special purpose entity formed and/or accounts managed for the purpose of investing alongside the Fund. The Investor acknowledges that the Investment Manager and/or its Affiliates manages, and may in the future manage or advise, other funds or accounts that do not constitute Parallel Funds for purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding that such funds or accounts may pursue segments of the Funds or the Parallel Funds strategy.
MR COBALT - SIDE LETTER [INVESTOR]
Favorable Terms means rights and/or terms relating to [] that are collectively more favorable than those rights and/or terms granted to the Investor in any material respect.
For the avoidance of doubt, Favorable Terms shall not include rights and/or terms granted in connection with an investors legal, tax, regulatory or policy circumstances or requirements, which, to the Funds knowledge, are not reasonably applicable to the Investor.
Net Commitments means, with respect to each of the Investor or any other investor in the Fund and/or the Parallel Funds, the aggregate amount of capital commitments in the Fund and/or any Parallel Funds by such Investor or other investor, as applicable.
(b) The Fund agrees that if on or after the date of this Agreement, the Fund or a Parallel Fund enters into a new letter agreement or new similar agreement between the General Partner, the Investment Manager, the Fund, any general partner (or, in the case of a Parallel Fund, including any managed account, that is not a limited partnership, any entity serving in a comparable capacity) of any Parallel Fund or any of their Affiliates and any Limited Partner or any limited partner of, or investor in, any Parallel Fund entered into in connection with the admission of such Limited Partner to the Fund or such investor to any Parallel Fund and all amendments thereto (each, a Side Letter), then, subject to Paragraph 1(c) (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Paragraph 1(c)(iv)), (i) the General Partner shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, deliver to the Investor a copy of any Favorable Terms from all such Side Letters entered into on or after the date hereof (each of which may be redacted by the General Partner to remove any identifying information) in a matrix format, and (ii) the Investor shall be provided with an opportunity to request the irrevocable application of any Favorable Terms granted in such Side Letter (and, consequently, all of the restrictions, conditions or detrimental terms that are reasonably related to such Favorable Term (the Restrictive Terms)); provided, that the Investor notifies the General Partner in writing to that effect within 30 days of receipt of notice thereof.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing provisions, Paragraph 1(b) shall not apply to Side Letters entered into [].
2. Management Fees. Each Capital Account of the Investor shall bear a Management Fee calculated in accordance with the Partnership Agreement, except that each such Capital Account will be subject to a quarterly Management Fee rate of []% ([]% per annum) of the balance of each Capital Account as of the beginning of each calendar quarter.
3. Carried Interest. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 5.06(b)(ii) of the Partnership Agreement, which shall be interpreted, to the extent possible, consistently with this Paragraph 3, the amount of any distribution apportioned to each Capital Account held by the Investor shall be divided between the Investor and the General Partner and distributed as follows:
(a) Return of Capital. First, 100% to the Investor until the Investor has received cumulative distributions in respect of such Capital Account equal to the Investors Capital Contributions attributable to such Capital Account.
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MR COBALT - SIDE LETTER [INVESTOR]
(b) Preferred Return. Second, 100% to the Investor until the Investor has received, in respect of such Capital Account, on a cumulative basis pursuant to this Paragraph 3(b), an amount equal to a cumulative annual rate of return of [] on the unreturned amount of the Investors Capital Contributions in respect of such Capital Account, determined by taking into account the date such Capital Contributions were made and the date on which distributions by the Fund were made in accordance with Section 5.06(b)(ii) of the Partnership Agreement (as modified by this Paragraph 3).
(c) Initial GP Catch-Up. Third, 100% to the General Partner, until the General Partner has received, in respect of such Capital Account, cumulative distributions pursuant to this Paragraph 3(c) equal to []% of the sum of (x) the distributions made, in respect of such Capital Account, to the Investor pursuant to Paragraph 3(b) and (y) distributions made, in respect of such Capital Account, to the General Partner pursuant to this Paragraph 3(c).
(d) [] Split. Fourth, []% to the Investor and []% to the General Partner until all distributions made with respect to such Capital Account [], on a cumulative basis, equal a cumulative annual rate of return of [] on the unreturned amount of the Investors Capital Contributions in respect of such Capital Account, determined by taking into account the date such Capital Contributions were made and the date on which distributions by the Fund were made in accordance with Section 5.06(b)(ii) of the Partnership Agreement (as modified by this Paragraph 3).
(e) Second GP Catch-Up. Fifth, 100% to the General Partner until the General Partner has received cumulative distributions, in respect of such Capital Account, pursuant to Paragraphs 3(c)-(e), equal to []% of the sum of (x) the distributions made, in respect of such Capital Account, to the Investor pursuant to Paragraph 3(b) and Paragraph 3(d) and (y) distributions made, in respect of such Capital Account, to the General Partner pursuant to Paragraphs 3(c)-(e).
(f) [] Split. Sixth, []% to the Investor and []% to the General Partner until all distributions made with respect to such Capital Account [], on a cumulative basis, equal a cumulative annual rate of return of [] on the unreturned amount of the Investors Capital Contributions, determined by taking into account the date such Capital Contributions were made and the date on which distributions by the Fund were made in accordance with Section 5.06(b)(ii) of the Partnership Agreement (as modified by this Paragraph 3).
(g) Third GP Catch-Up. Seventh, 100% to the General Partner until the General Partner has received cumulative distributions, in respect of such Capital Account, pursuant to Paragraphs 3(c)-(g) equal to []% of the sum of (x) the distributions made, in respect of such Capital Account, to the Investor pursuant to Paragraph 3(b), Paragraph 3(d) and Paragraph 3(f) and (y) distributions made, in respect of such Capital Account, to the General Partner pursuant to Paragraph 3(c)-(g).
Page 3 of 6
MR COBALT - SIDE LETTER [INVESTOR]
(h) Final Split. Thereafter, []% to the Investor and []% to the General Partner.
All amounts distributed to the General Partner pursuant to Paragraphs 3(c)-(h) shall constitute Carried Interest with respect to the Investor for purposes of the Fund Documents.
4. Jurisdiction. Any action, proceeding or claim relating in any way to, arising out of or concerning this Agreement or the Funds affairs shall be brought and maintained exclusively (subject only to the proviso contained in this Paragraph 4) in the Federal courts located in New York County, and each party irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of such courts to the broadest extent possible for any such action, proceeding or claim and waives any objection to proceeding there that such party might have on the basis of inconvenient forum, improper venue, or otherwise; provided, that if the Federal courts located in New York County would not have or are found not to have subject matter jurisdiction over any action, proceeding or claim relating in any way to, arising out of or concerning this Agreement or the Funds affairs, such action, proceeding or claim shall be brought and maintained only in the courts of the State of Delaware, and each party irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of such courts to the broadest extent possible for any such action, proceeding or claim and waives any objection to proceeding there that such party might have on the basis of inconvenient forum, improper venue, or otherwise.
5. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be performed wholly within such jurisdiction. If it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that any provision of this Agreement is invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of this Agreement.
6. Amendment; Assignment; Execution. Except as specifically provided herein, this Agreement shall not otherwise affect any rights or obligations that the Investor may have as a Partner in the Fund. Any variation to the terms of this Agreement shall be effective only when made in writing and signed, either by the parties hereto or by the party against whom such variation is sought to be enforced. This Agreement may not be assigned by any party without the prior written consent of all parties hereto. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Fund Documents, this Agreement shall be deemed executed contemporaneously with the Investors admission as a Partner of the Fund.
Page 4 of 6
MR COBALT - SIDE LETTER [INVESTOR]
7. Counterparts. Counterparts may be executed through the use of separate signature pages or in any number of counterparts with the same effect as if the parties executing such counterparts had all executed one counterpart. This Agreement may be signed by any party manually or by way of an electronic signature (including DocuSign or other similar method) or by a signature or a representation of a signature affixed by mechanical means. Each party understands and agrees that any portable document format (PDF) file, facsimile, or other reproduction of its signature on any counterpart shall be equal to and enforceable as its original signature and that any such reproduction shall be a counterpart hereof that is fully enforceable in any court or arbitral panel of competent jurisdiction. The General Partner may take such steps as it deems appropriate to determine the validity of any electronic signature.
8. Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HERETO KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY, AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVES ITS RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF, OR RELATING TO, THIS AGREEMENT. THIS WAIVER APPLIES TO ANY PROCEEDING, WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT, TORT, OR OTHERWISE.
9. Termination. This Agreement (except for Paragraphs 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10) shall automatically and without notice terminate as and when the Investor (or any permitted assignee or transferee) no longer owns an Interest.
10. No Third-Party Rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to create any right in any person not a party hereto (other than the permitted successors, assigns, and transferees of a party hereto) and this Agreement shall not be construed in any respect to be a contract, in whole or in part, for the benefit of any third party (except as aforesaid).
11. Binding Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of each party that is a signatory hereto and each of their respective successors and permitted assigns.
12. Severability. Every term and provision of this Agreement is intended to be severable. If any term or provision hereof is illegal or invalid for any reason whatsoever, such term or provision shall be enforced to the maximum extent permitted by law and, in any event, such illegality or invalidity shall not affect the validity of the remainder of this Agreement.
Page 5 of 6
MR COBALT - SIDE LETTER [INVESTOR]
13. Interpretation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Fund Documents (which shall include any amendments thereto unless otherwise agreed by the parties hereto at the time of such amendments), other than as described in Section 11.01 of the Partnership Agreement with respect to the Investors Non-Disclosure Agreement, the parties hereto agree that in the event of any inconsistency between the terms of this Agreement, on the one hand, and the Fund Documents, on the other hand, the terms of this Agreement shall control.
[Remainder of the Page Intentionally Left Blank]
Page 6 of 6
Please confirm that the above correctly reflects our understanding and agreement with respect to the foregoing matters by signing the enclosed copy of this Agreement and returning such copy to the Fund, the Investment Manager and the General Partner.
Very truly yours, | ||
MR COBALT OFFSHORE FUND [] LP | ||
By: | MR Cobalt GP LLC, its general partner | |
By: | MR GP HoldCo LLC, its managing member | |
By: | MR GP HoldCo MM LLC, its managing member | |
By: | PCH MR GP Holdings LLC, its managing member |
By: |
Name: | Paul C. Hilal | |
Title: | Sole Member | |
MR COBALT GP LLC | ||
By: | MR GP HoldCo LLC, its managing member | |
By: | MR GP HoldCo MM LLC, its managing member | |
By: | PCH MR GP Holdings LLC, its managing member |
By: |
Name: | Paul C. Hilal | |
Title: | Sole Member |
[Signature Page to Investor Side Letter]
MR COBALT ADVISOR LLC | ||
By: | Mantle Ridge LP, its managing member | |
By: | Mantle Ridge GP LLC, its general partner | |
By: | PCH MR Advisor Holdings LLC, its managing member |
By: |
Name: | Paul C. Hilal | |
Title: | Sole Member |
[Signature Page to Investor Side Letter]
Agreed and accepted as of the date first written above by:
[] |
| |
By: |
[] |
By: | ||
Name: |
By: |
Name: |
[Signature Page to Investor Side Letter]
Exhibit 99.8
PARTICIPANT INFORMATION
In accordance with Rule 14a-12(a)(1)(i) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the following persons are anticipated to be, or may be deemed to be, participants in any such proxy solicitation: Mantle Ridge LP, MR Cobalt Advisor LLC, MR Cobalt Offshore Fund AB Ltd., Paul C. Hilal, Susan M. Cameron, Frederick A. Crawford, John W. Flanigan, Cheryl W. Grisé, Steven T. Halverson, Daniel J. Heinrich, Edward J. Kelly, III, Mary A. Laschinger, Dennis H. Reilley and Bertram L. Scott. Certain of these persons hold direct or indirect interests as follows: Mantle Ridge LP, MR Cobalt Advisor LLC and Paul C. Hilal beneficially own 12,729,873 shares of Common Stock; Ms. Cameron beneficially owns 2,200 shares of Common Stock; Mr. Crawford beneficially owns 1,428 shares of Common Stock; Mr. Flanigan beneficially owns 900 shares of Common Stock; Mr. Halverson beneficially owns 13,698 shares of Common Stock; Ms. Laschinger beneficially owns 19,000 shares of Common Stock; and Mr. Reilley beneficially owns 99,115 shares of Common Stock; and Ms. Cameron, Mr. Crawford, Mr. Flanigan, Ms. Grisé, Mr. Halverson, Mr. Heinrich, Mr. Hilal, Mr. Kelly, III, Ms. Laschinger, Mr. Reilley and Mr. Scott each have an interest in being nominated and elected as a director of the Issuer.
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